Best MicroSD card for Wyze Cam v3: Buying Guide
Excellent home security camera that fits almost any budget is the Wyze Cam v3. We have previously written about how much we enjoy using the product. Moreover, it has the advantages of using local microSD storage instead of subscribing to a cloud storage service.
What is the best SD card for Wyze cam v3? is the question that we will try to address in this article.
Buying a MicroSD Card: Points to Consider
Storage space
Officially, Wyze Cam v3 states that it supports MicroSD cards up to 32GB. There is no reason, however, why a 64GB or 128GB microSD card cannot be used with the camera. The Wyze forums, video reviews, and tech reviewers have all amply attested to this. Wyze will accept SD cards with a storage capacity greater than 32GB as long as they are correctly formatted. Keep in mind that the card needs to be formatted in FAT32, which can be accomplished using a third-party formatting tool.
A few days’ worth of 1080p recording should fit on a 32GB microSD, but this won’t be enough for everyone. Therefore, you must decide whether you want to remain with the 32GB memory card that the manufacturer recommends or buy a larger memory card (against Wyze’s advice) so that you can keep more than a week’s worth of footage. A minimum 64GB card is what we advise. Also keep in mind that using a card that is “too large” won’t harm your security camera.
Endurance cards and the demands of security cameras
You should be aware of how demanding continuous recording is on a micro SD card since Wyze (and other security cameras) can be configured to use it. When the memory card is full during continuous recording, the camera will overwrite the most recent video with the previous one. The microSD card’s lifespan is significantly shortened by this continuous cycle of recording followed by rewriting, which is very difficult on the card.
We advise getting an endurance microSD card because of the stress placed on the card. Unlike regular cards, endurance cards are specifically made to resist the record-then-rewrite cycle without rapidly deteriorating. A non-endurance card of a similar size will typically cost 25%–50% less than an endurance card. But keep in mind that the pricing difference with a 64GB card will only be roughly $15 versus $12.
You should also be aware that using a microSD card in a security camera may often violate the warranty. This is a result of the strenuous procedures mentioned above. Decide between an endurance card (which won’t violate the warranty if used with a Wyze camera) or the manufacturer’s branded card if the warranty is important (Wyze 32GB).
Brand & reliability
Whether you want to believe it or not, the market is awash with fake microSD cards. Buy a reliable brand (such as Samsung, SanDisk, or Kingston) through a trustworthy store to prevent buying a fake microSD card.
There is simply no need to ever select an off-brand memory card when a 32GB SanDisk or Samsung microSD card is around $10. Saving a few pennies is not worth the shorter lifespan and potential for subpar card performance of inexpensive micro SD cards.
MicroSD vs. SD
Although it may seem obvious to some, there is a distinction between an SD card and a micro SD card. The Wyze Cam v3 and other Wyze security cameras employ microSD cards as opposed to conventional ones. Therefore, be sure to buy a microSD.
Read/write speed
For a basic 1080p security camera like the Wyze Cam v3, read and write speeds on a microSD card are important but not crucial. Write speeds still matter a little, but read speeds are meaningless. However, practically all Class 10 microSD cards in circulation (the ones that show up in a straightforward Amazon search for “micro SD card”) have fast enough write speeds to capture Wyze video.
You don’t need lightning-fast write rates, as evidenced by the Wyze 32GB’s meager 20 MB/second write performance. Despite being substantially slower than all the cards on our list of recommendations, this is the card the manufacturer recommends.
Top picks
SanDisk High Endurance 64GB
SanDisk High Endurance is designed to last. It is x-ray proof, temperature proof, waterproof, shockproof, and has been tested under “severe conditions.” The card is made for use with write-intensive applications, like a security camera. This eliminates worries about nullifying a guarantee.
Anyone who intends to use their Wyze Cam in continuous recording mode should be aware that the card is rated for up to 5,000 hours of video recording. Additionally, it is quicker than necessary, with read and write rates of 100 MB/s and 40 MB/s, respectively (both of which are faster than the Wyze brand micro SD card).
Along with a 30-day money-back guarantee, the card is backed by a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Samsung PRO Endurance 64GB
You don’t have to be concerned about voiding the warranty because this Samsung card is “particularly built for video surveillance cameras.”
Its read and write rates of 100 MB/s and 30 MB/s, respectively, are faster than what a Wyze Cam v3 requires. The card can record in high quality for up to 43,800 hours, according to the manufacturer, and Samsung is a very dependable brand. The card is resistant to shock, water, extreme temperatures, x-rays, and magnets.
If you upgrade to the 128GB capacity, Samsung offers a 5 year warranty in addition to a 3 year warranty.
This card is definitely the safest choice in response to the question, “What is the best microSD card for a Wyze Cam v3?” You can’t go wrong with the SanDisk card mentioned above, however. It’s difficult to beat the mix of dependability and value.
Kingston High Endurance 128GB
In addition to being shockproof, temperature-proof, and x-ray-proof, this card has a high endurance level. The card is made primarily for applications that require a lot of writing (like continuously recording security cameras).
The card has read and write rates that are both quicker than the 32GB Wyze card, 95 MB/s and 45 MB/s, respectively. And 20,000 hours of video recording are anticipated to be possible on the card.
This card is supported by a 3-year warranty from Kingston, a top brand for microSD cards.
Other Options
Overall, we urge you to select an endurance card. This is valid given that an endurance card is better suited to meet the particular requirements of continuous recording. Furthermore, there is no worry about putting the card in a security camera, which is regarded as write-intensive, and unintentionally nullify a warranty.
Here are some other cards, though.
Samsung EVO Plus 128gb
Despite the fact that it is not an endurance card, this one is a terrific bargain. The card continues to be magnet-, x-, temperature-, and waterproof-proof.
With a write speed of 60 MB/s and a read speed of 100 MB/s, it is quicker than required.
Using the card in a security camera will void the card’s 10-year limited warranty. Therefore, for owners of security cameras, the guarantee is essentially meaningless.
Samsung EVO Select 128gb
This card is not an endurance card, however, it is almost identical to the Samsung EVO Plus. The “new generation” of this card is the fastest on this list, with read speeds reaching 130MB/s. However, as was already established, write speeds are only somewhat more significant than read speeds for security cameras.
Additionally, this card is resistant to water, heat, x-rays, and magnets. Use in a security camera voids the 10 year limited warranty.
Wyze Labs 32GB
This card has the slowest write rates on our list at 20 MB/s. Additionally, it is almost 100% overpriced.
Why then do we still advocate for it? Simple — comfort. Micro SD cards are inexpensive, so it doesn’t hurt to “overpay” for a $13 card rather than get a good deal on an $8 card. This card is suggested for a Wyze Cam v3, thus it will undoubtedly work with the gadget. Additionally, it complies with Wyze’s advice to use a microSD card with a capacity of 32 GB or less.
You can be certain that no one from the company will attribute product problems to your memory card by purchasing a card bearing the Wyze logo. There’s a significant likelihood that any troubles you report to customer care when using a 64GB Samsung micro SD card will be attributed to the memory card. However, customer care will be unable to offer any other excuses if you buy a Wyze 32GB card. This indicates that your warranty should be fully honored.
Buying Guide & Features That Matter
To begin with, be sure to select a micro SD card as opposed to a conventional SD card. Micro SD cards are used in place of SD cards for storage in Wyze cameras and the majority of other security cameras. MicroSD cards are undoubtedly more adaptable because they typically come with an adaptor that enables them to be used in a conventional SD card slot.
Keep in mind that, as we already indicated, micro SD cards are heavily utilized by security cameras, such as the Wyze Cam v3 and other Wyze cameras. This is accurate because when the memory card is full, the gadget overwrites older videos. A minor amount of (permanent) damage is done to the card each time the outdated video files are rewritten and wiped. Because of this, every microSD card in circulation has a limited shelf life. If you choose an endurance card, you won’t need to change it out too frequently.
Many manufacturers cancel the microSD card warranty when the card is used by a security camera since security cameras are so tough on memory cards.
One final item to think about is whether or not to buy a backup memory card when buying one for your Wyze security camera. A quality microSD card can be found for $15 or less, so it makes sense to buy an extra card to serve as a backup.
Price
You can typically find 64GB microSD cards from reputable manufacturers like SanDisk and Samsung for $20 or less, which is almost a week’s worth of high definition video. You can definitely purchase a 128GB endurance card from one of these companies for $20 to $30.
Saving a few bucks on an off-brand SD card isn’t worthwhile at the low price point. These businesses not only provide a lesser warranty but are also less likely to uphold it. Also keep in mind that a malfunctioning memory card compromises the security of your complete security system. You won’t regret shelling out a few dollars more for a dependable micro SD card if you need to store security camera footage in the event of a break-in or another emergency. However, don’t be duped by a business like Wyze that offers its own branded SD card at an exorbitant markup.
Warranty
Select a card with at least a 2-year warranty. But more importantly, make sure the warranty won’t be voided if you use your card in a security camera. And make your purchase from a business you can rely on to uphold the warranty.
Endurance rating
The majority of cards boast about how resistant they are to water, x-rays, electric surges, severe temperatures, and magnetic forces. This is undoubtedly advantageous, but we are more interested in a card’s capacity to handle repeated record-then-rewrite cycles. In a Wyze security camera, endurance cards, which are made specifically for this use, should endure for a very long time.
The cost difference is fairly minor, even if a conventional, non-endurance card will live for several months in a security camera.
Storage capacity
Because 32GB is the maximum card size advised by the manufacturer, it is a secure option for the Wyze Cam v3. But in continuous recording mode, you will shortly run out of storage (within a few days). As a result, when the camera records over it, the footage is lost.
The best storage options for the Wyze Cam v3 are probably 64GB and 128GB. Highly regarded 128GB endurance cards are currently available for less than $30. If your finances permit it, we advise getting a card that falls under this category.
As we’ve already indicated, the primary drawback of buying a larger microSD card is the extra cost, and for most purposes, it’s not required to go above 128GB. It makes no sense to select a 512GB card from an untrustworthy supplier. Finding a 64GB card from a reputable brand might be wiser.
Reliability
The most crucial action you can take in this situation is to buy a memory card from a reputable manufacturer. Leading businesses with a good reputation for dependability include Samsung, SanDisk, and Kingston. We don’t advise buying from unidentified sellers or brands. Cheap cards of poor quality are widely available. Additionally, as was already indicated, numerous fake cards are being marketed.
The advice we gave in our article on the best SD cards for dash cams will be repeated: “In general, it is preferable to get a standard (non-endurance) microSD card from a respected brand rather than an endurance card from an unidentified manufacturer.” Similarly, it is preferable to get a memory card from a reputable brand with less storage capacity rather than one from an unreliable brand with more storage space (for instance, select a 64GB Samsung card rather than a 128GB card).
Read/write speed
For your Wyze Cam v3, don’t worry too much about the read and write speeds of a microSD card. A 1080p security camera requires read/write rates faster than almost all microSD cards offer.
The 32GB microSD card with the Wyze brand, which Wyze recommends, only provides 20MB/s write rates, as was already mentioned. Each card on our list has writing rates greater than 20 MB/s. Additionally, a high-quality, well-rated card will probably have considerably quicker speeds than you require.
Final thoughts
It’s simple to select the best microSD card for the Wyze Cam v3 or any other Wyze security camera. Just locate an endurance card with 32GB or more from a reliable manufacturer, such as Samsung, SanDisk, or Kingston. And if you feel more comfortable following the manufacturer’s suggestions, you may get a 32GB microSD card under the Wyze brand that is “overpriced,” but only a little bit.