Many home security cameras offer an option to use a micro SD card for on-board storage of video events.
Two that come to mind are the Tapo 2K Pan/Tilt Camera and the Wyze Cam V3. I like using a micro SD card as a means to access video archives resulting from motion events. Unlike cloud services, the video archived to a micro SD card will stick around for as long as you don’t overwrite the card. Cloud recordings are typically retained for 14-30 days depending upon the plan you have subscribed to.
We’re going to discuss selecting, and then using, the right micro SD card for a home security camera. The brand of camera doesn’t matter much. Most have the same requirements. Of course, refer to the instructions to see if the manufacturer recommends anything. However, in most cases, they do not.
Manufacturers do not include the micro SD card with the camera. You need to purchase one.
Capacity Classes
The storage capacity of memory cards is divided into three categories:
SD (Secure Digital): Up to 2GB
SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity): 4GB to 32GB
SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity): 64GB to 2TB
For home security cameras, SDXC cards will be the premium choice, especially if you’re recording high-resolution video or need longer retention periods. SDHC cards are better priced and can work well for cameras with motion-triggered recording or where footage is frequently overwritten. SD cards may prove to be slow and may not capture high resolution video appropriately.
Speed Class Ratings
Now let’s look at the types of speed categories. Here are the main speed classes:
Class 10: Minimum write speed of 10MB/s
UHS-I or U1: Minimum write speed of 10MB/s (ideal for Full HD)
UHS-I or U3: Minimum write speed of 30MB/s (ideal for 4K recording)
Video Speed Class (V30, V60, V90): Designed for higher-end video needs; V30 supports 4K, while V90 is geared toward 8K
If you’re recording 1080p, a less expensive Class 10 card will work fine. Beyond 1080p (and for most home security systems), a U1 is more appropriate. However, if your system records in 4K, a U3 card is recommended. There are very few mainstream home security cameras that will require the higher end V-30, V60 or V90.
Card Capacity
How about the size of the card? This will depend upon the amount of motion, default recording duration and days of video you wish to retain. Most cameras will record in a continuous loop and will overwrite the oldest video. Some cameras have an option to stop recording when the card is full. Use the latter option with caution.
Card prices have declined substantially over the years on a price per GB basis. A starter card should be no less than 64GB, with 128GB or 256GB recommended.
Card Recommendations
Stick with brand name cards. Sure, you can save a bit with off brand cards, but these are the ones that will stop working or not work at all. I have had great success with SanDisk and Transcend.
The SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card is a premium card that should work in practically any home security camera. This is an excellent quality card that is rated at 200 MB per second. This line of cards spans from smaller sizes all the way up to 2TB.
Another reliable brand of micro SD card is Transcend. The Transcend 128GB SDXC UHS-I Memory Card is rated at 100 MB per second. It’s a little less expensive than SanDisk and still a very good choice.
Sticking with SanDisk or Transcend should ensure that your card is reliable now and in the future.
When inserting the micro SD card into your home security camera, here are a few tips. First, unplug the camera, then insert the card, then plug the camera back in. When the camera comes back, format the card using the formatting function within the camera app. Starting fresh with a format recognized by your home security camera ensures compatibility.