Best SD Cards for Raspberry Pi 5: Compatibility and Speed for Optimal Performance

The Raspberry Pi 5 is here, and it’s bringing some serious upgrades compared to its predecessors, including the Raspberry Pi 4. With faster processing speeds, better connectivity, and support for more advanced peripherals, the Pi 5 is a true powerhouse for DIY projects, media servers, home automation, and much more. But there’s one crucial element that often gets overlooked in the excitement of these new features: the SD card.

While it might seem like any old SD card will work, choosing the right one is key to unlocking the full potential of the Raspberry Pi 5. An underperforming SD card can limit boot times, slow down application launches, and create bottlenecks when transferring large files. With the Pi 5 supporting faster speeds and higher capacities than ever before, it’s more important than ever to pick the best SD card to match. Whether you’re running a media center, setting up a development environment, or simply need reliable storage for your projects, the right SD card can make a huge difference in performance.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to choose the best SD card for your Raspberry Pi 5. We’ll explore the key features to look for, highlight the best options, and even touch on the less obvious aspects like endurance and IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) that are crucial for a smooth Pi experience. Let’s dive in!

1. How is the SD Card Slot on Pi 5 Compared to Pi 4?

The Raspberry Pi 5 introduces several upgrades over the Pi 4, and that includes the SD card slot. While both models rely on microSD cards for boot and storage, the Pi 5 comes with some notable improvements that enhance the overall performance and compatibility of the SD card.

Differences in SD Card Slot Design

• Slot Orientation & Access: One of the most noticeable physical changes is the slot orientation. On the Raspberry Pi 5, the microSD card slot is located on the opposite side of the board compared to the Pi 4. This change is primarily designed to allow for easier access when mounted in enclosures.

• Faster Data Transfer: The Pi 5’s SD card slot is designed to handle faster data transfer rates than the Pi 4’s. While the Pi 4’s slot supports UHS-I, the Pi 5 takes it a step further by enabling higher-speed standards for even better performance.

Support for Faster SD Card Standards on Pi 5

• UHS-I and UHS-II: The Raspberry Pi 5 supports UHS-I (Ultra High Speed Phase I) and UHS-II cards. UHS-I cards have been the standard for many years, offering read speeds up to 104MB/s, which is perfectly fine for most Pi 4 use cases. However, with the Pi 5, you can now take advantage of UHS-II cards, which support even faster speeds, reaching up to 312MB/s (depending on the card).

• SDR104 Mode: The biggest change with Pi 5 is the support for SDR104 mode, which allows for even higher speeds than UHS-I. In this mode, you can achieve higher read/write speeds, making it especially useful for intensive applications like 4K video streaming, large data processing, or running multiple containers and VMs. Pi 5’s compatibility with SDR104 means you’ll be able to unlock the full potential of the latest SD cards, improving system responsiveness and overall performance.

Compatibility with Higher-Speed SDR104 Mode

• What is SDR104?: SDR104 is an SD Card bus mode designed to achieve maximum performance. It pushes the speed limits of the SD card interface and is ideal for high-performance tasks where quick read/write access is essential. Pi 5 fully supports SDR104, whereas the Pi 4’s slot is limited to UHS-I speeds and does not support SDR104 mode.

• Why This Matters: If you’re using your Pi for more demanding tasks like video editing, high-speed data processing, or running a media server, taking advantage of SDR104 mode can provide smoother and faster performance, reducing bottlenecks and improving overall user experience.

In conclusion, the Pi 5 SD card slot offers backward compatibility with older cards that work in the Pi 4, but the key upgrade here is the ability to support UHS-II and SDR104 standards. This gives Pi 5 users a significant performance boost, particularly if you’re using high-end, fast SD cards designed for these standards.

2. What SD Card Standards Should You Look for in the Raspberry Pi 5?

When choosing an SD card for the Raspberry Pi 5, you need to consider various standards that determine speed, endurance, and compatibility. Unlike older Raspberry Pi models, the Pi 5 can take advantage of faster SD card technologies, meaning you can get much better performance if you choose the right card.

Storage Capacity – How Much Do You Need?

The capacity of your SD card depends on how you plan to use your Raspberry Pi 5. Here’s a general guide:

• 16GB – 32GB → Best for lightweight tasks, such as a basic Linux setup or a retro gaming console.
• 64GB – 128GB → Ideal for desktop use, small databases, and media streaming.
• 256GB – 512GB+ → Required for large-scale projects, AI applications, or running VMs.

💡 Pi 5 supports microSD cards up to 1TB, but keep in mind that not all ultra-high-capacity cards are optimized for performance.

Speed Classes – What Do They Mean?

MicroSD cards come with various speed ratings, and these numbers can be confusing. Here’s what to look for:

💡 For Raspberry Pi 5, UHS-I U3 (V30) is a solid balance of speed and price. If you need maximum performance, go for V60 or V90.

Read vs. Write Speeds – Why They Matter

• Read Speed – Affects how fast your Raspberry Pi boots and loads applications.
• Write Speed – Impacts how quickly data is saved, which is important for logging, databases, and recording.

The Pi 5’s support for SDR104 mode allows for read speeds up to 104MB/s, so choosing a card that can fully utilize this speed (like a UHS-I U3 or UHS-II card) will provide the best experience.

Best Performing SD Card for Raspberry Pi 5

After analyzing benchmark results, the best SD card overall for speed and reliability is the Samsung Pro Ultimate. It outperforms all others in key areas such as random read/write speeds, sequential performance, and endurance.

1. Best Overall SD Card – Samsung Pro Ultimate

Why Samsung Pro Ultimate?

✅ Fastest Random Read/Write Performance – Crucial for databases, application loading, and OS performance.
✅ High Sequential Read/Write Speeds – Ideal for media playback, 4K streaming, and large file transfers.
✅ Excellent IOPS – Ensures quick access times and efficient data handling.
✅ Reliable Endurance – Built for long-term use, logging, and 24/7 applications.

2. Best Budget SD Card – Kingston Canvas Go! Plus

For those looking for great performance at a lower price, the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus is an excellent alternative.

Why Kingston Canvas Go! Plus?

✅ Great Value for Performance – Close to high-end SD cards at a lower cost.
✅ Strong Read/Write Speeds – Handles booting, application launching, and general Pi OS tasks smoothly.
✅ Reliable for Most Use Cases – Perfect for general Pi projects, gaming, and media streaming.

3. Best High-Endurance SD Card – Samsung Pro Endurance

For 24/7 applications like logging, security cameras, and IoT, the Samsung Pro Endurance is the best choice.

Why Samsung Pro Endurance?

✅ Built for Continuous Use – Handles constant read/write cycles without degradation.
✅ Highly Durable – Specifically engineered for reliability in 24/7 environments.
✅ Avoids Data Corruption – Unlike standard SD cards, this minimizes the risk of failure over time.

Final Recommendations – Which SD Card Should You Buy?

💡 Best for Performance: Samsung Pro Ultimate – Fastest speeds & best all-around performance. 💰 Best for Budget: Kingston Canvas Go! Plus – Great value without sacrificing too much speed. 🛡 Best for Endurance: Samsung Pro Endurance – Longest lifespan for 24/7 applications.

Key Takeaways

• Choose an SD card with at least UHS-I (A2/V30) for the best Pi 5 experience.
• Faster read/write speeds (90MB/s+) reduce boot times and improve responsiveness.
• Avoid generic or unbranded SD cards – Stick with reputable brands like Samsung, SanDisk, and Kingston.
• If using your Pi for logging or constant read/write tasks, get a high-endurance card.

With the right SD card, you can maximize the performance of your Raspberry Pi 5 and ensure a smooth, fast, and reliable experience.

Lexar 300x

Lexar  633x 

Samsung  EVO+

SanDisk Extreme A1 

Sandisk Ultra A1

Kingston SD Canvas Go! Plus 

Brand: SanDisk Extreme Pro A2 

PNY SD Premier-X 

Samsung SD Pro Ultimate 

Samsung SD EVO Select 

DD Write – Sequential write speed test using dd (higher is better).

HDParm (Disk) – Raw disk read speed (higher is better).

HDParm (Cache) – Cached read speed from system cache (higher is better).

FIO 4KRandW (IOPS) – Random 4K write operations per second (higher is better).

FIO 4KRandR (IOPS) – Random 4K read operations per second (higher is better).

FIO 4KRandW (KB/s) – Random 4K write throughput in KB/s (higher is better).

FIO 4KRandR (KB/s) – Random 4K read throughput in KB/s (higher is better).

IOZone 4KR (KB/s) – Sequential 4K read speed (higher is better).

IOZone 4KW (KB/s) – Sequential 4K write speed (higher is better).

IOZone 4KRandR (KB/s) – Random 4K read speed (higher is better).

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