The Wyze Cam v3 is an excellent home security camera that works with almost any budget. We have written previously about how much we like the product, and the benefits of local microSD storage rather than paying for a cloud storage subscription.
Here, we will attempt to answer the question, “What is the best SD card for Wyze cam v3?”
Buying a MicroSD Card: Points to Consider
Storage space
Wyze Cam v3 officially claims to support MicroSD cards up to 32GB. However, there is no reason why you cannot use a 64GB or 128GB microSD card with the camera. This has been confirmed dozens of times by tech reviewers, video reviews, and in the Wyze forums. As long as the card is properly formatted, Wyze will support SD cards larger than 32GB. Note that the card must be in the FAT32 format, which can be done via a third-party formatting program.
A 32GB microSD should hold a few days’ worth of 1080p recording, which won’t be enough for everyone. So, you need to decide whether you want to stick to the manufacturer’s recommendation of a 32GB, or purchase a larger memory card (against Wyze’s recommendation) and be able to store over a week of video. We recommend a 64GB card at a minimum. And note that there is no way that using “too large” of a card will damage your security camera.
Endurance cards & demands of security cameras
Because Wyze (and most security cameras) can be set to use continuous recording, you should be aware of how demanding this feature is on a micro SD card. In continuous recording, the camera will rewrite new video over the oldest video once the memory card reaches capacity. This constant cycle of record-then-rewrite is extremely hard on microSD cards, and considerably shortens the lifespan of the card.
Due to the demands on the card, we recommend purchasing an endurance microSD card. Endurance cards are specifically designed to withstand the record-then-rewrite cycle, without degrading as quickly as a normal card would. An endurance card will generally cost 25% – 50% more than a similar size non-endurance card. But remember that, with a 64GB card, the price difference will only be about $15 versus $12.
You should also know that many microSD cards will void the warranty if the card is used in a security camera. This is due to the demanding processes discussed above. So, if the warranty matters, choose an endurance card (which will not void the warranty if used with a Wyze camera) or the manufacturer’s branded card (Wyze 32GB).
Brand & reliability
Believe it or not, counterfeit microSD cards have flooded the market. In order to avoid purchasing a counterfeit micro SD card, purchase a reputable brand (like Samsung, SanDisk, or Kingston) through a reputable retailer.
When you can purchase a Samsung or SanDisk 32GB microSD card for less than $10, there really is no reason to ever choose an off-brand memory card. The decreased lifespan of cheap micro SD cards, as well as the risk of poor card performance, is not worth saving a couple dollars.
MicroSD vs. SD
This may be obvious to some, but there is a difference between a micro SD card and an SD card. Wyze Cam v3 (and other Wyze security cameras) uses a micro SD card, rather than the standard size. So be sure to purchase a microSD.
Read/write speed (?)
Although the read speed and write speed are important features on a microSD card, it really isn’t too important for a simple 1080p security camera like the Wyze Cam v3. Read speeds are irrelevant, but write speeds still matter somewhat. However, almost all available Class 10 micro SD cards (the ones that will turn up in a simple Amazon search for “micro SD card”) have sufficient write speeds to record Wyze footage.
For proof that you don’t need blazing fast write speeds, notice that the write speed on the Wyze 32GB is only 20MB/second. This is the card that the manufacturer recommends, even though it is much slower than all the cards on our recommendation list.
Top picks
SanDisk High Endurance 64GB
The SanDisk High Endurance is built for durability. It has been tested in “harsh conditions,” and is temperature-proof, waterproof, shockproof, and x-ray proof. The card is designed for write-intensive applications, such as using it with a security camera. For this reason, there are no concerns of voiding a warranty.
The card is rated for up to 5,000 hours of video recording, which is important for anyone who plans to use their Wyze Cam in continuous recording mode. It also has more speed than needed, with read speeds of 100MB/s and write speeds of 40MB/s (both of which are faster than the Wyze brand micro SD card).
The card comes with a 2 year warranty from the manufacturer, in addition to a 30 day money back guarantee.
Samsung PRO Endurance 64GB
This card by Samsung is “specifically designed for video monitoring cameras,” so you don’t need to worry about voiding the warranty by using it with your security camera.
Its 100MB/s read speed and 30MB/s write speeds are faster than necessary for a Wyze Cam v3. The manufacturer lists the card lifespan at up to 43,800 hours of high definition recording, and Samsung is a very reliable brand. The card is shock proof, waterproof, temperature proof, x-ray proof, and magnet-proof.
Samsung provides a 3 year warranty, and a 5 year warranty if you upgrade to the 128GB size.
You can’t go wrong with the SanDisk listed above, either, but this card is probably the safest answer to the question, “What is the best micro SD card for a Wyze Cam v3?”. The combination of reliability and value is hard to beat.
Kingston High Endurance 128GB
This card is also high endurance, and designed to be shockproof, temperature-proof, and protected from x-rays. The card is manufactured specifically for write-intensive applications (like continuous recording security cameras).
The card features read speeds of 95MB/s, and write speeds of 45MB/s, both of which are faster than the Wyze 32GB card. And the card is expected to last for up to 20,000 hours of video recording.
Kingston is an excellent brand for micro SD cards, and the company backs this card with a 3 year warranty.
Other Options
Overall, we strongly recommend choosing an endurance card. This is true because an endurance card is better equipped to handle the unique demands of continuous recording. Additionally, there is no concern of accidentally voiding a warranty by using the card in a security camera, which is considered write-intensive.
However, here are some other cards to consider.
Samsung EVO Plus 128gb
This card is not an endurance card, but it is a good value among non-endurance cards. The card is still waterproof, temperature-proof, x-ray-proof, and magnet-proof.
It is faster than necessary, with 60MB/s write speed and 100MB/s read speed.
The card has a 10 year limited warranty, but using it in a security camera will void the warranty. So, the warranty is essentially useless for security camera owners.
Samsung EVO Select 128gb
This card is nearly identical to the Samsung EVO Plus, and also is not an endurance card. The “new generation” of this card has read speeds up to 130MB/s, making it the fastest card on this list. However, as mentioned above, read speeds are not important for security cameras, and even write speeds are only moderately important.
This card is also waterproof, temperature-proof, x-ray-proof, and magnet-proof. The 10 year limited warranty is voided if used in a security camera.
Wyze Labs 32GB
With write speeds of 20MB/s, this is the slowest-writing card on our list. It is also overpriced by almost 100%.
So why do we still recommend it? Simple — convenience. Because of the low price of micro SD cards, it isn’t too painful to “overpay” for a $13 card rather than find a good deal on an $8 card. Because this is the recommended card for a Wyze Cam v3, it will certainly be compatible with the device. And it also conforms to Wyze’s recommendation to use a microSD card of 32GB or smaller.
By purchasing the Wyze branded card, you can be sure that nobody from the company blames product issues on your memory card. If you call customer service with issues while using a 64GB Samsung micro SD card, there is a good chance that the memory card is blamed for any problem the device is having. But if you purchase a Wyze 32GB card, customer service will not be able to blame anything other than a faulty device. This means that your warranty should be honored without any issues.
Buying guide & features that matter
For starters, be sure to choose a micro SD card rather than a standard SD card. Wyze cameras (and most other security cameras) use micro SD cards rather than SD cards for storage. Most micro SD cards include an adapter which allows them to be used in a regular SD card slot, so microSD cards are certainly more versatile.
Remember that, as we mentioned earlier, security cameras (including Wyze Cam v3 and other Wyze cameras) are quite demanding on micro SD cards. This is true because the device overwrites older videos once the memory card runs out of available storage. Each time the old video files are erased and overwritten, a small amount of (permanent) damage is done to the card. For this reason, every microSD card available has a finite lifespan. Choosing an endurance card means that you will not have to replace your card very often.
Because security cameras are so hard on memory cards, many manufacturers void the microSD card warranty when the card is used by a security camera.
One last thing you should consider when purchasing a memory card for your Wyze security camera — whether or not to purchase a backup card. Since you can find a quality micro SD card for $15 or less, purchasing an additional card to use as a backup is a wise decision.
Price
If you are looking for a 64GB micro SD card (which should hold almost a week of high definition video), endurance cards from good brands like SanDisk and Samsung are usually available for $20 or less. If you can spend $20 – $30, you can probably get a 128GB endurance card from one of these brands.
Considering the low price point, saving a few dollars on an off-brand SD card isn’t worth it. In addition to offering a shorter warranty, these companies are less likely to honor the warranty. Also remember that poor memory card performance puts your entire security system at risk. In the event of a break-in or situation that requires security camera footage, you won’t regret spending a couple dollars extra for a reliable micro SD card. But at the same time, don’t be tricked by a company like Wyze offering their own branded SD card for an outrageous markup.
Warranty
Choose a card with a warranty of 2 years at a minimum. But more importantly, confirm that using your card in a security camera won’t void the warranty. And purchase from a company that can be trusted to actually honor the warranty.
Endurance rating
Most cards make claims about their toughness against extreme temperatures, electric surges, magnetic forces, x-rays, and water. While this is obviously a benefit, we are more concerned with a card’s ability to handle the record-then-rewrite cycle numerous times. Endurance cards are specifically designed for this purpose, and should last a long time in a Wyze security camera.
Even if a standard, non-endurance card will last for many months in a security camera, the price difference is quite small.
Storage capacity
32GB cards are a safe choice for the Wyze Cam v3 because it is the manufacturer’s recommended maximum card size. However, in continuous recording mode, you will run out of storage pretty quickly (within a few days). This results in footage being lost when the camera records over it.
64GB and 128GB are probably the ideal size for a Wyze Cam v3. At the time of publishing, highly rated 128GB endurance cards are available for less than $30. If your budget allows, we recommend purchasing a card that fits in this category.
As we have previously mentioned, the main disadvantage of purchasing a larger size micro SD card is the added expense, along with the fact that it is unnecessary to exceed 128GB for most uses. Choosing a 512GB card from an unreliable manufacturer makes no sense. It would be smarter to find a 64GB card from a legitimate manufacturer.
Reliability
The most important thing you can do here is purchase a memory card from a reliable brand. Samsung, SanDisk, and Kingston are top companies with a reputation for reliability. We don’t recommend purchasing unknown brands, or from unknown retailers. There are many low-quality cards being sold at budget prices. And, as mentioned above, there are also many counterfeit cards being sold.
We will repeat the same guidance that we offered in our write-up of best SD cards for dash cams:
“Generally, it is better to purchase a basic (non-endurance) micro SD card from a reputable brand, rather than an endurance card from an unknown brand. Likewise, it is better to get a reliable memory card with less storage space rather than an unknown card with more storage space (for example, choose a 64GB Samsung card rather than a 128GB card from an unreliable brand).”
Read/write speed
Don’t spend too much time worrying about the read speed or write speed of a microSD card for your Wyze Cam v3. Almost all microSD cards feature read/write speeds faster than are needed for a 1080p security camera.
As was discussed above, the Wyze brand 32GB micro SD card (the card that Wyze recommends) only has 20MB/s write speeds. Every card featured on our list has faster writing speeds than 20MB/s. And if you purchase a quality, well-rated card, it will likely have much faster speeds than needed.
Formatting & Maintaining your microSD card for Optimum Performance
It’s critical to understand the importance of maintaining your microSD card to ensure longevity and optimum performance, especially in devices like security cameras that require constant read/write operations.
Formatting your microSD Card
As previously mentioned, the microSD card must be formatted in FAT32 for your Wyze Cam v3 to recognize and use it properly. Though the camera does provide an in-app feature to format your card, you might need to use third-party formatting software if you’re using a larger storage card. Remember to backup any important data before formatting as the process will erase everything on the card.
Regular Maintenance
Perform regular checks to ensure your microSD card is functioning optimally. Over time, your microSD card may develop bad sectors. These are portions of the card that become unreadable or unwritable. To counteract this, some users suggest reformatting the card every 1-2 months.
Checking microSD Card Health
Consider using health-check software for your microSD card. This software can inform you about the card’s health and whether it’s near the end of its lifespan. That way, you can replace it before it fails completely, ensuring that your security footage remains continuous and uninterrupted.
Safely Ejecting the microSD Card
If you need to remove the microSD card from the Wyze Cam v3, ensure that the camera is turned off first. Improper removal can cause data corruption or damage to the card.
Final thoughts
Choosing the best micro SD card for Wyze Cam v3 (or any Wyze security camera) is not challenging. Just find a 32GB or higher endurance card from a reputable brand like Samsung, SanDisk, or Kingston. And if you feel better following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you can purchase a Wyze brand 32GB micro SD that is “overpriced,” but only by a few dollars.
Can I use a microSD card larger than 128GB in my Wyze Cam v3?
A: While the Wyze Cam v3 officially supports microSD cards up to 32GB, it has been confirmed by various users and tech reviewers that you can use a 64GB or 128GB microSD card without any issues. However, using a card larger than 128GB might not be necessary and could lead to formatting issues.
2. Q: Can I use a standard SD card in my Wyze Cam v3 with an adapter?
A: No, Wyze Cam v3 specifically requires a microSD card. Using an SD card with an adapter can cause compatibility issues and potentially damage your camera.
3. Q: If my microSD card fails, will it affect the functioning of the Wyze Cam v3?
A: No, the failure of a microSD card will not impede the functioning of the camera itself. The camera will continue to provide live streaming and event recording if you have a cloud subscription. However, the local recording feature will not work until you replace the failed card.
