Amazon Basics MicroSD Card 512GB Speed Tests

Amazon Basics MicroSD Card 512GB Card Speed Tests.

Learn how fast the Amazon Basics 512GB microSD card really is. I ran real world speed tests including full write and read tests, file copy tests, and sustained write speed tests.

The card comes with an adapter and an old school plastic case. The case is a bit oversized but it is really protective. You could probably drive a car over it and the card would still be fine.

What the markings mean

On the card you will see “”V30″” printed. This means the card is rated for at least 30 megabytes per second sustained write speed. That is important for video recording. If you record 4K video, you need a card that can keep up. V30 is the minimum for decent 4K recording.

The card also has “”A2″” printed. This is for app performance on Android phones. A2 cards load apps faster than A1 cards.

Test setup

I used a Kingston card reader that can do 170 megabytes per second read and write speed. The computer saw the card right away. It came formatted as exFAT, which works on most devices including Windows, Mac, Android, and cameras.

Speed test results

I did not expect much from an Amazon Basics card. But the results were surprisingly good.

Read speed: 170 megabytes per second

Write speed: 145 to 150 megabytes per second

These numbers are excellent for a microSD card at this price point.

Comparison with SanDisk Extreme Pro

I compared the Amazon Basics card with a SanDisk Extreme Pro SD card (256GB). The SanDisk was slower:

• SanDisk Extreme Pro: 183 read / 137-140 write
• Amazon Basics: 170 read / 145-150 write

The Amazon Basics card writes almost as fast and even faster in some situations than the regular size SD card SanDisk Extreme Pro. That is impressive for a budget card.

Real world file copy test

I copied large video files to both cards:

• SanDisk Extreme Pro: less than 140 megabytes per second
• Amazon Basics: 137 to 139 megabytes per second

The Amazon Basics card stayed consistent at around 138 megabytes per second average for the full card write. That is well above the V30 requirement of 30 megabytes per second.

Full write and read verification

I ran a full write and read verify test. This writes data to the entire 512GB capacity and then reads it back to make sure the data is correct.

Why this matters: Fake cards often report a fake capacity. They show 512GB but actually overwrite old data when you try to fill them up. You lose your files without knowing it.

Since this card was shipped from Amazon and sold by Amazon Basics, the chance of it being fake is very low. The test passed. The card works correctly.

Heat management

Memory cards get hot when you write a lot of data to them. This is normal. A 512GB card gets hotter than a smaller card because you are writing for longer.

If you are writing many large files in hot summer weather, consider writing in batches. Let the card cool down between large transfers.

Who should buy this card

This card is good for:

• Phones – Extra storage for photos, videos, and apps
• Action cameras – GoPro, DJI, and similar cameras need V30 or faster
• Drones – Needs reliable write speed for video
• Tablets – Expand storage for movies and files
• Nintendo Switch – Game storage (works well)

This card might not be the best for:

• Professional cameras recording very high bitrate video (you may need V60 or V90)
• Constant heavy writes in hot environments

What about the 1TB or 2TB versions?

Higher capacity cards are more expensive. For a phone, 512GB is plenty for most people. For cameras, I use 128GB and 256GB cards. The 512GB is good for a phone where you keep all your photos, music, and offline videos.

How long will it last?

I do not know how long these cards will last. I usually use SanDisk Extreme Pro and SanDisk Ultra cards. This Amazon Basics card is actually faster than my SanDisk Extreme Pro in write speed.

Hopefully it lasts long enough. Only time will tell.

Quick summary

Specs:

• Capacity: 512GB
• Speed class: V30 (minimum 30 MB/s sustained write)
• App performance: A2
• Format: exFAT
• Includes: Adapter and protective case

Test results:

• Read speed: 170 MB/s
• Write speed: 145-150 MB/s
• Full card write average: 138 MB/s
• Full write/read verify: Passed

Good points:

• Very fast write speed
• Comes with protective case
• V30 rated for 4K video
• A2 rated for phone apps
• Real capacity (not fake)

Things to note:

• The case is oversized but protective
• Gets hot during long writes
• Not the fastest card on the market, but very good for the price

Final verdict:

The Amazon Basics 512GB microSD card is surprisingly good. It writes faster than my SanDisk Extreme Pro. It meets V30 requirements easily. The full card test passed. For phone storage, action cameras, drones, or general use, this card works great.

If you need the absolute fastest card, Amazon sells faster models. But for most people, this V30 card is more than enough. The 512GB size gives you plenty of room for photos, videos, and apps.

Thanks for reading. The card works, it is fast, and the price is reasonable. I will update if I have any issues with long term reliability.