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GoPro Hero 13 Black SD card requirements

Best SD Card for GoPro Hero 13

Expert recommendations based on GoPro Hero 13 Black specifications

Recommended Spec

microSD UHS-I (UHS-II Compatible) (V30 / U3 or faster)

The Hero 13's High bitrate setting records about 120 Mbps, or 15 MB/s, so a V30 card has headroom at 5.3K60 and 4K120. GoPro supports cards up to 1TB. A 256GB card holds about 4.5 hours at that bitrate.

Official GoPro Hero 13 SD Card Requirements

  • Format: microSD UHS-I (UHS-II Compatible)
  • Minimum Speed: V30 / U3 (30 MB/s write)
  • Maximum Capacity: Up to 1TB
Why these requirements? Shoots 5.3K60, 4K120 and 2.7K240. GoPro requires V30 or UHS-3 cards. V30 guarantees 30 MB/s of sustained write, about double the Hero 13's 120 Mbps High bitrate, so the card does not fall behind mid-clip. GoPro supports cards up to 1TB.

Detailed Specifications

Type
microSD UHS-I (UHS-II Compatible)
Min Speed Class
V30 / U3
Write Speed
30 MB/s
Recommended Size
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Max Capacity
1TB

Top SD Card Recommendations

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SD Card Verified Speed Class Write Speed Pros Price
SanDisk Extreme microSD V30 SD card - 45USD
SanDisk Extreme microSD
Full Review
V30 Up to 130 MB/s
  • V30 and A2 with fast writes
  • sold up to 1.5TB. Widely available
  • so easy to buy genuine.
$ Check Price
Lexar Professional 633x (Blue Series) V30 SD card - 20USD
Lexar Professional 633x (Blue Series)
V30 Up to 45 MB/s
  • Budget V30 card for 1080p and 4K up to 100 Mbps.
$ Check Price
Kingston Canvas Go! Plus V30 SD card - 45USD
Kingston Canvas Go! Plus
V30 Up to 90 MB/s
  • V30 and A2 with 90 MB/s writes. Often bundled with a USB reader.
$ Check Price
Amazon Basics Micro SDXC U3 SD card - 20USD
Amazon Basics Micro SDXC
Full Review
U3 Up to 90 MB/s
  • Low price with A2 for apps and U3 for 4K up to about 100 Mbps.
$ Check Price

Compare These Cards

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See how the recommended cards for GoPro Hero 13 Black stack up side by side, or swap in any other card.

recommended
SanDisk Extreme microSD

SanDisk Extreme microSD

$ · Mid-Range
  • UHS RatingUHS-I
  • Speed ClassV30
  • App PerformanceA2
  • Read SpeedUp to 190 MB/s
  • Write SpeedUp to 130 MB/s
  • EnduranceStandard
Available Capacities32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1024GB, 1500GB

Pros

  • V30 and A2 with fast writes
  • sold up to 1.5TB. Widely available
  • so easy to buy genuine.

Cons

  • Write speeds are lower on the 32GB and 64GB versions.
View on Amazon
budget
Lexar Professional 633x (Blue Series)

Lexar Professional 633x (Blue Series)

$ · Budget
  • UHS RatingUHS-I
  • Speed ClassV30
  • App PerformanceA2
  • Read SpeedUp to 100 MB/s
  • Write SpeedUp to 45 MB/s
  • EnduranceStandard
Available Capacities32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Pros

  • Budget V30 card for 1080p and 4K up to 100 Mbps.

Cons

  • Much slower than Lexar Silver and Gold.
View on Amazon
recommended
Kingston Canvas Go! Plus

Kingston Canvas Go! Plus

$ · Mid-Range
  • UHS RatingUHS-I
  • Speed ClassV30
  • App PerformanceA2
  • Read SpeedUp to 170 MB/s
  • Write SpeedUp to 90 MB/s
  • EnduranceStandard
Available Capacities64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Pros

  • V30 and A2 with 90 MB/s writes. Often bundled with a USB reader.

Cons

  • Less common in retail stores than SanDisk.
View on Amazon

SanDisk Extreme microSD

The SanDisk Extreme microSD pairs V30 video speed with an A2 app rating and reads up to 190 MB/s. It covers 4K recording in drones and action cameras, game storage in handhelds, and app storage in phones. It is sold from 32GB to 1.5TB.

Target User: Smartphone, drone, and action camera users who want one reliable card for both 4K video and app storage
Best For: Action Cameras, Drones, Smartphones & Tablets, Mirrorless Cameras

Step up to the SanDisk Extreme PRO for higher sustained write speeds, or down to the Samsung EVO Select if 4K recording isn't a priority and price matters more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What SD Card Do I Need for GoPro Hero 13 Black?
The GoPro Hero 13 Black takes a microSD UHS-I (UHS-II Compatible) card rated V30 / U3 or faster. 128GB or 256GB or 512GB or 1TB covers most owners, and the maximum is 1TB. Buy SanDisk, Lexar, Samsung or Kingston from a reputable seller: counterfeit cards are the most common cause of lost files.
Can I use a full-size SD card in the GoPro Hero 13?
No, the Hero 13 only takes microSD cards.
Do I need a V60 or UHS-II card for the Hero 13?
No. V30 covers every recording mode. The slot is UHS-I, so a UHS-II card records at UHS-I speed and only offloads faster in a UHS-II reader.
Does the GoPro Hero 13 support a 1TB microSD card?
Yes, GoPro supports cards up to 1TB on the Hero 13. A 1TB card saves swaps on all-day shoots. Two 512GB cards are safer, because one failed card then loses half your footage instead of all of it.
How often should I replace my GoPro SD card?
Replace it at the first error message, corrupted file or failed write. Format it in the camera, not on a computer, each time you offload.
Is V30 required for GoPro Hero 13 Black?
Yes. V30 guarantees 30 MB/s of sustained write, which keeps the GoPro Hero 13 Black free of dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. Faster cards work too.
What size SD card should I get for GoPro Hero 13 Black?
128GB covers light use; 1TB suits heavy use. The maximum is 1TB.
Can I use older or slower cards with GoPro Hero 13 Black?
Not below V30 / U3. Slower cards cause dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. Check the card label for the V30 / U3 mark.
Is a UHS-II card faster in GoPro Hero 13 Black?
No. The GoPro Hero 13 Black has a UHS-I slot, so a UHS-II card runs at UHS-I speed. It only offloads faster in a UHS-II card reader.
Does the brand matter for GoPro Hero 13 Black?
Yes. SanDisk, Lexar, Samsung and Kingston cards meet their rated speeds. Buy from the brand's store or a major retailer: counterfeit cards sold under those names are common on marketplaces.
What happens if I use the wrong card with GoPro Hero 13 Black?
A card slower than V30 / U3 causes dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. A card over the maximum capacity or in the wrong format may not be recognized.
How long will an SD card last in GoPro Hero 13 Black?
Several years in normal use. Cards usually fail from wear or counterfeit flash, not age. Replace yours at the first write error, corrupted file or "card not recognized" message.

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