Kingston 64GB microSDXC Class 10 Memory Card Review

For today’s review we will be looking at the Kingston 64 GB micro SDXC card. This is a class 10 micro SD card ideal for shooting videos, taking pictures as well as providing storage for music, games and all other kinds of data. Most commonly these cards are used for mobile devices such as Android phones and tablets. These microSDs are a great way to max out those device’s capacities. Since Kingston includes an SD card adapter this micro size memory card can be used in other devices that use the larger storage format such a digital cameras and video recorders. Let’s take a closer look.

 

Info:

Product Name: Kingston 64 GB microSDXC

Author: Tom Ratas

Provider: Kingston

Price: $59.99 (from Amazon at time of review)

Get more out of your mobile world.

In capacities ranging from 4GB–64GB, microSDHC/SDXC cards offer higher storage for more music, more videos, more pictures, more games — more of everything you need in today’s mobile world.

The microSDHC and microSDXC cards allow you to maximize today’s revolutionary mobile devices.

Kingston’s microSDHC/SDXC cards use a speed “class” rating that guarantees a minimum data transfer rate for optimum performance with devices that use microSDHC/SDXC.

Class 10 — minimum data transfer rates of 10MB/s. Great for HD Video video recordings.

Identical in physical size to a standard microSD card, the microSDHC and microSDXC cards are designed to comply with SD card Specification and are only recognized by microSDHC or microSDXC host devices. They can be used as full-size SDHC/SDXC cards when used with the included adapter**.

To ensure compatibility, look for the microSDHC, microSDXC or SDHC /SDXC logos on host devices (e.g., phones, tablets and cameras).

Wherever you find yourself in the mobile world, you can rely on Kingston’s microSDHC/SDXC cards. All cards are 100-percent tested and are backed by a lifetime warranty

FEATURES/BENEFITS

Compliant with the SD Card Association specification

Versatile — when combined with the adapter, can be used as a full-size SDHC/SDXC card

Compatible — with microSDHC & microSDXC host devices not compatible with standard microSD-enabled devices/readers; microSDXC cards are not compatible with microSDHC-enabled devices/readers

Guaranteed — lifetime warranty, free technical support

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Capacities: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB

microSDHC/SDXC Card Dimensions: 0.43″ x 0.59″ x 0.039″ / (11mm x 15mm x 1mm)

SD Adapter Dimensions: 0.94″ x 1.26″ x 0.08″  / (24mm x 32mm x 2.1mm)

High-Speed Class Rating:

Class 4: 4MB/s minimum data transfer rate

Class 10: 10MB/s minimum data transfer rate

 

The Review::

 

There are several capacities offered ranging from 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, to 64 GB. The card arrives on a Kingston branded cardboard with the device found in the within a clear plastic blister card. The back lists the compatibility table for the SDXC memory card. Kingston also provides a standard SD card adapter allowing the micro SDXC to work with SD enabled devices.

 

The card is composed of black plastic with the Kingston logo, capacity and SDXC printed on the front. Since this is a class 10 card it has a minimum transfer rate of 10 MB/s. On the adapter is a lock switch for write protecting the SDXC; however when the card is used in its native state you cannot write protect the card. The micro SDXC comes preformatted in the exFAT format which means it can read/write files up to essentially unlimited in size.

 

Like any other SDXC card, these Kingston SDXC versions are not compatible with SDHC-enabled devices/readers.

For testing the Kingston 64 GB microSDXC was used with a 2011 MacBook Pro, 2012 iMac and the following PC system:

CPU: Intel Core i7 2600K

Motherboard: Asus P8P67 PRO with USB 3.0

Memory: 16 GB Kingston

For benchmarking ATTO Disk Benchmark 2.46, Crystal Disk Mark 3.0.1c and XBench were used. For comparison the card was pitted against the Kingston 32 GB microSDHC, Sandisk Extreme 16 GB Class 10 SDHC, and Kingston 64 GB SDXC. The Sandisk Extreme 16 GB has read and write speeds of 45 MB/s while the Kingston UHS-I SDXC 64 GB has advertised speeds of up to 60MB/sec. read and 35MB/sec.

To get the max speeds I used the Kingston Mobile Lite G3 (USB 3.0 card reader) which is able to read SDXC drives and the built in card readers on the iMac and MacBook Air.

Starting with ATTO using the Kingston Kingston Mobile Lite card reader we see the Kingston microSDHC 32 GB with writes around 13 MB/s and reads in the 38 MBs/s range, while it’s big brother the Kingston microSDXC 64GB hits 15 MB/s for writes and 42 MB/s for read speeds. The SanDisk Extreme reaches 34 MB/s write and 47 MB/s read while the Kingston 64 GB SDXC has 37 MB/s writes and 63 MB/s for reads.

 

  

 

Next we look at Crystal Disk Mark. The graph and table show similar results as ATTO Benchmark.

 

Finally I tested the two microSD cards on OS X using XBench running on iMac’s built in SDXC enabled card reader and off a 2012 11” MacBook Air with USB 3.0 with the Mobile Lite card reader and the microSD adapter.

 

  

 

Looking at the numbers it seems that the native microSD card and the card reader via USB 3.0 produces better results than the card reader on the iMac.

Another thing I notices if that microSD cards vs. the standard sized SD cards you will observe that the performance is greater on the physically bigger models. I assume this is probably due to a different controller found in the bigger cards.

In real world testing the Kingston 64 GB microSDXC performed well when used as additional storage on an Android tablet or for taking pictures and video in my camera using the adapter.

Conclusion:

At this time 64 GB is the maximum capacity for microSDXC cards, so if you are looking to max out your storage capacity on your tablet or smartphone that uses this form factor then the Kingston 64 GB microSDXC is an excellent option. It’s price is in line with other brands while offering the reputation of Kingston’s brand. They advertise the card as having a minimum of 10 MB/s data transfer speeds and the card exceeds those as it maxes out in the 40s for read speeds and the teens for write speeds making more than capable for fast writes such as video recording.

If you are looking for a quality large capacity microSDXC card then the Kingston 64 GB microSDXC is definitely the one to get.

 

PROS	CONS
+Includes SD adapter +Affordably priced +Fast read speeds	-Write speeds could be faster -Slower than Kingston SDXC (standard size)

–

–

Disclosure:This product was given to Review the Tech for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review, we do not, and never will, accept payment from companies to review their products. This product may have also been bought by us for review purposes and does not influence the review.