TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC memory card review

TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC: 30-second review

The Teamgroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC takes the performance of UHS-I MicroSD cards up a notch with impressive transfer speeds, making it an ideal choice for demanding applications and hardware such as action cameras and drones that are used in a professional capacity. Offering read and write data speeds that keep up with the demands of devices like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro recording D-Log at 4K, the card not only handles the data rate but also offers plenty of capacity to store hours of footage. During testing, the card was used alongside drones, action cameras, and a Sony A7 IV, demonstrating its compatibility with a wide range of devices, from cameras and drones to smartphones, tablets, and computers.

The card's build quality is standard for many of the best MicroSD cards we've tested, with a durable plastic enclosure that can withstand harsh conditions. The black colouring with white and gold text is acceptable, but if dropped, the colour profile combined with the small size can make it tricky to locate, especially in grass or on the forest floor. A brighter finish would be preferable for most exterior locations for practical rather than aesthetic reasons, as these cards are easy to drop in the cold.

Overall, this small MicroSD manages to perform impressively, working seamlessly with all devices without a hitch and keeping up with demands across the board.

TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC: Pricing & availability

• How much does it cost? $250 for 2TB version
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC. is available in various capacities, including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1 T.B., and 2 T.B. It can be purchased from major retailers such as Amazon and Newegg and directly from the TeamGroup website here.

The price for the 2TB version varies based on the retailer. At time of review, the approximate price is around £200 in the UK and $250 in the US.

• Value: 4/5

TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC: Benchmark

Using a selection of benchmarking software the TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC achieved a maximum read speed of 164MB/s  using ATTO and a write speed of 164MB/s with CrystalDiskMark. 

TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC: Specs

TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC: Build & handling

This card adheres to the standard MicroSDXC form factor. Throughout testing, it fit every device, camera, and drone it was inserted into and was instantly recognized without issue. All dimensions follow the usual guidelines, measuring 15.0 x 11.0 x 1.0 mm and weighing in at just 1 gram, so there are no issues with overall compatibility. Checking the small card over, it all appears good, with a durable plastic enclosure that offers protection against everyday wear and tear, including exposure to extreme temperatures of -40˚C to 85˚C in use and -25°C to 85°C when stored.

The card utilizes the UHS-I interface, marked by a single row of connectors. This ensures good compatibility with a wide range of devices, from cameras and drones to smartphones and tablets, while offering performance in line with the devices it is designed to work with.

• Design: 4/5

TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC: Features

The EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. card is designed to cater to high-performance needs and is advertised as a card choice for professionals. The feature set reflects this with some of the highest UHS-I quoted transfer rates, with read speeds of up to 170MB/s and write speeds of up to 160MB/s, making it an ideal choice for 4K video recording, high-resolution photography, device data gathering, and storage.

The card supports the exFAT format, ensuring cross-compatibility with all operating systems and devices. As is standard, it is also backwards compatible with MicroSDHC and MicroSD slots. Performance is complemented by a lifetime warranty and the T-CREATE EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. MicroSDXC SMART tool (it's a bit of a mouthful, but it lets you check the card's health and function).

Only a few manufacturers offer this level of card monitoring, with OWC's Innergize being a comparable product that enables you to monitor the quality of your card's storage and highlight potential issues well before they arise. This is a huge benefit for professional users.

• Features: 5/5

TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC: Performance

There is a huge volume of MicroSD cards on the market, with the majority aimed at the mass market and general use. While these cards are good, the TeamGroup offering takes things a step further by offering maximum compatibility through the UHS-I speed class contacts and the T-Create Smart tool, which enables you to check the card's health.

To test out the card, we started by running the software tool, available for Windows systems, to check that the card was in as-new condition. Sure enough, the card returned a result of 100%. We then ran through a series of tests, starting with standard use, with the card being used in a DJI Mavic 3 Pro, GoPro Hero 12 Black, and Insta360 Ace Pro. In all devices, the MicroSD card kept up with the demands of the cameras and stored the 4K footage those cameras produced.

After those initial tests, the cards were then subjected to benchmark tests, with read speeds reaching up to 164.10MB/s and write speeds up to 144.86MB/s in the ATTO benchmark. While these speeds are slightly slower than those quoted by TeamGroup, the difference is slight. The top benchmark read speed of 164 was achieved in A.T.T.O., while the maximum write speed of 164 was made in Crystal Disk Mark.

After running the standard tests, the AJA. was left running continuously for an hour to see how the card would cope under the strain of constant use. Again, the results were impressive, with the card maintaining performance with only a slight fall in transfer speeds but nothing that would cause dropped frames or corruption.

The final test was more physical. Firstly, dropping the card, which, considering the weight and size, is more likely you'll lose it than it will become damaged by impacting the floor. Suffice it to say, dropping it from a height of 2m resulted in no damage. The next test was to seal it into an airtight freezer bag and pop it into the freezer for 24 hours, then remove it and leave it to return to room temperature before retesting. Again, the card worked without issue, and retesting in the Smart tool still produced a 100% score.

• Performance: 4.5/5

Should I buy the TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC?

This MicroSD card is a great choice if you need substantial storage coupled with impressive read and write speeds. This makes it suitable for professional use, especially in drone work, where the resilience of the card is paramount. What really makes this card stand out is the inclusion of the T-CREATE EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. MicroSDXC SMART tool, which can be downloaded from the Teamgroup website. This tool enables you to monitor the integrity of the card, and while it won't be 100% foolproof, it provides an additional level of reassurance that is essential when working professionally.

It is an expensive card, but it is designed for the professional rather than the consumer market. Its additional resilience features make it a reliable option when it counts.

How I tested the TeamGroup EXPERT S.M.A.R.T. Micro SDXC?

For this test the card was used in several different devices all of which support the exFAT. Before starting this test the card was reformated to give the greatest compatibility for the real world tests and also for testing through the benchmarking software.

The softare used included the latest versions of CrystalDiskMark, Atto, AS SSD and AJA benchmarks, noting the best scores achieved in each. They are all free and can be downloaded by anyone. After the standard benchmarks I then use the card in a variety of tech, including a GoPro Hero12 Black, Insta360 Ace Pro and DJI Mini 4 Pro to ensure compatibility and performance over a sustained period. I then transfer a folder of files, roughly 10GB in size, to get a rough idea of real life performance. 

For speedier storage, we've reviewed the fastest external SSDs

• ^ Back to top