SanDisk High Endurance vs Samsung PRO Endurance: which card for your dash cam?

Dash cams write to their card constantly, overwriting the oldest clips in a loop. That wears out ordinary cards, which is why both makers sell endurance cards rated in recording hours. This page compares the 128GB versions using SanDisk's and Samsung's published figures and the Amazon.co.uk listings. We have not tested either card.

Specs side by side (128GB)

The differences that matter

Rated hours, and what they mean for your car

Recording hours are the endurance figure that matters for a dash cam. If your camera only records while you drive, even the SanDisk's 10,000 hours is a very long time at an hour or two of driving a day. Parking mode changes the picture. A camera on a hardwire kit that records round the clock uses 24 hours of rating every day, so 10,000 hours works out at a little over a year, while Samsung's 70,080 hours is the 8 years Samsung quotes. Bear in mind the two makers do not state the same test conditions, and 4K recording uses the rating faster.

Warranty terms

Samsung lists a limited 5-year warranty for the 128GB PRO Endurance (its SD adapter is covered for 1 year). A retailer spec sheet lists 2 years for the SanDisk High Endurance 128GB. Endurance cards are wear items in a dash cam, so a longer warranty is worth having. Check the warranty leaflet in the pack for the exact UK terms.

Speed: identical on paper

Both list up to 100 MB/s read, up to 40 MB/s write, and U3 and V30 ratings. Dash cam video needs far less than that: DashCamTalk measured the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 at an average of 30 Mbps, under 4 MB/s. Speed is not what separates these two cards.

Which cameras need which card

• Nextbase 522GW: Nextbase recommends its own card, or a 32GB U3 High Endurance card with at least 48 MB/s write. Neither card here lists 48 MB/s write, so if you want to follow the recommendation exactly, use a Nextbase card.
• Nextbase 322GW: Nextbase recommends a card designed for dash cam use and gives about 8 hours of recording on 128GB. Either card fits that description.
• VIOFO A119 Mini 2: supports up to 512GB and ships without a card. Either 128GB card works.
• 70mai A510: ships with a 64GB card and supports up to 256GB. Either 128GB card doubles the included storage.

Whichever card you buy, format it in the camera before first use so the file system matches what the camera expects.

Pick the SanDisk High Endurance if...

• Your camera records only while you drive.
• You want a U3, V30 endurance card and do not need round-the-clock recording.

Pick the Samsung PRO Endurance if...

• You use parking mode with a hardwire kit and record around the clock.
• You want the higher rated hours and the 5-year warranty Samsung lists.

Not sure what capacity to buy? Readwhat size memory card a dash cam needs. For parking mode wiring see how to hardwire a dash cam, and for choosing a camera see our dash cam features guideand dash cam picks. Comparing cameras too? See Nextbase 322GW vs 522GW.

Frequently asked questions

Is 70,080 hours really seven times better than 10,000 hours?

Not necessarily. Samsung rates the 128GB PRO Endurance at up to 70,080 hours of Full HD video recorded at 26 Mbps. SanDisk rates the 128GB High Endurance at up to 10,000 hours of Full HD video but does not state the bitrate on the pages we checked. The figures come from different tests, so the gap is a guide rather than an exact ratio.

Do these cards meet Nextbase's 48 MB/s recommendation?

Not on paper. Nextbase's 522GW listing recommends a Nextbase card or a 32GB U3 High Endurance card with at least 48 MB/s write speed. Both cards here list up to 40 MB/s write. Dash cam video bitrates are far lower than that, but if you want to follow Nextbase's advice to the letter, use a Nextbase card or ask Nextbase before buying.

Is 128GB the right size for a dash cam?

It suits most single and dual-channel cameras. Nextbase gives about 8 hours of recording on 128GB for the 322GW before the oldest files are overwritten. Check your camera's maximum: the 70mai A510 supports up to 256GB and the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 up to 512GB, so 128GB is within both.

Which card has the longer warranty?

Samsung. Its product page lists a limited 5-year warranty for the 128GB PRO Endurance, and the Amazon.co.uk listing says up to 5 years depending on capacity. A retailer spec sheet (JB Hi-Fi) lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty for the SanDisk High Endurance 128GB.

Where does the SanDisk MAX Endurance fit in?

It is SanDisk's higher-endurance card. The 128GB MAX Endurance is listed on Amazon.co.uk at up to 60,000 hours of video, against 10,000 hours for the 128GB High Endurance. It is worth a look if your camera records around the clock in parking mode.