Western Digital Purple 256GB
Score: 50/100
Lexar E-Series 256GB
Score: 53/100Rankings
The Lexar E-Series 256 GB microSDXC card offers solid read performance and rugged durability for everyday mobile use, but its modest 30 MB/s write speed limits 4K video capture. It includes an SD adapter and a long-term warranty, making it a reliable choice for smartphones and tablets.
The WD Purple SC QD101 256 GB microSDXC is an industrial-grade card built for 24/7 surveillance with high endurance and built-in health monitoring. It tolerates extreme temperatures and harsh environments but offers modest read/write speeds compared with newer U3 cards.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
256 GBbest | 256 GBbest | |
24 MB/s | 100 MB/sbest | |
24 MB/s | 30 MB/sbest | |
3 years | 10 yearsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 5.67 g | 0.2 gbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(3) | ||
UHS Speed Class | U1 | U3 |
Maximum Read Speed (MB/s) | 24 MB/s | 100 MB/s |
Maximum Write Speed (MB/s) | 24 MB/s | 30 MB/s |
Compatibility(1) | ||
Compatible Devices | Surveillance cameras with microSD slots; supports card health monitoring in compatible devices | Smartphones, tablets, drones, action cameras, GoPro |
Warranty(1) | ||
Warranty Period (years) | 3 years | 10 years |
Physical(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 5.67 g | 0.20 g |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers highlight the WD Purple SC QD101 as a purpose-built, durable solution for surveillance systems, emphasizing its endurance, health monitoring, and suitability for AI-enabled edge cameras. They note its slower write speed relative to premium U3 cards but value reliability for constant-write workloads.
Everyday users consistently praise the card's reliability and durability in harsh environments, noting that it rarely fails even after months of nonstop recording. Complaints focus on the slower write speed and occasional incompatibility of the health-monitoring feature with certain camera brands, as well as its higher cost versus standard consumer cards.
“Users report long-term use without corruption or failure.”
“Fast transfer of large video files, especially with UHS-II and Silver Series cards.”
“Some users report write speeds below advertised levels, especially in non-UHS-II devices.”
Professional reviewers praise the Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II for its V60 rating and sustained write speeds, but note that the E-Series write speed is limited to 30 MB/s and can be inconsistent on older devices.
Everyday users commend the card for reliable long-term performance, fast file transfers, and rugged durability, though some complain about inconsistent write speeds and the discontinued status of the E-Series.
