The best microSD cards for the DJI Air 3S are the two DJI recommends: the Lexar Professional 1066x and the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, both V30, U3, A2 microSDXC cards in 64, 128, 256 or 512 GB. A 128 GB or 256 GB card suits most pilots. The Air 3S also has 42 GB of internal storage, which records when there's no card.
DJI's recommended cards
| Card | Sizes DJI lists | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lexar 1066x | 64, 128, 256, 512 GB | V30, U3, A2 microSDXC |
| Kingston Canvas Go! Plus | 64, 128, 256, 512 GB | V30, U3, A2 microSDXC |
Other cards with the same ratings from known brands usually work, but these are the ones DJI tested. If you get a slow card warning or dropped recordings, switch to one of them. See DJI slow SD card warning.
Why V30 is enough
The Air 3S records video at up to 130 Mbps, about 16 MB per second. A V30 card guarantees a minimum sustained write of 30 MB/s, so it has plenty of headroom. Bigger numbers like "1066x" mostly speed up offloading to a computer.
Avoid no-name cards, cards bought from unknown marketplace sellers (fakes are common), and cards under 64 GB.
How much does it hold?
At the full 130 Mbps, an hour of video uses roughly 58 GB. So:
- 42 GB internal: about 40 minutes
- 128 GB card: about 2 hours
- 256 GB card: about 4 hours
That's roughly one hour per 58 GB at the top bitrate. 50 MP RAW photos are large too, so heavy photo shooters should go 256 GB.
Internal storage: when to use it
The 42 GB internal storage is a backup, not a replacement for a card. Use it if you forget a card or one fails. To get footage off it, use QuickTransfer to your phone or connect the drone to a computer with a USB-C cable; the drone doesn't need to be powered on for the cable transfer. See Air 3S transfer.
Card tips
- Format the card in the drone before first use. See how to format an SD card in a DJI drone.
- Don't remove the card while recording or taking photos. DJI warns it can damage the card.
- Keep the slot clean. Dust can cause read errors.
- Offload after each trip and keep a backup. Cards fail.
- Carry a spare card in your bag.
If the drone won't read a card, see DJI drone not reading SD card.
Card for the controller
The DJI RC 2 has 32 GB of storage for cached footage and doesn't need a card for flying.
Getting set up? Order your DJI Air 3S and add a recommended 128 or 256 GB card, then read Air 3S best settings.
Related guides
- Best SD card for the DJI Avata 2 (and internal storage)
- Best SD card for the DJI Flip (and internal storage)
- Best SD card for the DJI Mavic 3 Classic (and internal storage)
- Best SD card for the DJI Mavic 3 Pro (and internal storage)
- Best SD card for the DJI Mavic 4 Pro (and internal storage)
- Best SD card for the DJI Mini 3 (it has no internal storage)
Not sure which to pick?
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