What is the best memory card for my Insta360 X5?
Anyone who owns an Insta360 X5 knows that this camera deserves more than just any memory card. 8K video is a powerful stream of data that needs to be processed smoothly. Which microSD card will keep the 8K stream running smoothly? Here you will find the best match.
The best choice: Lexar SILVER PLUS microSDXC UHS-I
The Insta360 X5 supports microSD cards with UHS-I V30, exFAT format and up to 1TB of storage. The best memory card for the Insta360 X5 is the Lexar Silver Plus microSDXC UHS-I V30. This card supports 8K video without buffering issues and offers up to 150 MB/s write speed and 205 MB/s read speed.
The camera can write video at a maximum video bitrate of 180 Mbps in 8K. That's equivalent to 22.5 MB/s. The V30 video speed class guarantees a minimum of 30 MB/s sustained write speed. So you have a safe margin for peaks and metadata, without drop frames or buffer stops.
Why not use a UHS-II card for your Insta360 X5?
The Insta360 X5 has a microSD slot with the UHS-I bus. UHS-II sounds faster, but the X5 cannot use the extra row of contacts on UHS-II. In a UHS-I slot, a UHS-II card will run at UHS-I speed. This offers no advantage and can sometimes be less stable. Insta360 therefore explicitly recommends UHS-I V30 cards, with exFAT format and a maximum capacity of 1 TB. This is the combination that the camera consistently supports.
Will you choose a 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB memory card?
It's not just speed that counts, but also capacity. We don't recommend a card smaller than 256GB, as it will fill up too quickly. A 1TB card is large, but is it practical? For most users, 256GB or 512GB is the most practical. And there are advantages to both sizes.
512GB: large storage, less changing
With 512GB, you benefit from the large storage capacity. This is no luxury, because 8K videos take up a lot of space. With this card, you don't have to keep transferring files or switching between multiple cards during recording. This is especially handy if you edit the videos with the Insta360 app.
256GB: practical, flexible and secure
If you work with a PC or Mac, two 256GB cards are often more convenient. They are small, easier to organise and spread the risk. If something goes wrong with one card or you lose one, you won't lose all your material at once. Smaller cards can also be more practical because you can spread your files across multiple volumes. This means that copying per card takes less time and you can work in parallel with multiple card readers.
For long productions or trips, a combination of both sizes may be the smartest choice: a 512GB card for non-stop filming and 256GB cards for backup or fast transfer.
Transfer video files from the Insta360 X5 faster
When you remove the card from the Insta360 X5, the card reader is just as important as the microSDXC. With a standard reader, you often don't get the maximum speed. For optimal performance, use the compact Lexar LRW310 dual-slot reader.
This reader has an SD and microSD card slot, so you can easily transfer video files from the Insta360 X5 with two cards at the same time. With support for both USB type A and type C, your files will be on your computer as quickly as possible.
Lexar Recovery Tool - Always ready, rarely needed
In practice, you will rarely or never need this tool, but it's good to know that it's there. If something does go wrong with your files, this software can often recover corrupted data. It's especially reassuring to have something to fall back on. If you've ever lost files on a card other than a Lexar card, you can also use this tool to recover those files for free.
Our recommendation: use a Lexar Silver Plus microSDXC UHS-I for your Insta360 X5
We recommend the Lexar Silver Plus microSDXC UHS-I for every action cam and drone. This is a very good card: it offers reliable performance, high speed and has a limited lifetime warranty. Even Insta360's competitors recommend this memory card for their products. That says it all!
