The key to any data workflow, whether it’s photographers, researchers or graphic designers is the ability to securely and quickly transfer files from one place to the other. When WiFi SD cards burst onto the scene a few years ago, it opened up a new world of data transfer possibilities that had far-reaching implications.
What is a WiFi SD Card?
Although they look like a standard SD card on the surface, these units have the addition of what is essentially its own WiFi router.
This allows any other device, such as a laptop or smartphone, to connect wirelessly to the SD card and access any data it might contain. It’s a brilliant solution for people who constantly pull an SD card in and out of a camera or other kind of device.
Depending on where your computer or device is located, it can be backbreaking work trying to reach for the SD slot repeatedly.
WiFi SD cards and adapters help eliminate this problem by helping perform all data transfer wirelessly. It’s compatible with any device that uses SD and/or WiFi technology.
While the data transfer landscape has changed with the rapid development of technologies such as Apple AirDrop, WiFi SD cards are still in high demand because of their ability to bridge files and data across multiple operating systems and platforms.
Although the basic concept is simple to grasp, different companies approach WiFi SD adapters in different ways. Some of them are more successful than others.
To help weed through the many options and eliminate confusion, we’ve rounded up three of the top WiFi SD cards and/or adapters on the market.
If you’re still not sure which SD card to select, stick around till the end for some things to keep in mind when making your decision.
How We Chose the Top Wi-Fi SD Cards
We based our choices on several criteria, including:
- Price and Value: Lots of price points out there. We make sure that each product has a high enough value to justify the price.
- Reliability: For wireless data transfers, stability and reliability are essential. Data transfers can’t afford to be disrupted because of the risk of data corruption. The cards we’ve included passed this test better than the rest of the field.
- Storage: Files sizes are getting bigger and it’s important that your Wi-Fi SD card has the space to be of value.
- Transfer Speed: No one wants to sit around and wait for data to transfer. It’s important to make sure transfer speeds are best-in-class so we can be efficient with our time.
Best WiFi SD Card: Toshiba FlashAir
Key Features:
- SDHC Type.
- 16GB Capacity.
- Compatible with cameras, computers, 3D printers, and other WiFi, SD devices.
- Connects with up to 7 tablets and smartphones at a time.
- Easy to change SSID password to access photo sharing.
The Toshiba FlashAir 16GB WiFi SD card tops our list as the best overall because of its reliability and fast transfer speeds. It has a tremendous range and allows up to seven tablets and smartphones to connect to it at once when it is in photo sharing mode. It’s a brilliant solution if you are looking to share data with multiple people at once. This card is up for the task and could do so without dropping anyone’s transfers.
FlashAir has an Apple and Android app that lets users tweak the WiFi SD card’s settings and permissions. It makes keeping your card secure incredibly easy. While most people use it to transfer photos during a shoot or at an event, it has a wide range of other capabilities that make it a great solution for things such as 3D printing.
For speed, the Toshiba FlashAir is in a league of its own. The choice of many high end photographers and studios, this card is able to facilitate UHS speeds which makes it an ideal choice for most consumers. One thing to keep in mind is that this level of performance can get expensive.
What We Like:
- UHS class transfer speeds.
- Connect up to seven devices during photo sharing.
- Has and Apple and Android app to control.
- Easily change SSID settings to keep the SD card secure.
What We Didn’t Like:
- 16GB capacity is limiting for bigger file sizes.
- Expensive.
Best Adapter: Zyyini TF to SD Card WiFi Adapter
Key Features:
- Supports image shooting and viewing JPG, PNG, BMP.
- Supports MP4, AVI, MOV video formats.
- Accommodates SDHC or TF cards.
- Inclusive WiFi compatibility.
This WiFi SD card adapter by Zyyini offers a tremendous amount of flexility. This model accommodates a TF or SD card. The onboard WiFi router on this adapter allows for WiFi password, AP mode, station mode switching and SSID.
The Zyyini can preview or transfer files from one device to another with little trouble. Although not as impressive as the Toshiba FlashAir, this adapter is still able to service three tablets or smartphone devices at a time. This card is compatible with both Apple and Android.
Another thing to keep in mind is that although it has solid data transfer performance, this WiFi adapter works best when it’s in close range with the devices that are connected to it.
User reviews have mentioned avoiding crowded or cluttered spaces. An advantage of an adapter is that you can expand its capacity to whatever you would like. It’s hard to beet the scalability of this product.
If you are choosing to use it for something like a DSLR camera, reach out to the seller to confirm that it is compatible with your devices. For example, this card is not compatible with the Canon t5i camera. Double checking before hitting purchase will save you heartache and delay. Overall, we believe this is the best adapter currently on the market.
What We Like:
- Adapter accepts whatever size SDHC or TF card we decide.
- Great price point.
- Durable construction.
- Apple and Android compatible.
- Simple operation.
- Supports sharing multiple photo and video formats.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not compatible with certain DSLR cameras.
- Shipping can be slow.
Best Alternative: Canon WiFi SD Card Adapter W-E1
Key Features:
- Strictly for use with Canon EOS DSLR cameras.
- WiFi capability provides easy transfer of files to tablets and smartphones.
- Can provide computers with remote shooting functionality.
The official Canon WiFi Adapter W-E1 was specifically designed to help wireless bridge the photos on their Canon DSLR cameras with the rest of their laptops, tablets and smartphones.
This adapter was created to provide wifi connectivity for older Canon models that didn’t have it. It’s very simple to use and configure with transfer speeds that allows virtually simultaneous preview capabilities.
This WiFi adapter is one of the best (and only) ones on the market. With that said, this has only a few devices it is compatible with. Even within its own brand of products, this Canon WiFi adapter only works with a handful of cameras and printers. A good idea is to check with the seller to confirm that this card is compatible with equipment.
What We Like:
- Seamless and easy integration with certain Canon camera and printer models.
- Solid construction and weather proofed exterior.
- Can connect with a computer for remote shooting using the EOS Utility tool.
- Fit whatever size SD card you desire.
- Simple setting changes
- Great price.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only compatible with certain products.
- Only works with a few Canon DSLR cameras.
How to Choose the Best WiFi SD Card or Adapter
There are a few things to keep in mind when trying to select the best WiFi SD card for your needs. Let’s look at some of them now.
- Price: WiFi SD cards are a great technology. However it’s important to make sure that you aren’t buying something that costs more than the benefit you would derive from it. However, it may be worth it to spend a little more money for a card or adapter that opens up a new world of speed and convenience.
- Compatibility: You’ll want to make sure that the card you select is compatible with the primary devices you will be looping it into. This is going to be key if it’s going to provide maximum value. As an example, the Canon W-E1 is only compatible with select Canon cameras and printers. Whereas the Toshiba FlashAir can play nice with nearly everything.
- Your Specific Workflow: Take a moment to reflect on your workflow and how a WiFi SD card would fit. This will help you prioritize a card’s features and only choose one that enhances what you are doing.
Final Thoughts
Despite a wide range of new data transfer protocols coming onto the scene, Wi-Fi SD routers and adapters are still a powerful data transfer tool for professionals if used correctly.
Of all the products we tested for this roundup, we feel that the Toshiba FlashAir provides the best functionality. The price is exorbitant but we feel it’s the best representation of the technology at this moment.
Hello, can you use a wifi sdcard in a smartphone without problems?
I want to connect without the usual usbwire between computer and smartphone.
Would this be a good idea? TNX Jose
Not unless your smart phone accepts a full size SD card.
Why not just sync your smart phone pics with a cloud service, then set your computer up to access the same service? (Note: This configuration MAY consume large amounts of cellular data depending on your data plan….)
Or you can you use a full size SD adapter card that has a MicroSD slot in it. The MicroSD card is in the adapter card when it’s in the camera, and you take it out of the adapter card when you want to insert it into your smartphone.
Hello,
First of all I feel like I’ve been living under a rock!! Seriously wifi SD cards WOW! I have a Nikon D90 and a Sony RX100M2 … I use the Sony for scuba in a housing with the a strobe. The pics are awesome!
My question is which one of these cards would be best for both my cameras? I’m trying to DIY a photo booth for a 50th birthday party and I want to be able to use one of my cameras with my ipad!
Thanks in advance for your help
Catherine
https://youtu.be/r3fJVI1i0a4
Bit too late a reply
Thanks so much for the review! Have you seen the Toshiba FlashAir 4th Generation’s in 64GB recently? I’m in the market (for christmas wish list) for one and want the 64GB version but can’t find it. Thanks!
Hi great review,
Before pulling the trigger on one of these or perhaps one not mentioned, could you possibly revisit this from the point of view of best phone app?
I have a Nikon d7000 set to shoot raw and jpeg. Raw for serious editing but ideally my 2nd card slot would be a wifi SD for jpegs only. Ready for quick transfer to phone and then onto some social media app.
After a quick look on the iOS App Store: transcend, toshiba and eyefi apps all have poor ratings and reviews.
I can’t help but think that these wifi cards all fall flat of the main purpose if the app design/support is lacking.
Cheers,
Rosco
Hi.
Can you use any of the Wifi SD cards to store .txt files or .csv files, instead of Photo files?
Thanks and best regards
Thomas R
Did you find an answer to this question?
Thanks.. I needed this. I have been using an Eye-Fi mobi 32gb (orange) card for a few years. Love it.. Been telling people about it. the other day I googled the eye-fi and saw it selling on amazon for $449!!!!! I was lost. I paid $60. so I started looking and still no idea why.
anyway… I just ejected my card out the other day. My Canon 7d mark ii shot it out and it fell on the floor. The 2 halves separated enough and the slide lock came out. Well now the card still works but is stuck in locked mode.. ughhh
so I’m out looking for a replacement. I am not concerned with anything above 32gb but now I think I will go for the Toshiba and price them… maybe the 64gb if not too bad.
thanks again!
these cards are awesome. I was taking pics at an MMA belt testing and I use my CF for raw and the SD for 1080 jpg for quick checkins into facebook and someone I know that was there taking pics was like… how are you adding pics? your still here!!!! hah..
Thank you for the review. Do you know of an option with cellular data rather than Wifi or an SD card that holds a sim card? I want a lot more range than wifi provides work with others in remote locations.
Cellular data requires a modem/phone. It is a lot more complicated than being in the same wifi network. If you work in remote locations, your phone should provide the cellular connection that and that card is connected to your phone with wifi. I guess that in the future some cameras may get cellular connections (but then they can also double as phones 🙂 sound familiar, but only in reverse today?).
Hi I use to have eye-fi card which used to transfer both pictures and video from my Nikon d-90 to my computer (not laptop) , now from any reason it’s not working any more , which we card should be best suite for me to do that work ( not transfer to mobile but do to a computer without wi fi connection, that con to the the net by net cable , and I have wi fi at my place)
I just want to know if the Toshiba Flashair will work with my Nikon D5000. Can anyone tell me for certain that it will?
Can you connect the cards to a router like EYE-Fi so you can use multiple cards at one to one device?
All of these cards miss the mark. None has replaced the now defunct Eye-FI capability of having the card connect as client on a WiFi network. The Eye FI PC app allowed seamless automatic transfer to our local NAS as well as photo sharing sites, without cluttering the devices local storage.
Today to do that we need to dedicate a smartphone, which has huge storage limitations, and depend on the whim of several unrelated apps to interact in a reliable manner (they don’t) to transfer the files in a timely manner. Finally we need to remove the unwanted photos from the phone manually.
Since Eye-Fi shut down, technology has gone backwards in the face of mobile infatuation.
Anyone know if there’s a open or semi open WiFi SDcard out there? We’re ready to hack our own solution.
I couldn’t agree more. There is however some hack used to share files with SDcard enabled 3D printers that allows this, unfortunately I missed the link.
Found it, but IMHO it’s not polite to post links in here, so please search for:
“using a flashair wifi enabled sdcard with your 3d printer”
Does this put the expensive wireless transmitters out of business?
Do you know if the Toshiba FlashAir is being discontinued? I can see on their website the Developers site has been taken down! 🙁
Like Michael, I am looking for a replacement for our Eye-Fi cards that will transfer directly to our server (at work).
We currently use 4 Eye-Fi cards & the transfer utility is installed on our OS X server.
Basically it works like a wireless tether. Using iOS or “the cloud” would not work.
All very well, but unfortunately FlashAir no longer works with the latest version of iOS basically rendering it useless.
This was such a great product, and so useful I find it almost impossible to comprehend that Toshiba have just abandoned the sector of the market that uses Apple products.
I’m going to ask for a refund for the cost of my card:
If you’re a serious photo bug you’ll be WAAAAYYYYY more interested in writing speed than in capacity (or how you call it “memory”). 64GB is good for more than a thousand photos in RAW + JPG. The FlashAir card seems to outperform the alternative by a factor of 7 in terms of writing performance. That will make the difference in being able to shoot 4K video or not, or in burst mode shooting sessions, being ready for the next shots. I’m not convinced that due diligence was followed in writing this article (eg. “With a *write* speed of 70 MB/s and a *write* speed of 90 MB/s” ??).
I happily use the FlashAir 8GB (W-03?) card on my Nikon D5000. It’s a struggle to keep the camera from going into deep sleep, so I press a button on the camera every couple of seconds so the SD card stays powered until I’ve downloaded the photos that I want, but apart from that, it’s a real pleasure to use. Wifi performance varies depending on other electronics in the vicinity (I guess).
I know most everyone wants these to transfer photos, even a few for 3D printers. I am wondering if you could transfer digital patterns for an embroidery machine from a PC. In my case, the file extension would be JEF. Does that capability need to be built into the card, or can it transfer any type of file? Thank you.
To be honest, there is no real contest between these two. The FlashAir wins hands down. Why? Because it is fast. 70MB/s in Write speed is just too important for clearing the camera buffer. Also Read with 90MB/s ensures fast backup of a full card, while the EZ would take ages. Also the Wifi-Speed: The FlashAir has constant 32Mbit/s, that is about 3-4 seconds for a high resolution jpeg of 24 Megapixel, transferring to your phone. The EZ can‘t reach any of that. Just imagine backing up full 128GB with 19MB/s speed. Good luck!
someone gave me an EZ share wifi adapter card that you could put a micro sd card in.Also I have a fugi camera that takes sd cards but it has no wifi capabilities to connect with other devises wirlessly.Would this wifi adapter sd card help me to connect to my samsung gallaxy j7 phone or basically make my fugi non wifi capable cameraa wifi capable camera?
How does such an SD card’s WiFi affect a camera’s battery life???
Both of these devices appear to have an important drawback that makes them useless to me – neither appears to make it possible to set up an unattended camera which takes pictures at intervals and automatically pushes them to a (Linux) server attached to the same network as the local WiFi. Needing to have an app running on a phone seems very clunky, when there are existing protocols such as rsync which would work very well for this task.
Great review. One thing I’m still not certain of is: If I have a wifi SD Card in my DSLR and the app installed on my phone, to they need to be connected to a wifi router or can they communicate directly? I often use my DSLR on the road and in the wilderness. I won’t have access to a wifi network.
Hi Tech Guru
I have an EyeFi card and it still works (I use the EyeFi Utility as the company and website have long since gone) but I am looking to replace it. The great thing about EyeFi is the simplicity and convenience. It runs in the background on your computer waiting for you to take photos. Within seconds of you starting to take them, the EyeFi utility pops up and starts downloading them to whatever location you have told it in setup. I have found other wifi cards are cumbersome to use – you have to take your photos then go to you computer, and use a browser to download them.
Do any of the cards you have reviewed here work the same way that EyeFi did, i.e. automatically?
Cheers
Ian
I have been using a Toshiba sd card in my canon camera, it has been a boom for transferring pictures easily in jpeg or raw.
Had it for a few years without any problems on my iPhone and iPad, a brilliant piece of technology.