Lexar ARMOR V60 UHS-II Memory Cards: Review

In the world of memory cards, where speed and reliability can make or break a shoot, Lexar has thrown down the gauntlet with its new ARMOR series.

Launched in early 2025, the ARMOR GOLD and ARMOR SILVER PRO SDXC UHS-II cards are the world’s first stainless-steel encased SD cards, blending tank-like durability with professional-grade performance. These aren’t just incremental updates—they’re a rethink of what an SD card can endure in the field, from dusty trails to rainy downpours.

Certified to V60 standards, they promise sustained write speeds of at least 60MB/s, making them ideal for high-bitrate 6K video, rapid burst photography, and workflows that demand no compromises. If you’re a pro videographer, wildlife shooter, or anyone tired of flimsy plastic cards failing mid-adventure, these could be your new go-to.

Lexar Armor UHS-II v60 SD cards – Amazon / B&H

Why Steel Cards?

From my experience testing memory cards for over a decade, I constantly have plastic cards breaking and degrading over just a few years. The plastic gets brittle and loses its strength. I’ve also had cards fail and catch fire, which burned through the card and could have damaged the camera had it been in the camera when it happened. Having a steel card remedies all the design weaknesses of plastic cards.

Now, there is a downside to most of these “Tough” branded cards that is important to consider. The Lexar ARMOR cards, like most of their competition, removed the write protection switch in favor of durability.

Key Specifications and Design Highlights

Lexar positions the ARMOR series as “built like tanks,” and the specs back up this claim. Both GOLD and SILVER models ditch traditional plastic for a rugged stainless-steel shell, laser-etched with specs for permanence—no more faded labels after a season of abuse. This construction boosts pressure resistance by up to 37x compared to standard cards (withstanding 370 Newtons of force), and they carry an IP68 rating for full dust and water submersion protection up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Operating temperatures range from -25°C to 85°C, with resistance to X-rays, UV radiation, magnets, shocks, and vibrations. No fragile write-protect switch.

Both include a limited lifetime warranty.

The GOLD edges out as the premium pick for its higher write ceiling, while the SILVER PRO keeps costs down without skimping on the armored build—perfect if you’re outfitting a drone rig or action cam on a budget.

Performance Breakdown

These cards excel in real-world tests, particularly for video-intensive workflows. The V60 rating ensures buttery-smooth recording of demanding formats, with no dropped frames even under sustained loads. Paired with a UHS-II reader (essential for peak speeds), file transfers fly—think of offloading a full wedding shoot in minutes.

For the 1TB ARMOR GOLD, my benchmarks align closely with Lexar’s claims, highlighting its practical strengths. Here, I used the AJA System Test on a PC with the ProGrade UHS-II memory card reader.

• Sequential Read: 258MB/s – Blazing fast for quick imports into Lightroom or onto an Editing Drive. That’s about as fast as most V90 cards.
• Sequential Write: 191MB/s – Hits near the advertised 205MB/s ceiling in bursts but sustains admirably for long clips.
• Sustained Write: 189MB/s – Testing a series of 64GB sequential write sequences. The speed never slowed in a relatively warm room.

While I have not tested them yet, the SILVER series specs show slightly slower speeds but at a much more affordable price, which is great for photographers and videographers with less demanding bitrate requirements.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Unmatched durability: These cards handle drops, dust, and deluges—ideal for outdoor pros.
• Eco-friendly touches, such as recyclable steel and efficient NAND.
• Excellent value, especially the SILVER PRO.

Cons:

• No Write Protection Switch
• The metal build adds slight weight and a premium feel that might feel overkill for casual users.

Final Verdict

The Lexar ARMOR V60 UHS-II cards are a game-changer for creators who treat their gear like an extension of themselves—rugged, relentless, and ready for anything. The SILVER PRO nails the sweet spot for most users, offering pro-level speeds and an indestructible build at a fraction of the cost of the GOLD, while the latter is worth the splurge for those needing higher write speeds. If your workflow involves unpredictable environments or terabytes of footage, consider using an ARMOR and eliminate card failures.