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Top MicroSD Cards for Nintendo Switch in 2024: Optimal Storage Solutions
By: Linda On: 5 March 2024
The Nintendo Switch offers limited internal storage, ranging from 32 to 64GB depending on the model. This restriction leaves little room for game downloads, save data, photos, and videos. To address this, we suggest augmenting the system's storage with a microSD card. The finest microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch enable you to accommodate numerous additional games and files on your console, often at an affordable price.
Among our top recommendations are the renowned SanDisk 256GB, endorsed by Nintendo, and the Samsung Pro Plus 256GB, which includes an SD adapter for added convenience. Each of our picks boasts rapid transfer speeds, ensuring swift and effortless game downloads.
As Switch games continue to expand in size — The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom alone consumes 16GB — a microSD card becomes an essential accessory for your Nintendo Switch. Here are 10 exceptional microSD cards equipped with both speed and ample storage capacity, transforming your console into the ultimate portable gaming powerhouse.
SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch
Carries the Nintendo Seal of Quality
Capacity: 64GB-512GB
Transfer rate: Up to 100MB/s
SanDisk offers a range of officially licensed microSD cards featuring captivating branding from leading games. With storage capacities spanning from 64GB to an impressive 512GB, you won't experience delays waiting for games to load due to high transfer rates. This microSD card, officially endorsed by Nintendo, is available in a variety of appealing designs. Opting for a product with Nintendo's official endorsement ensures compatibility and worldwide availability. While it may be priced higher than some alternatives, the reliability and guaranteed compatibility of the SanDisk microSDXC make it the top choice for Switch users.
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Lexar PLAY microSD Card
Built for gaming
Capacity: 128GB to 1TB
Speed: Up to 150MB/s
Lexar PLAY microSDXC UHS-I cards are designed to keep up with all your content, no matter if they are games, movies, music or books. Avoid slow load times with read speeds of up to 150MB/s and fast A1 or A2-rated performance, so you can play more of what you love without missing a beat. Ideal for portable gaming devices, smartphones, and tablets. and a large capacity of 1TB, making it great for loading and storing big games.This MicroSD card has been designed for gamers with immensely fast transfer speeds and has undergone rigorous testing to ensure that it has the best performance. It's expensive, though.
Kingston Canvas Go Plus microSD Card + Adapter
High speed and high quality
Capacity: 32GB-256GB
Speed: Up to 170MB/s
Kingston's Go Plus cards offer speeds of up to 170MB/s, which are some of the fastest on the market.The Kingston Canvas Go Plus SD card is over twice as fast as what Nintendo recommends for the console so, while they cost more than your average model, they are a good premium alternative. The card supports A2 app performance class, which expedite your workflow with faster application performance.
The card also works for Android phones and tablets, giving extra room for use if the Switch requires less or more space with another microSD card. Furthermore, this microSD card is the business; with a reading speed of up to 170MB, it moves and loads fast when put to work.
SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD Card
Premium storage
Capacity: 16GB-1TB
Speed: Up to 170MB/s
Feel the need for speed? The fastest SD card on our list screams along at up to 200MB/s so games will load in the blink of an eye.This SanDisk card earns its "Extreme" name with nearly unmatched speeds rated for up to 200MB/s. You'll pay a bit extra for the privilege, so you might as well get the 1TB model and then you'll probably never run short of shortage. The SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD cards are intended for 4K video and other high-speed data scenarios, such as Android phones, action cameras, and drones. Capture fast-action photos or shoot 4K UHD video with write speeds of up to 140MB/s. The SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-I Card lets you shoot more and faster.The Extreme Pro microSD cards should stand up to daily use well, being water-, temperature-, and shock-proof, and to back all that up, SanDisk covers these cards with a lifetime warranty. Overall, the Extreme Pro microSD is easy to recommend for high-performance needs.
Samsung EVO Plus microSD Card
Secure and packed with space
Capacity: 32GB-512GB
Speed: Up to 100 MB/s
The Samsung EVO Plus microSD card allows users to capture seamless 4K videos on their compatible phone or drone, while also expanding the available storage on gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch. With fast U3, Class 10 rated read/write speeds of up to 180/130MB/s, this microSD card is top of its class. Players can also choose smaller storage options with Samsung PRO cards available with capacities of 128GB and 256GB, as well as their massive 512GB card.The EVO Plus range offers fast speeds, along with what Samsung calls 4-proof protection. That means they're waterproof, X-ray proof, temperature proof and magnet proof. Bear in mind, though, that your Switch definitely isn't all four of those. And it even come with a 10-year limited warranty.
Samsung Pro Endurance MicroSDXC Memory Card with Adapter
Extreme durability
The Endurance line of microSD cards is rated to last longer than any other. If you install and reinstall games a lot, this is for you. And this card is extreme endurance for monitoring devices . Capture your crucial moments in high-resolution, even in harsh conditions; Engineered to deliver long lasting performance, the Samsung PRO Endurance SSD is also perfect fit for CCTV, dash cams and body cams; Get peace of mind with video recording you can rely on.
SanDisk Ultra MicroSDXC Memory Card
The largest storage
The SanDisk Ultra MicroSD card offers a bit of everything thanks to its balanced approach, good storage, speed, and versatility.The SanDisk Ultra Micro SD is the best pick on the list based on the cheap price that make it an attractive choice: A low price with storage to spare, fast reading speed, and compatibility. It works excellently on the Nintendo Switch, reading games effortlessly, and in addition, it can also house videos up to full HD at 1080p.
Keep it in mind, most gamers won’t need this much storage, but if you download tons of games, SanDisk Ultra 1 TB card is the most affortable choice that cover your all needs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a microSD card for my Nintendo Switch?
For every Switch owner, a microSD card is more than just an accessory; it's essential. With the standard Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite offering merely 32GB of internal storage, and even the upgraded Switch OLED providing just 64GB, storage space quickly becomes scarce, especially when downloading larger games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which demands 16.3GB alone.
Expanding your Nintendo Switch's storage with a microSD card is the optimal solution, enabling you to download additional games and store ample videos and screenshots. Moreover, it simplifies the process of transferring files to a computer for editing or online sharing. Given the affordability of microSD cards today, acquiring one is unquestionably a wise decision.
What size microSD card should I buy for my Nintendo Switch?
MicroSD cards typically offer memory capacities ranging from 32GB to 1TB, but opting for anything smaller than 256GB may not be practical.
Currently, microSD cards are exceptionally affordable, with high-quality 256GB options often available for less than $30 during sales. This capacity is more than sufficient for storing numerous games, along with hundreds of videos and screenshots. The likelihood of requiring more storage than 256GB is minimal.
Nevertheless, if you're seeking a more budget-friendly option, you can acquire a 128GB microSD card for approximately $15 or even less. In this case, you'll need to carefully manage the available space, particularly when dealing with larger games.
Does every microSD card work with every version of the Nintendo Switch?
The standard Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED models all support microSD cards with capacities of up to 2TB—anything beyond this capacity won't function. However, this limitation is currently inconsequential as microSD cards exceeding this limit are not yet available on the market.
Moreover, Nintendo advises that any microSD card used should be UHS-I compatible, with a minimum transfer speed of 60MB/s. While the Switch generally accommodates transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s, speeds exceeding this threshold are unlikely to yield noticeable differences in performance.
All of the microSD cards we've highlighted as the best options for the Nintendo Switch adhere to these specifications. However, it's worth noting that certain older microSD cards may not meet these criteria.
Do I need to buy a microSD card that says it's 'Made for Nintendo Switch?
When perusing microSD cards, you may encounter many labeled as "made" or "designed" for the Nintendo Switch. Rest assured, this is primarily a marketing strategy. It typically indicates that the card aligns with the aforementioned guidelines we discussed.
Even if a microSD card isn't explicitly marketed for the Nintendo Switch, as long as it meets the specified criteria, it will function perfectly well.
When selecting an SD card for your Nintendo Switch, the primary consideration is its storage capacity. Essentially, the more games you aim to store, the higher the GB capacity you'll require. While 32GB may suffice for some individuals, those with extensive game collections may opt for capacities closer to 128GB. Furthermore, faster cards contribute to quicker loading times and smoother gameplay, so prioritizing cards with read speeds of 60MB/s or above is advisable. Lastly, if you frequently game on the move, you might appreciate features like water resistance or extreme temperature tolerance, which are available in select SD cards.
