Best microSD Cards For Nintendo Switch In 2023

The Nintendo Switch houses some of the most impressive exclusive games, and the recent hits have increased their file sizes quite a bit. As Nintendo games become more extensive and ambitious, a microSD is a good accessory to have, as it can help you play anytime you want.

Related: How To Insert A Micro SD Card Into A Nintendo Switch

This buyer’s guide will feature different microSD options, based on their effectiveness, storage, speed, and value. Whenever you want to buy a cheap microSD or a premium pick, these are the best options to consider when shopping for an extension of storage for your Nintendo Switch.

Updated on November 25, 2023 by Sai Vsr: There are a lot of microSD that work amazing for the Nintendo Switch, and we’ve compiled the ones that fit your needs best. In this recent update, we have upgraded this list with one more really cool option for expanding your console’s storage, the Lexar Play UHS-I card!

Best microSD Cards For Nintendo Switch

Lexar PLAY 1TB microSDXC UHS-I Card

Best Dedicated

If you wanna get specific.

$65 $130 Save $65

The Lexar PLAY 1TB microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card is a powerhouse in a tiny package. Designed for gaming enthusiasts, it’s a perfect match for devices like the Nintendo Switch, as well as smartphones and tablets.

Pros

• High-speed performance with up to 160/100 MB/s.
• A2 rating for faster app performance.
• Great for gaming devices, especially the Nintendo Switch.

Cons

• Not all devices may fully utilize the high-speed capabilities.

Alright, let’s talk about this little marvel, the Lexar PLAY 1 TB microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card. It’s like having a mini-library for all your gaming and multimedia needs, perfect for devices like the Nintendo Switch, smartphones, and tablets. We’re talking up to 160 MB/s read and 100 MB/s write speeds, thanks to its UHS-I and V30 speed class. This means less waiting around for games to load and snappy file transfers.

But that’s about every other card on this list. What’s special about this one, you may ask? Welp, Lexar is known for its reliable and durable products, and this little pupp is no exception. Its designed to withstand harsh conditions, which is great for gamers on the go (this also means you also don’t have to worry about losing all your data in a freak radioactive incident, don’t ask how we know).

Additionally, the A2 rating guarantees high performance for app loading and processing, making it a great choice for Android users. Sure, the price might make some think twice, but for those in need of serious storage space and speed, it’s a solid choice.

SanDisk Ultra 128GB MicroSDXC Memory Card

Best Overall

This microSD covers all bases.

The SanDisk Ultra 128 GB MicroSD card offers a bit of everything thanks to its balanced approach, good storage, speed, and versatility.

Pros

• 128GB is good enough for a variety of Switch games.
• Up to 100MB speed to keep things moving fast.
• A1 Rated performance.

Cons

• Jack of all trades but master of none.

The SanDisk 128 GB Ultra Micro SD is the best pick on the list based on the factors 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.

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 100MB, it moves and loads fast when put to work.

Gigastone 256GB Micro SD Card

Best Value

An excellent card that comes at a great price.

The Gigastone microSD card was designed with gaming in mind, with excellent reading speeds and ease of use, making it a good choice for the Nintendo Switch.

Pros

• 256GB is the sweet spot for installing multiple Switch games.
• It has a fast speed and is easy to use.
• It comes with up to 5 years of warranty, making it a long-term pick.

The Gigastone 256GB microSD card was made with gamers in mind as the base target, and is a card that specializes in video games. The A1 spec makes this memory card work fast, and in addition to that, the card itself is both waterproof and shockproof, adding a layer of security and keeping your game files safe.

The 256GB storage space is excellent for installing a vast array of games. Gigastone offers up to five years of warranty, giving this card a remarkable value that cannot be beaten. It is a reliable card that works as intended and can hold up to four hours of video.

Samsung EVO Select 64GB MicroSDXC Memory Card

Best Budget

A fantastic budget pick that also features excellent quality.

The Samsung EVO Select is an excellent card that comes at a low price while highly versatile and fast—a hidden gem in the market of MicroSD.

Pros

• It works great with the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck.
• Protection from harsh temperature and magnets.
• Low price for a great microSD!

The Samsung EVO 64GB is the budget pick for those wanting a bit more space at a low price. While it doesn’t have the most significant storage, the speeds of 130MB are breakneck on this compact microSD. The card offers different versions with more storage, and the prices of those versions are also lower than the other competitors in the Nintendo Switch microSD market.

Samsung keeps those prices low across the spectrum, making the EVO the perfect budget pick. The card is also protected from magnets and harshe temperatures, offering an excellent solid budget pick across all areas. You get a fantastic card at a low price with this budget pick. The card is also great for Steam Deck users.

Gigastone Gaming Plus 512GB MicroSDXC Memory Card

Best Storage

It offers excellent capacity with an outstanding balance in all other areas.

The Gigastone Gaming Plus 512GB brings a lot of storage to the table, letting you install many games on your device.

Pros

• 512GB is a lot of storage for Switch games.
• It can be used for cameras, files, and music too.
• Great space while being protected from water and shock.

Cons

• It can be pricey when compared to other microSDs.

Gigastone is back with another card, harboring even more space to use. The Gigastone 512GB microSD card is the storage pick because, at 512GB, you’re going to have all the possible space you need for your Nintendo Switch games.

The Gigastone is an excellent card as it was meant to be used for the Nintendo Switch, a fantastic choice in speed, storage, and protection. The card can also be used for a camera, files, and music, giving it an extra edge when it comes to versatility.

Silicon Power 1TB MicroSDXC Memory Card

Premium Pick

It’s the powerhouse of MicroSDs when it comes to storage.

$45 $50 Save $5

The Silicon Power 1TB is here with the biggest storage capacity for the Nintendo Switch. This card can house a vast library of games with ease.

Pros

• At 1TB, it offers the best capacity in memory cards.
• It doesn’t compromise in speed, keeping things moving with 100MB.
• It has unmatched performance that works flawlessly across devices.

The Silicon Power 1TB microSD is an absolute powerhouse of a memory card. This card is a behemoth for space; with over 1TB in storage. This microSD will ensure you can have an exceptionally colossal collection of games installed on your Nintendo Switch. The sky is the limit when using Silicon Power.

It is also a beast in speed, with a U3 rating and 100MB of speed; that is impressive for a card of this size. It offers generous storage with unmatched performance and is one of those few 1TB cards that can work great with the Nintendo Switch, making it a premium pick.

SanDisk 256GB MicroSDXC Memory Card for Nintendo Switch

Best Design

It features iconic designs with great speed and storage.

The SanDisk 256GB MicroSD is a fantastic card that goes above and beyond by adding style to the microSD. From Mario to Fortnite and Animal Crossing, there are many customizations here.

Pros

• The designs are striking and iconic.
• It offers an excellent speed at 100MB speed.
• Easy to use and works without issues.

The SanDisk 256GB microSD card is sure to catch the eyes of those with attention to detail and aesthetics. The microSD comes in a variety of striking visual styles, from Fortnite cards to the classic and memorable star of the Mario series. It is a performance card that delivers while being a nice collectible.

The card has an excellent speed of transferring things quickly and is a good read for effortlessly playing those games. An option that also comes with adorable designs while keeping the quality SanDisk is known for; if you want an air of flair with your microSD, then this is the pick you need.

Bottom Line

The microSD cards in this guide are all compatible with the Switch and boast good storage while being versatile; whether you want speed or an excellent design, there is an option here that will appeal to you when expanding your console memory.

For the best overall pick, the recommendation is the SanDisk 128GB microSD. It is a memory card that covers all the bases while accessible and a flawless choice for video games. For the budget pick, the Samsung EVO 64GB microSD is a fantastic card that promises a lot of quality at a low price and works great with the Steam Deck as well

FAQ

Are all microSD cards the same?

No, microSD cards all offer different reading speeds, storage, and proofing that make them different.

Are all microSD cards compatible with the Switch?

No, some cards can have severe problems with performance because they are not meant for gaming or don’t have enough speed to handle them.

How much storage do I need for my Nintendo Switch microSD?

It depends on how many games you play, but as a general rule, 256GB will give you enough space to install up to 20 games on your Nintendo Switch.

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