When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
The Nintendo Switch doesn't come with a lot of internal storage, with only 32 to 64GB, depending on the model you buy. This means there isn't a ton of space for downloading games or saving data, photos, and videos. That's why we recommend expanding the system's storage with a microSD card. The best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch can help you fit dozens of additional games and files on your console.
Our top picks include this affordable SanDisk 256GB card, which Nintendo officially licenses. We also like the Samsung Pro Plus 256GB, which comes with its own USB adapter so you can easily transfer screenshots to a computer. All of our recommendations feature fast transfer speeds, too, which makes downloading games quick and easy.
Switch games are only getting bigger — The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes up 16GB just by itself — so a microSD card is a must-have Switch accessory. Here are nine of the best microSD cards for your Nintendo Switch, all of which have enough speed and space to turn your console into the ultimate portable gaming machine.
-
Staff PickOfficially endorsed by NintendoThis high-speed microSD card is officially licensed by Nintendo, and comes in a variety of cool designs.
-
Built for gamingThis Lexar card has a max read speed of 150MB/s and a large capacity of 512GB, making it great for loading and storing big games.
-
The largest storageMost gamers won't need this much storage, but if you download tons of games and your budget allows, this card has you covered.
-
Staff PickHigh speed and high qualityKingston's Go Plus cards offer speeds of up to 170MB/s, which are some of the fastest on the market.
-
Staff PickBest for Switch screenshotsThis package comes with a 256GB microSD card and a USB reader that lets you easily move videos and screenshots to your computer.
-
Premium storageThis SanDisk card earns its "Extreme" name with nearly unmatched speeds rated for up to 170MB/s.
-
Staff PickTop-tier protectionEvo Select cards are water, temperature, and X-ray proof, and even come with a 10-year limited warranty.
-
Secure and packed with spaceThis Samsung Evo Plus card offers the same sturdy construction and warranty as the Evo Select, up to a large 512GB capacity.
-
Plenty of space on a budgetThis PNY microSD card isn't quite as fast as more expensive options, but it's still speedy enough for Switch games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a microSD card for my Nintendo Switch?
A microSD card is practically a must-have for any Switch owner. The standard Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite only come with 32GB of built-in storage, and even the upgraded Switch OLED only comes with 64GB. If you download more than a few games — especially big RPGs like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which takes up 16.3GB — that space will run out quickly.
Buying a microSD card is the best way to expand your Nintendo Switch's storage so you can download more games and store more videos and screenshots. It also makes it easier to transfer those files to a computer, so you can edit or share them online. Considering how affordable microSD cards are nowadays, investing in one is a no-brainer.
What size microSD card should I buy for my Nintendo Switch?
Most microSD cards range in memory capacity size from 32 to 1TB, but there's not much reason to buy anything smaller than 256GB.
Right now, microSD cards are more affordable than ever, so you can often buy fantastic 256GB cards on sale for less than $30. That 256GB will be enough to hold dozens of games and hundreds of videos and screenshots. There's a low chance that you'll ever need more space than that.
However, if you really want to spend less, you can grab a 128GB microSD card for around $15 or lower. You'll just need to pay more attention to how much space your games occupy.
Does every microSD card work with every version of the Nintendo Switch?
The standard Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED are all compatible with microSD cards with up to 2TB in memory capacity — anything higher won't work. But this shouldn't be an issue since microSDs above that aren't on the market yet and would be cost prohibitive.
Additionally, Nintendo recommends that any microSD card you use should be UHS-I compatible, and it should have a transfer speed of at least 60MB/s. The Switch generally supports transfer speeds up to 95MB/s — beyond that, you probably won't notice much difference.
All of the products we highlighted as the best microSD cards for Nintendo Switch fit these criteria. But other cards, especially older ones, might not.
Do I need to buy a microSD card that says it's "Made for Nintendo Switch?"
When shopping for microSD cards, you'll notice that many of them specifically state that they're "made" or "designed" for the Nintendo Switch. This is entirely a marketing tactic, so don't worry if a microSD card doesn't. It's usually just an easy way to signal that the card fits the guidelines we mentioned above.
Even if the card you buy doesn't say it's made for the Nintendo Switch, as long as it fits those guidelines, it'll be fine.
We do recommend that you buy from a reputable manufacturer such as SanDisk, Samsung, PNY, Lexar, and Kingston, to name a few. While there's no guarantee that a microSD card from these brands won't fail, they tend to be more reliable than generic options.
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
