Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right SD Card for Nintendo Switch

With its hybrid portable design and variety of games, the Nintendo Switch stands out among other gaming consoles. But it has one glaring flaw – limited 32GB of storage that fills up quickly, especially for those who prefer digital downloads. That's why all Switch models support expanded storage via a microSD card slot. In this article, we'll explain what a Switch SD card is, how to choose an SD card for your Switch, and the top 5 best Switch SD cards.

What kind of SD card does a Nintendo Switch use? The SD card (Secure Digital Card) is a storage device used in the Nintendo Switch console to store games, system updates, and user data. It's essential for the Switch since many games need to be installed on the SD card to play. The Switch comes with a slot compatible with microSDHC or microSDXC format cards, allowing you to expand the storage capacity as needed. Here are some key points about SD cards for the Switch: 1. **Compatibility**: Make sure the SD card you purchase is compatible with the Switch. The console supports microSDXC cards up to 2TB in size. 2. **Capacity**: Choose a capacity that suits your needs. If you plan to download many digital games or save a lot of screenshots and recordings, consider a higher-capacity SD card. 3. **Speed**: A fast-read and write speed SD card can improve game loading times and system performance. Aim for at least a Class 10 or UHS-1 Class 3 (U3) rated card. 4. **Brand**: Well-known brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Kingston typically offer more reliable SD cards. Avoid using unofficial or illegally copied game cards in your Switch, as they may cause system issues or permanent damage. Always purchase games from the Nintendo eShop or authorized retailers.

The Nintendo Switch has an SD card slot because it doesn't have enough storage on its own. There are tons of great games in the Nintendo Store, but you can only fit so many on the Switch. That's why many Switch users opt to insert a special SD card for Switch to expand their game library. So, what kind of SD card can you use in a Switch? Due to the size of the slot, only a microSD card will work with the Nintendo Switch, such as a UHS-I microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC card.

In terms of capacity, the Switch can technically handle up to a 2TB SD card, though as of this writing, the largest microSD card available is a 1TB model that isn't yet in wide release. The biggest card you can buy for your Switch right now tops out at 512GB, which is good for around 76 games.

How to Choose an SD Card for Your Nintendo Switch

There are many SD cards on the market compatible with the Nintendo Switch. So, what do you need to consider when buying an SD card for your Switch? If you're not sure, don't worry. This section will go over the four most important factors to consider when choosing the right SD card for you.

Storage capacity

The whole point of getting an SD card for the Switch is to expand its storage, so capacity is probably the first thing you'll want to consider when picking out a microSD card. Here's a table that can give you an idea of how many games you can fit on cards of different sizes:

Reading speed

The Switch's SD card read speed matters for downloading new games, and you want something in the 60-90 MB/s range, though anything much faster won't make a difference. The console supports UHS-1, UHS-I, and UHS-3 cards, but can't take advantage of the top 312 MB/s speeds of UHS-2.

Lifetime warranty

If you don't plan on switching out your microSD card often, look for one that's durable and reliable. Check that the card is resistant to magnets, shocks, temperatures, and water. Also, make sure it has a decent warranty in case anything happens to it.

Price

SD cards can be cheap, but everyone wants one that's fast and affordable. Consider the price per GB when shopping around.

Toolbox editors will offer more help choosing an SD card for your Switch.

Top 5 Best Switch Games Cartridges [Checklist]

We'll be evaluating the speed, capacity, and price of each microSD card.

1. SanDisk Ultra microSDXC

SanDisk has an officially licensed range of cards emblazoned with the logo of a popular game, and they're fast enough to avoid frustrating load times. The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC card is affordable and comes in sizes ranging from 64GB up to a huge 512GB.

• Storage Capacity: 16 GB to 512 GB
• Read Speed: Up to 100 MB/s
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty for 10 years
• Price: $13.79 to $63.76

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2. A high-quality microSDXC card from Micro Center

If you're in the market for a good deal on a microSD card, look no further than the Micro Center Premium MicroSDXC card. The 64GB option is just $7.99, giving you a nice discount on some extra game space. You don't have to worry about transfer speeds either, as these SD cards run at 95MB/s, which is within Nintendo's recommended range.

• Storage Capacity: 64 GB to 1 TB
• Read Speed: Up to 170 MB/s
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty, 3 years
• Price: $7.99 to $279

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3. PNY Elite microSDXC card

With the PNY Elite microSDXC card, you can effectively triple your Switch's storage space. Thanks to its read speeds of up to 100 MBps, games run quickly and smoothly without lag. This microSD card offers good performance at a lower cost and with ample storage.

• Storage Capacity: 16GB - 512GB
• Read Speed: Up to 100 MB/s
• Warranty: 3-year limited lifetime warranty
• Price: $10 - $51

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4. SanDisk Extreme microSDXC

If maximum speed is your top priority, consider SanDisk's Extreme line of microSD cards. With read speeds of up to 160MBps and write speeds of up to 90MBps, the SanDisk Extreme can easily push any Switch to its limits.

• Storage Capacity: 16GB - 1TB
• Read Speed: Up to 160 MB/s
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty, 10 years
• Price: $21 - $209

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5. Samsung EVO Select MicroSDXC

If you're looking for an affordable and reliable MicroSD card for your Nintendo Switch, the Samsung EVO Select MicroSDXC is an excellent choice. Available in capacities ranging from 64GB to 512GB, it offers ample space to store both large and small games. The EVO Select delivers read speeds of up to 130MBps, providing a great balance of performance, storage capacity, and price for your Switch needs.

• Storage Capacity: 64GB - 512GB
• Read Speed: Up to 130 MB/s
• Warranty: 10-year limited lifetime warranty
• Price: $19.99 - $39.99

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Buy it here: https://amzn.to/46nqi5F

Which one is right for you? Our Tools editor weighs in.

Conclusions

After reading this article, you now have a clear understanding of what an SD card is for the Nintendo Switch. You also know the factors to consider when choosing the best Switch SD card, such as storage capacity, read speed, lifetime warranty, and price. Towards the end, we provided a summary of five top-rated Switch SD cards along with their basic information for your reference. Additionally, you can refer to the reviews by tool editors to aid in your decision-making process. We hope this article has been informative and helpful to you.