Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right SD Card for Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch stands out among other large, boxy gaming consoles thanks to various factors, including its hybrid-style portable form and tremendous game types. However, it has a fatal drawback - a limited storage space of 32 GB, which will soon be filled up for gamers who prefer digital downloads. Thus, all models of the Nintendo Switch support expandable storage via having a microSD card slot. In this article, we will introduce what an SD card for Switch is, how to select an SD card for Switch, and the top 5 best SD cards for Switch.

What Is SD Card for Switch

The Nintendo Switch contains an SD card slot because it lacks enough storage. Nintendo's store has many fantastic games, but the Switch can only hold a few. Thus, many Switch users will insert an SD card for Switch to extend the storage space for games. Then, what SD cards can work on the Switch? Due to the slot size, only a microSD card can be compatible with a Nintendo Switch. For example, UHS-I Micro SD, Micro SDHC, or Micro SDXC cards are all available. 

Speaking of the max size, the Switch can accommodate SD cards of up to 2 TB. We believe it could be available in the near future, but the largest microSD card now is a 1 TB card, which has not been put into mass production. The largest SD card for Switch we can buy in the market is 512 GB, which can hold about 76 games.

How to Choose an SD Card for Switch

There are numerous SD cards that are compatible with the Nintendo Switch. Thus, what should be considered if you plan to purchase a Switch SD card? Don't worry if you are not clear about this question. This part will teach you the four key factors to help you select the one that suits you.

Storage Capacity

The reason why we need to buy an SD card for Switch is to add more storage space, so the top priority while choosing a microSD card is storage capacity. For your reference, here is a table that shows how many games the Switch can hold for various sizes:

Read Speed

The read speed of the Switch SD card is essential for downloading new games. The optimal transfer speed is 60 to 90 MBs, and close speed would make too much difference. The console can support UHS-1, UHS-1, and UHS-3 cards, but it can not take full advantage of UHS-2's maximum possible speed of 312MB/s. 

Lifetime warranty

If you don't want to change the microSD card too often, select a durable and reliable card. Check if the SD card for Switch has magnet proof, shockproof, temperature-proof, and waterproof. Moreover, check the warranty of the SD card in case it has a short warranty.

Price

Compared to hard drives, an SD card is quite affordable. However, finding a budget-friendly SD card with fast reading speed is what everybody wants. It's recommended that you consider the price per GB.

EaseUS editor will give you some further support in choosing an SD card for Switch as follows:

Best SD Card for Switch [Top 5 Check List]

We will evaluate the speed, capacity, and price of different microSD as below:

1.  SanDisk Ultra microSDXC

SanDisk offers a variety of legally authorized products with striking branding from popular games. The transfer rates won't make you wait around while waiting for games to load. SanDisk Ultra microSDXC is reasonably priced and comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 64GB to an astonishing 512 GB.

• Storage Capacity: 16 GB~512 GB
• Read Speed: up to 100 MB/s
• Warranty: 10 Years Limited lifetime
• Price: $13.79~63.76

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3plwtGQ

2. Micro Center Premium microSDXC

If you are finding an affordable microSD card, Micro Center Premium MicroSDXC cards can meet your need perfectly. The 64GB capacity cards cost $7.99, giving you significantly more game space at a discount. You won't need to worry about transfer speeds because these SD cards operate at 95 MB/s, just at the top of Nintendo's recommended range. 

• Storage Capacity: 64 GB~1 TB
• Read Speed: up to 170 MB/s
• Warranty: 3 Years Limited lifetime
• Price: $7.99~279

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3CQtt8g

3. PNY Elite microSDXC

With PNY Elite microSDXC, you can effectively treble your Switch console's storage. Games can run quickly and consistently without stuttering, thanks to reading rates of up to 100 Mbps. This microSD card works well and provides ample storage at a lower cost.

• Storage Capacity: 16GB-512GB
• Read Speed: up to 100 MB/s
• Warranty: 3 Years Limited lifetime
• Price: $10~51

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3r007BR

4. SanDisk Extreme microSDXC

If your primary concern is reaching your Switch's maximum speeds, consider SanDisk's Extreme series of microSD cards. The SanDisk Extreme can effortlessly push any Switch console to its maximum capabilities thanks to read and write rates of up to 160 Mbps and 90 Mbps, respectively.

• Storage Capacity: 16GB-1TB
• Read Speed: up to 160 MB/s
• Warranty: 10 Years Limited lifetime
• Price: $21~209

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/42YzL0t

5. Samsung EVO Select MicroSDXC

The Samsung EVO Select MicroSDXC is an excellent option if you're looking for an economical and reliable MicroSD card for your Nintendo Switch. Its ranges from 64GB to 512 GB, giving you plenty of room for both large and small games. The EVO Select provides the switch with read rates of up to 130 Mbps, and it strikes the ideal combination between performance, storage capacity, and price.

• Storage Capacity: 64GB-512GB
• Read Speed: up to 130 MB/s
• Warranty: 10 Years Limited lifetime
• Price: $19.99~39.99

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/46nqi5F

Which is best for you regarding your needs? Let's hear what the EaseUS editor says about this question:

Conclusion

After viewing this article, you now know what an SD card for Switch is. Furthermore, the above content introduces what to consider while choosing the best SD card for Switch, including storage capacity, read speed, lifetime warranty, and price. At the bottom line, we also rounded up the top 5 best SD cards for Switch and their basic information for your information. In addition, you can refer to EaseUS editors' reviews to make decisions. We hope this post can be helpful to you.