If you’re looking to expand your game library and download some of your favourite games on the Nintendo Switch console, then an SD card is the best way for you to increase the capacity of said console. Even though the Nintendo Switch is amazing because of the easy portable aspect of it, it isn’t perfect and one of the biggest disadvantages that you see with this console is in the storage department as it only offers 32GB when you purchase it.
No matter which Nintendo Switch you may have, the internal storage of the console is bound to fill up fast and that’s why SD cards are so important for the Switch. Even the best Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch OLED, only has 64GB of storage on it. In this modern day and age of gaming, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch are actually quite cheap, so even those who may be on a tight budget are still able to ensure they have enough space to enjoy their favourite games on their portable console.
The storage problem that the Nintendo Switch is far from a dealbreaker for purchasing on as fixing this issue is so easy and affordable, so it should definitely not turn you away from purchasing one. So, without further adieu, this article will suggest some of the best SD cards for the Nintendo Switch so far this year.
1. SanDisk microSDXC for Nintendo Switch
| Specs | |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB |
| Read Speed | Up to 100MB/s |
| SD Reader | No |
| Ultra High Speed | UHS-3 |
Pros
- Officially licensed by Nintendo
Cons
- Other non-branded options are cheaper
This microSD card is actually SanDisk’s officially licensed microSD card for the Nintendo Switch, and is definitely one of the best, if not the best, SD card that you can purchase for your console because of its availability, affordable price and the different sizes that are available. So, if you are someone that isn’t too sure about what size SD card will be able to fit into your Nintendo Switch then this is a great option because you won’t have to worry about that because this variant is endorsed by the company.
If you go with the SanDisk variant, you’ll be able to get storage sizes that range from 64GB all the way up to 512GB, which means you’ll easily be able to double your total storage straight out of the gate. A great storage option for most people will be the 128GB option because it is often available at just $25 and will give you a lot of extra space to ensure space for downloads of even the most expensive games.
Then for the other options you can expect to pay $50 for the 256GB option and then $100 for the biggest 512GB option, but a lot of the time you’ll be able to find good deals on these SD cards so it’s important to check a few different sources.
2. Kingston Canvas Go Plus microSDXC
| Specs | |
| Storage | Up to 512GB |
| Read Speed | Up to 170MB/s |
| SD Reader | Yes |
| Ultra High Speed | UHS-1 |
Pros
- Very fast speeds
Cons
- Higher configurations are expensive
If you have any sort of fear with regards to the transfer rates inside of your Nintendo Switch console, then this microSD card from Kingston is great because you won’t have to worry a second about that. If you check with Nintendo then they’ll say that the recommended rates are between 60 and 95 MB/s but with the Kingston Canvas Go Plus microSDXC you’ll be getting an amazing 170MB/s.
When it comes to the amazing benefits that this microSD card offers then its speed isn’t the only one. One of the next biggest benefit that you will get with this SD card is that a lot of the time you’ll be able to get them at a cheaper price than the SanDisk option above, for example the 128GB option is available at $24 but you’ll often be able to find them on deals and going for even $20. This is also very true for the 256GB option as well since you could find this one for around the $30 price.
Even though this microSD card isn’t specifically marketed for the Nintendo Switch, and is instead aimed for those that are doing any sort of shooting in 4K, the speed that comes with these cards allows you to experience some great smooth gameplay for a great price. If you are looking to get the best bang for your buck then the 128GB and the 256GB are the best because they won’t be filling up any time soon.
3. Micro Center Premium microSDXC
| Specs | |
| Storage | Up to 1TB |
| Read Speed | Up to 170MB/s |
| SD Reader | Yes |
| Ultra High Speed | UHS-1 |
Pros
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Can be slower than other models
Then if you are someone who is looking to get the absolute best value for your money then you won’t find anything that is cheaper than the Micro Center Premium MicroSDXC cards. You can expect prices of the 64GB variant to start at $7.99, which will be able to give you a lot more room for the games you may want to download at a seriously low price. You also won’t have to worry about transfer speeds because these SD cards run at 95MB/s, which I sat at the top of the recommended speed that Nintendo has.
If you are looking at some of the higher storage options that you can get then this microSD card definitely becomes a much more attractive option, for example the 512GB variant is available for $60 and then the largest variant that they have is 1TB, which will set you back $120, but you can be certain to never run out of storage again.
4. SanDisk 1TB Extreme microSDXC
| Specs | |
| Storage | Up to 1TB |
| Read Speed | Up to 190MB/s |
| SD Reader | Yes |
| Ultra High Speed | UHS-1 |
Pros
- Extremely fast
Cons
- More expensive than most others
SanDisk is one of the most well known and well respected brands that you will hear about in the storage world and more specifically, the company’s Extreme line of MicroSDXC cards definitely live up to the SanDisk name. So, if you are a Nintendo Switch gamer who is looking for the best of the best when it comes to both capacity as well as speed then this is the perfect option for you.
Although this is, without a doubt, a pretty hefty investment you’ll make compared to some of the other options on this list, with its performance of up to 190MB/s, you won’t ever have to worry about games not running at their best at all times. Although the 1TB configuration is available for retail at $165, you’re able to get it at close to $140 a lot of the time.
5. Samsung EVO Select MicroSDXC
| Specs | |
| Storage | Up to 256GB |
| Read Speed | Up to 130MB/s |
| SD Reader | Yes |
| Ultra High Speed | UHS-1 |
Pros
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Most other models are faster
Lastly, if you are someone who is looking for one of the best affordable, but still reliable, microSD cards out there for your Nintendo Switch then you shouldn’t have to look any further than the Samsung EVO Select MicroSDXC. You can expect to pick up the 64GB option for around $10.99, which is a great storage space to start adding as it provides a lot of extra space for a substantial game library. You can also get other sizes up to 512GB, which will set you back $49.99, which will definitely be more than enough for most people and their games.
Even though the read speed that this SD card has may not be the best on this list, it has 130MB/s, which is still great and will provide you with seamless gaming. This read speed that it has also exceeds the Nintendo recommendations, and also doesn’t break your bank account too much. Lastly, this SD card also supports Full HD video, which means that you’ll be guaranteed some solid and seamless performance.
Final Words
So, there you have some of the best recommendations for purchasing a SD card for your Nintendo Switch so that you are able to play and store more games on it. If you are going to do some of your own research on which SD card may suit your needs best then there are a few brands that are trusted when it comes to SD cards for your Switch, and these include Kingston, SanDisk and Micro Center.
