Like the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 comes with its own internal storage and can be expanded with a microSD card—but it can’t be just any microSD card. Make sure you get the right microSD Express card by picking one of the options below.
Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card
Samsung is no slouch when it comes to expanding storage, and this one is Nintendo-branded, too. Not only is it fast, it matches the Switch 2 in capacity, doubling the amount of storage it has.
SanDisk 128GB microSD Express
The SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card is perfect if you’re on a budget or primarily buy physical games. Its transfer speeds can reach 880MB/s, which is up to four times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the original Switch.
PNY microSD Express U3 V30 A1
PNY’s microSD Express card is extremely fast, with up to 890MB/s read speed and up to 750MB/s write speed. However, this card doesn’t come cheap, and it’s only available in 128GB and 256GB.
Lexar 1TB Play PRO microSD Express
The Lexar 1TB Play PRO microSD Express Card benefits from the same performance as its 512GB counterpart, but with a substantial amount of space. Just one of these cards is nearly four times the Switch 2’s internal storage.
GameStop 1TB Express microSD Card
The GameStop 1TB Express microSD Card is not only fast (800MB/s read speeds), you get a microSD adapter, just in case you want to move data, and you get a better deal with a Pro subscription.
How to Pick a microSD Card for Your Nintendo Switch 2
Given the original Switch’s data transfer rates, you had to be particular about what kind of microSD card you got. Pick a microSD card with a data transfer rate faster than the Switch could handle, and you’d be wasting performance. Luckily, that’s not the case with theNintendo Switch 2because it can now usemicroSD Express cards.
The big difference here is that microSD Express cards are dramatically faster than its cousin, meaning the Switch 2 can now transfer data much faster. However, there’s a catch.
Picking the right microSD card for the Nintendo Switch 2 is more than about the card’s speed—the console is explicitly limited tomicroSD Expresscards, and a normal microSD card (which is probably the card you’re using in your current Switch) can only store screenshots and clips. It cannot store games.
Aside from compatibility, speed should still be a factor, and a good rule of thumb is that the faster the card is, the better. Nintendo hasn’t given us much to go off of as far as maximum data transfer speeds for the Switch 2 are concerned, but the microSD Express technology itself has a ceiling of 985 MB/s. For comparison, the original Switch maxed out at 95MB/s. All we know right now is that the Switch 2 will be faster.
Next, you want to consider storage size, and the Switch 2 has a more generous 256 GB. How much storage do you need? It depends on your budget and your spending habits. Do you primarily buy physical copies of Switch and Switch 2 games or digital? If it’s the former, you can opt for a smaller microSD Express card and save yourself money in the process. If it’s the latter, you’ll need more to make room for all your digital games.
