Best MicroSD Express Cards For Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 requires microSD Express cards for storage expansion, as it requires faster data transfer speeds.

A very important detail: the Switch 2 uses MicroSD Express Cards, not regular MicroSD Memory cards. These are new Express cards and significantly faster than the older cards. When buying, look for the EX written on the card.

Recommended Memory Cards for Nintendo Switch 2

Lexar PLay Pro MIcroSD Express (256-1TB)

• Speed: Up to 900MB/s read, 600MB/s write
• Why Buy: Offers the highest capacity available and excellent speed for seamless gameplay. Ideal for large libraries.
• Note: Best for series gamers.
• Where To Buy: Amazon / B&H

SanDisk microSD Express (128GB, 512GB)

• Speed: Up to 880MB/s read, 650MB/s write
• Why Buy: Great balance of speed and price, comes in 128GB size for light gaming or 512GB, which is a nice sweet spot.
• Note: A reliable choice for most users.
• Where To Buy: Amazon / B&H

Samsung MicroSD Express (256GB, Nintendo-licensed)

• Speed: Up to 800MB/s read
• Why Buy: Affordable, officially licensed, and features a Mario-themed design.
• Note: Best budget-friendly option.
• Where To Buy: Amazon

PNY MicroSD Express (128GB, 256GB)

• Speed: Up to 890MB/s read, 750MB/s write
• Why Buy: Affordable, available in 128GB for those with only a few games.
• Note: Good budget-friendly option with fast write speeds.
• Where To Buy: Amazon / B&H

Here is some information about the size of card you can expect to need, as well as some recommended cards to purchase.

How big of a Memory card do you need for Nintendo Switch 2

If you’re a parent reading this and buying a Switch 2 for your child, you probably won’t need an extra SD card if you only plan to play a few games. Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Zelda. So, don’t buy a card at first and see how the internal storage works out; as you buy more games, add more storage. However, if you want to play a lot of non-Nintendo titles, these games can be huge, and you will for sure need extra storage.

Personal Anecdotes

As a father of two elementary school children, here is my personal and family setup to give you a rough idea of how much storage you might need based on the popular games of today.

How Much Storage Young Kids Need

Estimated Total Storage Requirements: 256-512GB

I use 1TB of storage on my Xbox Series X, and my Six-Year-Old Son, who has a Series S, has only 512GB of total internal storage, which a lot of it is reserved for the system, leaving him with only 364GB for games, which suits him ok. We sometimes have to swap games around.

He has installed Minecraft (1.9GB), Overwatch 2 (66.9GB), Marvel Rivals (68.1), Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville (30.7GB), Goat Simulator 3 (7.1GB), Palworld (11.5GB), Fortnite (65.8GB), and we play Space Marines 2 (65GB) together. And that about maxes out his storage. As you can see, most modern games are around 60 GB in size, and many of the larger games, such as Starfield and Fallout 76, are closer to 100 GB. Elden Ring base game is 72GB.

On a Switch 2, you’ll likely have mostly Nintendo games, which are usually much smaller in size, aiming for around 512GB total storage as a starting point (meaning buying a 256GB card).

How Much Storage Series Gamers Need

Estimated Storage Requirements: 512GB-1TB.

Older kids and adults, particularly serious gamers, who use the Switch 2 as their primary console and play a lot of the games I listed above and more, will likely want a total storage capacity of 1TB or more, as they’ll likely be playing more AAA (non-Nintendo) titles, which are expected to be available on the Switch 2. You could start with a 512GB card, which would give a total of 768GB, or simply grab a 1TB card and store all the games on the external card, while dedicating all the internal storage to the system to keep things running smoothly.

Is It Your Primary Console?

Also, what you will need all depends heavily on whether the Switch 2 is your only console. I mostly play on PC and Xbox, and would only use a Switch for select Nintendo games, such as Zelda, Smash Bros., and Mario Kart, so that I wouldn’t need much more than 512GB total or less. I could honestly probably get by just on internal storage until Nintendo starts releasing titles that require more space.

Summary on what size card to buy:

If you are a parent with young kids and only a few Nintendo games, you may not need an SD card at all (at first), or you can start with a 256GB card.

More serious gamers start with a 512GB, or 1TB if the Switch 2 is your primary console.

MicroSD Memory Card Tips

Tips:

• Look for the “EX” logo to ensure compatibility.
• Stick to reputable brands like Lexar, SanDisk, or Samsung to avoid fakes.
• Standard microSD cards won’t work for games, but they can store screenshots and videos.

One more note: As someone who has been testing memory cards and MicroSD memory cards for the past decade, I recommend avoiding used or older cards or buying used cards.

Memory cards do not last forever and can develop problems as they age. I had a microSD card start burning this year (2025), and it burned a hole through the card and the SD card adapter. If the card were not in an Adapter, it would likely have caused damage to whatever device it was in. It was a card I was using for the Retroid Pocket 5. Luckily, it only happened during testing.