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Why microSD Express Cards? The Nintendo Switch 2 requires the use of microSD Express cards as they provide the faster data reading and writing speeds required to store and run games on the new handheld.
The best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards are needed to store and run the latest games. Your older SD cards don't have to collect dust, as you can use them to transfer screenshots to your brand new Ninty machine, but if you want more than the 256GB worth of onboard storage of the new handheld, you'll need one of these new speedier cards.
These brand new SD cards have an integrated NVMe interface, similar to that of the best SSDs for gaming, which helps conjure up their lightning-fast speeds to keep up with your future Switch 2 games. For now, the officially licensed Express Cards are only available in 256GB models. However, if you're okay leaving the funky Super Mario branding behind, iconic storage brands like Lexar already have 1TB models available, which is more than enough to store a ton of both AAA and indie titles.
Remember, just like the original Switch, you can archive your digital games, now known as virtual game cards, to save some extra space. But grabbing one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and popping in a microSD Express Card can help add more value to your brand-new handheld, and prepare you for all the wonderful future Switch 2 adventures ahead - even that 102GB needed for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
The Quick List
This officially licenced Samsung 256GB SD card is the best option if you want speedy up to 800 MB/s read speeds for your Switch 2, and you want the SD card to look good too.
SanDisk was quick to pop out an officially licensed 256GB card. Not only does it come with an officially licensed Super Mario design, but it has lightning-fast read and write speeds of up to 880MB/s and 650MB/s.
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If you have a bustling Switch game library and want to futureproof your handheld for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives, PNY's 1TB microSD Express Card has the space and speeds to back you up - and all at a competitive price too.
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I've been playing and testing Nintendo hardware for as long as I've been able to walk and now, over 30 years later, I'm still just as obsessed as ever. I was in deep with the original Switch close to launch, and my game library (both digitally and physically) is unruly, which is why ensuring I have the best storage available is something I prioritize above all else. To ensure you're good to go with the new Ninty machine, I'm using my years of Switch-testing and gaming hardware writing to help ensure you've got the best microSD Express Card for your brand new bit of Ninty tech.
March 16 - Since the last update, I have tested and reviewed the 1TB PNY microSD Express Card, which has earned a spot as the new best Switch 2 SD card for eShop fans. It replaces the Lexar 1TB Play PRO microSD Express Card as it not only brings 890MB/s read and 850MB/s write speeds to the table, but it does so with a launch price that's $20 cheaper than Lexar's 1TB equivalent card. During my two weeks testing time, I also had zero issues, no matter how many games I downloaded and transferred to and from the Switch 2 SD card, which makes it my top pick so far for those after 1TB worth of storage.
The best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Card overall
✅ You want double onboard storage: An extra 256GB will mean you have double that of the 256GB worth of onboard storage of the Nintendo Switch 2.
❌ You have the cash to burn: If you're in the lucky position where you don't have to worry about how much you're spending on Switch 2 accessories, a 1TB microSD Express Card will help futureproof your new handheld for longer.
With AAA game releases getting more storage-demanding by the day, having an extra 256GB at your disposal is as low as I recommend you go. There are 128GB microSD Express Cards out in the wild, but they're only marginally more affordable than this officially licensed card, and won't help you futureproof your new Ninty hardware.
This officially licensed Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card will put you in good stead if you want storage that not only looks the part (thanks to its cute Super Mario-themed branding) but also provides just enough storage for a few big releases, and some small indie games too. Of course, you can archive your new virtual game cards on the Switch 2 to save some room. But this 256GB is plenty of space to download that 22GB-sized digital copy of Mario Kart World if you opted for the Switch 2 bundle at launch, and any of your existing game library you move over from your older Switch device.
MicroSD Express Cards by nature are pretty speedy, but Samsung's official storage has read speeds up to 800MB/s, which is a notable step up from SDXC cards released in the past for the original Switch. This means that loading times will be faster on the new hardware, however, the specs for the write speeds have yet to be made public online.
If the Switch 2's lifespan is just as fruitful as the original handheld, eventually 256GB won't be enough - especially if you have a preference for digital games. Fortunately, brands like Lexar already make 1TB compatible microSD Express Cards, but until you reach that point, the 256GB licensed Samsung microSD Express Card is what I'd recommend as you start your Switch 2 gaming journey, as it's helping me through mine.
The best budget Switch 2 MicroSD Express Card
✅ You want official Switch 2 storage: Grabbing an officially licensed microSD Express Card takes away any stress of ensuring it'll be compatible with your new Switch 2. Not to mention, it comes with some funky Super-Mario branding should you want your storage to look as flashy as possible.
❌ 256GB worth of space isn't enough: If you have your eyes set on a ton of AAA releases right after launch and love taking a plethora of video clips, 256GB worth of space might not cut it. Fortunately, other storage brands already have larger capacity microSD Express Cards available for those seeking more storage.
No matter what Switch 2 compatible card you choose, they're going to be pricey, and with microSD Express Cards still a relatively new form of storage, there aren't a lot of options out there to choose from. For now, that makes it harder to grab some new extra Switch 2 storage on a budget, which is why the officially licensed SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card with an MSRP of $59.99 / £49.99 is what I'd recommend for those who don't have all the cash in the world to fork out on even more Nintendo hardware.
This 256GB microSD Express Card has lightning-fast write speeds up to 650MB/s2 and read speeds up to 880MB/s, plus some adorable Super Mario branding like its Samsung brethren. Those read and write specs will be enough to bring those faster load times to your favorite Switch games and provide the transfer speeds you'd want from a brand-new handheld.
There are smaller capacity cards available, like the SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card, for an MSRP of $52.99 / £41.99. However, while it's cheaper in price, it's not better in value. For just $8 more, you can get double the storage (an extra 128GB) by sticking to this officially licensed 256GB version - which will help you cope with that existing older digital Switch library of games, and any of the plethora of launch titles now available.
The Best Switch 2 MicroSD Express Card for eShop Fans
✅ You have a huge existing Switch game library: If you've already built up a huge digital Switch game library, this 1TB worth of storage will make transferring all your games onto the Switch 2 an easy feat.
✅ You want to futureproof your Switch 2: With 1TB at your fingertips, you'll be well-equipped for increasingly storage-demanding titles, especially when it comes to digital-only releases like Pokemon Pokopia.
❌ You don't have the budget to spare: Even though this 1TB option dropped at a lower price than the rest, it's still a lot to invest in some extra Switch 2 storage. If you don't have the budget, you can always try the 128GB PNY Switch 2 SD card instead.
The 1TB PNY microSD Express Card isn't the only high-capacity Switch 2 card on the market, but it is the only one that provides ample amounts of storage and high read and write speeds at a competitive price. Other 1TB cards, like the Lexar 1TB Play PRO microSD Express Card, which used to sit in this spot of the guide, were available for $219.99 at launch. However, PNY's model arrived at retailers at $20 less with an $199.99 MSRP, making it better suited for eShop and digital Switch game fans.
During testing, the 1TB on offer wasn't just grand enough to re-download my huge existing Switch game library, and be prepared for digital-only releases like Pokemon Pokopia, but the card was also super speedy. The 6.1GB of Pokemon Pokopia took approximately 40.46 seconds to move off the 256GB onboard storage to the PNY microSD card, which was significantly less than the 1 minute that the handheld suggested it would take. When it came to loading times, Pokemon Pokopia took an average of 34.34 seconds to boot, too. While it wasn't as fast as the 32.30 seconds that the handheld storage could muster, it was awfully close, which is what I had hoped for when it comes to an almost $200 Switch 2 accessory.
Additionally, the 1TB PNY Switch 2 card can handle larger game sizes with the same blistering speeds. The 21.9GB of Mario Kart World moved from the onboard storage in just 3 minutes 58 seconds, which is faster than the officially licenced Samsung card at the top of this list. If you want a 1TB option that's as fast as it is spacious, this 1TB PNY microSD Card is the way to go.
How to choose the best Nintendo Switch 2 Micro SD Express Card
The first microSD Express Cards originated back in February 2024, with Samsung's first 256GB models. Unlike UHS-I-based microSD cards, they're still relatively new, so there aren't many to choose from. However, the longer we get into the Nintendo Switch 2 lifespan, the more new SD cards will be available, ranging in not just storage capacity, but speeds and even in design - if the previous best Nintendo Switch SD cards are anything to go by.
For now, the main consideration you need to undertake when looking at what card to buy is predominantly down to its storage capacity. The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with 256GB worth of onboard storage, and if that's enough for the kind of games you want to play, then you won't need a microSD Express Card at all. On the other hand, if you plan to play multiple AAA games at a time and want them installed on your device, having that extra space can go a long way.
Games like Mario Kart World and Cyberpunk 2077 require 23.4GB and 64GB, respectively, which combined already fills up a hefty chunk of that 256GB. You can double up this storage with the officially licensed SanDisk and Samsung 256GB Switch 2 microSD Express Cards. Alternatively, SanDisk also has an unofficial version of their 256GB card available on the market with forgoes the Super Mario branding but keeps its faster speeds in check. If you want the highest capacity card available right now, Lexar Play PRO microSD Express Card is available in a 1TB variant.
Another factor to consider when choosing the right microSD Express Card for your Switch 2 is price. From the get-go, these faster cards are more expensive than their non-express counterparts, with the SanDisk and Samsung 256GB versions starting at $59.99 at Amazon. Like with most gaming storage, the higher you go, the more you're likely to spend, and that's also true for the Switch 2. Right now, the 1TB Lexar microSD Express card retails for $199.99, which is almost half the price of the Mario Kart World Switch 2 bundle - if you can believe it.
Until we start to see a wealth of new microSD Express Cards hit the market, these two factors should be your priority when choosing what is right for your Switch 2 gaming needs.
Switch 2 Micro SD Express Cards Price Comparison
Name | Storage Size | Price (USD) | Price (GBP) |
SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card | 128 GB | ||
SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card | 256 GB | ||
Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card | 256 GB | ||
SanDisk 512GB microSD Express microSD Card | 512 GB | ||
Lexar 1TB Play PRO microSD Express Card | 1 TB | ||
PNY microSD Express 1TB Memory Card | 1TB |
Nintendo Switch 2 Micro SD Express Cards: FAQ
What is a microSD Express Card?
A MicroSD Express Card is a type of flash memory card, used to transfer media, and other data, between electronic devices, including your brand-new Nintendo Switch 2.
They differ from other MicroSD Cards when it comes to speeds, thanks to its integrated NVMe protocol. Similar to most SSDs, express cards use their integrated PCI Express/NVMe interface to achieve faster speeds than typical UHS-I-based microSD cards, which in turn can support the improved load times and performance of your Switch 2 games. Typically, express cards have read and write speeds of around 985 and 950 MB/s. This is a lot faster than microSD cards compatible with your older Ninty handheld, which tend to have read and write speeds of around 100 MB/s.
Do you need a microSD Express Card for the Switch 2?
Only microSD Express cards will be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 as they allow "for faster data reading and writing speeds" with the brand-new console.
As of now, only these Express Cards are compatible with the upcoming handheld, as they are faster at reading and writing data compared to other microSD Cards currently used with the original Switch console. Technically, you can use an older microSD Card with your Switch 2, however, it can only be used to transfer screenshots and game captures to your newer device.
Can the Switch 2 read older microSD Cards?
No, you will not be able to use your older microSD card with the Switch 2 to transfer, and run, Switch games. However, you can use your current microSD card to transfer screenshots and video footage to the brand-new handheld.
What storage options are available for microSD Express Cards?
Currently, there are two officially licensed Nintendo Switch 2 256GB microSD Express cards from both SanDisk and Samsung. Alternatives, like SanDisk, also have a 256GB microSD Express Card without the Mario branding, whereas GameStop currently has 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB versions available.
Nintendo states that the Switch 2 can support microSD Express cards up to 2TB, but as of typing, no brand (Nintendo included) has released a card of that size.
To coincide with the launch of Resident Evil 9 Requiem, storage brand Powin also launched an officially licensed 512GB microSD Express Card available for $139.99 at PlayAsia and other retailers.
How big are Nintendo Switch 2 games?
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As we're barely into the Switch 2's lifespan, there aren't a lot of first-party games out there. Of the few that are, Mario Kart World has the largest install size, with the Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom also taking up a fair chunk of your new handheld's storage.
- Mario Kart World - 23.4 GB
- Donkey Kong Bananza - 8.5 GB
- Pokemon Pokopia - 10GB
- Kirby Air Riders - 25GB
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - 102GB
- Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition - 24.1 GB
- Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition - 19.9 GB
If you want to complete your brand-new Switch 2 setup, our best Nintendo Switch accessories guide is full of some the best the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch controllers compatible with the brand new console.
