Do you need a Nintendo Switch microSD Cards to expand your storage? Well, you’re not the only one – with only 32GB on the console itself, there’s a limited number of digital games one can fit on the console without looking out for a memory card, or (heaven forbid) having to delete some of your downloaded games.
What is Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch is a video gaming console developed by Nintendo. It is a hybrid console that can be used as a stationary as well as a portable device. Nintendo Switch has wireless Joy-Con controllers, with standard buttons and directional analog sticks for user input, motion sensing, and tactile feedback. attached to both sides of the console to support handheld-style play.
Serious and casual gamers have all embraced the fun and excitement of the Nintendo Switch. With over 15 million units sold, it’s clear that this Switch has become a massive success. Although with this huge popularity, the number of fun games available to be downloaded from the Nintendo eShop has also shot up exponentially.
The Downside
Unfortunately, the main downside of this Switch is its limited storage capacity inherent in the box. At only 32GB, some of the most popular games will take up almost all of the space on your device. The Nintendo Switch games only come with 32GB of onboard storage and if you’re a serious gamer, you know that’s not nearly enough.
Compare this to the 500GB or 1TB storage available on the Xbox One on Mac. It’s clear that the Switch doesn’t have the same kind of carrying capacity for games as some of the other consoles out there have.
With the sheer volume and diversity of fantastic games in the eShop that can be downloaded directly to your Switch, storage is a big issue. One has to expand the storage by using MicroSD cards in the Nintendo Switch.
The Upside
If you’re planning on playing more than a handful of indie titles, then adding a MicroSD card is a must. Games like Zelda: Breath of the Wild alone will take up 13.4 GB, which is around 40% of the console’s onboard storage.
It can also be sensible to buy the larger AAA games on physical cartridges, to avoid the likes of Mario and Zelda taking up all the space. But if convenience is taken into consideration, nothing beats having all your titles compressed into one handy memory card.
Luckily for Switch fans, it’s easy to extend the storage capacity of your Switch simply by adding an SD card.
How to Add a MicroSD Cards to the Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch does come with a micro SD card slot – installed under its kickstand, at the backside of the console – which means that one can expand the game library well beyond the console’s 32GB internal storage.
Nintendo has taken an old-school approach to the Nintendo Switch by using cartridge-based games. The benefit of cartridges is that you don’t need to install them directly on the system. When you pick up your console and a game — namely, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — you can just pop the cartridge in and play without having to install any data (most of the time).
Although one important thing has to be kept in mind that the cards need to be UHS-1 compatible to be able to work with the Switch. There are a large number of available options in sizes ranging from 32GB all the way to 512 GB. If you are looking to add some extra space on your Switch, check out our list of some of the fastest and best microSD cards available for use on the Nintendo Switch.
Best Nintendo Switch MicroSD Cards in 2023
Here are some of the fastest and best microSD cards available for use on the Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Sandisk microSDXC for Nintendo Switch
Specifications
- Storage: 64GB, 128GB
- Read Speed: up to 100mb/s
- Warranty: Lifetime (or 30 years)
- SD Reader: No
- Ultra High Speed: UHS-3
This is a Nintendo branded MicroSD card manufactured by SanDisk. This is a premium product approved by Nintendo itself and hence is a safe bet. It has the Nintendo stamp of approval to put you at ease.
Sandisk is one of the largest memory card manufacturer – though usually with regards to cameras – and these tie-in options have a read speed of up to 100mb for fast loading. I come with a minimum 30-year warranty, too.
Kingston Canvas Select microSDXC – Best for value
Specifications
- Storage: up to 256GB
- Read Speed: up to 80mb/s
- Warranty: Lifetime (or 30 years)
- SD Reader: Yes
- Ultra High Speed: UHS-1
This is still very much a reputable brand and Kingston’s 128GB memory card comes in at a few pennies less per gigabyte than its SanDisk counterpart. You will be getting a slightly slower load-time, with only 80mb/s, but that’s still well within Nintendo’s SD card guidelines. There are other available options for 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB models.
SanDisk Extreme 128GB
This one-of-a-kind SanDisk Extreme has blazing fast read speeds of up to 160MB/s (in certain scenarios) and writes speeds of up to 90MB/s. It is capable of handling 4K videos, high-resolution photos, and large files without issue. If you have more to spend, you can even get a 400GB version if you need performance and all the storage. This is available for $26 at Amazon.
SanDisk Ultra 400GB – For Maximum Storage
This high-quality and high-storage microSD is perfect for those who primarily download digital games. It has a huge storage capacity which allows you to store game data for several titles. high-storage microSD also comes with a lifetime warranty so you can feel safer about your purchase. exceptionally fast read rate and performs beautifully to give you smooth gaming experience. It is available for $55 at Amazon.
PNY Elite 128GB – For Mid-Range Storage
If a nice high storage capacity without making a hole in your pocket is what you want, then PNY’s UHS-I 128GB card is a good option. At around $40 gives you a huge amount of storage along with a pretty fast read speeds to boot — up to 85MB/s. It’s about the lowest price available for a 128GB card and a great way to ensure you have lots of space for all the games you want to have on your Switch. It is available for $30 at Amazon.
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Samsung EVO Select 64GB UHS-I/U3 – Best Budget Card
This Samsung EVO Select card is the best product available in a budget price but it still offers a great balance of speed and capacity. This 64GB card should be enough to get you up and running with your Nintendo Switch.
At the same time, it is big enough to hold a decent number of installed games. The card also comes with a full-sized SD adapter. Hence, it can be used with anything other than Switch too. It is available for $12 at Amazon.
Lexar Professional 1000x 32GB UHS-II/U3 – For Minimum Storage
If you are not an avid gamer but still want that extra juice in your switch, you’re probably concerned about speed and less concerned about size.
The Lexar Professional 1000x uses UHS-II flash memory and boasts read speeds of up to 150MB/sec. This card is great if you want a little extra storage just in case and aren’t planning on installing a lot of games from the Nintendo eShop. It is available for $16 at Amazon.
So, these were some of the best MicroSD cards available in the market for Nintendo Switch. Do choose according to your needs and specification requirements. Adding some extra space will surely enhance your gaming experience and will give you a chance to add some more exciting games on your console.
Here is one of the most pertinent questions asked by the users of Nintendo Switch when they go out to buy a MicroSD card for their Nintendo Switch.
Are Saved Files kept on Memory Cards Too?
The answer is No. It’s just your games that can be saved on the external memory cards. Save files are all kept on internal storage partially to prevent piracy. However, thankfully, they don’t take up too much space by themselves.
For all those who have a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, you’ll also be able to back up your save files to the cloud. If you, unfortunately, break your console, even then you can restore your progress safely. You’re able to re-download any purchased game software for free too.
Conclusion
This was all about the best MicroSD Cards available for Nintendo Switch. We hope that you find the best MicroSD for your Nintendo Switch and take your gaming experience to a whole new level.
