What’s the best microSD card for Switch to maximize digital game storage?
Why Expand Your Nintendo Switch Storage?
The Nintendo Switch, while a marvel of portable gaming, comes with a rather modest 32GB (or 64GB for the OLED model) of internal storage. For players who primarily buy physical game cartridges, this might be sufficient. However, for the vast majority of users who embrace the convenience of digital downloads from the eShop, that internal space fills up alarmingly fast. A single AAA title can easily consume over 10GB, making a microSD card not just a luxury, but a necessity for building a robust digital game library.
Expanding your Switch’s storage ensures you have enough room for new releases, essential game updates, DLC, and captured screenshots or video clips without constantly deleting and re-downloading games. This guide will walk you through choosing the optimal microSD card to maximize your digital game storage.
Understanding microSD Card Specifications for Switch
Not all microSD cards are created equal, and choosing the right one for your Switch involves understanding a few key specifications beyond just capacity.
Capacity: How Much Space Do You Really Need?
MicroSD cards for the Switch come in a wide range of capacities, from 64GB all the way up to 2TB (though 1TB is currently the largest widely available and supported). The ‘best’ capacity depends entirely on your gaming habits:
- 128GB-256GB: Good for casual players with a handful of digital titles.
- 512GB: An excellent sweet spot for most dedicated digital gamers, offering ample space for dozens of titles.
- 1TB: Ideal for collectors with extensive digital libraries, or those who download many large AAA games.
Remember, it’s generally better to buy slightly more capacity than you think you need, as game sizes tend to increase over time.
Speed: UHS-I, Class 10, and U3 Explained
While the Switch supports UHS-I microSD cards, the speed ratings are crucial for smooth gameplay and faster load times. Look for cards with these specifications:
- UHS-I (Ultra High Speed Phase I): The standard supported by the Switch.
- Speed Class 10: Guarantees a minimum write speed of 10 MB/s. Most good cards will exceed this.
- U3 (UHS Speed Class 3): Guarantees a minimum write speed of 30 MB/s, offering significantly better performance than U1 cards. While the Switch doesn’t explicitly require U3, it benefits from the faster read speeds often associated with U3 cards.
In practice, aiming for a card with an advertised read speed of 90MB/s or higher will provide the best experience on your Switch.
Top Recommended microSD Cards for Nintendo Switch
Based on performance, reliability, and value, certain brands and models consistently stand out as the best choices for your Nintendo Switch.
SanDisk for Nintendo Switch microSDXC Card
SanDisk has an official partnership with Nintendo, producing licensed microSD cards specifically branded for the Switch. These cards often feature iconic Nintendo characters or logos, but more importantly, they are rigorously tested for compatibility and performance. They are typically UHS-I U3 rated, offering excellent read speeds up to 100MB/s. Available in capacities from 64GB to 1TB, these are a safe and reliable bet.
SanDisk Ultra and Extreme Series
Even without the official Nintendo branding, SanDisk’s consumer-grade Ultra and Extreme series microSD cards are superb choices. The Ultra series provides excellent value with good speeds, while the Extreme series offers even faster performance, often reaching read speeds of 160MB/s or more, which can marginally reduce game loading times. Both are widely available and highly reliable.
Samsung EVO Select and EVO Plus
Samsung’s EVO Select (often sold on Amazon) and EVO Plus lines are strong competitors. They offer comparable speeds and reliability to SanDisk’s offerings, often with attractive pricing, especially during sales. These cards are also UHS-I U3 rated and come in all the necessary capacities, making them a popular and dependable alternative.
Lexar Play microSDXC Card
Lexar’s ‘Play’ series is specifically designed for gaming devices, including the Switch. They boast high read speeds (up to 150MB/s) and are optimized for quick loading of games and media. The Lexar Play cards offer competitive pricing and solid performance, making them another excellent option for Switch owners.
Installation and Best Practices
Once you’ve chosen your microSD card, installation is straightforward:
- Power Off: Completely power down your Nintendo Switch (hold the power button for a few seconds, then select Power Options > Turn Off).
- Insert Card: Open the kickstand on the back of the Switch. The microSD card slot is located underneath. Insert the card with the label facing down until it clicks into place.
- Power On: Turn your Switch back on. It should automatically detect and format the new card.
Managing Your Game Data
- Automatic Storage: New game downloads will automatically be saved to your microSD card once it’s inserted.
- Transferring Data: You can move existing game data from the internal storage to the microSD card (and vice-versa) via System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System / microSD Card.
- Archiving vs. Deleting: If you run low on space, archiving a game removes its data but keeps the icon on your home screen, allowing for quick re-downloading later. Deleting removes everything. Prioritize archiving games you might play again soon.
Conclusion: Maximize Your Switch Experience
Investing in a high-quality, high-capacity microSD card is arguably the most impactful upgrade you can make for your Nintendo Switch, especially if you’re committed to a digital game library. By opting for a reliable brand like SanDisk, Samsung, or Lexar, with a capacity of 512GB or 1TB and U3 speed rating, you’ll ensure smooth performance, fast load times, and virtually limitless space for all your current and future gaming adventures.
Say goodbye to the frustration of constantly managing storage and hello to uninterrupted gaming bliss. Happy gaming!
