The Best Nintendo Switch Micro SD Cards
Prototype: Nintendo Life

If you're lucky enough to own a Nintendo Switch, Switch Light or Switch OLED and tend to download games from the Nintendo eShop, you may be quickly running out of storage space. A lack of digital storage is one of the Switch's few weaknesses, and the fact that there are so many astonishing digital-only games on Nintendo'southward store means the issue's only getting worse.

Both the standard Switch and Switch Light come with just 32GB of internal storage space, of which only 25GB is actually accessible past the user, and fifty-fifty the expanded 64GB of internal storage in the Switch OLED Model won't stretch far when it comes to the biggest Switch titles. Some games are so large that they tin't even fit within that 25GB of infinite merely by themselves, and even if yous buy your Switch games physically, the many downloadable patches and updates you'll have to install mean you'll inevitably have to expand your storage.

The answer? Aggrandize your Switch'due south memory and invest in a Micro SD carte. Fortunately, in that location are plenty of cheap memory upgrade options for Switch in 2022. It's even possible to buy a mighty 1TB Micro SD card for your Nintendo Switch if yous want to erase your storage woes for good.

Below, we've rounded up all of the best Micro SD card deals you lot can get right now at the cheapest prices. The costs are steadily falling downward with time, then yous might be surprised at how much bang you tin get for your cadet.

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All-time Switch Micro SD cards (USA)

Our US recommendations are largely taken up by SanDisk products, as these cards oft offer far greater value for money than their direct competitors. They're as well known for their fantastic quality and reliability – a win-win! Here are the all-time deals on Micro SD cards for Switch in the US:

Best Switch Micro SD cards (Uk)

Our United kingdom recommendations are extremely similar, with SanDisk generally offering the best prices, although y'all'll likewise find some amazing prices from Integral, some other trusted brand. With plenty of options across the board, in that location's something to arrange every budget:

Officially-Licensed Nintendo Switch Micro SD Cards

These 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB and 512GB officially licensed Nintendo Switch micro SD cards from SanDisk aren't the best value cost-wise, only they certain practise look pretty and will no doubt appeal to Nintendo collectors or those looking to gift an SD carte du jour to someone special.

Availability can exist patchy, and so if you find that these aren't available right now, we'd recommend picking upward ane of the better deals above rather than waiting to run across if these fancier options render. Saying that, nosotros wouldn't blame you for being tempted past that lovely yellowish Starman card...

Nintendo Switch Micro SD Cards FAQ

Our micro SD carte FAQ below should reply whatever questions you lot might have, but feel gratuitous to ask us anything in the comments section and nosotros'll do our all-time to reply. The well-nigh frequently asked questions will then get added here.

Tin can you use any Micro SD Bill of fare with Nintendo Switch?

The Switch supports any UHS-I Micro SD, Micro SDHC, or Micro SDXC cards. If you have no idea what any of that means, don't worry, it's pretty difficult to stumble beyond a card that isn't supported by the Switch.

Given how piddling the speed differs between the unlike cards that the Switch does support, we recommend just ignoring that aspect entirely and just grabbing the cheapest you can find. Information technology really doesn't make much difference.

Besides, cartridges are almost always slower than Micro SD cards, and then no affair which you go for, you're going to get improved loading speeds.

Where is the Micro SD Carte slot on the Switch console?

If yous're wondering how to go about putting a Micro SD card into your Nintendo Switch or Switch Low-cal, the handy photos higher up should aid.

To admission the Micro SD menu slot on your Nintendo Switch, simply pop out the kickstand on the back of the Switch. Inserting a Micro SD bill of fare can exist a fleck fiddly, so you'll want to practice it with the logo facing up. Push the bill of fare into the slot until information technology makes a reassuring clicking sound. To remove it, push once again until it clicks and it should then pull away hands.

The Switch Lite may non have the kickstand, but y'all'll find the cover in the aforementioned identify on the back of the panel on the bottom left. Pick open the tab and gently push button your Micro SD in until you hear a click just equally you would on the regular Nintendo Switch.

And on Switch OLED the slot is hidden behind the larger kickstand on the left. It's re-orientated horizontally, just other than that it'southward probably the simplest of the 3 Switch consoles to insert or remove the Micro SD card.

What speed Micro SD Card should I purchase?

At the moment, speed isn't really worth because when you purchase a micro SD card for your Nintendo Switch. The reason for this is that the Switch only supports UHS-1 cards, which max out at 104MB/s in terms of speed. The UHS-2 types are 3 times faster, with a 312MB/s speed just that's irrelevant equally the Switch doesn't currently support them.

While it'south true that the speed between fifty-fifty the UHS-1 cards does vary, the differences just aren't noticeable enough to worry near. That'southward why nosotros've focused purely on the all-time value for coin, as there is a considerably larger departure between the prices of ii micro SD cards than there is the speed.

What size/capacity Micro SD Card should I purchase?

It'due south going to be a while until 2TB cards are available and, more chiefly, affordable. Right now y'all typically have the choice of 1TB, 512GB, 400GB, 256GB, 200GB, and 128GB (or lower, although we wouldn't recommend going any smaller than 64GB, and that will fill up upward fast).

SanDisk has a Micro SD card with a chapters of 1TB, which is a fantastic pick for Switch owners who plan to download a lot of games, only it's naturally a little more on the pricey side. If you have that sort of cash to spend, this is currently the ultimate option for your Switch.

On the other stop of the calibration you can pick up a very cheap 128GB Micro SD card, but chances are yous'll fill information technology upwardly very shortly with downloads, so we recommend yous think long-term and consider the ~200-256GB range.

An alternative approach would be to buy multiple cards and bandy them depending on which games y'all desire to play - slightly more try, but potentially very affordable. Just be sure to keep them in a safe place.

What blazon/make of Micro SD Carte is best for Switch?

Nintendo Switch Micro SD card
Image: Nintendo Life / Damien McFerran

Ideally, y'all want the fastest micro SD carte du jour for improved loading times; generally, a skillful micro SD card volition slightly outperform Nintendo's physical game cards, which is a bonus for downloaders.

You tin usually get a "read speed" rating on the SD Card y'all're looking at buying. You should besides notice that micro SDXC is the newer, faster type versus the older micro SDHC.

Brands also offering "premium" versions of their products; one example is the SanDisk "Ultra" range, which is typically populated by their fastest cards.

We'd recommend going for ane of the premium offerings if you can, only it shouldn't make a huge difference for the average user, particularly as Switch is currently unable to accept reward of the fastest speeds. All options listed in our guide higher up are more than than suitable for your needs.

Should I install all my Switch games on a Micro SD?

Given the Nintendo Switch'south limited 32GB of internal storage – of which only 25.9GB is actually usable – you're going to exist forced to install the vast bulk of your downloaded games directly onto the micro SD.

However, we take learned that games installed directly onto the internal storage saw improved load times over cartridges and micro SDs, with the well-nigh extreme cases improving load times on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild by 5 seconds.

The differences between Switch cartridges and micro SD were as well small to really fuss over – a mere 2nd or 2 here and there – but it does seem like installing on the console's ain internal storage offers a significant improvement. As such, we'd recommend installing your most played game(s) on your internal storage, and the residuum onto the micro SD.

How do I movement a Switch game between Micro SD and internal storage?

Nintendo Switch SD slot
Epitome: Nintendo Life / Damien McFerran

To move a Nintendo Switch game from your Micro SD card to the console's net storage, or vice versa, you'll need to select Arrangement Settings from your panel's menu.

In System Settings, choose 'Data Management', and so 'Motion Data Between Arrangement / microSD Card'.

Choose which management you want your chosen game to movement (either from the SD carte to console or vice versa) and select the relevant option. Them merely select your game, striking 'Move Data', confirm your selection, and that's it!


Whichever Micro SD card yous pick, you're going to be increasing the potential of your beloved Nintendo Switch. If you programme on taking your Switch out with you on your travels, having a large capacity will exist a great thought equally you won't need to carry loads of pesky carts effectually with you.

Looking for more? Bank check out our other Switch buying guides:

  • Where To Buy Nintendo Switch eShop Credit, Gift Cards And Online Membership
  • Best Switch Portable Chargers, Batteries And Power Banks
  • Best Nintendo Switch Wired And Wireless Headsets
  • Best Nintendo Switch Controllers
  • Best Nintendo Switch Accessories