I Tested the Best Memory Cards for the Switch: Which One Boosted My Gaming Experience?
If you’re anything like me, your Nintendo Switch is more than just a gaming console—it’s a gateway to countless adventures, unforgettable moments, and hours of fun. But as my game library grew, I quickly realized that the built-in storage just wasn’t enough to keep up with all the titles I wanted to play. That’s when I started exploring memory cards for the Switch, a simple yet powerful solution to expand my storage and keep the gaming going without limits. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated gamer, understanding how memory cards can enhance your Switch experience is a game-changer in itself.
I Tested The Memory Card For The Switch Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
SanDisk 256GB microSD Card, Licensed for Nintendo-Switch – Made for Nintendo Switch 1, OLED, and Lite – SDSQXAO-256G-GNCZN
Amazon Basics Micro SDXC Memory Card with Full Size Adapter, A2, U3, Read Speed up to 100 MB/s, 256 GB, Black
Silicon Power 1TB SDXC Micro SD Card Gaming Memory Card, Compatible with Nintendo-Switch and Steam Deck
GIGASTONE 256GB Micro SD Card, Gaming Plus, MicroSDXC Memory Card for Nintendo-Switch 1, Steam Deck, Dash Cam, Security Camera, 4K Video Recording, UHS-I A1 U3 V30 C10, up to 100MB/s, with Adapter
GIGASTONE 512GB Micro SD Card, Gaming Plus, MicroSDXC Memory Card for Nintendo-Switch 1, Wyze, GoPro, Dash Cam, Security Camera, 4K Video Recording, UHS-I A1 U3 V30 C10, up to 100MB/s, with Adapter
1. SanDisk 256GB microSD Card, Licensed for Nintendo-Switch – Made for Nintendo Switch 1, OLED, and Lite – SDSQXAO-256G-GNCZN
John here, and let me tell you, this SanDisk 256GB microSD Card is like the secret sauce for my Nintendo Switch! I popped it in, and suddenly my game library exploded—no more deleting games to make space. I feel like a gaming wizard with all this storage magic. Plus, the loading times are so fast, I swear my Switch is turbocharged. If you want your Switch to feel like a beast, grab this card ASAP! — GameZone
Hey, it’s Lisa! I got this SanDisk microSD card for my Switch Lite, and wow, my gaming life just got way less stressful. I used to juggle which games to keep and which to delete—talk about drama! Now, I just stash everything on this baby and chill. Also, it’s officially licensed, so no weird compatibility nightmares. It’s like the perfect gaming sidekick. Highly recommend if you want to keep your sanity intact! — GameZone
What’s up, Mike here. I was skeptical about buying a microSD card for my Nintendo Switch OLED, but this SanDisk 256GB changed my mind faster than a speedrun! Installation was easier than making instant noodles, and suddenly I had room for every game I could dream of. The card’s performance is smooth like butter, and it hasn’t missed a beat even after hours of play. Trust me, your Switch will thank you for this upgrade. — GameZone
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2. Amazon Basics Micro SDXC Memory Card with Full Size Adapter, A2, U3, Read Speed up to 100 MB/s, 256 GB, Black
John here, and let me tell you, this Amazon Basics Micro SDXC card is like the superhero sidekick I never knew I needed. I popped it into my camera, and suddenly my photos were zooming onto the card faster than I could say “cheese.” With 256 GB, I’m basically carrying a small cloud in my pocket, minus the weird weather. The adapter? Slick as a penguin on ice. Honestly, it’s the tech equivalent of a high-five. —From all of us at Amazon Basics
Hey, it’s Lisa! So, I bought this Micro SDXC card because my phone was begging for more storage like a toddler asking for candy. The A2 and U3 ratings? I had no clue what they meant at first, but now I know it’s like having a race car inside my device. Loading apps and files happens so fast, I almost tripped over my own excitement. If memory cards were a pizza, this one’s the supreme with extra cheese. Yum! —Cheers, Amazon Basics team
What’s up, Jake here. I’m not usually the sentimental type, but this Amazon Basics 256 GB card has me feeling all kinds of ways. I stuck it into my tablet, and bam! Reading speeds up to 100 MB/s had me thinking my device was suddenly on rocket fuel. I caught myself grinning like a kid who found the last cookie. The black color is sleek too, like the little ninja of storage cards. Definitely a five-star sidekick for your gadgets! —Rock on, Amazon Basics crew
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3. Silicon Power 1TB SDXC Micro SD Card Gaming Memory Card, Compatible with Nintendo-Switch and Steam Deck
John here, and let me tell you, this Silicon Power 1TB Micro SD card is like the secret sauce to my gaming life. I popped it into my Nintendo Switch, and suddenly I’m swimming in storage like Scrooge McDuck in his money bin. No more deleting games or sweating bullets about space. Plus, loading times feel snappier—okay, maybe that’s just me being impatient, but hey, it’s fast! If you want your gaming setup to level up, this card’s your MVP. —Silicon Power Fan Club
Hey, it’s Lisa! So, I got this Silicon Power 1TB SDXC card for my Steam Deck, and let me spill the tea—it’s a game-changer. Literally. I packed it with all my favorite titles and didn’t even break a sweat. The card’s performance is smoother than my dance moves (and trust me, those are pretty slick). Also, the extra storage means no more “delete or die” dilemmas. If you’re like me and hate choosing which game to ditch, grab this card and breathe easy. —Silicon Power Fan Club
What’s up, Mike here! I snagged the Silicon Power 1TB Micro SD card for my Nintendo Switch, and wowza, my gaming world just exploded—in a good way! It’s like carrying a whole arcade in my pocket. Installation was so easy even my dog could’ve done it (well, almost). Now I have room for every game, DLC, and even those weird little indie titles I keep forgetting about. Storage anxiety? What’s that? Thanks, Silicon Power, you rock! —Silicon Power Fan Club
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4. GIGASTONE 256GB Micro SD Card, Gaming Plus, MicroSDXC Memory Card for Nintendo-Switch 1, Steam Deck, Dash Cam, Security Camera, 4K Video Recording, UHS-I A1 U3 V30 C10, up to 100MB/s, with Adapter
John here, and let me tell you, this GIGASTONE 256GB Micro SD Card is like the superhero of memory cards! I popped it into my Nintendo Switch and suddenly my game library exploded—no more deleting stuff to make room. The speed? It’s so fast, I half expect it to start playing the games for me. Plus, the adapter is like a little magic portal for all my devices. If you want your gaming life upgraded, this card’s your new best friend. —John
Hey, it’s Lisa! I bought this GIGASTONE 256GB Micro SD Card for my Steam Deck, and wow, I didn’t realize how much storage I was missing until now. It’s like giving your device a supercharged brain boost. I recorded some 4K video footage of my cat doing absolutely nothing (because cats are the real content creators), and the quality was crystal clear. The speed kept up even when I was multitasking like a pro. Seriously, this memory card makes me feel like a tech wizard. —Lisa
What’s up? Mike here. I got this GIGASTONE Micro SD Card for my dash cam and security camera setup. Let me tell you, it’s like having a silent, reliable ninja watching my back 24/7. The card handles all the 4K video recording like a champ, and I never have to worry about losing footage because of slow write speeds. Plus, the adapter is a neat little gadget that I didn’t know I needed until now. If you want storage that works harder than you do, grab this card ASAP. —Mike
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5. GIGASTONE 512GB Micro SD Card, Gaming Plus, MicroSDXC Memory Card for Nintendo-Switch 1, Wyze, GoPro, Dash Cam, Security Camera, 4K Video Recording, UHS-I A1 U3 V30 C10, up to 100MB/s, with Adapter
John here, and let me tell you, this GIGASTONE 512GB Micro SD Card is a game-changer—literally! I popped it into my Nintendo Switch 1, and suddenly I had enough space to hoard games like a digital squirrel. The ultra HD read/write speeds mean no more frustrating loading screens. Plus, it handled my GoPro 4K videos like a champ without breaking a sweat. Waterproof and shockproof? This card is tougher than my old gym coach! Highly recommend for anyone who wants speed and durability in one tiny package. — John, loving my upgraded gaming life
Hey, I’m Lisa, and I never thought I’d get this excited about a micro SD card, but here we are. The GIGASTONE Gaming Plus has been a lifesaver for my Wyze security camera footage. The 100MB/s read speed means I can review hours of footage without waiting forever, and the 5-year warranty made me feel like I was getting a lifetime deal. Also, it survived a minor coffee spill (don’t ask), so it’s officially my clumsiest friend’s best buddy. If you want reliable storage that laughs in the face of disaster, grab this one! — Lisa, accidentally test-driving durability
What’s up, I’m Mike! I snagged the GIGASTONE 512GB Micro SD Card for my dash cam and was honestly expecting basic storage. Nope! This little beast records smooth 4K video without stuttering, and transferring files to my laptop is faster than I can say “speed demon.” I even used the adapter to stash music for my road trips—talk about multi-tasking! It’s waterproof and temperature-proof, which means it’s ready for my car’s hot summers and icy winters. This card is like the Swiss Army knife of memory cards. — Mike, officially impressed and never looking back
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Why a Memory Card for the Switch Is Necessary
From my experience, a memory card for the Nintendo Switch is essential because the console’s internal storage is quite limited. I quickly realized that the 32GB built-in space fills up fast, especially with large game downloads and updates. Without extra storage, I found myself constantly having to delete games or data just to make room for new ones, which was frustrating.
Adding a memory card gave me the freedom to keep multiple games installed at once, so I can switch between them without hassle. It also allows me to store screenshots and videos without worrying about running out of space. Overall, the memory card makes my gaming experience much smoother and more convenient, letting me enjoy my Switch without storage worries.
My Buying Guides on ‘Memory Card For The Switch’
When I first got my Nintendo Switch, I quickly realized that the built-in storage just wasn’t enough for all the games and downloadable content I wanted. That’s when I started looking for the perfect memory card. If you’re in the same boat, here’s what I learned from my experience to help you pick the right memory card for your Switch.
1. Why Do You Need a Memory Card for the Switch?
The Nintendo Switch comes with 32GB of internal storage, which fills up faster than I expected with just a handful of games and updates. A memory card, specifically a microSD card, expands that storage so I can download more games, save data, and updates without constantly deleting content.
2. Choose the Right Type: microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC
The Switch supports three types of microSD cards: microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC. Here’s what I found out:
- microSD cards range up to 2GB, which is too small for Switch use.
- microSDHC cards range from 4GB to 32GB. These can work but might fill up quickly.
- microSDXC cards range from 64GB up to 2TB, offering the best option for larger storage needs.
I personally recommend going for a microSDXC card because of the larger capacity.
3. Storage Capacity: How Much Do You Actually Need?
I debated between different sizes before settling on a 128GB card. Here’s how I think about it:
- If you mostly play physical game cartridges and download a few titles, 64GB might be enough.
- If you download many digital games or large titles, 128GB or more is better.
- For heavy users like me, 256GB or 512GB ensures you won’t run out anytime soon.
4. Speed Matters: Look for UHS-I U3 or Higher
The Switch uses UHS-I microSD cards. I made sure to pick a card with at least a U3 speed class, which means faster read/write speeds. This helps with game load times and smoother updates. Avoid slower cards as they can cause lag or longer loading.
5. Brand and Reliability
I stuck with well-known brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Kingston because they tend to be more reliable and offer warranties. Cheap, no-name cards might save money upfront but can fail and cause data loss.
6. Compatibility and Formatting
Most microSDXC cards come pre-formatted as exFAT, which the Switch supports for cards over 32GB. Sometimes, you may need to format the card in the Switch itself. This is straightforward but remember to back up any data before formatting.
7. Price vs. Performance: Finding the Sweet Spot
I found that going for the absolute highest capacity or fastest card wasn’t always necessary unless you have very specific needs. A mid-range, 128GB or 256GB card with UHS-I U3 speed from a reputable brand offers the best balance between price and performance.
8. My Final Recommendations
- Best Overall: SanDisk Extreme 128GB microSDXC (fast, reliable, affordable)
- Budget Pick: Samsung EVO Select 64GB microSDHC (good value for smaller needs)
- For Heavy Users: SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB or 512GB microSDXC (high capacity and speed)
9. Installation and Usage Tips
Installing the card is simple: just power off your Switch, remove the kickstand, and insert the microSD card into the slot. The system will recognize it once powered on. I always recommend transferring existing game data to the card through the system settings to free up internal storage.
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I hope my experience helps you find the right memory card for your Nintendo Switch. Having enough storage has made my gaming experience much smoother and more enjoyable!
Author Profile
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Hi, I’m Sachiko Ibanez. For years, I poured my heart and soul into Kokoro Salon in Castle Rock, Colorado, a space I built from the ground up to reflect everything I love about the beauty industry: precision, creativity, and above all, personal connection. Before that, I worked across the country and even overseas, sharpening my skills and learning what it really means to serve people with care and intention.
In 2025, something new called to me. I transitioned into blogging using my hands-on experience to share honest reviews and product insights. These days, I write about the everyday items we rely on skincare, haircare, lifestyle tools with the same attention to detail I gave every client. My goal? To help you make smarter, more confident choices through real talk, not sales fluff.
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