Systems Update: The best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch 2

{"title": "Top microSD Express Options for Boosting Nintendo Switch 2 Capacity", "body": ["For owners aiming to increase storage on the Nintendo Switch 2, microSD Express cards are essential. These differ from standard microSD options used in the previous Switch model or various portable gaming devices; they represent a more recent technology with superior speed and higher costs. Compatibility is limited to these cards alone, and considering the substantial file sizes of some Switch 2 titles, acquiring one becomes inevitable. To guide purchases, here's an overview of key considerations before committing to a buy."], ["The selection of superior microSD cards for the Switch 2 holds less significance than expected."], ["The Nintendo Switch 2 marks the debut of a popular console mandating microSD Express for additional storage, resulting in limited availability of suitable products currently. Among the few compatible variants on the market, evaluations covered seven: the SanDisk microSD Express Card (known as the SanDisk GamePlay microSD Express Card at Walmart), Lexar Play Pro, Samsung microSD Card for Nintendo Switch 2, Samsung P9 Express, PNY microSD Express Card, GameStop Express microSD Card for Nintendo Switch 2, and Onn microSD Express Card. The initial five originate from established storage brands, whereas the GameStop and Onn variants seem to be rebranded editions of existing products. Testing focused on 256GB capacities for all except the Lexar Play Pro, which used 1TB."], ["Following assessments of these microSD Express cards using multiple Switch 2 titles, the recommendation is straightforward: select the most affordable option available in your desired size. Variations in speed exist, particularly during transfers of games between the device's internal memory and the card. However, discrepancies in loading durations and in-game efficiency are subtle without precise measurement tools."], ["For example, all five cards initiated the digital edition of Mario Kart World in 18 to 20 seconds. The opening Grand Prix race started in approximately 6.5 seconds across each. Reaching the main menu of Cyberpunk 2077 required about 38 or 39 seconds universally. Subsequently, loading a save in a resource-intensive zone like Jig-Jig Street ranged from 26 to 29 seconds by card. The Onn card deviated slightly, averaging near 31 seconds for this step, though it remains the budget-friendly pick."], ["In Fast Fusion, a compact Switch 2-exclusive game, startup times were consistently six to seven seconds, with the initial championship race loading in around four seconds per card. Similar results appeared in the Switch 2-enhanced version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, launched from a Switch 1 cartridge: access to the title screen took just over six seconds, save loading before the end boss spanned 19 to 20 seconds, and quick travel from Kakariko Village to Korok Forest needed about 16 seconds. No notable problems arose during gameplay sessions across these titles."], ["The SanDisk microSD Express Card and Lexar Play Pro."], ["These outcomes indicate the Switch 2 enforces a narrow performance threshold for such cards, leaving little opportunity for any to dominate significantly. Additionally, the console's onboard storage outperformed all external cards in tests, though margins varied. In Cyberpunk 2077's challenging zone, internal loading averaged 22.5 seconds. Thus, for optimal speed, keep games on internal storage."], ["If preferring the top performer for reassurance, choose the SanDisk microSD Express Card. It showed steady results in extensive loading trials and excelled in game transfers to and from internal storage, reflecting robust sequential read and write capabilities. PC benchmarks via CrystalDiskMark confirmed this, as detailed in comprehensive microSD purchasing resources."], ["Transferring Mario Kart (21.9GB) to this card averaged four minutes and 39 seconds, trailing the Lexar Play Pro by just six seconds. It handled writing Fast Fusion (3.5GB) quickest at 27 seconds over three attempts. While PNY's card excelled in retrieving games to internal storage, it lagged in writing to the card—Mario Kart took seven minutes and 11 seconds. Note that SanDisk's 128GB model features reduced sequential writes compared to higher capacities, with sustained speeds at 100 MB/s versus 210-220 MB/s, prolonging transfers. The Onn card also underperformed in retrievals, adding about 50 seconds for Mario Kart and nearly three minutes for Cyberpunk compared to SanDisk."], ["In practice, capacity and affordability outweigh minor speed variances. Below is a current listing of available Express cards by retailer, emphasizing microSD Express—not 'Extreme' labels on standard microSD like SanDisk's. Look for the prominent 'EX' marking on genuine Express cards."], ["128GB", " SanDisk microSD Express Card ($64 MSRP)", " PNY microSD Express Card ($48 MSRP)"], ["256GB", " Samsung microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 ($60 MSRP)", " Samsung P9 Express ($55 MSRP)", " SanDisk microSD Express Card ($78 MSRP)", " Lexar Play Pro ($60 MSRP)", " PNY microSD Express Card ($62 MSRP)", " GameStop Express microSD Card for Nintendo Switch 2 ($60 MSRP)", " Onn microSD Express Card ($47 MSRP)"], ["512GB", " Samsung P9 Express ($100 MSRP)", " SanDisk microSD Express Card ($128 MSRP)", " Lexar Play Pro ($120 MSRP)", " PNY microSD Express Card ($124 MSRP)", " GameStop Express microSD Card for Nintendo Switch 2 ($100 MSRP)", " Onn microSD Express Card ($85 MSRP)"], ["1TB", " Lexar Play Pro ($220 MSRP)", " GameStop Express microSD Card for Nintendo Switch 2 ($190 MSRP)"], ["All microSD Express cards will have this 'EX' logo printed on them."], ["Evidently, the SanDisk offers speed but at a premium in this costly category. Does paying $10-20 more justify slight reductions in load times or transfer durations? Unlikely for typical users."], ["Availability has fluctuated since the Switch 2's release, especially for the value-oriented Walmart Onn card, and lately GameStop versions. If only one option is accessible urgently, proceed—performance impacts are negligible."], ["Earlier editions of this resource suggested delaying purchases for microSD Express, expecting price reductions. Discounts appeared during Black Friday and Cyber Monday events."], ["Yet, with potential tariff increases under President Trump and AI-related constraints on memory components, securing a high-capacity card promptly makes sense. Compared to legacy microSD, prices remain elevated: Samsung Pro Plus stands at $17 for 128GB, $27 for 256GB, $50 for 512GB, and $95 for 1TB currently. Future expansions to 2TB are possible per Nintendo's specs, though current maxima reach 1TB. Prioritize the Switch 2's 256GB internal space initially, deleting titles if needed, but these cards suffice for immediate expansion."], ["What are microSD Express cards?"], ["A microSD Express card like the one on the right has a second row of pins on the back."], ["Traditional microSD cards rely on the Ultra High Speed (UHS) standard, including UHS-I, UHS-II, and UHS-III. Most prior purchases were UHS-I, featuring a single pin row and up to 104 MB/s theoretical throughput, often exceeded via specialized readers. The first Switch and devices like Valve's Steam Deck use UHS-I slots."], ["UHS-II introduces extra pins for up to 312 MB/s, appearing in select cameras and robust handhelds such as the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, though rarer and costlier. UHS-III promises 624 MB/s but lacks implementation in microSD."], ["UHS-I persists due to affordability, broad compatibility, and adequacy for tasks like 4K recording or photo storage. For the Switch 2, however, greater performance is required. Its enhanced power supports ports of high-end titles from PS5, Xbox Series X, or PCs. Internal UFS 3.1 storage surpasses the original's eMMC, aided by a dedicated decompression system for faster loads. Thus, expansion cards must minimize bottlenecks for contemporary gaming."], ["The Nintendo Switch 2."], ["Enter SD Express, introduced in 2018 but dormant until the Switch 2. It employs additional pins to leverage PCI Express (PCIe)/NVMe protocols, akin to modern SSDs, enabling up to 985 MB/s theoretically."], ["Actual speeds fall short of this peak. Even at best, microSD Express trails NVMe SSDs in PS5 and Xbox, which demand 5,500 MB/s reads. Sustained writes also dip: SanDisk's 128GB model hits lows of 100 MB/s."], ["Nevertheless, they advance beyond UHS-I significantly and may outpace older SATA SSDs in game loading, streaming, saves, or transfers. SanDisk's Express achieves ~900 MB/s reads, versus ~200 MB/s for Lexar's top UHS-I (Professional Silver Plus) in optimal conditions—near 100 MB/s on the original Switch. Writes and random access improved threefold or more across benchmarks."], ["Long-term durability remains unproven, and price declines are uncertain. Few non-Switch 2 gadgets support Express, and it's incompatible with UHS-II, reverting to UHS-I speeds elsewhere without specialized readers. Despite hassles, the technology suits a next-generation console."], ["How we test microSD Express cards"], ["We evaluated microSD Express cards through real-world simulations on the Switch 2. Focus included four titles: mid-tier Mario Kart World, small Fast Fusion, large Cyberpunk 2077, and hybrid Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (via Switch 1 cart with 10GB Switch 2 digital upgrade)."], ["Tests measured transfer times from internal storage to card and back. Game loading from cards was timed, followed by in-game events: Mario Kart's first Grand Prix, Fast Fusion's initial championship, Cyberpunk fast travels in Jig-Jig Street, Embers, and Downtown Central, plus Zelda travels in Kakariko Village, Korok Forest, and Hyrule Castle Town Ruins—selected for intensity. Save loads in Cyberpunk and Zelda locations were also assessed."], ["Each scenario involved three to five repetitions for averages, conducted in airplane mode sans Wi-Fi/Bluetooth to avoid interference. Post-test, an hour of gameplay per card confirmed no major deviations from internal performance."], ["Recent updates"], ["December 2025: Evaluation of Samsung’s P9 Express conducted, with overall guidance unchanged."], ["November 2025: 256GB Walmart Onn microSD Express tested and integrated. It trails others in transfers and PC benchmarks but shows minimal in-game differences, making it viable for budget seekers if available."], ["September 2025: Guide refreshed for accuracy, noting PNY's new 512GB option and Walmart's SanDisk GamePlay Express matching standard SanDisk performance under alternate branding."]]}