Tech Watch: The best microSD cards in 2026

{"title": "Top MicroSD Cards for 2026: Expert Recommendations and Buying Tips", "body": ["Many microSD cards deliver sufficient speed for expanding storage and handling basic data transfers, though certain models offer superior benefits. For devices that support microSD slots, such as legacy gaming portables, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, vehicle cameras, aerial drones, or Android slates, our team examined nearly 20 leading options via extensive performance evaluations. Below, you'll find our selections for the top microSD cards, paired with essential purchasing guidance to consider prior to selection."], ["Leading MicroSD Cards in 2026", "Top MicroSD Express Options for Nintendo Switch 2"], ["Unless acquiring a Nintendo Switch 2 soon, there's little reason to invest in a premium microSD Express card at present. This next-gen Nintendo console remains the sole mainstream gadget with built-in support for the format, and these cards carry a steep premium over conventional alternatives."], ["That said, for enhancing Switch 2 storage, Express cards are essential. Identifying the right one simplifies to availability, desired size, and affordable cost—any viable option works."], ["In benchmarks conducted for a dedicated Switch 2 resource, differences among tested microSD Express cards proved minimal, rarely warranting higher spending on specific variants. While load durations varied slightly across trials, results clustered tightly in typical gameplay and applications. Occasional disparities, like quick-loading a demanding area in Cyberpunk 2077, amounted to just four or five seconds between the laggy and swiftest cards—noticeable yet unlikely to bother casual users without precise timing tools."], ["Significant velocity gaps emerge mainly during game transfers between the Switch 2's built-in memory and an Express card (or reverse). Here, the SanDisk microSD Express Card and Lexar Play Pro excelled in speed, whereas PNY's microSD Express Flash Memory Card lagged in write operations."], ["Transferring Mario Kart World to the SanDisk or Lexar took roughly four minutes and 35 seconds on average, versus over seven minutes for PNY. Interestingly, PNY led when restoring games to internal storage. Walmart's Onn microSD Express Card trailed in outbound transfers to system memory but stands out as the budget leader by far. Regardless, frequent game migration isn't common, so in-game efficiency matters more, where variances stayed narrow."], ["Prioritize maximum capacity within your budget, as Express card availability has fluctuated since the Switch 2 debut. For reference, here are the tested models with their suggested retail prices. Bear in mind that certain smaller sizes, like the 128GB SanDisk, claim reduced velocities compared to larger editions."], ["SanDisk microSD Express Card: 128GB ($64), 256GB ($78), 512GB ($128)", "Lexar Play Pro: 256GB ($60), 512GB ($120), 1TB ($220)", "PNY microSD Express Flash Memory Card: 128GB ($48), 256GB ($62), 512GB ($124)", "Samsung microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2: 256GB ($60)", "Samsung P9 Express: 256GB ($55), 512GB ($100)", "GameStop Express microSD Card for Nintendo Switch 2: 256GB ($60), 512GB ($100), 1TB ($190)", "Walmart Onn microSDXC Express Card: 256GB ($47), 512GB ($85)"], ["Aim for at least 256GB, given the Switch 2's titles demand far more space than prior Nintendo handhelds. Yet, delay upgrades if possible, expecting price drops over time barring external factors like tariffs."], ["MicroSD Express cards hold no appeal outside the Switch 2, but we evaluated them on PCs too. As anticipated, they vastly outpace standard cards."], ["The 256GB SanDisk, for example, hit nearly 900 MB/s sequential reads in CrystalDiskMark and ATTO tests, with writes peaking at about 650 MB/s. Continuous writes dipped to around 210 MB/s, still enabling a 12GB test file transfer in 52 seconds and retrieval in 20 seconds. The 1.15GB folder wrote in 4.5 seconds average."], ["This yields at least double the sequential speeds of top UHS-I cards, sometimes triple or quadruple, with comparable or larger leads in random operations. However, exploiting these requires an expensive SD reader on PCs, making them suitable only for Switch 2 owners or deep-pocketed enthusiasts."], ["Other Recommended MicroSD Cards", "Samsung Pro Ultimate"], ["The Samsung Pro Ultimate nearly rivaled the Lexar Professional Silver Plus in tests but underperformed in sequential writes, costs more, and lacks 1TB. The Samsung Pro Plus trails slightly in reads but matches elsewhere and often sells cheaper with better availability."], ["Lexar Professional Gold"], ["Untested in-house, the Lexar Professional Gold suits intensive video capture as a UHS-II card and has shown strong results in external reviews, promising superior sequential writes over UHS-I choices. It's among scarce in-stock UHS-II options but expensive, with 128GB at $35-$40."], ["SanDisk Extreme"], ["The SanDisk Extreme equaled the Pro Plus in select sequential benchmarks, aided by testing the 256GB variant's higher specs versus its 128GB sibling. It's viable on discount from trusted sources but generally lags our primary recommendation and prices higher."], ["SanDisk GamePlay"], ["Matching the Extreme's performance, the SanDisk GamePlay commands a premium in recent checks. It failed to hit claimed speeds even with SanDisk's Pro reader or alternatives, thus trailing top selections."], ["SanDisk Pokémon"], ["Exceeding its rated reads and writes, the SanDisk Pokémon doesn't surpass the Lexar Silver Plus or Samsung Pro Plus meaningfully. It essentially adds a markup for Pokémon images like Pikachu, Gengar, or Snorlax on an unseen item."], ["SanDisk Extreme Pro"], ["Similar to the Samsung Pro Ultimate, the SanDisk Extreme Pro is scarce or overpriced at reliable outlets currently. The Lexar Silver Plus outdoes it in sequential writes too."], ["PNY XLR8 Gaming"], ["The PNY XLR8 offers value up to 512GB, with sequential and random writes edging Samsung's Evo Select, plus lifetime coverage. Yet, its sequential reads were substantially slower, disqualifying it."], ["PNY Elite-X"], ["Frequently discounted, the PNY Elite-X approached Samsung Pro Plus random performance in CrystalDiskMark and beat Evo Select writes slightly. Sequential reads lagged top contenders badly, and larger sizes beyond 256GB seem unavailable now."], ["Key Factors in Selecting a MicroSD Card", "Capacity"], ["Start by assessing required storage. Current microSDs span 32GB to 512GB commonly, with 1TB and 1.5TB models proliferating, and initial 2TB from big brands emerging—thrilling but scarce and costly."], ["For balance, 128GB or 256GB suits many, but 512GB+ fits heavy use like Steam Deck game libraries, often yielding better value per gigabyte."], ["Prices vary wildly amid AI-related supply issues, but expect solid 128GB around $15, 256GB under $30, 512GB near $40 (faster ones higher). 1TB jumps to ~$100, occasionally $70-80 lately. Debut 2TB like SanDisk Extreme lists at $290, a sharp rise from 2025."], ["Performance can vary by size; SanDisk's 128GB Extreme caps writes at 90 MB/s, while bigger ones reach 130 MB/s."], ["Modern discussions focus on microSDXC (32GB-2TB), requiring device compatibility—rarely an issue now, though relics like Nintendo 3DS limit to microSDHC (2GB-32GB)."], ["Read and Write Speeds"], ["Evaluations hinge on read/write speeds in MB/s, with reads typically outpacing writes."], ["These divide into sequential (for continuous data like video playback or bulk copies—key for media) and random (for scattered small files)."], ["Random speeds, lower than sequential, get less hype but matter for gaming or Raspberry Pi, involving quick access to dispersed data."], ["Speed Ratings"], ["Cards display codes from the SD Association denoting classes."], ["Video Speed Class (V6-V90) sets minimum sequential writes for video; V30 (30 MB/s) handles 4K at modest rates. V60/V90 suit 8K but cost more. Our tests featured mostly V30."], ["UHS Speed Class (U1: 10 MB/s, U3: 30 MB/s) mirrors this for writes."], ["Legacy Speed Class (C2-C10) indicates writes similarly but fades; C10 means 10 MB/s."], ["Application Performance (A1/A2) gauges random IOPS: A1 (1500 read/500 write min), A2 (4000/2000), both ensuring 10 MB/s sequential writes."], ["Seek V30/U3/A2 for optimal balance. U1 works for budget capacity; V60/V90 for pro imaging. These provide current value."], ["Ratings are minima; many V30 exceed 30 MB/s, some A1 beat A2. Manufacturer claims vary in reality—sometimes under, sometimes over."], ["UHS Bus Speeds"], ["Bus interfaces: UHS-I maxes at 104 MB/s theoretically. UHS-II (extra pins) hits 312 MB/s; UHS-III exists but isn't widespread. Marked as I or II."], ["UHS-II often bears V60/V90, aiding 4K-8K video or burst shots."], ["Yet UHS-II costs more—a 128GB Lexar Professional Gold at $35 is a deal but doubles top UHS-I prices. Needs compatible gear; stock limited. We favored UHS-I for most picks."], ["microSD Express and Nintendo Switch 2"], ["Fastest are SD Express-based, around since years ago with dedicated classes, far surpassing UHS: SanDisk's new microSD Express claims 880MB/s reads, outrunning old SSDs."], ["Testing confirms gains, but support is limited; Nintendo Switch 2 is the pioneer, mandating it for modern game loads."], ["Brands like Samsung, Lexar, PNY offer Switch 2-tied Express cards, expecting broader uptake and cheaper prices."], ["Early stage means high costs over UHS-I/II. Use dedicated readers for PCs adds expense. Not backward-compatible with UHS-II/III—drops to UHS-I in those slots. Vital for Switch 2, promising if more devices follow."], ["See our Nintendo-specific guide for initial Express performance on Switch 2."], ["Note on Card Readers and Achieving Claimed Speeds"], ["UHS-I tops at 104 MB/s, but some exceed via extensions—needs matching reader/device. Cards over 104 MB/s use this; original Switch/Steam Deck cap at UHS-I, nullifying extras (randoms persist). Same for mismatched UHS-II/Express."], ["Speed chains to the weakest component."], ["Warranty"], ["Most withstand water, heat, radiation, shocks. Long warranties reassure: lifetime or 10-year common, shorter for endurance models like Samsung Pro Endurance (5 years for surveillance)."], ["Avoiding Fakes"], ["Counterfeits plague the market; stick to reputable brands/retailers like Best Buy, B&H, Adorama. On Amazon, ensure Amazon.com handles both shipping/sales (though rare direct fakes reported—stay vigilant). Unrealistic deals signal scams."], ["Inspect packaging; benchmark with CrystalDiskMark/BlackMagic to check speeds. Verify capacity/performance via H2testw/FakeFlashTest."], ["Our Testing Process for MicroSD Cards"], ["Nearly 20 cards underwent sequential/random checks using CrystalDiskMark, BlackMagic Disk Speed Test, ATTO, AJA. Real-world: timed 1.15GB photo folder and 12.2GB mixed transfers. On Steam Deck, downloaded/timed launches for Stardew Valley, Aperture Desk Job, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Apex Legends, including saves. Multi-runs averaged results."], ["Used Kingston USB 3.2 UHS-II reader on Windows 11/macOS Sequoia where possible; proprietary if bundled/advertised. Windows: Alienware PC (i9-10900F, RTX 3080, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD). Mac: 2021 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD). USB-C issues routed via CalDigit TS4 dock."], ["Tested 128GB primarily, higher for some. Reformatted via SD Association tool."], ["Express cards tested Switch 2-specific; details in linked guide."], ["Recent Changes", "December 2025: Added Samsung P9 Express testing to Switch 2 area; noted AI boom's price/stock impacts."], ["November 2025: Incorporated Walmart Onn Express; adjusted Switch 2 notes."], ["September 2025: Expanded Switch 2 Express advice."], ["May 2025: Refreshed for accuracy, integrated Switch 2's Express requirement. Added Lexar Play Pro, PNY XLR8 tests; dropped Kingston Canvas Go Plus, Lexar 1066x, 2021 Evo Select as discontinued. More Express planned."], ["February 2025: New top: Lexar Professional Silver Plus (Samsung Pro Plus runner-up). Added SanDisk Express for speed seekers with notes; detailed SD Express in buying section. Removed SanDisk Apex Legends (discontinued); noted recent SanDisk releases."], ["November 2024: Verified recommendations, minor clarity tweaks."], ["August 2024: Added 1TB for Samsung Pro Plus, Kingston Canvas Go Plus, Evo Select; updated prices."]]}