DoorTabitha Bakker
Contribution from Andy Hartup
We round up the best Nintendo Switch SD cards to top up your console storage without breaking the bank
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- Quick list
- Best save boost
- The best for eShop fans
- Best for eShop professionals
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1.The quick list
2.Best save boost
3.The best for eShop fans
4.Best for eShop professionals
5.Best future proof
Whether you're preparing for an eShop move or just want to future-proof your console, Nintendo Switch SD cards can massively expand your system's memory on the go. Not only that, but they're also a must-have when considering the Switch's limited internal storage.
The best Nintendo Switch SD cards can expand your system up to 2TB. Of course, very few Ninty fans need that much space. Many can even get by with 128GB if they split between downloads and game carts, potentially upgrading to 200GB or 256GB later. Although this is one of thosebeste Nintendo Switch-accessoiresto pick up on day one, you don't have to future-proof yourself too much thanks to the relatively low prices.
We've found that the average first-party Nintendo Switch game is around 6.7GB in size (although there are outliers on either side of that figure), so it's pretty easy to figure out what size you need based on your current or future library. Indie games are usually much smaller, so there is room here too.
The quick list
1. SanDisk Ultra 64GB MicroSD
Best for a storage boost
This 64GB model can hold approximately 9 first party games*, which will give you a decent boost if you're just starting out and want to double your space.
Read more below
2. SanDisk Ultra 128 GB MicroSD
The best for eShop fans
The 128GB SanDisk Ultra is the best size for most gamers purchasing their first card. This will hold approximately 18 first-party titles*, giving eShop fans plenty of room to get started.
Read more below
3. SanDisk Ultra 200 GB MicroSD
Best for eShop professionals
If you're constantly downloading new games to your system but don't really want to pay for a future-proof card yet, you're best off with this 200GB card from SanDisk, which contains somewhere between 25 and 30 first party games. *.
Read more below
4. Silicon Power 1TB superieure SD
Best future proof
If you go all the way, this 1TB card from Silicon Power will reach the Switch's maximum threshold for external storage. This crunch can hold up to 150 first party games* if you use it sparingly.
Read more below
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for a storage boost
1. SanDisk Ultra 64GB MicroSD
Best for a storage boost
Specifications
Bulletin:64 GB
Format:MicroSDHC, MicroSDXC
Transfer rates:all 120 MB/s
Contains:Approximately 8 first-party Nintendo titles*
Reasons to buy
+ Cheap Doubles your storage space An excellent starter card
Reasons to avoid
- Doesn't have much space
Want a solid amount of Switch storage while still in the impulse-buy price range? Give this 64GB Nintendo Switch SD card a try. It takes a respectable number of games to fill, adding double the Switch's built-in 32GB capacity, for a total of three times what you get straight out of the box. It probably won't last forever, without periodic uninstallation of the installation manager, but at the same time it won't cost you anything to get started and you'll still get all the currentbest Nintendo Switch gamesin there. Depending on the games, you get between 7 and 15 games on this SD card. The large ones are 5GB-15GB, while some indies are only 500MB or less.
If you only picked up oneNintendo Switch Online Membership, you might be hoping to replace a larger SD card with that cloud storage. However, it's worth noting that your save data still remains on your system, so it's often worth upgrading your format.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for eShop fans
2. SanDisk Ultra 128 GB MicroSD
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for eShop fans
Specifications
Bulletin:128 GB
Format:MicroSDHC, MicroSDXC
Transfer rates:all 120 MB/s
Contains:Approximately 18 first party titles*
Reasons to buy
+ The perfect snack Not too expensive Should be a while yet
Reasons to avoid
- Don't get discounts often
Sandisk is one of the biggest and best names in MicroSD cards, and this is the best priced model you can buy. For around $20/£20 you get 128GB of storage, a reliable MicroSD card with decent file transfer speeds, and you even get an adapter if you want to use it in an SD-based device like a digital camera. This makes it extremely versatile. Nintendo worked with SanDisk on the official SD card for the Switch, so it's also a brand Ninty trusts. And yes, we tested this MicroSD card and it works 100% with your Switch.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for eShop Pros
3. SanDisk Ultra 200 GB MicroSD
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for eShop Pros
Specifications
Bulletin:200 GB
Format:MicroSDHC, MicroSDXC
Transfer rates:all 120 MB/s
Contains:Approximately 28 first-party Nintendo titles*
Reasons to buy
+ A lot of space It's probably not necessary to upgrade Excellent value
Reasons to avoid
- Probably an exaggeration
When you reach the 'Goldilocks' window for Nintendo Switch SD cards (which is more than big enough for most gaming storage needs, but still at a price that's completely fair), the 200GB SDXC will take care of all your storage needs. evaporate for a long time. For the price of about one AAA Nintendo Switch game, you get a home for dozens and dozens of others – you could fit in themSuper Mario Odysseeon this thing 33 times. If you're not on a particularly tight budget and want a sturdy Nintendo Switch memory card that still doesn't cost the earth, this is the way to go. It's worth noting that the price of SD cards continues to drop, so you can buy one much cheaper today than six months ago, so it's worth stretching your budget a bit.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for future-proofing
4. Silicon Power 1TB superior SD card
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for future-proofing
Specifications
Bulletin:1 TB
Format:Micro-SDXC
Transfer rates:Max. 100 MB/s read, max. 80 MB/s write
Contains:Approximately 148 first-party Nintendo titles*
Reasons to buy
+ Incredible capacity for an SD card Decent speeds Five year warranty Brilliant value
Reasons to avoid
- Almost too big as the US
If you've ever considered being completely, utterly, and completely future-proofed about the capacity of your Switch, then the Silicon Power 1TB Superior SD Card is for you. Yes, the 1TB capacity means it's a bigger investment up front by default, but the great value here is ridiculous and you literally never have to worry about storage again. Pop this in and even the most storage-conscious future-proofing among us will have peace of mind.
The Superior 1TB SD Card also comes with an adapter, so you can get started with any kind of mobile device or laptop if you need to switch, and there's a five-year warranty for peace of mind. Simple, enormous things.
Note: Stock of this Nintendo Switch memory card is fluctuating wildly at retail right now, but it's usually out there in the wild. You may need to bookmark this page and follow the links again after giving it a chance to come back into stock. It will definitely be worth it - good luck!
*Based on an average of 6.7 GB per title, creating useless storage space on the card itself
Nintendo Switch Memory Cards: Frequently Asked Questions
What size Nintendo Switch SD card should you buy?
Nintendo Switch games typically take up between 5 and 10 GB of storage space, although larger titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can use much more space.
For most users we recommend a 128 GB SD card; this will give you enough space for around 15-18 Nintendo Switch games on your console, but it's worth noting that smaller indie titles will take up much less space. If you mainly play physical games and you don't think you will buy too many major titles in the eShop, then you will be fine with 64 GB. But if you go all digital, a 256GB card will let you play about 35 full-size games.
How big are Nintendo Switch games?
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Finding the right Nintendo Switch memory card is easiest when you know what to collect on it. Below you'll find the install sizes for the latest and greatest Nintendo Switch games. It's also worth noting that these are some of the biggest titles on the eShop; smaller indie games can be as small as MBs.
- Splatoon 3 -5,2GB
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land- 5,8GB
- Pokemon Legends Arceus- 6 GB
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -6,7 GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -13.4GB
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons -6,2 GB
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate- 13,6 GB
- Metroid-angst- 4,1GB
- Luigi's mansion 3- 6,3 GB
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury -2,9 GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword- 7,5 GB
The average size for a first-party Nintendo title is approximately 6.7 GB.
Are official Nintendo Switch SD cards worth it?
SanDisk has partnered with Nintendo to release official versions of their MicroSD cards. Various sizes are offered, starting at 64GB and now going up to 1TB, all with icons from various Nintendo franchises on the card itself. However, these official Nintendo Switch memory cards just aren't worth it. Apart from some nice colours, they are pretty much the same as SanDisk's main range, but generally cost a little more. After all, you won't see that cute Animal Crossing sheet whizzing away in your console.
What is the maximum size of the Nintendo Switch SD card?
The Nintendo Switch can use up to 2 TB of additional storage space on an SD card. However, it should be noted that it is a lot of space, so you will definitely have to be an eShop pro to fill it to the brim.
Which SD cards are compatible with Nintendo Switch?
Nintendo Switch is compatible with microSDXC cards over 64 GB and microSDHC cards between 4 GB and 32 GB. This really means that pretty much any SD card you have is already seated properly in your console. But if you're buying a new one, it's always recommended to get one with a Class 1 UHS speed (you'll see a little bucket with one in it on the card itself) for the best experience.
If you are looking for more accessories, you will find it allbest Nintendo Switch chargersavailable now, as wellbeste Nintendo Switch-headset. We also round everyone upbeste Nintendo Switch-controllersand the latestNintendo Switch game dealsalso.
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Tabitha Bakker
Admin Editor - Hardware
As editor-in-chief of hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally ended up covering hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom's Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website, and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the launch of the PS5 to the Apple Pencil. Now I'm focusing on the Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards and mice that come with them), and following anything that suggests VR is taking over our lives.
With contributions from
- Andy Hartup
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