The Nintendo Switch 2 brings a big change to storage: it only supports microSD Express cards – a newer, much faster type of memory card that uses PCIe instead of the old UHS-I tech. This means that your old microSD cards from the original Switch won’t work at all in the Switch 2. If you’re upgrading, you’ll need one of these newer “EX” cards to expand your storage.
The good news? These cards are blazing fast. We’re talking speeds up to 800–900MB/s, which means quicker game installs, faster load times, and better performance overall – especially for big open-world games. Just make sure you buy a card with the official microSD Express (EX) logo, since that’s what the Switch 2 is built to support. Below are some of the best options available right now, with a mix of high-capacity and budget-friendly choices.
Best Nintendo Switch 2 SD Cards: Quick Comparison
| microSD Express Card | Capacity | Max Read / Write Speed | Price (Amazon) |
| Lexar Play PRO | 512GB | Up to 900MB/s / 600MB/s | $179 – Buy Now |
| onn microSDXC Express | 512GB | ~800MB/s (unconfirmed) | $65.77 – Walmart |
| ADATA Premier Extreme | 256GB | Up to 800MB/s / 700MB/s | $124.27 – Buy Now |
| SanDisk EX 128GB | 128GB | 880MB/s / 480MB/s | $54 – Buy Now |
| SanDisk EX 256GB | 256GB | 880MB/s / 650MB/s | $72 – Buy Now |
| PNY EX 256GB | 128GB | 890MB/s / 750MB/s | $45 – Buy Now |
Best Nintendo Switch 2 SD Cards: Top Picks
Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSD Express
Quick Highlights
- Massive 512GB capacity – upto 1TB.
- Up to 900MB/s read, 600MB/s write
- Fully EX certified (SD 7.1 interface)
- Compatible with Switch 2, Steam Deck, ROG Ally
- Price – $179 – Buy Now
The Lexar Play PRO is one of the first microSD Express cards with upto 1TB storage that fully unlock the potential of the Switch 2. With blazing-fast sequential read speeds hitting 900MB/s and writes close to 600MB/s, this card ensures that load screens are minimal and that large open-world games (think Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Skyrim) run with fewer slow texture pop-ins.
However, since getting your hands on a 1TB varaint is quite hard at the moment, we went ahead with the 512GB variant to ensure that you have all the available options infront of you.
What makes this card even better is that it’s compatible across multiple platforms. Whether you’re gaming on the Switch 2, Steam Deck, or ROG Ally, the Lexar Play PRO delivers consistently fast results. It’s not the cheapest option here, but if you want a card that can keep up with everything the Switch 2 throws at it – and have room to spare – this one’s a smart long-term investment.
Pros
- Very fast performance for both read and write
- Upto 1TB capacity handles large libraries
- Compatible with all EX-certified devices
- Reliable for both Switch 2 and other handhelds
Cons
- Pricey compared to smaller cards
- May be overkill for casual users
onn microSDXC Express (512GB)
Quick Highlights
- 512GB storage
- Estimated ~800MB/s read speed (unconfirmed)
- Budget-friendly EX card
- Compatible with Switch 2
- Price – $65.77 – Walmart
This Walmart-exclusive card from onn is one of the most budget-friendly microSD Express options available. It doesn’t shout high-end specs, but it does carry the microSD Express logo and is confirmed to work with the Switch 2. While official read/write benchmarks are limited, early users report that it holds up decently for loading games and general use. For gamers on a budget or those building a mid-sized digital collection, this card offers a solid middle ground.
The performance won’t match the Lexar or SanDisk options, but it still blows older UHS-I cards out of the water. If you want a reliable, large-capacity EX card without spending big, this is a practical choice – especially as a secondary card for travel or kids’ profiles.
Pros
- Great price-to-storage ratio
- Works well for general gaming
- Confirmed EX certification
- Available in major retail stores
Cons
- Actual performance may be lower than premium brands
- Not ideal for demanding, high-speed installs
ADATA Premier Extreme microSDXC 256GB
Quick Highlights
- 256GB capacity
- Up to 800MB/s read, 700MB/s write
- PCIe Gen3x1 + NVMe 1.3 interface
- Fully EX certified
- Price – $124.27 – Buy Now
ADATA’s Premier Extreme is a fantastic option for those who want fast performance without going for a massive 1TB card. It’s got a sleek balance of speed and capacity, capable of writing large game files quickly and reading them just as fast when you’re in-game. It holds up well even when transferring big installs or patches and doesn’t show signs of thermal throttling in long sessions.
This 256GB version is especially great if you play a mix of smaller indie games and a few big AAA titles — you can easily juggle 10–15 games without space concerns. ADATA is also a trusted brand in memory products, and this card’s build quality matches that reputation.
Pros
- Excellent read/write speeds for the price
- Durable and reliable performance
- Great for everyday use and large updates
- Compact but still futureproof
Cons
- Not widely stocked in retail stores
- No higher capacity options in the same line
SanDisk 128GB microSD Express
Quick Highlights
- 128GB storage
- 880MB/s read, 480MB/s write
- EX certified
- U3, V30, C10 rated
- Price – $54 – Buy Now
SanDisk’s 128GB microSD Express card is a smart pick for casual gamers or those who plan to use physical game cartridges but still need a bit of digital storage for updates, indie titles, or travel. While it doesn’t offer much in terms of raw storage space, it still supports the full speed of the Switch 2’s microSD Express slot, making it much faster than any older card.
It’s also one of the cheapest EX cards on the market, making it a good entry-level option. Just don’t expect to store too many big titles – you’ll want to upgrade sooner than later if you start downloading 10–20GB games regularly.
Pros
- Budget-friendly entry into EX storage
- Fast load times despite smaller size
- SanDisk reliability
- Good for casual use or backups
Cons
- Fills up quickly with larger games
- Lower write speeds than higher-end cards
SanDisk 256GB microSD Express
Quick Highlights
- 256GB capacity
- Up to 880MB/s read, 650MB/s write
- 210MB/s sustained write
- Fully EX compliant
- Price – $72 – Buy Now
This 256GB SanDisk EX card is a well-balanced option — fast, dependable, and large enough for a decent digital game library. Thanks to its strong sustained write speeds, it can handle bigger game installs and frequent updates without stalling. For players who plan to use the Switch 2 daily, it’s a great blend of performance and practicality.
You’ll be able to store 15–20 full-size titles and load them faster than on most internal eMMC storage chips. It also plays nicely with other devices like cameras or handheld consoles. Overall, it’s hard to go wrong with this one.
Pros
- Excellent real-world game performance
- Stays cool and consistent under load
- Widely available and easy to trust
- Strong write speeds help with larger files
Cons
- Slightly slower than PNY in some benchmarks
- Not as budget-friendly as ADATA
PNY 128GB microSD Express
Quick Highlights
- 128GB capacity – upto 256GB capacity
- 890MB/s read, 750MB/s write
- EX logo certified
- UHS-I backward compatible
- Price – $45 – Buy Now
PNY’s microSD Express card is one of the fastest in its class, especially when it comes to write speeds. That makes it ideal for big digital games that demand a lot of data throughput — like The Witcher 3, Hades 2, or Elden Ring. Install times are noticeably quicker, and in-game streaming feels seamless.
If you’re after performance but don’t need too much space, this 128GB card offers a great alternative. The only downside is availability – it’s less common than SanDisk or Lexar and may require ordering online.
Pros
- Best-in-class write speeds in 128GB/256GB tier
- Smooth installs and updates
- Works across multiple handhelds
- Excellent for performance-heavy games
Cons
- Harder to find in physical stores
- Slightly more expensive than other Express cards
Final Thoughts
With the Nintendo Switch 2, grabbing a microSD Express card isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. The old cards from the original Switch won’t even work here, so picking the right EX-certified card is one of the first real decisions you’ll make after unboxing your console.
If you want to load games fast and never worry about storage again, the Lexar Play PRO is a beast. For most folks though, something like the SanDisk 256GB EX or ADATA Premier Extreme 256GB hits the sweet spot between price and performance. The onn 512GB is great if you’re watching your budget, while the PNY gives you top-tier speed without jumping up to 1TB.
Whatever you pick, just double-check for that “EX” badge — that’s your ticket to fast load times, smooth gameplay, and all the good stuff the Switch 2 is built to deliver.
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