What type of SD card does the Nintendo Switch take?

Only microSD cards are compatible with the Nintendo Switch. Both Standard SD cards and miniSD cards are too large to use with this device. That's the case whether you have the standard Nintendo Switch, the Switch Lite, or the Switch OLED model.

How much storage does a Nintendo Switch SD card need?

The level of storage you'll requires depends on how big a game library you want, basically. Most Nintendo Switch games range from 2GB to 30GB, so a 32GB card is a good starting point. For extensive digital game libraries, consider 128GB or higher.

The best Nintendo Switch SD cards

(Image credit: Future/Nintendo)

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Buying the best Nintendo Switch SD card allows you to store more games on your Switch. But is that really necessary? Well, the Switch OLED only comes with 64GB and the basic Switch just 32GB. So given that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild needs 13.4GB of space and Mario Odyssey needs 5.7GB, the answer is probably yes.

Choosing the best Nintendo Switch SD card can be tricky, though, as they look pretty similar on paper. Basically, you're looking at a read speed of at least 60MB/s and at least an extra 64GB of space.

Why do I need an SD card for my Nintendo Switch?

The Nintendo switch is a great handheld console, but the standard 32GB of storage (64GB for the Switch OLED) simply isn't enough if you like to play a lot of titles and demos. There's also the act of capturing images and screenshots to factor in, as these images can take up space in your Switch's image library, and saved game data eats up storage too.

Using a MicroSD card, you can expand the storage of your Switch with little hassle using the included slot which is built in to the back of your console underneath where the kickstand lifts up. Be careful – as when you're inserting an SD card your Switch stand can easily become vulnerable and they are prone to snapping occasionally (especially by children).

When choosing an SD card for your Nintendo Switch, the most obvious thing to look at is how much storage it has. Simply put, the more games you want to store, the more GB you'll want. Around 32GB will be enough for some people, but those with an extensive game library will be looking more around the 128GB mark. Beyond that, consider that faster cards boast quicker loading times and smoother gameplay, so you should look for read speeds of 60MB/s or higher. Finally, if you game on the go, you might welcome water resistance or extreme temperature tolerance, which some SD cards offer.

We take testing seriously at Creative Bloq, and don't accept manufacturers' claims at face value. So firstly, we verify the advertised storage capacity using specialised software tools to scan the card. We also put benchmark software to work, to measure read and write speeds under various workloads. And most importantly, we put SD cards for Nintendo Switch through their paces in actual gameplay. From demanding AAA game to indie titles, we observe loading times, performance hiccups, and any data corruption issues when using these cards.

TOPICS

Jim McCauley is a writer, performer and cat-wrangler who started writing professionally way back in 1995 on PC Format magazine, and has been covering technology-related subjects ever since, whether it's hardware, software or videogames. A chance call in 2005 led to Jim taking charge of Computer Arts' website and developing an interest in the world of graphic design, and eventually led to a move over to the freshly-launched Creative Bloq in 2012. Jim now works as a freelance writer for sites including Creative Bloq, T3 and PetsRadar, specialising in design, technology, wellness and cats, while doing the occasional pantomime and street performance in Bath and designing posters for a local drama group on the side.

With contributions from

Tom MayFreelance journalist and editor

The best Nintendo Switch SD cards