The best microSD Express card for the Switch 2 is the cheapest one you can find

Source: The Verge

Don’t buy one unless you can see the “EX” label on the card and package.
Image credit: Cameron Faulkner / The Verge

Why the Switch 2 needs microSD Express

Unlike the original Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2 requires microSD Express cards for storing and playing games. Physically they look identical to regular microSD cards, except for a small “EX” emblem etched onto the front. The key difference is speed: microSD Express cards advertise up to a 4.4× increase in transfer speeds, which is needed for the larger textures and worlds of Switch 2 titles.

You don’t have to buy one immediately unless you anticipate filling the console’s built‑in 256 GB SSD quickly.

Pricing and availability

When they first launched, microSD Express cards were pricey—nearly $200 for 1 TB. Prices have since softened, especially for 256 GB and 512 GB capacities, with deals sometimes dropping them below the cost of many games:

• 256 GB – as low as $35 (Amazon)
• 512 GB – as low as $75 (Amazon)

The Switch 2 supports cards up to 2 TB, though 1 TB is currently the largest capacity on the market, often costing around $200. Walmart’s Onn brand offers a consistently affordable option, with its 512 GB model regularly priced near $84.

Below is a curated list of currently available microSD Express cards, grouped by brand, with the lowest known prices and where to buy them.

Samsung

PNY

Onn (Walmart brand)

SanDisk

*Listed price shows a discounted $99.99; original price $109.99.

GameStop

Lexar

*Discounted price shown; original price $119.99.

Updated March 6th: pricing and availability reflect the latest data.