The best microSD cards in 2025<p>Most microSD cards are fast enough for boosting storage space and making simple file transfers, but some provide a little more value than others. If you’ve got a device that still accepts microSD cards — whether it’s an older <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/best-handheld-gaming-system-140018863.html">gaming handheld[/url], the new <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-the-new-system-update-sold-out-pre-orders-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know-143310479.html">Nintendo Switch 2[/url], a dash cam, a <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-drone-120046775.html">drone[/url] or an <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/best-android-tablet-120007530.html">Android tablet[/url] — we’ve scoured the market and put close to 20 top contenders through a number of benchmark tests. You can find our recommendations for the best microSD cards below, alongside some general shopping advice worth knowing before you buy.</p>
<h2 id="jump-link-table-of-contents">Table of contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><p><a href="#jump-link-best-microsd-cards-of-2025">Best microSD cards of 2025[/url]</p></li>
<li><p><a href="#jump-link-best-microsd-express-cards-for-the-nintendo-switch-2">Best microSD Express cards for the Nintendo Switch 2[/url]</p></li>
<li><p><a href="#jump-link-other-notable-microsd-cards">Other notable microSD cards[/url]</p></li>
<li><p><a href="#jump-link-what-to-look-for-in-a-microsd-card">What to look for in a microSD card[/url]</p></li>
<li><p><a href="#jump-link-how-we-test-microsd-cards">How we test microSD cards[/url]</p></li>
<li><p><a href="#jump-link-recent-updates">Recent updates[/url]</p></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="jump-link-best-microsd-cards-of-2025">Best microSD cards of 2025</h2>
<p>
<core-commerce id="fbc287f3ba66437cad479a3ed014b277" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9MVKMY4?th=1"></core-commerce></p>
<p>
<core-commerce id="7fc8ee6462994ce2ac33fc1151b85a9b" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1PT9XXS"></core-commerce></p>
<p>
<core-commerce id="63ab63a44e61408b8cd13b6bfc796dde" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWPN662Q?th=1"></core-commerce></p>
<h2 id="jump-link-best-microsd-express-cards-for-the-nintendo-switch-2">Best microSD Express cards for the Nintendo Switch 2</h2>
<figure>
<img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-08/1b951760-737c-11f0-8ffe-35ba986a2495" data-crop-orig-src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-08/1b951760-737c-11f0-8ffe-35ba986a2495" style="height:1200px;width:2000px;" alt="A collection of microSD Express cards rest on the back of a Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console." data-uuid="c8cc8775-6cbd-3aa0-947b-4bbda0b36c2d">
<figcaption></figcaption>
<div class="photo-credit">
Jeff Dunn for Engadget
</div>
</figure>
<p><strong>Read our full guide to the </strong><a data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/best-microsd-cards-for-nintendo-switch-2-160052947.html"><strong>best microSD Express cards for the Nintendo Switch 2</strong>[/url]</p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span>
<p>Let’s be clear about this: Unless you plan to own a <a data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/switch-2/">Nintendo Switch 2[/url] in the near future, you do not need a high-speed microSD Express card just yet. Nintendo’s gaming handheld is the only popular device that natively supports this standard right now, and microSD Express cards themselves are highly expensive compared to more traditional options.</p>
<p>Still, if you do want to increase a Switch 2’s storage, they’re your only choice. Fortunately, determining exactly which model to buy for the console is pretty straightforward: Get whichever one you can find in stock, in the capacity you want, at a price you can stomach.</p>
<p>We benchmarked several microSD Express cards for a <a data-i13n="cpos:13;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/best-microsd-cards-for-nintendo-switch-2-160052947.html">separate Switch 2 guide[/url], and for the most part, the performance differences between them weren’t great enough to justify paying extra for any particular model. Loading times weren’t quite identical with every test we ran, but the cards were extremely close in most games and common scenarios. The few times when there was a notable gap — fast-traveling to a particularly resource-heavy region in
Cyberpunk 2077, for instance — the gulf between the slowest and fastest card was only ever about four or five seconds at most. That’s not nothing, but it’s also not something most people are likely to fret over unless they have a stopwatch handy.</p>
<figure>
<img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-05/df6c3320-3c91-11f0-bfff-c93eaa9e5206" data-crop-orig-src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-05/df6c3320-3c91-11f0-bfff-c93eaa9e5206" style="height:1200px;width:1999px;" alt="Two microSD cards, one mostly black and one mostly red, rest on top of a brown wooden stand above a white window ledge." data-uuid="423d18c3-7b5f-3b25-9f83-2bdf3fc54e33">
<figcaption>
The SanDisk microSD Express Card and Lexar Play Pro.
</figcaption>
<div class="photo-credit">
Jeff Dunn for Engadget
</div>
</figure>
<p>The only time you’d notice a major speed difference is if you transfer games to your Express card from the Switch 2’s internal storage (and vice versa). In that case, the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:SanDisk;elmt:;cpos:14;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f45797c5-bae4-4ba9-9419-9454e07b099d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=SanDisk&linkText=SanDisk+microSD+Express+Card&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1taWNyb3NkLWV4cHJlc3MtbWVtb3J5LWNhcmQ_c2t1PVNEU1FYRk4tMjU2Ry1HTjROTiIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1taWNyb3NkLWV4cHJlc3MtbWVtb3J5LWNhcmQ_c2t1PVNEU1FYRk4tMjU2Ry1HTjROTiJ9&signature=AQAAAew45Ehr-cAxy206EHUApX2jaQsQV_JBRw-pDnZ2RTEp&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.sandisk.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fmicrosd-cards%2Fsandisk-microsd-express-memory-card%3Fsku%3DSDSQXFN-256G-GN4NN" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shop.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-microsd-express-memory-card?sku=SDSQXFN-256G-GN4NN">SanDisk microSD Express Card[/url] and <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:15;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DYB7ZGR3&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Lexar+Play+Pro&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRFlCN1pHUjM_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRFlCN1pHUjMiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAcfDVrr3Xz4FuaFZEsSH47K4vJLY5EDsE5sAmKKg291E&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0DYB7ZGR3" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYB7ZGR3?th=1">Lexar Play Pro[/url] were generally the quickest, while <a data-i13n="cpos:16;pos:1" href="
https://www.pny.com/pny-microsd-express-u3-v30-a1-microsd-flash-memory-card">PNY’s microSD Express Flash Memory Card[/url] had particularly slow write speeds.</p>
<p>Moving
Mario Kart World to the SanDisk and Lexar models, for example, took around four minutes and 35 seconds on average; with the PNY card, it took a little over seven minutes. That said, the PNY model was the fastest when it came to moving games back to the system storage. Walmart’s <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Walmart;elmt:;cpos:17;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=3719d8d4-5edd-4817-998a-91f3229e7323&itemId=walmart_transaction_15706752314&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Walmart&linkText=Onn+microSD+Express+Card&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YWxtYXJ0LmNvbS9pcC9PTk4tTUlDUk8tU0QtRVhQUkVTUy8xNTcwNjc1MjMxNCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YWxtYXJ0LmNvbS9pcC9PTk4tTUlDUk8tU0QtRVhQUkVTUy8xNTcwNjc1MjMxNCJ9&signature=AQAAAWINfQqerRVmO6lB4r8SvtXmtdeccxYUNNrMddKanfsY&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FONN-MICRO-SD-EXPRESS%2F15706752314" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ONN-MICRO-SD-EXPRESS/15706752314">Onn microSD Express Card[/url] was significantly slower to move games from the card to system storage, but it’s also the most affordable card we’ve seen by a good distance. Either way, most people aren’t constantly shuffling their games back and forth like this. Performance in actual games is more important, and in that regard the results were consistently much tighter.</p>
<p>What matters most is getting the most space for your budget. Unfortunately, stock for all microSD Express cards has been spotty since the Switch 2’s launch. For your convenience, we’ll list out all of the models we’ve tested thus far and their respective list prices below. Note that some lower-capacity versions — the 128GB SanDisk card, for one — advertise slower speeds than their more spacious counterparts.</p>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>SanDisk microSD Express Card:</strong> <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:SanDisk;elmt:;cpos:18;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f45797c5-bae4-4ba9-9419-9454e07b099d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=SanDisk&linkText=128GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1taWNyb3NkLWV4cHJlc3MtbWVtb3J5LWNhcmQ_c2t1PVNEU1FYRk4tMTI4Ry1HTjROTiIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1taWNyb3NkLWV4cHJlc3MtbWVtb3J5LWNhcmQ_c2t1PVNEU1FYRk4tMTI4Ry1HTjROTiJ9&signature=AQAAAfRNIHCy5WfgHVO5JQSsNTAuoBuHC0YbTktxhkx8u3SA&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.sandisk.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fmicrosd-cards%2Fsandisk-microsd-express-memory-card%3Fsku%3DSDSQXFN-128G-GN4NN" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shop.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-microsd-express-memory-card?sku=SDSQXFN-128G-GN4NN">128GB[/url] ($64), <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:19;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DFQGVLYF&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=256GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1NhbkRpc2stMjU2R0ItbWljcm9TRC1FeHByZXNzLVNEU1FYRk4tMjU2Ry1HTjROTi9kcC9CMERGUUdWTFlGLz90YWc9Z2RndDBjLTIwIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJmNDExY2FkYS0zZjFlLTQ4N2QtOGQ5YS1jYjVkMzBjMTlmYmEiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFtYXpvbi5jb20vU2FuRGlzay0yNTZHQi1taWNyb1NELUV4cHJlc3MtU0RTUVhGTi0yNTZHLUdONE5OL2RwL0IwREZRR1ZMWUYvIiwiZHluYW1pY0NlbnRyYWxUcmFja2luZ0lkIjp0cnVlLCJzaXRlSWQiOiJ1cy1lbmdhZGdldCIsInBhZ2VJZCI6IjFwLWF1dG9saW5rIiwiZmVhdHVyZUlkIjoidGV4dC1saW5rIn0&signature=AQAAAUfBo1rf9V0hZmPOQXBamo2Bnz-vV_Deuh7eG4RvGfje&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSanDisk-256GB-microSD-Express-SDSQXFN-256G-GN4NN%2Fdp%2FB0DFQGVLYF%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-256GB-microSD-Express-SDSQXFN-256G-GN4NN/dp/B0DFQGVLYF/">256GB[/url] ($70), <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:20;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DTQ35NH6&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=512GB&custData=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&signature=AQAAAShD8YOdCZ5Qe2CDe8AkbPDRn_07w3w_6wGWFqV46hNR&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSanDisk-256GB-microSD-Express-SDSQXFN-256G-GN4NN%2Fdp%2FB0DTQ35NH6%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-256GB-microSD-Express-SDSQXFN-256G-GN4NN/dp/B0DTQ35NH6/?th=1">512GB[/url] ($120)</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Lexar Play Pro:</strong> <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:21;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DYB7ZGR3&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=256GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRFlCN1pHUjM_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRFlCN1pHUjMiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAcfDVrr3Xz4FuaFZEsSH47K4vJLY5EDsE5sAmKKg291E&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0DYB7ZGR3" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYB7ZGR3?th=1">256GB[/url] ($60), <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:22;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DYBW1MNC&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=512GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRFlCVzFNTkM_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRFlCVzFNTkMiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAfejtIWtmTFsGVfN7IzIiB7_c2njqajAumkRI5ygmAM8&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0DYBW1MNC" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYBW1MNC?th=1">512GB[/url] ($120), <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:23;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DYB9TNB4&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=1TB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRFlCOVROQjQ_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRFlCOVROQjQiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAARjM6RPUTC7lX1c6fHgDy3T4Bu8RYSUqgzLUuHno0nrp&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0DYB9TNB4" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYB9TNB4?th=1">1TB[/url] ($220)</p></li>
<li><p><strong>PNY microSD Express Flash Memory Card:</strong> <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:24;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0F8PF2D1F&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=128GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRjhQRjJEMUY_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRjhQRjJEMUYiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAcKQof3bHCi-pW0iKK3ZhAnUftsmfejI0-a8r_cYPDab&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0F8PF2D1F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8PF2D1F?th=1">128GB[/url] ($45), <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:25;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0F8PDR71R&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=256GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRjhQRFI3MVI_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRjhQRFI3MVIiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAARqd4YHQd9dqP1FhchbiaADSBa3q6O2MSEM44aKzj_vy&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0F8PDR71R" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8PDR71R?th=1">256GB[/url] ($62), <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:26;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0FM64FPM5&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=512GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRk02NEZQTTU_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRk02NEZQTTUiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAVH3F4V_39QzFPDqnoeb_yNprJzsK4K5I9YDOJisBgct&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0FM64FPM5" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM64FPM5?th=1">512GB[/url] ($120)</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Samsung microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2:</strong> <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:27;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0F3VTCZK8&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=256GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1NhbXN1bmctbWljcm9TRC1FeHByZXNzLUNhcmQtTmludGVuZG8tU3dpdGNoL2RwL0IwRjNWVENaSzg_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1NhbXN1bmctbWljcm9TRC1FeHByZXNzLUNhcmQtTmludGVuZG8tU3dpdGNoL2RwL0IwRjNWVENaSzgiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAUO2Lwn0_nvoNa3MzErO5YQW-A1mscbMdb1mRDgtU7Kf&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSamsung-microSD-Express-Card-Nintendo-Switch%2Fdp%2FB0F3VTCZK8" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-microSD-Express-Card-Nintendo-Switch/dp/B0F3VTCZK8">256GB[/url] ($60)</p></li>
<li><p><strong>GameStop Express microSD Card for Nintendo Switch 2:</strong> <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:GameStop;elmt:;cpos:28;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=ffe106af-8248-4af3-9098-a2d4fd637766&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=GameStop&linkText=256GB&custData=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&signature=AQAAAbEud0vxFocBNsJ-hZI_c0yMRoHDd_a9O5kDdKH4rqTC&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamestop.com%2Fgaming-accessories%2Fmemory%2Fnintendo-switch-2%2Fproducts%2Fgamestop-256gb-express-micro-sd-card-for-nintendo-switch-2%2F419190.html" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.gamestop.com/gaming-accessories/memory/nintendo-switch-2/products/gamestop-256gb-express-micro-sd-card-for-nintendo-switch-2/419190.html">256GB[/url] ($60), <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:GameStop;elmt:;cpos:29;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=ffe106af-8248-4af3-9098-a2d4fd637766&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=GameStop&linkText=512GB&custData=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&signature=AQAAATobAIGAnzb1A-jPXknC4waiY9c6mirwJKvEJJunKO3W&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamestop.com%2Fgaming-accessories%2Fmemory%2Fnintendo-switch-2%2Fproducts%2Fgamestop-512gb-express-micro-sd-card-for-nintendo-switch-2%2F419191.html" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.gamestop.com/gaming-accessories/memory/nintendo-switch-2/products/gamestop-512gb-express-micro-sd-card-for-nintendo-switch-2/419191.html">512GB[/url] ($100), <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:GameStop;elmt:;cpos:30;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=ffe106af-8248-4af3-9098-a2d4fd637766&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=GameStop&linkText=1TB&custData=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&signature=AQAAAaj5gqlcg_KirUmIZf-xYIEp7dqchjQCBQhJYQhqEiOd&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamestop.com%2Fgaming-accessories%2Fmemory%2Fnintendo-switch-2%2Fproducts%2Fgamestop-1tb-express-micro-sd-card-for-nintendo-switch-2%2F419192.html" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.gamestop.com/gaming-accessories/memory/nintendo-switch-2/products/gamestop-1tb-express-micro-sd-card-for-nintendo-switch-2/419192.html">1TB[/url] ($190)</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Walmart Onn microSDXC Express Card:</strong> <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Walmart;elmt:;cpos:31;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=3719d8d4-5edd-4817-998a-91f3229e7323&itemId=walmart_transaction_15706752314&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Walmart&linkText=256GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YWxtYXJ0LmNvbS9pcC9PTk4tTUlDUk8tU0QtRVhQUkVTUy8xNTcwNjc1MjMxNCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YWxtYXJ0LmNvbS9pcC9PTk4tTUlDUk8tU0QtRVhQUkVTUy8xNTcwNjc1MjMxNCJ9&signature=AQAAAWINfQqerRVmO6lB4r8SvtXmtdeccxYUNNrMddKanfsY&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FONN-MICRO-SD-EXPRESS%2F15706752314" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ONN-MICRO-SD-EXPRESS/15706752314">256GB[/url] ($47), <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Walmart;elmt:;cpos:32;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=3719d8d4-5edd-4817-998a-91f3229e7323&itemId=walmart_transaction_15708762625&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Walmart&linkText=512GB&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YWxtYXJ0LmNvbS9pcC9PTk4tTUlDUk8tU0QtRVhQUkVTUy8xNTcwODc2MjYyNSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YWxtYXJ0LmNvbS9pcC9PTk4tTUlDUk8tU0QtRVhQUkVTUy8xNTcwODc2MjYyNSJ9&signature=AQAAARgBy-1LX6-FOxEEkagJruqUxycUQn5FrmVBvV6sMz4r&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FONN-MICRO-SD-EXPRESS%2F15708762625" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ONN-MICRO-SD-EXPRESS/15708762625">512GB[/url] ($85)</p></li>
</ul>
<figure>
<img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-05/891fc760-3b02-11f0-bd7f-bb5f7d107717" data-crop-orig-src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-05/891fc760-3b02-11f0-bd7f-bb5f7d107717" style="height:1200px;width:2000px;" alt="A red microSD Express card sits on top of a small black microSD card reader, on top of a brown wooden table, next to a white stone drink coaster." data-uuid="993fd164-fd23-368b-8cbb-fa5a67224b66">
<figcaption>
The Lexar Play Pro on top of Lexar's RW540 microSD Express card reader.
</figcaption>
<div class="photo-credit">
Jeff Dunn for Engadget
</div>
</figure>
<p>Broadly speaking, we recommend getting at least 256GB of storage, as Switch 2 games tend to have much larger file sizes than games for Nintendo’s previous handheld. But we also recommend holding off upgrading for as long as you can, if only because all of these cards
should (tariff shenanigans aside) come down in price as time goes on.</p>
<p>There’s no point in buying a microSD Express card for anything besides the Switch 2, but we did run the models above through our usual PC benchmarks as well. Unsurprisingly, they are miles faster than any traditional card on the market.</p>
<p>With the 256GB SanDisk card, for instance, sequential read speeds checked in just under 900 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark and ATTO, while sequential writes topped out around 650 MB/s. Sustained writes speeds were slower (around 210 MB/s), but that was still fast enough to move our 12GB test file to the card in 52 seconds on average. It took a mere 20 seconds to read the file back to our PC. The write test with our smaller 1.15GB test folder, meanwhile, averaged just 4.5 seconds.</p>
<p>It all adds up to performance that's at least twice as fast as the best UHS-I models we’ve tested in terms of sequential reads and writes, with three or four times the speeds in some cases. The gulf in random reads and writes is similar, and in some benchmarks even greater. But you need a pricey <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:SanDisk;elmt:;cpos:33;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f45797c5-bae4-4ba9-9419-9454e07b099d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=SanDisk&linkText=SD+card+reader&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvYWNjZXNzb3JpZXMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmQtcmVhZGVycy9zYW5kaXNrLXByby1yZWFkZXItc2QtZXhwcmVzcy1kdWFsLWNhcmQ_c2t1PVNERFItQTQ1MS1HTlBOTiIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvYWNjZXNzb3JpZXMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmQtcmVhZGVycy9zYW5kaXNrLXByby1yZWFkZXItc2QtZXhwcmVzcy1kdWFsLWNhcmQ_c2t1PVNERFItQTQ1MS1HTlBOTiJ9&signature=AQAAAQ4ie5g4-gGuDxB3LoPH2UyjV9kREwH6MgEGCLNwFzX2&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.sandisk.com%2Fproducts%2Faccessories%2Fmemory-card-readers%2Fsandisk-pro-reader-sd-express-dual-card%3Fsku%3DSDDR-A451-GNPNN" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shop.sandisk.com/products/accessories/memory-card-readers/sandisk-pro-reader-sd-express-dual-card?sku=SDDR-A451-GNPNN">SD card reader[/url] to even see those increases on a PC, so only those with a Switch 2 in hand or serious cash to burn should consider one of these things.</p>
<h2 id="jump-link-other-notable-microsd-cards">Other notable microSD cards</h2>
<figure>
<img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-11/187ac090-7f16-11ee-9bfe-c69dcf93d7d8" data-uuid="db7e6e5e-e560-3515-b366-fba693ec967c">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 id="jump-link-samsung-pro-ultimate">Samsung Pro Ultimate</h3>
<p>The <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:34;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0CF7Z68YH&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Samsung+Pro+Ultimate&custData=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&signature=AQAAAdKkEmzv2nFgKOA4zCV_RQu1mww-hpn2BehdcHxvgG6t&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSAMSUNG-Ultimate-microSDXC-MB-MY128SA-AM%2Fdp%2FB0CF7Z68YH" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-Ultimate-microSDXC-MB-MY128SA-AM/dp/B0CF7Z68YH?th=1">Samsung Pro Ultimate[/url] was the closest competitor to the Lexar Professional Silver Plus across our benchmark tests, but it's tangibly worse in terms of sequential write speeds, typically costs more and doesn’t offer a 1TB option. The Samsung Pro Plus is a bit slower for sequential reads, but it’s close enough otherwise and usually easier to find at a lower price.</p>
<h3 id="jump-link-lexar-professional-gold"><strong>Lexar Professional Gold</strong></h3>
<p>We haven't used it ourselves, but if you’re willing to pay for a more powerful UHS-II card built for heavy-duty video recording, the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:35;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0CL82X7HQ&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Lexar+Professional+Gold&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0xleGFyLVByb2Zlc3Npb25hbC1DYW1lcmFzLVBvcnRhYmxlLUxNU0dPTEQyNTZHLUJOTk5HL2RwL0IwQ0w4Mlg3SFE_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0xleGFyLVByb2Zlc3Npb25hbC1DYW1lcmFzLVBvcnRhYmxlLUxNU0dPTEQyNTZHLUJOTk5HL2RwL0IwQ0w4Mlg3SFEiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAbxQRsm87_aqHy8fmh522eAOtBH8_Jm6xnsgKl0Bo64D&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLexar-Professional-Cameras-Portable-LMSGOLD256G-BNNNG%2Fdp%2FB0CL82X7HQ" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/Lexar-Professional-Cameras-Portable-LMSGOLD256G-BNNNG/dp/B0CL82X7HQ?th=1">Lexar Professional Gold[/url] has <a data-i13n="cpos:36;pos:1" href="
https://www.storagereview.com/review/lexar-professional-2000x-sd-and-gold-microsdxc-cards-review-high-speed-storage-for-demanding-workflows">tested well[/url] elsewhere and should deliver significantly faster sequential write speeds than our UHS-I picks above. It’s one of the few UHS-II cards we could actually find in stock, but it’s pricey, with a 128GB model normally priced in the $35 to $40 range.</p>
<figure>
<img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-05/38115180-f037-11ed-b9ff-371a217f9a97" data-uuid="db6c56eb-6c48-39f7-8826-d8860fa798b3">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 id="jump-link-sandisk-extreme">SanDisk Extreme</h3>
<p>The<a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:B&H Photo;elmt:;cpos:37;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=95276f3c-7b79-4c1e-803f-981cd9f7a968&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=B%26H+Photo&linkText=SanDisk+Extreme&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5iaHBob3RvdmlkZW8uY29tL2MvcHJvZHVjdC8xNjkyNzAyLVJFRy9zYW5kaXNrX3Nkc3F4YWFfMTI4Z19hbjZtYV8xMjhnYl9leHRyZW1lX3Voc19pX21pY3Jvc2QuaHRtbCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5iaHBob3RvdmlkZW8uY29tL2MvcHJvZHVjdC8xNjkyNzAyLVJFRy9zYW5kaXNrX3Nkc3F4YWFfMTI4Z19hbjZtYV8xMjhnYl9leHRyZW1lX3Voc19pX21pY3Jvc2QuaHRtbCJ9&signature=AQAAAUdrpu8mGvhK3a5QV9RI36rbNRo1uwDY88RfYocJy9tB&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1692702-REG%2Fsandisk_sdsqxaa_128g_an6ma_128gb_extreme_uhs_i_microsd.html" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=95276f3c-7b79-4c1e-803f-981cd9f7a968&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=B%26H+Photo&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiI5NTI3NmYzYy03Yjc5LTRjMWUtODAzZi05ODFjZDlmN2E5NjgiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmhwaG90b3ZpZGVvLmNvbS9jL3Byb2R1Y3QvMTY5MjcwMi1SRUcvc2FuZGlza19zZHNxeGFhXzEyOGdfYW42bWFfMTI4Z2JfZXh0cmVtZV91aHNfaV9taWNyb3NkLmh0bWwiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImY0MTFjYWRhLTNmMWUtNDg3ZC04ZDlhLWNiNWQzMGMxOWZiYSJ9&signature=AQAAAY7_EXQZFUQUzUjHks0oVsOmvFyKWnjtQWvbA_eWVUrW&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1692702-REG%2Fsandisk_sdsqxaa_128g_an6ma_128gb_extreme_uhs_i_microsd.html"> SanDisk Extreme[/url] effectively matched the Pro Plus in a few of our sequential tests, but that was partly due to us only being able to secure the 256GB model, which is higher-rated than the 128GB version. It’s a fine choice if you see it on sale at a reputable seller, but it’s broadly slower than our top pick and often costs more.</p>
<h3 id="jump-link-sandisk-gameplay">SanDisk GamePlay</h3>
<p>The <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:SanDisk;elmt:;cpos:38;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f45797c5-bae4-4ba9-9419-9454e07b099d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=SanDisk&linkText=SanDisk+GamePlay&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1nYW1lcGxheS1taWNyb3NkLWNhcmQ_c2t1PVNEU1FYQUEtMTI4Ry1HTjZYTiIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1nYW1lcGxheS1taWNyb3NkLWNhcmQ_c2t1PVNEU1FYQUEtMTI4Ry1HTjZYTiJ9&signature=AQAAASQLpRhGCgbAjqJio_7zJ097c32CFowf-H3iqvPiy9UN&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.sandisk.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fmicrosd-cards%2Fsandisk-gameplay-microsd-card%3Fsku%3DSDSQXAA-128G-GN6XN" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shop.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-gameplay-microsd-card?sku=SDSQXAA-128G-GN6XN">SanDisk GamePlay[/url] performs similarly to the SanDisk Extreme but costs a good bit extra as of our latest update. We couldn’t get it to reach its advertised speeds with the company’s own “Pro” card reader or other third-party options, so it fell short of our top picks.</p>
<h3 id="jump-link-sandisk-pokemon">SanDisk Pokémon</h3>
<p>The <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:39;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DG5BGJ5Q&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=SanDisk+Pok%C3%A9mon&custData=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&signature=AQAAATybOGXsqyZNvhkcqGBYElEoPepddBBa-rOrtSdBLd7q&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSanDisk-microSDXC-Licensed-Nintendo-Switch-Pok%2525C3%2525A9mon%2Fdp%2FB0DG5BGJ5Q%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-microSDXC-Licensed-Nintendo-Switch-Pok%C3%A9mon/dp/B0DG5BGJ5Q/?th=1">SanDisk Pokémon[/url] does outperform its advertised read and write speeds, but not by enough to outpace the Lexar Silver Plus or Samsung Pro Plus. It essentially charges extra for having a picture of Pikachu (or <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:SanDisk;elmt:;cpos:40;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f45797c5-bae4-4ba9-9419-9454e07b099d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=SanDisk&linkText=Gengar&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1taWNyb3NkLXBva2Vtb24tY2FyZHM_c2t1PVNEU1FYQU8tNTEyRy1HTjZaSyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1taWNyb3NkLXBva2Vtb24tY2FyZHM_c2t1PVNEU1FYQU8tNTEyRy1HTjZaSyJ9&signature=AQAAAWiIs4sthYA5LR24l1OAgT1a5Vqu6wkj2lcO4AkCMOZS&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.sandisk.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fmicrosd-cards%2Fsandisk-microsd-pokemon-cards%3Fsku%3DSDSQXAO-512G-GN6ZK" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shop.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-microsd-pokemon-cards?sku=SDSQXAO-512G-GN6ZK">Gengar[/url], or <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:41;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DBZW3982&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Snorlax&custData=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&signature=AQAAATnNTXheB6T3HuQpbrysyHrPMA0c8BEex7gq9LxT_-gl&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSanDisk-microSDXC-Licensed-Nintendo-Switch-Pok%2525C3%2525A9mon%2Fdp%2FB0DBZW3982%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-microSDXC-Licensed-Nintendo-Switch-Pok%C3%A9mon/dp/B0DBZW3982/?th=1">Snorlax[/url]) on a product you’ll never look at.</p>
<figure>
<img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-02/a0f17260-edbb-11ef-ab57-039b61881e13" data-uuid="74574454-817b-3b3b-8a56-d0769b0bffc6">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 id="jump-link-sandisk-extreme-pro">SanDisk Extreme Pro</h3>
<p>The <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Western Digital;elmt:;cpos:42;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=92bbc6e1-f32c-4060-9f86-b3358db79a39&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Western+Digital&linkText=SanDisk+Extreme+Pro&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53ZXN0ZXJuZGlnaXRhbC5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL3NhbmRpc2stZXh0cmVtZS1wcm8tdWhzLWktbWljcm9zZCNTRFNRWENELTEyOEctR042TUEiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImY0MTFjYWRhLTNmMWUtNDg3ZC04ZDlhLWNiNWQzMGMxOWZiYSIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2VzdGVybmRpZ2l0YWwuY29tL3Byb2R1Y3RzL21lbW9yeS1jYXJkcy9zYW5kaXNrLWV4dHJlbWUtcHJvLXVocy1pLW1pY3Jvc2QjU0RTUVhDRC0xMjhHLUdONk1BIn0&signature=AQAAAX_8ZRj1viNeJag_RDh1lCX0b2Jfzl14rHXs0ubL_SH_&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westerndigital.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fsandisk-extreme-pro-uhs-i-microsd%23SDSQXCD-128G-GN6MA" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=92bbc6e1-f32c-4060-9f86-b3358db79a39&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Western+Digital&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiI5MmJiYzZlMS1mMzJjLTQwNjAtOWY4Ni1iMzM1OGRiNzlhMzkiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2VzdGVybmRpZ2l0YWwuY29tL3Byb2R1Y3RzL21lbW9yeS1jYXJkcy9zYW5kaXNrLWV4dHJlbWUtcHJvLXVocy1pLW1pY3Jvc2QjU0RTUVhDRC0xMjhHLUdONk1BIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJmNDExY2FkYS0zZjFlLTQ4N2QtOGQ5YS1jYjVkMzBjMTlmYmEifQ&signature=AQAAARXoVmQcy_PgKUhXCekoXdgDs-C8duQS4wRPNV0kYmTL&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westerndigital.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fsandisk-extreme-pro-uhs-i-microsd%23SDSQXCD-128G-GN6MA&uuid=YppYHtGeJe6ymrXH57635">SanDisk Extreme Pro[/url] is a close analog to the Samsung Pro Ultimate but, as of this writing, is either unavailable at most trusted retailers or priced too high by comparison. The Lexar Professional Silver Plus has faster sequential write speeds as well.</p>
<h3 id="jump-link-pny-xlr8-gaming">PNY XLR8 Gaming</h3>
<p>The <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:B&H Photo;elmt:;cpos:43;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=95276f3c-7b79-4c1e-803f-981cd9f7a968&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=B%26H+Photo&linkText=PNY+XLR8&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5iaHBob3RvdmlkZW8uY29tL2MvcHJvZHVjdC8xNzE3NDA3LVJFRy9wbnlfcF9zZHUxMjh2MzIxMDB4bHJfZ2VfMTI4Z2JfeGxyOF9nYW1pbmdfY2xhc3MuaHRtbCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5iaHBob3RvdmlkZW8uY29tL2MvcHJvZHVjdC8xNzE3NDA3LVJFRy9wbnlfcF9zZHUxMjh2MzIxMDB4bHJfZ2VfMTI4Z2JfeGxyOF9nYW1pbmdfY2xhc3MuaHRtbCJ9&signature=AQAAAfD4LTrwOFNjcTz4kPB6Wi1XVnBufIlSlHfyF20KhFEN&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1717407-REG%2Fpny_p_sdu128v32100xlr_ge_128gb_xlr8_gaming_class.html" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1717407-REG/pny_p_sdu128v32100xlr_ge_128gb_xlr8_gaming_class.html">PNY XLR8[/url] is an affordable card that comes with up to 512GB of space. Its sequential and random writes speeds checked in a little bit above those of Samsung’s Evo Select, plus it comes with a lifetime warranty. But its sequential reads were much, much slower, putting it out of contention.</p>
<h3 id="jump-link-pny-elite-x"><strong>PNY Elite-X</strong></h3>
<p>The<a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:44;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B07KNTXKL3&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=PNY+Elite-X&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1BOWS1FbGl0ZS1YLU1pY3JvLTEyOEdCLUNsYXNzL2RwL0IwN0tOVFhLTDM_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1BOWS1FbGl0ZS1YLU1pY3JvLTEyOEdCLUNsYXNzL2RwL0IwN0tOVFhLTDMiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAWuI6aJh5yxm1O4fek5z6uc0GF4reAzEzrqHZ7lOrj_U&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPNY-Elite-X-Micro-128GB-Class%2Fdp%2FB07KNTXKL3" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiI2NmVhNTY3YS1jOTg3LTRjMmUtYTJmZi0wMjkwNGVmZGU2ZWEiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9QTlktRWxpdGUtWC1NaWNyby0xMjhHQi1DbGFzcy9kcC9CMDdLTlRYS0wzP3RhZz1nZGd0MGMtcC1vLXloLTIwIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJmNDExY2FkYS0zZjFlLTQ4N2QtOGQ5YS1jYjVkMzBjMTlmYmEifQ&signature=AQAAAaWDG_XP7aqt5Teb8HTtGJKRjEmauhU-xuutsPebK_E4&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPNY-Elite-X-Micro-128GB-Class%2Fdp%2FB07KNTXKL3"> PNY Elite-X[/url] often goes for cheap and wasn’t too far off the random read/write performance of Samsung's Pro Plus in CrystalDiskMark. Like the XLR8, it’s also slightly above the Evo Select in write speeds. But its sequential reads were too far behind all of our top picks, and it no longer appears to be available in capacities above 256GB.</p>
<h2 id="jump-link-what-to-look-for-in-a-microsd-card">What to look for in a microSD card</h2>
<h3 id="jump-link-capacity">Capacity</h3>
<p>The first thing to figure out when buying a microSD card is how much storage space you need. Modern cards are commonly available in sizes ranging from 32GB to 512GB, with several models now available in 1TB or <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:SanDisk;elmt:;cpos:45;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f45797c5-bae4-4ba9-9419-9454e07b099d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=SanDisk&linkText=1.5TB+capacities&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay11bHRyYS11aHMtaS1taWNyb3NkP3NrdT1TRFNRVUFDLTFUNTAtR042TUEiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImY0MTFjYWRhLTNmMWUtNDg3ZC04ZDlhLWNiNWQzMGMxOWZiYSIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaG9wLnNhbmRpc2suY29tL3Byb2R1Y3RzL21lbW9yeS1jYXJkcy9taWNyb3NkLWNhcmRzL3NhbmRpc2stdWx0cmEtdWhzLWktbWljcm9zZD9za3U9U0RTUVVBQy0xVDUwLUdONk1BIn0&signature=AQAAAQwxHxWUEQ89QUgEleoCSg5UQshbES3Hs8FUYx1tx4nC&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.sandisk.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fmicrosd-cards%2Fsandisk-ultra-uhs-i-microsd%3Fsku%3DSDSQUAC-1T50-GN6MA" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shop.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-ultra-uhs-i-microsd?sku=SDSQUAC-1T50-GN6MA">1.5TB capacities[/url] as well. The first <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:SanDisk;elmt:;cpos:46;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f45797c5-bae4-4ba9-9419-9454e07b099d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=SanDisk&linkText=2TB+cards&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1leHRyZW1lLXVocy1pLW1pY3Jvc2Q_c2t1PVNEU1FYQVYtMlQwMC1HTjZNQSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1leHRyZW1lLXVocy1pLW1pY3Jvc2Q_c2t1PVNEU1FYQVYtMlQwMC1HTjZNQSJ9&signature=AQAAASBP0YQCcAUG6Oj-X56Nk_kUHy8T7f5kuJt6UGHr3qA9&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.sandisk.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fmicrosd-cards%2Fsandisk-extreme-uhs-i-microsd%3Fsku%3DSDSQXAV-2T00-GN6MA" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shop.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-extreme-uhs-i-microsd?sku=SDSQXAV-2T00-GN6MA">2TB cards[/url] from <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:SanDisk;elmt:;cpos:47;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f45797c5-bae4-4ba9-9419-9454e07b099d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=SanDisk&linkText=major+brands&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1leHRyZW1lLXByby11aHMtaS1taWNyb3NkP3NrdT1TRFNRWENHLTAzMkctR042TUEiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImY0MTFjYWRhLTNmMWUtNDg3ZC04ZDlhLWNiNWQzMGMxOWZiYSIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaG9wLnNhbmRpc2suY29tL3Byb2R1Y3RzL21lbW9yeS1jYXJkcy9taWNyb3NkLWNhcmRzL3NhbmRpc2stZXh0cmVtZS1wcm8tdWhzLWktbWljcm9zZD9za3U9U0RTUVhDRy0wMzJHLUdONk1BIn0&signature=AQAAAazl-u7Ujgr4u8xN1G05J3ra6yjl5UBF_HuhauZZF6Oo&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.sandisk.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fmicrosd-cards%2Fsandisk-extreme-pro-uhs-i-microsd%3Fsku%3DSDSQXCG-032G-GN6MA" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shop.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-extreme-pro-uhs-i-microsd?sku=SDSQXCG-032G-GN6MA">major brands[/url] have started to arrive as well, which is exciting, but those are still fairly rare (and very expensive) by comparison.</p>
<p>For many, a 128GB or 256GB model should be a sweet spot between price and storage space. But if you need more room — say, for stashing a bunch of games on a <a data-i13n="cpos:48;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/steam-deck-review-small-hands-180026719.html">Steam Deck[/url] — a 512GB card or greater could make more sense and often provides a better cost-per-GB ratio. These days, you can find a decent 128GB card for around $15, a good 256GB card for less than $30 and a solid 512GB card for around $40 (with faster models priced a little higher). There’s a starker increase when you go up to 1TB cards, which often cost closer to $100, though we’ve seen some fall into the $70 to $80 range more frequently over the last year. The first 2TB cards are a bigger leap: the 2TB <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:SanDisk;elmt:;cpos:49;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f45797c5-bae4-4ba9-9419-9454e07b099d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=SanDisk&linkText=SanDisk+Extreme&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1leHRyZW1lLXVocy1pLW1pY3Jvc2Q_c2t1PVNEU1FYQVYtMlQwMC1HTjZNQSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3Nob3Auc2FuZGlzay5jb20vcHJvZHVjdHMvbWVtb3J5LWNhcmRzL21pY3Jvc2QtY2FyZHMvc2FuZGlzay1leHRyZW1lLXVocy1pLW1pY3Jvc2Q_c2t1PVNEU1FYQVYtMlQwMC1HTjZNQSJ9&signature=AQAAASBP0YQCcAUG6Oj-X56Nk_kUHy8T7f5kuJt6UGHr3qA9&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.sandisk.com%2Fproducts%2Fmemory-cards%2Fmicrosd-cards%2Fsandisk-extreme-uhs-i-microsd%3Fsku%3DSDSQXAV-2T00-GN6MA" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://shop.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-extreme-uhs-i-microsd?sku=SDSQXAV-2T00-GN6MA">SanDisk Extreme[/url], for example, now has a list price around $200, which is down a bit from its original MSRP but still far from cheap.</p>
<p>Note that a microSD card’s performance may differ depending on what capacity you buy. SanDisk says its <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:B&H Photo;elmt:;cpos:50;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=95276f3c-7b79-4c1e-803f-981cd9f7a968&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=f411cada-3f1e-487d-8d9a-cb5d30c19fba&featureId=text-link&merchantName=B%26H+Photo&linkText=128GB+Extreme+card&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5iaHBob3RvdmlkZW8uY29tL2MvcHJvZHVjdC8xNjkyNzAyLVJFRy9zYW5kaXNrX3Nkc3F4YWFfMTI4Z19hbjZtYV8xMjhnYl9leHRyZW1lX3Voc19pX21pY3Jvc2QuaHRtbCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZjQxMWNhZGEtM2YxZS00ODdkLThkOWEtY2I1ZDMwYzE5ZmJhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5iaHBob3RvdmlkZW8uY29tL2MvcHJvZHVjdC8xNjkyNzAyLVJFRy9zYW5kaXNrX3Nkc3F4YWFfMTI4Z19hbjZtYV8xMjhnYl9leHRyZW1lX3Voc19pX21pY3Jvc2QuaHRtbCJ9&signature=AQAAAUdrpu8mGvhK3a5QV9RI36rbNRo1uwDY88RfYocJy9tB&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1692702-REG%2Fsandisk_sdsqxaa_128g_an6ma_128gb_extreme_uhs_i_microsd.html" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1692702-REG/sandisk_sdsqxaa_128g_an6ma_128gb_extreme_uhs_i_microsd.html">128GB Extreme card[/url] delivers sequential write speeds up to 90 MB/s, for example, while the higher-capacity models in the same line offer up to 130 MB/s.</p>
<p>When we talk about microSD cards today, we mostly refer to cards that use the <a data-i13n="cpos:51;pos:1" href="
https://www.sdcard.org/developers/sd-standard-overview/capacity-sd-sdhc-sdxc-sduc/">microSDXC (eXtended Capacity) standard[/url], which have a capacity between 32GB and 2TB. Your device needs to support this for it to work with a microSDXC card. This will almost never be an issue these days, but some older devices (a <a data-i13n="cpos:52;pos:1" href="
https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/274/~/what-sd-cards-and-microsd-cards-are-compatible%3F">Nintendo 3DS[/url], for instance) are only compatible with microSDHC (High Capacity) cards, which range from 2GB to 32GB.</p>
<figure>
<img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-04/89014260-f038-11ee-bfd4-363a465ffda4" data-uuid="65fd7014-f73f-3a5a-9023-9540d9dda67f">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 id="jump-link-read-and-write-speeds">Read and write speeds</h3>
<p>MicroSD cards are primarily judged on their read and write speeds, which are usually measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). Generally, most microSD cards have faster read speeds than write speeds.</p>
<p>These metrics can then be broken down into sequential and random performance. Sequential read and write speeds matter when you’re trying to access (read) or save (write) long, constant streams of data, such as opening a large video or copying a big batch of files from a PC. If you want to use a microSD card for media storage, this is particularly important. Random performance, meanwhile, is about how quickly a card can read and write small files scattered throughout the device.</p>
<p>Since random read/write speeds are much lower than sequential ones, storage device makers tend not to advertise them as loudly. But they’re important if you use a card with a gaming device or a single-board computer like the <a data-i13n="cpos:53;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/tag/raspberry-pi/">Raspberry Pi[/url], where it often has to rapidly save and access small bits of data in random locations.</p>
<figure>
<img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-05/a8a00b60-f034-11ed-bf3c-39241bbedf2b" data-uuid="94c9df2f-6b9b-3015-96f3-c4c5bb386569">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 id="jump-link-speed-ratings">Speed ratings</h3>
<p>If you look at a microSD card, you’ll see a buffet of numbers, letters and symbols. Most of these refer to the card’s <a data-i13n="cpos:54;pos:1" href="
https://www.sdcard.org/developers/sd-standard-overview/speed-class/">speed class[/url] and performance ratings, which are determined by the <a data-i13n="cpos:55;pos:1" href="
https://www.sdcard.org/">SD Association[/url].</p>
<p>A card’s Video Speed Class, or V-rating, details its minimum sequential write speed, which is especially important when recording video from a camera. It ranges from V6 to V90. Most of the cards we tested had a V30 rating, so they have a sequential write speed of at least 30 MB/s. This should be enough to support up to 4K video at lower bitrates. Higher-rated V60 and V90 cards ar
