For those seeking high-capacity microSD Express Cards for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, Lexar Play Pro`s 512GB and 1TB models recently saw their prices drop to historic lows on Amazon. The 512GB version was reduced to $88.47 from its original price of $120, while the 1TB model was available for $158, a significant saving from its $220 usual price. These Lexar Play Pro cards have been a popular choice on Amazon, rivaling the officially licensed Samsung microSD Express cards.
Previously, Walmart offered the most competitive prices for 512GB microSD Express Cards. However, the retailer has since increased the price of its Onn brand 512GB Express card from $65.77 to $84.77. Similarly, the SanDisk 512GB Gameplay card`s price climbed from $78 to $98 and is currently out of stock. Despite recent price adjustments, the Onn microSD Express remains the most affordable 256GB option, even after its price rose from $35.77 to $46.77.
Other notable options include PNY`s 128GB microSD Express, priced at $38.24 (originally $45), and the widely popular officially licensed Samsung 256GB microSD Express, which can be found for $59 on Amazon. The Nintendo-licensed Samsung card continues to dominate the market as the most sought-after choice.
MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Below is a curated list of every microSD Express card from reputable brands currently available on Amazon. At present, the Samsung card is the sole officially licensed option. SanDisk is reportedly developing its own Nintendo-themed edition, but details regarding its release date and whether it will offer capacities beyond 256GB are still unknown. The microSD Express market is relatively nascent, with the Switch 2 being the first major consumer device to adopt this ultra-fast storage format. Since Nintendo`s announcement that the Switch 2 requires microSD Express for storage expansion, the variety of available options has significantly increased.
Notable MicroSD Express Cards on Amazon
- Samsung 256GB microSD Express (Nintendo Edition) – $59
- Lexar 1TB Play Pro microSD Express – $158 ($220)
- Lexar 512GB Play Pro microSD Express – $88.47 ($120)
- Lexar 256GB Play Pro microSD Express – $60
- PNY 128GB microSD Express – $38.24 ($45)
- PNY 256GB microSD Express – $60
- PNY 512GB microSD Express – $120
- TeamGroup Apex 128GB microSD Express – $46
- TeamGroup Apex 256GB microSD Express – Sold out
- TeamGroup Apex 512GB microSD Express – $100 ($120)
- TeamGroup Apex 1TB microSD Express – $187 ($212)
- SanDisk 128GB microSD Express – $60
- SanDisk 256GB microSD Express – $72
- SanDisk 512GB microSD Express – $120
Notable MicroSD Express Cards on Walmart
- Samsung 256GB microSD Express (Nintendo Edition) – $59
- SanDisk GamePlay 512GB microSD Express – $98 | Sold out
- Onn 256GB microSD Express – $46.77
- Onn 512GB microSD Express – $84.77
- SanDisk 128GB microSD Express – $60
- SanDisk 256GB microSD Express – $73
- SanDisk 512GB microSD Express – $120
- PNY 128GB microSD Express – $38.24 ($45)
- PNY 256GB microSD Express – $60
- PNY 512GB microSD Express – $120
Nintendo Switch 2 Storage Space Can Disappear Fast
The Nintendo Switch 2 boasts 256GB of internal storage, a substantial upgrade from the Switch OLED (64GB) and the original Switch/Switch Lite (32GB). However, the Switch 2`s enhanced graphics capabilities mean larger game file sizes. For instance, upcoming Switch 2 games published by Nintendo include Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (44.9GB), Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (31.6GB), Kirby Air Riders (25GB), and Pokemon Legends: Z-A (10GB). Existing titles like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (20GB), Mario Kart World (22GB), and Donkey Kong Bananza (8.9GB) also consume considerable space.
Players can conserve storage for first-party games by opting for physical editions, as Nintendo-published titles include the full game on the cartridge. For third-party games, with rare exceptions like Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, physical copies for Switch 2 often use Game-Key Cards. These low-capacity cards essentially act as unlock keys, requiring players to download the game from the eShop. This means buying a physical edition of Madden NFL 26 would still necessitate downloading its 55.3GB file, and Star Wars Outlaws would require a 20.9GB download.
Many upcoming Switch 2 games with Game-Key Card editions also feature large file sizes, such as Borderlands 4 (48.8GB), Persona 3 Reload (25.4GB), and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero (25GB). Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is expected to have an 87.9GB download on Switch 2, which alone would consume a vast portion of the console`s storage. The widespread use of Game-Key Cards and generally larger file sizes for AAA titles will likely lead to many Switch 2 owners exhausting their storage space even more quickly than they did on the original Switch.
MicroSD Express: What Is It?
The Express format represents a recent advancement in the semiconductor industry that has not yet seen widespread adoption by manufacturers. The higher cost of Express cards compared to the UHS-I cards used in the original Switch and most other devices is primarily due to their superior speeds. For example, a SanDisk Ultra 512GB microSD Card offers up to 150MB/s read speed, whereas the SanDisk Gameplay 512GB Express Card boasts 880MB/s—nearly six times faster. Express cards are notably quicker than traditional SATA SSDs, which helps to put their pricing into perspective.
Below, you can find a closer look at many of the microSD Express Cards mentioned in the lists above, with detailed specifications.
Samsung 256GB microSD Express (Nintendo Edition)
$59 | Officially licensed
- Read: 800MB/s
- Write: 400MB/s
Samsung`s officially licensed model features a distinctive Mario-red color scheme and an `M` logo. Unsurprisingly, it is by far the most popular microSD Express Card for the Switch 2. Samsung and SanDisk are widely recognized as leading brands for microSD cards. As SanDisk`s Nintendo-licensed card is not yet available, Samsung remains the only `official` option.
At $60 – or $59 on Amazon and Walmart – the Samsung microSD Express is more reasonably priced than the expensive Nintendo-themed SanDisk cards for the original Switch. If you`re considering a 256GB Express card, this one or the Onn Express Card at Walmart (if available in your region) would be strong contenders. The Walmart-branded card saves you approximately $25 and technically offers superior specifications.
Read/write speeds are provided for each card on this list. While read speeds generally fall between 800-900MB/s, the difference between Samsung`s 800MB/s and Lexar`s 900MB/s read speed is unlikely to be noticeable in practical use. The Nintendo-licensed Samsung card has the slowest write speed on this list. While this might seem concerning, it actually indicates that the Switch 2 does not benefit from higher write speeds for its primary functions. If the officially licensed card can write at 400MB/s, it suggests this speed is sufficient for the Switch 2. While not critical for Switch 2 performance, if you plan to upgrade to a higher-capacity card later and repurpose this one for another Express-compatible device, faster write speeds could become a more significant factor. However, 400MB/s is still considered quite fast.
Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card
Available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models
- Read: 900MB/s
- Write: 600MB/s
The Lexar Play Pro is unique among major brands for offering a 1TB microSD Express Card. The 1TB Play Pro model is frequently sold out, and restocks of this premium card tend to sell out quickly.
- Lexar 256GB Play Pro microSD Express – $60
- Lexar 512GB Play Pro microSD Express – $88.47 ($120)
- Lexar 1TB Play Pro microSD Express – $158 ($220)
Onn microSD Express Cards
256GB – $46.77 | 512GB – $84.77
- Read: 800MB/s
- Write: 600MB/s
Note on availability and prices: These cards frequently sell out and may only be available in specific regions across the US. If you`re interested in purchasing one, daily checks at Walmart are recommended, as both models have sold out multiple times since the Switch 2`s launch. Walmart previously offered these 256GB and 512GB cards for $35.77 and $65.77, respectively.
Onn, Walmart`s proprietary tech brand, is known for its budget-friendly prices, a trend that continues with its microSD Express Cards. Even with Walmart`s price increases, the 256GB model remains the most affordable microSD Express Card available today.
The Onn cards match the Lexar Play Pro`s write speed but are 100MB/s slower in read speed. However, the 512GB Lexar often costs nearly double the price.
Anecdotally, I have been using the 512GB model since launch day without any reported issues. Walmart states that these cards are `water, shock, temperature, and magnet proof,` and your purchase includes a one-year limited warranty.
- Onn 256GB microSD Express – $46.77
- Onn 512GB microSD Express – $84.77
SanDisk Gameplay 512GB microSD Express Card
$78-$98 | Only at Walmart
- Read: 880MB/s
- Write: 650MB/s
- Sustained Write: 220MB/s
Note on price and availability: Walmart is currently sold out of this card as of October 9, and the listing now shows a price of $98.
As noted, the SanDisk Gameplay 512GB microSD Express Card is presently exclusive to Walmart. It appears to be a unique card with minor branding differences. The standard SanDisk model features `microSD Express` written across its red stripe, whereas this version has `Gameplay` on the red stripe and `Express` below it on the right. These distinctions are purely cosmetic and do not affect performance.
What truly matters is that the SanDisk Gameplay is technically and performance-wise identical to the regular 512GB model. Yet, by purchasing the Gameplay version, you could save approximately $40. The 512GB Gameplay is only six dollars more than the 256GB regular edition and less than $20 more than the 128GB model. The Gameplay edition is exclusively available in 512GB capacity.
If you`re considering SanDisk, the Gameplay is the clear choice for value. Among 512GB microSD Express Cards, only Walmart`s Onn brand is cheaper, and that option may not always be available in all regions and has slightly slower speeds.
SanDisk microSD Express Cards
Available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
-
128GB
- Read: 880MB/s
- Write: 480MB/s
- Sustained Write: 100MB/s
-
256GB
- Read: 880MB/s
- Write: 650MB/s
- Sustained Write: 210MB/s
-
512GB
- Read: 880MB/s
- Write: 650MB/s
- Sustained Write: 220MB/s
SanDisk`s standard microSD Express Card is offered in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models. All three capacities provide the same impressive 880MB/s read speed, but as detailed above, they differ in their write and sustained write speeds. Currently, the prices for all three models are quite high compared to other cards on this list. Ironically, the primary reason these don`t offer strong value is the existence of SanDisk`s more affordably priced 512GB Gameplay Express Card.
SanDisk is expected to release a Nintendo-licensed microSD Express Card featuring a Mario-red color scheme and logo, but a release date has not yet been announced. We do know that this licensed edition will be the same card with a different aesthetic, similar to the SanDisk Gameplay situation.
SanDisk currently manufactures 128GB and 256GB models of its microSD Express Cards.
- SanDisk 128GB microSD Express – $60
- SanDisk 256GB microSD Express – $72
- SanDisk 512GB microSD Express – $120
TeamGroup Apex microSD Express Card
Available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
- Read: 800MB/s
- Write: 500MB/s
TeamGroup is a respected manufacturer known for its budget-friendly microSD cards. The Apex represents TeamGroup`s initial foray into Express technology.
TeamGroup`s prices are often noticeably lower than those of its competitors. For example, TeamGroup`s A2 Pro Plus 1TB microSD card regularly retails for around $60. It`s important to clarify that the A2 Pro is not compatible with the Switch 2, though it is a solid choice for the original Switch and Steam Deck.
- TeamGroup Apex 128GB microSD Express – $46
- TeamGroup Apex 256GB microSD Express – Sold out
- TeamGroup Apex 512GB microSD Express – $100 ($120)
- TeamGroup Apex 1TB microSD Express – $187 ($212)
PNY microSD Express Cards
Available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models
- Read: 890MB/s
- Write: 550MB/s
PNY, a popular brand in budget tech, offers microSD Express Cards in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities.
- PNY 128GB microSD Express – $38.24 ($45)
- PNY 256GB microSD Express – $60
- PNY 512GB microSD Express – $120
GameStop microSD Express Cards
Available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models
- Read: 800MB/s
- Write: Unavailable
GameStop also sells its own branded microSD Express Cards. The manufacturer of these cards is unknown, and we would generally advise against them due to the absence of write speed information on the product page. While read speed is most crucial for the Switch 2, it`s never recommended to purchase a storage device without knowing its write speed. Furthermore, you can find 256GB and 512GB models from reputable brands for less.
GameStop is one of the few companies offering a 1TB model, but it is almost consistently sold out. The 512GB model is also routinely out of stock. We suspect this is due to very small production runs rather than overwhelming popularity, as these cards have only a handful of customer reviews.
- GameStop 1TB microSD Express Card – $190
- GameStop 512GB microSD Express Card – $100
- GameStop 256GB microSD Express Card – $55