Best microSD Cards for Nintendo Switch Homebrew (2025)
Choosing the right microSD card for your Nintendo Switch homebrew setup is crucial. You need fast read/write speeds, reliability, and enough storage for your games and apps. In this guide, we'll compare the best options available in 2025.
Our Top Picks (TL;DR)
- Best OverallSamsung EVO Select 256GB - Best balance of speed and reliability
- Best ValueSanDisk Ultra 256GB - Reliable and affordable
- Best CapacitySamsung EVO Select 512GB - For large libraries
What to Look for in a Switch microSD Card
Before diving into our recommendations, let's cover the key specs that matter for Nintendo Switch homebrew:
Speed Ratings Explained
- Read Speed: How fast data can be read from the card. Look for 100MB/s or higher.
- Write Speed: Important for installing games. 60MB/s+ is ideal.
- UHS-I: The Switch only supports UHS-I, so don't overpay for UHS-II cards.
- Application Performance Class (A1/A2): A2 is better for running apps directly from the card.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
For homebrew users, we recommend at least 256GB. Here's why:
- 128GB: Bare minimum, fills up quickly
- 256GB: Sweet spot for most users (our recommendation)
- 512GB: For large game libraries
- 1TB: Overkill for most, but future-proof
Best microSD Cards for Nintendo Switch (2025)
| # | Product | Key Specs | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Samsung EVO Select 256GB Best Overall |
| 4.8 | View on Amazon |
| 2 | SanDisk Ultra 256GB Best Value |
| 4.7 | View on Amazon |
| 3 | Samsung EVO Select 512GB Best Capacity |
| 4.8 | View on Amazon |
| 4 | SanDisk Extreme 256GB |
| 4.7 | View on Amazon |
Samsung EVO Select 256GB
- • 130MB/s read
- • 60MB/s write
- • UHS-I, A2
- • 10-year warranty
SanDisk Ultra 256GB
- • 120MB/s read
- • 50MB/s write
- • UHS-I, A1
- • 10-year warranty
Samsung EVO Select 512GB
- • 130MB/s read
- • 60MB/s write
- • UHS-I, A2
- • 10-year warranty
SanDisk Extreme 256GB
- • 190MB/s read
- • 130MB/s write
- • UHS-I, A2
- • Lifetime warranty
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Detailed Reviews
1. Samsung EVO Select 256GB - Best Overall
The Samsung EVO Select consistently delivers excellent performance for Switch homebrew. With read speeds up to 130MB/s and write speeds around 60MB/s, it handles game installations and loading times with ease.
- ✅ Excellent read/write speeds
- ✅ High reliability and brand reputation
- ✅ 10-year limited warranty
- ✅ A2 rated for app performance
2. SanDisk Ultra 256GB - Best Value
The SanDisk Ultra offers great performance and has been a community favorite for years due to its reliability.
- ✅ Great performance
- ✅ Widely available
- ✅ A1 rated for app performance
- ❌ Slightly slower write speeds than Samsung
3. Samsung EVO Select 512GB - Best for Large Libraries
If you have an extensive game collection or plan to keep many backups, the 512GB variant gives you plenty of breathing room without breaking the bank.
Tips for Buying microSD Cards
⚠️ Beware of Counterfeits!
Always buy from reputable sellers (Amazon direct, official brand stores). Fake cards are common and can corrupt your data.
- Buy from authorized retailers: Amazon (sold by Amazon), Best Buy, official brand websites
- Check reviews: Look for recent reviews mentioning authenticity
- Test your card: Use H2testw (Windows) or F3 (Mac/Linux) to verify capacity
- Format correctly: Use FAT32 for cards over 64GB (the Switch requires this for some homebrew)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Nintendo Switch officially supports microSD cards up to 2TB. However, 512GB is usually more than enough for most users and offers better value.
While the Switch can use slower cards, faster cards (100MB/s+ read speed) will significantly improve game loading times and installation speeds. We recommend UHS-I cards with at least 100MB/s read speed.
New cards usually work out of the box, but for homebrew use, you may need to format to FAT32 for cards larger than 64GB. The Switch's built-in formatter can also be used.
Buy from authorized retailers, check for suspiciously low prices, and test the card with verification software like H2testw or F3. Fake cards often show the wrong capacity and corrupt data.
Conclusion
For most Nintendo Switch homebrew users, we recommend the Samsung EVO Select 256GB as the best overall choice. It offers the perfect balance of speed, reliability, and capacity. If you're on a tighter budget, the SanDisk Ultra 256GB is an excellent alternative.
Ready to get started with custom firmware? Check out our complete CFW setup guide .
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