Inserting a physical game cartridge into the Switch works fine, but swapping games requires constant plugging and unplugging, which is a bit of a hassle. Digital versions are much more convenient—no need to swap cards—but the Switch's built-in storage of 32GB (64GB for the OLED model) fills up quickly after installing The Legend of Zelda or a few popular multiplayer Switch games. That's when a memory card (i.e., a microSD card) becomes a necessity.

Buying a storage card seems simple, but many people fall into traps when actually choosing. There are plenty of options on the market—Sandisk, Samsung, Lexar... which one is the 'Switch special edition'? Don't worry, let's do a direct comparison.

Speed Class: Read Speed is the Baseline, Don't Be Fooled by Class 10

Most storage cards are labeled Class 10 (U1) or U3. The Switch's read speed limit is around 100MB/s, so when buying a card, the read speed should ideally be close to this number. U1 cards (like many entry-level ones) have read speeds of only about 30-40MB/s. They still work, but you'll noticeably wait a few extra seconds when loading fast travel in Tears of the Kingdom. U3 cards can achieve read speeds above 90MB/s, offering an experience similar to the built-in storage.

However, there's a trap: some cards labeled 'U1' have very slow write speeds. For the Switch, writing mainly involves saving screenshots, recording videos, and downloading games. Slow speeds aren't a big deal, but if you frequently transfer screenshots to a computer, slow writes can be frustrating. Cards like the Samsung Evo Select offer a balanced read/write of 100/60 MB/s. The Sandisk Extreme reads at 160MB/s and writes at 60MB/s, making it faster for transferring files to a PC. The Lexar Play, designed specifically for gaming, has a read speed of 150MB/s and write speeds on par with Samsung, offering great value. In comparison, the Kingston Canvas Select only guarantees a read speed of 100MB/s with faster writes, but actual performance varies more.

Capacity Options: 256GB is the Sweet Spot, 512GB Depends on Needs

Is 128GB enough? Barely. Install a few recommended Switch games like The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon 3, plus some indie game recommendations like Hollow Knight and Hades, and it's almost full. 256GB is the sweet spot for most people—it can hold 15-20 major titles, is affordable, and practical. 512GB lets you comfortably install over 40 games, ideal for those who buy games more often than they play them. 1TB or more is overkill for the Switch, as the card prices are inflated, and not many players actually fill up 1TB with games from the official Switch library.

Buying advice: Go for the Sandisk Extreme (256GB around ¥150-180), Samsung Evo Select (256GB around ¥130-160), or Lexar Play (256GB around ¥140-170). These three have long dominated the gaming charts (sales rankings), and their stability has been tested by countless players. If on a tight budget, the Sandisk Ultra is cheaper, but be careful not to buy the wrong one—its read speed is 100MB/s but write speed is only 10-15MB/s, making video transfers very slow. Not recommended.

Choose Based on Your Needs: Which One Should You Buy?

Matching your situation is more useful than just looking at specs:

If you mainly play digital AAA titles (Nintendo game recommendations like Breath of the Wild, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Animal Crossing) and can't stand slow loading: Choose a U3 card with read speeds above 100MB/s, such as the Sandisk Extreme or Samsung Evo Select. They ensure smooth performance and won't be a bottleneck due to slow card read speeds.

If you only play physical game cards and occasionally download a few indie game recommendations: A U1 (Class 10) card is actually sufficient, like the Sandisk Ultra or Lexar entry-level models. They are cheap, and since physical cards load without relying on the storage card, there's no need to pay extra for unused speed.

If you frequently play online multiplayer games like Monster Hunter or Mario Kart, or play two-player Switch games with a partner: A large-capacity card can hold all DLCs for games like Overcooked or Moving Out without hesitation over which to delete. Also, slow loading during online play affects everyone's experience, so a card with fast read speeds can save a lot of frustration.

If you like exporting screenshots to make game galleries or share on social media: Pay attention to write speed. The Samsung Evo Select and Lexar Play (around 60MB/s write) are significantly better than similarly priced Kingston cards (20-30MB/s). Exporting a 30-second video to Weibo takes as long as playing a quick game.

Final Advice: Don't Save a Few Dozen Yuan on a No-Name Brand

Classic games from Switch recommendations and game rankings often take up tens of gigabytes. If you buy a cheap no-name card and it fails after a year, losing all game data (fortunately cloud saves exist now, but some games don't support them), the few dozen yuan you saved aren't worth it. Sandisk, Samsung, and Lexar can all be purchased from authorized stores—don't gamble on 'genuine' cards from small shops. Also, beware of counterfeit cards: many fake cards use software to modify read/write counts, showing 128GB but erroring out when copying 25GB. A quick test with H2testw will expose fakes immediately.

A good memory card is an accessory that makes the Switch more enjoyable, not a source of headaches. Prioritize 256GB or higher, read speeds above 100MB/s, and reliable brands—your gaming experience will get a direct upgrade.