The Essential Guide to Picking the Right microSD Card in 2025 Most microSD cards are fast enough for storing photos, videos, and files, but some deliver more performance for your money. If you need to expand the storage on your Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, GoPro, or any other compatible device, we can help. After thorough market research and benchmark testing, here are the best options along with advice on what to look for. Best Overall microSD Card The Lexar Professional Silver Plus is our top recommendation. It consistently delivered excellent performance across our benchmark tests, offering fast sequential read and write speeds that are ideal for a variety of uses. It also comes in a wide range of capacities, including a 1TB option, and is typically priced very competitively. For most people looking for a fast and reliable card, this is the one to get. Best Runner-Up microSD Card The Samsung Pro Plus is a very close second. Its performance is nearly identical to our top pick in many tests, and it is a proven, reliable model from a trusted brand. It is also widely available and frequently goes on sale, making it an excellent value if you find it at a good price. It, too, is now available in a 1TB capacity. Best Budget microSD Card For those on a tighter budget, the Samsung Evo Select is a fantastic choice. While its sequential write speeds are a step behind the more premium cards, its read speeds are still strong. For general use like storing media files or playing less demanding games, it provides more than enough performance and is often available at a significantly lower cost. It also now comes in a 1TB model. microSD Express Cards for the Nintendo Switch 2 A special note is needed for the Nintendo Switch 2. This new console exclusively uses the faster microSD Express standard. If you plan to own a Switch 2, you will need one of these cards to expand its storage. The performance differences between the various microSD Express models from brands like SanDisk, Lexar, and PNY are minimal in actual game loading. The main noticeable difference is when transferring games between the console’s internal storage and the card. For the Switch 2, your primary concern should be buying whichever microSD Express card you can find in stock, in the capacity you want, at a price you are willing to pay. We generally recommend at least 256GB due to the larger file sizes of Switch 2 games. What to Look For in a microSD Card Capacity is your first decision. 128GB or 256GB offer a good balance of price and space for many users, while 512GB and 1TB are better for extensive game libraries or high-resolution video. Prices have fallen, making higher capacities more accessible. Pay attention to the speed ratings printed on the card. Look for a card with V30, U3, and A2 ratings. The V30 and U3 ratings guarantee a minimum sequential write speed of 30MB/s, which is sufficient for 4K video recording. The A2 rating is important for faster random read/write speeds, which improves app and game loading times on devices like the Steam Deck and smartphones. The bus interface is also key. Most cards are UHS-I, which is fast enough for the vast majority of users and devices. The newer, much faster microSD Express cards are currently only necessary for the Nintendo Switch 2 and are significantly more expensive. Always buy from reputable brands and authorized retailers to avoid counterfeit products. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Recent Updates As of late 2025, we have updated our recommendations to reflect the latest market offerings and the release of the Nintendo Switch 2. The Lexar Professional Silver Plus is our new top overall pick due to its excellent all-around performance and value.
