Expanding your gaming library requires reliable and fast storage, especially for devices like the Nintendo Switch or smartphones that rely on microSD cards. A 64GB card offers a great balance of capacity and affordability, providing ample space for game saves, downloadable content (DLC), and even entire game installations. Choosing the right card can significantly reduce loading times and ensure a smooth, stutter-free gaming experience.
Not all microSD cards are created equal for gaming. Key specifications to look for include the UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30), which guarantee minimum write speeds necessary for high-performance tasks. The A1 or A2 Application Performance Class is also crucial, as it allows games and apps to run directly from the card without significant lag. This roundup highlights the best 64GB microSD cards that meet these demanding gaming requirements.
Our Top Picks for 64GB Gaming MicroSD Cards
- PNY 64GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Card
- PNY 64GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Card 5-Pack
- SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter
- Patriot Memory 64GB A1 / V30 Micro SD Card 5-Pack
- SanDisk 64GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter
- Samsung EVO Select 64GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3 Memory Card
- Lexar Play 64GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Card with Adapter
- PNY Elite-X 64GB Class 10 U3 microSDXC Flash Memory Card
PNY 64GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Card
The PNY Elite-X is a strong contender for gamers seeking high performance without compromise. With its Class 10, U3, and V30 ratings, it delivers the sustained write speeds needed for recording gameplay and running demanding games directly from the card. A read speed of up to 100MB/s helps minimize load times, getting you into the action faster.
This card also features the A1 App Performance Class, which is essential for mobile gaming. This specification ensures that applications and games stored on the card launch quickly and perform smoothly, providing a seamless experience on Android devices and other compatible gaming platforms. It’s a reliable choice for expanding storage on your Switch, smartphone, or action camera.
PNY 64GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Card 5-Pack
For households with multiple gaming devices or for the gamer who needs to keep libraries organized across different systems, this 5-pack from PNY offers exceptional value. Each card in the pack boasts the same robust U3, V30, and A1 specifications as the single Elite-X model, ensuring high-speed performance for gaming and 4K video.
This bundle is perfect for families with several Nintendo Switch consoles or for individuals who use multiple devices like a gaming phone, a drone, and a camera. You get five high-performance cards that are ready to handle game installations, app data, and media files, making it a cost-effective solution for all your storage expansion needs.
SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter
When you need top-tier speed for the most demanding gaming and content creation, the SanDisk Extreme microSD card stands out. It offers blazing-fast read speeds of up to 170MB/s, drastically cutting down load times for large game files. This makes it an excellent choice for Nintendo Switch gamers who want the fastest possible experience.
Beyond its impressive read speed, this card is built for performance with U3, V30, and the superior A2 App Performance Class. The A2 rating means even faster application loading and in-game performance when running software directly from the card. It is also compatible with the SanDisk QuickFlow Technology for rapid file transfers, saving you time when managing your game library.
Patriot Memory 64GB A1 / V30 Micro SD Card 5-Pack
Patriot Memory offers a compelling multi-pack solution for gamers on a budget who refuse to sacrifice performance. This 5-pack includes cards with a V30 rating and A1 app performance, providing the necessary speed for smooth gaming and quick app launches. With a read speed of up to 100MB/s, these cards are more than capable of handling modern gaming demands.
This bundle is ideal for equipping an entire family’s worth of devices or for having spare cards on hand for different purposes. Whether you’re splitting them between multiple Switches or using them for a gaming phone and a tablet, you get reliable, high-spec storage that ensures your games and media are always accessible without lag.
SanDisk 64GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter
The SanDisk Ultra is a widely trusted and reliable storage solution for general gaming and media storage. It offers A1 application performance, which allows for smoother operation of apps and games directly from the card. With read speeds of up to 120MB/s, it provides a noticeable improvement in loading times over slower, basic cards.
While it features a U1 speed class instead of U3, it remains a solid and cost-effective choice for many gaming scenarios, particularly for less demanding titles or for users who prioritize value. It’s a dependable card for expanding the storage of your Nintendo Switch or Android device, ensuring you have room for more games and saves.
Samsung EVO Select 64GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3 Memory Card
Samsung is a powerhouse in the memory market, and the EVO Select line lives up to that reputation. This card is designed for high-resolution video and fast-paced gaming, offering U3 speed class performance for a seamless experience. It is built to be durable, with water-proof, temperature-proof, X-ray-proof, and magnet-proof protection.
Gamers can count on this card for reliable storage and quick access to their data. Its fast read and write speeds ensure that game levels load quickly and that in-game streaming of assets happens without a hitch. It’s a fantastic all-around card that balances performance, reliability, and the backing of a trusted brand.
Lexar Play 64GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Card with Adapter
The Lexar Play microSD card is specifically engineered for gaming devices like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. It is optimized to deliver fast loading and smooth gameplay, so you can spend less time waiting and more time playing. The card meets the performance needs of these popular portable consoles.
With its high-speed specifications, you can reliably store your game library, downloadable content, and screen captures. Lexar’s reputation for quality means this card is a dependable choice for gamers looking for a dedicated storage solution that understands the requirements of modern gaming platforms.
PNY Elite-X 64GB Class 10 U3 microSDXC Flash Memory Card
This PNY Elite-X model provides a solid foundation for gaming and high-resolution media. Its U3 speed class rating guarantees a minimum write speed that is essential for recording gameplay and for games that stream assets from the storage medium. You can expect reliable performance that keeps up with your gaming sessions.
It’s a versatile card that works well in a variety of devices, from gaming consoles and smartphones to action cameras and drones. For gamers needing a dependable and affordable card that meets the key U3 speed standard, this PNY Elite-X option is a worthy candidate that delivers consistent performance.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best 64GB Micro SD Card for Gaming
When I’m picking out a 64GB micro SD card for my gaming needs, I don’t just grab the first one I see. There are a few key things I always check to make sure my games load fast and run smoothly. Getting this right means less time staring at loading screens and more time actually playing.
The first and most important thing I look for is the speed class. This tells you how quickly data can be written to the card, which is critical for saving game progress, downloading updates, and installing new titles. For gaming, you want a card with a UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and a Video Speed Class of V30 or higher. These ratings guarantee a minimum sustained write speed of 30MB/s, which is the baseline for a good experience. I also pay close attention to the Application Performance Class, shown as A1 or A2. This spec is specifically for apps and games, indicating how well the card can handle lots of small read/write operations. An A2 card is significantly faster for gaming because it reduces in-game stuttering and makes loading assets much quicker.
Next, I think about the device I’m using. The Nintendo Switch is a popular choice for expandable storage, and it works great with UHS-I U3 A2 cards. While the Switch hardware can’t fully utilize the top speeds of the latest cards, a high-performance card still makes a noticeable difference in load times. For other handhelds or devices, it’s always a good idea to check the official manufacturer recommendations to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.
While 64GB is a solid starting point, I also consider my library size. A 64GB card effectively adds about 57GB of usable space after formatting. For a Switch, this might hold a handful of large AAA titles alongside some smaller indie games. If you primarily buy physical cartridges, 64GB is plenty for updates and DLC. However, if you are a digital-only player with a large collection, you might find yourself managing your storage more frequently. In that case, looking at a 128GB or 256GB card from the same high-performance line could be a better long-term investment. Ultimately, finding the right 64GB micro SD card for gaming is about balancing proven speed ratings with your specific device and storage needs.
FAQ
Is 64GB enough for a Nintendo Switch?
For many players, yes, a 64GB micro SD card is a good upgrade from the Switch’s internal storage. It effectively gives you around 57GB of extra space. This is perfect if you buy a mix of physical game cartridges (which still require space for updates and DLC) and digital indie games. However, if you plan to build a large library of digital-only AAA titles, which can be 10-20GB each, you might fill it up faster and want to consider a larger capacity.
What does the A1 or A2 rating mean on a micro SD card?
The A1 and A2 ratings stand for Application Performance Class. This is a crucial spec for gaming. It measures how well the card can handle random read and write operations, which is exactly what happens when a game loads new areas or assets. An A1 card guarantees a minimum of 1500 read and 500 write IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second). An A2 card is much better, guaranteeing 4000 read and 2000 write IOPS. For a smoother gaming experience with faster load times, I always recommend an A2 card.
Can I use any micro SD card for gaming?
Technically, many devices will accept any standard micro SD card, but I would not recommend it for gaming. Using a slow, low-class card will result in very long load times, stuttering as the game struggles to access data, and potentially even corruption over time. To get the best performance, you should specifically look for a card with a UHS-I U3 and V30 speed rating, along with an A2 application class.
What is the difference between UHS-I and UHS-II?
UHS-I and UHS-II refer to the physical bus interface of the card. UHS-I has one row of pins and has a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 104MB/s. UHS-II has a second row of pins and can reach up to 312MB/s. Most gaming handhelds, including the Nintendo Switch, only have a UHS-I reader. This means a more expensive UHS-II card will only perform at UHS-I speeds. For the vast majority of gamers, a high-quality UHS-I card is the correct and cost-effective choice.
How do I transfer my game data to a new micro SD card?
The process can vary by device. For the Nintendo Switch, the safest method is to use the system’s built-in transfer tool. You can go to System Settings > Data Management > Manage Save Data/Screenshots and Videos to move specific items, or to Transfer Your Save Data for cloud-saved data. For a full card replacement, you can archive your games, install the new card, and then re-download them. Always check the official support guide for your specific device before starting.