Engadget tested nearly 20 microSD cards to find the best storage expansion for devices like gaming handhelds, dash cams, and Android tablets. The Lexar Professional Silver Plus emerges as the top pick for most users, offering the fastest sequential read and write speeds among UHS-I cards at up to 205 MB/s read and 150 MB/s write, with a lifetime warranty and capacities up to 1TB.

For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, microSD Express is the only compatible option, delivering PCIe-level speeds over 800 MB/s. Testing showed minimal game loading time differences between models—typically only 4-5 seconds—but major gaps in transfer speeds from internal storage. The SanDisk and Lexar Play Pro led in write performance, while Walmart's Onn was slowest but cheapest. Stock remains spotty since the console's launch.

Most consumers should stick with proven UHS-I cards like the Samsung Pro Plus or Lexar Silver Plus for better value. Look for V30, U3, and A2 ratings, and buy from reputable retailers to avoid counterfeits. For non-Switch 2 devices, there's no need for expensive Express cards yet, as no other popular hardware supports the standard.

Quick Fact: Moving Mario Kart World to the SanDisk and Lexar models took around four minutes and 35 seconds on average.