Greatest microSD playing cards for Steam Deck: Increase your sport storage

• Best Steam Deck microSD card: Our top pick
• How to decide on a reminiscence card on your Steam Deck
• Do I want a microSD card for my Steam Deck?
• Which microSD playing cards work on Steam Deck?

The Valve Steam Deck is obtainable in a number of completely different fashions, with the principle distinction being the dimensions of the interior storage. The storage choices vary from 64GB eMMC to 512GB NVMe SSD and symbolize how a lot area you need to set up video games.

With the dimensions of modern triple-A games although, you may want further storage. We would extremely suggest it in actual fact as we managed to refill our 256GB Steam Deck with simply 4 video games. Even in case you’re solely planning on taking part in smaller Indie games, buying further storage will assist enhance your set up choices.

It is price noting that the Steam Deck’s microSD card slot tops out at round 100MB/s so you do not want the quickest card round. You additionally will discover that the interior storage is way sooner (we have written a information on how to upgrade the internal SSD here). So hold these microSD playing cards on your much less vital video games that you do not thoughts watching load screens for.

Under, we have listed a number of the greatest reminiscence playing cards for the Steam Deck, with a collection of choices each funds and high-end.

Best Steam Deck microSD card: Our top pick

SanDisk 512GB Extreme MicroSDXC

1.Best for overall

Best if you want good speeds

This SanDisk drive is the perfect balance of speed and size. It’s a great choice for any Steam Deck owner.

Pros

• Nippy speeds
• Reliable storage

This SanDisk microSD card is our choice when it comes to extra storage for your Steam Deck. It offers great read speeds (up to 160MB/s) and though that’s not as fast as the internal storage on the console it’s still a good balance of speed and storage size.

512GB is also a good boost of extra storage space for your Steam Deck, though if you can stretch to it the 1TB model is worth considering too.

Samsung Evo Select 256GB microSDXC Card

2. Runner Up

Affordable alternative

If you’re looking for something more affordable then this Samsung drive is worth considering. It’s pretty fast and insanely affordable too.

Cons

• Sometimes inconsistent reading

If you’re looking for something more affordable then this Samsung drive is worth considering.

It’s not as fast as our top choice with 130MB/s read speed, but should still provide a great experience in terms of additional storage.

We did notice an odd inconsistency compared to the SanDisk options we tested, but nothing major – often the card will just need popping out and clicking back in and it’ll format correctly.

Samsung PRO Plus 512GB microSDXC

3. A Top Pick

Fast and reliable

These are excellent microSD cards designed to give you great performance and great gaming fun too. 

Pros

• Fast and reliable
• Also works with tablets and drones

The Samsung PRO Plus is slightly faster than the Samsung Evo Select which might not be necessary here. But you also get solid performance and a microSD card that’s designed to with drones and other demanding devices.

These are excellent microSD cards designed to give you great performance and great gaming fun too. Alas, there’s no 1TB option.

SanDisk 512GB Ultra microSDXC

4. Strong Contender

Superbly affordable

The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC range is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to our top pick.

Pros

• Fantastically affordable
• Range of sizes available

Cons

• Not as fast as other options

The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC range is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to our top pick. Though the read speeds aren’t as fast, they’re still good enough for the console.

This is one of the most affordable options around and yet will give you reliable and solid performance that you can rely on while gaming.

Gigastone 512GB microSDXC Card

5. Also Great

Gaming first

If you want maximum storage for a reasonable price, look no further than this pick.

This Gigastone microSD card is designed specifically for gaming and will work with both the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.

We discovered it was nearly quick sufficient for the Steam Deck (100MB/s) and works nicely plus has the added bonus of a 5-year restricted guarantee.

How to decide on a reminiscence card on your Steam Deck

If you happen to’ve simply bought your Steam Deck it is likely to be arduous to know whether or not you want a microSD card. We actually discovered we wanted one for our 256GB mannequin as it is too straightforward to refill that a lot area with only a few video games. If you happen to’ve purchased the 64GB model we might recommend {that a} microSD card goes to be a must-buy and a giant one as nicely!

If you happen to’re a bit extra hands-on and prefer to tinker then you may also think about upgrading the internal storage of your Steam Deck. This requires extra effort however may also help enhance the area with an M.2 2230 NVMe drive that can load video games sooner than a microSD card.

Do I want a microSD card for my Steam Deck?

Except you are solely planning to have a handful of indie video games on your handheld console, then proudly owning a reminiscence card is just about a necessity. Steam Deck verified games can range wildly in storage dimension. Even easy single-player games like Stray (for instance) can take as much as 10GB or extra.

It is price checking your Steam library to see how a lot cupboard space your favorite video games will take up. You may also flick through the “Great on Deck” verified list to double-check how a lot area you may want.

We discovered that video games like Forza 5 can take up over 100GB so it is too straightforward to refill the interior storage.

Which microSD playing cards work on Steam Deck?

Any microSD card will work with the Steam Deck. The Steam Deck has a most velocity of 100MB/s on its exterior card port, so that you need not go sooner than that, however you will have speeds near it although. We would suggest getting the most important card you possibly can afford to keep away from disappointment.