Valve Steam Deck it is available in several types, the main difference is the size of the internal storage. Storage options range from 64GB eMMC to 512GB NVMe SSD and represents the amount of space you have to install games.
It is the size of modern triple-A sports although, you may need additional storage. We really appreciate it because we were able to fill up our 256GB Steam Deck with just four games. Even if you plan to play small An indie gamepurchasing additional storage will help you expand your storage options.
It’s worth noting that the Steam Deck’s MicroSD slot is up to about 100MB/s so you don’t need a super fast card. You’ll also find that internal storage is very fast (we wrote a guide how to upgrade the internal SSD here). So save these MicroSD cards for your non-essential games that you don’t care to watch.
Below, we’ve listed the best Steam Deck memory cards, with several options for both budget and high-end.
The best Steam Deck microSD card: Our top pick
SanDisk 512GB Extreme MicroSDXC
1. Best for all
Good if you want good speed
This SanDisk drive is a perfect balance between speed and size. It’s a great choice for all Steam Deck owners.
- Nippy’s run
- Reliable storage
This SanDisk microSD card is our choice when it comes to extra storage for your Steam Deck. It offers a high reading speed (up to 160MB/s) and although it is not as fast as the internal storage of the computer it is still a good speed and storage size.
512GB is also an additional storage space for your Steam Deck, although the expandable version of 1TB is also worth considering.
Samsung Evo Select 256GB microSDXC Card
2. A runner
A cheap way
If you are looking for something affordable then this Samsung drive is worth considering. It is very fast and very cheap.
- Sometimes the reading is inconsistent
If you are looking for something affordable then this Samsung drive is worth considering.
It’s not quite as fast as our top pick with speeds of 130MB/s, but it should still provide plenty of information when it comes to additional storage.
We noticed some strange inconsistencies compared to the SanDisk options we tested, but nothing major – usually the card just needs to be ejected and clicked back in and it’s done just fine.
Samsung PRO Plus 512GB microSDXC
3. Advanced Selection
Fast and reliable
These are the best MicroSD cards designed to give you the best performance and the most fun games.
- Fast and reliable
- It also works with tablets and drones
The Samsung PRO Plus is slightly faster than the Samsung Evo Select which may not matter here. But you also get functionality and a MicroSD card designed for drones and other essential devices.
These are the best MicroSD cards designed to give you the best performance and the most fun games. Unfortunately, there is no 1TB option.
SanDisk 512GB Ultra microSDXC
4. Strong Fighter
Very cheap
The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC model is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable option.
- Very expensive
- The diversity that exists
- Not as fast as other methods
The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC model is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable option. Although the reading speed is not fast, it is still good enough to comfort.
This is one of the cheapest products around yet it will give you reliable and solid performance that you can count on while gaming.
Gigastone 512GB microSDXC Card
5. Also Great
The first game
If you’re looking for great storage at a great price, look no further.
This Gigastone microSD card is designed specifically for gaming and will work with Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.
We found it to be the fastest on Steam Deck (100MB/s) and works well with the added bonus of a five-year warranty.
How to choose a memory card for your Steam Deck
If you just got your Steam Deck it can be hard to tell if you need a microSD card. We found we needed one for our 256GB model because it’s easy to fill up more space with just a few games. If you’ve bought the 64GB model, we’d say the MicroSD card will be a must-buy and a big one!
If you are more experienced and like to improve then you may want to reconsider to upgrade your Steam Deck’s internal storage. This requires effort but it can help boost space with an M.2 2230 NVMe drive that will load games faster than a microSD card.
Do I need a MicroSD card for my Steam Deck?
Unless you only plan on having a few indie games on your computer, then having a memory card is a must. The definitive Steam Deck game can vary greatly in storage size. Although simple a multiplayer game like Stray (for example) can take up to 10GB or more.
It’s worth checking your Steam library to see how much space your favorite games can take up. You can also browse on “More on Deck” series for sure to see how much space you need.
We found that game like Force 5 it can hold more than 100GB so it is very easy to fill the internal storage.
Which microSD cards work with the Steam Deck?
Any microSD card will work with Steam Deck. Steam Deck has a maximum speed of 100MB/s on the card’s external port, so you don’t need to go faster than that, but you’ll want to run close to it. We recommend that you get the largest credit card you can afford to avoid disappointment.