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01Best overall SD card for Steam Deck
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03Best budget SD card for Steam Deck
If you want to store all your favourite games, then the best SD card for Steam Deck should do the trick nicely.
If you have the lower cost version of Steam Deck, then you’ll have just 64GB of storage. Some of that modest amount will be taken away by the SteamOS leaving you with even less to carry around your beloved games library.
The simple solution is to invest in a decent microSD card. Though you might be tempted to wait for news on a potential Steam Deck 2 in the works, it’s probably best to bite the bullet now, future-proofing your console for expansion.
Indeed, a microSD card is the easy solution to an annoying problem. Below you’ll find a selection of cards that have been chosen for their speed and value. They all support the UHS-I speed standard which is a requirement for the Steam Deck, though most SD cards can meet this standard.
So, unless you’re toying with the idea of switching your loyalty to ASUS’ newly announced Rog Ally, let’s take a look at the best SD cards for Steam Deck.
Best SD card for Steam Deck
Best overall SD card for Steam Deck – Samsung Pro Plus
Samsung Pro Plus Micro SDX
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Read Speed
160MB/S
Ultra High Speed
UHS-1
- Excellent value
- Speedy load times
- Still not cheap
So how come the Samsung Pro Plus Micro SDX is at the top of our list?
If you’ve browsed the microSD cards on offer, you’ll see that there’s a massive range in price you can pay. We highly rate the Samsung Pro Plus Micro SDX because it falls somewhere in the middle of these prices while offering a seriously speedy performance.
With a read speed of 160MB/s, this card will have no problems loading your Steam games at fast rates. As a bonus, the Samsung Pro Plus is highly durable with water and temperature resistance, plus a 10 year limited warranty.
Fastest SD card for Steam Deck – SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC
SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC
Storage
512GB
Read Speed
200MB/s
Ultra High Speed
UHS-3
- Temperature proof
- Durable
- High transfer speeds
- Slightly expensive
If your top priority is read speed, then this is the card for you.
Offering a diverse range of storage options up to 1TB, the SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD card is an ideal choice.
Though the 1TB option is a little pricy, this card comes highly recommended for those looking to shave off those precious seconds from your game loading times.
The faster loading times are particularly useful if you’d like to preserve your console’s battery life when out and about.
Like the Samsung Pro Plus which features the top of our list, this microSD is highly durable and versatile, meaning it should last for years to come.
Best budget SD card for Steam Deck – Samsung 128GB Evo Select MicroSD card
Samsung Evo Select Micro SD
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Read Speed
130MB/s
Ultra High Speed
UHS-1
- Can go up to 512GB of storage
- Reliable brand
- Affordable
- Slower loading speeds
Though it’s easy to spend over $100 on a high quality SD card for your Steam Deck, you’ll be absolutely fine going for the Samsung Evo Select MicroSD.
Expect a seamless loading experience for your Steam games with a read speed of 130MB/s. Like our other selections, this card is both water and temperature resistant.
It also has the added bonus of belonging to a reliable brand, boasting the title of being the number one brand for flash memory since 2003.
Though you’re getting slightly lower speeds at 130MB/s, we’re still very impressed with this microSD. It’s an easy investment to make and will provide some much appreciated storage for your ever growing Steam library.
How to format SD card for Steam Deck?
Once you’ve settled on your Steam Deck SD card – you’re going to be eager to plug it in. However, often is the case that SD cards are not compatible with certain devices straight away. Here’s how to format your microSD card so it works with your Steam Deck.
The Steam Deck uses Linux, a different operating software to Windows. It uses a different kernel, and hence a different file-system. In order to format your SD card for Steam Deck, do the following:
- Insert SD card to Steam Deck
- Head over to Settings menu
- Format SD Card
Frequently asked questions
As with any new games console or hardware, there’s a multitude of questions both to ask, and to be answered. Here’s everything we think you’ll want to know.
Are SD cards good for Steam Deck?
Yes, SD cards are a great for your Steam Deck if you’re in need of expendable storage. We recommend getting a MicroSD.
Is 512GB SD enough for Steam Deck?
Yes, though a 1TB SD card might be preferable for future-proofing your set-up, 512GB will provide ample storage.
Does Steam Deck use microSD or SD?
Steam Deck actually uses microSD. It’s rare to find consoles that use regular SD cards anymore.
