Searching for the ideal microSD card for your Steam Deck? Expanding your gaming handheld’s storage with a high-quality microSD card is a straightforward and efficient upgrade. A fast and spacious card ensures ample room for new game downloads and allows for easy swapping to access your entire game library on the go.
For owners of devices like the Xbox Ally X or Steam Deck, our top recommendation is the Samsung Pro Plus, offering an excellent balance of performance, storage capacity, and value. If raw speed is your priority, the SanDisk Extreme stands out as the fastest option. While the Steam Deck might not fully utilize its peak speeds, it’s beneficial for other handhelds and for quicker file transfers to your PC. For those seeking a more economical solution, the Lexar Play provides reliable performance at a budget-friendly price. Explore our comprehensive list below for more options, along with essential buying advice and answers to frequently asked questions.
Our Top MicroSD Card Picks for Steam Deck:
- Samsung Pro Plus: Our top choice for overall value and performance.
- SanDisk Extreme: The ultimate pick for blazing-fast speeds.
- Lexar Play: The best budget-friendly option for expanding your library.
Samsung Pro Plus
Best Overall MicroSD for Steam Deck
The Samsung Pro Plus microSD card is an excellent all-rounder for most Steam Deck enthusiasts, perfectly balancing robust build quality, competitive pricing, and impressive speed. While its maximum read speed might not match Samsung’s Pro Ultimate, it’s more than sufficient for swiftly loading demanding games.
Much like the SanDisk Extreme, the Pro Plus offers comprehensive protection against water, extreme temperatures, X-rays, and accidental drops, backed by a generous 10-year limited warranty. Its durability has been consistently proven over years of use, often surpassing the need to even test its warranty coverage. One minor drawback to note is the current unavailability of a 1TB capacity option.
Specifications:
- Storage capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Max read speed: 180MB/s
Pros:
- Waterproof and shockproof design
- Includes a full-size SD adapter
Cons:
- Currently no 1TB option available
SanDisk Extreme
Fastest MicroSD for Steam Deck
For unparalleled speed, the SanDisk Extreme microSDXC, especially the 1TB model, is a top contender. Although the Steam Deck’s hardware limits its read speed to around 100MB/s, it still delivers superior performance compared to other options. Its robust construction lives up to its ‘Extreme’ name, with Western Digital guaranteeing it to be waterproof, shockproof, and even x-ray-proof. While we advise against putting these claims to the test, the card is backed by a lifetime warranty, justifying its premium price. SanDisk’s reputation for reliable storage is well-deserved, and while even faster microSD cards exist, the SanDisk Extreme offers more than enough speed for your Steam Deck and remains our fastest recommended option.
Specifications:
- Storage capacity: 64GB, 128GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Read speed: 190MB/s
Pros:
- Exceptional speed and smooth performance
- Highly durable, shockproof, and waterproof construction
Cons:
- A more premium price point
Lexar Play
Best Budget MicroSD for Steam Deck
Lexar Play microSD cards are specifically engineered for portable gaming consoles, delivering outstanding value. While it comes with a five-year limited warranty—shorter than some competitors—it’s still ample coverage for most users. In practical testing, the Lexar Play, with maximum read and write speeds of 100MB/s and 160MB/s respectively, performs remarkably similarly to the SanDisk Extreme and Samsung Pro Plus cards in real-world gaming scenarios. Its affordability makes it an excellent choice for those looking to maximize storage capacity without breaking the bank, often allowing you to purchase a larger card for the same price as smaller, more expensive alternatives.
Specifications:
- Storage capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Read speed: Up to 160MB/s
Pros:
- Exceptional value for money
- Optimized for portable gaming devices
Cons:
- Not the absolute fastest option available
Choosing the Perfect MicroSD Card for Your Steam Deck
When it comes to storing your extensive library of Steam Deck games, more space is always a significant advantage. Consider that a 512GB card can quickly fill up with just a few modern AAA titles.
Regardless of whether you own the Steam Deck OLED, the original LCD model, or a Windows-based gaming handheld like the Asus ROG Ally X or Lenovo Legion Go, an affordable microSD card offers one of the simplest and most effective upgrades. It instantly boosts your storage, negating the need for the highest-capacity Steam Deck model upfront or complex internal SSD upgrades. Even if you have the largest built-in storage, a microSD card provides valuable additional space.
All the recommended cards in this guide are microSDXC cards featuring a UHS-I interface, ensuring full compatibility with both Steam Deck versions. While capacities typically range from 128GB to 2TB, we suggest starting with at least a 512GB card to avoid running out of space too quickly.
When selecting a microSD card for your gaming handheld, resist the urge to opt for the absolute fastest cards available unless you have other devices that can fully leverage their speed. This is because the Steam Deck’s UHS-I microSD interface caps read/write speeds at around 104MB/s. Many cards offer speeds far exceeding this, but you won’t experience the full benefit on your Steam Deck.
Steam Deck MicroSD: Frequently Asked Questions
What type of microSD card is compatible with Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED models both feature a straightforward UHS-I interface, compatible with microSD, SDXC, and SDHC cards.
When you’re browsing for microSD cards, you’ll see classifications and their capacity printed on the card itself—things like A1 or A2, and speed ratings such as U1 or U3. For optimal performance with your Steam Deck, we recommend choosing cards with an A2 and U3 speed class, which is why our top picks all meet these specifications.
Can the Steam Deck utilize a 2TB MicroSD card?
Yes, the Steam Deck fully supports 2TB microSD cards. However, these larger capacity cards often come with a premium price tag, sometimes more than double the cost of a 1TB card. You might find it more cost-effective to purchase two 1TB cards instead.
With your Steam Deck’s storage needs covered, consider enhancing your gaming experience further with other essential accessories, such as a protective case or a convenient docking station for seamless connectivity to other devices.