The 5 best microSD cards for Steam Deck

As video games continue to develop, their file sizes are increasing at a rapid rate. It's becoming increasingly common for high-end, big-budget games to require over 100GB of storage capacity. With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your needs.

Samsung Pro Plus 512GB

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The Samsung Pro Plus 512GB microSD card strikes a great balance between speed, capacity, durability and price. With read speeds of up to 180 MB/s and write speeds of 130 MB/s, it delivers smooth performance when loading games and transferring files on the Steam Deck.

In addition to impressive speed, Samsung Pro Plus also boasts impressive durability. It's waterproof, anti-magnetic, and resistant to extreme temperatures, making it ideal for taking the Steam Deck on the go without worrying about damaging valuable game data. Thanks to its sturdy construction, it can even withstand a few accidental drops. Samsung backs this up with a generous 10-year warranty, giving users peace of mind.

Lexar Play 256GB

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The Lexar Play 256GB microSD card offers an attractive option for gamers on a budget without sacrificing too much performance. While it won't break any speed records with its 160MB/s read and 100MB/s write speeds, it does deliver smooth gameplay for most games on the Steam Deck. You may find transfer times are a little longer than with premium cards, but the difference is usually negligible for many smaller titles.

Lexar Play comes from a reputable brand with a history of producing reliable storage solutions. It maintains a good balance between affordability and performance, making it a great choice for those who prioritize value. Additionally, the 256GB capacity provides enough space for an extensive game collection, especially indie titles and smaller AAA games. These qualities make the Lexar Play one of the best microSD cards in general, not just for the Steam Deck.

SanDisk Extreme 1TB

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If capacity and speed are equally important to you, the SanDisk Extreme 1TB microSD card is the undisputed champion. This powerhouse boasts read speeds of up to 190MB/s and write speeds of 130MB/s. This results in lightning-fast load times, even for the most demanding AAA titles on the Steam Deck.

This exceptional speed lets you seamlessly switch between games, transfer large files in a flash, and experience faster performance on Steam Deck. High speeds coupled with a whopping 1TB of capacity are especially beneficial for those who use large game libraries or frequently download and install new titles.

SanDisk Ultra 1.5TB

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For gamers who prioritize having the most storage space for their Steam Deck library, the SanDisk Ultra 1.5TB microSD card is the right choice. With a whopping capacity of 1.5TB, it allows downloading and storing a huge collection of games. This eliminates the need to constantly uninstall and reinstall games to free up space, allowing the entire library to be kept available.

However, there will be trade-offs when choosing such a high-capacity card. Unlike other cards on this list that use faster A2 technology, the SanDisk Ultra is based on A1 technology. The A1 has slower random read/write speeds, which affects app and game launch times.

SanDisk Extreme PRO 1TB

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The SanDisk Extreme PRO 1TB microSD card caters to a specific group of gamers: Those who demand the fastest speeds possible, regardless of price. Boasting phenomenal read speeds of up to 200MB/s and write speeds of 140MB/s, it helps minimize load times on Steam Decks. This raw speed translates into a significant advantage. You'll experience fast game launches, seamless multitasking between games, and lightning-fast file transfers.

Marvin Fry

Update 25 July 2024