Like most handheld gaming PCs, the Steam Deck comes with limited internal storage – just 64GB on the most affordable version. And with many PC games exceeding 100GB, even the largest 512GB Steam Deck model will struggle to hold many games.
With its SDXC-compatible SD card slot, it’s easy enough to expand your Steam Deck’s storage with the best SD cards. Whether you want to add another 500GB, 1TB, or more, we’ve got you covered.
TL:DR – Best Steam Deck SD Cards
1. SanDisk Extreme microSDXC
Go big or go home with the SanDisk Extreme SD card. This Class 10 A2-rated SD card comes in varying sizes, from 64GB to 1TB. If you want to be able to store more than just a few games on your Steam Deck, it’s worth investing in a 1TB card. This will give you ample room to enjoy all of your favorite titles.
With its 160MB/s read speeds, you’ll be able to install and load games on your Steam Deck, fast. Although we assume it will remain in your console, if you do remove the SD card to insert it in another device, or store it in your bag, there’s the added reassurance it won’t get damaged thanks to it being temperature-proof, waterproof, shockproof, and X-ray proof.
2. Lexar Play microSDXC
The Lexar Play SD card is another great option for the Steam Deck, and has similar specs to our top pick the SanDisk Extreme. One thing you'll quickly notice is that compatible SD cards for the Steam Deck aren't exactly cheap.
Overall, this is the biggest downside for most of them. If price is starting to become an issue, I'd definitely suggest opting for a 512GB SD card rather than the 1TB; often enough these sit around $60-80 instead.
3. SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC
On the topic of smaller and cheaper SD cards, the SanDisk Extreme Pro 400GB is another decent alternative to the larger Extreme 1TB. If you're looking for a quick and easy storage solution, especially if you're only on the 64GB Steam Deck model, this is well worth your consideration.
4. Lexar Professional 1066x microSDXC
The Lexar Professional is another great value for money SD card, rocking 512GB of storage at a reasonably affordable price. It even offers the same rapid speeds as some of the more expensive SD cards on the market, so there's plenty of bang for your buck when it comes to this performing in the Steam Deck.
5. Samsung EVO Select microSDXC
Investing in the Samsung EVO Select microSDXC means you get 512GB of storage for around $50, which is pretty good value for money. The trade-off, however, is slower read speeds, but this shouldn't cause too much of a headache.
Samsung offers a generous 10-year limited warranty, and its EVO Select SD card is waterproof, temperature-proof, X-ray proof, drop-proof, and so on, for added durability.
What You Should Consider When Buying a Steam Deck SD Card
A key point I want to drive home here is that you shouldn't be driving out and picking up any old SD card and slotting it into your Steam Deck. There are some really important factors you need to consider, including size, speed, affordability, and overall compatibility.
You'll want to get an SDXC card, these are the fastest microSD around, and the type we've been recommending for your Steam Deck. Sure, you can find some older and larger SD cards, memory-wise, but these just won't suit the read, load, and install times you'll need. For a quick reference to what SD Card will work for Steam Deck, I'd suggest looking for 'A2' on any cards your considering.
Another thing to consider is the fact Steam Deck is limited to UHS-I, which can run read speeds at 100MB/s. This is the fastest we can go. So at any stage, your Steam Deck will absolutely run faster using the internal storage.
That being said, we'd still recommend using an SD card alongside. That's because you won't need to burden your precious SSD drive with less demanding titles, like indie or just older games, for example, instead opting to keep them on the SD drive. Just don't expect new games to run at blistering speeds when running off of your SD card. Put simply, SD cards are ideal for storage over performance.
For more on the Steam Deck, check out everything we know about Valve's new handheld PC, the 100 verified playable games on Steam Deck, and our first hands-on with Valve's handheld gaming PC.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
