The 5 best SSDs for Steam Deck
Despite one or two notable rivals emerging on the market recently, Valve's Steam Deck remains one of the best ways to enjoy PC gaming on the go. The downside of this powerful handheld device is its relative lack of storage capacity for your game library. With the cheaper Steam Deck version only having 64GB of internal memory, you might consider expanding that capacity by installing an SSD. Here are the top choices for SSDs compatible with the Steam Deck.
1. SABRENT Rocket 2230 NVMe 4.0 1TB SSD
The overall best SSD for upgrading Steam Deck memory is the SABRENT Rocket 2230. This mini drive comes in three different sizes: 256GB, 512GB, and this 1TB version. It offers Gen4 NVMe capabilities in a compact form and is a great way to expand space, especially if you are running one of the Steam Deck versions with lower storage capacity.
It provides read speeds of 4750 MB/s and write speeds of 4300 MB/s, so you can be confident you're getting fast and reliable performance from your games. It uses significantly reduced bandwidth compared to previous generations without affecting latency. Additionally, with this efficient drive, you also benefit from reduced heat output. In terms of price, you will get the fastest and most reliable performance possible with the Rocket 2230.
2. SABRENT Rocket Q4 2230 NVMe 4.0 2TB SSD
Enjoy up to 2TB of storage capacity in this 2230 version. The SABRENT Rocket Q4 2230 is truly a great choice. It's true that it will cost you a pretty penny compared to other SSDs, but it will deliver high performance, reliability, cool operation, and ample storage space.
Offering Gen4 performance up to 5GB/s and 800K IOPS, the Rocket Q4 2230 has ultra-fast response times and power efficiency. The Micron QLC flash runs cool even with this storage capacity and helps limit battery drain.
The real issue here is the high price. However, if you're willing to invest, you will get what you pay for.
3. Inland TN436 512GB M.2 2230 SSD
Inland may not be the most famous name in the storage world, but the company has produced some great, affordable SSDs. For the Steam Deck, Inland offers the TN436 512GB M.2 2230 SSD, which works perfectly with the handheld console and is very reasonably priced.
The small size of the TN436 works with the Steam Deck and supports read/write speeds of up to 3,600MB/s, so you won't have any issues running all your games. Along with a mean time before failure (MTBF) of 1.5 million hours, you have a reliable drive for your handheld device. The capacity is somewhat small (at 512GB), but if you plan to play smaller indie games or just need capacity for a few multiplayer games, it's definitely worth considering.
4. Corsair MP600 Mini 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe x4 Gen4 SSD
Offering 1TB of storage capacity at a competitive price, the Corsair MP6 Mini M.2 2230 is a worthy replacement for more obvious choices, such as the SABRENT Rocket 2230. In terms of performance, it offers sequential read/write speeds of up to 4,800 MB/s, with quick response times.
As a good choice for the Steam Deck from a well-known gaming brand, the MP6 Mini delivers the quality expected from Corsair. It brings comprehensive improvements in loading times, responsiveness, and gaming performance. Additionally, the high-density TLC NAND flash also provides a good lifespan.
5. Western Digital 512GB SSD
The Western Digital PC SN530 is a solid and reliable SSD choice for the Steam Deck. The drive offers 512GB of storage capacity, making it a good choice for those with a 64GB Steam Deck looking to upgrade.
This solid-state drive offers sequential read/write speeds of up to 2,400 and 1,750 MB/s, respectively, and is a good combination of performance, durability, and reliability. Thanks to the PCIe Gen3 x4 interface, this is a mid-range SSD that allows for fast data transfer and overall responsiveness.
