Products at a Glance
How we picked
For this guide, we have looked at several Solid State Drives from different brands and then shortlisted the ones we thought were the best. The SSDs have been selected based on specs like speed, storage, and other factors. Plus, we are always looking for new products to add to our list, so check back again for more updates.
Product Reviews
- High read/write speeds
- PCIe Gen4 interface
- Backward compatibility
- Slightly expensive
If you are looking for the absolute best SSD for Steam Deck, then you should check out the Sabrent Rocket 2230 NVMe drive.
To start with, the SSD is compatible with Steam Deck, Microsoft Surface, smaller HTPC devices, and other devices with limited space inside them. Plus, it also works on a few longer slots, so we recommend checking compatibility before you make a purchase.
As far as performance goes, the SSD features a PCIe Gen4 interface, so you can expect high read and write speeds. More specifically, the drive is capable of reaching up to 5Gbps and 800K IOPS, which should deliver rapid responsiveness. Another noteworthy feature is that the SSD is backward compatible with Gen3 and Gen2 PCIe slots – which will compromise bandwidth but retain excellent latency.
The Rocket 2230 SSD features a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD controller with exceptional 3D TLC, which has high density and promises to deliver desktop-class performance. Plus, it has a DRAM-less design and comes with HMB support, which aims to reduce heating issues.
- High read/write speeds
- PCIe Gen4 NVMe interface
- Backward compatibility
- DRAM-less design
If you want to get an SSD for your Steam Deck within a reasonable price range, then you should check out the Inland TN436 drive.
The 2230 SSD is compatible with Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, Surface Pro, Surface laptop, ultrabooks, NUCs, HTPCs, and other mini devices. The installation process is quite simple and straightforward, so all you have to do is install it and get it up and running.
As far as performance is concerned, the SSD sports a PCIe Gen4 NVMe interface, which, much like some of the best NVMe SSDs, should deliver faster speeds. To be specific, you get sequential read/write speeds up to 3,400MB/s and 2,400MB/s respectively. Plus, this drive is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0, so you can use it for older systems as well.
Further, this is a single-sided SSD with a small M2 2230 form factor, which promises to use less power and still deliver efficient performance.
- Up to 5,000 MB/s read speed
- Heatsink feature
- Backward compatibility
- QLC flash, not TLC flash
If you want to upgrade your Steam Deck with a high-capacity SSD, then you should check out this drive by Teamgroup.
Much like other options on this list, the Teamgroup SSD is also compatible with Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and other mini PCs – so all you need to do is insert this drive and get started. Plus, this Gen4 device is also compatible with PCIe Gen3 interface, so it would work with older devices as well.
The small-sized drive is high on performance. To be specific, the SSD offers sequential read and write speeds of up to 5,000 MB/s and 3,500 MB/s, respectively. With these speeds, you can expect faster app launches, quicker loading times, and overall faster performance.
To aid performance, the SSD comes with a heat-dissipating graphene label, which, much like some of the best gaming SSDs, promises tweaked heat dissipation, which should give you system operating stability and optimal temperatures.
For this guide, we have selected the 2TB variant, which we think should be sufficient for most users. However, depending on your budget and requirements, you can consider getting the 1TB or 4TB variants.
- PCIe Gen4 interface
- Up to 5000MB/s speed
- Rescue Data Recovery Services
- Expensive
If you want a premium SSD for your Steam Deck, then you should check out the Seagate FireCuda 520N SSD.
Much like other options in this list, the SSD is compatible with Steam Deck, Microsoft Surface, and other similar gaming devices – so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues at all.
As far as performance goes, the NVMe M2 SSD has a PCIe Gen4 interface, which should translate into faster speeds. The drive offers up to 5000MB/s speed on the 2TB variant and up to 4750MB/s speed on the 1TB model.
On the same note, for this guide, we have selected the 2TB variant, which we think should be suitable for most gamers. However, depending on your requirements, you can also opt for the 1TB variant.
Another noteworthy perk of Seagate SSDs is the three-year Rescue Data Recovery Services, which helps you recover data in case of water damage or other natural disasters.
How to pick the best SSD for Steam Deck
Before you add a new SSD to your cart, take these things into consideration –
Compatibility
Now, if you are looking for an SSD to expand storage on your Steam Deck, then you should ensure that the card is compatible with the device. For Steam Deck, you should be looking at NVMe 2230 SSDs, which will work with the device.
Speed
Most SSDs for Steam Deck have a PCIe Gen4 interface, so you can expect high speed from them. However, as their form factor is NVMe 2230, the read/write speeds would be around 5,000 MB/s.
Storage
One of the main reasons why you’d want to swap out the original Steam Deck SSD is to expand storage. To make this swap worthwhile, you will need to get an SSD that offers more storage capacity. We would recommend going for at least 1TB, or if your budget allows, you can consider getting 2 TB.
Additional features
In addition to the above specs, you should also look for extra features like heatsink, thermal management, file management software, data recovery features, and more.
Our Verdict
If you want to get the best SSD for Steam Deck, then we would recommend getting the Sabrent Rocket 2230. The drive has a PCIe Gen4 interface and promises desktop-class performance. The compact design is compatible with Steam Deck, and it’s backward compatible as well, ensuring flexibility. The drive is DRAM-less and has high-density 3D TLC, which aims to keep the SSD cool.