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THE BEST SSDS FOR STEAM DECK

By Rob Webb
Published 6 days ago


Expanding your Steam Deck's storage is as simple as popping a microSD card in or
installing a new SSD. But which drive is best for your library?

Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our
site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

Despite one or two notable rivals emerging in the market recently, Valve's Steam
Deck is still one of the best ways to enjoy PC gaming on the go.

The downside to this powerful handheld is the relative lack of storage for your
game library. With the cheaper version of the Steam Deck available with only
64GB of internal storage, you might want to consider expanding that capacity by
installing an SSD.

Not only will they improve storage capabilities, but they can also boost the
overall performance, increasing response times and allowing for smoother,
lag-free gameplay.

Here are our top picks of the best Steam Deck-compatible SSDs.

 * SABRENT ROCKET 2230 NVME 4.0 1TB SSD
   
   Best Overall
   $90 at Amazon

 * SABRENT ROCKET Q4 2230 NVME 4.0 2TB SSD
   
   Best High-Capacity
   $200 at Amazon

 * SYONCON SC930 M.2 2230 SSD
   
   Best Value
   $75 at Amazon

 * XPC TECHNOLOGIES 2TB M.2 2230 NVME PCIE SSD
   
   Best 2TB Alternative
   $190 at Amazon

 * INLAND 2230 INTERNAL SSD 1TB
   
   Best Power Efficiency
   $80 at Amazon
 * See More

 * CORSAIR MP600 MINI 1TB M.2 NVME PCIE X4 GEN4 2 SSD
   
   Best Performance
   $90 at Amazon

 * WESTERN DIGITAL 512GB SSD
   
   Best Mid-Range
   $66 at Amazon


OUR FAVORITE SSDS FOR STEAM DECK IN 2023

SABRENT ROCKET 2230 NVME 4.0 1TB SSD

Best Overall

The best overall SSD for the Steam Deck

$90 $110 Save $20

With 1TB of storage and exceptional performance, the SABRENT Rocket 2230 NVMe
4.0 SSD is one of the best storage solutions for your Steam Deck. Enjoy
ultra-fast responsiveness, with less power draw and greater heat dissipation.


Pros
 * 1TB storage
 * Fast and responsive
 * Low power consumption
 * Can improve heat dissipation

Cons
 * More affordable 1TB options are available

$90 at Amazon $110 at Walmart

The best overall SSD for leveling up your Steam Deck storage is the SABRENT
Rocket 2230. This mini drive is available in three different sizes: 256GB,
512GB, and this 1TB version. It offers Gen4 NVMe capabilities in a small form
factor and is a great way to expand your space, particularly if you’re running
one of the lower-storage Steam Deck versions.

It offers a read speed of 4750 MB/s and a write speed of 4300 MB/s, so you can
be confident you're getting a fast and reliable performance from your games. It
uses a dramatically reduced bandwidth compared to previous generations, without
compromising on latency. Plus, with this efficient drive, you also reap the
benefits of a reduction in heat output.

For the price point, you’re getting the fastest, most reliable performance
possible with the Rocket 2230. It’s well worth the investment if you plan to
play larger, more demanding titles, and is the best 1TB SSD for Steam Deck.

SABRENT ROCKET Q4 2230 NVME 4.0 2TB SSD

Best High-Capacity

The T.A.R.D.I.S of storage solutions for Steam Deck

$200 $300 Save $100

With a massive 2TB of storage, the SABRENT Rocket Q4 2230 NVMe 4.0 SSD is a
high-capacity solution for your Steam Deck. Fast and reliable, and with near
bottomless storage, it's the perfect way to enjoy more demanding titles on the
go.


Pros
 * Huge storage capacity
 * Fast and reliable performance
 * Efficient in terms of power consumption and heat

Cons
 * Expensive
 * 2TB might be overkill for your library

$200 at Amazon $259 at Walmart

Enjoy up to 2TB of storage in this single-sided 2230, The SABRENT Rocket Q4 2230
is an absolute beast if you’re prepared to make the initial outlay. Granted, it
will cost you a small fortune compared to other SSDs, but it will reward you
with its efficient, reliable, and cool performance. And a truckload of storage
space, too.

Providing Gen4 performance of up to 5GB/s and up to 800K IOPS, the Rocket Q4
2230 is super responsive, and power efficient too. The Micron QLC flash runs
cool, even with this amount of storage capacity, and helps to limit the drain on
battery power.

The real issue here is the price tag, which might understandably be more than
you’re willing to dole out. However, you get a whopping amount of bang for your
buck, if you’re prepared to make the investment.

SYONCON SC930 M.2 2230 SSD

Best Value

The best budget SSD for Steam Deck

$75 $80 Save $5

Offering a solid performance across the board, and with a 512GB of storage, the
SYONCON SC930 M.2 2230 SSD is one of the most cost-efficient ways to boost your
Steam Deck's capacity. Plus, installing this SSD can reduce the core temperature
by as much as 40 degrees Celsius.


Pros
 * Affordable option
 * Solid performance
 * Heat dissipation

Cons
 * 512GB may be a bit limiting for some gamers

$75 at Amazon

If you want to increase your storage but want to save some change, the SYONCON
SC930 M.2 2230 is a wise way to go about it. Coming in at under $100, it’s one
of the cheapest Steam Deck-compatible SSDs you can buy, and it will provide you
with up to 512GB of storage. A decent upgrade, particularly if you have the
storage-lite 64GB Steam Deck.

It has a read speed of 3,200 MB/s and a write speed of up to 2,600 MB/s, which
is still plenty faster than the Steam Deck’s stock drive. This is a low-power
SSD that offers a faster and more reliable performance and features graphene
patches capable of dissipating heat output by as much as 40 degrees Celsius.

Ideal for conserving power as well as funds, this budget-friendly drive performs
well and is a surprisingly solid option on all fronts. And provided you don’t
require an ocean of storage space, it’s well worth your consideration.

XPC TECHNOLOGIES 2TB M.2 2230 NVME PCIE SSD

Best 2TB Alternative

A high-performance 2TB SSD compatible with your Steam Deck

$190 $200 Save $10

With a storage capacity to rival the best of them, the XPC Technologies 2TB M.2
2230 NVMe PCIe SSD provides more than enough room for all your gaming favorites.
Plus, thanks to its responsive performance, you can enjoy much faster load times
and smoother gameplay.


Pros
 * 2TB storage
 * Responsive performance
 * Zero-lag gameplay

Cons
 * All this space comes at a premium
 * Minimal effect on battery life

$190 at Amazon

The XPC Technologies M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe SSD is a single-sided drive capable of
5,100 MB/s read speeds and 4,800 MB/s write speeds. It’s a high-performance
solid-state drive that provides super-fast transfer speeds, as well as
furnishing you with 2TB of storage for your Steam Deck.

It’s one of the few available options for 2TB of storage in 2230 form factor
(its main rival being the SABRENT Rocket Q4 2230), and retails for a little less
than its competition, due to the fact it’s a lesser-known brand. However, it
will reliably boost performance on your Steam Deck, cutting load times in half,
as well as giving you a shipyard of storage to play with.

On the downside, it’s not quite as power-efficient as something like the Rocket
Q4. So you may want to consider the trade-off of a lower price versus minimal
improvement to battery life before you buy.

INLAND 2230 INTERNAL SSD 1TB

Best Power Efficiency

An efficient SSD capable of 600 TBW

$80 $110 Save $30

The Inland 2230 Internal SSD provides 1TB of storage for your Steam Deck
library. It offers a smooth and responsive performance across the board, and
with its low power consumption, it's one of the most power-efficient options
available for the Steam Deck.


Pros
 * 1TB capacity
 * Competitive price point
 * Solid performance
 * Decent shelf life

Cons
 * Other, faster options are available

$80 at Amazon

One SSD you should definitely consider if you’re looking to reduce load times
and improve gameplay performance is the INLAND TN446 M.2 2230. For the 1TB of
storage space it provides, it’s priced very competitively and offers a credible
low-power solution to battery drainage.

It’s capable of read/write speeds of 4,700 and 3,700 MB/s respectively, and up
to 900K IOPS. This brings with it plenty of quality-of-life improvements, such
as faster system start-up, as well as providing a smoother, lag-free gameplay
experience.

Running on a 3D TLC NAND flash you can expect a little more longevity with this
drive, as it supports significantly more write cycles. Plus, thanks to its low
power consumption, you can enjoy a reduction in heat output too, lessening the
chances of your Steam Deck overheating.

CORSAIR MP600 MINI 1TB M.2 NVME PCIE X4 GEN4 2 SSD

Best Performance

A super-fast, power-efficient SSD for your Steam Deck

A fast and responsive SSD compatible with Steam Deck, the Corsair MP600 Mini 1TB
M.2 NVMe PCle x4 Gen4 2 can stand toe-to-toe with the best of them. Offering
exceptional performance for its price point, it's one of the best 1TB options
available.


Pros
 * 1TB storage
 * Offers excellent performance
 * Power efficient
 * Priced favorably, compared to main rivals

Cons
 * Runs a shade slower than the SABRENT Rocket 2230

$90 at Amazon $90 at Walmart $90 at Newegg

Offering 1TB of solid-state storage at a competitive price point, the Corsair
MP6 Mini M.2 2230 is a worthy alternative to more obvious choices, such as the
SABRENT Rocket 2230. In terms of performance, it delivers up to 4,800 MB/s
sequential read/write speeds, with rapid response times.

A good option for Steam Deck from a well-known gaming brand, the MP6 Mini
carries the same quality you would expect from Corsair. Delivering improvements
across the board on load times, responsiveness, and gameplay performance. Plus,
a high-density TLC NAND flash memory provides it with a decent shelf life, too.

Its overall performance is pretty much on par with the SABRENT Rocket 2230, with
little to separate them. With the latter running ever so slightly faster, as
well as being available in a variety of sizes, it narrowly trumps the MP6 Mini
overall. Nevertheless, Corsair’s Steam Deck-compatible SSD is a close runner-up
in the 1TB category.

WESTERN DIGITAL 512GB SSD

Best Mid-Range

The best mid-range 512GB SSD for Steam Deck

$66 $88 Save $22

The Western Digital 512GB SSD is compatible with the Valve Steam Deck and is a
solid, mid-range storage solution, particularly if you own the 64GB version.
Providing a reliable and efficient performance, it's ideal for boosting your
gameplay experience and expanding your storage space.


Pros
 * Performs reliably
 * Ideal for lower storage Steam Decks
 * Cost-efficient compared to buying 512GB Steam Deck

Cons
 * Priced roughly the same as some 1TB rivals

$66 at Amazon

A solid and reliable choice of SSD for your Steam Deck, the Western Digital PC
SN530 is competent if unremarkable. It offers 512GB of storage, making it a good
option for 64GB Steam Deck owners looking to upgrade.

This solid-state drive offers sequential read/write speeds of up to 2,400 and
1,750 MB/s, and offers a good combination of performance, endurance, and
reliability. It’s a mid-range SSD that allows for fast data transfer and overall
responsiveness, thanks to the PCle Gen3 x4 interface.

The problem is that for a few dollars more, you could double your storage space
and improve the overall performance of your Steam Deck with a top-tier 1TB SSD,
like the SABRENT Rocket 2230.




CHOOSING THE BEST SSD FOR YOUR STEAM DECK

When it comes to SSDs, bigger doesn't always necessarily mean better. It's worth
remembering that if you plump for a higher-capacity drive, you may be
sacrificing a bit of performance to cater for that extra storage. Plus,
depending on what you play or are planning to play, it may be that that extra
terabyte is surplus to requirements. In which case, you're better off
considering something that's a little lighter on the purse strings.

That said, if a high-capacity drive is your jam, we recommend the SABRENT Rocket
Q4 2230. With 2TB of storage, you have ample space to play around with. You'll
pay a premium for the privilege, but in terms of performance, it's the best of
the bunch at the top end.

For a more budget-friendly option, something like the SYONCON SC930 is ideal.
With 512GB of storage, it's just right for owners of the 64GB Steam Deck, who
are looking to get a decent upgrade without the eye-twitching price tag. It runs
well and will provide you with a smoother all-round performance than your stock
drive.

However, you'll struggle to find a better 1TB SSD than the SABRENT Rocket 2230.
Providing plenty of storage at a competitive price point, it's no slouch when it
comes to performance, either. With low latency and a dramatic reduction in your
Steam Deck's heat output, this SSD is the best in class to level up your storage
and get the best out of your gameplay.

SABRENT ROCKET 2230 NVME 4.0 1TB SSD

Best Overall

The best SSD for Steam Deck overall

$90 $110 Save $20

With 1 TB of storage and exceptional performance, the SABRENT Rocket 2230 NVMe
4.0 SSD is one of the best storage solutions for your Steam Deck. Enjoy
ultra-fast responsiveness, with less power draw and greater heat dissipation.


Pros
 * 1TB storage
 * Fast and responsive
 * Low power consumption
 * Can improve heat dissipation

Cons
 * There are some 1TB options available cheaper

$90 at Amazon $110 at Walmart

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About The Author
Rob Webb • Staff Writer (136 Articles Published)


Rob is a freelance writer with a BA Hons Degree in English and Media Studies and
a Diploma in Proofreading and Editing. After several years working in the
financial sector, Rob decided to pursue his passion for writing and joined MUO
as a Buyer's Guide writer in 2022. Rob is passionate about music, movies,
gaming, martial arts, and of course... tech.


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