Only a few years ago, the thought of having access to your entire Steam library on the go would've sounded like myth and legend. That was until the Valve Corporation unleashed their monstrous handheld gaming titan earlier this year, the Steam Deck.
The power to play even AAA games on the move at the push of a button is, to put it simply, amazing - but there's a problem that you're bound to run into eventually while adding the entire contents of your Steam library to the Steam Deck - that problem being memory.
The Steam Deck has about 512GB of memory, which is decent, but not enough for our taste. You're going to need a proper microSD card so no game, whether it's a small indie game or a AAA mega title that'll require over 100GB, will be left behind.
The console market has a ton of competition these days, and the title of GOAT is highly contested, check out why our in-house editor made the sudden drastic decision to sell his PS5 and buy an Xbox Series S here.
Integral 1TB Micro SD Card
Best Steam Deck microSD card
Never struggle with storage again with Integral's microSD card, loaded with some of the fastest transfer speeds available on an SD card. With plenty of damage-proofing, and a huge 1TB storage capacity, we're confident this is all the extra space you'll ever need.
Of course, our only gripe with this SD card is the price, if you've just spent upwards of £349 on a handheld console, spending another fairly large sum of cash for storage space may sting a little, but trust us, it's worth it.
If you're interested in making the switch to handheld consoles, why not consider picking up a Nintendo Switch?
Pros
- Plenty of space
- Damage resistant
- Ultra-high-speed transfers
Cons
- Expensive
| Flash memory type: | Micro SDXC |
| Capacity: | 1TB |
| Read speed: | 180MB/s |
| Write speed: | 150MB/s |
| Damage proofing: | shockproof, waterproof, x-ray proof, temperature proof |
| Additional features: | N/A |
SanDisk Ultra 1TB microSDXC Memory Card
Best SanDisk microSD card under £150
SanDisk is typically the go-to for microSD cards in practically any portable device, whether it's your camera, smartphone, or otherwise, and for good reason. SanDisk SD cards are hardy, have great transfer speeds, and are usually widely compatible with most devices.
Of course, there are certain downsides - transfer speeds on the SanDisk Ultra are slightly slower than its more expensive counterpart, the SanDisk Extreme, and is still quite expensive anyway - so whether you decide to save your cash to squeeze in another game or want to go all-in with storage, that's for you to decide.
When it comes to keeping your data safe and secure, whether it's from cyber-attacks or coffee spills, choosing a great storage device is essential; here are our picks for the best USB sticks of 2023.
Pros
- Excellent storage capacity
- Solid transfer speed
Cons
- Expensive
| Flash memory type: | Micro SDXC |
| Capacity: | 1TB |
| Read speed: | 120MB/s |
| Write speed: | 90MB/s |
| Damage proofing: | shockproof, vibration proof, impact proof |
| Additional features: | SD card adapter |
SanDisk Extreme 1 TB microSDXC Memory Card
Best SanDisk high-speed SD memory card
For a little more speed, there's always the SanDisk Extreme, which is absolutely perfect for instant access to your favourite games. With reading speeds up to 160 MB/s, a huge 1TB storage capacity, and excellent damage resistance, you can pretty much guarantee that your Steam library will be safe.
Of course, our major issue with the SanDisk Extreme is its price - which is almost as expensive as the Steam Deck itself, so whether you fancy spending a fair amount of money on some peace of mind, is entirely up to you.
For a little more portability and safety, check out our picks for the best portable hard drives, they're perfect for PC and even console gamers.
Pros
- Extremely high transfer-speeds
- Incredibly durable
Cons
- Very expensive
| Flash memory type: | Micro SDXC |
| Capacity: | 1 TB |
| Read speed: | 160MB/s |
| Write speed: | 90MB/s |
| Damage proofing: | shockproof, vibration proof, impact proof, waterproof, shockproof, x-ray proof |
| Additional features: | SD card adapter |
Samsung EVO Select 512GB microSDXC
Best performance 512 GB SD card
We couldn't knowingly not include one of the finest microSD cards on the market - Samsung's EVO. With incredibly high reading and writing speeds, as well as an arsenal of damage protection features, Samsung's EVO microSD card really is one of the best on the market.
Of course, if you want to install a library's worth of AAA games, you'll need to get something just a little bigger, which will cost you.
For the very best memory options, whether you're upgrading your PC or just looking for some portable power, check out our picks for the best SSDs on the market.
Pros
- Affordable
- Incredible high speed
- Durable
Cons
- Smaller storage space
| Flash memory type: | Micro SDXC |
| Capacity: | 512GB |
| Read speed: | 130MB/s |
| Write speed: | 90MB/s |
| Damage proofing: | waterproof, shockproof, drop-proof, magnet-proof |
| Additional features: | SD card adapter |
Integral INMSDX512G-100/80V30 512GB Micro SD Card
Best value microSD card
For those who prefer the indie games, the small deck-builders, and the retro-RPGs, you're probably not going to need a ton of space, so why spend upwards of £150 just for that extra space? Integral's high-speed memory card is perfect for rapid game access and still offers a big storage upgrade at half the price.
If you're looking for a little more power and performance in your gaming, check out our excellent selection of gaming PCs under £1,000, you won't regret it.
Pros
- Solid transfer speed
- Durable
- Affordable
Cons
- Not a huge amount of storage
| Flash memory type: | Micro SDXC |
| Capacity: | 512GB |
| Read speed: | 100MB/s |
| Write speed: | 50MB/s |
| Damage proofing: | shockproof, vibration proof, impact proof, waterproof, shockproof, x-ray proof |
| Additional features: | SD card adapter |
FAQs:
Can an SD card become corrupted?
Any electronic storage is prone to corruption, sometimes it's accidental physical damage that causes a card to break, and other times it's an error during the saving process that can cause a cataclysmic loss of data.
How can you avoid this? Look for reputable SD card brands, treat your SD card with care, and never remove the SD card while accessing its storage.
Will a microSD card make your Steam Deck faster?
A high read/write speed on a microSD card will greatly improve the speed at which you can access files on the storage card, so yes a great microSD card will improve speeds.
How do I use a microSD card on my Steam Deck?
To install and access your new microSD card, locate the microSD card slot, which is on the bottom-right-hand side of the Steam Deck just beneath your screen.
After inserting the SD card until it clicks in place, format the card in the SteamOS settings.
Can you use any other types of SD cards on the Steam Deck?
Only microSD cards are compatible with the Steam Deck.
Why is the Steam Deck not reading my SD card?
First thing's first; reboot your Steam Deck, most random reading bugs will outright disappear once a fresh restart is complete.
Secondly, charge up your Steam Deck. It sounds strange, but some users have reported issues wherein the SD card cannot be read when the Steam Deck is below 20 per cent.
If this hasn't worked, pop the microSD into your nearby laptop or camera and see if it works, the issue may be a damaged microSD card which sometimes happens with years of wear and tear.
If all else fails, try and format your SD card by accessing the 'Format SD Card' option in the system settings.