The best SD card for Steam deck is the one that is versatile in its approach and does not budge in any condition whatsoever. These cards in the list down below will keep you entertained for hours without getting out of capacity.
Since the most you can get is 1Tb and the least is 256Gb, you can manage to get 3 to 10 games in your steam deck once it is fully loaded. Having the right compatibility with not only consoles but with smartphones, drone tablets, gaming laptops, cameras and drones, be ready to get the perfect shot.
Speaking of videography, you can get 24 hours of continuous coverage within 4K resolution whereas 52 hours in 1080p full HD. never miss a single detail in those sky high shots through the drone camera and save it all to post and play in these cards.
Using them with smartphones will give you the addition of A1 and A2 rated app performance which loads them faster than ever in this speedy era. Further, a UHS-I technology keeps the reading speed up to 104Mb/s that is more than the usual limit of them. The writing speed can also go as high as 120Mb/s whereas the reading can be 160Mb/s in some models.
There is another version available in 400Gb that sounds just as convenient as you want it to be. Connect the card with various devices and if you do not have a slot for SD cards, you can choose the one with an adapter or buy a card reader for yourself.
List of Best SD Card for Steam Deck
- SAMSUNG PRO Plus + Adapter 512GB microSDXC
- PNY 256GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 microSDXC
- SanDisk 400GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card
- Lexar Professional 1066x 256GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Card
- Delkin Devices 256GB Select microSDXC UHS-I
- Samsung EVO Plus Class 10 Micro SDXC with Adapter, 512GB
- Lexar PLAY 1TB microSDXC UHS-I-Card
1- SAMSUNG PRO Plus + Adapter 512GB microSDXC
The Samsung PRO Plus is perfect for capturing seamless 4K videos on your compatible phone or drone. Its Class10 rated read or write speeds up to 160 and 120MB respectively. It also lets you shoot more photos faster and 4K videos look sharp with the UHS-I Interface.
With 512GB of storage space, you will have plenty of room to store all your files. This card is also protected by water, any strong temperature, the rays of X-ray, magnet and even a drop from a certain height. So it is perfect for shooting video or photos in any environment.
A 10-year limited warranty and it is ready to go the distance. Samsung has long been a trusted name in creating quality storage products. The new Samsung PRO Plus+ Adapter 512GB is no exception! This great product lets you capture seamless 4K videos without worrying about running out of storage space.
This card is tough enough to stand up to any challenge you might throw its way. There is a high chance this card can work it out up to 72 hours in seawater. To its tremendous amount of soaking up, the user can use it outdoors or in a place that is usually not so dry.
On the more positive side, everyone loves to see 4K content in front of them as it is precise, not blurry and vivid in its color scheme. Backed by a 10-year limited warranty, this card is made for you to grab the deal.
2- PNY 256GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 microSDXC Flash Memory Card
PNY’s PRO Elite Class 10 U3 microSDXC card is perfect for anyone looking to record and transfer high resolution videos, photos, music and files. With read speeds of up to 95mb/s and write speeds of up to 90mb/s, this card can keep up with the most intense applications.
Use it with your action camera, drone, smartphone, tablet or gaming system for premium performance. Plus, the included SD adapter makes it compatible with all SDXC host devices.
This Elite Class 10 U3 microSDXC Flash Memory Card is perfect for use with action cameras, drones, and more! The included SD adapter makes it compatible with SDXC host devices.
Capture all of your life’s moments with ease using the PNY 256GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 microSDXC Flash Memory Card. Don’t let your device hold you back! With the PNY 256GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 microSDXC Flash Memory Card, you can record and transfer high resolution videos, photos, music and more at speeds of up to 95mb/s.
The SanDisk 400GB Extreme makes capturing a breeze and storing high resolution photos and videos. With read speeds of up to 160MB/s, you will be able to save time transferring files between devices. The card is also rated A2 for faster loading and in-app performance, making it ideal for use with your favorite apps.
In addition, you get to use the appropriate app on the right device which makes this card compatible with most of them. Thankfully the steam deck is also on the list with which you can connect it to a TV or monitor to work with.
3- SanDisk 400GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card
We all have been there when it is something that we really want to put on our devices but we get that annoying pop up message! You are out of storage has been the words that are not liked by literally anyone.
To solve this issue, Sandisk has brought its extreme MicroSDXC UHS-I card especially for consoles which are usually low on storage.
With a 160Mb/s read speed, you can save a lot of time while transferring large files onto your computer. Keeping the write speeds at 90 MB/s will sure to leave you in awe because it is an impressive number for fast shooting.
Taking the 4K Ultra HD visuals to the next level by full HD ready content that can be viewed on multiple screens. The sharing of content on various panels will not sacrifice the quality of it in any circumstances. In addition, there is an A2 rating that is known for loading the content faster in any game or app that is being used.
On the other hand, the temperature or overall protection includes saving it from water, extreme environments, shock resistance, x-ray proof and more. You can take it and work it anywhere in the world or any condition of the weather.
No data loss or running out of capacity will ever occur with its 400Gb of vast room for anything. Put it in your mobile, laptop, music player, drones, cameras, tablets, consoles etc. without a worry.
4- Lexar Professional 1066x 256GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Card
Lexar is known for the professional tech tools that will make history and to create the models and products for the advancement of the tech world. They are famous for professional-level proficiency in their results. The plus point is, you get to use them with most of the devices in your reach.
Its 1066x microSDXC memory card is one of them that has the same touch of professional usage and boost that is needed to get things done. You can attach it with Cameras, consoles, smartphones, laptops and more.
This card comes with the UHS-I technology giving it a leverage so that your card can get 160Mb/s for the incredible read speeds.microSDXC memory card is compatible with Micro SD Card For Roku Ultra.
Get yourself a picture perfect moment when you do not have to worry about the blurry quality. This problem is now resolved through the 4K UHD in extended lengths of HD content in A2 rating if speedy transfer.
The card is especially designed for harsh conditions making it work like it is totally normal. Get the transfers in time or even before it as per your heart requires. When attaching this card with a steam deck, you get 256Gb of storage capacity enough for plenty of games.
For android applications on your smartphone, keep this companion of a lifetime with you through the A2 memory card directly into the apps. Being durable and able to work in any environment whether it is foggy, rainy, xray, shock or vibration, it can handle it all. Moreover, keep the action alive with 120Mb/s write speeds so you can benefit from it to the fullest.
5- Delkin Devices 256GB Select microSDXC UHS-I
Any user who is worried about their devices keep running out of storage have finally come to the right place. All your problems will soon vanish once you get to know about the microSD card by Delkin. With a video recording feature that can go as high as 1080p in full HD resolution, get your streaming mics and headphones ready.
This card is known for out of the box video recording features for your youtube, twitch and tiktok etc. You can enjoy non stop recording in time lapse, photo burst shots, HDR ready content because we know which videos get the most likes.
Keeping that in mind, let this 256Gb of capacity store all your files or data whatever it may be. Connect it to your cameras, drones, smartphones, consoles, tablets and more without any difficulty. Make sure your devices have the required SD card slot that will do the rest of the magic once it is present.
It comes with a read speed of 100Mb/s and 80 Mb/s of write speeds to keep the transfer speed quick and alive. The brand is conscious about the durability standards of the card so they make it work in the most harsh conditions of all. May it be weather, water, vibration, shock or even cray, Delkin is ready for everything that comes its way.
Keep your photography classes getting started or fly the drone with the aerial shot that you always wanted to do or play the games you have been saving in your steam deck Console. Being compact in size makes this card extremely friendly to take it anywhere with you.
6- Samsung EVO Plus Class 10 Micro SDXC with Adapter, 512GB
A card that is capable of doing more than just providing you the storage you have been missing. Talking about its physical attributes, you get to see a 9 connector pin and model number on its back side if you flip it. Get this baby started even with the speed test of Macbook air or Lenovo Thinkstation 920.
Samsung EVO plus Class 10 comes with a 512Gb of capacity to turn all your fantasies of recording come to life. You can manage to get a 244 hour footage in pure 4K quality that gets away the blurry images altogether. There are 78 hours available power and capacity if you want to get continuous footage in 1080p Full HD resolution.
If you are a photographer and want to get a shoot done in several days, keep this number memorized as this card can capture 150,300 pictures in this little construction.
A read and write speed gives you 100Mb and 90Mb/s respectively. Keep richness and treasures of worry free gaming, photography and videography intact with this MicroSD card.
Being compatible with most of the devices around is really incredible to know since you can use it in multiple ways. This card is popular for its per Gb ratio and overall snappy performance.
The brand makes it work in any environment even if it is tough for all other devices, including sd card for dash cam, and there is a chance they all ditch you. This card will never beat your aspirations with its slow and sluggish performance even if it is going all rogue.
7- Lexar PLAY 1TB microSDXC UHS-I-Card
Load the apps quicker and faster with A1 and A2 rated performance through this SD card. You can keep the active apps on the internal storage and work with the android working system through this card and no lagging in their working capacity.
Lexar play has become one of those very few companies that serves you vast compatibility with portable devices. These include smartphones, laptops, tablets, cameras, consoles, drones etc. For faster transfer speed, this feature will blow your mind when you get to know it can serve 150Mb/s.
Unleash the load full of entertainment when you have absolutely no worries when you have 1Tb of storage capacity laying around. Never miss a beat with capturing and various playback moments in full HD quality and 1080p resolution support. Store and relive the greatest moments of your life with immense capacity.
The construction is well built and ready to work in any condition so that the work or play does not stop until you do it. Many users are worried about wearing the card out if they keep it for too long but Lexar has the trust among its users for a long time.
There are few things that you need to keep in mind such as you need Android 6.0 or later versions in the android devices for it to be enabled to work. On the plus side, its UHD technology will give it the power to go beyond its designed read speed that can be more than 100Mb/s.
Best SD Card for Steam Deck Buying Guide
The use of an SD card is mostly appreciated for the users with an older steam deck that has less storage of 64Gb only.
When you are more of a heavy Nintendo title player, this storage is equal to trash for you but you wanted to save up, the right SD card will work great with your console in this case although there are few things to consider first:
Read and write:
The read and write speed is the transfer rate and operation speed of the content. You can get 160Mb/s of read and more than 100mb/s of speedy performance while choosing it from a top tier category. The latter can also go below 90Mb/s but if you are leading a force, you probably do not want to risk it at all.
Capacity:
Having the most out of your SD card can take you to choose 1Tb of capacity or the least will get you 265Gb that can hold up to 3, 4 heavy games.
A minor gamer or avid player can get you 10-15 games in the lowest capacity of an SD card. You can also find a middle ground of 400Gb when you want it for a specific reason besides gaming.
Durability:
Your selected card must be durable enough to get you started right away no matter the environment. It can work in shock, vibration, x-ray, water, and even in humid conditions. The party must go on!
App performance:
When your sd card is put into an android device, it can get things done quickly when the apps can load faster due to it through A1 and A2 rated app performance.
Compatibility:
Being a versatile product as an SD card, it must work with most of the devices around your house. This list includes cameras, smartphones, drones, laptops, tablets, consoles, Smart TVs etc.
UHS-I technology:
This technology is known for keeping your card going more than it is expected of its performance rating. It can give 104Mb/s second of read speed as if it is overclocking as the tech world says it.
Resolution:
A plus point would be to get a 4k supported SD card that can work with monitors that contain this resolution.
Other than that, 1080p resolution is also great when it comes to noticing small details in sleek clarity. Some cards support both in various hours of footage.