Is your Steam Deck feeling a little slow? Do your favorite games take forever to load? You’re not alone! Many Steam Deck owners want to make their gaming experience even better, and a super-fast SSD (Solid State Drive) is a big part of that. But with so many different types and sizes of SSDs out there, picking the right one can feel like a puzzle.
You want to play games without waiting, and you need to make sure the SSD you buy actually works with your Steam Deck. It can be confusing to know which speeds are best or what size you’ll need for all your games. This guide is here to help you figure it all out. We’ll break down what you need to know so you can upgrade your Steam Deck and get back to playing your games faster than ever.
Our Top 5 Ssd For Steam Deck Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Ssd For Steam Deck Detailed Reviews
1. Crucial P310 2TB PCIe Gen4 2230 NVMe M.2 SSD – Up to 7
Rating: 8.8/10
Get ready for a major speed boost with the Crucial P310 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD! This tiny but mighty drive is designed to make your gaming and everyday computer tasks fly. It’s perfect for upgrading handheld consoles like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, or even laptops like the Microsoft Surface. You’ll experience incredibly fast loading times and smoother gameplay.
What We Like:
- Super-fast Gen4 speeds up to 7,100MB/s for quick game loading and file transfers.
- Offers a huge 2TB of storage, so you can download tons of games and apps.
- Its compact 2230 size makes it easy to install in many popular handheld gaming devices and laptops.
- Uses less power, helping your battery last longer when you’re gaming on the go.
- Installation is usually quick and simple, often taking just five minutes.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it’s great for compatible devices, it won’t fit in every laptop or console.
- The “40% faster than other Gen4 SSDs” claim might vary depending on your specific system and what you’re doing.
If you want to seriously speed up your gaming or give your compatible laptop a new lease on life, the Crucial P310 is an excellent upgrade. It brings serious performance and plenty of storage in a small package.
2. WD_BLACK 1TB SN770M M.2 2230 NVMe SSD for Handheld Gaming Devices
Rating: 9.2/10
Level up your handheld gaming experience with the WD_BLACK 1TB SN770M M.2 2230 NVMe SSD. This is the first M.2 2230 NVMe SSD created by a brand that gamers trust. It’s designed to make your games load super fast. You can install games quicker and get into new levels in a flash. This SSD is perfect for devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and the Valve Steam Deck. It also works great to boost storage in laptops that use the M.2 2230 size, like some Microsoft Surface and Dell models. Get ready to play more games, even the big ones, wherever you go.
What We Like:
- Super-fast speeds up to 5,150MB/s mean quicker game loading.
- Plenty of storage with up to 2TB of trusted Western Digital TLC 3D NAND.
- Works with popular handhelds like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
- Expands storage for compatible laptops, including Microsoft Surface and Dell.
- Comes with a 5-year limited warranty for peace of mind.
- Includes Western Digital Dashboard software to keep your drive running well (for Windows).
What Could Be Improved:
- The M.2 2230 form factor is less common than M.2 2280, limiting compatibility for some users.
- While WD_BLACK is a trusted brand, the SN770M is a newer option in this specific form factor, so long-term real-world performance data is still building.
Overall, the WD_BLACK SN770M is a fantastic upgrade for anyone looking to boost the speed and storage of their compatible handheld gaming device or laptop. You’ll notice a big difference in how quickly your games start and load.
3. SABRENT Rocket 2230 1TB NVMe SSD – PCIe Gen4 M.2 2230 Internal SSD for Steam Deck
![SABRENT Rocket 2230 1TB NVMe SSD – PCIe Gen4 M.2 2230 Internal SSD for Steam Deck, Surface Pro, Ultrabook, HTPC – DRAM-Less with HMB, Up to 5GB/s [SB-2130-1TB]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41rcTPqpxQL._SL500_.jpg "Steam Deck SSD Guide: Top 5 Performance Boosts 10")
Rating: 9.1/10
Level up your portable gaming and productivity with the SABRENT Rocket 2230 1TB NVMe SSD. This tiny but mighty drive is a game-changer for devices like the Steam Deck and Surface Pro, offering a huge storage boost in a super compact size. It’s designed to fit where other drives can’t, making it the ideal upgrade for your favorite small tech.
What We Like:
- Fits perfectly in small devices like the Steam Deck and Surface Pro.
- Super fast speeds let games load quickly and apps run smoothly.
- 1TB of space means you can store lots of games and files.
- Uses less power and stays cooler, which is great for laptops.
- It’s brand new with a full warranty and helpful software.
What Could Be Improved:
- Being DRAM-less might affect performance in some very demanding tasks compared to drives with DRAM.
- The 2230 form factor is still less common than larger SSDs, so compatibility needs to be checked carefully.
If you need more storage and faster speeds in a small package, the SABRENT Rocket 2230 is an excellent option. It brings serious performance to your portable devices.
4. TEAMGROUP MP44S SSD 1TB SLC Cache Gen 4×4 M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 NVMe Steam Deck ASUS ROG Ally Mini PCs R/W Speed up to 5000/3500 MB/s TM5FF3001T0C101
Rating: 8.9/10
Ready to boost your handheld gaming or mini PC’s storage? The TEAMGROUP MP44S SSD 1TB is a fantastic option. This speedy 1TB drive is a top pick for upgrading your Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally. It also works great in other small computers. Its small size packs a big punch with fast speeds, making your games load quicker and your system run smoother.
What We Like:
- It’s the best choice for adding more space to your Steam Deck.
- It’s also a top choice for any small, lightweight device that needs more storage.
- A special graphene label helps keep the drive cool, which helps your device run more stably.
- Even if your device only supports older PCIe Gen3, this Gen4 SSD will still work and give you faster speeds.
- It’s super small, fitting into tight spaces, but it’s still very powerful.
- You get really fast read speeds up to 5,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 3,500 MB/s.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it’s Gen4, its full potential is only realized with a Gen4 slot; older Gen3 slots will limit its top speeds.
- For some users, 1TB might not be enough if they store a massive library of games.
This SSD offers a significant performance and storage upgrade for your portable gaming devices and mini PCs. It’s a smart move for anyone wanting a faster, more capable system.
5. Addlink New S91 2TB 2230 NVMe High Performance PCIe Gen4x4 2230 3D NAND SSD – Read Speed up to 5000 MB/s Compatible with Steam Deck
Rating: 8.7/10
Level up your gaming and productivity with the Addlink New S91 2TB SSD! This speedy drive packs a punch, offering amazing read speeds up to 5000 MB/s. It’s designed to fit perfectly in smaller devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, but it also works great in laptops and tablets. Get ready for faster game loading, quicker app launches, and a smoother overall experience.
What We Like:
- Super fast read speeds (up to 5000 MB/s) make games and apps load in a flash.
- The 2230 size fits perfectly in popular handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
- Works with older PCIe Gen3 drives, so you can still use it in some laptops.
- Uses smart technology like SLC Caching and HMB for better performance.
- Comes with a solid 5-year warranty for peace of mind.
What Could Be Improved:
- Write speeds, while good, aren’t as high as some other top-tier SSDs.
- The 2230 form factor limits its use in many standard desktop computers without an adapter.
The Addlink New S91 2TB SSD is a fantastic upgrade for gamers and users who need more storage and speed in their portable devices. It offers excellent value for its performance and compatibility.
Upgrade Your Steam Deck: The Ultimate SSD Buying Guide
So, you’ve got a Steam Deck, and you’re ready to load it up with more games. That’s awesome! But the space on the default storage might not be enough for your growing library. That’s where an SSD comes in. A Solid State Drive (SSD) is like a super-fast hard drive for your games. It makes loading times way quicker and your games run smoother. Let’s find the best SSD for your Steam Deck!
1. Key Features to Look For
When you’re picking out an SSD for your Steam Deck, think about these important things:
- Capacity: This is how much space the SSD has. Games are big! You’ll want at least 256GB, but 512GB or 1TB will let you store many more games. Think about how many games you play and how big they are.
- Speed (NVMe vs. SATA): Steam Deck uses an NVMe SSD. These are much faster than older SATA SSDs. Make sure the SSD you buy is NVMe. It will make your games load super fast.
- Form Factor (M.2 2230): This is the size and shape of the SSD. The Steam Deck needs a special M.2 2230 size. It’s smaller than most other SSDs. You can’t just put any M.2 SSD in your Steam Deck.
2. Important Materials and Build
SSDs don’t have moving parts like old hard drives. This makes them more durable. The main components are:
- NAND Flash Memory: This is where your game data is stored. Higher quality NAND flash lasts longer and is faster.
- Controller: This is the brain of the SSD. It manages the data flow and makes sure everything works smoothly. A good controller means better performance.
- DRAM Cache: Some SSDs have a small amount of super-fast memory called DRAM cache. This helps speed up operations, especially when you’re loading lots of small files.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
- Read/Write Speeds: These numbers tell you how fast the SSD can read (load) and write (save) data. Higher numbers mean faster loading times. Look for SSDs with good read and write speeds.
- TBW (Terabytes Written): This is how much data the SSD can write before it might start to wear out. For gaming, you probably won’t hit this limit for a long time, but it’s a good indicator of durability.
- Brand Reputation: Some brands are known for making reliable and fast SSDs. Sticking with well-known brands can give you peace of mind.
- Thermals: SSDs can get warm when they’re working hard. Some SSDs come with heatsinks, which help keep them cool. This is important because overheating can make an SSD slower and reduce its lifespan. While the Steam Deck has some built-in cooling, a cooler SSD is always better.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
- Faster Game Loads: This is the biggest benefit! Games will start up much quicker. No more waiting around.
- Smoother Gameplay: Sometimes, games can stutter if the storage can’t keep up. A faster SSD helps prevent this.
- More Games: With a larger SSD, you can install more of your favorite games without having to delete others. This means less time spent managing your library.
- Quickly Transferring Files: If you like to mod your Steam Deck or transfer game saves, a faster SSD makes these tasks much quicker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I put any SSD in my Steam Deck?
A: No, the Steam Deck needs a specific size called M.2 2230. You can’t use larger SSDs.
Q: How much storage do I really need?
A: It depends on your games. 512GB or 1TB is a good choice if you play many big games.
Q: Will an SSD make my Steam Deck games run better?
A: Yes, it will make games load faster and can help with smoother gameplay.
Q: What does NVMe mean?
A: NVMe is a type of connection that makes SSDs much faster than older types.
Q: Do I need a heatsink for my Steam Deck SSD?
A: It’s not always required, but a heatsink can help keep the SSD cool for better performance and longevity.
Q: Is it hard to install a new SSD?
A: It can be a little tricky. It’s best to watch a video guide and be careful when opening your Steam Deck.
Q: Will upgrading my SSD void my Steam Deck warranty?
A: Generally, no, as long as you don’t damage anything during the installation.
Q: Where can I buy M.2 2230 SSDs?
A: You can find them online at major electronics retailers or specialized computer stores.
Q: Are there different brands of M.2 2230 SSDs?
A: Yes, brands like SK Hynix, Samsung, and Western Digital offer compatible SSDs.
Q: Will a faster SSD use more battery?
A: While slightly, the difference is usually very small and worth the performance boost.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.