I don't want to crack open a Steam Deck to upgrade the SSD — and thanks to these Cyber Monday storage deals, I won't have to

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I've rounded up reliable microSD cards in various sizes to give your Steam Deck the space it deserves for your favorite games.

AI-generated hero image of several microSD memory cards from SanDisk and Samsung
MicroSD cards are the cheapest and fastest way to upgrade your Steam Deck's storage. (Image credit: SanDisk | Samsung | Edited with Gemini)

The entry-level Steam Deck recently went on sale for the first time in Black Friday history. However, this model only features a minuscule internal SSD of 256GB, which is simply not enough to contain the vast majority of games these days.

So, we have rounded up the best Cyber Monday discounted microSD cards to give your newly minted entry-level Steam Deck the storage it needs to store and play the best PC games out there.

Samsung PRO Plus microSD Memory Card (1TB)
1TB Storage
Save 33% ($40)
Samsung PRO Plus microSD Memory Card (1TB): was $119.99 now $79.99 at Amazon
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Upgrade your Steam Deck with 1TB of extra storage space and ensure your games load faster with 180MB/s reading speeds.

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Samsung EVO Select microSDMemory Card (512GB)
512GB Storage
Save 30% ($14)
Samsung EVO Select microSDMemory Card (512GB): was $46.99 now $32.99 at Amazon
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This is the second-best option for upgrading Steam Deck storage space while keeping your budget mostly intact. It features 512GB of storage and modest read/write speeds up to 160MB/s.

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SanDisk 2TB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card (2TB)
2TB Storage
Save 16% ($29.70)
SanDisk 2TB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card (2TB): was $184.70 now $155 at Amazon
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The 2TB SanDisk Extreme is one of the most premium UHS-I microSDs out there. It's designed to provide maximum storage space while offering exceptionally high read speeds of 240MB/s and write speeds of 140MB/s.

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SanDisk 512GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card (512GB)
Back-up 512GB storage
Save 13% ($6)
SanDisk 512GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card (512GB): was $45.99 now $39.99 at Amazon
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While the 512GB SanDisk Ultra has slightly lower read/write speeds of 150MB/s compared to the 5126GB Samsung Evo Select's read/write speeds of 160MB/s, the former microSD can serve as a good backup option should the latter microSD run out of stock.

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SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card (256GB)
256GB Storage
Save 20% ($7)
SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card (256GB): was $34.99 now $27.99 at Amazon
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This is the 256GB edition of the SanDisk Extreme microSD that maintains a good fraction of the 2TB edition's reading speeds at 190MB/s, at a budget-friendly price.

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Alternative deals

If some of these microSDs run out of stock on Amazon, or you prefer shopping at other retailers, here are some alternative discounts sold elsewhere.

We also have a collection of essential Steam Deck accessories on sale to complement the Steam Deck for your perusal.

Samsung PRO Plus microSD Memory Card (1TB)

SanDisk 2TB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card (2TB)

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FAQs

What does UHS-1 mean?

UHS-1 means Ultra-High Speed, and it's a classification for microSD memory cards with a base transfer speed of 104MB/s. While their transfer speeds aren't as high as the more modern UHS-II microSDs, UHS-1 microSDs are easier to find, and the Steam Deck only supports the capabilities of UHS-1 cards.

UHS-II microSDs are backwards compatible with Steam Deck, but their base 312MB/s transfer speeds will be downgraded to UHS-I's base transfer speed levels of 104MB/s.

What is the benefit of using microSDs over upgrading a Steam Deck's internal SSD?

MicroSDs are often cheaper than internal SSDs, and they're easier to install onto a Steam Deck. This is because you only need to insert a microSD into a Steam Deck's microSD card slot to activate it.

Whereas with internal SSDs, you need to take the Steam Deck apart to replace it, and if you're not skilled with manually messing with electronics, you can risk breaking it.

When is Black Friday 2025?

Black Friday started on Friday, November 28, 2025, but retailers have been hosting discount sales early since the start of November and will continue to do so until December 1, 2025.

What day is Cyber Monday 2025?

Cyber Monday is set to start on Monday, December 1, 2025, where electronic-focused products will be discounted for the day. However, retailers like Amazon have already begun switching from making Black Friday-themed bargains to Cyber Monday-themed ones that may extend days beyond December 1, 2025.

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Alexander Cope
Alexander Cope
Contributor — Gaming

Alexander Cope is a gaming veteran of 30-plus years, primarily covering PC and Xbox games here on Windows Central. Gaming since the 8-bit era, Alexander's expertise revolves around gaming guides and news, with a particular focus on Japanese titles from the likes of Elden Ring to Final Fantasy. Alexander is always on deck to help our readers conquer the industry's most difficult games — when he can pry himself away from Monster Hunter that is!

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