Which Steam Deck should you buy? Here's what you should consider

The Steam Deck is a handheld console for avid PC gamers on the go, especially those with extensive Steam libraries. You’ll need large storage if you want to install your entire collection. Valve offers the device in three storage guises, but each has pros and cons. With that said, which Steam Deck should you get? We hope to help you answer the question below.

Steam Deck models compared

The original Steam Deck models feature the same core internal specs, display, and bodies. However, there’s one important difference: storage technology and quantity. Now that the Steam Deck OLED exists, there are a few more things to factor in. Find a breakdown of the devices below.

What is the Steam Deck OLED?

In November 2023, Valve announced a mid-cycle refresh in the form of the Steam Deck OLED. As its name suggests, the device boasts a larger OLED display as its key feature, refreshing at 90Hz and stretching to 7.4 inches. Beyond this, a chipset die shrink (7nm to 6nm), upgraded wireless technologies, a larger battery, and a 1TB storage option.

On the surface, it doesn’t stand out as a huge upgrade; however, considering its launch price is $20 lower than the 512GB LCD option and boasts the same storage bank, it’s well worth considering if you’re willing to splurge on a handheld gaming console.

eMMC vs NVMe vs microSD cards: Storage technologies explained

As the table above suggests, there’s a distinct internal storage difference between the cheapest Steam Deck and the two pricier models. While all devices use 2230 SSD drives, they employ slightly different technologies.

eMMC, or embedded MultiMediaCard, is employed on the cheapest model. This solution reduces costs but has slower theoretical read/write speeds than pricier alternatives.

The 256GB and 512GB models use NVMe or Non-Volatile Memory express storage. This solution is much faster, providing higher theoretical read/write speeds on these models, but more expensive than eMMC. This is reflected in the $130 and $250 premium over the 64GB model.

Theoretically, the faster storage should allow the pricier models to boot, install, and load games faster than the cheapest model. In practice, this will vary from game to game and application to application and may not even be apparent in real-world scenarios.

Common across the trio are microSD card storage slots. These allow users to seamlessly add storage to their devices, similar to the Nintendo Switch. Although slower than NVMe storage, grabbing one of the best microSD cards is a fool-proof way to bolster Steam Deck storage without tinkering with internal components.

Can you upgrade the storage on your Steam Deck?

Yes, a Steam Deck storage upgrade is physically possible across all models. Valve doesn’t lock down the storage in any way. It’s not soldered to the motherboard, so removing a few screws is all you must do to upgrade the storage. Valve uses 2230 drives, so you must purchase a replacement first. Thankfully, these drives aren’t as rare as they used to be. If you replace the Steam Deck’s internal storage drive, you’ll have to reinstall SteamOS. However, that’s also a pretty easy undertaking.

It’s also worth noting that not all drives consume the same amount of power. Replacing your device’s 2230 SSD might result in a higher power drain than the original drive. However, this downside might be negligible, especially when weighed against the upside of more storage.

Alternatively and understandably, if you don’t want to open your device, slotting in a microSD card will provide a quick, non-invasive way to upgrade the storage on your Steam Deck.

Is the 256GB and 512GB Steam Deck worth it?

Each Steam Deck appeals to slightly different buyers, so we’d argue each model is worth it to someone. However, the 64GB option provides the best value for those on a strict budget, those who don’t mind removing a few screws to upgrade their device, or those who want to play Stardew Valley and little else and don’t need more capacity. You can also save cash to invest in pricier Steam Deck accessories. You can regularly get 1TB microSD cards for under $100, but you must deal with theoretically slower data transfer times. It really depends on what’s important to you: speed, convenience, or storage capacity.

The 256GB and 512GB models are worth considering for specific users. If you’re a parent and don’t want the hassle of buying microSD cards for your child’s system, these larger storage options make sense. Additionally, if you’re not confident in your tinkering ability or don’t want to open up your Steam Deck lest you damage it, the 512GB option provides more than enough storage from the offset. You may have a sizeable legacy games collection. If so, you’ll want to splurge on the largest storage option for your Steam Deck emulator needs.

Beyond storage, the 512GB model also features some optional extras. There’s an exclusive Steam Deck case and anti-glare film, which helps neutralize glare from the device’s obnoxiously shiny display. These exclusives alone don’t warrant the price increase over the other two devices. For instance, you can purchase a matte screen protector from ivoler for $15.99 at Amazon. As for the case, Steam notes that the only big differences are the outer Steam logo, the zipper pulls, and the interior fabric. You probably shouldn’t drop $649 specifically for these niceties. If you are willing to pay more than $500 for a Steam Deck, consider the OLED models.

In August 2023, Valve announced that it would offer refurbished Steam Deck models at a slightly lower price than retail. These devices may have minor cosmetic defects, but the devices feature the same year-long warranty as new devices.

Of course, if you don’t think a Steam Deck is worth it, you have alternative options. There are a host of capable Android retro gaming handhelds if older titles are your thing. At the same time, the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go provide more serious competition.

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