Buying Guide
The Best 2230 SSDs for Steam Deck
From the FX953 1TB 2230 to the Kingston 1TB 2230: three SSDs ranked on rated read speed and rated write speed, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
The Steam Deck and similar handhelds take the short M.2 2230 SSD size. Every pick is a 2230 NVMe drive.
Our comparison rests on published figures for sequential read, sequential write and interface; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out sequential write, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSDThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $250.
Check price for Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
TEAMGROUP MP44S 1TB M.2 2230 SSDAn M.2 2230 size.
Best for: Buyers who want M.2 2230 size.
Check price for TEAMGROUP MP44S 1TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Kingston 1TB (M.2 2230)TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the FX953 1TB 2230 costs less.
Check price for Kingston 1TB (M.2 2230) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the cost under $250. | Check price for Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An M.2 2230 size. | Buyers who want M.2 2230 size. | Check price for TEAMGROUP MP44S 1TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the FX953 1TB 2230 costs less. | Check price for Kingston 1TB (M.2 2230) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD
The FX953 1TB 2230 stands out for an M.2 2230 size, and it adds a graphite heat-spreader label.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $250.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: slower 5,000MB/s rated reads.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. It also offers listed use in the Steam Deck. It is an M.2 2230 (30mm) drive, shorter than the 2280 drives in most desktops; check your device's documentation for the M.2 length it accepts before ordering.
It has no bulky heatsink, which helps it fit under a handheld's SSD shield; move the original thermal pad or shielding across if your device uses one. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the MP44S 1TB 2230 was closest. If you want a confirmed rated write speed, look to the Kingston 1TB 2230 instead: it offers 4,230MB/s, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 5,000MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- M.2 2230 size
- Graphite heat-spreader label
- Listed use in the Steam Deck
- Rated read speed of 5,000MB/s, ahead of the Kingston 1TB 2230
Cons
- Slower 5,000MB/s rated reads
- No published rated write speed
Also Consider2 of 3
TEAMGROUP MP44S 1TB M.2 2230 SSD
What the MP44S 1TB 2230 brings to the table is an M.2 2230 size, plus an SLC cache.
Best for
- Buyers who want M.2 2230 size.
Skip if
- Pass on it if slower 5,000MB/s rated reads rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5,000MB/s rated read speed and offers a 3,500MB/s rated write speed. It matches the FX953 1TB 2230 on rated read speed (5,000MB/s). It also offers a graphene heat-dissipation label.
It is an M.2 2230 (30mm) drive, shorter than the 2280 drives in most desktops; check your device's documentation for the M.2 length it accepts before ordering. It has no bulky heatsink, which helps it fit under a handheld's SSD shield; move the original thermal pad or shielding across if your device uses one. Its price falls between the FX953 1TB 2230 and the Kingston 1TB 2230, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 5,000MB/s
- Sequential write
- 3,500MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- M.2 2230 size
- SLC cache
- Graphene heat-dissipation label
- Rated read speed of 5,000MB/s, ahead of the Kingston 1TB 2230
Cons
- Slower 5,000MB/s rated reads
- Costs more than the FX953 1TB 2230 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Kingston 1TB (M.2 2230)
The Kingston 1TB 2230 stands out for TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the FX953 1TB 2230 costs less.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: slower 4,540MB/s rated reads.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4,540MB/s rated read speed and offers a 4,230MB/s rated write speed. Its 4,540MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the FX953 1TB 2230 leads at 5,000MB/s. It is an M.2 2230 (30mm) drive, shorter than the 2280 drives in most desktops; check your device's documentation for the M.2 length it accepts before ordering.
It has no bulky heatsink, which helps it fit under a handheld's SSD shield; move the original thermal pad or shielding across if your device uses one. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the MP44S 1TB 2230.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 4,540MB/s
- Sequential write
- 4,230MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor
- Fastest rated write speed of the picks (4,230MB/s)
- TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Slower 4,540MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed trails the FX953 1TB 2230 (5,000MB/s)
- Costs more than the FX953 1TB 2230 at the time of writing
How We Chose These 2230 SSDs for Steam Deck
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side three drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and capacity as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while rated write speed has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the FX953 1TB 2230 to the Kingston 1TB 2230, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface and 1TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The FX953 1TB 2230 gives no rated write speed.
- Price range
- From the FX953 1TB 2230 to the Kingston 1TB 2230, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 2230 SSD for Steam Deck
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed across these picks
Here rated read speed runs from 4,540MB/s on the Kingston 1TB 2230 to 5,000MB/s on the FX953 1TB 2230, a 10% spread. Start with the FX953 1TB 2230 if rated read speed decides it.
Rated write speed
The Kingston 1TB 2230 tops rated write speed at 4,230MB/s and the MP44S 1TB 2230 sits lowest at 3,500MB/s. The Kingston 1TB 2230 is the pick for rated write speed. The FX953 1TB 2230 gives no rated write speed figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
An M.2 SSD installed on a motherboard Features beyond the spec table
The FX953 1TB 2230: a graphite heat-spreader label. The MP44S 1TB 2230: an SLC cache. The Kingston 1TB 2230: TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor.
Budget
Price does little to separate these 3: the FX953 1TB 2230 through the Kingston 1TB 2230 all landed in the $150 to $250 tier, which leaves rated read speed to decide it.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the cost under $250: the FX953 1TB 2230. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the FX953 1TB 2230 costs less: the Kingston 1TB 2230.
How to Choose a 2230 SSD for Steam Deck
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $250 | FX953 1TB 2230 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want M.2 2230 size | MP44S 1TB 2230 | An M.2 2230 size |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the FX953 1TB 2230 costs less | Kingston 1TB 2230 | TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The FX953 1TB 2230 leads on rated read speed at 5,000MB/s, ahead of the MP44S 1TB 2230 at 5,000MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated write speed where the FX953 1TB 2230 leaves the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FX953 1TB 2230 | 5,000MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 1TB |
| MP44S 1TB 2230 | 5,000MB/s | 3,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 1TB |
| Kingston 1TB 2230 | 4,540MB/s | 4,230MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kingston 1TB 2230 ahead of the MP44S 1TB 2230 on rated write speed?
The Kingston 1TB 2230 tops rated write speed at 4,230MB/s; the MP44S 1TB 2230 follows at 3,500MB/s, 21% apart. The FX953 1TB 2230 doesn't state a rated write speed figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
Is the Kingston 1TB 2230 worth paying more than the FX953 1TB 2230?
The Kingston 1TB 2230 matches or trails the FX953 1TB 2230 on rated read speed. The FX953 1TB 2230 leads on rated read speed (5,000MB/s). Both sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
What makes the FX953 1TB 2230 the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits keeping the cost under $250.
Beyond the specs, what sets the FX953 1TB 2230 and the MP44S 1TB 2230 apart?
The FX953 1TB 2230: an M.2 2230 size. The MP44S 1TB 2230: an M.2 2230 size. The Kingston 1TB 2230: TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor.
Who should choose the Kingston 1TB 2230?
The Kingston 1TB 2230 carries our Premium Pick label for TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor at the highest price in the group. It ranks third of 3 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the FX953 1TB 2230 costs less.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the FX953 1TB 2230, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the MP44S 1TB 2230 for an M.2 2230 size and the Kingston 1TB 2230 for TLC NAND in an M.2 2230 form factor at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Back up before swapping, and reuse the Deck's original shielding on the new drive.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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