Buying Guide
The Best 2230 SSDs for Steam Deck
From the FX953 1TB 2230 to the P310 2TB 2230: three SSDs ranked on rated read speed and rated write speed, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
TEAMGROUP MP44S 1TB M.2 2230 SSD
An M.2 2230 size.
Best for: Buyers who want M.2 2230 size.
Our take Check price for TEAMGROUP MP44S 1TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD
The fastest rated read speed here (7,100MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD (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 (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (7,100MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The FX953 1TB 2230 stands out for an M.2 2230 size, and it adds a graphite heat-spreader label.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
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 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports.
It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. 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 P310 2TB 2230 instead: it offers 6,000MB/s, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & 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
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- Slower 5,000MB/s rated reads
- No published rated write speed
Also Consider2 of 3
TEAMGROUP MP44S 1TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 read 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 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. Its price falls between the FX953 1TB 2230 and the P310 2TB 2230, based on our last check. If rated read speed is your priority, the P310 2TB 2230 (7,100MB/s) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & 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
Cons
- Slower 5,000MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed trails the P310 2TB 2230 (7,100MB/s)
- Costs more than the FX953 1TB 2230 at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed3 of 3
Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the P310 2TB 2230 brings to the table is an M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, plus listed compatibility with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Surface.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the FX953 1TB 2230 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,100MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,000MB/s rated write speed. On rated read speed it leads this guide at 7,100MB/s, ahead of the FX953 1TB 2230 (5,000MB/s). It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports.
It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MP44S 1TB 2230 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,100MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally
- Listed compatibility with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Surface
- 7,100MB/s rated reads
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (7,100MB/s)
Cons
- Costs more than the FX953 1TB 2230 at the time of writing
How We Chose These 2230 SSDs for Steam Deck
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Design
- We checked interface, DRAM cache and heatsink options.
- Speed
- We compared rated sequential read and write speeds.
- Endurance
- We noted TBW ratings and warranty length where listed.
- Capacity
- We compared drives at the same capacity within each guide.
What to Look for in a 2230 SSD for Steam Deck
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
PCIe 4.0 is enough for games
Game load times barely change between fast PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 drives. PCIe 5.0 helps large file copies and creative work.
DRAM cache helps heavy use
Drives with DRAM cache hold speed better under long writes. DRAM-less drives with HMB are fine for games.
Cool the drive
Fast drives throttle when hot. Use the motherboard's M.2 heatsink or a heatsink version of the drive.
Buy more capacity than you think
Many new games need 100GB or more. 2TB is a comfortable minimum for a gaming library; 4TB avoids juggling installs.
Check your M.2 slots
Check which slots run at PCIe 5.0 or 4.0, and which disable SATA ports or a PCIe slot when used.
Endurance is rarely a limit
TBW figures of 1,200 or more far exceed typical gaming writes. Heavy video work benefits from a higher rating.
How to Choose a 2230 SSD for Steam Deck
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | 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 who put rated read speed first | P310 2TB 2230 | The fastest rated read speed here (7,100MB/s) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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 |
| P310 2TB 2230 | 7,100MB/s | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 2TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | FX953 1TB 2230, MP44S 1TB 2230 |
| About $250 to $500 | P310 2TB 2230 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these SSDs has the fastest rated read speed?
The P310 2TB 2230 leads at 7,100MB/s, ahead of the FX953 1TB 2230 at 5,000MB/s; the MP44S 1TB 2230 sits at the other end with 5,000MB/s.
What is the least I can spend on one of these SSDs?
At our last price check the FX953 1TB 2230 was the cheapest pick and the P310 2TB 2230 the most expensive; the MP44S 1TB 2230 was the next step up from the FX953 1TB 2230.
Can I use these in a PS5?
PCIe 4.0 M.2 drives work in a PS5 with a heatsink that fits the bay. Check Sony's size limits.
Do I need an SSD heatsink?
Use one on fast drives. Most boards include M.2 heatsinks; otherwise buy the heatsink version.
How much storage do I need for games?
2TB suits most players; 4TB suits large libraries without uninstalling.
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 P310 2TB 2230 for the fastest rated read speed here (7,100MB/s) if those matter more to you.
Back up before swapping, and reuse the Deck's original shielding on the new drive.