Valve’s Steam Deck is a powerful laptop that can run many games from Steam’s vast catalog of games, but you probably already knew that. Maybe you didn’t know that within a few months of its release in early 2022, the accessory scene around the Steam Deck was already full of great options.
Really, you don’t need a lot of extras to have an amazing experience with the Deck; It comes with a sturdy zippered case and a quick power adapter. At the very least, a high capacity microSD card to expand your internal storage is all I would universally recommend to most people.
But if you’re wondering what else is out there, I’ve included my favorite Steam Deck accessories, as well as what the rest of the Polygon staff loves. This post may be updated due to availability or when new accessories come to market.
The Basic Steam Deck Accessory
Like all technology, the Steam Deck contains many delicate components. But the one that is most prone to accidental damage is its 7-inch glass-covered screen. I highly recommend a purchase by every Deck owner set of tempered glass protectors (I’ve had nothing but good experiences with amFilm, although there are a lot of players in this space.) It may not save your Deck from catastrophic damage, but its job is to absorb scratches and blemishes rather than the actual glass that covers your screen (screen replacements don’t are really cheap). When the cover finally gets scratched or cracked, simply remove it and put on a new one.
The Steam Deck comes with up to 512 GB of SSD storage if you buy the $649 model. Although, being Valve’s top model, that’s not a huge amount of storage, as PC games usually come in installed sizes of 30 -60. GB. For those who buy the $399.99 model, there’s even less onboard storage to work with: just 64GB. Whatever model you have, buying a microSD card for extra game space is almost essential. We have a guide on the best microSD cards for the Steam Deck that goes into some detail about speed, but if you just want to show what will work well in your Deck, here are some suggestions.
If you want faster download speeds and smoother online gaming than Wi-Fi can provide, run an extra Ethernet cable from your modem to your Steam Deck, then connect with one of these. USB to Ethernet Adapters. Unless you have one, you’ll also need a USB-A to USB-C Adapter to connect to your Deck. Note: If you have a USB-C dock or hub to connect the platform to a TV or monitor, it may already have an Ethernet port.
The Steam Deck is heavier than the Nintendo Switch, so no one blames you if you want to lean it on a stand while playing, saving it while using a wireless controller. Fortunately, there are plenty of stalls on stores like Amazon, starting at $5.99. You can follow your taste and budget here, and you should end up with a decent position.
You can also head over to Etsy to check out some great designs. Please note that many of the Steam Deck stands sold on Etsy are built with 3D printing files which are actually free to download, and you can print them yourself for the cost of materials if you have access to an expensive 3D printer.
Finally, if you anticipate going into the Steam Deck’s desktop mode to do some emulation, or simply use the Deck as a mini-PC, you may want to grab a compact wireless keyboard for typing commands. Without it, it’s a real pain to tap and navigate the Deck screen (especially if you have big fingers). So do yourself a favor and buy this. An all-in-one foldable keyboard that has an integrated trackpad.
Best Steam Deck Dock and Dock Alternatives
If you want to view your Steam Deck games or other content on a TV or monitor, you’ll want a dock. This is another category rich in options that vary in price and features. The docks can not only bring your video to the big screen, but also allow you to connect peripherals via USB ports, such as a removable hard drive, mouse, keyboard and more. Simply put, you can make your Steam Deck feel more like a home console or PC, whatever you’re looking for.
Although Valve wasn’t the first company to release a Deck compatible dock, their version is one of the most ported options. It is deck dock it has HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, a USB-C port for power from a wall adapter (it includes the same 45W model that the Steam Deck ships with), a Gigabit Ethernet port, and three USB-A 3.1 ports. The inclusion of DisplayPort sets it apart from most USB-C hubs, along with its sleek design. But it comes at a significant cost, coming in at $89.
Photo: Valve by Polygon
For something that’s significantly more affordable, we like it too Anker 341 USB-C Hub, which has seven ports in total: HDMI, a USB-C input for power, an additional USB-C port for data, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and an SD/microSD card reader. Note: It lacks an Ethernet port to give your Deck a wired connection, so you might want to pick up this inexpensive USB to Ethernet Adapter to connect to this dock. Also, it has no way to raise your Deck, although that might not bother you.
Jsaux makes an option very similar to Valve’s official Deck Dock, albeit with a less catchy name. it is called the HB0702, and it costs $54.99. Like the Deck Dock, it has USB-C for power, DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, three USB-A 3.2 ports and Gigabit Ethernet support. Get this one if you don’t mind if you have the official Deck Dock, but want almost identical features.
Best Steam Deck Monitors/Wall Mounts
There isn’t much competition in this category yet, but that’s okay because the top option seems to be very good. A company called Deckmate offers both a VESA mount and a wall mount in its ecosystem of accessories. We offer to get deck mate $53 “whole system” package. if you are jumping for the first time. It includes more than you might need, such as a walking stick, accessories and more. But most importantly, it includes screws that don’t come in on-board monitor or wall-mount packages.
Back to Deckmate, the wall mountain self-explanatory; it is a bracket that you can fix to the wall with two screws or simply with its strong 3M VHB glue. The Deckmate’s grip then allows it to snap into the wall. Regarding to monitor mount, you get a mount that can be screwed onto any VESA compatible mount. Then just snap the lid on it.
Image: Deckmate
[Editor’s note: If you have access to a 3D printer, Jsaux’s ModCase is compatible with 3D-printed parts, including a VESA mount and a wall mount. However, because you can’t purchase those accessories yet, we’re not including it here. Find more on the ModCase at the bottom of this post.]
If you want the most secure and flexible type of mounting for a Steam Deck, I suggest getting a monitoring arm that can be attached to a desktop (this is where Deckmate’s VESA mount comes in). These are rated to hold monitors that are a lot heavier than the Steam Deck, so most models should have no problem holding the console in place. Get one if you want a versatile stand, with the ability to move your Deck up or down, flip it on its side, push it, or move it closer to you. Here are some recommendations.
Best Steam Deck Controllers
If you don’t want to use the Steam Deck’s built-in controls, or if you just want to use a controller while docked or on a stand, you have several options. The Deck supports multiple controllers, whether you connect one via Bluetooth or USB. Steam OS natively supports Xbox controllers dating back to Xbox 360. Newer controllers such as the PS4 DualShock 4he PS5 DualSenseand even Nintendo Switch Pro Controller they are all officially compatible with the Steam interface, so you may already have one or more compatible controllers.
Some recent third-party drivers will also work great, including the 8BitDo Ultimate Wireless and the GuliKit King Kong Pro 2.
GuliKit King Kong 2 Pro
Prices taken at time of publication.
A similar version called Pro Zen is available exclusively at Target stores for $59.99.
Best Steam Deck Portable Batteries
There are batteries that can charge the Steam Deck as fast as the 45W wall charger included with each console. However, like the Steam Deck itself, they expand the definitions of being portable. They are not cheap either. The cheapest but powerful option I found is Battery Baseus 20,000 mAh with a USB-C output speed of 65 W. it costs $50.38, and with its capacity you should be able to recharge the Deck’s battery a few times. However, expect it to run out faster if you’re playing on the Deck while it’s charging.
Anker 537 Power Bank it’s a little bigger, with a 24,000 mAh cell, but it has the same maximum charge rate of 65 W. It’s more expensive, at $99.99 on Amazon. However, it might be the best deal if you have an Amazon gift card or simply prefer the Anker brand.
Best Steam Deck Hard Cases
There are plenty of soft and hard cases you can slide your Steam Deck into to make it stronger, and any of them might be right for you. But we really enjoyed the Killswitch from the Dbrand projectwhich allows you to add or remove a kickstand, and also does a great job of protecting your console and adding some grip.
Note: I want to connect The Verge’s Sean Hollister and my Polygon colleague Alice Newcome-Beill’s research digging into what turned out to be a huge flaw with the Killswitch that Dbrand addressed in time for release. Previously, their kickstand design was attached magnetically and they found that it drastically affected fan speed on some Steam Deck units. Now, he uses a mount without magnets, which solves this problem.
Like most options, the Killswitch allows easy access to all your buttons, triggers, ports, and most importantly, your fan’s airflow. But it’s great that you can add or remove the included kickstand with your key slot. The $59.95 kit includes the Killswitch case, as well as a kickstand, and optional skin decals.
Photo: Alice Newcome-Beill/The Verge
It’s hard to shop for Steam Deck accessories and not find the Jsaux brand. If you’re looking for a hard case, Jsaux offers a multitalented option called ModCaseand its basic configuration is only $29.99. That’s a price most Deck owners should have no problem paying, especially for all this versatility.
It comes with a protective, grippy case that fits around the Steam Deck, along with four other accessories: a travel cover to protect the front of the Deck when not in use, a watch-like strap to secure a battery or hard drive to it. back, a kickstand for hands-free use and a protective cover for Valve’s official Docking Station Deck.