The list in brief
1. Best controller
2. Best SSD
3. Best headset
4. Best earbuds
5. Best SD card
6. Best power bank
7. Best case
8. Best dock
9. Best screen protector
FAQs
If you own Valve’s latest gaming handheld, then it’s likely that you’re going to benefit from some of the best Steam Deck accessories. The original Steam Deck has been on the market since February 2022, with the newer Steam Deck OLED, which boasts a larger and more vibrant OLED screen, hitting the scene in November 2023. This has given third-party manufacturers plenty of time to create some superb accessories, which can go a long way to help improve your gaming experience.
Whether it’s a super speedy SSD to expand your system’s storage capacity, a useful dock that allows it to be used with a monitor, or a pair of gaming earbuds to enhance the audio of your game while you’re out and about, there are loads of options to choose from. That’s why we have created this useful guide to the best Steam Deck accessories, which aims to highlight some of the top choices right now with loads of options for different types of players.
No matter what you’re after, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for a more detailed look at a specific type of accessory, then consult our specialist guides to the best gaming earbuds or the best PC controllers - many of which will be fully compatible with the Steam Deck. If you’re looking for software recommendations, then visit our guide to the best PC games for some top picks.
The Quick List
The best controller
Affordable and readily compatible both wired and over a wireless Bluetooth connection, the Xbox Wireless Controller is our choice if you want a controller for Steam Deck.
The best SSD
If you're searching for a Steam Deck SSD to expand your storage capacity, then the Corsair MP600 Mini ticks all the right boxes: offering top tier performance and hailing from a reputable brand.
The best headset
Offering top tier gaming audio and a high-quality detachable microphone for an affordable price, the HyperX Cloud III sits above the rest.
The best earbuds
A good pair of gaming earbuds can be a great compact alternative to a gaming headset which are often much more expensive. The SteelSeries Tusq earbuds pack solid performance into a small package.
The best SD card
With superb performance, the SanDisk 1TB Extreme microSDXC card is a top pick if you want to expand your Steam Deck storage for less.
The best power bank
With a novel folding wall plug design and more than enough power to keep the Steam Deck going for longer, the Anker 733 Power Bank (GaNPrime PowerCore 65W) is the best choice.
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The best case
If you need a case to help keep your Steam Deck protected, we recommend the Tomtoc Carrying Case due to its robust materials and small, more portable form factor.
The best dock
If you're after a dock, then you can't go wrong with the official Steam Deck Docking Station. A sleek vertical design and plenty of interface options make this our number one choice.
The best screen protector
A cost effective way to keep the screen of your Steam Deck in good condition, the Spigen EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector is a superb accessory.
Best Steam Deck accessories in 2024
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Best controller
The Xbox Wireless Controller is our number one pick when it comes to a controller for Steam Deck. It is readily compatible with the system in a wireless capacity via Bluetooth or with a USB cable if you use your system in a dock. It is fully supported by the SteamOS operating system and can be used with a large number of Steam games. Its design is comfortable, with sturdy materials, robust thumbsticks, and responsive button inputs. The controller is also readily found at most retailers in a wide range of attractive colors, with even more custom options available as part of Xbox Design Lab.
It is worth bearing in mind, however, that the Xbox Wireless Controller uses an asymmetrical layout - unlike the symmetrical layout of the Steam Deck itself. This might make it a little awkward for players who are more used to the controls built into their system, but we think this is a worthy sacrifice given the smoother compatibility and more affordable price tag compared to the likes of the DualSense Wireless Controller.
It is also worth bearing in mind that this controller does not come with a rechargeable battery out of the box, instead relying on AA batteries that could soon become costly to replace with extended use. Both official and third-party rechargeable battery packs are available, though, which solve the problem entirely for a reasonable price. Be sure to pick one up in addition to the controller if you find yourself running out of juice often.
- Read more: Xbox Wireless Controller (2020) review
Best SSD
The Corsair MP600 Mini is our number one recommendation if you're after the best way to expand your storage. Coming in the compact M.2 2230 SSD form factor, you don't need to worry about compatibility or any issues with installation. With a 1TB capacity, this is going to be a substantial storage upgrade for most users and especially those with the older 64GB Steam Deck model. With strong sequential read speeds of up to 4,800 MB/s, the Corsair MP600 Mini is comfortably fast enough to run some of the best Steam Deck compatible titles without issue.
While there are plenty of cheaper 1TB options from lesser-known brands at online retailers like Amazon, Corsair is a very trusted name in the storage world with a reliable warranty program and good customer support in most regions. This model is also subject to frequent discounts, which can routinely take around $15/£20 off the asking price. While this drive is already quite a strong value option, this makes it a very compelling proposition. If you’re willing to spend more for a higher capacity, a newer 2TB option is also available.
Best headset
We consider the HyperX Cloud III to be the best choice for a Steam Deck headset. An improved successor to the beloved HyperX Cloud II, the HyperX Cloud III delivers even better performance without breaking the bank. The headset's detachable microphone is crisp and clear, while the sound it offers is well-balanced and perfect for most games. Using the Steam Deck’s 3.5mm headphone jack, it can also be easily connected to the system and is perfect for taking out and about. It's ideal for those who want to chat while they game, or just prefer the more immersive audio experience delivered by a high-quality gaming headset.
The Steam Deck is also capable of connecting to Bluetooth headsets, though, so if you want a good wireless alternative consult our list for the best wireless gaming headsets - just be aware that wireless models are often much more expensive than their wireless counterparts. There are also the issues posed by the detachable microphone. While the ability to remove the microphone is a great benefit in terms of portability, it does mean that the microphone is easy to misplace especially if you intend to use the headset while on the move. We consider this to be a worthwhile comprise given just how well the headset performs across the board elsewhere.
- Read more: HyperX Cloud III Review
Best earbuds
If you’re after the best earbuds to use with your Steam Deck then you can’t go far wrong with the SteelSeries Tusq. Featuring a detachable boom microphone, these earbuds boast microphone quality on par with full-size headsets in its price range which makes it a fantastically compact alternative to traditional wired gaming headsets. The design of the earbuds is comfortable and compact, with a flexible wire that hooks around the back of the ear for a very secure fit. They also perform well in games, with punchy, clear sound that’s perfect for a wide range of different genres.
The only area where the SteelSeries Tusq falls short in its build, which feels cheaper than you might expect for the price. This might make you reluctant to take them out and about, but we didn’t encounter any issues with longevity during our testing and found that they were more than capable of being thrown in a pocket or a bag without issue. This is helped by the included pouch which, while basic, offers a convenient way to carry the headphones around.
Although we recommend the SteelSeries Tusq for gaming, it’s not particularly well-suited for video and music consumption. If you’re happy to spend more for a more versatile option, see some of the other choices on our roundup of the best gaming earbuds right now.
- Read more: SteelSeries Tusq review
Best SD card
As the Steam Deck features a micro SD card slot, an SD card can be a great way to expand your storage for less. While you often won’t get the same super fast performance of a fully fledged SSD, which might prove an issue in some very recent titles, most high-quality SD cards will offer more than enough speed to run most older games. We recommend the SanDisk 1TB Extreme microSDXC card due to its superb read speeds of up to 190 MB/s.
It’s also a reliable card with high endurance that hails from a very well-known manufacturer, so you can be sure that it will hold up well in the coming years. We have highlighted the huge 1TB version as the best option for most Steam Deck owners given the size of some games, but there are plenty of other capacities available if you want to save funds. Micro SD cards generally receive very large discounts in sales periods such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime day too, so even if you don’t need a storage upgrade quite yet it’s definitely one to watch for great deals.
Best power bank
If you want to keep your Steam Deck powered up for longer, we consider the Anker 733 Power Bank (GaNPrime PowerCore 65W) to be the best option. This portable charger boasts a wattage that is greater than that of the Steam Deck's pack- in charger, ensuring that it will help recharge the device quickly. Although this design is quite heavy, the large size of the Steam Deck means that you're very unlikely to carry one around without a dedicated bag anyway so we don't think this should impact your purchasing decision.
One of the features that sets the Anker 733 Power Bank (GaNPrime PowerCore 65W) above the rest is its folding wall plug, which means that it can be easily charged by simply inserting it into an outlet. Better still, the power bank can be used while it is plugged in - removing the need to bring along your normal Steam Deck wall charger. Its 10,000mAh capacity is also more than enough to recharge the system’s beefy battery almost two times over, keeping you able to play over extended periods without the need for a socket. If you’re considering using the Steam Deck while travelling, this could be a superb investment.
Best case
Although more premium models of the Steam Deck come with their own carrying cases, we recommend the Tomtoc Carrying Case as a good low-cost option for those currently without. With a sturdy, clamshell design that snugly secures your Steam Deck system, it’s the ideal way to stop any unfortunate bumps or scratches while you’re moving your system around. It features a small handle for easy carrying, in addition to cut-outs for the thumbsticks and buttons. It also has a small internal pouch for smaller accessories like a Micro SD card.
One benefit of the Tomtoc Carrying Case is its small size. As the original Steam Deck carrying case has a large amount of room for a full charger, the Tomtoc Carrying Case does not. This means that it’s a lot more compact, though this might be a negative overall if you want to keep everything necessary to use your Steam Deck in one place.
Best dock
You can’t go wrong with the official Steam Deck Docking Station, which is our pick for the best dock right now. Although it is more expensive than a compatible laptop dock, the Steam Deck Docking Station is the perfect premium Steam Deck cradle. It holds the system in an upright position, with plenty of interface options to boot. This means that it’s ideal if you want to hook your Steam Deck up to a TV or monitor and the abundance of USB-A ports make it easy to connect wired peripherals like a wired controller, gaming keyboard, or a mouse.
The Steam Deck Docking Station works with both the original Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED and, as an official accessory, you won’t need to worry about any kind of issues getting everything working. The more static nature of this dock, which features a flat base, compared to a traditional laptop dock also means that it’s perfect for a desk, capturing some of the magic of hybrid systems like the Nintendo Switch. One major downside, however, is the lack of wide availability. The Steam Deck Docking Station can be found via the Steam Store, with some listings also present on online retailers like Amazon.
Best screen protector
The Spigen EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector is a cheap and cheerful screen protector that is our top choice for the best Steam Deck screen protector thanks to its affordable price tag and durable tempered glass material. Designed specifically for the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED, this screen protector is fully compatible with both models and comes bundled with some tools to help speed up the application process.
Screen protectors are an extremely common accessory for mobile phones and we would highly recommend investing in a Steam Deck screen protector if you use your system often. Scratches are extremely easy to come by, especially if you take your Steam Deck out and about loose in your bag. A screen protector provides an additional level of protection, not to mention more peace of mind, and could potentially save you quite a hefty repair bill in the long run if you were particularly unlucky.
FAQs
Do I need accessories for my Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck will work well as a handheld gaming console so you should really consider any accessories to be an optional extra. That said, they can massively improve the quality of your playing experience.
New, more demanding titles will drain the battery of your Steam Deck pretty quickly for example, so you might want to consider investing in a high quality power bank with a decent capacity so you can play for longer away from a socket.
Do I need a Steam Deck case?
Although the more expensive models of the Steam Deck come with their own carrying case, we recommend that owners of the cheaper versions pick one up too. This is because case can help keep your Steam Deck protected while you're out and about, potentially saving you the headache (not to mention expense) of getting the system repaired should something happen to it.
Looking for a mouse and keyboard to use with your Steam Deck? See our guides to the best gaming mouse and the best gaming keyboard for some top picks.
