The best Steam Deck accessories will level up your portable gaming experience. If you've decided to buy a Steam Deck, accessories should be the next logical step to improve those little issues you've been having with your on-the-go gaming habit. Valve's Steam Deck may be the reigning champion of handheld gaming, but picking out the best accessories for the Steam Deck will give you the edge you need to game just right.
Choosing Steam Deck accessories from the mountains of false-economy rubbish out there isn't an easy task, we get it. Thanks to Valve's very kind offer to release its CAD files, online stores are brimming with innovative accessories—from the exceptionally practical to the downright obscure.
Thankfully there are some well established manufacturers racing to make the best Steam Deck accessories. From wonderful storage-enhancing docks like the Jsaux M.2 Docking Station to versatile li'l earbuds like the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, there's something to give your portable Linux powerhouse a little hand.
We've tested out all of these options and have brought together all the best Steam Deck accessories below so you can feel confident whipping your Deck out in public, or at home. They range from safety accessories, to storage, to a full extra charge so you don't have to panic when your battery starts flagging mid-boss fight. There's even a great pair of gaming earbuds and a Steam Deck carry case or two to jam all your new accessories in.
Katie has been cradling her Steam Deck for many years now and has learned how to make the most of it. That includes churning through numerous accessories and additions to figure out what makes for the perfect portable handheld setup.
The quick list
This set the standard for Steam Deck docks, as it offers a bunch of ports, a sturdy build, and most importantly, an M.2 slot for expanded storage.
This dock adds a USB Type-C 3.0 port over the more expensive competition. While there's no ethernet port, it's super well thought out, and a fantastic price.
These earbuds are the whole package: stunning audio, seamless 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, ANC, transparency mode, and even Qi charging. Throw in 40 hours battery life (with the charging case) and you have a perfect Steam Deck companion.
This controller is cheap but very cheerful. It's comfortable to use, supports 2.4G and Bluetooth connectivity, has Hall effect sticks, and even comes with a cover case to protect it on your travels.
This gaming keyboard is truly portable thanks to its 60% form factor plus its low profile keys which make it perfect to slide into a backpack. It also looks, sounds, and feels great to use.
If you want to keep your Steam Deck protected and throw in some convenience, this case with a kickstand is perfect, especially because it clips on very easily.
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There are only a couple of things a screen protector needs to nail, and that's protection and ease of application. This protector aces both these tests and makes for a great addition to a Steam Deck.
A subtle, sturdy, and practical carry case, this improves on the official case and goes hard on storage space. It also retails for a very reasonable price.
If a carrying case isn't quite enough, or if you want that hands-free convenience, a backpack like this is a great option for your Steam Deck. This one is waterproof, sturdy, and opens at a 180-degree angle, too.
This power bank can keep your Steam Deck up and running for longer, and it only takes a couple of hours to charge it to full. Plus it comes 3/4 charged straight out of the box, in case you need it in a hurry.
Recent updates
Updated March 04, 2025 to swap out our earbuds, controller, and keyboard picks, and ensure the rest of our choices for Steam Deck accessories are the best out there right now (they are!).
The best Steam Deck dock
✅ You have a big game library: The M.2 slot in this docking station should give you room for an SSD to store some of those Steam games.
❌ You don't game on TV: One of the main reasons to use a dock is for hooking it up to your TV for couch gaming. If you're not doing that, it might be worth saving your money.
Aside from the weird tribal patterning Jsaux has decorated the HB0604 M.2 Docking Station with— potentially to distinguish it from the previous, more affordable model (the Jsaux Steam Deck Dock)— the JSAUX M.2 Steam Deck Dock is an absolute marvel. While JSAUX is not the only company to have slapped an M.2 slot into a Steam Deck dock, it was one of the first. And coming from a trusted manufacturer for $130 / ~£90, with a spec that matches and improves on the official dock's features, it's not a bad buy. Though if you're expecting blistering transfer speeds, you will need to temper that expectation.
That's sans SSD, though there are a couple of package options. One includes a 1TB SSD for a total of $200 / ~£166, while the one I've got my hands on comes with a 2TB SSD, the maximum capacity. The larger SSD will set you back $270 / ~£225.
What super tasty SSD did I get for $140 on top of the Dock's base price, you ask?
It's actually a Lexar NM610 Pro NVMe SSD. No, I'd not heard of them either. It's a PCIe 3.0 drive, which is the fastest this dock supports.
The SSD is rated to 3300MB/s sequential read speeds and sequential writes of 2600MB/s. That's almost as fast as the often $200 PCIe 3.0 Sabrent Rocket of the same capacity and would be a smashing saving on top of the dock… if that were actually the case in testing.
Downloading KDisk Mark revealed the SSD comes closer to 2050MB/s reads and just 490MB/s write speeds, though, in actual real-world testing (transferring game files from the NVMe drive to the Deck), I saw those speeds topping out at just over 9Gbps. That checks out since the Steam Deck's USB Type-C connection only goes up to 10Gbps.
Essentially, whatever SSD you stick in there, you will be limited by the Steam Deck itself. Don't splash out for a super high-speed SSD you won't be able to make the most of.
As long as you don't mind forgoing supreme SSD speeds, the dock itself is a smart merging of storage with a practical, sturdy docking station.
While it forgoes the DisplayPort the official dock comes with, the rest of the spec matches the official dock's. On top of that, the Jsaux M.2 dock comes with an HDMI 2.1 port that supports 4K at 60Hz, or 1440p at 120Hz. Perhaps a little overkill for the Deck, but appreciated nonetheless.
The main limitations here are posed by the Deck itself, and other small niggles aside; the Jsaux M.2 dock is a great piece of kit with hardly anything to complain about.
Read our full Jsaux M.2 Docking Station review.
The best budget Steam Deck dock
✅ You want that couch experience: If you want to be able to sit back and game on the big screen with little hassle, this dock is perfect.
❌ You like to keep your case on: You won't be able to dock your Steam Deck into this while it's got its case on.
Out of the box, the Sabrent 6-Port Docking Station doesn't feel like a cheap piece of kit. Yet here it comes, trundling onto the Steam Deck accessories scene at an audaciously low $30. That's a darn sight cheaper than any Steam Deck Dock I've tested, and while the competition at this price is thin, there's no denying its superiority as a sterling choice of budget Steam Deck dock.
With USB 3.0 all around—three Type-As and an added Type-C to boot—the Sabrent dock has the upper hand against the original $40/£35 Jsaux Steam Deck Dock with its (frankly superfluous in 2023) USB 2.0 connections. The Sabrent even manages to match the $50 upgraded Jsaux Dock's connections. And although it forgoes the ethernet port (who's playing competitive online games on the Deck anyway?), you do get the fantastic addition of a USB Type-C 3.0 for charging peripherals or further storage—something we'd been dreaming of since the docks started dropping.
It doesn't look or feel like a cheap dock. It's plain black with a textured plastic finish, though it doesn't sound hollow when you tap it as some do. It may not be made from milled aluminum like the Jsaux designs, but at least it doesn't have any strange tribal markings making it look cheap. It's as sturdy as it needs to be for something that will just sit beside your TV for the foreseeable.
When it comes down to it, this is a sturdy, well-built dock. It doesn't suffer from the lack of USB Type-C that the competition does, and it features up-to-date enough connections to recommend, especially at that price point. No, you won't get an ethernet connection, but for me, that's a fair trade for a spare USB Type-C port. Essentially, there is no competition at the low price of $30.
The best Steam Deck earbuds
✅ You want amazing audio quality: The Arctis GameBuds have some seriously impressive audio, especially when you use the audio profiles tailored to different games.
❌ You want to save money: These earbuds might be fantastic across the board, but they don't come cheap.
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are without a doubt the best earbuds you can get for your Steam Deck. They might be expensive, but they're the best gaming earbuds full-stop, so naturally they're a great fit for the Steam Deck, too.
Not only do they offer seriously wonderful audio quality (for gaming, but also for movies and music), but they're also both incredibly responsive and versatile. That's why our Jacob F has been using them for months and still swears by them as his go-to earbuds for any scenario.
The quick run-down is as follows: They have active noise cancelling (ANC), transparency mode, easily togglable 2.4 GHz wireless or Bluetooth connectivity, 40 hours of battery life (30 from the charging case), Qi wireless charging, IP55 water resistance, 'WearSense' detection for automatic pause/resume, and game-specific audio profiles in the app.
Most of the time you should be good connecting via Bluetooth to eke out a little extra battery life, but if you want to ensure zero perceptible latency at all times, you can plug the small USB Type-C receiver into your Steam Deck and connect over 2.4 GHz wireless.
The battery life and charging case also make it a great pick for the Steam Deck. The case is very convenient to carry around, and charging is as simple as placing it on a Qi charger with the earbuds inside if you have one—if you don't, you can plug the case in.
ANC and transparency modes are also a great boon for handheld gaming. If you're on noisy public transport you can slap ANC on to drown out the chatter. Then, if you need to listen out for anything, you can switch to transparency mode with a press of the left ear button.
And that button is a physical, clicky button, by the way, which forms the outer plate of the earbud. It's very satisfying to press, unlike many touch-capacitive controls. The earbuds are also pretty understated, which should match the Steam Deck.
The final benefit of the GameBuds is that they can use game-specific profiles, which you can enable in the phone app. So, if you're going to launch a game on your Steam Deck that has an Arctis sound profile created for it, you can switch over to that profile first to help ensure the game will sound as good as it can.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review.
The best Steam Deck controller
✅ You travel with your Steam Deck: If you take your Steam Deck to different places and like to prop it up to sit back and game, this controller is ideal because it's comfy, performant, and doesn't mind being slung around.
❌ You want the most premium-feeling controller: This is a budget controller, so don't expect the most amazing feel. It's comfortable to use and gets the job done, but it doesn't feel like an expensive controller in-hand.
The GameSir Nova Lite is the best controller for the Steam Deck because it's cheap, portable, and comfy to use. It's everything you might need for a controller for handheld gaming.
If you're using a controller with your Steam Deck, chances are you're taking it with you travelling somewhere, in which case you'll want something you're not too scared to throw in your backpack.
That's why a cheap but performant controller like this one is so good for the Steam Deck. With earbuds you can get away with spending a lot of money because you can keep them secure in your pocket in their case, but a controller is easier to scuff or damage. And on that note, it comes with a case, too.
But just because the Nova Lite is cheap doesn't mean it's not packed to the brim with features. Far from it, as this controller's got all the necessities and even a little extra. Specifically, it's got Hall effect thumbsticks (again, great for longevity and damage prevention) and the choice of using a 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth connection. Though, if you want to use 2.4G you'll need a USB Type-A to Type-C adapter.
The controller's very comfy, in part because it takes after an Xbox controller with its flared grip design. It doesn't feel like the most premium controller on the market—because it's not in the least bit—but it's easy on the hands and that's arguably more important.
The only real downside is that it has just 10 hours of battery life. That's more than the Steam Deck will last without being charged, anyway, and should get you through a long gaming session or two. In all, the GameSir Nova Lite controller makes for a great Steam Deck companion.
Read our full GameSir Nova Lite review.
The best Steam Deck keyboard
✅ You want a portable keyboard: The ROG Falchion RX Low Profile isn't only small because of its 60% design, but also because of its low profile keys.
❌ You want a great carry case: The included cover for the keyboard doesn't fit too well, so you'll need to pay extra to get a third-party carry case or sleeve for it.
The best Steam Deck keyboard is the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile (whew, say that three times over), and it's a wonderful gaming keyboard in its own right, too. While it's ideal to be used with the Steam Deck, you might also want to keep it for use with your gaming PC because we reckon it's the best wireless low profile gaming keyboard.
There are some things that make it great specifically for use with a handheld, though, and these are primarily related to its portability. Apart from the obvious portability benefits to its wireless connectivity, there's also the fact that it's a low-profile, 60% keyboard, meaning not only is it narrow from left to right but it's also slim from top to bottom, making it easy to slide into a backpack or carry case.
Speaking of cases, this keyboard does come with a cover, though it's not the best fit, so for serious travel, a third-party sleeve or case for it would be ideal.
You're covered for connectivity, too, as the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile gives you the choice of Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz—although you'll need a USB Type-A to Type-C adapter for the latter as the receiver for the keyboard is USB Type-A. And don't worry about battery life, either, as it's rated up to 430 hours with the lighting off, which is pretty incredible for a great keyboard.
And great it is, in both looks and feel. Asus has packed it full of dampening so you get some pleasant and not-too-pingy clacks, a sound and feel that's aided by the pre-lubed switches. The thick ABS keycaps feel great under the fingertips, too.
If you want something that offers great value for money, combining portability for handheld gaming with stellar typing sound and feel, you can do a lot worse than the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile.
Read our full Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review.
The best Steam Deck cover
✅ You use your Steam Deck in front of a desk: The kickstand on this cover is ideal for if you like to prop it up on your desk or table and sit back with a controller.
❌ You don't like having to clean things: This case requires some extra cleaning because the seam can pick up dirt from your palm quite easily.
The Jsaux Protective Standing Case is a simple solution to two problems you'll undoubtedly have come across when using the Steam Deck: the inability to prop it up without blocking the exhausts, and the fear of the shell being damaged. While these seem relatively insignificant, they can make all the difference to the ease of use, and bring peace of mind when moving around. Practical, durable and pretty darn stylish, Jsaux has hit the mark with this one.
The Steam Deck is a heavy little machine at 1.47lbs, and frankly you can't be expected to hold it up through every exhaustive cutscene your game throws at you, or while you're waiting for something to load.
Along with the protective case being textured to prevent the deck from slipping when your hands get sweaty, there's a nifty little kickstand for when your arms get tired. It pops out easily, with enough space to get your thumb round it even if you don't have nails.
The stand is wide enough that there's no shaking and the thing snaps on easily, too. There are the necessary holes for ventilation, of course, and you've even got a little window on the back, in case you've decided to adorn the case with some kind of sticker. It even seems to improve the ergonomics ever so slightly, with the shell exaggerated just where it feels right.
The only real downside is that some cables may be the wrong shape to fit in the hole for the charging port, and that the case's seam sits on your palm and gets dirty relatively easily, making it all the more prominent. Having the case on also prevents the Deck from fitting inside Jsaux's own-brand docks, meaning you'll have to choose between the two. Otherwise I've no major complaints.
It would have been nice to have had the option to adjust the kickstand, but it's not a glaring issue, and for the low price of $22 it's well worth it if you're not planning on docking too often but still want your Deck to stand to attention.
The best Steam Deck screen protector
✅ You don't want any faff: This screen protector is very easy to apply, so no worries there.
❌ You like anti-glare coating: This screen protector has a lot of shine to it, which can look great but not if you're wanting that anti-glare coating on some versions of the LCD Steam Deck.
I had no major issues applying the Jsaux screen protector. In the box you get a nifty card to smooth out the bubbles, dust removal stickers and wipes, applicator guide stickers, along with an easy to follow step-by-step installation guide.
It was even forgiving when a sneaky eyelash got under one of the corners. I was able to gently peel back the corner a little to remove the intrusion without the thing snapping in half. That says something about the durability and flexibility of the glass, even with it being quite thick. The thickness is pretty evident, too, though there's nothing special to note there—9H hardness is pretty standard across the market.
The protector matches the size of the screen down to the millimetre, which is great and means you don't get that annoying overhang. I was underwhelmed with the apparent "oleophobic coating" meant to reduce fingerprints, as it doesn't seem to make a difference for me.
The big problem with the tempered glass protector is the fact that its shininess sadly negates one of the main selling points of the top-end, 512GB Deck: the anti-glare screen that actually makes the Deck playable in bright sunlight. Still, it's certainly worth that tradeoff to keep the screen safe, especially when you get two for just $13. I guess that's in case you're one of those people whose luck dictates an imminent drop the day after putting a screen protector on.
The best Steam Deck carry case
✅ You want to keep your Steam Deck safe: This thing is very durable, so no need to worry about its screen smashing whenever you bumping your carry case slightly.
❌ You want tons of room: This case isn't designed to be a carry-all, despite it having enough room for some chargers, wires, and earbuds.
Just an inch or so thicker than the original Steam Deck case, the Jsaux Carry Case is hands down the best carry case I've seen around. While it doesn't have a long strap or masses of space inside, it's super durable, neat looking, and great for consolidating a bunch of small accessories. It even doubles as a stand for when you want to prop the Deck up.
With the Steam Deck's official case, there's a recess on the outside covered with a strap which no one really knew the purpose of. Then with the 512GB version you even get a little baggy that seems to fit in the outside recess quite snugly. The issue being, even if you do manage to fit any accessories in there, you're risking them falling out being on the outside like that.
This case inverts that outer recess, and expands it so you get a sizable nook for storing chargers, docks, wires, and even earbuds. Sadly the official UK charger doesn't fit in there as our plugs are awkward, but if you can get a charger where the plug slides off that quickly becomes a non-issue. I'm using a MacBook charger, myself. Alongside it, there's even space left over for wires and perhaps even a small mouse or some earbuds.
It's a stylish looking case with a grey and black flecked shell, and the covered zip makes it look all the more refined. The handle makes me feel confident enough to swing my Deck around. When I'm done being a hooligan the internal fleece flap protecting the screen not only turns into a stand, it also has a little net pocket with five individual compartments for SD cards—though I'm not sure anyone will ever need that many.
The main thing is that the case is sturdy and practical, without being too bulky and awkward. It's only $27 for something that's going to keep your deck together with all your little accessories, and safe from the ravages of that strange place we call "the outside."
The best Steam Deck backpack
✅ You prefer hands-free: Hand-held carry cases are great, but sometimes you want to, y'know, actually use your hands. In which case, a backpack like this is a great choice.
❌ You want a backpack perfectly tailored to the Deck: This isn't made specifically for the Steam Deck, which means certain things aren't just right, such as its slightly tight strap.
While potentially better suited for the Switch, this bag has a lot to offer Steam Deck users. The main compartment is large enough for the Deck, and though the strap doesn't quite fit it shouldn't shuffle around too much. There are plenty of compartments for phones, powerbanks, docks and maybe even a controller, as well as enough space in between that they don't knock together.
There's no dedicated space for a Steam Deck charger though, and I wouldn't want anything rattling around in there since the screen isn't fully covered when you have the Deck nested in its slot. Since it's not technically made for the Deck, the strap to hold it in is a little tight which could end in it coming undone, though it's not going anywhere if it does.
There's a hole in the side of the Annapro carrying case for headset wires, and a comfy shoulder strap. The strap can not only be adjusted, but also switched over to the other side. I've taken to wearing it on my front for easy access and I really appreciate the fact it's waterproof.
The bag opens all the way out and stands up on its own, which is really handy. With the hard case there's an extra layer of protection, though it's not as sturdy as the official Deck case. Still, it's pretty darn comfy, and stylish if you're into the sci-fi street wear look.
I will say it's a little expensive at $40 (£38), but I guess that's the price you pay for dedicated carrying practicality.
The best Steam Deck power bank
✅ You want something small and fast-charging: It'll get your Steam Deck up to full in about two hours and it won't take up tons of room in your carry case.
❌ You need multiple charges: This portable battery only packs just over one charge worth of power in it.
The Zendure X5 is an exceptional offering for $99. Not only is it well built, it also looks pretty darn stylish, feels great in hand, and even has groves on the outside to prevent slippage. Most importantly, it comes with support for 45W Power Delivery. What that means is the it will allow the Steam Deck to charge quickly with higher power than your average charger.
The Zendure X5 does come with a Power Delivery cable which, although it's pretty short at around 17-inches, it comes with a USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter. Just be aware that should you try to charge the Deck with the standard USB Type-A, you'll end up with a warning that you're using a slow charger, and the Deck may eat up charge faster than it can deliver.
The Zendure X5 holds around one and one third full charges for the Steam Deck, and even comes practically fully charged which is appreciated when you're already stuck somewhere without a charging station. It'll keep you ticking along once you hit the dreaded 10% battery mark until you get to a save point, fully charge the Deck, then offer another grace period once you hit 10% battery for a second time
Since the Steam Deck has a 5,313mAh capacity, I did expect a little more charge from a 15,000mAh battery pack, though these things never seem to line up. I also have a sneaking suspicion it continued to drain the battery a little even after it was fully charged. Either way, it holds more than enough charge for a remote gaming session or three. It took just less than two hours to fully charge the Deck, as well.
The Zendure 5X also doubles as a data transfer USB hub, in case you need to jam some files on the Deck quickly while it's charging. It's not got the speediest read/writes, but it's a great extra especially when you're tight on ports. Sadly it doesn't also work as a dock, so you can't use those extra ports to plug in a mouse and keyboard while its charging, but it should be able to give some juice to a wireless controller or headset while you're waiting.
I would have appreciated some kind of carry case for the price, but it's just the right size for most pockets and not too heavy. Overall it's one of the most practical sized, affordable power bank options for the Deck.
Steam Deck accessories FAQ
Is a Steam Deck dock worth it?
I really depends how you plan to use your Steam Deck as to whether a Steam Deck dock is worth it. If you're looking to play a lot of couch co-op, use the Deck like a mini PC, or even just kick back without needing to hold it up during cutscenes, a Steam Deck Dock is super useful. It's also a tidy way to charge up your Deck while displaying it nicely on your desk, with all those pesky cables trailing behind as opposed to strewn over your desk.
If you're looking to plug your Steam Deck into an external monitor in any way, a dock will keep it standing while you work, and it'll mean you won't need a USB Type-C to HDMI/DP adapter. With a dock you can plug in a bunch of peripherals, and some even come with an ethernet port, or an M.2 slot so you can keep all your games on a speedy NVMe SSD.
You'll want to get a Bluetooth gamepad and some other wireless peripherals in order to make the most of a Dock, though—trailing cables from behind your Steam Deck isn't the and just looks plain messy.
What are the best Steam Deck accessories?
Of course it depends how and where you're going to be playing it, but my recommendation for the best Steam Deck Accessories to get the most out of it is to go fully wireless. Plug in a Steam Deck dock, and sit back with a wireless controller, 65% gaming keyboard, and a gaming mouse. Even if you can't afford a dock, a hard case with a kickstand is an absolute necessity.
If you plan to take it anywhere, though, it's worth getting a slightly larger carrying case than the standard one, especially if you're going to pair the Deck with some nice, wireless earbuds as that way you'll have somewhere to stash them.
