Top 8 Essential Steam Deck Accessories for 2024

Did you know there are Steam Deck accessories that can track your gaming console if it gets lost or stolen? Accessories are a great way to protect your Steam Deck and improve your gaming experience. Our team identified the top eight essential accessories every new Steam Deck owner should have in their starter pack. 

1. Apple AirTag

An AirTag is one of the top must-have Steam Deck accessories. Even if you prefer Android over Apple, the AirTag is definitely worth considering. You simply stick it to an object, register the AirTag, and connect it to an Apple device. Then you can always see the location of your AirTag. 

This is great for the Steam Deck because it helps protect your device from theft. Steam Decks are basically handheld gaming PCs, which makes them a prime target for people looking to get a quick buck from some stolen tech. An AirTag will allow you to track your device if it’s stolen and retrieve it, ideally with the help of law enforcement. 

You can stick your AirTag inside a case or, with a bit of DIY work, inside the housing of your Steam Deck. This second method is a little more complicated, but makes it significantly more likely a thief won’t simply remove your AirTag. 

2. SanDisk Extreme Pro MicroSD Card

One of the few downfalls of the Steam Deck is its limited storage. Luckily, it’s easy to add more room for your games. All you need is a good MicroSD card. The SanDisk Extreme Pro line of MicroSD cards are among the best on the market. They’re available in a variety of sizes, from 64 GB up to 400 GB, but 128 or 256 GB will be good for most people. 

The file sizes of today’s most popular games keep getting bigger. So, a reliable MicroSD card should be in everyone’s shortlist of essential Steam Deck accessories. Remember to stick to a trustworthy brand, such as SanDisk or Samsung, since generic or budget memory cards are more likely to be slow or corrupted. 

3. JSAUX Docking Station and Stand

No list of must-have Steam Deck accessories is complete without the JSAUX docking station. There’s a good reason for this, too. JSAUX makes some of the best Steam Deck accessories on the market. Their docking station is well-designed, sturdy and makes a great stand if you want to set down your Steam Deck and play using an external controller. 

You can choose to buy the JSAUX docking station with or without an included charger. It has one USB-C port, a display port, an HDMI port and three USB-3.2 ports. There’s also an ethernet port located on the side of the docking station. A short cable connects it to the USB-C port on your Steam Deck. 

4. Anker PowerCore+ Power Bank

An external battery is one of a handful of crucial Steam Deck accessories. The battery life of the Steam Deck ranges from about 2 to 8 hours, which isn’t much depending on what you’re playing. An external power supply can help with that. 

The Anker PowerCore+ power bank is an affordable, reliable USB power supply. The 26800 mAh 45W model is ideal for the Steam Deck. It’s intended for devices like a MacBook, but the large power storage capacity is great for the Steam Deck, as well. It’s fairly affordable at about $130, but Anker sells several similar models with less power capacity for a lower price. 

5. Dbrand Steam Deck Screen Protector

A good screen protector is critical with the Steam Deck. This console has a 7-inch touchscreen, which looks great but also poses a big risk of getting scratches, nicks and blemishes. A trustworthy screen protector will keep your display looking nice. 

Dbrand’s tempered glass Steam Deck screen protector is widely acknowledged as one of the best on the market. Dbrand is well-known for its durable, high-quality protective skins. Their Steam Deck screen protector is no exception. 

This screen protector only costs about $25 and you can even add on some rubber thumbstick grips for an extra $10. It’s a bit more expensive than you might pay for a cheap screen protector on Amazon, but you don’t want a second-rate piece of plastic on the fancy screen of your new Steam Deck. Dbrand’s screen protector will be worth paying a bit extra for. 

6. Dbrand Project Killswitch Case

The Dbrand Project Killswitch Steam Deck case is far and away the very best case on the market for this console. It’s touch, ergonomical, customizable, reasonably priced and doesn’t add too much bulk. 

Dbrand originally designed this case with a magnet on the back, but updated the design to remove the magnet after discovering it caused issues with the Steam Deck’s fans. Thanks to that change, this is now the best case for most Steam Deck owners. 

A close runner-up is the JSAUX Mod Case. There are a few different versions of this case, including one that even comes with an external cooler to improve Steam Deck performance. It also includes a plastic cover to put over the front of your Steam Deck, eliminating the need to buy a bulking carrying case. 

7. PS5/Xbox Series S Controller

The buttons and thumbsticks on the Steam Deck are nice, but sometimes you may want to play a game without holding the Steam Deck itself. With a good external controller, you can prop up your Steam Deck in a stand or docking station instead of holding the whole device. 

Both Playstation and Xbox controllers work with the Steam Deck. So, if you already have one around, simply connect it via Bluetooth and you should be good to go. If you are buying an external controller for the first time, though, we recommend either a PS5 controller or an Xbox Series S/X controller. Both are about the same price and offer reliable, top-notch performance. 

8. USB-C to HDMI Adapter Cable

Did you know that you can connect your Steam Deck to a monitor? Combine your Steam Deck with a monitor, external controller and a docking station and you can play games on it just like you would with a PC. This allows you to maximize the versatility of your Steam Deck gaming experience. 

You’ll need a couple of cables if you want to hook up a monitor to your Steam Deck. If you have a docking station, such as the JSAUX docking station mentioned above, you can use a standard HDMI to HDMI cable or even a DisplayPort cable. If you want to connect directly to your Steam Deck, though, you will need an adapter or a USB-C to HDMI cable. 

For example, an Anker USB-C adapter only costs about $18 and lets you connect your Steam Deck to any HDMI cables you might already have. JSAUX also sells a USB-C to HDMI cable in varying lengths, from 3 feet all the way up to 15 feet. You can also use either of these to connect your Steam Deck to a TV with an HDMI port. 

Other Steam Deck Accessories to Consider

Depending on your gaming preferences, it can also be helpful to have a keyboard and headphones around to use with your Steam Deck. Most Bluetooth headphones and keyboards will work just fine with the Steam Deck, but USB is also an option. 

If you have a docking station, you can connect a wired USB headset and keyboard through that. The Steam Deck also has a standard headphone jack if you want to connect wired headphones that way. 

Level Up Your Gaming With Steam Deck Accessories

These top Steam Deck accessories will help you get the most out of your new gaming console. The Steam Deck is one of the best ways to game today, but these accessories can customize the experience for different gaming styles and situations. Plus, key accessories like a case and screen protector will make sure your new console stays safe from damage.