Best Steam Deck Accessories To Buy To Complete Your Setup
Valve’s Steam Deck is out now, bringing console-level gaming performance to the palm of your hand. It’s a flexible and powerful mobile PC that lets you enjoy your entire Steam library on the go through a simple SteamOS layer on top of your Linux installation. While there are some rough edges, we enjoyed our time with the handheld, which you can read more about in our Steam Deck review.
However, to get the most out of your Steam Deck, you will need a few accessories. This is especially true if you want to expand your limited onboard storage with a range of microSD cards offering cheap and easy expansion. If you’re connecting the Steam Deck to an external display, you may need a USB-C multifunction hub and a third-party controller, of which there are many options. Here’s our list of the best Steam Deck accessories you can purchase once your portable PC arrives.
The best microSD cards for Steam Deck
The Steam Deck supports storage expansion with a single microSD slot, and in our review we found it to perform well compared to the speed of an internal SSD (or the much slower eMMC memory in the 64GB version). In our testing, we used an older SanDisk UHS-I MicroSD memory card, which means that faster cards can produce much better results. So, depending on whether you want super-fast load times or just the best capacity for your money, your options for the best microSD cards will vary.
You’ll have the most luck with the three brands that have been the most trusted in microSD storage for some time now, notably SanDisk, Samsung, and Lexar. Below are some microSD options that scale with storage capacity, each offering good enough read and write speeds to work great when paired with Steam Deck internal storage.
Best 3rd Party Steam Deck Controllers
Since SteamOS uses the same Valve controller API that the company used with Steam on Windows and Linux, you can be sure that just about any Bluetooth controller (or connected to a USB-C hub) you have should work with Steam. deck. Popular options such as Xbox controller, PlayStation DualSense, Nintendo Switch Pro controller and many other options from 8BitDo will provide you with the most convenient experience, so there is a good selection to choose from.
The best gaming headset for Steam Deck
With its 3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth connectivity, it’s likely that you already have a pair of headphones that will work perfectly with Steam Deck. But if you’re looking for one headset that can connect both wirelessly and wired, as well as a good set of headphones for commuting, console, and additional mobile gaming, then the Steelseries Arctis 3 Bluetooth fits the bill. They offer the flexibility of both a Bluetooth wireless connection and a physical connection using a standard audio jack, as well as providing good sound for gaming and providing a dedicated microphone for game chat. It also helps that they look smooth.
The best keyboards for Steam Deck
The Steam Deck supports both Bluetooth and USB-A connections (via a USB-C dock), so the options for connecting a keyboard to it are almost limitless. If you just want to tinker with the Linux desktop that’s behind SteamOS, then any keyboard you have will do the job. But if you’re looking to use Steam Deck for gaming on an external monitor, or just doing some light work, there are two options that strike the right balance between affordability, feature set, and aesthetics. We’ve focused on compact keyboards here, as you may need a portable keyboard.
The best mice for Steam Deck
As with keyboards, almost any mouse can be used with Steam Deck, both wired and wireless. We’ve picked two more options that aren’t terribly expensive, can just as easily be used with another PC at home or work, and can be easily packed into a bag along with a Steam Deck for a short break.
Best USB-C Hub for Steam Deck
There are currently a variety of USB-C hubs to choose from, most of which will work just fine when plugged into the Steam Deck’s single USB-C output. Depending on what you want to use it for, your options can vary greatly in both design and price. Perhaps the most important thing to decide is if you want to charge your Steam Deck while using a USB-C hub. Powered hubs are among the most expensive, but also generally the most versatile, with most HDMI outputs, microSD slots (unfortunately not ideal for gaming), and a few USB-A ports.
However, if you don’t really want to use the Steam Deck on a large display, you can save some money by removing the HDMI output and keeping the power supply and, in some cases, the Ethernet connection. Anker has options for just about any configuration you might need, but if you’re just looking for more USB-A ports, a basic option can be found for less than $12 on Amazon.
Best Steam Deck Screen Protector
The Steam Deck has a large and bright screen that takes up most of the space on the front of the device, so you need to keep it as clean as possible. Glass screen protectors for Steam Deck are already starting to appear, and while we haven’t had a chance to test them yet, you can rely on them from iVoler. This particular brand makes one of our favorite Nintendo Switch screen protectors.
The best gaming monitors for Steam Deck
While PC gamers probably already have a monitor that will work great with Steam Deck, console gamers choosing Steam Deck may need a monitor. If you plan to use Steam Deck as a desktop PC from time to time, you will need a dedicated gaming monitor. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite budget monitors, including ultra-wide, 1440p, 1080p, and curved options. If you’re looking for a travel-friendly monitor, we’ve also included one of our favorite portable monitors.
