Graphic: Cameron Faulkner/Polygon | Source images: 8Bitdo, ValveCameron Faulkner (he/him) is Polygon’s commerce editor. He began writing about tech and gaming in 2013, and migrated from The Verge in 2023.Valve’s Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED are major players in the console space. While they’re technically handheld-shaped PCs that run Linux, they are accessible and affordable enough to be the preferred option for many gamers, especially those who want more power and a larger game library than the Nintendo Switch can provide.It didn’t take long after the 2022 launch of the original LCD model, followed in late 2023 by the OLED, for the Steam Deck accessory scene to blossom. Those range from all but necessary (a microSD card and glass screen protectors) to some that are just nice to have, whether you use your Steam Deck strictly at home or if you want additions to make a on-the-go lifestyle easier.Table of ContentsOur must-have Steam Deck accessoriesBest Steam Deck docksBest Steam Deck mountsBest Steam Deck controllerBest Steam Deck portable batteryBest Steam Deck casesOur must-have Steam Deck accessoriesamFilm 3-pack of Steam Deck glass screen protectors$8$8Like all tech, the Steam Deck houses many fragile components. But the one that’s most prone to accidental damage is its 7-inch (or 7.4-inch, if you have a Steam Deck OLED) glass-covered display. I highly recommend that every Deck owner buys a set of tempered glass screen protectors (I’ve had nothing but good experiences from amFilm, although there are many players in this space). It may not save your Deck from catastrophic damage, but its job is to absorb scrapes and jabs instead of the actual glass covering your display (screen replacements aren’t exactly cheap). When the cover eventually gets scratches, or cracks, simply remove it and apply a new one.Note: While the Steam Deck OLED’s screen is bigger than the original Steam Deck, the size of the glass covering the display on both models is identical, so these screen protectors are great for whichever Steam Deck you buy.Read More$8 at AmazonSamsung 512 GB Evo Select microSD memory card$40$5629% off$40The Steam Deck comes with up to 1 TB of SSD storage if you buy the $649 OLED model. However, the more affordable models come with either 256 GB or 512 GB. That’s not an abundance of storage either way, given that PC games routinely come in 30-60 GB (or higher) install sizes. Whichever model you have, buying a microSD card for extra game space is pretty much essential. You might be able to put it off for now, but likely not for long.In terms of what’ll work best in your Deck, you can’t go wrong with any 512 GB microSD cards from the SanDisk Ultra, Samsung Evo Select, or Samsung Pro Ultimate lineups (these are advertised with different read/write speeds, but perform similarly in the Deck).Read More$40 at AmazonSkull & Co. 4-pack convex thumbstick grips$10$10Many people jibe with the feel of Valve’s thumbsticks on the Steam Deck. But if you dislike how slippery they can be (especially those used in the Steam Deck LCD), simply pop some of these affordable grips from Skull & Co. on top of your Deck’s sticks. For $6.99, you’ll get two pairs of thumb pads in the color of your choice that lengthen the height of your sticks, add some roundness to them, not to mention add grip. Keep in mind, however, that they may prevent the Deck’s capacitive thumbstick feature from working as intended.Read More$10 at Amazon$10 at Skull & CoA USB to Ethernet adapter$9$1540% off$9If you want faster download speeds and a smoother online gameplay experience than Wi-Fi can provide, route an extra Ethernet cable from your modem to your Steam Deck, then connect it with one of these USB to Ethernet adapters. Unless you have one laying around, you’ll also need a USB-A to USB-C adapter to plug it into your Deck.Note: If you have a dock or a USB-C hub for the Deck to connect it to a TV or monitor, that may already have an Ethernet port.Read More$17 at Amazon$9 at AmazonCorsair MP600 Mini 2 TB M.2 SSD$140$26046% off$140While much tougher to install than a microSD card, Corsair’s MP600 Mini 2 TB M.2 SSD is worth the effort if you want faster storage for your games. But you’ll likely need some tools, like this iFixit Essentials tool kit for $30, to open up your Steam Deck.Read More$140 at AmazoniClever foldable Bluetooth keyboard with built-in trackpad$41$5323% off$41If you envision going into the Steam Deck’s desktop mode, you may want to grab a compact wireless keyboard to type on. Without it, it’s a real pain to touch type and navigate on the Deck’s screen (especially if you have big fingers). So, do yourself a favor and buy this all-in-one, foldable keyboard that has a trackpad built in. If that’s a too bit pricey and you don’t particularly care whether the keyboard folds, you can get Logitech’s reliable K400 Plus wireless model that has a trackpad built-in for about $25.Read More$41 at AmazonBest Steam Deck docksSteam Deck dock$79$79While Valve wasn’t the first company to launch a Deck-compatible dock, its version is one of the most port-rich options. Its Deck Dock has HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, a USB-C port to receive power from a wall adapter (it includes the same 45 W 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 elegant design. But it comes at a pricier cost than most third-party alternatives, priced at $79.Read More$79 at SteamJSAUX Steam Deck docking station (model HB0702)$60$60Jsaux makes a very similar option to Valve’s official Deck Dock, albeit with a less catchy name. It’s called the HB0702, and it costs $59.99. 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 care whether you have the official Deck Dock, but want nearly identical features.Read More$60 at AmazonBest Steam Deck mountsMechanism Deckmate$39$4920% off$39A company called Mechanism makes the best overall Steam Deck mounting system, satisfying multiple needs and use cases. The Deckmate $49 “entire system” bundle includes more than you may need, like a console grip, a kickstand (shown above), mounts for attaching accessories like a portable battery, a VESA mount, and more. The wall mount included is self-explanatory; it’s a mount that you can secure to your wall by two screws, or just by its strong 3M VHB adhesive. Then the Deckmate’s grip lets it snap onto the wall. As for the monitor mount, you’re getting a mount that can be screwed into any VESA-compliant stand. Then you just snap the Deck onto it.Mechanism recently added a phone mount to the Deckmate’s skill set. The $29 accessory includes an arm that snaps into the Deckmate frame. It supports any phone, thanks to its strong construction, and it works especially well with MagSafe Apple devices. It includes a low-profile, circular magnet you can adhere to any surface you wish to stick your Steam Deck on.Read More$49 at Mechanism$39 at AmazonBest Steam Deck controller8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller$50$7029% off$50If you want a controller to use with your Steam Deck, whether it’s docked or on a stand, you have many options. The Deck supports most controllers that connect Bluetooth or via USB. This includes controllers you may already have laying around if you own consoles, like those that control the Xbox Series X, PS5, or Nintendo Switch, and more.You should proceed to the next section if you’re happy with the controllers you own. But, if you’re in the market for a unique gamepad that has the Xbox analog stick layout, Hall effect joysticks that won’t degrade over time compared to standard analog sticks, plus native wireless support with the Nintendo Switch, your best bet is the 8BitDo Ultimate Wireless.Read More$50 at Amazon (black)$50 at Amazon (white)$50 at Best BuyBest Steam Deck portable batteryBaseus 24,000 mAh 140 W USB-C portable battery$68$8015% off$68Baseus’ 24,000 mAh battery has a 140 W USB-C output speed, which is ridiculously overpowered for the Steam Deck’s needs. We previously recommended the company’s cheaper 65 W option, but it’s out of stock. This one normally costs $79.99, but is currently on sale for just $67.99 on Amazon when you use the on-page coupon that takes $15 off. With its capacity, you should be able to recharge the Deck’s battery a couple of times; however, as with all portable batteries, expect it to drain faster if you’re gaming on the Deck as you’re charging it.Read More$68 at AmazonBest Steam Deck casesDbrand Project Killswitch$60$60There are a bunch of soft and hard cases out there that you can slip your Steam Deck into to ruggedize it, and any of those might be just fine for you. But we’ve really enjoyed the Dbrand Project Killswitch, which lets you add or remove a kickstand, in addition to doing a great job of protecting your console and adding some grip.Like most options, the Killswitch leaves easy access to all of its buttons, triggers, ports, and most importantly, its fan’s airflow. But it’s great that you can add or remove the included kickstand with its lock slot. The $59.95 kit includes the Killswitch case, as well as a kickstand, plus skin decals of your choosing.Read More$60 at DbrandSpigen Rugged Armor Pro case for Steam Deck$35$5536% off$35It’s a shame that Valve doesn’t offer its improved case bundled exclusively with the Steam Deck OLED 1 TB edition for general sale. It gives you the option of a thick, tough case Deck owners are used to, but its special trick lies in its ability to transform into a slimmer case when you pull away its Velcro-locked inner layer. Until that becomes widely available, anyone who’s looking for a case replacement should check out Spigen’s Rugged Armor Pro, a semi-hard case with a pocket. Additionally, it secures the Deck inside with a strap, and if you’re worried about losing your console, there’s enough room in its pocket for a Bluetooth tracker, like an Apple AirTag. This models seems to be out of stock currently, so we’re investigating replacement options.Read More$35 at Amazon