Best Gaming Accessories. The following list is the Best Gaming Accessories from Amazon. When we first began covering Nintendo Switch news and games, it fit nicely into our focus and evolved into our daily SwitchArcade Round-Up. We’re not going to push Valve’s Steam Deck as hard as we could, but we’re keeping an eye on how it evolves across games and Valve’s software. If you’re a new Steam Deck owner or thinking about getting one, we want to provide you with excellent coverage. If you missed it, Jared reviewed the hardware back in February.
The Steam Deck comes with a fantastic case that will be perfectly fine for most people, but both new and old (you know what I mean) Steam Deck owners can expand the experience and improve various aspects of it with a few accessories. Your purchase includes everything you need, but the items listed below will make things even better. Some of these are required, while others are optional but desirable.
What SD card should I get for my Steam Deck? (Best Gaming Accessories)
Even if you have a 256GB Steam Deck, chances are you’ll want more storage because most AAA games are approaching 60-70GB these days, if not exceeding 100GB. The ability to swap in and out micro SD cards on Steam Deck or use a single large capacity one is extremely convenient.
SanDisk SD cards are great for both the Switch and the Steam Deck, and while lower capacity cards are available, I’d recommend getting the 512GB or 1TB ones if you don’t plan on using more than one. If you don’t mind swapping SD cards, the 256GB and 128GB models are available. Because many AAA PC games are massive, 256GB should be considered the bare minimum.
The most suitable Steam Deck case (Best Gaming Accessories)
The Steam Deck comes with a great case, but only the 512GB model comes with an extra pouch and a cleaning cloth. The case itself is excellent, but if you’re having zipper issues or need a spare case, the JSAUX carrying case is ideal for the Steam Deck and a few accessories.
USB Hubs and Steam Deck
While some users have reported issues with USB hubs on the Steam Deck, Valve’s recent updates have worked to improve Type-C dock compatibility. When shopping for a USB Type-C hub, look for one that includes regular USB slots, power, and possibly Ethernet or HDMI. Anker makes the best hubs I’ve used in general. Check out this one for Steam Deck if you want to add a variety of useful ports to your Deck.
Which is the best Steam Deck controller to buy: the PS5 or the Xbox?
While most people will not need to use an external controller, using your Steam Deck in tabletop mode or connecting it to an external display will be beneficial. Because the Steam Deck is a PC with bluetooth support, you can buy a variety of controllers, but depending on your preferences, you’re better off getting a standard PS5 or Xbox controller. You can also get one of the fantastic 8BitDo controllers from this site. The white PS5 controller is more commonly available than the other colors, whereas the Xbox Wireless Controller comes in a variety of colors. This blue one is fantastic.
USB C Cable for Steam Deck
You’ll need a good USB C cable if you want to charge your Steam Deck with an external power bank. In my experience, the Anker ones have been excellent for charging the iPad Pro, Nintendo Switch, and now the Steam Deck. Here’s the one I’d recommend. Ideally, you can find one with a right angle connector, like this one, but I have yet to find a good one at a reasonable price. If you find one, please let us know in the comments section below.
Using a power bank to extend the life of the Steam Deck’s battery
While you can limit frame rate, reduce brightness, and do other things to use less power on your Steam Deck during gameplay, having a portable way to charge your handheld is always a good idea. You probably already have a power bank if you own a Nintendo Switch, but this Anker one is great for use with Steam Deck and other devices.
Wireless Steam Deck headphones (Best Gaming Accessories)
Because the Steam Deck is essentially a PC, there is a lot more flexibility with things like headphones, keyboards, and mice, but the set I’d recommend is either Apple’s AirPods or the AirPods Pro. Since the original iPad, the AirPods have been my favorite Apple product, and it’s great to finally have a portable that works well with them. They frequently see discounts as well.
Screen protector for Steam Deck
If you like using screen protectors with tempered glass and the like on your displays, the best Steam Deck screen protector on Amazon is this one. You can get a set for a low asking price, and they are fairly simple to install. There may be better options in the future, but for the time being, this is your best bet.
If you want to add some more accessories to your Steam Deck, the ones listed below aren’t necessary, but they’re useful in a variety of situations.
Carrying case for Steam Deck SD cards
One interesting use case I’ve seen online is purchasing a few lower capacity micro SD cards rather than a single large expensive one. Some people regard these individual ones as cartridges for larger games or franchises. I like the concept and have decided to get one for fighting games, another for Yakuza games, and so on. If you’re planning on doing so, this SD Card carrying case will come in handy.
Cleaning Cloth for Steam Decks (Best Gaming Accessories)
The final optional item is a cleaning cloth. You probably have some of these lying around with your spectacles or whatever, but it’s a good idea to keep one in your Steam Deck carry case in case you need to clean the screen. Just make sure it doesn’t have any crumbs or dirt on it before using it to avoid scratching your Steam Deck screen.
Hopefully, these will assist you in making the most of your shiny new Steam Deck. Please leave any additional Steam Deck accessory suggestions in the comments section below. I’m curious to see how everyone is enjoying the handheld. If you buy any of the accessories listed above through our Amazon links, it helps TouchArcade in a small way while also getting you some great deals on products that will make your Steam Deck experience a lot better in some way.