As Steam Deck is getting more and more popular in the gaming community and people are figuring out exciting use cases for this device, the market is also getting flooded with Steam Deck accessories and mods. Using these addons or upgrades boosts the utility of Steam Deck in various ways. In this article, we will be covering both internal and external mods that are best paired with the Steam Deck.
Best Mods For The Steam Deck
The 10 best mods and accessories for the Steam Deck are:
- Screen Protector
- Trackpad Protector
- Skins
- Protective Cases
- USB Hub
- Docks
- Portable External Monitors
- Power Bank
- SD Card
- SSD
Below we will go through some basic additional mods to advance upgrades to the Steam Deck.
Screen Protector
This one is easy. Want to protect the screen on your handheld? Afraid of getting the touchscreen scratched? Then slap on a screen protector on the Steam Deck to rid yourself of these worries. There are a bunch of screen protectors specifically made for the Steam Deck already floating in the market. There is also a concern among the users that applying a screen protector will render the touchscreen useless or limit its functionality, to this we will assure you that there is no basis for this issue especially if you are going for a well-known brand.
Below are links to some well-reviewed screen protectors:
- Dbrand Steam Deck Tempered Glass Screen Protector
- Ukor Steam Deck Screen Protector
- JSAUX Steam Deck Sreen Protector
Trackpad Protector
If you have used a laptop trackpad then you know sooner or later these things get worn out with visible markings. You can expect the same from the ones on the Steam Deck so it is better to save them from your oily fingers. Again, using better-known and well-reviewed brands of protectors won’t interfere with the functionality of these trackpads.
Link to trackpad protectors below:
- TouchProtect Front & Back Set for Steam Deck – There are multiple colors and pattern options too so you can customize accordingly.
Skins
Want to add flare to the boring blackness of the Steam Deck? There are multiple companies and online bespoke artists that are creating some amazing skin designs for the Steam Deck. Not only will it make it pop but you get a layer of protection from the normal wear and tear of usage. Do not drop your Steam Deck these are just skins, not cases!
Links to some Steam Deck skins:
- Dbrand Premium and Classic Steam Deck Skins
- Design Skinz Steam Deck Skin
- Skins by MoskeetoDesigns – This guy makes some amazing skins for the Steam Deck like the Portal theme one you can see in the picture above, including others.
Protective Cases
If you want to boost the level of protection or you are generally extra clumsy, then putting a protective case on your Steam Deck is the right thing to do. Not only will it give you some level of accidental drop safety but also increase the ergonomics of the device for a better grip.
Links to some Steam Deck protective cases:
- Steam Deck Case
- Dbrand’s PROJECT KILLSWITCH – A very robust Seam Deck case solution.
Related: No Sound on Your Steam Deck? Here’s How to Fix It
USB Hub
Since the Steam Deck is a genuine portable PC, other than the built-in controller, there are very few ways to interact or interface with the device to give it that computery feeling. Luckily, by adding a USB hub to the Steam Deck your portable console will have the capability to become a proper computer. You can plug in a mouse and keyboard, a wired controller, or even hook it up to an external screen for that grand experience. Some hubs even support 4K 60Hz.
There are so many types of USB hubs already available in the market with different levels of ports and functionalities. Some of the best USB hubs are linked below:
Docks
With all the functionalities of a USB hub and more like an Ethernet connection port, these docks also have that added advantage of placing your Steam Deck in an upright position. You can use it as a desktop PC or even game with a controller while the device is securely placed on a tabletop. It can become a permanent home for your Steam Deck while you are at home or take it along with you while you travel.
Links to some docks for Steam Deck are below:
- Valve’s official Steam Deck Dock – This is the only dock with two display ports (a display port and an HDMI) and direct support from Valve with extra firmware-related compatibility.
- iVoler dock
- JSAUX Gen2 dock
- JSAUX m.2 dock
Portable External Monitors
Speaking of turning your Steam Deck into a desktop PC and since we have talked about USB hubs and docks that have display ports, it is time to look into some portable monitors. These nifty screens can be deployed on the fly with your Steam Deck giving you the option of a portable PC anywhere you want. Not only will it give you a bigger and better display but it can be extra handy when playing couch co-op games with your friends and family.
There are many options for such portable monitors in the market with some even having the extra luxury of being 4K OLED. Some of the links to portable monitors are listed below:
- Innocn 4K OLED monitor – This monitor is a 4K OLED with a built-in battery amongst other bells and whistles.
- Innocn 1080p OLED monitor
- Innocn 1080p LCD monitor
- AWOW 1080p LCD monitor
Related: Steam Deck Controller Not Working (How To Fix It)
Power Bank
If you are a heavy user of the Steam Deck or generally play power-hungry games on it then you must have witnessed how quickly the internal 5,313mAh battery fades away. For longer flights or traveling, you can not rely on this battery to keep up with your usage.
Hence, having a power bank on you at all times is a necessary solution to prolong your gaming sessions. Please note that not all power banks have the kind of power delivery that works for the Steam Deck so be aware of it when buying.
The Steam Deck charges at 45 watts so the power bank you choose must have at least this level of power delivery. Some of the best power banks for Steam Deck are listed below:
- Baseus Power Bank, 65W 20000mAh
- Elecjet PowerPie P20 45W Fast Portable Charger
- Anker PowerCore+ 26800mAh PD 45W with 60W PD Charger
- Anker Portable Charger, PowerCore III Elite 19200 60W Power Bank Bundle
- Techsmarter 20,000mAh 45W Power Delivery USB C PD Power Bank
SD Card
Steam Deck’s internal storage can be easily filled, no matter if you have the 64GB or 512GB model or if you are an avid gamer and have a huge library of games especially if you are into emulation. Luckily for you, the Steam Deck supports external storage in the form of SD cards. These tiny cards have massive storage space and even reading speeds. You can either keep a single massive SD card or buy a bunch of smaller ones to split your collection.
The best SD cards you can get for your Steam Deck are listed below:
SSD
If you are unhappy with the internal storage capacity of the Steam Deck or is the internal storage isn’t capable of holding your library of games? Then you should invest in a bigger SSD for your Steam Deck. Do be aware that installing a new SSD is not as simple as sliding in an SD card and you will have to tinker with the internals of the device, recommended for power users only. Although compared to an SD card, the SSD will surely provide better performance.
The Steam Deck supports a 2230 M.2 NVME SSD so buy the correct hardware before moving on to the installation. Some of the SSDs for the Steam Deck are linked below:
You can use the video below to guide you along on how to replace or install your new SSD on the Steam Deck:
The Steam Deck is relatively a new device and is certainly getting a lot of attention, especially in terms of mods and accessories. The things you can add to your Steam Deck are only increasing and there is a whole 3D printing side of the community that is making all types of amazing stuff for this portable console. Time will tell what else can be modded to the Steam Deck.