Best Cases For Steam Deck
Even at $399 for the base model, you want to protect your Steam Deck as best you can, and that’s why cases are a good thing to consider. The nice thing about the Steam Deck is that it comes with its own case already. And it’s not a bad one by any means. But it is bulky and is fairly basic in terms of what it can carry.
There are also other types of cases out there that are meant to stay on the Steam Deck at all times. Much like a phone case would for a phone. Whether you’re looking for one of those types of cases, or something slimmer to keep it in during travel, or something more protective, there are options out there.
And some pretty good ones at that. To help save you some time, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best Steam Deck cases available to keep your Deck in. Each one has its own unique benefits, but all will serve a single main purpose. Protecting your Steam Deck. Believe me when I say a case is not something you want to avoid getting. You can certainly continue to use the one it comes with; that’s the very least you want to do.
Having said that, I’d strongly recommend getting something aftermarket. The biggest reason is that you might find something that does more than just carry the Steam Deck. For example, a case that’s not only slimmer but has room for a few microSD cards. Aftermarket options also have some level of personalization to them. Such as finding one that comes in more than one color. Whatever your preferences are, there are tons of options, and there’s definitely something on this list you’ll like.
The Best Steam Deck Case Overall: Dbrand Killswitch
Without a doubt, the best case for the Steam Deck is the Killswitch from Dbrand. This is such a good case that I almost don’t want to recommend anything else because it’s truly that good. Having said that, I do realize it may not be what everyone is looking for. Which is why there are several other options listed.
As for the Killswitch, this is the best case for the Steam Deck because it protects the Deck from all sides, but in a more unconventional way than a regular case. Instead of the Deck being unprotected once you take it out of any other case, the Killswitch is a two-pronged protective system. There’s the harder silicone shell that always stays on the case, and then there’s the screen guard (Dbrand calls it the travel cover) made from hard plastic that goes on the front when you need to store it. This dual protection system ensures the Steam Deck is protected from the front and the back when you toss it back in your bag or luggage. As an added bonus, when the front shell is on, there are cutouts for the joysticks (obviously) so those stay protected as well.
You’ll also find vents on the back so the fans don’t get covered up, and there’s even a nifty kickstand. The kickstand is great because it allows for an easy way to play games on the Deck with a separate controller if you want to connect one. There are also hidden pockets for microSD cards on the back of the kickstand. So you can keep one in the Steam Deck, and then store two more on the back of the kickstand.
Dbrand also offers optional add-ons for this, including the tempered glass screen protector and a mechanical mount for the back. It’s also worth noting that the travel cover that goes on the front is not part of the original Essential Kit. If you go with the Travel Kit, which is $75 instead of $60, it comes with the travel cover and the stick grips. This is the version I’d recommend getting, and then I’d also add on the tempered glass screen protector so you’re pretty protected across the board.
It’s not the cheapest case, but it is the best case you’ll find. I also have this on my ROG Ally X, and it’s quite exceptional. It’s super grippy so you can worry less about slippage from those sweaty palms after hours of gaming, and there are cutouts to perfectly match all of the ports and buttons. Long story short, if you want the best, this is it.
Buy at Dbrand
Best Slim Steam Deck Case: TomToc Carrying Case
While I really, really love the Killswitch it shouldn’t be ignored that the fact of the matter is, the Killswitch doesn’t have a way to carry it more conveniently. It pairs perfectly with backpacks or bags, though. So if you’re always carrying around a bag for it to fit in, then it’s the no-brainer choice. That being said, if you want something that’s really just as slim and is more convenient to hold, go with this carrying case from TomToc.
TomToc makes a bunch of wonderful cases for the Steam Deck and other handhelds, and this is probably my favorite one. It has a carry handle on top, as the name suggests, but it’s also still very slim, so it won’t take up a bunch of space if you decide to store it in a backpack, bag, or luggage. It’s also $29.99, so it’s much cheaper than the Killswitch, and that’s going to be enough of a reason for many to choose this case instead.
Additionally, it comes in three different colors. Including gray, black, and white. What I really love about this case is that it has a screen protection flap on the inside. This flap has a pocket on it where you can store microSD cards and screen cleaning wipes, or really anything that’s sort of flat and could fit that you might want on you. It’s just a handy extra pocket. Speaking of protection, the inside of the case has a padded bumper to ensure the shoulder buttons don’t have any extra pressure applied to them.
And the case has a zipper closure so it’s easy to close and open. And of course, best of all, is that carrying handle I mentioned before. This is simply one of the best cases because it’s slim, stylish, functional, and it has a built-in handle for convenience. Not to mention it’s affordable. What’s not to like?
Buy at Amazon
Best Modular Case For Steam Deck: JSAUX ModCase
If you like Dbrand’s Killswitch but you wouldn’t mind something a little less expensive, and perhaps, a little more modular, JSAUX makes a great alternative with the ModCase. This has a similar design to the Killswitch, and it actually has a variety of modular add-ons to pair with it. For instance, it has a modular add-on with a silicone band that you can wrap around a power bank and secure it. This way, the power bank is essentially attached to the back of your Steam Deck, and then you can plug the deck in so it charges as you play it.
This will help with extending out the battery life. There’s also a mod that comes with a cooler attachment to help keep temperatures even lower and performance more optimal. This and the other mod both come with kickstands as well.
The main reason to go with something like this, though, is that it has the silicone shell that stays on the Steam Deck at all times, and a screen cover to toss on it when you’re putting the Steam Deck in a bag or some luggage. This way, the screen and joysticks are protected. Also, did I mention how it’s more affordable? It retails for $29.99. That’s a pretty good price for the base version. And if you want some of the other mod sets, these will go up in price, or you can buy the other add-ons separately to fill out your entire setup.
It’s not quite as nice as the Killswitch, but it’s pretty close, and it has more add-on options which really is the cherry on top for this case.
Buy at Amazon
Best Hard-Shell Case For Steam Deck: JSAUX Carrying Case
There are dozens of hard-shell case options out there for the Steam Deck, but really the only one you should be considering is the JSAUX Carrying Case. JSAUX once again demonstrates its commitment to putting out a high-quality Steam Deck accessory, and this case is quite excellent. Not only is it very protective of the Deck, but it has all kinds of storage for extra stuff.
The secret sauce with this case is the sort of hidden compartment in the bottom portion of the case. Under where the Steam Deck sits, there are two flaps you can lift up. One flap has a bunch of slots for microSD cards. There’s a mesh pocket on this flap as well for slim stuff. A screen cleaning or microfiber cloth fits perfectly in there. The second flap hides the extra compartment where you can keep a few extra things.
This little compartment is the perfect spot to keep your Steam Deck’s charger, a pair of wireless earbuds or wired earbuds, and maybe even a power bank, depending on the model you have. Then you can put those two flaps back down, toss the Steam Deck in, and close everything up. It’s a very nifty case that really makes it possible to store just about everything you might need for your Steam Deck. It’s quite awesome. And you get all of this for just $19.99.
So not only is it a functional case, with a lot of features, but it’s inexpensive. This makes it probably one of the best value case options on this list, and in general.
Buy at Amazon
Best Grip Case For Steam Deck: Skull & Co. GripCase SD
If you’re looking for just a grip case that fits around your Steam Deck and you don’t really want any sort of travel cover, I really love Skull & Co.’s GripCase SD. Skull & Co. makes awesome accessories for handhelds and I first found them with my Nintendo Switch. The GripCase SD provides the same level of high-quality design as my Switch NeoGrip, and it’s even easier to put on.
The silicone is made from a softer material than that of the Killswitch or the JSAUX ModCase, and that’s what makes it a little easier to put on. The downside is that it might not be as protective. Though having said that, I can’t properly test this because I never dropped my Steam Deck. The upside is that the softer material should be excellent for grip and slightly more comfortable.
Skull & Co. offers a few different color options, including Black, Coyote Gray, and Galactic Purple. It features an open cutout for the USB-C port so you can use the official dock and third-party docks, and there are cutouts for the other ports and buttons, as well as the vent on the back so air can continue to flow and keep the Steam Deck cool as needed. Skull & Co. charges $19.99 for this thing, which is a pretty good price, really, for such a high-quality grip case.
If you want some screen protection, but don’t really like the travel covers, you can still get a tempered glass screen protector to slap onto your Steam Deck’s display, and most, if not all, of them should work with this. In fact, I recommend getting a screen protector regardless of which case you go with. It’s just a smart move anyway you slice it.
Buy at Amazon
Best Full Coverage Grip Case For Steam Deck: Syntech Protective Case
You might think, because it’s full coverage and a grip case, that it should take the spot of the option from Skull & Co., but I would disagree with you there because the material used for Skull & Co.’s case is nicer overall. And I think that is more important while also making the best option for this style of case. Having said that, the Syntech case is still very good, and it provides full protection. So if this is what you’re looking for, go with this over the one from Skull & Co. as almost all of the Steam Deck os covered.
Heck, Syntech even throws in some stick grips so those are protected as well. The downside to that is that the touch-sensitive features of the sticks probably won’t work with the grips on them. If you don’t mind that, though, then this case is a bargain at $19.99. It comes in four colors, too – Gray, Black, Blue, and White.
I found that this case could be a little bit of a pain to put on at first, but once it’s on there, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. Plus, you can pair this with a screen protector, and you’re good to go. The case also features cutouts for all the ports and buttons and the vent. So you’re not missing out on using anything on the Steam Deck.
Buy at Amazon
Best Bag Case For Steam Deck: TomToc Arccos Travel Bag
Aside from the style which I really like, the TomToc Arccos Travel Bag is a stellar bag choice for your Steam Deck because of all its storage capacity. It comes with a cross-body strap so it wears like a sling bag (because that’s what it is), and there’s lots of room on the inside for all of your necessary Steam Deck accessories. Plus a few extra items as well, like your keys, wallet, and maybe your sunglasses.
The biggest reason why I love this bag is that it has shaped sections for the joysticks. When the Steam Deck sits inside the bag, the joysticks don’t have added pressure. There’s enough room for your charger in here too,, plus a power bank, a USB-C cable, and maybe even a mouse if you want one. Though I don’t really see the need in bringing a mouse if you don’t have a keyboard to go with it. So I would personally leave that out if it were me.
Another added benefit is that this fits more than the Steam Deck. If you have other handhelds, such as the ROG Ally X and/or a Nintendo Switch, you can easily fit those systems in this bag as well. It’s an all-rounder that works for all of them, which definitely ups its value and functionality. There’s a zipper pocket on the back as well to stuff a few extra things in, plus there’s a longer loop handle on the back if you want to carry it by hand. There’s an additional loop on the front as well, and you can use this for hanging things like a carabiner for anything you might have that attaches to those. You can also just use it to hang keychains and charms and stuff from if that’s your thing.
Overall, it’s a really solid option for the price of $49.99. There are other great bag cases out there for the Steam Deck, but I think for the price and with all of its features, this is the best option if a bag is what you’re searching for.
Buy at Amazon
