In addition to keeping your new handheld console out of harm’s way, protective cases provide a better grip on the Steam Deck, which is great for long gaming sessions.
Here are the best Steam Deck protective cases.
Q: Does Steam Deck Come With a Case?
The Steam Deck comes with a carrying case, but it does not include a protective case. Fortunately, you can snag a cheap protective case from popular case-makers like Spigen to protect your Steam Deck while in use.
The case itself is a blend of a shock-absorbing TPU bumper and hard polycarbonate backing. It does an excellent job of protecting the sides and back of the Steam Deck, and the grippy, textured handles provide a really great feel in the hand and a more comfortable hold of the Steam Deck.
Like most of the available cases, this one also does not offer any protection for the face of the Deck, so you’ll need to snag a screen protector for full protection. Overall, the Benazcap TPU Protective Case is a nice protective case for the Steam Deck with a stand, and it fits snugly in the official carrying case.
The case is thinner and lighter than other Steam Deck protective cases but sturdy enough to offer decent drop protection. It keeps the Deck in a natural and comfortable position on the hand and doesn’t get in the way of the triggers and buttons. The only downside is that the cutouts on top are slightly off-center, but it’s not a dealbreaker since you can still access the ports and buttons.
The Steam Deck fits perfectly in the official carrying case from Valve with the Rugged Armor on and works with the official dock. The fit with the Steam Dock isn’t perfect since it rests on top instead of sitting inside the dock, but it works. Spigen also adds an adjustable wrist strap to complete what is already a perfect protective case for the Steam Deck.
Designed with a soft TPU material, the case is easy to put on and fits the Steam Deck perfectly from all angles. It’s easy on the hands too, and it provides a firm grip, making it comfortable for long gaming sessions.
In addition, the case is thin enough to fit in the Valve carrying case and comes in three different designs, including a fully transparent version.
The case has all the necessary cutouts, including two for airflow, ensuring the Steam Deck runs cooler during long gaming hours. The soft TPU material is soft to the touch and easy to put on and take off the console. You don’t get any form of front protection with this case, but it’s affordable, so you can spend the savings on a screen protector.
The outside feels soft to the touch and has a non-slip, grippy design on the handles, which provides a better hold of the Steam Deck. It doesn’t offer much in the way of drop protection, but it will save your Steam Deck from minor bumps and knocks. The flexible silicone material also makes it easier to install than TPU or hard covers.
The case is easy to install and retains its form over a long time. It comes with clicky buttons and cutouts for the ports, triggers, and heat dissipation. The only dealbreaker is that it doesn’t work with the official dock from Valve, but it’s compatible with third-party ones like the JSAUX dock and fits in the official carrying case.
Q: What Accessories Should I Get for My Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck is ready for gaming out of the box, but you can make it even better with the right accessories, such as an SD card for extra game storage, a power bank, a docking station, a protective case, a screen protector, a game controller, and even an external monitor and keyboard.
Q: What Is the Best Protective Case for the Steam Deck?
There are three types of protective cases for the Steam Deck: hard cases, TPU cases, and silicone cases.
Hard cases offer the best drop protection but can be hard to put on and remove from the Steam Deck. Silicone cases are the easiest to install, and most cover the front of the Steam Deck as well for full protection, but they have a loose fit and attract dust and pet hair.
TPU cases offer the best of both worlds, with a perfect fit and solid protection, but they only cover the front and back of the case. The best case for the Steam Deck depends on how much protection and fit you want for your console.
