Protective cases for the Steam Deck finally became a thing, with several manufacturers popping in and around the market. And although Valve’s tried to make a hefty and sturdy console, the Deck is still a rather sizable device that can easily be damaged if dropped.
Doing so on a hard surface can seriously scuff its shell, break the analog sticks or triggers and maybe even crack its screen. Sure, the best Steam Deck screen protector can prevent your Deck’s display from various “injuries”, but you’ll still need a protective case to keep other parts of your Deck safe from the unyielding effects of gravity.
So, to complement our full list of Steam Deck guides and tutorials, today we’re sharing a list of the best Steam Deck protective cases. But first, let’s answer the following question: does the Steam Deck need a protective case in the first place?
Does the Steam Deck Need a Protective Case?
Ultimately, only you can answer this question. If you’re constantly traveling and gaming on the go, then both a screen protector and a protective case are an essential accessory for your Steam Deck – this advice is coming from a person that isn’t that clumsy, but still aware of all the risks that a handheld approach comes with. The peace of mind that you’ll get with a good Steam Deck protective case is well worth the $60.
However, if you’re a couch potato and are mostly using your Steam Deck in the comforts of a home, then the standard carrying case that comes with the device will be more than enough to endure those few trips per year, and you should keep those $60 for the next Steam sale.
How Did We Pick the Best Protective Cases for the Steam Deck?
Many protective cases made for Steam Deck don’t offer all-around protection. For example, some options don’t cover the part of the shell above the bumpers, which was an immediate disqualification. We also considered cases with kickstands, those that can fit inside the official carrying case, and protective cases readily available on Amazon, with shipping times usually below a week. Here’s a full overview:
- All-around protection. During our selection process, we stumbled upon a good number of cases that don’t cover the small part of the outer shell directly above the bumpers. Dropping your Deck top side first while wearing one of the cases that doesn’t fully encircle the device will damage the outer shell and increase the chance of breaking the bumpers or triggers. Conversely, a layer of protection above the bumpers means they aren’t directly exposed. If you look closely at your Deck, you can notice that the two bumpers protrude just so slightly from the outer shell on the side facing the power/volume buttons; this is a weak point that can break rather easily when impacted during a drop. This is why we only considered cases that go all around the outer shell.
- Included kickstand. Another must-have is the presence of a kickstand. We found this feature even on some of the most affordable protective cases, so we decided to only consider cases that come with a kickstand. Having a kickstand isn’t only handy for situations where you want to make your Steam Deck controller shine, or when playing local co-op games when undocked, but also for watching videos without access to an external monitor and using your Deck in docked mode when connected to a USB hub that doesn’t cradle your Deck. That said, our honorable mention pick doesn’t come with a kickstand, so you have an option if you’re someone who doesn’t see any value in having a kickstand for your Steam Deck. Our budget pick also includes a kickstand-less variant if you don’t want to pay more cash for a kickstand.
- Compatibility. Unless it includes a front side cover, each protective case we considered had to fit inside the official carrying case that comes with each Steam Deck.
- Price & Availability. Each of our picks has to be readily available for purchase with the upper price limit of $15 for our budget pick. It’s just that there are so many protective cases that cost less than $15, so we didn’t see any reason for the budget pick to cost more than that. That said, our best overall choice does cost a bit more.
Best Steam Deck Protective Case: dbrand Killswitch
While the Project Killswitch costs a lot, it does feature superb build quality and is definitely the best protective case for the Steam Deck on the market. It’s thick, but you can fit a Deck wearing it inside the official carrying case; it goes all around the Deck, includes multiple bumps placed all across the top and bottom for extra shock absorption, and features a removable kickstand that’s easy to mount and dismount.
We also like the subtly textured material used and the four silicone bands on each side that further increase grip. The best of all is that the default package comes with a skin, making the $60 price point much more digestible. Note that you can also get the travel kit bundle that includes a front cover if you’re looking for a complete, travel-friendly package so you don’t have to tuck your Deck inside the official carrying case when traveling.
Another well-thought addition is the optional dock adapter kit, allowing you to use your Deck with the Killswitch case while docked. On the flip side, there’s the steep price, the kickstand that doesn’t look like the sturdiest piece of hardware, and the fact that Steam Deck owners with smaller hands could have issues with ergonomics due to the sheer thickness of the case.
Best Budget Steam Deck Protective Case: Benazcap Silicone
At only $11, the Benazcap Silicone Case packs a hefty amount of bang for your buck. The soft silicone used is grippy and provides a certain amount of shock absorption, yet it isn’t too thick to mess up ergonomics. This might be good news for those with smaller hands, but we’d like to see a few extra millimeters of material on the top side because the volume buttons seem too exposed, especially when compared to the thickness and protection offered by Project Killswitch.
On the other hand, the case is thick enough to provide protection for the aforementioned bumper weak points, comes with textured silicone around the grips, and wraps all around your Deck, including the front side. This won’t save your analog sticks if your Deck falls down face first, but it does look kind of cool. Another positive is that you can use your Deck with most third-party docks as well as with the official Steam Deck dock while wrapped inside the case. We also like the included kickstand, which looks quite sturdy for such an affordable product.
On the flip side, those thick bumps on the front can get uncomfortable during longer gaming sessions and the case can be a pain to install due to it covering the whole Deck. Another thing worth mentioning is that you can get the kickstand-less version of the case for only $6.60, which is probably the most affordable protective case option you can find outside of Aliexpress.
The Outlier: JSAUX ModCase for Steam Deck
The JSAUX ModCase for Steam Deck features a unique design with a mounting point on the back you can use to install different modules, such as the silicone strap found on the base set, a detachable fan, or even a USB-C hub or a power bank.
The base set that costs $30 comes with a removable silicone strap you can use to secure a power bank, USB hub, or even an external SSD, which is pretty darn cool. The well-thought design of the JSAUX ModCase doesn’t stop there since the kickstand is made of metal and is also removable. Next, the USB-C cover features a small cut-out, allowing you to use this case with the official Steam Deck dock that features an angled USB-C port, and the volume and power buttons are covered with silicone for extra protection.
The case covers the area above the bumpers, is textured around the grip area, and is thick enough to protect the USB-C port, headphone jack, and bottom paddles without noticeably hampering ergonomics. Another huge plus is that a hard front cover is bundled in the $30 base set.
The JSAUX ModCase is available in three different bundles, each with its own set of extra goodies. Personally, we advise everyone to skip the cooler bundle since the modular fan won’t lower your thermals and is basically a gimmick that costs $20 extra. On the other hand, the USB hub and power bank sets are both pretty handy. The two bundles sell at $80 each, and while they might seem too costly, the USB hub that comes with a bunch of ports –HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4, Gigabit LAN, SD card reader, multiple fast USB-A ports, and more– and the massive 20,000mAh power bank, both of which can be seamlessly mounted on the back of your Deck, are definitely worth paying $50 extra.
Honorable Mention: Spigen Rugged Armor Protective Case
While the Rugged Armor Protective Case from Spigen doesn’t feature a kickstand, we had to include it because it looks great, feels extremely comfy under the fingers, is quite thick and covers the whole Deck, and comes with a wrist strap for extra protection for all you out and about maniacs who like playing their Decks while hiking or mountaineering. At $25 it is a bit pricey when compared to our other picks, and it doesn’t include a kickstand, but it looks terrific, and the wrist strap is a unique addition not found on other cases on this list.
FAQ
Can a Steam Deck Protective Case Increase Temperatures?
Technically, any additional layer of material placed over a Steam Deck will increase the device’s thermals. However, in practical terms, you shouldn’t notice any substantial increase in temperatures under load, because the fan can still blow the air out and cool the system. Unlike other gadgets out there, like Apple’s Macbook for an example, the Steam Deck doesn’t rely on its shell for cooling performance – so you’re good.
Will My Protected Steam Deck Fit Into the Official Travel Case?
Your Steam Deck should fit inside the official carrying case while being wrapped inside most protective cases, including the thick boy Project Killswitch from DBrand.
Are Steam Deck Protective Cases Compatible With the Steam Deck Dock?
It really depends on the model, the thinner ones don’t obstruct the ports and “sitting position” of the console, but others like the Dbrand might. It’s best to test it out yourself within the return window.
Will the Protective Case Affect Wireless or Bluetooth Performance?
In short, no, it doesn’t.
Do Protective Cases Mess up Ergonomics?
They can negatively affect ergonomics, especially if you have smaller hands. For example, a protective case that’s on the thicker side –like our best overall pick, Project Killswitch– can make it harder to press the bottom paddles or comfortably use the triggers. We recommend reading user reviews if you’ve any concerns regarding this issue.