The Steam Deck is a fantastic handheld PC, but a few smart accessories can dramatically improve how you use it — whether you're gaming on the couch or docked at a desk. We looked at expert recommendations and community guides to find the upgrades that matter most. For portable play, great wireless earbuds with strong noise cancellation make a real difference. For docked setups, a compact mechanical keyboard turns the Deck into a proper workstation. Here are our top picks for audio and input, backed by hands-on reviews.
The Steam Deck is already a remarkable piece of hardware — a full handheld PC that runs your library, your emulators, and even your desktop apps. But out of the box, it's a fairly bare-bones experience. A few well-chosen accessories can transform it from a capable portable into something that fits your exact workflow, whether that means immersive audio on the train or a clean docked setup at home.
We've combed through expert reviews and community guides1 to find the accessories that genuinely improve the Steam Deck experience — no filler, no gimmicks. Here's what we'd actually buy.
If you're playing on the go, the built-in speakers are fine for quick sessions, but they won't do justice to a game's soundscape. You need earbuds that are comfortable for long stretches, block out ambient noise, and connect reliably.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 check all those boxes. They offer strong active noise cancellation (ANC), which makes a real difference when you're trying to focus on a game in a noisy environment. They're also rated IP68 for dust and water resistance — meaning they can handle sweat, light rain, or a bump in your bag without issue. Battery life sits at around 8 hours with ANC on, which is more than enough for extended play sessions, and the charging case adds extra top-ups.1
Bluetooth pairing with the Steam Deck is straightforward, and the low-latency performance keeps audio in sync with gameplay. They're not the cheapest earbuds on the market, but for the combination of durability, ANC quality, and comfort, they're a strong investment for any portable gamer.
When you dock your Steam Deck, you're essentially getting a full PC — and a full PC deserves a proper keyboard. But you don't want something massive that defeats the purpose of a compact setup. The Corsair K70 RGB Pro Mini Wireless is a 60% keyboard that's small enough to toss in a bag but doesn't compromise on typing feel.
It uses Cherry MX Speed switches, which are responsive and satisfying for both gaming and typing. The wireless connection (Slipstream or Bluetooth) pairs easily with the Steam Deck's dock, and the battery lasts for weeks of regular use. The compact layout means you'll have plenty of desk space left for a mouse or your Deck itself.1
For anyone who uses their Steam Deck as a secondary desktop — for browsing, writing, or light productivity — this keyboard is a natural fit. It's built to last, and it doesn't take up more room than necessary.
If portability is your absolute priority — maybe you travel with your Deck and want a keyboard that slips into the same case — the Corsair K100 Air Wireless is worth a look. It's one of the thinnest mechanical keyboards on the market, using Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile switches that deliver a real mechanical feel in a chassis barely thicker than a smartphone.1
It connects via Bluetooth or Slipstream wireless, so it works seamlessly with a docked Steam Deck. The aluminum frame feels premium, and the per-key RGB lighting is a nice bonus. The trade-off is that the ultra-low-profile switches won't suit everyone — they're lighter and shallower than traditional mechanical switches. But if you value a slim, travel-friendly keyboard that still feels mechanical, this is the one.
It comes down to how you use your Steam Deck.
None of these are essential to using the Steam Deck — but each one makes the experience noticeably better in the right context. And that's really what good accessories do: they get out of the way and let you focus on what you're playing.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, AskBuy earns from qualifying purchases. This helps us keep our recommendations independent and honest.
This page was written by the engine and the engine is still on the line. The conversation below picks up where the article stops.
Yes — the picks above are the engine's current verdicts. Ask a sharper version of this question below and you'll get a custom answer with the latest pricing.