Steam Deck & ROG Ally Accessories: The Must-Haves for Handheld Gamers

Going into the Summer season, you may have bought the new refresh of the Steam Deck with the OLED screen, better Wi-Fi capabilities, and longer battery life or a new ROG Ally X. Or, like me, you are sticking with the old one until the inevitable Steam Deck 2 in the next few years. Either way, there are a ton of Steam Deck and Ally Accessories to be on the lookout for just in time for the Summer season, either for deals or to put on your wish lists.

Over the past few weeks, I have been testing a range of these accessories and have put my thoughts in one place to help you decide which Steam Deck or ROG Ally accessory would work best for you. Remember, we will let you know which handheld these accessories will work on, whether it be the Steamdeck, Steamdeck OLED or ROG Ally, or if it will work on any handheld you have. So get ready for the summer break in style with some of the best accessories for handheld gamers we could find.

JSAUX ModCase

We will see JSAUX in this list quite a few times, as they have been the ones to consistently put out reliable products at a decent price point for the Steam Deck. The JSAUX ModCase is of two cases: the more hearty case with a hard plastic covering and back, with excellent textured grips giving us a good nonslip feel. The most significant addition most Steam Deck cases add is the kickstand that runs the gamut of flimsy to heavy-duty. The Jsaux ModCase leans into the heavy-duty with a built-in metal kickstand capable of multiple angles.

That is not to say everything is perfect with the JSAUX ModCases, as there are a few inclusions that are a bit baffling, with a rubber strap that feels incredibly flimsy but is surprisingly durable. I don’t see a use case for wanting to attach the strap to anything. The other is the rubber stand it comes with that just doesn’t look or feel good. It’s a big piece of rubber that the case doesn’t even click into; it rests on it.

The last slightly annoying issue with the JSAUX ModCase is the cover that you have to take off anytime you want to use it. It can be difficult, as I never know where to pull from, so I manage to pull it off one half and then the other. It only adds a few seconds to the process of wanting to use the Steam Deck, but it adds up over time. With an incredible amount of durability and only a few design decisions that hold it back a little bit, the JSAUX ModCase is an excellent case for those of us who need extra durability on the go.

Included with the Power Bank Edition is a 65w Power Bank that, with any portable gaming device, is almost required at this point for extended play. I drained the Steam Deck battery, and the Power bank managed to charge it back up to full in roughly three hours. This is slightly slower than the charger packaged in with the Steam Deck, which takes two hours to charge the device fully. The upside here is that you can keep it plugged in while you play and keep your gaming going for almost an extra three hours before the power bank runs out.

I found myself having to charge the bank after each full charge of the Steam Deck. It does come with a clip that nicely attaches it to the back of the Steam Deck, and even though the bank itself looks big, it doesn’t add too much weight to the already hefty Steam Deck.

Fantom VenomX 2230 NVMe SSDs

For Steam Deck enthusiasts looking to supercharge their storage, the VenomX M.2 2230 NVMe SSD is a game changer. This compact powerhouse offers capacities up to 2TB, perfect for expanding your gaming library on the go. Featuring blazing-fast PCIe Gen4 x4 technology, the VenomX boasts impressive read speeds of up to 5100MB/s, ensuring lightning-fast game loads and seamless performance so you never have to worry about load times on the go.

The VenomX’s M.2 2230 form factor makes it an ideal fit for the Steam Deck’s expandable storage slot, allowing for easy installation without any bulky add-ons or cables. While it comes at a premium compared to some alternatives, the VenomX’s superior speed and reliability make it a worthwhile investment for serious handheld gamers. With this SSD, you’ll spend less time waiting and more time playing, making it a must-have accessory for Steam Deck power users.

JSAUX Cooling fan

Cooling is essential when it comes to the Steam Deck. When playing games like Baldurs Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, or Resident Evil 4 Remake, I noticed quite a lot of heat emanating from the Steam Deck. Naturally, I looked for a solution and came across the JSAUX Cooling fan, which is built specifically for Steam Deck. This fan works wonders. While yes, the noise output is quite a bit more. I had peace of mind while this cooling fan was running.

Easily charges by plugging a USB-C charging cable into it, which is included. It’ll show a light as to how charged it is and the ability to control the strength of the fan. It’s an excellent addition to any Steam Deck user play. The only downside, and it’s a big one, is that it is built for bare Steam Decks, not even with JSAUX cases. But the trade-off of a longer life for the Steam Deck with less wear and tear on it is worth it, especially if you pair the cooling fan with a docking station.

Docking Stations are an area of Steam Deck accessories; there are a ton of them. They seem to be easily manufactured, but masterfully manufactured is something else entirely. To this end, I ended up testing a few docks and found these two to stand above the rest.

UGREEN 6-in-1 Steam Deck Dock

The UGREEN 6-in-1 Steam Deck Dock is fantastic, from its minimalist design to its ease of use. It’s something that Steam Docks should aim for when releasing new ones. It comes packed with one HDMI out, two USB-A outs, one USB-C out, and an ethernet port to assist with those big Steam downloads. All wrapped in a steady metal frame, with grips on its interior to help hold the Steam Deck in place. With the UGREEN 6-in-1 Steam Deck Dock, it’s as easy as plug and play. 

Even with a big bulky case on the Steam Deck, it fits nicely into the dock, and the USB-C Cable to the Steam Deck length is nice and short. With the ability to plug in USB-A devices like keyboards and mice, this is the perfect device for Steam Deck users who want to get more functionality out of their Steam Decks.

JSAUX RGB Transparent Backplate

The JSAUX RGB Transparent Backplate is a standout accessory for portable gaming enthusiasts looking to add flair and functionality to their Steamdeck or ROG handheld. This eye-catching mod replaces the original backplate with a clear, RGB-lit version that showcases the Steam Deck or ROG Ally’s internals. With five lighting patterns and customizable slides, gamers can personalize their device’s appearance to their heart’s content. Beyond aesthetics, the backplate incorporates a built-in heatsink that aids in cooling, potentially improving performance during intense gaming sessions.

The RGB lighting is powered by a 170mAh battery, providing up to 3 hours of lighting without draining power from the ROG Ally or Steam Deck. Installation is straightforward, although care should be taken during the process. JSAUX provides comprehensive installation guides and tools to ensure a smooth setup, although it does require you to open up your unit. While primarily designed for visual appeal, the added cooling benefit makes this accessory both stylish and practical. For ROG Ally or Steam Deck owners looking to stand out from the crowd and potentially improve their unit’s thermal performance, the JSAUX RGB Transparent Backplate is a compelling upgrade that combines form and function in one stylish package.

2TB WD Black SN770M (2230) SSD

The WD Black SN770M is a great addition to the Steam Deck, especially for people with large game libraries. This M.2 2230 SSD offers capacities of up to 2TB, perfect for expanding your game library on the go while keeping everything running as fast as you need it to. With blazing-fast read speeds of up to 5,150MB/s, you’ll experience fast game loads and smooth performance. The SN770M uses TLC NAND flash for better endurance and performance compared to QLC alternatives.

Although it can run a little hot under heavy load, real-world testing in the Steam Deck shows minimal impact on battery life, and it never experienced any issues in any of our tests. The compact form factor fits perfectly into the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and other handheld devices and is a notable upgrade for people who demand extra space from their portable. Despite its small size, it delivers desktop-class performance with excellent power efficiency.

The SN770M has a five-year warranty, adding peace of mind to your purchase. However, it’s worth noting that this high-performance drive comes at a premium price point compared to some alternatives. For handheld gamers seeking maximum storage without compromising speed, the WD Black SN770M is a top-tier choice that delivers impressive performance in a tiny package, making it an excellent upgrade for your portable gaming device.

Syntech 6-in-1 Steam Deck Dock

The Syntech 6-in-1 Steam Deck Dock is much like the Ugreen dock. The significant difference here is the trade-off of a USB-C in for another USB-A, making this more of a dock for those interested in wired devices like plug-and-play gaming controllers, mice, and Keyboards. Otherwise, it still sports the HDMI out, Ethernet in, and three USB-A-ins. It also holds a more compact, smaller plastic frame.

The only issue with the Syntech 6-in-1 dock is that the Steam Deck has to be placed off-center so the vents are not blocked. This is due to the tighter hold it has on the deck, as it seems to be harder to fit a Steam Deck that has a case on. Otherwise, these decks are very similar in output. Therefore it comes down to a design decision.

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