What is the best Steam Deck case? A quality gaming handheld case will keep your precious portable safe while traveling, and protect it from scratches and drops in daily life. Valve does include an official carrying case with the Steam Deck, but this won’t necessarily cover all of your needs. That’s why we’ve tried and tested more options, whether you want a carrying case to fit your accessories or a low-profile case that wraps snugly around your device at all times. Several of these cases also work for other handhelds, so if you’ve just bought an Xbox Ally X, this list is for you too.
We’ve tested the materials, protection, durability, price, and storage capacity when thinking about which Steam Deck case is worth a recommendation, and based on those factors, we think the best Steam Deck case overall is the Jsaux Carrying Case. If you want a compact shell, though, check out the Spigen Rugged Armour. There are many more options for different uses in the list below, and if you need some help choosing or have any questions about Steam Deck cases, be sure to check out the How to choose and FAQ sections of this guide.
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Best Steam Deck case 2025:
Jsaux Carrying Case
Best Steam Deck case overall
Jsaux Carrying Case specifications:| Type | Rigid case |
| Material | EVA shell with fabric cover |
| Weight | 493g |
Pros- Very affordable
- Durable material
- Extremely spacious
- Fits Steam Deck, Xbox Ally X, and more
The Jsaux Steam Deck carrying case takes the top spot in our guide because it offers a great balance of protection, storage, and portability – at an affordable price. This upgraded version is the latest in a series of great Steam Deck cases from Jsaux and is just slightly bigger and more expensive than its previous model.
That extra bulk not only gets you lots of storage but also means this case is compatible with wide range of handhelds. It will fit the Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED, Asus ROG Ally X, and Xbox Ally X, though it won’t stretch to fitting the Lenovo Legion Go.
Both the capacity and features on offer are impressive. When you unzip the rugged Jsaux case, you find a handy mesh pocket for storing extra MicroSD cards. There’s also a built-in stand so that you can play the handheld on long journeys on flights or trains (provided you bring your own controller). Beneath this is a roomy storage compartment with enough room for all your Steam Deck accessories. For any of our readers in the UK, a larger Steam Deck charger will fit inside.
All of these storage features come at no compromise to safety. The thick, flexible EVA shell ensures protection from accidental drops or bumps, while the tough outer fabric looks smart and resists scratches and other wear well.
Tomtoc Carrying Case
Best Steam Deck bag
Tomtoc Carrying Case specifications:| Type | Sling bag |
| Material | Polyester fabric |
| Weight | 500g |
Pros- Lightweight
- Bombproof and eco-friendly construction
- Well-organized internal pouches
Cons- Less protective than a hardshell
- Expensive
- Joystick protectors recommended
If you want a protective way to transport your Steam Deck or other handheld, but also want room for a few extras, the Tomtoc Steam Deck carrying case is a great option. With enough room for your Deck, its charger, some earbuds, a mouse, and much more, you can carry your whole Steam Deck setup in one.
What’s more, if you keep your setup simple, this Steam Deck bag can be used to carry more general travel extras, such as a bottle of water, travel documents, and more, saving you from having to carry a separate bag for all these other travel essentials.
Made from tough and waterproof fabric, the shoulder bag includes an adjustable-length strap and has an insert for the main compartment that adds extra padding for your handheld. You can add this when traveling with your Steam Deck or remove it if you’re using the bag for other devices or traveling without your handheld.
Crucially, the flexible, large-capacity nature of this case means you can fit your Steam Deck in it even when your handheld already has a close-fitting protective shell around it. With the Jsaux case, this isn’t as doable.
At $50, this isn’t a cheap option, but it’s well-made and a really convenient do-it-all option for those that actually take their handheld out and about.
Spigen Rugged Armor
Best Steam Deck shell
Spigen Rugged Armor specifications:| Type | Backplate |
| Material | Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) |
| Weight | 100g |
Pros- Fits in original Steam Deck Case
- Wrist strap prevents accidental drops
- Affordable
Cons- No kickstand
- Doesn’t fit official Steam Deck Dock
- No front protection
Spigen’s Rugged Armor case is a well-design and affordable shell case for Steam Deck. It’s not a carrying case, but a flexible wraparound design with an attached wrist strap that will help to prevent accidental drops. This is the best choice if you want a Steam Deck case you can leave on, as you don’t have to remove it while charging or downloading games.
Spigen’s case leaves plenty of room for the Deck’s cooling solution ensuring it will remain snug but not toasty. There’s a very thoughtful cutout for the USB port which allows for right-angle USB-C connectors which are great for longevity. Crucially, it also fits inside Valve’s included case, if you weren’t looking to buy a new one.
The case unfortunately doesn’t have a kickstand like the Geekria product below, which may or may not be important to your preferred mode of play. There is a lack of protection on the front of the device but given the wrist strap, this is a reasonable concession as it helps keep the case slim.
Dbrand Project Killswitch
Most complete Steam Deck case
Dbrand Project Killswitch specifications:| Type | Backplate and hard case |
| Material | Silicone |
| Weight | 239g |
Pros- High-quality
- Has textured grips for added comfort
- Comes with detachable kickstand
Cons- Expensive
- Doesn’t work with some Steam Deck docks
Dbrand is renowned for its high-quality wraps for electronic devices, including making the best Steam Deck skin. They wrap around your device snugly to keep it safe from scratches and dents. The Project Killswitch, though, takes things a lot further.
Along with a front skin for the Deck, Project Killswitch includes a rugged backplate with textured grips for extra comfort, a detachable front case, screen protectors, stick grips, and a detachable kickstand, making it an incredibly versatile option that provides loads of protection.
The main downside to the Project Killswitch case is that you will need to additionally purchase an adaptor if you plan on using a Steam Deck dock, as the shape of the case gets in the way of some of the handheld ports. It’s also quite expensive, but y0u don’t have to buy it all at once, with the “essential kit” version of the case just including the backplate, skin, and kickstand.
Jsaux Steam Deck ModCase
Most versatile Steam Deck case
Jsaux Steam Deck ModCase specifications:| Type | Hard case shell |
| Material | PC-ABS and silicone |
| Weight | 590g |
Pros- Compact
- Modular support for other accessories
- Kickstand
Cons- No compartments like a traditional case
- Some areas of the back exposed
The ModCase lives up to its name by offering several ways to modify its exterior. This hard case comes with a watch-like strap for the back, along with a metal stand, both of which can be removed when not needed.
You can also buy the case in kits that include a docking station or power bank that attach to the back of the case, making it super versatile option overall.
All this and the case itself offers complete protection, with the thick, flexible backplate protecting the back at all times, and the detachable front hard case protecting the front when the Deck is in a bag.
The more elaborate versionf of this case that include a battery pack or dock are more expensive, but the standard version with the kickstand and strap are just $29.99.
Jsaux Kickstand Case
Best Steam Deck kickstand case
Jsaux Kickstand Case specifications:| Type | Backplate with kickstand |
| Material | TPU and hard plastic |
Pros- Rear protection for Steam Deck
- Includes kickstand
The Jsaux Kickstand Case does exactly what its name suggests, providing your Steam Deck with a protective case that includes a kickstand. With it being a case that only covers the back of the handheld, we’d call it a backplate more than a case, but the function is the important part, not the name.
The sides of the case are made from TPU, which is a tough, slightly flexible material that makes it easy to push the Steam Deck into the case where it remains secure. The case then protects the sides and back but leaves the front of the handheld exposed, along with its triggers. This makes for great accessibility of the controls, but means you’ll probably want to invest in a screen protector at the very least.
The kickstand flips down from the back and can be deployed at four different angles, making it easy to setup the Steam Deck in a variety of ways. For under $20, this is a great choice for those primarily wanting a little extra drop protection and kickstand convenience.
Dbrand Steam Deck skin
Best Steam Deck skin
Dbrand Steam Deck skin specifications:
Pros- Adds almost no bulk
- Can add custom designs
- Easy to fit
- Affordable
Cons- Some designs are expensive
- Provides minimal protection
Let’s be clear, a Steam Deck skin isn’t at all a replacement for a proper Steam Deck case. However, if you’re happy with the included Steam Deck case or use any sort of case that doesn’t stay attached to the Deck, a skin can help provide that little bit of extra protection from scratches, all while adding a bit of a personal touch.
Dbrand is the king of skins, making excellent-quality covers for all sorts of devices, and its Steam Deck skins are no different. They’re easy to fit, don’t leave behind a residue when removed, and come in a vast array of fun designs. We’ve shown the Nintendo Switch-style one here, but there are ones that show what the insides of the Deck look like, add a faur carbon fiber look, or just add a touch of color.
The simpler designs start at just $19.95, but more expensive options start at $29.95. This also only gets you a front skin, the Deluxe Kit adding a back skin and top edge skin for a total of $49.95.
Even with a skin, your Deck won’t be protected from hard falls – and you’ll probably want to get a Steam Deck screen protector too – but to help ensure your Deck stays looking as pristine and scratch-free as possible, they’re a great investment.
How to choose the best Steam Deck case
Whether you’re new to Steam Deck or you’ve been using it since the beginning, a case can add flair and fun to your Deck. Most importantly, it will keep it safe in transport, whether you’re chucking it in a bag, or trying to keep it safe from accidental drops at home. That’s why it’s a good idea to think about how, when, and where you use your Steam Deck most often.
Some cases hug the console tightly, wrapping around for a secure fit, but others provide storage for extra travel items. If you mainly play on the go, get something that can fit your charger and cards to keep everything together. If you’re mainly playing around the house, a slim, close-fitting bit of extra protection, such as you’ll get from a skin and screen protector or Steam Deck shell, might be all you need.
In terms of budget, there are some real bargain Steam Deck cases under $20/£20 on sites like Amazon. But, as ever, you do get what you pay for, with more premium options generally offering better build quality and more protection.
Steam Deck case frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Should you put a case on your Steam Deck?
Valve gives you a carrying case with the Steam Deck LCD and OLED. While great to have, it’s quite basic and doesn’t leave much room for accessories. It’s also more bulky than a wraparound case and offers little in the way of personality.
A Steam Deck case more directly focused on your needs could save you from carrying around excess bulk, or could ensure you’re never caught short without a charger or supply of microSD cards, all while keeping what remains the best gaming handheld safely protected.
Does the Steam Deck come with a case?
Yes, every type of Steam Deck comes with a carry case, from the 64GB LCD model, through to the 1TB OLED. Except for the 1TB OLED, they all come with a bulky semi-ridged shell case. While a little large, it fits the Deck snugly and keeps it well protected. The 1TB OLED comes with a slimmer shell case that will be easier to transport and offers no less protection for your device, but has even less room for extras.
Despite the decent quality of the bundled cases, some gamers will still benefit from buying another case. This might be because they want to have extra pockets for internal storage, they use the bundled case for home storage and want a separate one specifically for travel, or simply because they want something that looks a little flashier.
What is the best case for the Steam Deck?
For the money, the Jsaux Carrying Case is the most versatile option. It gives you enough room inside for a power bank, power and charging cables, earbuds, and extra memory cards. It’s not the most exciting design, granted, but if you want value for money and a roomy interior, it’s the best option on this list for most gamers.
For more ways to make the most of your Steam Deck or other gaming handheld, why not check out our best Steam Deck accessories guide that includes options for docks, screen protectors, microSD cards, and more.