Valve released the CAD files of the Steam Deck shortly prior to the official launch date. This allowed modders, accessory designers, and tinkerers the opportunity to feel the Deck in their hands. The free availability of the CAD files allowed people to design a variety of 3D-printed accessories and mods that enhance the gaming experience on the Steam Deck.
These accessories are designed to improve the ergonomics, add more storage space, and protect the Deck. More importantly, a large group of designers have come up with clever designs that anyone can use, remix and improve.
The 3D files for the accessories listed are all available. You can download the app for free.Accessories Additional hardware is required Assembly is required.
10 CYBERDECK Portable Deck Steam Briefcase
The CYBERDECK portable Steam Deck monitor is packed in a rugged-looking briefcase. It’s a small briefcase with protective bumpers on the corners that give it a rugged look. The “cyber” part of this contraption is the slot for a 12-inch low-power consumption monitor that can be powered by the Steam Deck itself.
The charger can also be stored in the slot when not needed. Although the STL file for the CYBERDECK is available on Printables for free, it will need to assembled. It also requires hardware such as a USB-C Dock, cables and adapters as well as a foldable keyboard and wireless mouse.
9 Clip-on Stand
This 3D printed clip-on kickstand is simple, but it’s effective. It fixes an issue with which many Steam Deck users had complained. The Nintendo Switch comes with its own kickstand which isn’t the sturdiest but is better than nothing. Even the heavier Steam Deck is supported on flat surfaces with the clip-on support.
Even though the controllers on the Steam Deck don’t detach as they do on the Switch, a wired/ wireless controller or a keyboard and mouse can be used to operate the Steam Deck while it’s propped up. The clip-on stands require two M3 screwdrivers.
8 Deckmate – Ecosystem Of Accessories
Deckmate offers a wide range of accessories that can be used with the Steam Deck. The Deckmate is a cleverly-designed clamp that fits on the backside of the Steam Deck. It also has two microSD cards as an added bonus. The clamp is designed to allow for a hot swap mechanism, which allows the Deck to be fitted with a wide range of accessories such as kickstands. wall mounts. power bank mounts. VESA mounts.
The Steam Deck attachment can be printed free of charge. It does require some assembly and you will need to purchase some hardware. Deckmate can also be purchased as a pre-assembled bundle. Signing up for the Deckmate Newsletter is required to access the free Deckmate files.
7 Grip Extension
Steam Deck’s size and weight can make it difficult to play in handheld mode. 3D printed grip extensions make it easier to play for long periods of time. These grips are designed to fit around the buttons and grips on the back of the Steam Deck.
A nub is located on the inside grip to allow it to be aligned with the screw hole at the back of Deck. This will keep the grip in place. The grip extensions must be removed to allow the Deck to fit into its case.
6 Retractable Monopod For Steam Deck
The clip on the clip-on Kickstand is used to extend the stand of this 3D-printed Monopod. The design of the monopod may not have many uses for the Steam Deck, but it is still not perfect. The creator says that the Steam Deck worked for a time, but then became loose.
It can also be used as a stand to hold the Deck, whether it’s in its down position or when it’s retracted. Monopods can be made stronger with a bit of tinkering.
5 DeckBro v1 HDD/SSD Mount
DeckBro V1 is a great accessory that allows you to add an external hard drive or SSD of 2.5 inches to the Steam Deck. The DeckBro v1 accessory requires a USB C dongle that is a certain size as well as a SATA cable. And, it’s not as simple as the other 3D printed accessories as the Steam Deck in its SteamOS UI does not automatically recognize external USB storage devices and needs some tweaking.
This useful tutorial by steamdeckhq helps to force Steam Deck’s recognition of an external storage drive for storing games.
4 Analogue Stick Protectors
Joystick drift has been a problem for most controllers in the past, apart from those that have Hall Effect joysticks. The Steam Deck, however, does not use Hall Effect joysticks and fortunately, there haven’t been any major complaints so far other than the initial issues that turned out to be (software related (and fixed).).
When not in use, analog stick guards can be used. This will prevent the sticks from moving. This prevents the sticks from moving when they’re not supposed to, in turn reducing wear and tear.
3 Carrying Case Insert
The crater at the bottom of this case can be used to great effect with this clever insert. The Deck case has a crater on the bottom that can be used to store the charger and its wire as well as some SD cards. The insert is inserted into the crater of the case, and covered by an elastic band. It sticks out from the casing a bit. A little design modification might help it fit better.
Steam Deck uses microSD cards.
2 Lifesaver Drop Protection
The Steam Deck case has grooves for the Deck to slot in, but it’s not secure enough to prevent it from falling out if the case is unknowingly picked up with the zip open. The Lifesaver 3D-printed accessory is a solution to this problem. The Lifesaver 3D printed accessory fits into the case that the Deck is in and utilizes the seams of the case’s interior to keep it in place.
The Deck is then placed in the case, and the Lifesaver clamps onto the Deck. A slot is provided for the case ribbon that will go through the Lifesaver, and exit the top.
1 Secure MicroSD card holder (6 slots)
Some people use multiple microSD card to store their Steam Deck games, and they switch between them depending on which game they are playing. The six-slot cardholder will be the perfect accessory for them. It is secured into place by the internal ribbon on the Steam Deck case.
It can store up to 6 microSD cards. They stay in the case at all time. The slots have a clicking sound that lets the user know the microSD cards are securely in place.