Best Steam Deck Setup Under $700: Everything You Need
The Steam Deck OLED costs $549 by itself. A complete setup — screen protector, carrying case, power bank, and a dock for TV mode — can push the total well above that. But you can build a genuinely complete Steam Deck setup for under $700 by being selective about what you buy.
The Complete Setup Under $700
The Device: Steam Deck OLED 512GB ($549)
The Steam Deck OLED 512GB is the baseline. It includes the device, a 45W charger, and a carrying case (the included case is basic but functional). Start here.
Screen Protector: JSAUX Tempered Glass (~$13)
The Steam Deck OLED ships without a screen protector. The JSAUX tempered glass protector is the top community recommendation — 9H hardness, oleophobic coating, and an alignment frame for bubble-free installation. A 2-pack for $12–$15 covers you with a spare.
👉 JSAUX screen protector on Amazon
MicroSD Card: SanDisk Extreme 512GB (~$35)
The 512GB internal SSD fills up faster than you’d expect — modern games average 30–80GB. A 512GB SanDisk Extreme microSD card gives you room for your full library. The SanDisk Extreme is rated for U3 V30 speeds and performs well in the Deck’s slot.
👉 SanDisk Extreme 512GB on Amazon
Carrying Case: Tomtoc Slim Case (~$30)
The included Valve case is a basic zippered sleeve. The Tomtoc Slim Case has a hard-shell exterior, internal padding, and fits the Deck with most cases applied. Extra pockets for accessories. Well-made and recommended by the Steam Deck community consistently.
👉 Tomtoc Steam Deck case on Amazon
Power Bank: Anker 737 or Baseus Blade (~$60–$100)
Optional but valuable for travel. The Baseus Blade 100W 20,000mAh (~$60) charges the Deck at full speed and provides two full charges. If budget is tight, skip this and just bring the included charger.
Total Budget Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Steam Deck OLED 512GB | $549 |
| JSAUX Screen Protector (2-pack) | ~$13 |
| SanDisk Extreme 512GB microSD | ~$35 |
| Tomtoc Carrying Case | ~$30 |
| Baseus Blade Power Bank (optional) | ~$60 |
| Total with power bank | ~$687 |
| Total without power bank | ~$627 |
Optional Add-Ons
- Dock for TV mode (~$20–$40): JSAUX or SABRENT USB-C hubs work as basic docks. The official Valve dock ($89) is better but expensive
- Bluetooth controller (~$50): DualSense or 8BitDo Pro 2 for TV mode gaming
- Grip case (~$25): Adds ergonomic handles for long handheld sessions
Bottom Line
The essentials — Steam Deck OLED, screen protector, microSD, and case — run $627, well under $700. Adding a power bank for travel pushes to ~$687, still under budget. Prioritize the screen protector and microSD first; the carrying case and power bank can come later if budget is tight at launch.