Looking for the best Steam Deck skins? You can give your Deck a brand-new look, but not all of them are born equal, so we’ve picked out some of our favorites.
Valve’s Steam Deck is one of the most popular handhelds available today, so it’s no wonder why there are a dozen or so options for skins and decals out there. From dbrand and JSAUX to the trove of options on Amazon, which one is for you?
As a precautionary measure, make sure you buy your Steam Deck, and Steam Deck OLED skins and decals from a reputable source. There have been reports of people removing the skins and causing damage to the case.
dbrand: The best skins for your Steam Deck
The classic and best skins available for the Steam Deck are from dbrand. Not only do you get to customize your device to your liking, but you’ll find it to provide that extra layer of protection. It’s not going to save the Steam Deck from a large fall, but the outer layer does offer some resistance against weathering.
dbrand provides a slew of options for the Steam Deck, from an incredibly cool ‘innards’ skin to the usual changing the color.
The company is excessively proud of its selection of skins, claiming they’re as thin as “two pieces of hair”. Really, the best thing about them is that removing the skins once you’re done won’t leave much residue behind, nor cause damage to the device. They’re also textured, adding a nice subtle grip to your Steam Deck and better yet, there’s a whole range of OLED skins available to choose from too.
JSAUX: Reliable skins
JSAUX skins arguably aren’t as high quality as dbrand , but do offer a great offering as a cheaper alternative.
The main takeaway from seeing reviews and complaints is that there’s a level of expectation due to dbrand’s influence. For this set of Steam Deck skins, you’re really going to need to take your time. Layering on what is effectively a large sticker needs some finesse or risk misalignment.
JSAUX don’t offer these as their primary product and it seems to be more about being the number one brand for everything Steam Deck.
What’s interesting is their color selection. While not as plentiful as dbrand’s, they do provide some neat homages to favorite franchises. The Evangelion inspired green and purple one, as well as a retro, Game Boy-styled skin are just some of the highlights from the lot.
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PlayVital: The budget option
While not exactly the highest quality, coming in under $20 for a massive selection of skins for your Steam Deck is hard to argue with. PlayVital provides a monstrous 75 options on Amazon, with the price set at $15.99.
It seems that PlayVital does have some issues with their skins, but much like JSAUX, it’s more about patience. Not everyone will provide a dbrand level of skins, and not everyone can afford the cost of them either.
They might be the budget option, but the Steam Deck skin market is filled with duds and this seems like the most suitable option amongst them.
Pop Skin: Best skins for fans of anime
Pop Skin first entered the Steam Deck skin market with one single skin available, themed around Mobile Suit Gundam. While an odd choice, we’re massive fans of Gundam and despite its slick texture, this is a doozy of a makeover. It provides that weathering protection while allowing you to legally be allowed to fight your bitter rival in space (robot not included).
Since the Gundam skin, Pop Skin has expanded its catalog to release some of the best looking Steam Deck skins available, ranging from one based off the classic Nintendo GameCube, and even something for Marvel fans.
Sadly these eye-catching Steam Deck skins aren’t always in stock on the Pop Skin Amazon store, but keeping a watchful eye on the Pop Skin’s social media channels is a sure way to be informed of any future restocks.
Can you remove the skin after it is on the Steam Deck?
Of course, you can. You’ll want to gently pull away at it with a hairdryer, ensuring that the glue is coming away without damaging your Steam Deck. To do this cold, and without the magic touch could result in it ripping, being stuck to your Deck, or even worse, damaging the Steam Deck.
Do you need a skin for the Steam Deck?
Not at all, you shouldn’t get one if you don’t want one. Much like with any decals and skins, it’s all down to personal preference.
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