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🌟 Compare Switch 2 vs Steam Deck vs ROG Ally →
Buying a handheld is only the beginning. You might be wondering what other Switch 2, Steam Deck or ROG Ally accessories can you buy?
Whether you’re using a Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or another handheld, you’ll quickly find cases, chargers, docks, controllers, storage upgrades, grips, screen protectors, power banks, and dozens of other accessories being recommended to you.
The problem is that you probably don’t need all of them.
What you should buy first depends more on which handheld you own and how you actually use it than on which accessories are the most popular.
Someone carrying a Switch 2 to work every day may need a case and screen protector before anything else. Someone who mainly uses a Steam Deck around the house might care more about comfort and charging. Someone building a docked ROG Ally setup may want a dock, controller, and monitor accessories first.
So instead of buying everything at once, start with what actually improves your setup.
🥇First: Which Handheld Are You Using?
The accessories worth buying first can change depending on the device.
🟥 Nintendo Switch 2
is the most straightforward for handheld and docked play. Cases, screen protection, controllers, storage, and dock accessories are common starting points.
🟦 Steam Deck
offers more of a handheld PC experience. Cases, grips, docks, chargers, and stands are popular, and it can also be connected to a TV or monitor, though docked setup takes a little more effort than Switch 2.
🟪 ROG Ally
works similarly but leans even more toward a Windows PC setup. Docks, chargers, cooling accessories, stands, and controllers can all be useful, especially if you plan to connect it to a larger display.
🕹️ Cross-Platform Accessories
Looking for something you can use across multiple devices? Explore chargers, controllers, docks, portable monitors, audio gear, XR glasses, and other accessories that can work with more than one handheld.
📝 In short: Switch 2 makes docked play easiest, while Steam Deck and ROG Ally offer more flexibility with a slightly more involved setup.
If you haven’t decided which handheld fits you yet, start with our Switch 2 vs Steam Deck vs ROG Ally comparison before buying accessories.
🌟 Compare Switch 2 vs Steam Deck vs ROG Ally →
🛡️ Start With Protection If You Carry Your Handheld
If your handheld regularly leaves the house, protection is probably the easiest place to start.
You don’t necessarily need the biggest case or the most expensive protective shell. You just want enough protection for the way you carry the device.
For most portable setups, that usually means starting with a carrying case and screen protector. A slim case may be enough if you’re just carrying the console.
A larger case makes more sense if you’re also carrying chargers, controllers, game cards, cables, or other accessories.
And if you’re putting your handheld inside a backpack or bag with other items, screen protection becomes much more useful than it might be for a system that stays at home.
🔋 Look at Charging Next
A handheld isn’t very useful if you’re constantly worried about running out of power.
Before buying a bunch of smaller accessories, make sure you have a charging setup that works for where you actually play.
If you mainly play at home, the charger that came with your device may already be enough. If you move between different rooms, work, school, or other locations, having another compatible charger can make your setup much easier.
And if you’re regularly away from an outlet for long periods, a portable power bank may be more useful than buying another controller, stand, or cosmetic accessory.
You don’t necessarily need every charging accessory at once.
Start by asking: Where do I normally run out of battery?
That usually tells you what kind of charging accessory you actually need.
💾 Think About Storage Based on the Games You Play
Storage isn’t always the first accessory you need, but it can become important quickly if you download a lot of games.
Large digital libraries and bigger games can fill available storage faster than you expect.
If you mainly buy physical games or keep a smaller library installed at once, extra storage may not be an immediate priority.
But if you’re constantly deleting games to make room for something new, storage should probably move much higher on your list.
This is another example of why there isn’t one universal “must-have” accessory list. A storage upgrade could be essential for one player and almost unnecessary for another.
🏗️ Build Around How You Actually Play
Once you’ve covered the basics, this is where your setup becomes more personal.
Instead of buying accessories because they’re popular, think about your most common way of using the handheld.
🔹If you mostly play handheld: comfort accessories such as grips, thumb grips, stands, or ergonomic cases may matter more.
🔹If you mainly play docked: a dock, controller, charging setup, and display accessories become more important.
🔹If you travel often: focus on cases, portable power, compact chargers, cable organization, and storage.
🔹If you play at a desk: stands, docks, monitors, keyboards, controllers, and other desktop accessories may make more sense.
🔹If you mostly play at home: you may not need many travel accessories at all.
The best setup isn’t necessarily the one with the most accessories. It’s the one where the accessories solve problems you actually have.
❌ Don’t Buy Everything at Once
It’s easy to look at handheld accessory videos or store listings and feel like you need ten different products immediately. You probably don’t. Start with one or two things that solve an obvious problem.
If you’re worried about damaging the handheld, start with protection. If battery life is constantly getting in your way, work on charging.
If your hands get uncomfortable during longer sessions, look at grips or other comfort accessories.
If you’re constantly running out of space, look at storage. You can build the rest of your setup over time.
This also makes it much easier to tell which accessories are actually improving the way you play.
📋 A Simple Starting Order
For most handheld owners, a practical starting order looks something like this:
- Protection — case and screen protection if you carry the handheld.
- Charging — make sure you can easily charge where you normally play.
- Storage — upgrade when your game library actually requires it.
- Comfort — grips, stands, thumb grips, or other accessories based on longer play sessions.
- Docked-play accessories — docks, controllers, monitors, and other gear if you regularly play on a larger screen.
- Travel accessories — power banks, larger cases, compact chargers, cable organizers, and other portable gear.
- Optional upgrades — cosmetic accessories, modifications, extra controllers, and other additions once the basics are covered.
You don’t have to follow this order exactly.
The point is to start with what solves your biggest problem first.
🎮 Start With Your Handheld
Once you know what type of accessory you need, the next step is finding options that actually fit your device.
🟥 Nintendo Switch 2
Explore cases, screen protectors, controllers, chargers, storage, dock accessories, stands, and other Switch 2 gear.
🟦 Steam Deck
Explore cases, grips, docks, stands, charging accessories, screen protection, DIY upgrades, and more.
🟪 ROG Ally
Explore cases, docks, cooling accessories, stands, chargers, grips, protection, and other ROG Ally accessories.
🕹️ Cross-Platform Accessories
Looking for something you can use across multiple devices?
Explore chargers, controllers, docks, portable monitors, audio gear, XR glasses, and other accessories that can work with more than one handheld.
✅ Choose a Setup Based on How You Play
There isn’t one accessory list that works for every handheld gamer.
Someone who takes a Switch 2 on a train every day needs a very different setup from someone who keeps an ROG Ally connected to a monitor at home.
That’s why the best place to start isn’t:
“What accessories does everyone say I need?” It’s: “What would make the way I already use my handheld better?”
Answer that first, buy the accessories that solve those problems, and build the rest of your setup from there.