At its core, the Steam Deck is a gaming PC. It's a powerful piece of kit that brings your Steam library into your hands, and so you can play your PC games wherever you are. If y'all're thinking of buying a Steam Deck, y'all might have noticed that in that location are different versions. How do y'all know which to purchase?

In this commodity, nosotros're going to explain the departure between the three models of Steam Deck, forth with offering some advice on which is best for you.

What Are the Differences Betwixt the Steam Deck Models?

At that place are three versions of the Steam Deck that differentiate on price, storage capacity and type, anti-glare screen, and bonus goodies like a virtual keyboard theme.

Model i Model 2 Model 3
Cost $399 $529 $649
Storage chapters 64GB 256GB 512GB
Storage type eMMC NVMe SSD NVMe SSD
Extras
  • Conveying example
  • Conveying case
  • Exclusive Steam Customs profile parcel
  • Anti-glare etched glass screen
  • Exclusive conveying instance
  • Exclusive Steam Community profile parcel
  • Exclusive virtual keyboard theme

Storage aside, the hardware within all iii Steam Deck models is identical. Information technology includes an AMD APU (combining Zen ii and RDNA 2 architectures), 16GB RAM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 40Whr bombardment, and runs SteamOS.

Providing a game passes the Steam Deck compatibility check, Valve's handheld can run it, albeit more intense games you'll need to crank downwardly to medium graphics if you lot want threescore frames per second.

For full information on the hardware, run into Valve's Steam Deck tech specs page.

Practise You Need Greater Storage?

The virtually significant deviation between the three Steam Deck models is the storage. Before we compare, information technology's worth noting that all Steam Deck models support expandable storage via microSD or USB 3.0 storage devices, but your games will always run most efficiently from the internal storage.

First, all iii models have unlike capacities: 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Your decision hither depends on the types of games yous play and how many you desire to have installed simultaneously.

If mostly play visual novels, puzzle games, and platformers, these mostly don't require loads of storage space. However, if you lot enjoy AAA titles, these often demand plenty of space—Reddish Dead Redemption 2 needs 150GB, for example, so it won't fit on the internal storage of the Steam Deck's base model.

Consider besides how many games you require on your Steam Deck at any 1 time. Of course, you can download and (un)install as required, only what if you're without internet? If you desire enough of games available at your fingertips, 64GB isn't going to cut information technology.

a game running on the steam deck
Image Credit: Valve

Second, the models apply dissimilar storage technologies. The 64GB model uses eMMC, while the 256GB and 512GB models use NVMe SSD. The latter is the faster technology. According to Valve, the 64GB eMMC loads games 12.5% slower compared to the 512GB NVMe SSD. For boot speeds, the former is 25% slower than the latter. Likewise, considering of the way that NVMe scales, the 512GB model is quicker than the 256GB model.

The internal storage is not designed for end-user replacement, so you won't be able to easily upgrade it like y'all would for a standard PC. Brand your choice carefully. If yous play powerful games and desire as many installed at once as possible, get the 512GB Deck. Otherwise, for most people, the 256GB model will be adequate.

Is the Anti-Glare Screen Worth It?

Every model of the Steam Deck has the aforementioned display hardware:

  • Panel: Optically bonded IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 1280 ten 800 pixels (16:10 aspect ratio)
  • Size: vii inches diagonal
  • Brightness: 400 nits
  • Refresh rate: 60Hz

Whichever model you cull, you should find the Steam Deck'due south screen to be crisp, bright, and colorful. While it can't compete with the vivid display on the OLED Nintendo Switch, information technology's still decent.

The difference with the $649 model of the Steam Deck is that the screen has anti-glare etched glass. This means it should be easier to come across in bright environments—like playing outside on a sunny day.

playing the steam deck outside
Image Credit: Valve

According to PC Gamer, with the Steam Deck at maximum brightness and the sun beaming, you can however comfortably brand out what's on the screen. Even so, it noted that the screen does struggle outdoors when you're playing a specially dark game.

TechRadar claims that "while the anti-glare coating certainly reduces reflections, it's not enough of a modify to justify the higher price".

Ultimately, it depends on where you plan to play your Steam Deck. While the $649 model objectively has the better screen, if you'll mostly play indoors then you'll rarely see the do good. However, if you live in a sunny climate and plan to play outdoors, consider the upgrade.

What's the Deal With the Carrying Cases?

All versions of the Steam Deck come up with a carrying case, though the $649 model comes with what Valve call an "exclusive" conveying instance. All cases are functionally identical, but the exclusive case has artful tweaks and two additional minor accessories.

The two pictures above show the regular carrying example which comes with the $399 and $529 models. The case zips upward, has a carrying handle, and has a padded interior. The back of the example has a storage pocket and rubberband retaining band.

The four pictures above show the exclusive conveying case with the $649 model. The front logo is a different color, and the zipper pulls and interior material are different. It too includes a separate drawstring pouch for the power cord, and a microfiber cleaning textile.

While a pouch for the power string is handy, it'south non vital, and yous tin can easily selection up cheap microfiber cleaning cloths. Plus, the aesthetic changes are purely that—you may even adopt the all-black look of the standard case. Overall, there's really no need to base of operations your Steam Deck purchase decision on the carrying case.

What Nigh the Steam Deck's Virtual Goodies?

There are plenty of ways to customize your Steam profile, similar with a background and avatar border, and you can grab these from the Steam Points Store. The $529 and $649 models of the Steam Deck come up with an exclusive Steam Community contour bundle, only available through buy of a Deck, which you can come across in the Reddit post above.

The $649 Deck includes the profile bundle plus an exclusive virtual keyboard theme, which you can see in Valve's tweet above. It makes the on-screen keyboard of the Steam Deck look like a mechanical keyboard.

These virtual goodies are fun, just minor. It's likely they won't bear on your purchase determination. Also, at that place'south a whole wealth of Steam profile customization options already available, and the Steam Deck has other keyboard themes to choose from.

Which Steam Deck Is Best?

The main gene you need to consider when weighing up the iii Steam Deck models is the storage. While the anti-glare screen, fancier conveying case, and virtual goodies are all overnice, they're not essential.

Importantly, y'all want to take enough space to install the games you like to play. For most people, the $529 256GB model is the best friction match for functionality and price. If your budget tin can handle information technology, become for the $649 512GB Deck because it's undoubtedly the best. And unless y'all're greenbacks strapped, avoid the $399 64GB model due to its slower run and boot speeds.

All that said, you're likely to enjoy whichever Steam Deck you decide to purchase. Valve has created something special.