The best Steam Deck screen protector will keep your handheld gaming PC scratch and smash-free. The Steam Deck is often played on the go, which means it finds itself in more hazardous environments than a typical gaming PC machine. You can’t always keep your pocket rocket in a Steam Deck case, and it deserves protective measures to keep its 7-inch screen clean and pristine.
A screen protector acts as a sacrificial barrier and prevents dirt and scratches from reaching your Deck’s display. The process of choosing the best Steam Deck screen protector is more nuanced than you might think. The 1TB Steam Deck OLED model has an exclusive etched anti-glare screen, and that means that many screen protectors will reintroduce reflections to your gaming experience.
We’ve found the best Steam Deck screen protectors made specifically for the device and picked them based on their value for money, durability, and features, as well as testing out several over the years ourselves. When you’re looking for your screen protector, be sure to check its hardness rating, whether it is glossy or anti-glare, any extra features such as applicators, and whether it fits any existing Steam Deck accessories or a Steam Deck dock.
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The best Steam Deck screen protectors in 2024:
Benazcap 2-Pack
Best Steam Deck screen protector overall
Benazcap 2-Pack specifications:
Material |
Tempered Glass |
Hardness |
9H |
Compatibility |
Steam Deck LCD (2022) |
Reasons to buy
- Decent price
- Multi-pack
- Easy installation kit
Reasons to avoid
- No bundled cleaning kit
- Steam Deck OLED fit not perfect
Occasionally in this life, the old adage of ‘cheap, fast, good – pick two’ gets thrown out the window but, miraculously, gets off without a scratch on it. That’s because it was protected by a perfectly aligned screen protector from Benazcap.
That’s right, with Benazcap’s screen protectors, it really feels like you can have your cake and eat it. Included in the ludicrously good value package are two screen protectors rated for 9H hardness at only 0.25mm thick ensuring a long-lasting screen protector that won’t affect your touchscreen. To make it completely foolproof, there’s also an installation kit. We highly recommend spending the extra pennies for this it works out cheaper if you mess it up. You can also buy the pack without one if you ever need more in the future.
This combination of protection, value, and features makes Benazcap’s offering our best overall Steam Deck protector.
Dbrand Tempered Glass
Best premium Stem Deck screen protector
Dbrand Tempered Glass specifications:
Material |
Tempered glass |
Hardness |
9H |
Compatibility |
Steam Deck LCD (2022), Steam Deck OLED (2023) |
Reasons to buy
- Extremely thin, but durable
- Polished edges accommodate trackpads
Sometimes you just gotta flex on the haters. Not satisfied with the wealth of more affordable options out there, you keep looking for something more luxurious. Dbrand has got your fancy self covered when it comes to buying the best premium Steam Deck screen protector.
With its extremely thin construction, you’d hardly notice it was there and that is exactly why it commands a premium. The polished edges are very nice when using the trackpads as it’s very common for your thumbs to brush the edge of the screen. It isn’t terribly expensive either when you take into consideration that you’re getting two very lovely screen protectors that are very functional, which is why it’s our best premium Steam Deck screen protector.
JETech Anti-Scratch
Best anti-scratch screen protector
JETech Anti-Scratch specifications:
Material |
Tempered Glass |
Hardness |
9H |
Compatibility |
Steam Deck LCD (2022), Steam Deck OLED (2023) |
Reasons to buy
- Scratch-resistant design
- Affordable price
Scratches on your screen are always annoying, and while scratches on the Steam Deck’s screen itself are infinitely worse, it’s still annoying if you get one on the screen protector. Nothing damages your immersion like an ugly conspicuous scratch. The JETech screen protector’s anti-scratch design not only keeps your Deck safe but is resistant to scratches itself.
The one downside is that its screen is rather reflective. This means that if you are playing in brightly lit areas, it might rather annoyingly act as a sort of mirror. It won’t often be a problem, and it’s not bad enough that you can’t still enjoy your games, but it can still be annoying. Is it a small price to pay for a protected screen? Well, if you play inside most of the time, it’ll be fine, but if you love setting in the sun for outdoor gaming, it might start to grate a bit too much.
Spigen Tempered Glass
Most durable Steam Deck screen protector
Spigen Tempered Glass specifications:
Material |
Tempered glass |
Hardness |
9H |
Compatibility |
Steam Deck LCD (2022), Steam Deck OLED (2023) |
Reasons to buy
- Strong durable screen
- Decent ant-fingerprint, and anti-smudge features
If you want the absolute most durable screen protector and hassle-free application, then Spigen’s tempered glass screen protector is an excellent choice. Not only does it boast a 9H hardness level, but also has plenty of other qualities that help keep your screen as clear and blemish free as possible.
Its oleophobic coating helps protect your screen from fingerprints as it is resistant to the natural oils of your fingers. It’s ideal for enjoying smudge free gameplay. To ensure absolute accuracy when putting the screen protector on, Spigen has included an alignment tray to ensure a perfectly positioned screen without getting your mucky mitts on it.
Magglass Tempered Glass Matte
Best anti-glare Steam Deck screen protector for the 512GB model
Magglass Tempered Glass Matte specifications:
Material |
Tempered glass |
Hardness |
9H |
Compatibility |
Steam Deck LCD 512GB (2022) |
Reasons to buy
- Great at diffusing unwanted light
- Water resistant
Reasons to avoid
- No bundled cleaning kit
- Slight image degradation
Valve included a very fancy etched anti-glare display on their top-end 1TB OLED model and while it is very nice, it is also quite expensive to replace it. Less expensive is Magglass’ matte screen protector, and we’ve chosen it as it not only protects the underlying display, it does a great job of diffusing unwanted light getting in the way of your gaming.
This could be a great option for those worried about the longevity of their screen or who normally use their 1TB Steam Deck OLED at home but are maybe taking a trip somewhere and want that extra peace of mind. Regardless of your reasons, you won’t go wrong with the Magglass matte screen protector.
JSAUX 2-Pack Anti-Glare
Best anti-glare Steam Deck protector for 64 & 256GB models
JSAUX 2-Pack Anti-Glare specifications:
Material |
Tempered Glass |
Hardness |
9H |
Compatibility |
Steam Deck LCD 64GB, 256GB (2022), Steam Deck OLED (2023) |
Reasons to buy
- Anti-glare protectors for cheaper Steam Decks
- Includes convenient applicator
Reasons to avoid
- Hinders touch screen compatibility
Given how cheap the 256GB and 512GB Steam Deck OLED models are relative to their etched-glass sibling, you may want to keep on saving money by opting for these excellent value anti-glare screen protectors. While not quite as good at minimizing reflections as the 1TB screen model, they still go a long way to improving the usability of your Deck in adverse lighting conditions.
This is at no detriment to the strength of the screen protector as it also has a 9H hardness rating. Also included is a handy-dandy applicator taking any guesswork out of the equation ensuring a nice and square fit. If you want anti-glare properties without breaking the bank then JSAUX’s solution could be the one for you.
iVoler Anti-Blue Light
Best Steam Deck screen protector for people with eye fatigue
iVoler Anti-Blue Light specifications:
Material |
Tempered Glass |
Hardness |
9H |
Compatibility |
Steam Deck LCD (2022), Steam Deck OLED (2023) |
Reasons to buy
- Eye-friendly anti-blue light filter
- No bubbles
Reasons to avoid
- Not fully smudge-resistant
- Not available in the UK
Blue light can be detrimental to your eye health, and being exposed to it before bed can contribute to insomnia. Sadly, the Steam Deck, like most electrical devices, produces a lot of blue light, so a screen that filters it out can be very helpful – especially to anyone with eye fatigue. Options like the iVoler Anti-Blue Light Screen Protector are ideal for avoiding this problem.
Not only is it easy on the eyes, but the matte finish helps to reduce glare too. The only area where we’d critique it is that though it is fairly easy to smudge when touching it – and as much as you may try to avoid it, your fingers will end up touching the screen at some point. It is very good at avoiding trapped bubbles though, which is a hurdle not every screen protector manages to get over.
How to choose the best Steam Deck screen protector
Feeling overwhelmed by all the options that lie before you? Well, it shouldn’t be too hard to narrow down the best option for you if you keep a few things in mind – the first being compatibility. Not all Steam Decks are the same. The OLED is 7.4 inches, and the LCD models are just 7 inches – many screen protectors accommodate all measurements, but not all. We’ve noted the compatibility of the screen protectors on this list, but make sure to check when buying others.
Unlike more complex pieces of hardware, there’s a little less due diligence required when choosing a screen protector. Even protectors from obscure brands might be fine. However, it is always wise to read customer reviews – look out for references to smudging, scratching, and reflective surfaces. These things can add up and become quite annoying.
Besides these pointers, it’s really only a matter of what else you want from your protector. Do you just want something to keep your screen safe, or do you want a few extra flourishes? For example, many are bundled with cleaning kits, which can make maintenance a bit easier, but if you already have these resources, that’ll be an unnecessary extra. Some also come with anti-blue light filters, which make the screen easier on your eyes and that’s something anyone with
Still unclear about anything from the world of Steam Deck screen protectors? Check out the FAQs below:
Do I need a Steam Deck protector?
It’s entirely a matter of opinion, but we recommend getting one. Compared to the price of the console itself, they’re pretty cheap, and they give you that extra little bit of reassurance that you won’t damage your Steam Deck’s screen. Even if you’re always very careful, the very nature of accidents means that they cannot always be prevented.
Is the Steam Deck scratch-proof?
In fairness to Vavle’s handheld gaming PC, it has a pretty durable screen. It isn’t easy to scratch it through everyday use, but at the same time, that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Really, you need a Steam Deck screen protector for unexpected accidents. They’re a bit of extra reassurance for you that everything is absolutely fine.
Should I get a protective case for my Steam deck?
Absolutely, especially if you plan on taking it with you when traveling anywhere. A screen protector can only do so much and we recommend looking at our list of the best Steam Deck cases if you want to make sure your portable gaming PC is as safe as possible.
Where next? To get more from your Valve handheld, pick up the best microSD card for Steam Deck and check out the best Steam games.