Valve really knocked it out of the park with the Steam Deck, given its performance, handheld form factor, and aggressive pricing. The triggers feel nice, as do the analog sticks, and there are some handy buttons at the back you can map desired keys to. But if you want to unlock the Steam Deck's full power, you need to grab a keyboard and mouse.

It is a handheld PC, after all. Thanks to its built-in Bluetooth connectivity, you can quickly switch to a keyboard and mouse when the need arises, turning your Steam Deck into a makeshift gaming desktop.

If you want to enhance the impressive hardware the right way, you need to pick up the best keyboard and mice for Steam Deck.

When it’s time to forego the Steam Deck’s joysticks for a mouse, you in no way want to put yourself at a disadvantage, especially if you’re jumping into a multiplayer title. To keep the good times going, and your performance at its peak, the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless Gaming Mouse has the design and durability to back you up.

The last thing you want is a mouse that doesn’t register your clicks and movements, right? Thanks to Corsair’s Slipstream wireless technology, the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless Gaming Mouse reaches a latency as low as 1ms. To put that in perspective, that’s the kind of low-latency you’d expect from a wired mouse.

Performance aside, you’re going to love how the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless Gaming Mouse feels to use. The feet, for example, glide wonderfully across mousepads, on top of being quite lightweight at just 99 grams. Best of all, the shape has a nice curve to it that cradles your hands, along with rubberized siding to give your fingers something to grip to.

Key Features
  • Contoured shape
  • Dynamic RGB lighting
  • Lightweight construction
Specifications
  • Brand : Corsair
  • Weight: 99 grams
  • Sensor and DPI: Optical, 10000 DPI
  • Switches: Omron switches
  • RGB Lighting: Yes
  • Programmable Buttons: Yes, 6 programmable buttons
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wireless Dongle, Wired
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Battery Life: 60 hours
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium Polymer
  • Polling Rate: 125, 250, 500, and 1000Hz
  • Dimensions: ‎4.55 x 2.69 x 1.59 inches
Pros
  • Incredibly low latency, even when using Bluetooth
  • Textured grip along the side feels nice
  • Long battery life (and it's rechargeable)
Cons
  • May feel too small if your hands are big
  • Left-handed gamers should look elsewhere
Buy This Product
Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless
Editors choice

2. Logitech G613

8.80 / 10
Read Reviews

Gather a few budget-friendly gaming keyboards and you’ll find that most, if not all, will have some kind of missing element, niche or otherwise. What if you could have a great keyboard with a suite of features, mechanical switches, and performance to boot? Meet the Logitech G613 Gaming Keyboard.

Logitech's G613 comes packaged with Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless technology, ensuring your keystrokes register at a blazing 1ms. Given that the mechanical switches have a 1.5mm actuation, the keyboard definitely needs a fast response time. However, there is a downside: if you make a mistake, you won’t be able to blame it on your keyboard.

What’s particularly nice about the Logitech G613 Gaming Keyboard are all the extra goodies along the edges, like the built-in wrist rest. You’ll find dedicated media keys as well as six programmable G keys to map your own custom macros.

Key Features
  • Features Logitech's Lightspeed wireless technology
  • 6 G-keys for custom macros
  • Integrated wrist rest
Specifications
  • Brand: Logitech
  • Wireless: Lightspeed Technology
  • Backlight: No
  • Media Controls: Yes
  • Battery: 2x AA
  • Num Pad: Yes
  • Switch Type: Mechanical, Romer-G Tactile
  • Replaceable Keys: No
  • Number of Keys: 104
  • Compatible Devices: Android, ChromeOS, iOS, macOS, Windows
  • Wired operation: No
  • Dimensions: 18.82 x 8.5 x 1.33 inches
  • Weight : 3.1 pounds
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Charging: No
  • Wrist rest: Yes, Integrated
  • USB Passthrough: No
Pros
  • Free of an obnoxious "gamer" aesthetic
  • Short-throw actuation switches
  • Phenomenal battery life (with good batteries)
Cons
  • Runs on 2 AA batteries
  • Lacks USB passthrough
Buy This Product
Logitech G613

You just picked up the Steam Deck, which is a decent chunk of change on its own, but you still want a keyboard and mouse for those comfortable titles that don’t demand split second reactions. They’re nothing fancy, but the Arteck Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse Combo do check all the right boxes.

The Arteck HB086 Bluetooth Keyboard isn’t going to impress you with its membrane board, but the keys are low-profile and don’t require a great deal of pressure to trigger a keystroke. What’s actually more impressive is the durability given its stainless steel build. It sounds like overkill, but if you frequently travel with your Steam Deck, the Arteck HB086 will easily withstand transit.

As for the mouse, the Arteck MB158 Bluetooth Mouse is surprisingly responsive, especially when you’re pairing the mouse with the Steam Deck. Both mouse buttons are rather quiet, too, so if you do travel, you won’t bother anyone around you with annoying clicks.

Key Features
  • Keyboard built with stainless steel
  • Silicone non-slip feet
  • Slim, ergonomic design
Specifications
  • Brand: Arteck
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth
  • Keyboard Battery: Rechargeable
  • Mouse Battery: Rechargeable
Pros
  • Small enough for traveling
  • Excellent battery life
  • Durable, stainless steel frame
Cons
  • Doesn't have backlighting
  • Not recommended for FPS titles
Buy This Product
Arteck Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse

Plug in any old gaming mouse, and you’ll be right as rain in any title you boot up, but there’s nothing better than a mouse perfectly tuned the way you like it. WIth the Razer Basilisk Ultimate Gaming Mouse, you get all the customization you need.

Razer sure went all out on the Razer Basilisk Ultimate Gaming Mouse. It features rubberized, textured sides to ensure your thumb doesn’t slip during high-action moments. The mechanical mouse buttons have a subtle concave to them to not only help your grip further but give an overall better clicking experience. The feedback on the mouse buttons are exceptional, though that isn’t surprising coming from Razer.

The star of the show isn’t just the Razer Basilisk Ultimate Gaming Mouse, but the intuitive software, Razer Synapse, that comes with it. This combines beautifully with the 11 programmable buttons on the mouse, which you can configure using Razer Synapse, along with complex button presses and functions like Razer Hypershift. If you play a variety of genres, it’s a nice way to swap your style to best serve the situation.

Key Features
  • Rechargeable battery lasts up to 100 hours
  • Bundles with a Razer mouse dock
  • Features a replaceable multi-function paddle
Specifications
  • Weight: 14.5 ounces
  • Sensor: 20K DPI Focus+ optical sensor
  • Wireless?: Yes
  • Brand: Razer
  • Dimensions: 5.11 x 2.36 x 1.65 inches
  • Battery: Lithium Ion
  • Compatability: PC
  • Programmable Buttons: 11
Pros
  • PTE feet make quick movements feel effortless
  • Very long battery life
  • Excellent choice for larger hands
Cons
  • Lacks Bluetooth connectivity
Buy This Product
Razer Basilisk Ultimate Gaming Mouse

If you’re a keyboard enthusiast, you’re already aware of the Keychron K2 Version 2 Mechanical Keyboard. Its overall experience allows it to fit just about any mold you need, whether that’s typing, gaming, or a hybrid of both. Customizable and lightweight, it presents a unique proposition that may be too good to pass on.

The layout of the Keychron K2 Version 2 Mechanical Keyboard’s layout is superb—not to big, not too small. The keys have the right amount of concave, along with a variety of mechanical switches to choose from such as Blue, Brown, and Red. However, if that’s not to your liking, the K2 features hot-swappable switches.

More importantly, look around your home and take note of all the devices you own. Perhaps a PC, smartphone, Steam Deck, maybe a laptop, tablet, or all of the above. With the Keychron K2 Version 2 Mechanical Keyboard, you can quickly connect up to three separate devices at once using Bluetooth 5.1. This effectively turns the K2 into your one-and-only keyboard, allowing you to go from typing up an email to gaming on the Steam Deck in one single motion.

Key Features
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Connects via Bluetooth or USB-C
  • 75-percent layout
Specifications
  • Brand: Keychron
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Backlight: Yes
  • Media Controls: Yes
  • Battery: 4000mAh Lithium Polymer
  • Num Pad: No
  • Switch Type: Mechanical; Gateron Blue, Brown, and Red
  • Replaceable Keys: Yes
  • Number of Keys: 84
  • Compatible Devices: Mac, Windows
  • Wired operation: Yes
  • Dimensions: 12.48 x 5.08 x 1.57 inches
  • Bluetooth: Yes, version 5.1
  • Multi-device pairing: Yes
  • Charging: Yes
Pros
  • The sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard
  • Multi-device pairing eliminates the need for more than one keyboard
  • Great option for keyboard enthusiasts
Cons
  • Could really use a substantially better battery
Buy This Product
Keychron K2 Version 2 Mechanical Keyboard

In pursuit of the perfect Steam Deck setup, you bought the hardware and the docking station. After a bill like that, your wallet might be feeling burned out, but the dream is still alive. Now you need a gaming mouse that won’t do your financials in for good, and it just so happens the SteelSeries Rival 3 fits beautifully.

The SteelSeries Rival 3 Gaming Mouse features the TrueMove Air optical sensor, providing 1-to-1 tracking rather than relying on unnecessary smoothing or angle snapping that might otherwise disrupt your performance. It’s quite handy to have if you play competitively, where you need to eke out every advantage you can.

This doesn’t get said often enough, but the no-nonsense design of the SteelSeries Rival 3 Gaming Mouse should be praised. The curve rests comfortably in the palm while the mouse buttons have a subtle concave, creating a combination that’s suitable for both claw or fingertip grip. Though the wireless model is slightly heavier, the smooth PTFE mouse feet help offset the extra weight.

Key Features
  • Designed for claw or fingertip grip styles
  • Split trigger buttons
  • Wired and wireless options available
Specifications
  • Brand : SteelSeries
  • Weight: 2.7 ounces
  • Switches: Mechanical
  • RGB Lighting: Yes
  • Programmable Buttons: 6
  • Connectivity: USB (Wired), Bluetooth/2.4Ghz (Wireless)
  • Wireless: No
  • DPI: 8500 (Wired), 18000 (Wireless)
  • IPS: 300 (Wired), 400 (Wireless)
  • Polling Rate: 1000Hz
  • Acceleration: 35g
  • Dimensions: 1.49 x 2.64 x 4.74 inches
  • Sensor: TrueMove Core Optical
Pros
  • Lightweight and accurate
  • Budget-friendly gaming mouse
  • Shape cradles your hand quite nicely
Cons
  • Wireless mouse is heavier due to the added weight of batteries
  • Lacks any rubberized textured gripping along the sides
Buy This Product
SteelSeries Rival 3

On the flipside of that, the Razer Cynosa V2 is a budget-friendly gaming keyboard for those who aren’t fans of the clickiness of a mechanical keyboard, but still need high performance. It also goes without saying, but Razer’s Synapse software gives you a great deal of access over your keyboard.

Yes, the Razer Cynosa V2 is a wired membrane keyboard, but don’t let that scare you off. The keys are made of ABS plastic, which is pretty standard on budget keyboards, but reliable and surprisingly tactile-feeling. Response time is also perfectly suitable for casual gaming and quite good for a membrane keyboard. Only competitive gamers—specifically, people who game for a living—would be skilled enough to notice any additional latency.

The crowning jewel of the Razer Cynosa V2 is the software you get to fiddle with. On one hand, you have Razer Chroma for full RGB customization, right down to individually backlit keys. On the other hand, you have Razer Synapse 3 for programming each and every key, allowing you to create profiles and macros.

Key Features
  • Every key is programmable
  • Spill-resistant
  • Cable routing cutouts underneath the keyboard
Specifications
  • Brand: Razer
  • Wireless: No
  • Backlight: Razer Chroma
  • Media Controls: Yes
  • Num Pad: Yes
  • Switch Type: Membrane
  • Number of Keys: 104
  • Wired operation: Yes
  • Dimensions: 18.25 x 6.6 x 1.19 inches
  • Weight : 2.46 pounds
Pros
  • Great response time despite being a membrane keyboard
  • Keys have a tactile feel
  • Razer Synapse 3 integration is fun to play around with
Cons
  • You'll need a USB-C hub or the Steam Dock
  • Membrane isn't for everyone
Buy This Product
Razer Cynosa V2

FAQ

Q: Should I Purchase a Keyboard and Mouse for My Steam Deck?

Given how the Steam Deck is designed, you don't have to stress over the need for a keyboard and mouse.

With that said, by pairing the Steam Deck with the Steam Deck Dock, it turns into a capable gaming PC. There are plenty of titles that would benefit greatly with a much larger screen, in addition to a keyboard and mouse, like an RTS or MMO.

Q: Is the Steam Deck Compatible With Any Keyboard and Mouse?

Yes and no.

The Steam Deck alone doesn't feature any USB ports for plugging a keyboard and mouse directly, but it does come with Bluetooth 5.0. As long as you have a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, you're good to go. If you want to go the wired route, you'll have to get a Steam Deck Dock or a USB-C hub.

Q: What Other Accessories Should I Purchase for My Steam Deck?

If you haven't already picked up a Steam Deck carrying case, it's one of the first accessories you should invest in.

Outside of that, you can't go wrong with a portable power bank. The Steam Deck offers anywhere between 2 to 8 hours of battery life, which is fine for the commute home, but some extra juice never hurt.