How to Prolong Your Steam Deck Battery Life
The Steam Deck, a handheld gaming console, has been gaining popularity among gamers due to its portability and ability to play a wide range of games. However, one of the concerns that many users have is the battery life of the device. The Steam Deck’s battery life can vary depending on the game you’re playing, the brightness of the screen, and other factors. In this article, we’ll provide you with some tips on how to prolong your Steam Deck battery life.
Adjust the Screen Brightness
Lowering the screen brightness can significantly improve battery life. The screen is one of the most power-hungry components of the Steam Deck, and reducing its brightness can help conserve battery life. You can adjust the screen brightness by pressing the Steam button on the left of your device and selecting the "Display" option. From there, you can adjust the brightness to a level that is comfortable for you.
Turn Off Non-Essential Features
Turning off non-essential features can also help prolong battery life. Features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and vibration can consume battery power when not in use. You can turn these features off by going to the "Settings" menu and selecting the "Controller" option. From there, you can toggle off the features you don’t need.
Adjust Graphic Settings In-Game
Adjusting graphic settings in-game can also help improve battery life. Some games may require more processing power than others, which can consume more battery life. You can adjust graphic settings in-game by pressing the Steam button and selecting the "Graphics" option. From there, you can adjust the settings to a level that is comfortable for you.
Adjust the TDP Requirements Per Game
Adjusting the TDP requirements per game can also help improve battery life. TDP (Thermal Design Power) is a measure of the maximum amount of power a device can consume. By adjusting the TDP requirements per game, you can reduce the amount of power consumed by the device. You can adjust the TDP requirements by going to the "Settings" menu and selecting the "Performance" option. From there, you can adjust the TDP requirements to a level that is comfortable for you.
Utilize AMD’s FSR
Utilizing AMD’s FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) can also help improve battery life. FSR is a technology developed by AMD that allows for improved graphics quality at lower resolutions. By utilizing FSR, you can reduce the amount of processing power required to achieve the same level of graphics quality. You can enable FSR by going to the "Settings" menu and selecting the "Graphics" option. From there, you can toggle on the FSR option.
Stream the Game Using Steam Link
Streaming the game using Steam Link can also help improve battery life. Steam Link is a feature that allows you to stream your games from your PC to your Steam Deck. By streaming the game, you can reduce the amount of processing power required by the device, which can help improve battery life. You can enable Steam Link by going to the "Settings" menu and selecting the "Steam Link" option. From there, you can toggle on the Steam Link option.
Is it Worth It?
The Steam Deck is a solid handheld gaming console, but its Zen 2 CPU isn’t going to stand up to some of the other handhelds out there. Take the Ayaneo Next Advance for example. It boasts an AMD Ryzen 7 5800U CPU, which is much more defined and ultimately performs better than Steam’s custom AMD processor setup. However, the Steam Deck is still a great option for those who want a portable gaming experience.
Which Power Bank is Good for Steam Deck?
There are many power banks available for the Steam Deck, but some are better than others. Here are some of the best power banks for the Steam Deck:
| Power Bank | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Anker PowerCore+ | 20,000mAh | $40 |
| ELECJET PowerPie P20 | 20,000mAh | $30 |
| Anker 737 Power Bank | 20,000mAh | $25 |
| Baseus 65W Power Bank | 20,000mAh | $35 |
| ZMI Powerpack 20 | 20,000mAh | $30 |
| Imuto Power Bank | 20,000mAh | $25 |
| Shargeek STORM2 Power Bank | 20,000mAh | $40 |
Will a Steam Deck 2 Come Out?
Graffais says the company wants to see a leap in performance that doesn’t significantly subtract from power efficiency and battery life. Either way, it sounds like we’ll see a Steam Deck 2 in 2025 at the very earliest, though it’s more likely we’ll have to wait until 2026 or beyond.
In conclusion, prolonging the battery life of your Steam Deck is important to ensure that you can enjoy your gaming experience without interruptions. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can help improve the battery life of your Steam Deck and ensure that you can play your favorite games for hours on end.