Best External Monitors for Steam Deck: 2025 Guide

Have you ever been sick of squinting at your Steam Deck’s small screen?

Well, you’re not alone as this can be a universal experience! Although the deck may have been a game-changer in the handheld gaming space, its 7-inch screen can still feel a bit cramped sometimes—especially on a long game session.

But fret not, as your gaming journey doesn’t end here. Whether you want portability or larger screens, or those which have higher refresh rates and exceptional resolution, you’re on the right track!

In this guide, we give you the Best Monitors to pair with your Steam Deck—classified in accordance with your preference. Come and join us as we explore how to get the most out of your gaming performance!

Why use Steam Deck with a Monitor?

Before we get to discover the top picks you’re looking for, let’s try to stop by and ask ourselves first—why does hooking your Steam Deck with a monitor really matter? What’s so good about it? Maybe some are fine with their decks alone, but others find this a little less. Hence, having this article.

The Steam Deck has significantly dominated the gaming world by storm since its release in 2022. At its core, this gaming device isn’t just a mere simple handheld gaming device to begin with, it is packed with the power of a gaming PC into something convenient and portable—perfect to fit in your smallest bags. It is a small monitor with such configuration like high-end gaming monitors in the market nowadays!

To help you think wisely about getting one, here are a few things to remember as to why using a Steam Deck with a Monitor will drive you to amazing gameplay:

Improve Visual Experience

While it’s great to have a 7-inch screen built into the Steam Deck, it can still feel small during long gaming sessions. This is the major reason why hooking it with an external monitor makes a huge difference, greatly improving your visual experience with a much larger and more immersive viewing display.

The specific details from the games can be easily picked out that will persuade you to play even more—successfully enjoying the games as what they were intended to be.

Specifically, when you connect the Steam Deck to a high-resolution monitor, the picture display can go up to 1080p or even 4K—depending on your screen support capabilities. With this, you will be able to see and appreciate the very detailed graphics and colorful presentations that today’s modern games continually provide.

What’s more to it, is that technologies such as AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) can further allow performance optimization when you use external displays—a monitor.

Additionally, the said FSR can give games the ability to render at lower resolutions and upscale these for better visual quality, which especially helps when you’re playing games on larger screens. This means you can have sharp and high-quality visuals on an external monitor even if the Steam Deck is natively meant for lower resolutions. Indeed, these features will improve your visual experience as you play.

Improve Operational Experience

Generally speaking, using an external monitor with any gaming device—not with a Steam Deck alone—not only improves visuals but also enhances the overall operational experience. Aside from your deck, a larger screen will allow more comfortable gaming positions that will further reduce eye strain during long sessions.

It also allows you to open up the possibilities of using other equipment like keyboards and mouse which might be needed for certain types of games, enabling players to maximize their gaming experience, feeling close to playing on a gaming laptop or desktop PC.

On top of that, the Steam Deck also works with different ways to hook up to external screens such as USB-C to HDMI adapters and special docking stations. These options let you set up your gaming space just how you like it.

Get Better Multi-Person Sharing Experience

Gaming is a lot more fun when shared with colleagues and friends. This is a reason why the best monitor for Steam Deck can make an easier transition to share your gaming journey with others. This allows you to show off your collaboration strategies or solo game skills.

While your Steam Deck allows limited viewing, try adding it with a monitor so that everyone in your group can gather around a larger screen to watch the actual gameplay.

In addition, this screen setup can also run with multiple inputs or split views, to make gaming more social and engaging by means of multiple-player interaction. In short, connecting your Steam Deck to an external monitor will not only give your games a better look but may also make your gameplay more comfortable and socially interactive.

5 Best Monitors for Steam Deck

Best Portable- Arzopa Z1RC

Looking for the best portable monitor to pair with your Steam Deck? The Arzopa Z1RC might be what you need. Hedging as both budget-friendly and compact, this monitors’ reputation has a giant leap in the field of best monitors this 2024. With a starting price at $189.99, it doesn’t compromise on its quality, and already features a QHD display resolution that will make your gameplay pleasing in your eyes.

Hailing as one of the best monitors for Steam Deck, this compact size screen display offers more than what you need with its great features. Whether you’re a traveler or a student, this model is the most suitable option for you!

List Price: $189.99

Specifications:

Reasons to Buy:

• Affordable

• Lightweight and ultra-portable

• Provides a built-in stand for easier set-up

• Has built-in speaker

• Built-in USB-C connectivity

Cons:

• Only limited to 60Hz refresh rate

• Monitor’s speakers isn’t the best, headphones and speakers are highly suggested when used

Multipurpose- XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro V2

The Best Monitor for Steam Deck is here! The XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro V2 is not just a digital drawing tablet monitor for artists and graphic designers, it is the best multipurpose monitor your Steam Deck could ever have, offering hybrid and collaborative experience in a digital tablet alone. With its 15.4 inches screen size, this specific model is versatile and can do both ways; either comfortably utilizing it as your ideal drawing tablet, or as a monitor for your gaming experience.

This particular model will give you the best experience you could ever have when it comes to versatility, featuring exceptional color accuracy and customizable creative display. Whether you play or draw, the idealistic concept of this monitor never disappoints!

List Price: $379.99

Specifications:

Reasons to Buy:

• Versatile

• Exceptional color accuracy

• Includes pen display for drawing experience

• Built-in USB-C connectivity

Cons:

• Expensive

• Higher response time compared to other gaming monitors

High Refresh Rate- AOC 24G2SP

Players usually demand and look for the best monitors with a higher refresh rate for Steam Deck, to have an edge in fast-paced games. Hence, the AOC 24G2SP is one of the top choices, boosting an impressive feature, particularly known for its 165Hz refresh rate. This 23.8 inch monitor could not only ensure smoother gameplay for its deck, but could also enjoy faster loading functionality with its 1ms response time.

Also, you don’t have to worry about connectivity issues with your Steam Deck, as this model includes multiple options, allowing you to smoothly connect your deck along with other gaming devices. For as low as $179.99, the AOC 24G2SP is already the best and worthy choice anyone could ever purchase

List Price: $179.99

Specifications:

Reasons to Buy:

• Affordable with high-end quality

• Very low response time good for faster gameplay

• Higher refresh rate perfect for smooth gaming experience

Cons:

• Larger size for desk space and lesser portability

High Resolution- Acer Nitro XV5

While some look for faster refresh rates and response times for competitive gaming, some prefer immersive and stunning visuals on their gaming end. This is where the Acer Nitro XV5 comes in. This particularly best monitor for Steam Deck not only allows you to see the intricate details of the game from your deck but also highly offers a higher refresh rate which serves as an ideal feature from a gaming monitor!

What’s more, the monitor also has multiple ports, making the connectivity and compatibility with your Steam Deck away from any issues at the moment. Moreover, it also has a high-end and sleek design. If you’re looking for the best monitor with high resolution to pair with your Steam Deck, the Acer Nitro XV5 is the perfect choice for you.

List Price: $349.99

Specifications:

Reasons to Buy:

• UHD 4K Resolution showcasing exceptional sharp and clear visuals

• Low input lag with its 170Hz refresh rate

• Lower response time, faster gameplay

• USB-C Connectivity

Cons:

• Larger size for desk space and lesser portability

• Needs a more powerful GPU settings

• Not that affordable

Large Screen- LG 34WP75C

Another best monitor with a large screen display for your Steam Deck is here! Ever searched for a curved and bigger screen which not only improves your gaming skills, but also your productivity? The LG 34WP75C is the most suitable choice for you. Built-in as a 34-inch ultra-wide monitor with a QHD resolution display, this ideal monitor is an exceptional choice if you’re into wide viewing angles for both your gaming and working tasks.

Furthermore, it also provides you with a higher refresh rate like no other, offering both visuals and smoother counterplay for all fast-paced games in your Deck. With multiple connectivity ports, you can also hook up your Steam Deck smoothly with the said monitor, featuring a faster compatibility function. Whether you’re a professional or casual gamer who desires both premium performance and functionality in one monitor, well, the LG 34WP75C is what you really need.

List Price: $599.99

Specifications:

Reasons to Buy:

• Ultra-wide screen allowing immersive viewing

• Good for split-screen sharing features

• High end-quality

• 3440 x 1440 QHD Resolution

• Low input lag with its 160Hz refresh rate

Cons:

• Expensive

Conclusion

To wrap up, this guide provides you with the following summary that will further serve as a quick assessment for you in choosing the best monitor for Steam Deck. Remember, choosing the right and suitable one for you heavily depends on what exactly you’re looking for and how you plan on using it in the long run. After going through lots of top picks and comparisons from this article, you must be able to look for the one that really matters to your gaming style.

Below’s a list of everything you need to know:

Reviewing all the top-notch picks, it is not easy to have an ultimate choice, but the versatility and multi-purpose concept of the XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro V2 stands out as it placed the best value proposition among the rest. Whether you’re a multitasker, player, or digital artist, this model will maximize your full-time performance—integrating both a professional drawing tablet and an external monitor for your Steam Deck all in one. Pretty unique, right?

So, be ready to optimize and enhance your Steam Deck’s gaming with XPPen, and see for yourself how it’s the perfect buddy for your portable gaming equipment. Check it out now!