By device · Valve Steam Deck
Steam Deck: 45W PD, 20V at 2.25A, and that is the whole spec.
Valve's brick is a 45W USB-C PD unit delivering 20V/2.25A, and both the LCD and OLED Decks negotiate the same contract. Under it you lose ground while playing; over it you gain nothing but ports.
The spec, and the trap underneath it
Maximum input: 45W. Protocol: standard USB-C Power Delivery — no PPS requirement, no proprietary handshake. Cable: any USB-C to USB-C rated 3A/60W. That is unusually simple for a device this power-hungry, and it means almost any certified 45W-or-better charger is a legitimate replacement.
The trap is the gap between charging and running. With the TDP unlocked, the Deck's APU alone can pull most of a 30W budget, so a 30W charger leaves nothing for the battery: you play at full speed and still watch the percentage fall. That is the number-one reason people think a charger is faulty. Charge at 45W, or accept a slow net drain in demanding titles.
Adapter → what the battery does while you play
| Adapter | Idle / sleep | Heavy game, high TDP |
|---|---|---|
| 18W PD | Slow charge | Steady drain |
| 30W PD | Charges fine | Roughly break-even to slight drain |
| 45W PD (OEM equivalent) | Full speed | Charges while playing |
| 65W PD | Full speed | Same as 45W, plus a second port |
| 100W multi-port | Full speed | Same, and it runs a dock and laptop too |
Three at 45W and up
- 45W
Anker Nano II 45W (712)
Exact-spec replacement in a body barely larger than the plug. The right answer if you just lost the Valve brick.
- Output
- 45W
- Ports
- 1× USB-C
- Build
- GaN II
- 65W
UGREEN Nexode 65W 3-Port
Deck at full 45W with room left for a controller and a phone. The one to keep by the couch.
- Output
- 65W total
- Ports
- 2× C, 1× A
- Build
- GaN
- 65W
Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W)
Travel pick: folding plug, three ports, and enough for the Deck plus an ultrabook on the same outlet.
- Output
- 65W total
- Ports
- 2× C, 1× A
- Build
- GaN II
Don't waste money on
A 100W+ brick for the Deck alone. The console asks for 45W and stops there. Buy 100W only when a laptop is sharing the outlet.
"Gaming" cables. 45W at 20V is 2.25A — inside the reach of any ordinary 60W cable. Save the e-marked 5A cable for a laptop (cable guide).
A second charger before a better dock. If the Deck drains during docked play, the dock's passthrough is the usual culprit.
Related: our ranked Steam Deck charger picks, the 65W-class ROG Ally, the 39W Nintendo Switch, and the full device index.
FAQ
Is a 65W charger safe for the Steam Deck?
Yes. The Deck negotiates 45W and takes no more, so higher-rated certified chargers simply idle at the console's requested contract.
Why does my Steam Deck lose battery while plugged in?
Because the charger or dock is supplying less than the game is consuming. Unlocked TDP plus a 30W supply is a net drain; move to 45W or reduce the TDP limit.
Do the LCD and OLED Steam Deck use the same charger?
Yes. Both accept 45W USB-C PD at 20V/2.25A and ship with an equivalent adapter.
Can I charge the Steam Deck from a power bank?
Yes, if the bank does USB-C PD at 45W. Banks that only do 18W or 30W will slow the drain rather than stop it during heavy play.