Charging the Steam Deck: Can You Get by with 30W?
As an avid Steam Deck user, getting the most out of the handheld‘s incredible performance while maintaining battery life is top priority. And that makes charge times with different wattage chargers an important question. So can Valve‘s powerhouse handheld gaming PC charge at 30W?
The Short Answer
Yes, technically the Steam Deck can charge at 30W. However, for optimal charging speeds, 45W or higher is strongly recommended by Valve and testing shows significantly faster charge times.
Steam Deck Charging Specs and Details
Based on Valve‘s official specifications, the Steam Deck battery capacity is 40 Whr. The included Steam Deck charger is 45W with 15V/3A output.
This 45W USB-PD charger can provide a full 0-100% charge on the Steam Deck in about 2-3 hours based on testing from publications like The Verge.
How 30W Charging Compares
Charging wattage is determined by two factors: voltage and amperage. For example, the stock Steam Deck 45W charger outputs 15V at 3A, equating to 45 watts.
Higher wattage chargers can deliver charge power faster. But the Steam Deck battery only draws what it needs, making higher outputs safe if properly delivering power.
Here‘s how 30W charging compares:
| Charger | Charge Time 0-100% |
|---|---|
| 45W Steam Deck Charger | 2-3 hours |
| 30W Charger | 3-4 hours |
| 18W Charger | 6+ hours |
As the data shows, while 30W works, 45W and up is noticeably faster. 30W charges in about 1-2 hours slower than the optimal 45W charger. And very low wattage chargers can take extremely long.
Why 30W Triggers "Slow Charge Warning
The Steam Deck software will display a "slow charge" warning with chargers under 30W. This is because 30W is roughly the minimum for decent charge times given the 40Wh battery capacity.
Valve likely set this 30W threshold to set expectations on charge times. While not exactly "slow", 30W and under takes materially longer versus 45W+.
Expert Opinions on 30W vs 45W Charging
iFixit did an expert Steam Deck teardown showing the internals, including the charger:
"The 45 W power supply is ready to pump some serious power into this thing. Less powerful adapters might work, but will charge very slowly."
The consensus among redditors and Steam Community members that have tested lower watt charging generally agree:
"30W works but charges painfully slowly for regular play sessions." /u/infinityends1318
"I tried charging with my old 18W iPad charger once. Never again, took forever." /u/DeafPunter
The experience seems universal – 30W can charge a Steam Deck, but 45W+ is way better.
When Could 30W Charging Be "Good Enough"?
While 45W and up is better, 30W charging could be reasonable depending on use cases:
- Overnight charging
- Light 30-60 minute play sessions
- Emergency charging from battery packs
In these cases, the 1-2 hour slower charge time may not be as detrimental. However, expect about 25% slower charging versus 45W adapters.
Key Takeaways on Steam Deck Charging
To summarize my key findings and recommendations:
- The Steam Deck can technically charge at 30W, but 45W significantly faster
- For fastest charging, get a 45W+ USB-PD charger
- Below 30W triggers "slow charge" warning due to very long charge estimates
- 30W charging reasonable for lighter charging needs
Hope this gives you the full breakdown! Let me know if you have any other Steam Deck charging questions.
