The best ROG Ally accessories in 2024 | Polygon

These picks go great with Asus’ powerful handheld PC

by Alice Jovanée and Cameron Faulkner

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The Asus ROG Ally X is currently one of the most powerful handheld PCs currently available (the standard ROG Ally is no slouch, either). Compared to the Steam Deck, Asus’ handhelds are a better fit for gamers who want Windows OS on their handheld for superb game compatibility — especially those who like using non-Steam launchers like GOG and Xbox — as well as for those who want faster specs and high refresh rate screen tech.

The accessory ecosystem has blossomed since the ROG Ally’s debut, more or less equaling the selection for the Steam Deck, which is great to see. And, thanks to the ROG Ally’s port location and design similarities to the Steam Deck, some accessories work just fine with either handheld. Here are our top picks for accessories to help you get the most out of your ROG Ally.

Despite our best efforts to find affordable upgrades, some of the products included in this guide aren’t what you’d call cheap. In most cases, those products justify their higher costs due to either a lack of competition, premium quality, extra functionality, or a combination of those factors.

It’s a daunting task to test, say, every microSD card out there, or every hard case. Instead, we lean on the expertise and shared knowledge of Polygon staff to populate this guide with products (and brands) that we’d feel comfortable spending our own money on.

We aim to frequently assess new products that may find their way into this guide, so stay tuned for updates.

One of the first accessories you should buy for the ROG Ally is this three-pack of tempered glass screen protectors from amFilm. These will keep your screen safe from scratches and other minor cosmetic damage, and they’re easy to apply. Best of all, they’re affordable. The three-pack is available from Amazon for $9.99.

If you’re using the ROG Ally primarily as a handheld (as opposed to docking it to a monitor or TV), you may wish to make its thumbsticks a little cozier. If so, Skull & Co. makes a set of $9.99 thumbstick grips that are up to the task. While modeled after the sticks on the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally’s are close enough in size to be compatible with these grips as well. Once applied, they provide a bit more surface area for your thumbs, and certain grips can adjust the height if that’s something you prefer.

While the Asus ROG Ally and Ally X support fast UHS-II microSD cards, it’s a pricey route to suggest for most people. Until more reliable brands hop on the UHS-II microSD card train, we have some tips on how to add even faster storage to your handheld.The easiest and least expensive option for expanding the ROG Ally’s storage is using a microSD card, which are available in sizes ranging from 32 GB to 1 TB from a number of reliable brands, including SanDisk and our top pick, Samsung.

For storage that’s both spacious and fast, your best option is getting a 2230-size M.2 SSD (though, heads up, this will involve opening up the ROG Ally). If you’re looking for a 1 TB SSD, our recommendation is the MP600 Mini M.2 SSD from Corsair, which offers much faster transfer speeds compared to microSD cards.

The most popular third-party Steam Deck dock also happens to be the best option for anyone who needs a dock for the ROG Ally. The versatile $59.99 JSAUX Steam Deck dock is a simple and straightforward way to expand the handheld’s connectivity options, allowing you to hook up monitors, keyboards, and other wired peripherals. The JSAUX dock features a trio of USB-A ports, and a single USB-C port for power in addition to an HDMI 2.0 output and ethernet port. All you have to do is slot the ROG Ally in the dock, then plug it in via USB-C.The JSAUX docking station provides up to 100 W of power, which is enough juice to satisfy the 65 W charging requirements of the ROG Ally (plus most connected accessories). The dock is even capable of running the ROG Ally in its Turbo mode if you have a 100 W wall charger.

If you’d rather hook up some accessories to a more compact hub, Anker’s 332 USB-C hub is a cheaper solution at $24.99. It even provides similar connectivity options to the JSAUX docking station, but its power passthrough is slightly lower (yet still acceptably fast) at 85 W.

The ROG XG Mobile external GPU dock not only adds ports, but it can greatly boost performance with its built-in Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card — at a premium cost of $1,999.99. Originally designed for select Asus gaming laptops, this dock can also plug into the ROG Ally’s proprietary connector, allowing the handheld to benefit from the additional rendering power of the RTX 4090. This ridiculously priced eGPU is out of budget for most people, but it’s there in case you want to get the absolute most out of your handheld.

If you’re planning to use the ROG Ally either docked or hooked up to an external monitor, you’ll want to consider a Bluetooth controller. It might be tempting to go all out with a pro-grade controller like the $119.99 Xbox Elite Series 2 core or the $199.99 DualSense Edge. But other, less expensive models work just as well.For a reliable controller that doesn’t skip on essential features, we recommend the $69.99 8BitDo Ultimate Controller. The Switch Pro-like gamepad comes packaged with its own charging dock and can connect to a variety of devices via Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless. Best of all, it’s equipped with Hall Effect joysticks that are resistant to drifting over time.It also supports remappable inputs courtesy of the 8BitDo Ultimate app, which also allows you to set up macros, adjust vibration, fine-tune stick sensitivity, and more.

Like all portable handhelds, battery life isn’t the ROG Ally’s strongest suit, and that’s especially true if you’re playing newer, more technically impressive games. To keep your ROG Ally topped off — or to recharge it in a jiff — we’d recommend going with the Baseus 24,000 mAh power bank. This 140 W power bank has more than enough power to charge your ROG Ally X or Ally (and other devices) while you game, and it includes a handy LED display showing its charge level and voltage.

If you’re looking for a less expensive option, we suggest checking out the 20,000 mAh model also from Baseus. It provides up to 65 W of charging speed but with smaller battery capacity, fewer ports, and a smaller $59.99 price (discounts are frequently available that further reduce the price).

While Dbrand prioritized the Steam Deck when it debuted its modular Killswitch case, the ROG Ally is now a part of its lineup. It offers the same thorough protection, a kickstand, and a great-feeling grip, getting snug with your console while leaving access for buttons, ports, and most importantly, air flow. The $59.99 tier also includes a skin for your console.

If you’d prefer to forgo the hard case and opt for something a little classier that fits the ROG Ally like a glove, the CitySlicker case from Waterfield is great for people with room in their budget. These $119 compact, soft cases are available in either waxed canvas or ballistic nylon.

The company that makes the great, simple analog stick nubs we recommend in this guide is behind the GripCase. This affordable and soft case easily snaps onto your ROG Ally, providing a textured pattern around the grips for ergonomics. Plus, it covers almost every angle to prevent accidental nicks and scratches. It protects while still letting you appreciate the front-facing design of your handheld.

At $49 for the whole kit, Mechanism’s Allymate lets you use your ROG Ally or Ally X in more situations. The core of this bundle is plastic plate that attaches to the back of your ROG Ally, allowing it to connect with several included mounting options with a satisfying click. The mounting options include a wall mount (complete with screws), a VESA mount for monitor arms, and a kickstand for table use. Also included in the kit is a pair of universal, adhesive-backed pucks, which can be stuck on awkwardly-shaped gaming necessities like battery packs, external SSDs, and USB-C hubs. Once you’ve done that, you easily attach them onto the back of your ROG Ally. The beauty of this modular system is that it lets you easily add and remove things as desired.

If you’re looking for a VESA mounting solution for your ROG Ally (perhaps, after you’ve purchased the Allymate), consider a static monitor arm like the Wali monitor mount, which is usually available on Amazon for around $30. The Wali monitor mount can be a little difficult to adjust, but we found that smaller mounts intended for tablets or even the Nintendo Switch just aren’t up to the task of reliably holding gadgets, especially one on the heftier side, like the ROG Ally.

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