These models can save up to $130/€140 if you don’t want to buy a new device.

By refurbished, Valve also means products that might not even have been appropriately used (unpacked and returned, so on paper, they are used). However, following the norm, the refurbished Steam Decks are cheaper than the new models. The 64GB eMMC model is $319/€339 (down from $399/€419), the 256GB NVMe SSD version is $419/€439 (down from $529/€549), and the top-of-the-range 512GB model is $519/€539 (down from $649/€679). So you can get a portable PC at a significant discount.

“Each Certified Refurbished Steam Deck has been thoroughly tested to the same high standards as our retail units. Every device goes through a complete factory reset, software update, and an extensive examination involving over 100 tests at one of Valve’s facilities. Among the tests are all controller inputs, the audio system, the screen, and the internals. Battery health is also assessed to ensure proper functionality and longevity. All refurbished units meet or even exceed the performance standards of new retail units. Although they may have minor cosmetic blemishes, they provide a reliable, high-quality gaming experience at a lower cost,” Valve’s site claims.

There are other reasons to consider buying a refurbished Steam Deck: as with the new models, it comes with a one-year warranty (unless longer than that is required by law in your country), a power supply (also refurbished), a carrying case, and the Quick Start manual. In the meantime, Valve will focus on improving battery life rather than replacing hardware components (e.g., OLED display).

So if you want a second Steam Deck for a family member (because yours keeps getting snapped up), you can get one cheaply from an official source. Therefore, you can skip the “grey” market (buying one from eBay, for example).

Source: VGC