Get the Venom Carry Case for Steam Frame. Venom shaped its inside around the Frame and its controllers, with straps that hold them in place and a zipped pocket for the cable.
At a Glance#
Best overall : Venom Carry Case for Steam Frame View on Amazon
Light, with an accessory pouch : KIWI design P4
Room for a power bank : Krypthos Hard Carrying Case
Watertight hard case : Amazon Basics Hard Camera Case, Small
Key Highlights:
- The Venom is shaped for the Frame and holds the controllers under adjustable straps, with a zipped mesh pocket in the lid
- The KIWI design P4 is light, with a 10 mm shell and a separate accessory pouch, for the Frame's original head strap only
- The Krypthos can take a power bank and a charger next to the Frame and its controllers, for the Frame's original head strap only
- The Amazon Basics case seals airtight and watertight and weighs 3.6 pounds, with pre-cut foam you pick out to fit the Frame
- None of the four carries Valve's Steam Frame Compatible mark
- Shut the Frame down fully before you pack it, and check that it stays off
Who these cases are for#
- You want a case shaped for the Frame, with straps that hold the controllers in place: get the Venom.
- You want a light case with its own pouch for the small parts and keep the Frame's original head strap: get the KIWI design P4.
- You want room for a power bank and a charger too and keep the original head strap: get the Krypthos.
- You want a sealed, rock-solid case and don't mind the weight: get the Amazon Basics case.
- You use the hand straps from Valve's Ergonomic Accessories Kit: the controllers still go into the Venom and the KIWI design P4, tightly, or get the Amazon Basics case and pick out the foam around them.
How we picked#
- We started from the cases people actually carry the Frame in and keep recommending to each other.
- We kept cases sized for the Frame, plus one hard camera case with foam you shape around it.
- We left out the molded cases with a cut-out for each controller: in one, controllers wearing the hand straps from Valve's Ergonomic Accessories Kit fit only if you swap left and right.
Before you pack the Frame#
Shut the Frame down fully before it goes into a case, and check that it stays off. A dark screen doesn't always mean it's off: a Frame left on its charger in its case can come back on overnight, sit on the home screen and leave the case very warm.
Keep loose parts away from the lenses: secure the controllers in the case's straps, pouch or foam, and keep the cable and small parts in a pocket, the pouch or a foam slot.
Need a power bank for the trip? Here are the best power banks for the Steam Frame. For a charger and microSD cards, see our Steam Frame accessories.
The four side by side#
| Case | Made for | Shell | Inside | Weight | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venom Carry Case for Steam Frame | Steam Frame and its controllers | Firm shell | Fitted compartment, retaining straps, zipped mesh pocket | 1.32 lb | View on Amazon |
| KIWI design P4 | Quest, Vision Pro and Steam Frame, original strap only | 10 mm shell, flannel lining | Compartments and a separate accessory pouch | 11.16 oz | View on Amazon |
| Krypthos Hard Carrying Case | Quest, Vision Pro and Steam Frame, original strap only | EVA shell, water-resistant | Mesh pocket, insert with elastic straps | Not listed | View on Amazon |
| Amazon Basics Hard Camera Case, Small | Cameras, with foam you pick out | Hard shell, airtight and watertight | Pre-cut foam squares | 3.6 lb | View on Amazon |
Venom Carry Case for Steam Frame — Best overall#
Venom shaped this case around the Steam Frame and its controllers. A fitted compartment holds the headset, adjustable straps keep the controllers in place, and a zipped mesh pocket in the lid takes the cable and other small accessories.
An insert in the middle of the case holds the controllers, and its wall guards the lenses. Opinions are split on whether that wall alone keeps a loose controller off the lenses, so strap the controllers in. The hand straps from Valve's Ergonomic Accessories Kit make it a squeeze: the controllers usually go into the case's straps with some effort, though the straps can also be too small for them. The Frame, the kit, the Arcturus Vision camera and the power supply can all go in together.
The shell is firm rather than rigid, so for rough travel the Amazon Basics case is tougher. It has a carry handle and a removable shoulder strap, and Venom also lists it for the Meta Quest 3 and 3S.
Key Specs
Made for : Steam Frame and its controllers
Shell : firm shell
Inside : fitted compartment, retaining straps, zipped mesh pocket
Carrying : carry handle, removable shoulder strap
Weight : 1.32 lb
Bottom line. The case made for the Frame and its controllers.
KIWI design P4 — Light, with an accessory pouch#
At 11.16 oz the P4 is much lighter than the Venom, and it measures 8.66 × 8.66 × 5.47 inches. It fits the Frame only with its original head strap, so skip it if you've moved to a replacement strap.
A 10 mm shell and a soft flannel lining guard the headset against everyday bumps and scratches, and a separate accessory pouch gives the cable and small parts their own place. That pouch is just big enough for the controllers, the wireless adapter and a charger. The case has no room for a large battery pack.
It isn't a hard shell, so for rough travel get the Amazon Basics case.
Key Specs
Size : 8.66 × 8.66 × 5.47 in
Shell : 10 mm, flannel lining
Head strap : the Frame's original strap only
Inside : compartments, accessory pouch, AirTag pocket
Weight : 11.16 oz
Bottom line. Light, with its own pouch for the small parts, if you keep the Frame's original head strap.
Krypthos Hard Carrying Case — Room for a power bank#
Get it if a power bank travels with the Frame and you keep its original head strap. It can take the Frame, its controllers, a power bank and even a charger. A microfiber cloth between the power bank and the Frame can help prevent scratches, and you may want to take the Arcturus Vision camera off before packing, just to be safe.
Krypthos lists this case for the Steam Frame as well as the Meta Quest 3 and 3S and the Vision Pro. It measures 8.8 × 8.4 × 4.5 inches, with an EVA shell, a water-resistant outer layer and an inner mesh pocket. In the box you also get a lens cover and a cardboard insert with elastic straps meant for the controllers or a charger.
Key Specs
Made for : Quest, Vision Pro and Steam Frame
Head strap : the Frame's original strap only
Size : 8.8 × 8.4 × 4.5 in
Shell : EVA, water-resistant outer layer
Inside : inner mesh pocket, cardboard insert with elastic straps
In the box : lens cover
Bottom line. Room for a power bank and a charger, if you keep the Frame's original head strap.
Amazon Basics Hard Camera Case, Small — Watertight hard case#
This is a camera case, not a Steam Frame case. It comes with pre-cut foam squares, and you pick out squares to fit the Frame and its controllers.
It seals airtight and watertight, with a pressure equalization valve. Once the foam is shaped to the Frame, the headset can sit rock solid, with no movement even before the lid is shut.
The trade is weight and room. At 3.6 pounds it's much heavier than the Venom and the KIWI design P4, and it has room for the charger but not for a power bank. The lid foam can press hard on the top of the Frame. If it does, you can split the bottom layer of foam in half so the headset sits deeper.
Key Specs
Made for : cameras, foam you pick out to fit the Frame
Shell : hard ABS shell
Seal : airtight and watertight, pressure equalization valve
Inside : pre-cut foam squares
Weight : 3.6 lb
Bottom line. Sealed and rock solid, if you can carry the weight.
Which one should you buy?#
The Venom Carry Case is the one to buy for the Steam Frame: Venom shaped it around the Frame and its controllers, with straps that hold them in place.
Keep the original head strap? Then get the KIWI design P4 instead if you want a light case with its own pouch, or the Krypthos if a power bank travels with the Frame. Get the Amazon Basics case if you want a sealed, rock-solid one and can carry the weight. Everyone else should get the Venom. View on Amazon
FAQ#
Do these cases carry Valve's Steam Frame Compatible mark?
No, none of these four has it. We picked them from the cases people actually carry the Frame in.
Will the controllers fit with Valve's Ergonomic Accessories Kit hand straps?
Yes, in the Venom and the KIWI design P4, though it's a tight fit and the Venom's straps can be too small for them. In the Amazon Basics case, pick the foam out around them.
Should I switch the Steam Frame off before packing it?
Yes, and check that it stays off. A Frame that seemed to be off can come back on inside its case overnight.