dBbrand Review: These are the most expensive stickers I’ve ever bought – and I don’t regret anything

I have always attached great importance to the appearance of my devices. The standard black and white color scheme has never satisfied me – I gravitate towards bright colors and often go crazy for “limited edition” versions. I admit, I’m fickle. I even waited three weeks longer than necessary to get my newest smartphone red. Needless to say, I was outraged that the limited edition smoky, translucent Steam Deck OLED was only available in the US and Canada, while I live in the UK.

Due to my preferences, I made some questionable decisions. I took apart my Steam deck and broke it trying to make Atomic Purple out of it. In the 2000s, I was the girl who attached tacky jewels to her Motorola Razr. What if there was a better way to make your devices stand out without damaging them or using tacky decorations? Yes, and the answer is dBbrand.

Part of this review was created thanks to a sample provided by dBrand (Steam Deck stickers), and part was purchased by me (Razer Blade sticker). The company did not review the content of the review before its publication.

dBbrand skins: Price and availability

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Dbrand Obsidian Skin, Triple Black and duster(Photo: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)

If you order the metallic effect skin, you will also receive a free “triple black” version.

dBrand specializes in device customization, offering skins for everything from laptops and phones to handhelds and Xbox consoles. On their website you can find a suitable skin for almost any device. The offer also includes accessories such as tempered glass screen protectors, a Killswitch case and improved side covers for the PS5 console. Their marketing is known for its fun, cheeky, and sometimes downright offensive tone. For example, they describe the Killswitch case as “THIN. Unlike you.” Regardless of what you think of their website and social media dialogue, dBrand undeniably stands out as a brand.

dBrand products are only available through their website, but shipping is fast and international. When I ordered the Razer Blade 14 skin, it arrived in just three days. Prices vary depending on accessories; for example, Razer Blade 14 skins start at $24.99 and the Obsidian design I chose costs $63.90. However, I managed to snag it on sale for $31.95. Steam Deck skins range from $19.95 to $49.95, depending on the design.

These prices may seem high for something that is essentially… stickers, but that didn’t stop me from buying it and I don’t regret it. These high quality vinyl decals exceeded my expectations.

dBbrand Skins: Whatever you like

Brand skin

My Razer Blade 14 is regularly covered with fingerprints before applying the Dbrand skin (Photo: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)

I was drawn to dBbrand after the unfortunate loss of my Razer Book Quartz (RIP). While my new Razer Blade 14 offers a significant improvement in specs, its black, fingerprint-prone design doesn’t exactly inspire me. Although the price of dBrand skins has always made me questionable, since Razer upgraded my laptop for free under warranty, I figured I could justify the expense.

Filled with jokes and subtle tidbits, the site certainly makes for a more interesting browsing experience while searching through skins. I was naturally drawn to metallic designs like Obsidian and Gold Rush, and eventually settled on Obsidian.

Metallic skins like Obsidian, Warzone, and Acid are available in an additional non-metallic variant called Triple Black. This is because the metal additive used to create the holographic effect in these skins can potentially affect cellular and Wi-Fi signals. For this reason, I do not recommend wrapping your entire device in these skins. In my case, I only bought a skin for the laptop cover, not for the keyboard, and that’s what I had NO Problems with the signal since it was installed.

Right out of the box I could see that it was more than just a sticker, it was actually a fairly thick piece of high quality vinyl with a layer of adhesive securing it to my device.

The leather fitting process is very simple. Instead of being filled with instructions, dBrand directs you to a YouTube tutorial. If you’ve ever had trouble installing a screen protector on your cell phone, you’re familiar with this exhausting process. Now imagine that with a $35 sticker. Fortunately, due to the thickness of the leather and the need for heat to adhere, you can make a mistake and start over. The skin was easy to remove if I didn’t get it right at first. Once I was satisfied, I heated the corners to seal them.

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Brand skin(Photo: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)

The skin completely changed the look of my dull Razerblade

You can get a version with a laser-cut Razer logo, but I didn’t want the added stress of getting a perfect fit. What I didn’t capture in the photos was how great the logo looks as an indent in the design. I’m very pleased with the result and no fingerprints!

It was time to try it out on something else, and luckily dBrand was kind enough to send me a Steam Deck Killswitch case that included some skins to choose from. My colleague Rebecca did a full review of the Killswitch case for ROG Ally here. After long considerations, I decided on the green “Toxic waste” option. Not only because I’m super excited about the upcoming Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred expansion, which takes place in a brand new jungle region, this skin gives me more of a jungle vibe than a “toxic” one.

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Brand skin(Photo: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)

The Steam Deck skin has more cutouts for navigating buttons and vents

The “Toxic Waste” skin for the Steam Deck was very different from the metallic Obsidian I used on the Razer Blade 14. It has a rough texture that gives the design a 3D effect, making the Steam Deck more pleasant to hold. If you purchase an individual Steam Deck skin from dBrand, you will also receive trackpad overlays, and you can also choose a top bar and back overlay. However, since I was also using a Killswitch case, they weren’t needed, and I’m not a fan of covering trackpads anyway.

The application was a bit more complicated due to navigating the buttons and vents, but I managed it without any errors. Once again I used a hair dryer to protect the corners. Overall I am very pleased with the result.

Can I remove the Dbrand skin without damaging my device?

Yes. Removing dBrand skin is a simple process, similar to applying it. You will need to use a bit of heat from a hair dryer to loosen the glue. If you go slowly, the skin should peel off easily. Any residue can be removed with alcohol. Your device should be shiny and new underneath, with no scratches.

dBbrand Skins: What you don’t like

Brand skin

The last time I pulled out the dryer for my steam deck, it ended in tragedy (Photo: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)

Using vinyl decals like dBbrand skins comes with a distinct trade-off: they require heat to ensure proper adhesion. While this makes removal easier, it also means that expensive equipment will need to be heated up during application, which can be stressful for some.

I understand the nerves – I’ve been there before. In my experience, I have successfully applied these skins without damaging my devices, unlike a previous case replacement attempt where a hair dryer caused a disaster. The most important thing is to be careful and avoid exposing the device to heat for too long. Instead of using a hair dryer all over your skin, focus on the edges that need stretching into those tricky corners. The frugal approach worked for me.

While the skins are of excellent quality and I am extremely pleased with the results on both my laptop and Steam Deck, there is no denying that they are quite expensive. Spending over $50 on stickers may seem crazy, so I recommend doing your research before making a purchase. Look for Google images of the designs on actual devices to make sure you are happy with your choice before placing your order.

dBbrand skins: Competition

Leather-bound Xbox Series X console

Jez Corden “I have many leather-bound Xbox consoles and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.” (Photo: Jez Corden – Windows Central)

There are several other sites that offer device skins, such as Skinit, which not only offers patterns but also offers Disney and anime offerings, and also offers a custom skin option with prices starting at $15.99. There’s also Gadgetshieldz, which even makes skins for headphones and credit cards if you want to splurge. My favorite alternative would be XtremeSkins, which I believe is UK-only, but has some more tasteful designs and is worth mentioning if you’re reading from UK shores.

dBbrand skins: are they worth buying?

Brand skin

If you want your device to look a little different without having to replace the coating, dBbrand is your answer (Photo: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)

You should buy this if…

✅ You want to personalize your device and choose from a wide range of patterns, textures and colors

✅ You want to protect your device from scratches, smudges and minor bumps without sacrificing the slim profile of your device

✅ You want to keep your device in great condition and maintain resale value

You shouldn’t buy this if…

❌ You think Dbrand options are too expensive

❌ The heat-assisted application process is not a risk you want to take

dBbrand offers tons of other skins for other devices than the ones I mentioned here. In fact, our editor-in-chief Jez Corden has outfitted his Xbox Series X console with leather – so the possibilities are virtually endless if you want to customize your items. After years of browsing the site without making a purchase, I finally took the plunge and now consider myself a full-fledged dBbrand convert. I’m even considering some of their mobile skins. If prices seem high, keep an eye out for sales like I did with my Obsidian skin and you can often grab a great deal. I don’t regret my purchase at all – it’s much more than just a sticker.

DBbrand skin on Steam Deck dBbrand Steam Deck skin