The R38S is comfortable enough out of the box, but a handful of cheap accessories can transform it from “fine for twenty minutes” to “all-afternoon comfortable.” Here’s what’s worth your money.
Hard zip cases
The single most useful purchase. A semi-rigid zip case with a card slot protects the screen in a bag and keeps your spare SD cards from vanishing into the lint dimension. Get one. It’s a few euros and it’ll outlast the console.
Silicone skins
A mixed bag. They add grip and absorb minor drops, but cheaper ones interfere with the shoulder buttons. Buy one cut specifically for the R38S, not a generic R-series skin that “should fit.”
3D-printed grips
This is where the magic is for long sessions. A printed grip that adds a little girth fixes the one ergonomic complaint everyone has about R-series devices — the slightly cramped thumb position. If you have access to a printer or a friend with one, the community files are excellent.
Screen protectors
The bundled one is mediocre and usually misaligned. A genuine tempered-glass protector applied carefully is worth the swap.
Spend on the case and the grip, save on the rest.
The verdict
You don’t need much. A hard case to protect it, a printed grip to make marathons comfortable, and a decent screen protector. Skip the rest and put the savings toward a real SD card.