Valve's Steam Deck revolutionized portable PC gaming, but the market is rapidly expanding with strong contenders. The Asus ROG Ally X now leads the pack, surpassing the Steam Deck with superior performance, faster memory, and impressive battery life. New entries like the Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (announced at CES 2025) further diversify the options for on-the-go gaming. Whether you're considering the Steam Deck or exploring the best alternatives, this selection highlights excellent handheld gaming PCs capable of handling top PC titles.

TL;DR – Top Handheld Gaming PCs

Our Top Pick### Asus ROG Ally X

20See it at AsusSee it at Best Buy### Valve Steam Deck

5See it at SteamSee it at Amazon### Lenovo Legion Go

7See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy### Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme

3See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy### GPD Win 4

3See it at Amazon### Ayaneo Ayaneo Air

3See it at AmazonSee it at Ayaneo ### Asus ROG Ally Z1

1See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuyHandheld gaming PCs offer a compelling alternative to bulky gaming laptops, providing compact portability without sacrificing power. Despite their smaller size, many deliver the performance needed to run AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. And for those who prefer a larger screen, docking stations provide seamless connectivity to TVs.

This review features seven top contenders, ranging from the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the more budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1, suitable for indie games.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

Asus ROG Ally X

7 Images1. Asus ROG Ally X

The Best Handheld Gaming PC

Our Top Pick### Asus ROG Ally X

20The Asus ROG Ally X boasts a significant upgrade over its predecessor, featuring double the battery life and much faster memory, solidifying its position as the top handheld gaming PC.See it at AsusSee it at Best BuyProduct SpecificationsCPUAMD Z1 ExtremeGPUAMD Z1 ExtremeWeight1.49 lbsRAM24GB LPDDR5 @ 7,400MHz SSD1TB NVMe SSD Dimensions11.02 x 4.37 x 0.97 – 1.45 inchesPROSMore and faster memory than original ROG AllyHuge 80Wh battery means gaming for hoursCONSStill using an IPS displayThe Asus ROG Ally X utilizes the same AMD Z1 Extreme processor as its predecessor, but key improvements elevate its performance. The 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM (clocked at 7,400MHz) significantly outperforms the original model's 16GB, resulting in a 12-15% performance boost. A larger, 80Wh battery doubles the battery life, enabling extended gaming sessions. Improved cooling prevents overheating issues that plagued the original. While the Mobile XG port has been replaced with a Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB-C port, and the MicroSD card slot has been redesigned, long-term testing is needed to assess the durability of these changes. Despite past customer support concerns, the Asus ROG Ally X currently offers the best overall handheld gaming experience.

Steam Deck Images

29 Images2. Valve Steam Deck

The Best Steam Deck

### Valve Steam Deck

5The Valve Steam Deck, running SteamOS and utilizing Proton for compatibility with numerous games, features a 7-inch display and powerful internals.See it at SteamSee it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCPU4-core, 8-thread AMD Zen 2RAM16GB LPDDR5GPU8-core AMD RDNA 2SSD256GBWeight1.47 lbDimensions11.7 × 4.6 × 1.9 inchesPROSMighty powerfulPerfect for running Steam gamesCONSTerrible battery lifeThe Steam Deck, a pioneer in handheld PC gaming, runs on SteamOS and leverages Proton to support a wide range of games. Windows can be installed via USB-C boot. It offers excellent controls. An OLED version provides a larger, brighter screen with improved battery life and storage. Consider pairing it with compatible accessories and docks.

Lenovo Legion Go

6 Images3. Lenovo Legion Go

The Best High Performance Handheld Gaming PC

### Lenovo Legion Go

7The Lenovo Legion Go, a Steam Deck alternative running Windows 11, boasts a large QHD display and excellent performance.See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuyProduct SpecificationsCPUAMD Ryzen Z1 ExtremeRAM16GB LPDDR5XGPUAMD Ryzen Z1 ExtremeSSD512GB SSDWeight1.41 lbDimensions1.6 x 11.76 x 5.16 inchesPROSExcellent performanceBest display in a handheld gaming PCCONSVery largeThe Lenovo Legion Go balances high performance with a premium design. Its standout feature is its large 8.8-inch 1600p display, although this may be too large for some users. While the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset may require in-game settings adjustments for optimal performance at native resolution, the device offers flexibility and a visually impressive experience.

Asus ROG Ally – Photos

7 Images4. Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme

The Best Windows Handheld Gaming PC

### Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme

3The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, a Windows 11 handheld, offers superior performance compared to the Steam Deck's SteamOS, providing seamless access to various game stores and services.See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuyProduct SpecificationsCPUAMD Ryzen Z1 ExtremeRAM16GB LPDDR5GPUAMD Ryzen Z1 ExtremeSSD512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMeWeight1.24 lbDimensions11.02 x 4.37 x 0.83 inchesPROSSeven inch Full HD screen with 120Hz refresh rateSpeedy performanceCONS Armoury Crate software is a bit clunkyThe Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, running Windows 11, provides access to a wider range of games and storefronts. Its powerful Z1 Extreme processor delivers impressive performance, capable of handling many games at high settings. However, high settings impact battery life. The device features a vibrant 7-inch 120Hz display and responsive controls, but the Armoury Crate software could be improved.

GPD Win 4 – Photos

12 Images5. GPD Win 4

The Best Handheld Gaming PC with a Keyboard

### GPD Win 4

3The GPD Win 4, resembling a mini-laptop, features a built-in keyboard, solid processors, and a 6-inch 1080p screen.See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCPUAMD Ryzen 7 CPURAM16GB / 32GB LPDDR5GPUAMD Radeon 780MSSD1TB / 2TBWeight‎1.32 lbDimensions8.66 x 3.62 x 1.1 inchesPROSHandy keyboard built-inCompact designCONSHigh price tagThe GPD Win 4, with its integrated keyboard, blends laptop functionality with handheld gaming. It features an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and AMD Radeon 780m GPU, powering a 6-inch 1080p screen. Multiple configurations are available, but the price point is relatively high.

Ayaneo Air – Photos

20 Images6. Ayaneo Air

The Most Portable Handheld Gaming PC

### Ayaneo Ayaneo Air

3The Ayaneo Air, remarkably compact with a 5.5-inch OLED FHD screen, balances portability with impressive performance.See it at AmazonSee it at Ayaneo Product SpecificationsCPUAMD Ryzen 5 CPURAM16GBGPUAMD RadeonSSD512GB SSDWeight0.87 lbDimensions8.8 x 3.5 x 0.7 inchesPROSPowerful performanceStorage expansion via Micro SD slotCONSLower performance than other handheldsThe Ayaneo Air prioritizes portability with its small size and 5.5-inch OLED FHD screen. Despite its compact form factor, it offers a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 CPU and AMD Radeon GPU, along with expandable storage. While less powerful than other options, its portability makes it a strong contender.

Asus ROG Ally Z1

7 Images7. Asus ROG Ally Z1

The Best Handheld Gaming PC for Indie Games

### Asus ROG Ally Z1

1A budget-friendly alternative to the Z1 Extreme, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 excels in indie games while offering a user-friendly interface.See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuyProduct SpecificationsCPUAMD Ryzen Z1RAM16GB LPDDR5GPUAMD RDNA 3SSD512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMeWeight1.34 lbDimensions0.83 x 11 x 4.4 inchesPROSBudget-friendlyEasy-to-use interfaceCONSCan struggle with AAA games at 1080pThe Asus ROG Ally Z1, a more affordable option than the Z1 Extreme, features a 30W AMD APU with a Zen 4 processor and RDNA 3 graphics. While it may struggle with AAA titles at high settings, it performs well with indie games. Its 7-inch 120Hz FHD display and user-friendly interface make it a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers.

Upcoming Handheld Gaming PCs

Future releases include the Lenovo Legion Go S (February 14th launch), the first third-party SteamOS handheld, and the Acer Nitro Blaze 11, featuring a large 11-inch screen. The Nintendo Switch 2 is also anticipated, though it's not a PC gaming device.

Handheld Gaming PC FAQ

Handheld PC vs. Gaming Laptop?

The choice between a handheld gaming PC and a gaming laptop depends on individual needs and preferences. Handhelds offer advantages in portability, battery life, and thermal management, but their specifications may be more limited. Gaming laptops provide higher-end components but may compromise on battery life, thermals, and cost. Laptops also offer broader functionality beyond gaming.

Best Steam Deck Alternative?

The Asus ROG Ally X stands out as the top Steam Deck alternative, offering a user-friendly interface, excellent performance, and a sleek design. Its Windows 11 operating system allows access to a wider range of games and services.