Valve's Steam Deck revolutionized portable PC gaming, but the market is rapidly expanding with compelling alternatives. The Asus ROG Ally X currently leads the pack, surpassing the Steam Deck with superior performance, faster memory, and impressive battery life. New contenders like the Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (announced at CES 2025) further enhance the options for on-the-go gaming. Whether you're eyeing the Steam Deck or exploring the best alternatives, we've curated a selection of top-tier handheld gaming PCs capable of handling demanding AAA titles.
**TL;DR – Top Handheld Gaming PCs**
Asus ROG Ally X
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Valve Steam Deck
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Lenovo Legion Go
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Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme
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GPD Win 4
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Ayaneo Ayaneo Air
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Asus ROG Ally Z1
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Handheld gaming PCs offer a compelling alternative to bulky gaming laptops, providing portability without sacrificing performance. These compact devices deliver the power to run AAA titles like *Cyberpunk 2077* and *Ghost of Tsushima*. And for those who prefer larger screens, docking stations provide seamless connectivity to TVs.
Our experts have rigorously tested several handheld gaming PCs, and the following seven stand out. From the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1, ideal for indie games, there's a perfect fit for every gamer.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru
Asus ROG Ally X: The Best Handheld Gaming PC
Asus ROG Ally X
With significantly faster memory and double the battery life of its predecessor, the Asus ROG Ally X reigns supreme as the best handheld gaming PC.
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Product Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Z1 Extreme
- GPU: AMD Z1 Extreme
- Weight: 1.49 lbs
- RAM: 24GB LPDDR5 @ 7,400MHz
- SSD: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Dimensions: 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.97 – 1.45 inches
Pros: More and faster memory than the original ROG Ally; 80Wh battery for extended playtime.
Cons: Still uses an IPS display.
The Asus ROG Ally X boasts the same AMD Z1 Extreme processor as its original counterpart but features significant upgrades. 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM (7,400MHz) provides a substantial performance boost (12-15% improvement). A larger, 80Wh battery enables hours of uninterrupted gameplay, complemented by an improved cooling system that prevents overheating. The design includes a second Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB-C port and an improved MicroSD card slot. Despite past customer support issues, the Asus ROG Ally X delivers an exceptional handheld gaming experience.
Steam Deck
Valve Steam Deck
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Product Specifications:
- CPU: 4-core, 8-thread AMD Zen 2
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- GPU: 8-core AMD RDNA 2
- SSD: 256GB
- Weight: 1.47 lb
- Dimensions: 11.7 × 4.6 × 1.9 inches
Pros: Powerful; excellent for Steam games.
Cons: Poor battery life.
The Steam Deck, a pioneer in the handheld gaming PC revolution, runs on SteamOS and supports a vast library of games via Proton. Windows can be installed via USB-C boot. The device features excellent controls. An OLED version offers improved screen quality, battery life, refresh rate, and storage.
Lenovo Legion Go
Lenovo Legion Go
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Product Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X
- GPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- SSD: 512GB SSD
- Weight: 1.41 lb
- Dimensions: 1.6 x 11.76 x 5.16 inches
Pros: Excellent performance; best display in a handheld gaming PC.
Cons: Very large.
The Lenovo Legion Go strikes a balance between performance and premium design. Its large 8.8-inch 1600p display is a standout feature, although it may require adjusting in-game settings for optimal performance on the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset. Despite its size, it remains relatively lightweight (1.41 lb).
Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme
Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme
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Product Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- GPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- SSD: 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe
- Weight: 1.24 lb
- Dimensions: 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.83 inches
Pros: 7-inch Full HD screen with 120Hz refresh rate; speedy performance.
Cons: Armoury Crate software can be clunky.
The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, running Windows 11, provides access to a wide range of PC games and storefronts. Its powerful Z1 Extreme processor delivers excellent performance, though battery life may be impacted at higher settings. The device features a vibrant 7-inch touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate and responsive controls.
GPD Win 4
GPD Win 4
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Product Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 CPU
- RAM: 16GB / 32GB LPDDR5
- GPU: AMD Radeon 780M
- SSD: 1TB / 2TB
- Weight: 1.32 lb
- Dimensions: 8.66 x 3.62 x 1.1 inches
Pros: Built-in keyboard; compact design.
Cons: High price tag.
Resembling a mini-laptop, the GPD Win 4 features a built-in keyboard, an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, and an AMD Radeon 780M GPU, all behind a 6-inch 1080p screen. Multiple configurations are available.
Ayaneo Air
Ayaneo Ayaneo Air
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Product Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 CPU
- RAM: 16GB
- GPU: AMD Radeon
- SSD: 512GB SSD
- Weight: 0.87 lb
- Dimensions: 8.8 x 3.5 x 0.7 inches
Pros: Powerful performance; MicroSD slot for storage expansion.
Cons: Lower performance than other handhelds.
The Ayaneo Air stands out for its compact size and 5.5-inch OLED FHD screen. Despite its smaller form factor, it delivers respectable performance thanks to its AMD Ryzen 5 CPU and AMD Radeon GPU. The device also includes a MicroSD card slot for expandable storage.
Asus ROG Ally Z1
Asus ROG Ally Z1
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Product Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- GPU: AMD RDNA 3
- SSD: 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe
- Weight: 1.34 lb
- Dimensions: 0.83 x 11 x 4.4 inches
Pros: Budget-friendly; easy-to-use interface.
Cons: May struggle with AAA games at 1080p.
A more affordable alternative to the Z1 Extreme, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 offers a balance of performance and price. While it may not handle AAA titles at maximum settings, it excels in indie games. It runs Windows 11 and features a 120Hz FHD display.
Upcoming Handheld Gaming PCs
Future releases include the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS and Windows 11 versions), the Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (with an 11-inch screen), and the Nintendo Switch 2 (with mouse-like controls).
Handheld Gaming PC FAQ
Should I buy a handheld gaming PC or a gaming laptop?
The choice depends on your gaming preferences and needs. Handheld PCs offer superior portability, battery life, and thermal management, but their specs are generally lower. Gaming laptops provide more powerful components but may compromise battery life and thermals. Laptops also offer broader functionality beyond gaming.
What’s the best Steam Deck alternative?
The Asus ROG Ally X is our top pick, offering a user-friendly interface, excellent performance, and sleek design. Its Windows 11 OS allows access to your entire PC game library.
