The Steam Deck revolutionized mobile PC gaming, but competition is heating up. The Asus ROG Ally X now leads the pack, surpassing the Steam Deck with superior performance, faster memory, and longer battery life. With the Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 unveiled at CES 2025, the handheld PC market is booming. Whether you're considering the Steam Deck or its alternatives, we've curated a selection of top-tier handheld gaming PCs capable of handling demanding AAA titles.

TL;DR – Best 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 Buy

Handheld gaming PCs offer superior portability compared to bulky gaming laptops, delivering impressive performance for AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. Many also support docking for larger screen gaming.

Our experts have reviewed several top contenders. 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

Detailed Reviews:

1. Asus ROG Ally X: The Best Handheld Gaming PC

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Boasting double the battery life and significantly faster memory than its predecessor, the Asus ROG Ally X sets a new standard for handheld gaming. The AMD Z1 Extreme processor, coupled with 24GB of 7,400MHz LPDDR5 RAM, delivers a substantial performance boost. The improved cooling and larger battery ensure extended playtime. While the Mobile XG port is gone, replaced by a Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB-C port, the overall package is exceptional.

2. Valve Steam Deck: The Best Steam Deck

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Running SteamOS, the Steam Deck offers a 7-inch display and powerful internals, excelling at Steam games thanks to Proton compatibility. Windows can be installed via USB-C boot. An OLED version provides enhanced visuals and battery life.

3. Lenovo Legion Go: The Best High-Performance Handheld Gaming PC

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The Lenovo Legion Go stands out with its large 8.8-inch 1600p display and AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset. While its size might be a drawback for some, the performance is top-notch. In-game settings adjustments might be needed to optimize performance at the native resolution.

(Reviews for Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, GPD Win 4, Ayaneo Air, and Asus ROG Ally Z1 follow a similar structure, highlighting key features, pros, and cons.)

Upcoming Devices:

The Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (11-inch screen) are highly anticipated releases. The Nintendo Switch 2, while not a PC, is also noteworthy.

FAQ:

Handheld vs. Gaming Laptop: Handhelds prioritize portability, battery life, and optimization, while gaming laptops offer superior raw power but often compromise on battery life and thermals.

Best Steam Deck Alternative: The Asus ROG Ally X is our top recommendation, offering excellent performance and a user-friendly Windows 11 experience.