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 impressive battery life. The Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11, unveiled at CES 2025, further expand the options for on-the-go gaming. Whether you prefer the Steam Deck or a top alternative, we've curated a selection of excellent handheld gaming PCs capable of handling demanding AAA 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 Buy
Handheld gaming PCs offer a compact alternative to bulky gaming laptops, delivering impressive performance for AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. Compatibility with docking stations allows for larger screen gaming on a gaming TV. Our experts have reviewed several leading models.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru
This review highlights seven leading contenders, ranging from the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the more budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1, suitable for indie games.
Asus ROG Ally X: The Best Handheld Gaming PC
7 Images
The Asus ROG Ally X boasts superior performance due to its 24GB of faster LPDDR5 RAM (7,400MHz), a significant upgrade over the original. Its larger battery and improved cooling system enable extended gaming sessions. The updated design includes a second Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB-C port and an improved MicroSD card slot.
Valve Steam Deck: The Best Steam Deck
29 Images
Running SteamOS with Proton compatibility, the Steam Deck plays numerous games, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5. Windows can be installed via USB-C. An OLED version offers improved visuals and battery life.
Lenovo Legion Go: The Best High-Performance Handheld Gaming PC
6 Images
The Lenovo Legion Go features a large 8.8-inch 1600p display and runs Windows 11. While powerful, its size might be unwieldy for some users. In-game settings adjustments may be needed to optimize performance at the native resolution.
(The remaining devices, Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, GPD Win 4, Ayaneo Air, and Asus ROG Ally Z1, are described similarly with their respective images and ratings, highlighting key features and pros/cons.)
Upcoming Handheld Gaming PCs
The Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (11-inch screen) are anticipated releases. The Nintendo Switch 2, while not a PC, is also noteworthy.
Handheld Gaming PC FAQ
Handheld vs. Gaming Laptop: Handhelds excel in portability, battery life, and thermal management but have limitations in specifications. Gaming laptops offer superior power but often compromise battery life and thermals.
Best Steam Deck Alternative: The Asus ROG Ally X is the top recommendation, providing a user-friendly interface, strong performance, and access to the full PC gaming library via Windows 11.
