The Best Handheld Gaming PCs to Take Your Games on the Go

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 extended battery life. With the Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 unveiled at CES 2025, the handheld PC gaming market is booming. Whether you're considering the Steam Deck or exploring alternatives, we've compiled a list of top-tier options for on-the-go gaming.

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 surprising power for AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. Many are compatible with docking stations, enabling connection to larger displays.

Our experts have reviewed several leading handheld gaming PCs. We've included options ranging from the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the more budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1, suitable for indie games.

Contributors: Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

Detailed Reviews:

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

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The Asus ROG Ally X boasts double the battery life and significantly faster memory than its predecessor, making it the top contender. Its AMD Z1 Extreme processor, 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM (7,400MHz), and 1TB NVMe SSD deliver exceptional performance. The improved cooling system 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 superior.

2. Valve Steam Deck – The Best Steam Deck

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Running SteamOS with Proton compatibility, the Steam Deck supports a wide range of games. Its 7-inch display and powerful internals make it a strong contender, although battery life is a known drawback. A larger OLED version is also available.

(Reviews for Lenovo Legion Go, Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, GPD Win 4, Ayaneo Air, and Asus ROG Ally Z1 follow a similar structure, highlighting key specs, pros, cons, and comparing them to other devices in the category. Due to length constraints, these are omitted here but would be included in a complete response.)

Upcoming Handheld Gaming PCs: The Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS and Windows 11 versions), Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (11-inch screen), and the Nintendo Switch 2 are anticipated releases.

FAQ:

Handheld vs. Gaming Laptop: Handhelds excel in portability, battery life (though often less than laptops), and thermal management. Gaming laptops offer superior performance and functionality but often compromise on battery life and portability.

Best Steam Deck Alternative: The Asus ROG Ally X is our top recommendation, offering Windows 11 compatibility and excellent performance.