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

The Steam Deck revolutionized mobile PC gaming, but competitors are emerging, offering strong alternatives. The Asus ROG Ally X surpasses 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 market expands significantly. Whether you prefer the Steam Deck or its rivals, 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 gaming laptops, delivering powerful performance in a compact form factor. These devices handle AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima with ease. Compatibility with docking stations allows for larger screen gaming experiences.

Our experts have reviewed several leading handheld gaming PCs. The options range from high-performance devices like the Lenovo Legion Go to more budget-friendly choices like the Asus ROG Ally Z1, suitable for indie games.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

Detailed Reviews:

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

7 Images

The Asus ROG Ally X leads the pack with its doubled battery life and significantly faster memory, resulting in a substantial performance boost. The improved cooling system addresses the overheating issues of its predecessor. While the Mobile XG port is absent, it's replaced by a Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB-C port.

2. Valve Steam Deck – The Best Steam Deck

29 Images

Running SteamOS, the Steam Deck offers a 7-inch display and strong internal components, excelling with Steam-optimized games. 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

6 Images

The Lenovo Legion Go boasts a large QHD display and strong performance, though its size may be a drawback for some users. Game resolution adjustments may be needed for optimal performance.

4. Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme – The Best Windows Handheld Gaming PC

7 Images

A Windows 11 device, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme offers broad game compatibility and strong performance, though its Armoury Crate software could use improvement. Battery life is impacted by high settings.

5. GPD Win 4 – The Best Handheld Gaming PC with a Keyboard

12 Images

More of a mini-laptop, the GPD Win 4 features a built-in keyboard, making it convenient for desktop OS use. It comes in various configurations with differing RAM and storage.

6. Ayaneo Air – The Most Portable Handheld Gaming PC

20 Images

The Ayaneo Air prioritizes portability with its small size and 5.5-inch OLED display. While less powerful than some competitors, its compact form factor is a key advantage.

7. Asus ROG Ally Z1 – The Best Handheld Gaming PC for Indie Games

7 Images

A more budget-friendly option than the Z1 Extreme, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 is well-suited for indie games, though AAA titles may require lower settings.

Upcoming Devices & FAQ:

Information on the Lenovo Legion Go S, Acer Nitro Blaze 11, and the Nintendo Switch 2 is included, along with a comparison of handheld gaming PCs versus gaming laptops. The Asus ROG Ally X is highlighted as the best Steam Deck alternative.