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 gaming PC market is booming. Whether you're eyeing the Steam Deck or exploring 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

Valve Steam Deck

Lenovo Legion Go

Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme

GPD Win 4

Ayaneo Ayaneo Air

Asus ROG Ally Z1

Handheld gaming PCs offer superior portability compared to gaming laptops, maintaining impressive power for AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. Compatibility with docking stations allows for larger screen gaming experiences.

Our experts have thoroughly tested several leading handheld gaming PCs. The following seven models are highly recommended, ranging from the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the more budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1 (ideal for indie games).

Contributors: Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

Detailed Reviews:

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

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 system and larger battery enable extended gaming sessions. While the Mobile XG port has been replaced with a Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB-C port, the overall experience is exceptional.

2. Valve Steam Deck: The Best Steam Deck

Running SteamOS with Proton compatibility for numerous games, the Steam Deck offers a solid 7-inch display and powerful internals. Windows can be installed via USB-C boot. An OLED version provides enhanced visuals and battery life. Consider pairing it with accessories and docking stations for a complete setup.

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

The Lenovo Legion Go stands out with its large 8.8-inch 1600p display. While its size is notable, the performance is excellent, though in-game settings adjustments might be needed to optimize for the high resolution. This is a premium option for serious PC gamers.

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

A Windows 11 powerhouse, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme offers seamless access to various game stores and services. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor provides strong performance, though battery life may be impacted at higher settings. The 120Hz 7-inch FHD display is vibrant, but the Armoury Crate software could be improved.

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

Blending a mini-laptop form factor with gaming capabilities, the GPD Win 4 features a built-in keyboard and a 6-inch 1080p screen. The AMD Ryzen 7 processor and AMD Radeon 780m GPU deliver solid performance, but it comes at a premium price.

6. Ayaneo Air: The Most Portable Handheld Gaming PC

The Ayaneo Air prioritizes portability with its compact size and 5.5-inch OLED FHD screen. Despite its smaller form factor, it offers respectable performance thanks to the AMD Ryzen 5 processor and AMD Radeon GPU. MicroSD expansion is a plus.

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

A more budget-friendly option than the Z1 Extreme, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 excels with indie games. While AAA titles might require lower settings, its Windows 11 interface and ease of use make it a compelling choice.

Upcoming Devices and 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. The original article's image URLs are retained.