Portable Power: Dominate Gaming 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. The Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11, unveiled at CES 2025, further expand your on-the-go gaming options. Whether you're considering the Steam Deck or exploring the best alternatives, we've curated a selection of top-tier 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 in a portable form factor. These devices are capable of running demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. Furthermore, compatibility with docking stations allows for connection to larger displays.

Our experts have thoroughly evaluated several leading handheld gaming PCs. The following seven stand out, ranging from the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the more budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1, suitable for indie games.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

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Upcoming Handheld Gaming PCs

Anticipation builds for the next generation of handhelds, including the Lenovo Legion Go S (launching February 14th, initially with Windows 11, and later with SteamOS), and the Acer Nitro Blaze 11, boasting an expansive 11-inch screen. Nintendo's Switch 2, while not a PC, is also anticipated, potentially offering a unique competitive experience.

Handheld Gaming PC FAQ

Handheld PC vs. Gaming Laptop: The optimal choice depends on individual gaming preferences and requirements. Handhelds excel in portability, battery life, and thermal management, but may have limitations in terms of raw processing power. Gaming laptops offer superior performance but often compromise on battery life, portability, and thermals. Laptops also provide broader functionality beyond gaming.

Best Steam Deck Alternative: The Asus ROG Ally X emerges as our top recommendation, offering a user-friendly interface, exceptional performance, and a stylish design. Its Windows 11 operating system grants access to a vast library of PC games.