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 tops our list, 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 mobile gaming landscape is expanding rapidly. Whether you're considering the Steam Deck or seeking alternatives, we've curated a selection of exceptional handheld gaming PCs capable of handling top-tier PC games.

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 top contenders. From the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1 (ideal for indie games), there's a device to suit every need.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

Detailed Reviews:

(Note: Due to length constraints, only key features and summaries of the individual device reviews are provided below. The original text contains more detailed reviews for each device.)

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

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Boasts significantly improved RAM (24GB LPDDR5 @ 7,400MHz) and a doubled battery capacity (80Wh) compared to its predecessor. Performance is noticeably enhanced.

2. Valve Steam Deck: The Best Steam Deck

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Runs on SteamOS, supporting a wide range of games via Proton. Excellent controls, but battery life is a significant drawback. An OLED version offers improvements.

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

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Features a large 8.8-inch 1600p display and runs Windows 11. Excellent performance, but its size may be unwieldy for some.

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

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Runs Windows 11, offering broad game compatibility. Powerful performance, but battery life suffers at higher settings.

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

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Features a built-in keyboard, making it more akin to a mini-laptop. Solid performance, but comes at a premium price.

6. Ayaneo Air: The Most Portable Handheld Gaming PC

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Ultra-portable with a 5.5-inch OLED FHD screen. Good performance for its size, but less powerful than other options.

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

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A more budget-friendly option than the Z1 Extreme, ideal for indie games. Struggles with AAA titles at high settings.

Upcoming Devices & FAQ: (Briefly summarized from original text)

Information on upcoming handhelds (Lenovo Legion Go S, Acer Nitro Blaze 11, and Switch 2) and a comparison of handhelds vs. gaming laptops are included in the original article. The Asus ROG Ally X is highlighted as the best Steam Deck alternative.