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 longer battery life. The Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11, unveiled at CES 2025, add even more choices for on-the-go gaming. Whether you prefer the Steam Deck or a top alternative, we've curated a selection of excellent handheld gaming PCs capable of handling the most demanding PC 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 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; the following seven stand out.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

Detailed Reviews:

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

The Asus ROG Ally X boasts superior performance thanks to its 24GB of high-speed LPDDR5 RAM (7,400MHz) and a significantly improved 80Wh battery. The enhanced cooling system addresses the overheating issues of its predecessor. While the Mobile XG port is gone, replaced by a Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB-C port, the overall experience is top-tier.

2. Valve Steam Deck: The Best Steam Deck

Running SteamOS with Proton compatibility, the Steam Deck excels at playing Steam games. Windows can be installed via USB-C boot. The OLED version offers improved visuals and battery life.

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

The Lenovo Legion Go features a large, high-resolution (1600p) display, but its size may be a drawback for some. Performance is excellent, though in-game settings adjustments might be needed to optimize for the high resolution.

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

A Windows 11 device with a powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme offers excellent performance across various gaming platforms. The 120Hz refresh rate contributes to a smooth gaming experience.

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

More of a mini-laptop, the GPD Win 4 features a built-in keyboard, making it ideal for desktop OS usage. Its performance is solid, but 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 display. While less powerful than others, its size makes it a strong contender.

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 is perfect for indie games. While it can handle AAA titles, performance may be limited at higher settings.

(Image galleries for each device are included in the original text and maintained here.)

Upcoming Devices & FAQ:

Information on upcoming handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS and Windows 11 versions), Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (11-inch screen), and the Nintendo Switch 2 is also included in the original article. A detailed FAQ section comparing handheld PCs to gaming laptops and recommending the best Steam Deck alternatives is also present in the original text.