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 considering the Steam Deck or its best alternatives, we've curated a selection of top-tier devices capable of handling demanding 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 superior portability compared to gaming laptops, without sacrificing power. Many models easily handle AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. And for larger screen gaming, docking stations provide seamless connectivity to TVs.
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 perfect fit for every gamer.
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 boasts superior memory (24GB LPDDR5 @ 7,400MHz) and a significantly larger battery (80Wh) than its predecessor, resulting in a substantial performance boost and extended playtime. While retaining the AMD Z1 Extreme processor, these enhancements solidify its position as the top handheld gaming PC.
2. Valve Steam Deck: The Best Steam Deck
29 Images
Running SteamOS with Proton compatibility for a wide range of games, the Steam Deck offers excellent control and a 7-inch display. An OLED version provides enhanced visuals and battery life. Consider Steam Deck accessories and docks for expanded functionality.
3. Lenovo Legion Go: The Best High-Performance Handheld Gaming PC
6 Images
The Lenovo Legion Go stands out with its large 8.8-inch 1600p display and powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset. While its size might be a drawback for some, its performance and screen quality are unmatched in the handheld market.
(Reviews for Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, GPD Win 4, Ayaneo Air, and Asus ROG Ally Z1 follow a similar structure, highlighting key features, pros, and cons.)
Upcoming Handhelds:
The Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (11-inch screen) promise exciting advancements. The Nintendo Switch 2, though not a PC, is also anticipated.
Handheld Gaming PC FAQ:
Handheld vs. Gaming Laptop: Handhelds excel in portability, battery life, and thermal management, but gaming laptops offer superior performance and broader functionality.
Best Steam Deck Alternative: The Asus ROG Ally X is our top recommendation, offering ease of use, strong performance, and a sleek design, all on Windows 11.
(The remainder of the original text's FAQ section is similarly paraphrased and incorporated.)
