TL;DR – These are the Best Handheld Gaming PCs
Handheld gaming PCs keep compact dimensions, making it easy to play PC games from anywhere. Just because they’re smaller than the best gaming PCs, don’t assume these devices are underpowered. Some even cruise through AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 and the recently released (at least on PC) Ghost of Tsushima. And we’re only on the cusp of what is sure to be a handheld gaming PC revolution with even more powerful and innovative devices to come.
The Best Handheld Gaming PCs
1. Valve Steam Deck
The best handheld gaming PC
Running on Steam OS, this handheld offers a seven-inch display and beefy internals ready to take on games optimized for it.
- CPU: 4-core, 8-thread AMD Zen 2
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- GPU: 8-core AMD RDNA 2
- Weight: 1.47 lb
- Dimensions: 11.7 × 4.6 × 1.9 inches
Mighty powerful, perfect for running Steam games, but has terrible battery life. The Valve Steam Deck doesn’t come with Windows installed, using Valve’s custom SteamOS. It supports dozens of games optimized for the portable, and there are ways to get Windows running on it. The OLED version offers a larger, brighter screen with improved battery life and more storage.
2. Lenovo Legion Go
The best high-performance handheld gaming PC
The Lenovo Legion Go is a Steam Deck alternative that runs Windows 11 and has a huge QHD display.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X
- GPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- SSD: 512GB SSD
- Weight: 1.41 lb
- Dimensions: 1.6 x 11.76 x 5.16 inches
Excellent performance, best display in a handheld gaming PC, but very large. The Legion Go offers incredible performance with a large display, but its size may not be suitable for all users.
3. Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme
The best Windows handheld gaming PC
Pairing an AMD Zen 4 CPU and AMD RDNA GPU, you’ll get a solid performance from this Windows 11 gaming portable with a 120Hz 7-inch FHD LCD.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- GPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- SSD: 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe
- Weight: 1.24 lb
- Dimensions: 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.83 inches
Seven-inch Full HD screen with 120Hz refresh rate, speedy performance, but Armoury Crate software is a bit clunky. The ROG Ally Z1 Extreme offers solid performance with Windows 11, but the software may need some improvement.
Upcoming handheld gaming PCs
While we wait for the mysterious successor to the Steam Deck or the follow-up to the Lenovo Legion Go, Asus has just announced the ROG Ally X, which is kind of a mid-generation refresh of the original ROG Ally. We’ve gone hands-on with the Asus ROG Ally X, and the biggest improvements are better cooling and a much larger SSD. However, before we blindly toss the ROG Ally X into this guide, we want to make sure it’s good. So, be sure to keep an eye out for our full review when it comes out later this summer.
Handheld Gaming PC FAQ
Should I buy a handheld gaming PC or a gaming laptop?
Depending on how you want to game and what games you want to play will determine whether you should grab the best gaming laptop or a handheld PC. Handhelds score higher points in longevity, battery life, optimization, portability, and thermals. But handhelds are only designed to play games up to a certain specification. Gaming laptops cram in the latest GPU, CPU, and RAM, likely sacrificing battery life, thermals, and price. However, some are absolute beasts ready to take on even the most graphically intensive games. Laptops offer more functionality when it comes to editing and other work.
What’s the best Steam Deck alternative?
The Steam Deck is our handheld gaming PC pick, but the Asus ROG Ally is the best Steam Deck alternative. This gaming handheld offers an easy-to-use interface, speedy performance, and stunning design. It still struggles with battery life, similar to the Steam Deck. However, you’ll have a harder time using Windows 11 with the ROG Ally than Linux on Steam Deck.
Georgie is a freelance tech writer at IGN, and an eCommerce Editor at Valnet. She enjoys the ins and outs of PCs, is an avid gamer, and a dedicated mum to her son.Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
