TL;DR – These are the best Steam Deck Alternatives
It’s still early days for handheld gaming PCs, and most of the Steam Deck alternatives are using the same AMD Z1 or Z1 Extreme chipset that powers the Asus ROG Ally X. Of course, like gaming laptops before them, the amount of juice these handhelds are able to squeeze out of this AMD chip differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. There’s also a ton of room for improvement for Steam Deck alternatives. Because they’re glorified gaming laptops, the same problems plague these handhelds, chiefly battery life. While handhelds are improving in this regard, you’re still not going to get the same battery life you can get out of the Nintendo Switch. At least not yet. Here’s to hoping the obligatory AMD Z2 chip improves battery life and efficiency a bit.
1. Asus ROG Ally X
The Best Steam Deck Alternative
Asus Asus ROG Ally X
With double the battery and much faster memory, the Asus ROG Ally X has catapulted itself to be the best handheld gaming PC on the market.
- Display: 7-Inch, FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS
- CPU: AMD Z1 Extreme
- GPU: AMD Z1 Extreme
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Memory: 24GB LPDDR5 @ 7,400MHz
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Network: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- Weight: 1.49 lb
Much better performance, thanks to faster memory. Double the battery life of the original Asus ROG Ally. Windows 11 is still a little finicky.
2. Lenovo Legion Go
Best Steam Deck alternative with a large display
Lenovo Legion Go
The Lenovo Legion Go is a Steam Deck alternative that runs Windows 11 and has a huge QHD display. What’s not to love?
- Display: 8.8-Inch IPS, 2560×1600
- CPU/GPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Storage: 512GB/1TB NVMe M.2 SSD
- Weight: 854g
Big and responsive screen. Detachable controllers. Below average battery life.
3. GPD Win 4
Best Steam Deck alternative with a keyboard
GPD Win 4
The GPD Win 4 is an amazing Steam Deck alternative, especially if you don’t like awkwardly typing on a touch screen.
- Display: 6-inch, 1920×1080
- CPU: AMD Radeon 780M
- GPU: AMD Radeon 760M
- Memory: 16GB DDR5
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Storage: 512GB / 2TB / 4TB M.2 SSD
- Network: Wi-Fi 6
- Weight: 570g
Built-in keyboard. Expandable storage with MicroSD. Bulky design, thanks to built-in keyboard.
4. Asus ROG Ally
The Best Value Steam Deck Alternative
Asus ROG Ally Z1
0 cheaper and slightly less powerful than ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, this Windows portable is still ready to play all your favorite indie titles.
- Display: 7-Inch, FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1
- GPU: AMD Ryzen Z1
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
- Network: Wi-Fi 6E
- Weight: 1.34 lb
Affordable. Adjustable modes (Silent, Performance, Turbo). Uses lower-power AMD Z1 chip.
5. Logitech G Cloud
Best Android Steam Deck Alternative
Logitech G Cloud
The Logitech G Cloud is an awesome Steam Deck Alternative if you don’t mind streaming most of your games.
- Display: 7-inch IPS, 1920×1080
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Storage: 64GB
- Network: Wi-Fi 5
- Weight: 1.02 lb
More affordable than the Steam Deck. Plug-and-play design (easy learning curve). Low refresh rate and screen resolution.
How to Pick the Best Steam Deck Alternative
Choosing the best Steam Deck alternative mostly boils down to your gaming preferences and needs. Are you looking for something with similar specs to the Steam Deck, or are you open to exploring different form factors and operating systems? If you like what the Steam Deck offers but don’t like its complicated OS, you could opt for something like the Asus Rog Ally.
Another thing to consider is your games library. Are you heavily invested in the Steam ecosystem, or do you prefer playing games from other platforms like Epic Games Store, GOG, or Xbox Game Pass? Some Steam Deck alternatives offer compatibility with multiple gaming platforms, while others are more limited in scope.
Performance is of course a key factor to consider, too, since you’ll be investing in a portable console essentially. Look for a device with a powerful processor, ample RAM, and a capable graphics card to ensure smooth and enjoyable gaming experiences.
Portability is also important, especially if you plan on taking your gaming device on the go. Consider the size, weight, and battery life of potential alternatives to ensure they meet your needs for gaming on the move. After all, you don’t want to be restricted to just a few hours of gaming if you plan to be away from a power outlet for longer.
While many Steam Deck alternatives are similar in price, you do need to think about your budget as well. Spending a lot of money on a console can seem daunting, so it should be something that you’re going to enjoy in the long run.
Steam Deck Alternative FAQ
Is the Steam Deck the best option? If Steam is your go-to gaming platform, then the Steam Deck is a great option. But if you plan to add Xbox Game Pass and other gaming platforms, and you’re not Linux savvy, there are better options out there, and with more powerful hardware.
Is Steam Deck OLED worth upgrading to? You might be wondering if it’s worth upgrading to the Steam Deck OLED, with its upgraded screen and vibrant colors. But, with tons of Steam Deck alternatives out there, the upgraded screen alone doesn’t make it worth upgrading too. Especially when devices such as the ASUS ROG Ally out perform the Steam Deck OLED in terms of performance.
Will there be a Steam Deck 2? Valve has confirmed there will be a Steam Deck 2 (not necessarily with this name). They announced that they plan to make the Steam Deck and SteamOS platform an ongoing line of products, much like the Xbox and PlayStation. However, no release date has been confirmed for the next Steam Deck, nor have there been any official specifications leaked.
Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra
