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 leads the pack, surpassing the Steam Deck with superior performance, faster memory, and longer battery life. The Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (announced at CES 2025) add further options. Whether you prefer the Steam Deck or its alternatives, we've curated a selection of top-tier handheld gaming PCs capable of handling demanding AAA titles.

TL;DR – Best 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 compromising power. Many models easily handle AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. Compatibility with docking stations allows connection to larger displays.

Our experts have reviewed several leading handheld gaming PCs. We present seven compelling choices, ranging from the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the more budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1 (ideal for indie games).

Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

Detailed Reviews:

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

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The Asus ROG Ally X boasts significantly improved RAM (24GB LPDDR5 @ 7,400MHz), a larger battery (80Wh), and enhanced cooling, resulting in a substantial performance boost and extended playtime. The updated USB-C port supports Thunderbolt 4.

2. Valve Steam Deck: The Best Steam Deck

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Running SteamOS with Proton compatibility for a wide range of games. An OLED version offers improved visuals and battery life.

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

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Features a large 8.8-inch 1600p display and powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset. May require adjusting in-game settings for optimal performance at native resolution.

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

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Runs Windows 11, offering broad game compatibility. Features a 120Hz 7-inch FHD LCD and powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor.

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

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A hybrid device with a built-in keyboard, suitable for both gaming and productivity.

6. Ayaneo Air: The Most Portable Handheld Gaming PC

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Highly portable with a 5.5-inch OLED FHD screen. Offers good performance for its size.

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, well-suited for indie games.

Upcoming Devices and FAQ: Information on the Lenovo Legion Go S, Acer Nitro Blaze 11, and a comparison of handheld PCs vs. gaming laptops is included in the original article and can be easily rephrased for this context.