Top Handheld Gaming PCs for Mobile Gaming

Valve may have ignited the handheld PC gaming revolution with the [Steam Deck], but the market is now brimming with compelling alternatives. The Asus ROG Ally X has surpassed the Steam Deck as our top recommendation, thanks to its superior performance, enhanced memory speed, and extended battery life. With new models like the Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 unveiled at CES 2025, players now have more portable gaming options than ever before. Whether you're considering the Steam Deck itself or one of the many powerful [best Steam Deck Alternatives], there's a handheld gaming PC that can handle the latest [top PC games] on the go.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Handheld Gaming PCs

9 Our Top Pick

Asus ROG Ally X

See it at [Asus] | [Best Buy]

7

Valve Steam Deck

See it at [Steam] | [Amazon]

8

Lenovo Legion Go

See it at [Amazon] | [Best Buy]

8

Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme

See it at [Amazon] | [Best Buy]

7

GPD Win 4

See it at [Amazon]

8

Ayaneo Ayaneo Air

See it at [Amazon] | [Ayaneo]

8

Asus ROG Ally Z1

See it at [Amazon] | [Best Buy]

Instead of lugging around one of the [best gaming laptops], handheld gaming PCs offer a much more compact and travel-friendly design while still delivering impressive power. Despite their small size—especially compared to full-sized [best gaming PCs]—these devices are capable of running demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. And if you ever want to play on a larger screen, most of these devices work seamlessly with the [best Steam Deck docks], allowing you to connect them to your [gaming TV].

With the handheld PC market growing rapidly, our team has tested several models to bring you the best picks for every type of gamer. From powerhouse performers like the [Lenovo Legion Go] to budget-friendly indie-focused choices like the [Asus ROG Ally Z1], there’s something here for everyone.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

Asus ROG Ally X

1. Asus ROG Ally X

The Best Handheld Gaming PC

9
Our Top Pick

Asus ROG Ally X

See it at [Asus] | [Best Buy]

Product Specifications

• CPU: AMD Z1 Extreme
• GPU: AMD Z1 Extreme
• Weight: 1.49 lbs
• RAM: 24GB LPDDR5 @ 7,400MHz
• SSD: 1TB NVMe SSD
• Dimensions: 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.97 – 1.45 inches

Pros:

• More and faster memory than original ROG Ally
• Huge 80Wh battery means extended gameplay

Cons:

• Still uses an IPS display

The Asus ROG Ally X builds upon the foundation of the original model with meaningful upgrades that make it the current leader in the handheld gaming PC space. While it shares the same AMD Z1 Extreme processor, Asus has doubled the RAM to 24GB and increased its speed to 7,400MHz—resulting in a noticeable 12–15% performance boost during testing.

The chassis is slightly thicker and heavier, but this allows room for an improved cooling system and a battery twice the size of the previous model. This translates to longer gaming sessions without overheating or needing to recharge.

Additionally, Asus replaced the proprietary Mobile XG port with a second Thunderbolt 4-compatible USB-C port and upgraded the MicroSD slot for better durability. While early reports from Gamers Nexus highlight past customer support concerns, the hardware improvements alone make the ROG Ally X the best overall choice today.

Steam Deck Images

2. Valve Steam Deck

The Best Steam Deck

7

Valve Steam Deck

See it at [Steam] | [Amazon]

Product Specifications

• CPU: 4-core, 8-thread AMD Zen 2
• RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
• GPU: 8-core AMD RDNA 2
• SSD: 256GB
• Weight: 1.47 lb
• Dimensions: 11.7 × 4.6 × 1.9 inches

Pros:

• Mighty powerful
• Perfect for running Steam games

Cons:

• Terrible battery life

The Valve Steam Deck pioneered the modern handheld PC gaming experience by offering a dedicated device built around SteamOS. Thanks to Proton compatibility layers, it supports hundreds of native and non-native Steam titles including Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, and more.

While Windows installation is possible via USB boot, the Steam Deck thrives under SteamOS with its intuitive controls and game library integration. The newer OLED version offers a brighter display, improved refresh rate, and better battery life over the standard LCD model.

Pair it with [best Steam Deck accessories] and [Steam Deck docks] for an even more immersive experience.

Lenovo Legion Go

![Gallery Image](/uploads/28/17389980