Valve may have set the stage for mobile PC gaming with the Steam Deck, but the market is now flooded with strong contenders offering unique features and performance enhancements. The Asus ROG Ally X recently took the crown thanks to its upgraded battery life, faster memory, and overall superior performance. With new entries like the Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 revealed at CES 2025, your options for portable PC gaming are expanding rapidly. Whether you're leaning toward the Steam Deck or one of the best Steam Deck Alternatives, there's a handheld gaming PC perfectly suited for devouring the latest top 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 BuyFor those who prefer mobility without sacrificing power, handheld gaming PCs present a compelling alternative to traditional best gaming laptops. Despite their compact size compared to full-sized best gaming PCs, these devices deliver impressive performance capable of running demanding AAA titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. Plus, if you ever want to play on a larger screen, most models work seamlessly with best Steam Deck docks, allowing connection to a gaming TV or monitor.
With a growing number of powerful devices entering the market, our team has tested and evaluated several top-tier handhelds. Below is a curated list of seven standout models—from high-performance machines like the Lenovo Legion Go to budget-friendly indie-focused options like the Asus ROG Ally Z1—ensuring there’s something for every type of gamer.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru
Asus ROG Ally X
7 Images
1. Asus ROG Ally X
The Ultimate Handheld Gaming Experience
Our Top Pick### Asus ROG Ally X
20Thanks to a doubled battery capacity and significantly faster memory speeds, the Asus ROG Ally X has emerged as the premier handheld gaming PC available today.See it at AsusSee it at Best BuyProduct SpecificationsCPUAMD Z1 ExtremeGPUAMD Z1 ExtremeWeight1.49 lbsRAM24GB LPDDR5 @ 7,400MHz SSD1TB NVMe SSD Dimensions11.02 x 4.37 x 0.97 – 1.45 inchesPROSMore RAM and faster memory than original ROG AllyHuge 80Wh battery ensures extended gameplayCONSStill uses an IPS displayThe Asus ROG Ally X reviewed last year retains the AMD Z1 Extreme processor from its predecessor but includes meaningful improvements that elevate it above the competition. Paired with 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM clocked at 7,400MHz—up from 16GB in the previous model—the result is a noticeable performance boost of around 12–15% during testing.
To accommodate the increased battery and enhanced cooling system, Asus slightly increased the thickness and weight of the chassis. However, this trade-off brings two major benefits: longer gaming sessions and better heat dissipation. The larger 80Wh battery allows hours of uninterrupted gameplay, while the improved thermal design keeps the device cool during extended use, avoiding overheating issues experienced in earlier versions.
Additionally, the proprietary Mobile XG port was replaced with a second Thunderbolt 4-compatible USB-C port, enhancing connectivity. The previously fragile MicroSD slot has also been redesigned for greater durability. While early testing has shown promising results, we’ll continue monitoring reliability, especially given past concerns about customer support raised by outlets like Gamers Nexus.
Despite these considerations, the Asus ROG Ally X remains the best all-around handheld gaming PC currently on the market.
Steam Deck Images
29 Images
2. Valve Steam Deck
The Original Handheld Powerhouse
### Valve Steam Deck
5Powered by Steam OS, the Steam Deck delivers a seven-inch display and robust internals ideal for optimized games.See it at SteamSee it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCPU4-core, 8-thread AMD Zen 2RAM16GB LPDDR5GPU8-core AMD RDNA 2SSD256GBWeight1.47 lbDimensions11.7 × 4.6 × 1.9 inchesPROSPowerful hardware tailored for Steam gamesCONSRelatively short battery lifeSince its release, the Valve Steam Deck has played a pivotal role in popularizing handheld PC gaming. Running on Valve’s custom SteamOS, the device leverages Proton API to run a wide variety of games, including Cyberpunk 2077 and *
