If you're in the market for a powerful and portable gaming solution, the handheld gaming PC scene is heating up fast. While Valve's Steam Deck may have sparked the trend, a wave of new contenders is pushing the boundaries of performance, design, and value. From the high-end Asus ROG Ally X to the compact Ayaneo Air, there's a handheld gaming PC to suit every kind of gamer—whether you're chasing AAA titles or indie gems.
TL;DR – Top Picks for 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 BuyRather than lugging around one of the best gaming laptops, consider a handheld gaming PC for a more compact and travel-friendly option. These devices pack serious power despite their small size, capable of running AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima with impressive performance. Plus, if you want to play on a larger screen, most of these devices work seamlessly with best Steam Deck docks, allowing you to connect to a gaming TV or monitor with ease.
With the handheld gaming PC market growing rapidly, our team has tested and reviewed a wide variety of models to help you choose the best fit for your needs. Whether you’re looking for raw performance, portability, or budget-friendly options, here are the top handheld gaming PCs available today.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru
Asus ROG Ally X
7 Images
1. Asus ROG Ally X
The Best Handheld Gaming PC
Our Top Pick### Asus ROG Ally X
20Thanks to its improved battery life, faster memory, and refined thermal design, the Asus ROG Ally X has claimed the title of the best handheld gaming PC currently available.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 the original ROG AllyExtended battery life with an 80Wh capacityCONSStill uses an IPS displayAsus has made a number of meaningful upgrades to the ROG Ally X, elevating it above the competition. While it shares the same AMD Z1 Extreme processor as the original model, it now includes 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM running at 7,400MHz—an impressive jump from the 16GB/6,400MHz setup in the previous version. This increase in both capacity and speed results in a noticeable performance boost across the board, with testing showing an average improvement of 12–15%.
The device is slightly thicker and heavier than before, but this allows for a larger 80Wh battery and a more efficient cooling system. These changes mean longer gaming sessions without the device overheating or draining your battery too quickly. The original’s Mobile XG port has been replaced with a second Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, and the MicroSD slot has been redesigned for better durability.
While Asus faced some criticism for customer support in the past, the ROG Ally X itself is a top-tier handheld gaming PC that offers the best overall experience right now.
Steam Deck Images
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2. Valve Steam Deck
The Best Steam Deck
### Valve Steam Deck
5Powered by SteamOS, the Steam Deck delivers a seamless experience for playing optimized PC games on the go.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 inchesPROSExcellent for Steam-optimized titlesPowerful enough for modern gamesCONSTerrible battery lifeThe Steam Deck helped kickstart the current handheld PC gaming trend by offering a portable device designed specifically for playing Steam games. Running on SteamOS, it uses Proton compatibility layers to support a wide range of titles, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5.
For those who prefer Windows, it’s possible to boot into Windows via USB-C. The Steam Deck also features one of the best control schemes among handhelds. You can also upgrade to the OLED model for a brighter, higher-contrast display and improved battery life.
Lenovo Legion Go
