Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Thanks to some heavy steel recognition and the fact pretty much all PC gamers are tied into the Steam ecosystem anyhow , it makes gumption that we all gravitate towards theSteam Deckwhen it comes to portable play with a highly customizable savour . The relatively late addition of theSteam Deck OLEDhas made it even more appealing with smashing screen timbre meliorate the experience . However , what about if you desire to strain something other than the Steam Deck ? It ’s a great portable console but it is n’t perfect and other option may become your motive better .
To assist you figure out what ’s best for your demand , we ’ve picked out some of the honorable Steam Deck alternatives presently available . Each system offers a slightly different experience to the Steam Deck while providing the same great secret plan performing experience , across different play ecosystems . To help you come to the best decision , we ’ve also looked at why we ’ve picked the consoles we ’ve nibble . Read on while we take you through everything you ned to know .
The best Steam Deck alternatives in 2024
Lenovo Legion Go
Best overall Steam Deck alternative
TheLenovo Legion Gois easy the well Steam Deck alternative around . It ’s heavy and heavier than the Steam Deck but in exchange for more or less less portability , you get some fantastic hardware . It has a gorgeous looking 8.8 - inch 16:10 QHD+ information processing display . A 1600p video display with 144Hz refesh charge per unit , you also get the choice to adjust things like the resolution as well as the refresh rate as require . It looks great and it ’s further helped by the Lenovo Legion Go ’s excellent performance . Our review lays out just how good performance is but it ’s special with whatever plot you play with only minimal tweaks require .
The Lenovo Legion Go is n’t quite as square to apply as the Steam Deck , because it ’s essentially a Windows tablet running Windows 11 but it ’s still pretty in force . It works well as an Xbox Game Pass machine in particular , but there ’s great deal of functionality here .
likewise , its controls are quite attractive . It has two sturdy Hall outcome joystick , face buttons , and reactive triggers . Its correct trackpad simulates a mouse although it ’s not quite as responsive as the Steam Deck . Depending on your hands , the placement can be slenderly off but you may even off that by detaching the controller like with the Switch and using the console table in tabletop mode with a built - in kickstand . Specific modes like FPS musical mode turn the correct control into a mouse in this billet proving super useful for sealed games . Like all Steam Deck alternatives ( and the Steam Deck itself ) , the Lenovo Legion Go is n’t complete but you ’ll adore the great projection screen and performance .
ASUS ROG Ally
Best performing Steam Deck alternative
Like the Lenovo Legion Go , theASUS ROG Allylooks a deal like the Steam Deck on the surface . Its full HD screen means solely a aboriginal resolve of 1080p rather than the 1600p of the Lenovo option but it has an uncapped frame rate and can well offer up around 30 frames per secondly in extremely demanding games when placed in Turbo fashion . The Turbo mode cuts into the bombardment biography a bit but it ’s not necessary for less demanding games so there ’s decent proportionality here . Ultimately , there ’s not much difference here compare to the Steam Deck .
Crucially , the ASUS ROG Ally is a Windows - free-base handheld which add up with its own advantages and disadvantages . It run Armoury Crate — ASUS ’s software program package — which has a hub that mould much like the Steam Deck ’s Gaming mode . It go with every major PC platform like Steam , Epic Games Store , Xbox app , Ubisoft Connect , GOG Galaxy , and the EA app so there are pot of options here . Because you have to shift between Armoury Crate and Windows to set up games , it ’s not always as elementary as it could be , it still crop fair well and gives you more functionality than the Steam Deck .
Its control method is reasonably conciliatory too as you could set up many profiles and conformation for different games , although you ’ll need to spend some time catch thing just how you like them . Like the Steam Deck , there ’s tons of potency to the ASUS ROG Ally and if you prefer to have all the storefront easily accessible , this is a sound style to do so with quick operation consistently across the board .
Logitech G Cloud
Best Steam Deck alternative for battery life
TheLogitech thou Cloudis designed purely for cloud play . That means you do n’t call for to pay attention to storehouse blank and even processing king is less vital here as you ’re more reliant on your internet connexion and the cloud play services you utilise . We ’ll get to the Salmon Portland Chase — the Logitech G Cloud is reliant on Wi - Fi as there ’s no 4 G or 5 G support which is unfortunate but not the end of the man give data cap that could be involved .
The focusing here then is on how well the Logitech G Cloud works and its screen . It has a pleasant 7 - inch multitouch IPS control board with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and 60Hz refresh charge per unit . It ’s about right for cloud gambling and contributes to the Logitech G Cloud ’s olympian battery life . Our reviewer witness that the Logitech G Cloud lasted just under 12 hours with a full recharge only hire about 2 and a minute hours . That ’s exceptional compare to other Steam Deck alternative .
The Logitech G Cloud is also moderately lightweight . Its triggers are potentially a touch small for some hoi polloi but its buttons and D - inkpad feels slap-up . Textured grips ensure it ’s extremely comfortable to spellbind onto , while there ’s also tactile feedback and a 3D gyroscope . The whole whole run on a tradition UI base off Android 11 . Four primary apps include Xbox Cloud Gaming , Nvidia GeForce Now , Steam Link , and Google Play , so you ’re all set for the key essentials in cloud gaming . In some ways , the Logitech G Cloud is a soup up phone for cloud play but its added feature are groovy for making you feel comfier as you play .
PlayStation Portal
Best for playing PS5 games on the move
If you plainly want to play PlayStation game on the move , you need thePlayStation Portal . It ’s highly low-cost for a Steam Deck alternative although concessions are made to keep thing inexpensive .
The PlayStation Portal is effectively a PS5 DualSense controller cut in half with a 8 - inch LCD display placed in between . It looks a little awkward but it feel good in your hands and provides all the welfare of a DualSense suitcase . The controls keep back all the fundamental feature you get from a DualSense controller . That means you get tactual feedback but also adaptive triggers which is a monumental advantage . It ’s only when you use gyroscopic controls for sure plot that thing bumble as the PlayStation Portal require you to agitate the intact twist to perform question gesture .
To duplicate the DualSense ’s touchpad , you could use the PlayStation Portal ’s screen as it ’s a touch presentation . It ’s not utterly implemented but it mean you do n’t neglect out on much . The PlayStation Portal is fairly barebones for other features as it lacks Bluetooth support and its USB - C port is solely for charging and — of track — you ca n’t even play anything other than PS5 games but it does that task well . Count on about 4 hour of shelling life as you play . at last , the PlayStation Portal is designed to appeal to anyone who does n’t get enough meter with their PS5 but is on the move often or even just gaming in the living room while the rest of the family hog the television . If you do n’t take accession to other streaming swarm gaming service , the PlayStation Portal is just right for those needs while detain pretty cheap .
Nintendo Switch OLED
Best exclusive games library
If it ’s more that you want a great portable gambling cabinet than a Steam Deck alternative , you should earnestly consider theNintendo Switch OLED . It has the restriction of only allowing you to recreate Nintendo Switch title with no cloud play options but the amount of amazing Nintendo Switch biz more than form up for it . It has a 7 - column inch OLED display which make everything look gorgeous . Colors are extremely vibrant while the mysterious blacks mean that everything looks sharp and delightful . The Switch catalogue includes some of the best games around like The Legend of Zelda : tear of the Kingdom and Super Mario Wonder . Its catalogue is rich in delights which mold for all the family .
Unlike many of the other Steam Deck alternatives here , the Nintendo Switch OLED can also be hooked up to your goggle box . It ’s designed to do so , coming with a dock that you plug into your TV then slot the Switch into so you may effortlessly start playing on the boastful screen . It also has detachable Joy - Con controllers so you right away have controllers ready to use whether you ’re playing alongside someone or just great to feel in more ascendency .
The cabinet is limited to 720p so it is n’t a powerhouse of performance but it forge well for the game available to it . It ’s not like you could play PC games here but it ’s a shame there ’s no way to play game on the swarm either . Still , the Nintendo Switch OLED is a fat delight of gems with both physical games usable for it as well as digital downloads . If you go for the latter route , make certain to buy a microSD card to advance the fairly circumscribed 64 GB of storage that arrive as standard .
AYANEO Air PRO
Best truly portable PC
If you want a portable microcomputer over a gaming equipment , check off out the AYANEO Air PRO . It ’s efficaciously a microcomputer in your hand get with Windows 11 install and containing all the hardware you ’d see from a regular microcomputer . It look great . It has a gorgeous if small 5.5 - in organic light-emitting diode screen while it ’s tenuous and very lightweight . Crucially , it feels eminent - end and high - timber .
It has received button and control on the front although there are no back clit like you ’d see on the Steam Deck . It also habituate untextured plastic but it still feel reasonably right in your hand . The AYANEO Air PRO come with Windows 11 establish alongside AYASpace which permit you to represent its button to Windows functions as much as you require to .
game run fairly well with a steady 30 fps for demand titles but 60 Federal Protective Service for many indie title . It ’s all on a equality with most of the contest with the OLED covert guarantee it look super pretty . The downside there is that battery liveliness is moderately low at about 3 hours but that ’s not shockingly downcast when you consider the original Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck . Of course , said screen is passably small which may be frustrating for some citizenry and unquestionably makes a dispute when play text - heavy title . Still , if you want a dependable portable PC experience , you ’ll love the potential difference of the AYANEO Air PRO and we particularly appreciate its retro / emulation make for abilities .
How we chose these Steam Deck alternatives
All the Steam Deck choice , like the Steam Deck itself , are quite expensive investments . That ’s understandable render you ’re effectively buying a portable PC and gaming system of rules . Such cost tag end are also why it ’s so important to verify you corrupt the right Steam Deck choice for you . We considered some key features before rounding up our favorites . Here ’s what we thought about and what we recommend you consider too .
Size is everything
Most Steam Deck alternatives are pretty bulky . Like the Steam Deck itself , there ask to be room for computer hardware , cooling , and an adequate covert . However , some designs are bulky than others so it ’s important to think ahead . Crucially , if you have small hands or stick out from joint way out , you do n’t want a hand-held gaming console which is awkward for you to hold for extended periods of time . Check out the weightiness and dimension of each Steam Deck option , and also consider what you ’re willing to hold for a while . It can get physically tiring .
Check out the screen
All the Steam Deck option have clean unlike screen . Some have standard full HD displays while others are OLED panels which signify better colours . Each screen is also a different size so think about what matters to you . A small screen intend it ’ll be operose to see what ’s going on and is n’t dandy for text edition - clayey games but a larger screen mean you ’ll be carry more weighting with you . It ’s all a swap - off and only you know what ’s going to be most crucial to you .
Think about portability
What ’s your plan for your Steam Deck alternative ? Do you want to take it out and about with you , or simply use it in a different elbow room in your family to your gaming frame-up ? If you want to use it while traveling , you ideally need a Steam Deck alternative with good electric battery life and maybe even 4 G or 5 G connectivity . The latter is harder to come by but you unquestionably want estimable battery life . At least , assuming you plan on travel for long periods of time . All the Steam Deck alternatives here are just fine for a few hours at minimum . However , if you ’re just going to use your Steam Deck alternative at dwelling house , do n’t worry so much . You ’ll be near a superpower germ and you ’ll have your home Wi - Fi connection to bank on .
What games do you plan on playing?
If you have an extensive PC games library which is distribute across Steam , GOG , Epic Games Stores , and others , you require a Steam Deck choice that fend for all these . However , where do you play your games ? Are you actually a PS5 player who want to be able to bet on the move ? That ’s where the PlayStation Portal come into its own , while Nintendo fans will benefit more from the Switch OLED than a on-key portable PC . Have a upright think about what you plan on playing . In some face , a garish cloud - base root may answer but other metre , you might want to be able to install your games from many different stores all in one property .
