Ever since Valve ’s Steam Deck showed up , there has been a revolution in the world of handheld gaming PCs . apparently , every company is looking to spring in on portable , high - carrying out gaming , but only a select few twist are among the well handheld gaming PCs you could buy .
This is definitely an evolving field , with new companies announcing machine left and right . Even this twelvemonth , we still have new machine like theLenovo Legion Go . For now , though , here are the top hand-held gaming systems we ’ve essay .
The best handheld gaming PC
Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck is the best hand-held gaming PC you’re able to buy , regardless of if you pick up the original LCD model or the new OLED model . Between the two , however , the OLED Steam Deck definitely has the boundary . It not only provides a nicer filmdom , better battery life , and high performance , but it also comes in at the same price as the original model . Oh , and with more store space in tow .
Valve took the Steam Deck OLED as a chance to refresh every look of the gimmick . The OLED projection screen is gorgeous , of trend , but the improvements elsewhere are more significant . Battery life is the best we ’ve ever see out of a hand-held gambling PC , and although the carrying out ca n’t agree devices like the Lenovo Legion Go , the Steam Deck OLED is still faster than the original model .
Combined with improvement like Wi - Fi 6E and the same fantabulous software experience we ’ve fall to know on the theme Steam Deck , the Steam Deck OLED absolutely trounces the rival . It ’s the effective handheld play microcomputer you could buy , no motion .
The best cheap handheld gaming PC
Steam Deck
Valve ’s Steam Deck kicked off a gyration in hand-held gaming PCs , and although it ’s not the most muscular gadget you may corrupt , it ’s still the best . We commend the OLED manikin more , but the LCD versions till provides alike performance and the best software experience out of any twist we ’ve tested .
The Steam Deck provide all of the picayune things you never cogitate about on a gimmick like the Nintendo Switch ; full navigation with button and control stick , machinelike suspend when you hit the power button , and cloud saves that automatically synchronize your progress . It ’s plenty powerful , too . Although the Steam Deck is beat by some other devices , Valve ’s Proton layer bear on to pinch as much performance as possible out of the ironware .
On top of a seamless hand-held experience , the Steam Deck is extremely pliable . you may justinstall Windows on the Steam Deckif you want , but there ’s a vivacious community of modders create software for the platform , as well as third - company computer hardware to bedight your Deck out ( if you ’ll forgive the paronomasia ) .
We have the Steam Deck OLED now , and we recommend most multitude beak that model up . If you ’re look for a deal , however , Valve slashed the prices on the Steam Deck LCD .
The best Windows handheld gaming PC
Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme)
If the Steam Deck just is n’t cutting it for you in the magnate department , you ’ll want the Asus ROG Ally . Specifically , the fashion model that number with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor . It ’s leagues faster than the Steam Deck , and it comes with the supply benefit of Windows 11 .
With Windows 11 pre - installed , you have access to a far greater raiment of games . There are games likeDestiny 2that are n’t supported on Steam Deck due to anti - cheat , but also entitle available through non - Steam storefronts like the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect .
The experience is n’t as seamless as the Steam Deck , but Asus include its Armoury Crate utility for quickly launching games without using the cutaneous senses blind . It ’s a trade - off , but the ROG Ally has some upsides of its own , including a 1,080p exhibit with a 120Hz refresh rate .
For as impressive as the ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme is , it has some open problems , as well . public presentation is n’t always static depending on what game you ’re toy , and subject with thedevice - bricking microSD cardshaven’t been solved yet .
The most powerful handheld gaming PC
Ayaneo 2S
There ’s no doubt that the Ayaneo 2S is the most powerful hand-held gambling PC you could purchase . It features AMD ’s Ryzen 7 7840U , which is fundamentally the same as the Ryzen Z1 Extreme . Ayaneo just lets the chains off , allowing the APU to blaze through game as fast as potential .
It ’s quick , but there are a lot of swap - offs . For starters , the stamp battery does n’t last very long , especially at the high major power modes . Ayaneo ’s service program that sit on top of Windows 11 is n’t great , either . Most significantly , the handheld is right smart too expensive , with the base model clocking in at $ 1,000 .
For enthusiasts , however , there ’s nothing undecomposed . You ’re not only getting better raw functioning , but also more storage space with up to 2 TB pre - configure and 8 TB if you add your own , along dual USB - C port and Hall Effect joysticks that wo n’t drift over time . The Ayaneo 2S is expensive and has plenty of downside , but for a prime crowd , it ’ll be the sodding handheld play PC .
The best handheld for emulation
AYN Odin
You need the right balance of performance and price if you plan on emulating games . twist like the Steam Deck can deal emulation excellently , but you ’re spending a portion for an experience you may rule with a much cheaper gimmick . That cheaper gadget is the AYN Odin .
It ’s a $ 250 Android handheld the feel determination - build for emulation . A adult reason why is the Android 10 operating system , giving you access to a blanket raiment of aper through the Google Play Store , as well as untrusted sources if you ’re feeling risky . you may playact aboriginal Android games , as well , though the Odin really earns its stripes with emulation .
On top of great emulation funding , the Odin come with a 6 - inch 1080p screen so games look discriminating , as well as full access to Android . That means non - gaming apps are up for grabs here . It ’s not powerful enough or capable of go personal computer games like the Steam Deck , but if you want to dive into the deep creation of emulation , the Odin volunteer something few other devices do .
The best handheld for cloud gaming
Razer Edge 5G
The Razer Edge 5 G is definitely a niche product , but there ’s nothing like it for cloud play . Logitech has itsG Cloud handheld , but the Razer Edge put up out with its 5 G support through the Verizon connection . It figure out one of the biggest issues in cloud gaming - logical access to gamy - amphetamine internet .
With Android at the helm , you have access to any cloud game app you could want , including Xbox Game Pass , Amazon Luna , and GeForce Now . It ’s full Android , too , so copycat and aboriginal Android game are on the table , as well .
The Razer Edge comes with a few unexpected top side , as well . For starters , it has a 6.8 - inch AMOLED video display with a 144Hz refresh charge per unit . In addition , it uses a detachable Razer Kishi V2 Pro accountant , which you’re able to take off and strap to your speech sound if you do n’t want to carry around two devices .
The best handheld gaming PC for Game Pass
Asus ROG Ally (Z1)
If you ’re concerned in the ROG Ally , you should purchase the Z1 Extreme model . It ’s only $ 100 more than the basal Z1 modeling , and it ’s virtually twice as fast in some games . However , the $ 600 ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1 still has a post for some gamers .
It ’s a solid choice if you want to get at non - Steam Games , especially those uncommitted through Xbox Game Pass , and ca n’t stretch your budget up to the Z1 Extreme modeling . You ’re getting operation that ’s slimly irksome than the Steam Deck in most games , but also the same 512 GB of computer storage as Valve ’s most expensive constellation .
out of doors of game musical accompaniment , the upside here is the screen . It ’s a drainage on the battery , but the 1,080p screen with a 120Hz refresh charge per unit still look gorgeous on the ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1 , especially if you ’re playing less demanding game that can drive the full refresh rate .
The best handheld gaming PC with a big screen
Lenovo Legion Go
The Lenovo Legion Go is quite the grown departure for handheld gaming PCs – with an accent on the " big . " It ’s vast , backpack an 8.8 - inch display that tops out at a 1600p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate . Lenovo even superintend to pack in a kickstand , as well as detachable controllers , take a major note from the Nintendo Switch .
Under the hood , Lenovo is using the same Saratoga chip as most of the major handheld gaming personal computer these days : the Ryzen Z1 Extreme . It ’s not quite muscular enough to force back the display in most games , but you ’ll take account the supernumerary size and resolution in light 2D statute title . Being able to shore up the show and act with the controllers is a definite plus as well , especially if you travel a luck .
The Legion Go chiefly mislay out to handhelds like the ROG Ally with its software . Lenovo has n’t nailed its software yet . There are n’t a ton of feature , it ’s prone to bugs , and the in - secret plan sheathing gets confused about what you ’re trying to accomplish . As long as you ’re uncoerced to work out through those quirks , however , the Legion Go is antic .
The most comfortable handheld gaming PC
Asus ROG Ally X
The ROG Ally X improves on the original in almost every way . It ’s faster , thanks to 24 GB of LPDDR5 remembering , it skylark twice the barrage fire capacity , and it add up with a redesigned shell that ’s much more comfy to hold . Asus even took the ax to the buttons , triggers , and control stick , redesigning them for a much better feel in the hands . The Steam Deck OLED rest our top pick , but the ROG Ally X is on equal terms thanks to its quality .
It sure enough helps that Asus has made some major update to its Armoury Crate SE software , which is now more feature - rich and responsive . you may share controller profile online now , as well as tailor-make the aspect of your library . Asus also pack in AMD ’s Fluid Motion Frames ( AFMF ) , providing frame multiplication across most titles straight from the in - game overlay .
The ROG Ally X is fantastic , but there ’s a slight trouble with it : it ’s expensive . At $ 800 , it ’s more than the original ROG Ally and far more expensive than the Steam Deck . Asus ' need price is worth it , but the handheld definitely pushes toward a more agiotage tier of pricing .
