The world of handheld gaming PCs has been revolutionized since the arrival of Valve’s Steam Deck, with numerous companies aiming to capitalize on the demand for portable, high-performance gaming experiences. While the field is constantly evolving, with new devices announced frequently, there are a handful of handheld gaming PCs that stand out as the best options available. This article provides an overview of these top contenders, focusing on their strengths, weaknesses, and target audience.
The Steam Deck OLED reigns supreme as the best handheld gaming PC, offering a superior experience compared to its original LCD counterpart. The OLED model boasts a stunning display, exceptional battery life, and enhanced performance, all at the same price point as the original. Valve has meticulously refined every aspect of the Steam Deck OLED, incorporating a gorgeous OLED screen, significantly improved battery life, and enhanced performance, surpassing the original model in terms of speed. Combined with features like Wi-Fi 6E and the familiar, intuitive software experience of the base Steam Deck, the Steam Deck OLED eclipses the competition. It is undoubtedly the best handheld gaming PC available.
While not the most powerful device on the market, Valve’s Steam Deck remains a compelling choice, especially the OLED model. The LCD versions still deliver impressive performance and the best software experience among all tested devices. The Steam Deck excels in providing the small but significant features often overlooked on devices like the Nintendo Switch, including full navigation with buttons and joysticks, automatic suspend when powered off, and cloud saves that seamlessly sync progress. Despite being outmatched by other devices in terms of sheer power, Valve’s Proton layer effectively maximizes performance from the hardware.
Beyond a seamless handheld gaming experience, the Steam Deck offers remarkable flexibility. Users can install Windows for a more conventional PC experience, or delve into the vibrant modding community that creates software and hardware enhancements for the device.
If the Steam Deck’s performance falls short, the Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) provides a more powerful alternative. Equipped with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the ROG Ally delivers significantly faster performance than the Steam Deck and comes with the advantage of Windows 11 pre-installed. Windows 11 opens up a broader range of game options, including titles like Destiny 2, which are not compatible with the Steam Deck due to anti-cheat measures. Furthermore, the ROG Ally allows access to games from non-Steam storefronts such as the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect. While the experience might not be as seamless as the Steam Deck, Asus includes Armoury Crate, a utility that simplifies game launching without requiring touch screen interaction. The ROG Ally also benefits from a 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Despite its impressive performance, the ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme has notable drawbacks. Performance can be inconsistent depending on the game, and issues with microSD cards bricking the device remain unresolved.
The Ayaneo 2S undeniably holds the title of the most powerful handheld gaming PC currently available. Powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 7840U, essentially the same processor as the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, the Ayaneo 2S unleashes the APU’s full potential, enabling lightning-fast gaming performance. However, this raw power comes at a cost, with significant trade-offs. Battery life is notably short, especially at higher power modes, and Ayaneo’s utility overlay for Windows 11 leaves much to be desired. Most importantly, the Ayaneo 2S carries a hefty price tag, with the base model starting at $1,000.
For enthusiasts who prioritize raw performance, the Ayaneo 2S is an irresistible option. It not only delivers superior performance but also offers more storage space, with up to 2TB pre-configured and expandable to 8TB, dual USB-C ports, and drift-resistant Hall Effect joysticks.
The Ayaneo 2S may be expensive and have drawbacks, but for a select group of gamers, it represents the pinnacle of handheld gaming PC performance.
For those interested in emulating games, a balance of performance and price is essential. While devices like the Steam Deck can handle emulation exceptionally well, they represent a significant investment for an experience achievable with much more affordable options. The AYN Odin emerges as a compelling choice, a $250 Android handheld specifically designed for emulation.
Its Android 10 operating system grants access to a vast array of emulators through the Google Play Store and untrusted sources, catering to users seeking greater flexibility. Native Android games are also supported, but the Odin truly shines with its exceptional emulation capabilities.
The Odin features a sharp 6-inch 1080p screen, providing a crisp visual experience, and full Android functionality, allowing access to non-gaming apps. While lacking the power and PC gaming capabilities of the Steam Deck, the Odin offers an unparalleled emulation experience, surpassing many other devices in this niche.
The Razer Edge 5G caters to a specific niche, providing a unique solution for cloud gaming. Logitech’s G Cloud handheld offers similar functionality, but the Razer Edge distinguishes itself with 5G support through the Verizon network, effectively addressing the challenge of consistent high-speed internet access, a critical requirement for smooth cloud gaming.
Running on Android, the Razer Edge provides access to a wide range of cloud gaming apps, including Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, and GeForce Now. Its full Android functionality also enables emulation and native Android game support.
The Razer Edge offers unexpected bonuses, including a vibrant 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a detachable Razer Kishi V2 Pro controller. The controller can be detached and used with smartphones, eliminating the need to carry two separate devices.
While the ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme is the recommended choice for the ROG Ally, the base Z1 model still holds appeal for some gamers. At $600, the Z1 model offers a compelling option for accessing non-Steam games, particularly those available through Xbox Game Pass, for budget-conscious gamers who can’t afford the Z1 Extreme.
The Z1 model provides slightly slower performance than the Steam Deck in most games but offers the same 512GB of storage as Valve’s most expensive configuration. Beyond game support, the Z1 model stands out with its impressive 1080p display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering a stunning visual experience, particularly for less demanding games that can fully utilize the refresh rate, although it does impact battery life.
The Lenovo Legion Go takes a distinct approach to handheld gaming PCs, emphasizing its larger size. With an expansive 8.8-inch display boasting a 1600p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, the Legion Go is a formidable device. Lenovo has incorporated a kickstand and detachable controllers, drawing inspiration from the Nintendo Switch.
Under the hood, the Legion Go utilizes the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip found in other leading handheld gaming PCs. While not quite powerful enough to fully utilize the display in most games, the Legion Go excels in lighter 2D titles, where the larger size and higher resolution shine. The ability to prop up the display and utilize detachable controllers is a significant advantage, particularly for frequent travelers.
The Legion Go’s primary weakness lies in its software. Lenovo’s software is currently underdeveloped, lacking features, prone to bugs, and struggles with the in-game overlay. However, for those willing to tolerate these quirks, the Legion Go presents an attractive option.
The ROG Ally X represents a significant upgrade over the original ROG Ally in almost every aspect. With 24GB of LPDDR5 memory, it boasts faster performance, a doubled battery capacity, and a redesigned shell for enhanced comfort. Asus has also refined the buttons, triggers, and joysticks for a superior tactile experience.
The ROG Ally X rivals the Steam Deck OLED in terms of quality, thanks to substantial improvements in Asus’ Armoury Crate SE software. The software is now more feature-rich and responsive, offering online sharing of controller profiles and customization options for the library. Asus has also integrated AMD’s Fluid Motion Frames (AFMF), providing frame generation for most titles directly from the in-game overlay.
While the ROG Ally X is an exceptional handheld gaming PC, it comes with a hefty price tag of $800, exceeding the original ROG Ally and the Steam Deck. The asking price is justified by the significant upgrades, but the ROG Ally X falls into a more premium price tier.
