What’s the finest handheld gaming PC? This yr is ready to see some huge new entrants within the gaming handheld house. Nevertheless, after lots of of hours of testing, our prime moveable gaming machine picks stay the identical as they’ve for some time, and you could find these decisions beneath.
One of the best gaming handheld total stays the Steam Deck OLED, due to its SteamOS software program making it fast and simple to entry your Steam video games. So good is Valve’s working system, that the older Steam Deck LCD even takes our second spot, regardless of being such previous {hardware}. If you need extra energy, options, display screen decision and Home windows compatibility, although, the Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go lead the cost right here.
Should you’re new to handheld gaming PCs, take a look at the how to decide on a handheld gaming PC part beneath. We clarify what these units are, what their key variations are, what to contemplate when shopping for, and extra. You can even learn our gaming handheld FAQ that solutions your most typical handheld gaming PC questions.
Why you possibly can belief our recommendation ✔ At PCGamesN, our specialists spend hours testing {hardware} and reviewing video games and VPNs. We share sincere, unbiased opinions that will help you purchase the very best. Discover out how we check.
Greatest handheld gaming PCs:
Greatest handheld gaming PC total
Steam Deck OLED specs:
APU
AMD Zen 2
Cores
4
Threads
8
Graphics
AMD RDNA 2 (8 CUs)
RAM
16GB LPDDR5 (6,400MT/s)
Show
7.4-inch OLED (1280 x 800 / 90Hz / HDR)
Storage
512GB NVMe SSD, 1TB NVMe SSD
Weight
640g
OS
SteamOS
Causes to purchase
OLED display screen is gorgeous
Higher battery life
Runs quietly and stays cool
Causes to keep away from
APU efficiency is unchanged
Not out there with lower than 512GB storage
SteamOS nonetheless has annoying quirks
Valve has realized the total potential of its handheld with the Steam Deck OLED. The display screen is greater, brighter, and higher than the unique Deck in our quantity two spot, however the refresh is excess of meets the attention.
You get enhancements to battery life for longer gaming classes, a weight discount for larger consolation, plus Wi-Fi for faster downloads. The Steam Deck OLED is the very best on-ramp for handheld PC gaming there may be, with just a few downsides. The APU contained in the OLED is sort of an identical to the unique Deck, save for effectivity, and that locations the hand-held considerably behind the curve when it comes to energy. Merely put, some triple AAA releases will likely be out of attain to you.
Should you’re on the lookout for a well-priced handheld with a shocking show and entry to your Steam library on the go, the Steam Deck OLED is the best choice.
Learn our Steam Deck OLED assessment.
Greatest worth handheld gaming PC
Steam Deck specs:
APU
AMD Van Gogh
Cores
4
Threads
8
Graphics
8 RDNA 2 CUs
RAM
16GB LPDDR5 5500 MT/s quad channel
Show
7-inch IPS 800p/40-60Hz (mounted)
Storage
64GB eMMC, 256GB or 512GB PCIe 3.0 SSD
Weight
669g
OS
SteamOS
Causes to purchase
Unmatched price-to-performance
Large aftermarket ecosystem
SteamOS
Causes to keep away from
Lackluster display screen
Recreation compatibility
Verification program isn’t at all times right
The Steam Deck wasn’t the primary handheld gaming PC, however it’s definitely been probably the most profitable. It offers you seamless integration with Steam and a console-like expertise means it may be as plug-and-play as you want – with the good thing about having a very user-tweakable OS beneath the hood.
The lower-end 64GB mannequin is now discontinued, however for now, you possibly can nonetheless decide it up from retailers like Amazon, broaden the storage, and pair it with the finest Steam Deck equipment to convey it as much as a usable capability.
Titles comparable to Starfield, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Remnant 2 trigger the Steam Deck to misstep. While we’re a bit of away from all main AAA releases being unplayable, the clock is ticking and you could really feel you get extra worth in case you go for one thing a bit of newer.
The customized APU dubbed Van Gogh remains to be highly effective sufficient for many video games and in case you primarily need to play by way of retro video games, 2D video games, sidescrollers, or emulated titles then you can be more than pleased with the efficiency. That is nonetheless a great-value handheld gaming PC.
Learn our Steam Deck assessment.
Greatest Home windows handheld gaming PC
Asus ROG Ally X specs:
APU
AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive
Cores
8
Threads
16
Graphics
12 RDNA 3 CUs
RAM
24GB LPDDR5 7500 MT/s twin channel
Show
7-inch IPS 1080p/120Hz VRR
Storage
1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD 2280 M.2 / microSD
Weight
678g
OS
Home windows 11
Causes to purchase
120Hz VRR show
Identical quick Ryzen Z1 chip because the Ally
Massive efficiency upgrades due to reminiscence modifications
Causes to keep away from
Home windows nonetheless isn’t handheld appropriate
Whereas we didn’t get the OLED show that was extensively rumored, the Asus ROG Ally X made huge modifications to just about each different side of its design and got here out the opposite facet as simply the very best Home windows gaming handheld, even when Home windows is its greatest disadvantage when in comparison with the Steam Deck.
With 8GB additional reminiscence, and sooner reminiscence at that, the ROG Ally X can outperform nearly any like-for-like handheld gaming PC out there proper now. Armoury Crate is far improved, and whereas not excellent, its interface is less complicated to grasp and navigate, which is big for many who don’t need to have interaction with Home windows 11.
The $799 price ticket is difficult to swallow, however honest. One anticipated benefit of Ally X’s launch is that the bottom Ally Z1 Excessive has additionally seen its worth diminished fairly drastically. Nevertheless, in case you’re chasing the very best efficiency in video games with out being restricted to Steam, the Ally X has the Steam Deck and all different Ally handhelds overwhelmed palms down.
Learn our Asus ROG Ally X assessment.
Greatest handheld with an enormous display screen
Lenovo Legion Go specs:
APU
AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive
Cores
8
Threads
16
Graphics
AMD RDNA 3 (12 CUs)
RAM
16GB LPDDR5X (7,500MHz)
Show
8.8-inch IPS (2560 x 1600 /144Hz)
Storage
As much as 1TB NVMe SSD
Weight
854 / 640g (with controllers indifferent)
OS
Home windows 11
Causes to purchase
Huge 8.8-inch display screen
Removable controllers
Nice handheld efficiency
Causes to keep away from
1600p is usually too excessive for GPU
Heavy
Fiddly software program expertise
With its 8.8-inch show, the Lenovo Legion Go is the hand-held for you if you’d like a big-screen expertise. Whereas its measurement naturally helps with immersion, it’s additionally responsive, sharp, and vivid. With a local decision of 2560 x 1600 and a refresh fee of 144Hz, the IPS panel is about pretty much as good because it will get for an LCD handheld.
There’s some highly effective {hardware} too. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive chipset makes the Legion Go one of the vital highly effective handhelds round, however it’s additionally one of the vital versatile due to the removable controllers and kickstand, which provide you with a singular expertise, particularly in ‘FPS Mode’.
The Legion Go does have just a few flaws. It’s a lot heavier than its rivals, weighing in at 854g, which might make utilizing it for lengthy durations a bit tiring. You’ll additionally have to tinker with settings and determination pretty incessantly, as 1600p will be too demanding for the Ryzen Z1 Excessive APU in lots of circumstances, and the software program will be fiddly.
Learn our Lenovo Legion Go assessment.
Aya Neo Air
Greatest moveable handheld gaming PC
Aya Neo Air specs:
APU
AMD Ryzen 5 5560
Cores
6
Threads
12
Graphics
7 Vega 7 CUs
RAM
16GB LPDDR4 4266 MT/s twin channel
Show
5.5-inch OLED 1920×1080
Storage
512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD / microSD
Weight
398g
OS
Home windows 11
Causes to purchase
Extraordinarily mild and moveable
Attractive OLED
Corridor Impact joystick and triggers
Causes to keep away from
Underpowered
No droop function
The Aya Neo is a slick and svelte package deal that isn’t as astonishingly costly as the opposite non-Valve/Asus entries on our listing at present. It has a superb OLED show permitting for excellent distinction ranges with true blacks and vibrant highlights making for a really vibrant and punchy picture.
OLEDs have good picture persistence too so there will likely be no seen ghosting and enter delays will likely be stored to a minimal given the very quick response time. Its pint-like statute means it’s going to simply be stowed away in your bag and enjoying it on the go is much extra sensible than say with the comparatively monstrous Steam Deck.
The Steam Deck’s ace up its sleeve, nevertheless, is its droop function which lets you decide up from the place you left off, one thing that’s sorely missed right here given how handy the Aye Neo Air is.
One other letdown is what’s powering the machine beneath the hood. The Ryzen 5 5560U. This sadly doesn’t maintain a candle to the RNDA 2 and RDNA 3-derived APUs powering the remainder of our roundup.
This limits the Air to much less processing intense video games, however that also covers a whole lot of floor. 2D-pixel video games significantly shine on the OLED panel, for instance. That could be greater than sufficient for you – particularly when mixed with its smallness.
GPD Win 4
Most premium gaming handheld PC
GPD Win 4 specs:
APU
AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
Cores
8
Threads
16
Graphics
12 RNDA 2 CUs
RAM
32GB LPDDR5 6400 MT/s twin channel
Show
6.1-inch IPS 1920×1080
Storage
1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD / microSD
Weight
598g
OS
Home windows 11
Causes to purchase
Slick PSP-like design
Sliding scree
Causes to keep away from
Cramped controls
Costly
Sony’s PSP is arguably one of many best-designed items of tech ever conceived and it’s clear GPD is of this persuasion because it appears they took every thing nice about that and improved the controls and added a keyboard hidden beneath a sliding display screen.
While being an identical worth to different handhelds, this novel development and high quality design make it our decide for probably the most premium handheld gaming PC. While the display screen doesn’t slide up that a lot, it makes a noticeable distinction and your neck will thanks in case you play it for any size of time.
The keyboard isn’t probably the most excellent typing expertise however it’s surprisingly useable. It additionally blows the Steam Deck and ROG Ally’s contact keyboard out of the water. Powering the GPD Win Max 2 is the Ryzen 6800U, a really performant APU that can see more moderen titles ticking alongside regardless of it not being the newest and best.
By taking inspiration from the PSP although, the controls can solely be improved by a lot and they’re nonetheless extra cramped and uncomfortable than many of the different entries on this listing. It’s in fact somewhat costly, however in case you are a PSP purist, that could be a small worth to pay.
Greatest handheld PC for cloud gaming
Razer Edge specs:
APU
Snapdragon GX3 Gen 1
Graphics
Nvidia GT 640M LE
RAM
6GB LPDDR5
Show
6.4 inch FHD AMOLEND, 144Hz
Storage
128GB – Expandable as much as 2TB
Weight
401 g (with controller connected)
OS
Android 12
Causes to purchase
Sensible OLED display screen
Cloud gaming capabilities
Nexus software program is revolutionary
Causes to keep away from
Battery life may very well be higher
Kairi grip takes some getting used to
Whereas not a PC gaming handheld within the conventional sense, the Razer Edge offers you entry to your PC library through cloud streaming. You’ll be able to hyperlink your Recreation Move, GeForce Now, and Steam accounts to stream video games from anyplace and the Edge does all of it with a shocking show and loads of energy to again it up.
Cell video games are additionally a breeze due to the Andriod OS, supplying you with the choice to run video games natively with its 128GB storage. After we reviewed the Razer Edge, we discovered the cloud streaming setup to have one notable flaw with its decision output, however past that, it was a incredible machine with loads of room to develop sooner or later.
Nexus is the trick that the Edge has up its sleeve, because it lets you fully remap the button inputs to the included Razer Kishi V2 controller. You’ll be able to then make these overlays disappear, leaving your gaming expertise uninterrupted. This software program is just for cell titles although, as PC cloudy streaming helps the Razer Kishi V2 as if it was a typical Xbox controller.
Learn our Razer Edge assessment.
How to decide on the very best handheld gaming PC
When on the lookout for a handheld gaming PC, take into account portability, worth, display screen measurement, and kind. All the hand-held choices right here will be carried away, however sizes range considerably; the Aya Neo Air is beneath 400g, whereas the Steam Deck is round 640g. Would you like one thing to curve up on the couch with? Or which you can simply convey with you whenever you’re out and about? One thing just like the Steam Deck or the Asus ROG Ally will likely be too huge, however a smaller mannequin just like the Aya Neo Air will likely be significantly better suited.
Handheld gaming PC FAQs
What’s a handheld gaming PC?
Handheld gaming PCs or gaming handhelds, are a cross between a big telephone/small pill and a sport controller, and are akin to old style console handhelds, such because the Sega Recreation gear. Incorporating a display screen and controls in a single machine, they permit for a way more snug gaming expertise than utilizing a telephone or pill whereas being far more moveable than even the very best gaming laptop computer.
The general idea has been round a long time however it was solely actually with the launch of the unique Steam Deck LCD that the avid gamers and different producers woke as much as the concept of getting a transportable gaming PC. Its Linux-based SteamOS working system introduced a slick console-like interface that makes it simple to entry your Steam video games, with lots of of the very best Steam Deck video games out there to play.
There are actually primarily two kinds of handheld gaming PC: Steam Decks and the remaining. Practically all the opposite units run Home windows, which opens up far more quick access to a whole lot of acquainted options and software program for many avid gamers. Nevertheless, navigating Home windows on a small touchscreen stays a problem and sport compatibility is much less established than with Steam Decks.
Are handheld gaming PCs good?
Handheld gaming PCs are nice if you’d like a transportable gaming expertise however perceive there will likely be an influence compromise. They is perhaps barely much less pleasant for video games particularly designed with a gaming keyboard and mouse, however that’s only a small slither of the PC gaming pie.
Most video games that in any other case naturally lend themselves to being performed with a controller are nice on gaming handhelds. Plus, most often, handheld gaming PCs will be docked and linked to screens or TVs for an even bigger display screen expertise, which you’ll be able to then management with a keyboard and mouse. You can even use them for normal duties like watching YouTube and looking the online.
Is Steam Deck the very best handheld PC?
Sure, however not due to an excessive amount of in the way in which of {hardware} wizardry from Valve. The Steam Deck OLED has actually a stunning 7.4-inch OLED show that regardless of a comparatively low decision, nonetheless competes with many different handhelds for picture high quality when gaming.
The actual secret sauce to the Steam Deck, although, is SteamOS. This practice Linux working system masses straight into your Steam library and is optimized to run easily with all of the Steam Deck’s controls. So, you possibly can bounce straight right into a sport with no fuss.
What’s extra, it effortlessly helps streaming video games out of your PC. So, you possibly can sit in your couch downstairs and play video games which might be operating in your PC upstairs. You’ll be able to technically do the identical on different handhelds however it’s not so slickly built-in.
All this doesn’t imply the Steam Deck handheld PC is essentially the very best for you, although. In actual phrases, the efficiency of the Steam Deck and its growing old AMD APU is now one of many least highly effective handhelds available on the market. If you need a bigger, higher-resolution display screen, entry to your Home windows apps or entry to modern {hardware} options such because the Legion Go’s removable controllers, different choices are the way in which to go.
What’s the strongest handheld gaming PC?
Proper now, probably the most highly effective gaming handheld is the Ayaneo Kun. That is all the way down to a mixture of it’s excessive reminiscence capability, use of an AMD 8840U APU, and unbelievable 54W max TDP. No gaming handheld can boast this a lot energy throughout the board, however you’ll be paying a reasonably penny for it with an MSRP of $999.
If a handheld gaming PC isn’t the very best match for you, the finest mini gaming PC will give you one other compact desktop format. Discover out tips on how to construct a gaming PC and also you’ll have the perfect setup very quickly.
