What’s the finest handheld gaming PC? This yr we plan to see massive newcomers within the gaming handheld house. Nonetheless, after a whole bunch of hours of testing, the highest transportable gaming gadget picks stay the identical for some time, and you could find the next choices:
Due to Steamos software program, your complete finest gaming handheld stays Steam Deck OLED. Valve’s working system is excellent, so the previous steam deck LCD is getting a second spot regardless of being such an previous {hardware}. Nonetheless, if you need extra energy, options, display screen decision and Home windows compatibility, the Asus Rog Ally X and Lenovo Legion are the main costs right here.
If you’re new to utilizing a handheld gaming PC, see tips on how to choose the Handheld gaming PC part beneath. We’ll clarify what these units are, what the vital variations are, what you may think about when buying, and extra. You can too learn the hand held FAQ for video games that reply the commonest handheld gaming PC questions.
Why are you able to belief our recommendation? ✔ At PCGamesn, specialists spend hours testing {hardware} and testing gaming and VPN critiques. We share trustworthy and unbiased opinions that will help you purchase the perfect. See tips on how to check.
Finest Handheld Gaming PC:
General the perfect handheld gaming PC
Steam deck OLED specs:APU | AMD Zen 2 |
core | 4 |
thread | 8 |
Graphics | amd rdna 2 (8 cus) |
Rum | 16GB LPDDR5 (6,400mt/s) |
display screen | 7.4 inch OLED (1280 x 800 / 90Hz / hdr) |
Storage | 512GB NVME SSD, 1TB NVME SSD |
Weight | 640g |
OS | Steamos |
Causes to purchase- The OLED display screen is superb
- Higher battery life
- Run quietly and keep cool
Causes to keep away from- APU efficiency has not modified
- Not accessible for storage lower than 512GB
- Stemos nonetheless has a nuisance
The valves are steam deck OLED to maximise the probabilities of handheld. The display screen is larger, brighter and higher than the unique deck of the second spot, however the refresh is extra than simply eye-catching.
Get higher battery life for longer gaming classes, weight reduction for improved consolation, and Wi-Fi for sooner downloads. Steam Deck Oled is the right on-ramp for handheld PC video games and has some drawbacks. The APU within the OLED is nearly similar to the unique deck, and except effectivity, it locations the hand held considerably behind the curve by way of energy. Merely put, some triple AAA releases are out of your attain.
In case you’re on the lookout for a dear handheld with gorgeous shows and entry to the steam library on the go, the Steam Deck OLED is your largest alternative.
Learn our Steam Deck OLED Evaluation.
One of the best handheld gaming PC
Steam deck specs:APU | AMD Vangill |
core | 4 |
thread | 8 |
Graphics | 8 rdna 2 cus |
Rum | 16GB LPDDR5 5500 MT/S Quad Channel |
display screen | 7 inch IPS 800p/40-60Hz (fastened) |
Storage | 64GB EMMC, 256GB, or 512GB PCIE 3.0 SSD |
Weight | 669g |
OS | Steamos |
Causes to purchase- Efficiency from unparalleled costs
- An enormous aftermarket ecosystem
- Steamos
Causes to keep away from- Lack of display screen
- Sport compatibility
- Verification applications usually are not all the time right
The steam deck was not the primary handheld gaming PC, nevertheless it actually is essentially the most profitable. Seamless integration with Steam and a console-like expertise have the benefit of getting a completely user-tweetable OS below the hood.
The low-end 64GB mannequin has been discontinued, however for now it may be taken from retailers resembling Amazon, increasing storage and paired with the perfect steam deck equipment to result in usable capability.
Titles like Starfield, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Remnant 2 trigger steam decks to fail. We’re a bit off of the truth that all main AAA releases usually are not playable, however the clock is ticking and also you may discover it extra worthwhile when you select a barely newer one.
A customized APU known as Van Gogh continues to be highly effective for many video games and is proud of the efficiency if you wish to play primarily retro video games, 2D video games, aspect crawlers, or emulated titles. That is nonetheless a worthwhile handheld gaming PC.
Learn the Steam Deck Evaluation.
Finest Home windows Handheld Video games PC
Asus Rog Ally X Specification:APU | AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive |
core | 8 |
thread | 16 |
Graphics | 12 rdna 3 cus |
Rum | 24GB LPDDR5 7500 MT/s twin channel |
display screen | 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
- The identical excessive pace Ryzen Z1 chip as allies
- A significant efficiency improve because of reminiscence adjustments
Causes to keep away from- Home windows will not be appropriate but
Though we did not get the broadly rumoured OLED show, the Asus Rog Ally X made main adjustments to nearly each side of the design, and even when Home windows is the most important disadvantage in comparison with steam decks, it got here out on the opposite aspect as the perfect Home windows Gaming Handheld.
With 8GB of additional reminiscence and its sooner reminiscence, the Rog Ally X can surpass the practically related handheld gaming PCs accessible at this time. The Armory Crate has been enormously improved and is not excellent, however its interface is simple to grasp and navigate. That is large for many who do not wish to become involved in Home windows 11.
It is laborious to swallow the $799 price ticket, nevertheless it’s truthful. One of many anticipated advantages of the Ally X launch is seeing the Base Ally Z1 Excessive additionally drop in its costs considerably. Nonetheless, when you’re chasing the perfect performances within the sport and never restricted to Steam, Ally X has Steam Deck and all different Ally Handhelds beat.
Learn the Asus Rog Ally X evaluate.
Finest handheld on an enormous display screen
Lenovo Legion Go Specs:APU | AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive |
core | 8 |
thread | 16 |
Graphics | amd rdna 3 (12 cus) |
Rum | 16GB LPDDR5X (7,500MHz) |
display screen | 8.8 inch IPS (2560 x 1600 / 144Hz) |
Storage | As much as 1TB NVME SSD |
Weight | 854/640g (controller peeled off) |
OS | Home windows 11 |
Causes to purchase- Big 8.8 inch display screen
- Detachable controller
- Nice handheld efficiency
Causes to keep away from- 1600p is often too costly for a GPU
- heavy
- A loopy software program expertise
With an 8.8-inch show, the Lenovo Legion Go is handheld if you need an enormous display screen expertise. Its dimension helps naturally immerse your self, however is responsive, sharp and crisp. With a local decision of 2560 x 1600 and a refresh charge of 144Hz, the IPS panel is roughly the identical as with an LCD handheld.
There are additionally some highly effective {hardware}. With the AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive chipset, the Legion is without doubt one of the strongest handhelds, however it’s also one of the versatile, because of the separable controller and kickstand that gives a singular expertise, particularly in “FPS mode”.
Legion Go has some flaws. It is a lot heavier than its opponents, weighs at 854g, making it just a little tiring over the long run. Additionally, 1600p can usually be too strict on the Ryzen Z1 Excessive APU, and the software program will be offended, so you may should tinker with settings and backbone very often.
Learn the Lenovo Legion Go Evaluation.
aya neo air
Finest transportable handheld gaming PC
aya neo air spec:APU | AMD Ryzen 5 5560 |
core | 6 |
thread | 12 |
Graphics | 7 VEGA 7 CUS |
Rum | 16GB LPDDR4 4266 MT/S Twin Channel |
display screen | 5.5 inch OLED 1920 x 1080 |
Storage | 512GB PCIE 4.0 SSD/MICROSD |
Weight | 398g |
OS | Home windows 11 |
Causes to purchase- Very gentle and transportable
- Attractive OLED
- Gap Impact Joysticks and Triggers
Causes to keep away from- It is lacking
- There is no such thing as a droop operate
Aya Neo is a easy and huge package deal that is not as impressively costly as the opposite non-Valve/Asus entries on at this time’s listing. It has an incredible OLED show, permitting for wonderful distinction ranges that create photographs with true black and vibrant highlights and intensely vibrant and punchy.
OLED additionally has good picture persistence, so there aren’t any seen ghosts. Given the very quick response occasions, enter delays are minimized. That pint-like regulation means it is simply saved in your bag, and taking part in it on the go is rather more sensible than it might say on a comparatively large steam deck.
Nonetheless, the Ace of a Steam Deck is its hanging operate. This lets you decide up the place you left off. That is missed right here contemplating how handy aye neo air is.
One other disappointment is that it powers the gadget below the hood. Ryzen 5 5560U. Sadly, this doesn’t maintain candles in APUs derived from RNDA 2 and RDNA 3.
This limits you to video games that do not deal with air-risking video games, however nonetheless cowl loads of floor. For instance, 2D pixel video games shine particularly on the OLED panel. It might be greater than sufficient for you, particularly when mixed with its smallness.
GPD Win 4
Most Premium Sport Handheld PC
GPD WIN 4 specs:APU | AMD Ryzen 7 6800U |
core | 8 |
thread | 16 |
Graphics | 12 rnda 2 cus |
Rum | 32GB LPDDR5 6400 MT/S Twin Channel |
display screen | 6.1 inch IPS 1920 x 1080 |
Storage | 1TB PCIE 4.0 SSD/MICROSD |
Weight | 598g |
OS | Home windows 11 |
Causes to purchase- Easy PSP-like design
- Slide Display screen
Sony’s PSP might be among the best high-tech items ever thought up, and GPD is about this persuasion, making nice use of every thing about it, enhancing controls and including a hidden keyboard below the sliding display screen.
Whereas it’s priced just like different handhelds, this progressive development and high quality design means that you can select essentially the most premium handheld gaming PC. The display screen does not slide a lot, nevertheless it makes a noticeable distinction and I recognize it on my neck even after taking part in for a very long time.
The keyboard will not be essentially the most excellent typing expertise, however it’s surprisingly usable. It additionally blows the steam deck and Rog Ally contact keyboard out of the water. The facility of the GPD Win Max 2 is the Ryzen 6800U. This can be a very performant APU that sees current titles clicking, despite the fact that the most recent titles aren’t the most recent and finest.
Nonetheless, taking inspiration from the PSP can enormously enhance the management, making it extra cramped and uncomfortable than most different entries on this listing. After all it is fairly costly, however when you’re a PSP purist, it is perhaps a small worth to pay.
The proper handheld PC for cloud gaming
Razer Edge Specification:APU | Snapdragon GX3 Gen 1 |
Graphics | NVIA GT 640M |
Rum | 6GB LPDDR5 |
display screen | 6.4 inch Fhd Amolend, 144Hz |
Storage | 128GB – Expandable as much as 2TB |
Weight | 401 g (with controller put in) |
OS | Android 12 |
Causes to purchase- A stunning OLED display screen
- Cloud Sport Options
- Nexus software program is progressive
Causes to keep away from- Battery life could also be higher
- You’ll want to get used to Kairi Grip
Though it’s not a PC gaming handheld within the conventional sense, Razer Edge means that you can entry your PC library by way of cloud streaming. You’ll be able to hyperlink your GamePass, GeForce, Steam accounts to stream your GamePass, GeForce, and Steam accounts from anyplace.
Cellular video games are additionally straightforward because of Andriod OS. It provides the choice to run the sport natively with 128GB of storage. After I reviewed the Razer Edge, I discovered that the cloud streaming setup had one notable flaw in its decision output, however past that it was an incredible gadget with loads of room for progress sooner or later.
The Nexus is the trick the place the perimeters elevate the sleeve. This lets you fully remap button inputs to the included Razer Kishi V2 controller. You’ll then destroy these overlays and won’t be able to interrupt the sport expertise. Nonetheless, this software program is for cellular titles solely. It is because PCClandy streaming helps the Razer Kishi V2 as if it had been a normal Xbox controller.
Learn our Razer Edge evaluate.
The way to Select the Finest Handheld Video games PC
When on the lookout for a handheld gaming PC, think about portability, worth, display screen dimension and sort. All handheld choices right here will be carried away, however sizes range barely. The Aya Neo Air prices lower than 400g and the steam deck prices round 640g. Need to spherical one thing on the couch? Or are you able to simply carry it in when you’re out? One thing just like the steam deck and Asus Rog Ally is simply too massive, however smaller fashions just like the Aya Neo Air are a lot better suited.
Handheld Gaming PC FAQ
What’s a handheld gaming PC?
A handheld gaming PC or gaming handheld is a cross between an enormous telephone/small pill and a sport controller, resembling an old-fashioned console handheld resembling SEGA gaming gear. Incorporating the display screen and controls into one gadget permits for a way more snug gaming expertise than utilizing a telephone or pill, and is rather more transportable than the perfect gaming laptops.
The general idea was many years in the past, however the launch of the unique Steam Deck LCD solely got here to the concept of avid gamers and different producers having transportable gaming PCs. The Linux-based Steamos working system has introduced a slick console-like interface that enables quick access to steam video games.
At the moment, there are principally two varieties of handheld gaming PCs. Steam deck and leftovers. Virtually each different gadget runs Home windows, permitting quick access to many acquainted options and software program for many avid gamers. Nonetheless, navigating home windows with a small touchscreen stays a problem, and sport compatibility is much less established than steam decks.
Is a handheld gaming PC good?
Handheld gaming PCs are nice when you want a transportable gaming expertise, however we perceive that there’s a energy compromise. With video games specifically designed utilizing gaming keyboards and mice, it might not be enjoyable, nevertheless it’s only a little bit of a slither in PC Sport Pie.
In any other case, video games that naturally show you how to to be performed on the controller are nice within the sport’s handheld. Plus, most frequently you possibly can dock your handheld gaming PC and join it to your monitor or TV for a much bigger display screen expertise and management it together with your keyboard and mouse. It can be used for widespread duties resembling watching YouTube and shopping the net.
Is the steam deck the perfect handheld PC?
Sure, however not as a result of there are too many {hardware} wizardry strategies from valves. The Steam Deck OLED has a stunning 7.4-inch OLED show regardless of its comparatively low decision, however competes with many different handhelds for picture high quality throughout gaming.
Nonetheless, the true secret sauce for steam decks is Steamos. This tradition Linux working system is loaded straight into your Steam library and is optimized to run easily on all Steam deck controls. So you possibly can soar straight right into a sport with no fuss.
Plus, it helps streaming video games out of your PC simply. So you possibly can sit downstairs on the couch and play video games operating in your PC on the second ground. Technically, different handhelds can do the identical, however they don’t seem to be so easily built-in.
All of this doesn’t imply {that a} steam deck handheld PC is all the time the perfect youhowever. Actually, the efficiency of the steam deck and its growing older AMD APU is at present one of the highly effective handhelds in the marketplace. If you would like entry to bigger, larger decision screens, Home windows apps, or progressive {hardware} options resembling Legion Go’s detachable controllers, different choices are the most suitable choice.
What’s the strongest handheld gaming PC?
At the moment, essentially the most highly effective gaming handheld is Ayaneo Kun. This results in its excessive reminiscence capability, use of an AMD 8840U APU, and an unbelievable mixture of 54W Max TDP. The gaming handheld cannot boast a lot energy in full, however it would pay a good quantity of penny on the $999 MSRP.
If a handheld gaming PC is not the perfect for you, the perfect mini-game PC provides one other compact desktop format. Learn to construct a gaming PC. You will get the perfect setup instantly.