5 Best Handheld Gaming PC Ranked: Power in Your Palm

Looking for the best Handheld Gaming PC in the market right now? Here is our list of the 5 best Handheld Gaming PCs.

5 Best Handheld Gaming PC Ranked (Image via: Steam, ASUS, Legion)

What if you had the raw power of a gaming PC in your hands, right out of the box, and were ready to unleash some epic adventures almost anywhere you went? Handheld gaming PCs have exploded into the world of handheld gaming. And today, we’re going to take a look at the cream of the crop, the top 5 handheld gaming PCs that are changing the way we play on the go.

To help you out, we’ve ranked these pocket powerhouses by performance and specs to get you the most bang for your buck. There are entry-level options to high-end beasts for every gamer. Let’s dive in!

The 5 Best Handheld Gaming PC Ranked

If you are curious to know which handheld gaming PCs are the best in the market, we have ranked them below. Our rankings are based on performance, specifications, pros, and cons of each entry. However, you should know that each of these handhelds shines in a certain area more than others. It is advisable to go for the one that suits your needs the best.

1. Steam Deck OLED: The Visual Virtuoso

Specifications
  • Display: 7.4″, 90 Hz, 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
  • RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5 6400 MT/s
  • Storage: 512 GB/ 1 TB NVMe SSD
  • Battery: 50Whr

(Image via: Steam, Amazon)

The Steam Deck OLED is a visual feast for the eyes. Its OLED display brings games to life with colors so rich, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into another world. Whether you’re exploring the neon-lit streets of Night City or sailing the vibrant seas of Wind Waker, every pixel pops with unprecedented clarity.

But it’s not just about looks—the custom AMD APU packs a punch, handling even the most demanding titles with ease. And with access to the vast Steam library, you’ll never run out of games to play.

ProsCons
Stunning visual quality with deep blacks and vivid colorsSlightly higher price point than the LCD model
Vast Steam library compatibilityBattery life could be better when pushing graphics to the max
Ergonomic design for comfortable long gaming sessions

2. ASUS ROG Ally X: The Windows Warrior

Specifications
  • Display: 7″, 120 Hz, IPS LED (1920×1080)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
  • RAM: 12GBx2 LPDDR5 7400 MHz
  • Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
  • Battery: 80Whr

(Image via: ASUS)

The Asus ROG Ally X is a true chameleon in the world of handheld gaming. With Windows 11 at its core, it’s not just a gaming device—it’s a full-fledged PC in your pocket. Imagine editing videos on the go, then seamlessly switching to your favorite AAA title without missing a beat. Its high-refresh-rate display ensures buttery-smooth gameplay, while the powerful AMD Ryzen processor tackles anything you throw at it. For those who demand versatility without compromise, the ROG Ally X is a dream come true.

ProsCons
Full Windows compatibility for ultimate versatilityWindows can be less optimized for handheld use than custom OS
Excellent performance for both gaming and productivityHigher power consumption compared to some competitors
Sleek design with premium build quality

3. Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Windows Gaming Unleashed

Specifications
  • Display: 7″, 120 Hz, IPS LCD (1920×1080)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
  • RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
  • Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
  • Battery: 40Whr

(Image via: ASUS, Amazon)

Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is a Windows-powered handheld with the performance of Steam Deck’s Linux-based SteamOS. This runs on Windows 11, meaning you can easily access many PC games and storefronts like Xbox Game Pass and Epic. Powered by the Z1 Extreme processor with 8-core Zen architecture and RDNA 3 graphics, the device can run games at high or ultra settings with generally good framerates, at the cost of battery life.

The ROG Ally has a 7-inch touchscreen, adjustable resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate. The D-pad feels a bit cheap, but its controllers are responsive, though it lacks a touchpad for mouse-based games, though joysticks and wireless mice are options. Overall, it acts as a mini Windows PC for gaming.

ProsCons
Full Windows compatibilityBattery life could be better
Powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processorWindows can be clunky on a small screen
High-refresh-rate display

4. Lenovo Legion Go: The Big Screen Experience

Specifications
  • Display: 8.8″, 144 Hz, IPS LCD (2560×1600)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
  • RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X
  • Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
  • Battery: 49.2Whr

(Image via: Lenovo, Amazon)

The Lenovo Legion Go has a big 8.8-inch screen, a strong kickstand, and detachable controllers that seem to borrow from the Nintendo Switch. Its bulkiness, however, makes it less portable, and we saw performance drops when on battery. The 2560 x 1600 resolution isn’t really advantageous for most games using the AMD Z1 Extreme. Also, one of the detachable controllers can be used as a mouse for strategy games and shooters.

ProsCons
Powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processorRelatively new to the market, less established ecosystem
Large, high-refresh-rate displayPotentially higher price point due to premium features
Detachable controllers for versatile gameplay

5. Ayaneo Flip DS: The Nostalgic Newcomer

Specifications
  • Display: 7-inch 1080p IPS (Upper) + 3.5-inch, 960 x 640 (Lower) touchscreen
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 8840U
  • RAM: 16/32/64 GB LPDDR5X
  • Storage: Up to 2 TB
  • Battery: 45Whr

(Image via: Ayaneo, eBay)

Its dual-screen design makes the Ayaneo Flip DS the best compact handheld gaming PC, and it also makes it portable and easy to use. The device sports a 7-inch 1080p upper screen for gaming and a 3.5-inch lower screen that can double as a keyboard or touchpad, helping Windows navigation and multitasking.

It comes powered by a Ryzen 7 8840U APU, which provides good gaming performance, but battery life isn’t as good as some competitors. It focuses on ease of navigation, functionality, and compactness, showing how the handheld market has progressed beyond just performance metrics.

ProsCons
Innovative design that stands out from the crowdSmaller main screen compared to some competitors
Secondary screen adds new dimensions to gaming and productivityPotential durability concerns
Highly portable due to its compact size when folded

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