Greatest handheld gaming PCs in 2023

Ever since Valve’s Steam Deck confirmed up, there was a revolution on the earth of handheld gaming PCs. Seemingly each firm is trying to bounce in on transportable, high-performance gaming, however solely a choose few units are among the many greatest handheld gaming PCs you should purchase.

That is undoubtedly an evolving area, with new firms asserting units left and proper. Even this 12 months, we nonetheless have units just like the Lenovo Legion Go to look ahead to. For now, although, listed below are the highest handheld gaming programs we have examined.

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Steam Deck OLED

The most effective handheld gaming PC

The Steam Deck is the very best handheld gaming PC you should purchase, no matter in case you choose up the unique LCD mannequin or the brand new OLED mannequin. Between the 2, nonetheless, the OLED Steam Deck undoubtedly has the sting. It not solely gives a nicer display, higher battery life, and better efficiency, nevertheless it additionally is available in on the similar worth as the unique mannequin. Oh, and with extra cupboard space in tow.

Valve took the Steam Deck OLED as an opportunity to refresh each facet of the system. The OLED display is beautiful, after all, however the enhancements elsewhere are extra important. Battery life is the very best we have ever seen out of a handheld gaming PC, and though the efficiency cannot match units just like the Lenovo Legion Go, the Steam Deck OLED remains to be quicker than the unique mannequin.

Mixed with enhancements like Wi-Fi 6E and the identical wonderful software program expertise we have come to know on the bottom Steam Deck, the Steam Deck OLED completely trounces the competitors. It is the very best handheld gaming PC you should purchase, no query.

Steam Deck OLED

The most effective handheld gaming PC

Steam Deck

The most effective low-cost handheld gaming PC

Valve’s Steam Deck kicked off a revolution in handheld gaming PCs, and though it is not probably the most highly effective system you should purchase, it is nonetheless the very best. We suggest the OLED mannequin extra, however the LCD variations until gives comparable efficiency and the very best software program expertise out of any system we have examined.

The Steam Deck gives the entire little belongings you by no means take into consideration on a tool just like the Nintendo Swap; full navigation with buttons and joysticks, computerized droop once you hit the facility button, and cloud saves that mechanically sync your progress. It is a lot highly effective, too. Though the Steam Deck is overwhelmed by another units, Valve’s Proton layer continues to squeeze as a lot efficiency as potential out of the {hardware}.

On high of a seamless handheld expertise, the Steam Deck is extremely versatile. You possibly can simply set up Home windows on the Steam Deck if you would like, however there is a vibrant group of modders creating software program for the platform, in addition to third-party {hardware} to deck your Deck out (in case you’ll forgive the pun).

We have now the Steam Deck OLED now, and we suggest most individuals choose that mannequin up. For those who’re in search of a deal, nonetheless, Valve slashed the costs on the Steam Deck LCD.

Steam Deck

The most effective low-cost handheld gaming PC

Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Excessive)

The most effective Home windows handheld gaming PC

If the Steam Deck simply is not slicing it for you within the energy division, you may need the Asus ROG Ally. Particularly, the mannequin that comes with the Ryzen Z1 Excessive processor. It is leagues quicker than the Steam Deck, and it comes with the additional advantage of Home windows 11.

With Home windows 11 pre-installed, you’ve gotten entry to a far larger array of video games. There are video games like Future 2 that are not supported on Steam Deck because of anti-cheat, but additionally titles out there via non-Steam storefronts just like the Epic Video games Retailer and Ubisoft Join.

The expertise is not as seamless because the Steam Deck, however Asus consists of its Armoury Crate utility for rapidly launching video games with out utilizing the contact display. It is a trade-off, however the ROG Ally has some upsides of its personal, together with a 1,080p show with a 120Hz refresh price.

For as spectacular because the ROG Ally with the Z1 Excessive is, it has some clear issues, as nicely. Efficiency is not at all times secure relying on what sport you are enjoying, and points with the device-bricking microSD playing cards have not been solved but.

Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Excessive)

The most effective Home windows handheld gaming PC

Ayaneo 2S

Essentially the most highly effective handheld gaming PC

There isn’t any doubt that the Ayaneo 2S is probably the most highly effective handheld gaming PC you should purchase. It options AMD’s Ryzen 7 7840U, which is principally the identical because the Ryzen Z1 Excessive. Ayaneo simply lets the chains off, permitting the APU to blaze via video games as quick as potential.

It is quick, however there are a whole lot of trade-offs. For starters, the battery does not final very lengthy, particularly on the greater energy modes. Ayaneo’s utility that sits on high of Home windows 11 is not nice, both. Most significantly, the hand-held is manner too costly, with the bottom mannequin clocking in at $1,000.

For lovers, nonetheless, there’s nothing higher. You are not solely getting higher uncooked efficiency, but additionally extra cupboard space with as much as 2TB pre-configured and 8TB in case you add your personal, alongside twin USB-C ports and Corridor Impact joysticks that will not drift over time. The Ayaneo 2S is pricey and has loads of downsides, however for a choose crowd, it’s going to be the right handheld gaming PC.

Ayaneo 2S

Essentially the most highly effective handheld gaming PC

AYN Odin

The most effective handheld for emulation

You want the suitable stability of efficiency and worth in case you plan on emulating video games. Units just like the Steam Deck can deal with emulation excellently, however you are spending quite a bit for an expertise you will discover with a less expensive system. That cheaper system is the AYN Odin.

It is a $250 Android handheld the feels purpose-built for emulation. An enormous motive why is the Android 10 working system, supplying you with entry to a big selection of emulators via the Google Play Retailer, in addition to untrusted sources in case you’re feeling dangerous. You possibly can play native Android video games, as nicely, although the Odin actually earns its stripes with emulation.

On high of nice emulation assist, the Odin comes with a 6-inch 1080p display so video games look sharp, in addition to full entry to Android. Meaning non-gaming apps are up for grabs right here. It isn’t highly effective sufficient or able to operating PC video games just like the Steam Deck, however if you wish to dive into the deep world of emulation, the Odin gives one thing few different units do.

AYN Odin

The most effective handheld for emulation

Razer Edge 5G

The most effective handheld for cloud gaming

The Razer Edge 5G is unquestionably a distinct segment product, however there’s nothing prefer it for cloud gaming. Logitech has its G Cloud handheld, however the Razer Edge stands out with its 5G assist via the Verizon community. It solves one of many largest points in cloud gaming – constant entry to high-speed web.

With Android on the helm, you’ve gotten entry to any cloud gaming app you may need, together with Xbox Recreation Cross, Amazon Luna, and GeForce Now. It is full Android, too, so emulators and native Android video games are on the desk, as nicely.

The Razer Edge comes with a couple of surprising upsides, as nicely. For starters, it has a 6.8-inch AMOLED show with a 144Hz refresh price. As well as, it makes use of a removable Razer Kishi V2 Professional controller, which you’ll be able to take off and strap to your cellphone in case you do not need to carry round two units.

Razer Edge 5G

The most effective handheld for cloud gaming

Asus ROG Ally (Z1)

The most effective handheld gaming PC for Recreation Cross

For those who’re within the ROG Ally, you should purchase the Z1 Excessive mannequin. It is solely $100 greater than the bottom Z1 mannequin, and it is almost twice as quick in some video games. Nevertheless, the $600 ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1 nonetheless has a spot for some avid gamers.

It is a strong possibility if you wish to entry non-Steam Video games, particularly these out there via Xbox Recreation Cross, and might’t stretch your finances as much as the Z1 Excessive mannequin. You are getting efficiency that is barely slower than the Steam Deck in most video games, but additionally the identical 512GB of storage as Valve’s most costly configuration.

Exterior of sport assist, the upside right here is the display. It is a drain on the battery, however the 1,080p display with a 120Hz refresh price nonetheless look beautiful on the ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1, particularly in case you’re enjoying much less demanding video games that may drive the total refresh price.

Asus ROG Ally (Z1)

The most effective handheld gaming PC for Recreation Cross

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