Ever since Valve’s Steam Deck confirmed up, there was a revolution on the earth of handheld gaming PCs. Seemingly each firm is seeking to leap on the practice of transportable, high-performance gaming, however solely a choose few gadgets are among the many greatest handheld gaming PCs you should purchase.
This is unquestionably an evolving subject, with new corporations saying gadgets left and proper. Even this yr, we nonetheless have gadgets just like the Lenovo Legion GO to sit up for. For now, although, listed below are the highest handheld gaming programs we have examined.
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Steam Deck
The greatest handheld gaming PC
Pros
Tons of management flexibility
Excellent specs
Fantastic audio system
Clean Steam interface
Low value
Cons
Awkward design
Weak battery life
Inconsistent recreation compatibility
Finnicky Linux browser
Specifications
CPU
4 Zen 2 cores
GPU
8 RDNA 2 cores
RAM
16GB LPDDR5
Storage
64GB-512GB
Valve’s Steam Deck kicked off a revolution in handheld gaming PCs, and though it isn’t essentially the most highly effective system you should purchase, it is by far the perfect. An enormous cause why is Valve’s software program, which continues to be refined with frequent updates. It gives a holistic handheld expertise so you’ll be able to really decide up and play.
The Steam Deck gives the entire little belongings you by no means take into consideration on a tool just like the Nintendo Switch; full navigation with buttons and joysticks, computerized droop if you hit the ability button, and cloud saves that robotically sync your progress. It’s lots highly effective, too. Although the Steam Deck is crushed by another gadgets, 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 very versatile. You can simply set up Windows on the Steam Deck if you need, however there is a vibrant neighborhood of modders creating software program for the platform, in addition to third-party {hardware} to deck your Deck out (in the event you’ll forgive the pun).
Steam Deck
The greatest handheld gaming PC
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme)
The greatest Windows handheld gaming PC
Pros
Solid efficiency
Acceptable battery life
Beautiful, 120Hz display screen
Flexible management scheme
Support for principally any PC recreation
Cons
Turbo mode drains battery rapidly
Windows has lots of quirks
Armoury Crate is a utility, not an OS
Specifications
CPU
AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
GPU
AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
RAM
16GB LPDDR5
Storage
512GB
If the Steam Deck simply is not reducing it for you within the energy division, you will need the Asus ROG Ally. Specifically, the mannequin that comes with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor. It’s leagues sooner than the Steam Deck, and it comes with the additional advantage of Windows 11.
With Windows 11 pre-installed, you may have entry to a far higher array of video games. There are video games like Destiny 2 that are not supported on Steam Deck resulting from anti-cheat, but in addition titles accessible by non-Steam storefronts just like the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect.
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 screen. It’s 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 Extreme is, it has some clear issues, as effectively. Performance is not at all times steady relying on what recreation you are enjoying, and points with the device-bricking microSD playing cards have not been solved but.
Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme)
The greatest Windows handheld gaming PC
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Ayaneo 2S
The strongest handheld gaming PC
Pros
High-quality construct
Excellent display screen
Best at school efficiency
Cons
Poor audio system
Short battery life
Sloppy customized instruments
Uncompetitive pricing
Specifications
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 7840U
GPU
AMD Radeon 780M
RAM
16GB LPDDR5
Storage
Up to 8TB
There’s little question that the Ayaneo 2S is essentially 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 Extreme. Ayaneo simply lets the chains off, permitting the APU to blaze by video games as quick as potential.
It’s quick, however there are lots 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 Windows 11 is not nice, both. Most importantly, the hand-held is means too costly, with the bottom mannequin clocking in at $1,000.
For lovers, nonetheless, there’s nothing higher. You’re not solely getting higher uncooked efficiency, but in addition extra cupboard space with as much as 2TB pre-configured and 8TB in the event you add your individual, alongside twin USB-C ports and Hall Effect 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
The strongest handheld gaming PC
AYN
AYN Odin
The greatest handheld for emulation
Pros
Inexpensive
Lightweight and extremely transportable
Full Android 10
Cons
Not highly effective sufficient for PC video games
Navigating Android is not excellent
Specifications
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
GPU
Adreno 630
RAM
4GB LPDDR4x
Storage
64GB
You want the fitting steadiness of efficiency and value in the event you plan on emulating video games. Devices just like the Steam Deck can deal with emulation excellently, however you are spending loads for an expertise you’ll find with a less expensive system. That cheaper system is the AYN Odin.
It’s a $250 Android handheld the feels purpose-built for emulation. An enormous cause why is the Android 10 working system, providing you with entry to a wide selection of emulators by the Google Play Store, in addition to untrusted sources in the event you’re feeling dangerous. You can play native Android video games, as effectively, although the Odin actually earns its stripes with emulation.
On high of nice emulation help, the Odin comes with a 6-inch 1080p display screen so video games look sharp, in addition to full entry to Android. That means non-gaming apps are up for grabs right here. It’s not highly effective sufficient or able to working PC video games just like the Steam Deck, however if you wish to dive into the deep world of emulation, the Odin affords one thing few different gadgets do.
AYN Odin
The greatest handheld for emulation
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Razer Edge 5G
The greatest handheld for cloud gaming
Pros
Powerful specs
Truly transportable design
Beautiful show
5G is right for cloud
Great emulation potential
Cons
Loud fan
Cramped design
Pricey contemplating options
Specifications
CPU
Snapdragon G3X Gen 1
GPU
Snapdragon G3X Gen 1
RAM
8GB LPDDR4x
Storage
128GB
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 help by 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 may have entry to any cloud gaming app you may need, together with Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, and GeForce Now. It’s full Android, too, so emulators and native Android video games are on the desk, as effectively.
The Razer Edge comes with a couple of sudden upsides, as effectively. For starters, it has a 6.8-inch AMOLED show with a 144Hz refresh price. In addition, it makes use of a removable Razer Kishi V2 Pro controller, which you’ll take off and strap to your telephone in the event you do not wish to carry round two gadgets.
Razer Edge 5G
The greatest handheld for cloud gaming
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Asus ROG Ally (Z1)
The greatest handheld gaming PC for Game Pass
Pros
Light and comfy to make use of
Beautiful 1080p display screen
Cons
Weak battery life
Worse efficiency than the Steam Deck
Windows 11 is a problem to make use of
Specifications
CPU
AMD Ryzen Z1
GPU
AMD Ryzen Z1
RAM
16GB LPDDR5
Storage
512GB
If you are within the ROG Ally, you should purchase the Z1 Extreme mannequin. It’s solely $100 greater than the bottom Z1 mannequin, and it is practically twice as quick in some video games. However, the $600 ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1 nonetheless has a spot for some players.
It’s a strong choice if you wish to entry non-Steam Games, particularly these accessible by Xbox Game Pass, and might’t stretch your finances as much as the Z1 Extreme mannequin. You’re getting efficiency that is barely slower than the Steam Deck in most video games, but in addition the identical 512GB of storage as Valve’s most costly configuration.
Outside of recreation help, the upside right here is the display screen. It’s a drain on the battery, however the 1,080p display screen with a 120Hz refresh price nonetheless look attractive on the ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1, particularly in the event you’re enjoying much less demanding video games that may drive the total refresh price.
Asus ROG Ally (Z1)
The greatest handheld gaming PC for Game Pass
Editors’ Recommendations