The handheld gaming PC market has expanded far beyond the Steam Deck, delivering a growing roster of compact machines that push into serious performance territory. For players who want to game on the go without sacrificing control or versatility, four current models stand out as worthy options, plus an honorable mention that trades some polish for battery life. This guide grounds its recommendations in real-world testing and ongoing market assumptions, focusing on what each device actually delivers for gameplay, comfort, and price today.
The rapid rise of handhelds has brought Windows-based options alongside SteamOS devices, and manufacturers are pursuing two parallel goals: controller-friendly interfaces and native performance in a form factor that stays comfortable in extended sessions. The best choices balance desktop-grade performance with battery efficiency, robust input options, and a software experience that stays usable when you’re away from a desk. Below are four standout devices that IGN has found to be genuinely compelling in 2025–2026, along with an honorable mention that shines in one critical area but falls short in others.
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is the most ambitious of the current crop, a collaboration between Asus and Microsoft that aims to normalize a controller-first Windows handheld through a new Xbox Full Screen Experience. When booting, the device lands in a dedicated Xbox-like shell that lets users download and launch games from Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store without returning to a traditional desktop. In practice, that streamlined UX helps a lot for users who primarily rely on Xbox Game Pass or Steam, though the experience varies by app: Steam plays smoothly with a controller, while the Epic store often requires touchscreen navigation to browse effectively. On the hardware front, the Ally X is no slouch. It delivered up to 44 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 on high settings with upscaling set to Quality in tests run on the device, and still managed about 30–35fps in more demanding sections when running off the battery at 17W. Price stands at $999, which is high for a handheld, but the performance crown among its peers is hard to ignore for power users who want peak scores in the hottest titles.
Lenovo’s Legion Go S, configured with the Z1 Extreme and SteamOS, marks a different philosophy: prioritize SteamOS as the core experience with a strong hardware pairing for native gaming performance. The Go S achieved synthetic benchmarks that outperformed the Ally X by as much as 9% during evaluation, in a package that starts around $829 and emphasizes a comfortable ergonomic shape with a highly capable LCD panel. The trade-off is clear in battery life, which isn’t as long-running as some rivals. For those who want a SteamOS handheld that feels more like a portable gaming console than a Windows PC, the Legion Go S is a compelling option, especially for players who don’t mind sacrificing a bit of battery life for smoother, Steam-centric gameplay.
The Valve Steam Deck remains a touchstone for the category, and for good reason. It’s the most accessible entry point into handheld PC gaming, offering a seven-inch display, Valve’s optimized SteamOS, and Proton compatibility that allows a broad library to run without Windows. The Deck is not about absolute horsepower; it’s about a well-tuned blend of efficiency, library access, and an approachable price. The OLED version of the Steam Deck further improves clarity, contrast, and battery life in certain workloads, while the base LCD model continues to offer a strong value proposition for those who want a capable handheld without premium optics. The Deck’s ongoing relevance helps keep the market competitive and fuels expectations for future generations like a potential Steam Deck 2 when Valve deems a generational leap worthwhile.
Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 is positioned as a premium Steam Deck alternative that leans into a large OLED display plus high-end Windows performance. The Go 2 ships with an OLED panel at 144Hz VRR, and configurations range from a base AMD Z2 Extreme with 16GB of RAM to a more capable Z2 Extreme + 32GB option at around $1,349. In testing, the Go 2 edged out the first Legion Go in overall speed by roughly 10–20% depending on workload, and the OLED panel makes a meaningful visual difference for color saturation and clarity. However, the overall price and heft remain a major consideration: this is a sizable handheld that can be tough to justify against a gaming laptop with similar specs if portability is the sole criterion.
Honorable mention: MSI’s Claw A8 represents a robust, long-battery option among Windows-based handhelds, powered by the Z2 Extreme. In testing, it excelled for longevity, delivering nearly three hours of playtime in Cyberpunk 2077, which is notable for this class. The cost, however, sits higher than some peers, and software polish lags behind Asus’ Xbox Ally X—MSI’s own software layer can feel busy or incomplete in comparison. Availability in the US lagged the UK release, which added to the practical calculus for buyers deciding between direct performance and a smoother UX. In short, the Claw A8 is a strong performer for battery life, but it’s not the most refined option in its class.
Upcoming handhelds are a reminder that the space remains dynamic. With the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X and the Lenovo Legion Go 2 already on shelves, the industry is in a transitional phase as more devices adopt the Z2 Extreme chip and as developers prepare for the potential expansion of the Xbox Full Screen Experience to other hardware. Intel-powered devices based on Panther Lake could surface in the near term, and Valve has repeatedly indicated that a Steam Deck successor will come when there is a meaningful generational leap. In the interim, enthusiasts should expect a mix of Windows- and SteamOS-oriented products that trade off between raw power, display quality, and price. Market watchers anticipate a continued cadence of new entries over the next year, but Valve’s stance suggests a cautious approach to a true Deck 2 until the leap is significant.
The decision between handheld PCs versus laptops hinges on what you want to achieve. Handhelds score highly for longevity, battery life relative to their class, portability, and targeted optimization; laptops, by contrast, offer broader functionality, more raw power, and longer-term investment for work and gaming alike. The right choice will depend on use-case priorities: if you want true handheld freedom with a library-first approach, a SteamOS device or Windows handheld is compelling; if you need the flexibility to edit or run intensive programs on the go, a laptop may be preferable. For gamers torn between Steam Deck and alternatives, the Lenovo Legion Go S stands out as a strong SteamOS option, while the Ally X represents a best-in-class Windows handheld with Xbox-centric UX design. The Go 2, with its OLED panel, offers a premium visual experience at a premium price.
In conclusion, the current crop of handheld gaming PCs demonstrates substantial progress toward balancing performance and portability. While none may replace a high-end gaming laptop outright, each device has a clear audience: proof that the handheld PC revolution is thriving, not just surviving. For buyers aiming to maximize compatibility and ease of use today, the four major options—Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go S, Valve Steam Deck, and Lenovo Legion Go 2—provide substantive choices across Windows and SteamOS ecosystems. The MSI Claw A8 adds a meaningful battery-life angle, even as software polish and regional availability shape its appeal. With Valve indicating a measured approach to a Steam Deck successor, the market remains open for incremental improvements that keep the handheld PC category fresh and competitive for the foreseeable future.
If you’d like more guidance on matching a handheld to your preferred games, read our deeper comparisons of Steam Deck versus Windows handhelds and our in-depth look at how the Switch 2 stacks up against the Steam Deck. The choice ultimately comes down to your gaming priorities: library access, control comfort, or sheer power in a portable form factor. Regardless of the pick, today’s handhelds offer compelling paths to take your games on the go without sacrificing too much of the core PC experience.
