Steam Deck and Beyond: The Best Handheld Gaming PCs We’ve Tested for 2026

The Steam Deck OLED helped kick off this new wave of handheld gaming PCs, and it’s easy to see why. It gives you easy access to Steam (the best PC gaming store), and is a generally well-built piece of tech featuring a vivid OLED display, an enhanced battery that delivers one to four extra hours of juice compared with the now-defunct LCD model, and speedy downloads thanks to Wi-Fi 6E.

PC gaming novices: The Linux-based SteamOS offers a wonderfully approachable interface that puts the Steam store and its rich library at the forefront. Get Valve’s official Steam Deck Dock for additional perks, including easier firmware updates and the ability to output to a screen without a power supply.

OLED enthusiasts: Raw horsepower isn’t the only thing that makes games look beautiful. The Steam Deck’s dazzling 720p OLED display (7.4 inches) delivers rich colors and high contrast that make game graphics pop.

The Lenovo Legion Go S is a worthwhile handheld gaming PC when it runs Windows, but it’s even better with SteamOS. The operating system enhances game performance and makes navigation easier on the 8-inch display. The SteamOS model also maintains the Legion Go S’s existing strengths, like the excellent screen and comfortable build.

Steam gamers seeking more power and better ergonomics: The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is arguably a better Steam Deck than the Steam Deck itself. It runs titles faster than Valve’s own device (we saw a 21% increase in frame rates during testing), and it feels better in the hand. It’s an awesome alternative way to enter the SteamOS gaming ecosystem.

Legion Go fans who want better frame rates: The Legion Go S proves how much of an albatross that Windows can be on a handheld PC. By ditching the OS, the Go S runs games better across the board: the Steam-based Go S averaged 39fps in our tests, a 69% increase over the Windows version featuring the same hardware.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X isn’t quite a dedicated Xbox handheld, but the partnership between Asus and Microsoft has resulted in an appealing device. The system delivers big power, comfortable grips, and an efficient battery for long play sessions. The OS minimizes more annoying aspects of Windows to boost performance, supports multiple game stores, and provides useful data on game compatibility.

Xbox fans: According to Microsoft, “everything is an Xbox.” However, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is still ultimately a PC; it can’t play games you’ve bought for your Xbox console unless they support Xbox Play Anywhere. However, the device is ideal for anyone who wants to play Forza Horizon 5 on the go.

Gamers who want maximum power: Even if you couldn’t care less about Xbox, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X impresses with its raw power. The AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip runs the graphically intensive Cyberpunk 2077 at nearly 60fps while squeezing out a terrific 3 hours of battery life. All handhelds sacrifice strength for portability, but this is the device to get for the most cutting-edge gaming performance on the go.

The Asus ROG Ally is a premium Windows 11-powered portable that features a beautiful 7-inch, 1080p/120Hz screen and beefy specs designed to handle that high resolution. That power comes with a cost, though, to the tune of just one hour of Cyberpunk 2077 gaming when unplugged.

Gamers who want a streamlined Windows UI: The Windows OS is what makes the ROG Ally so versatile. However, a full desktop interface isn’t always the easiest to navigate while on the go. As a result, Asus includes the optional Armoury Crate interface, which presents your games in a single, tidy menu.

People who want to take their full PC library with them: Regardless of your preferred interface, the Ally offers portable, full HD access to the broadest array of PC gaming marketplaces. Windows 11 may have its drawbacks, but its convenient compatibility and mod support are huge strengths.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is another flagship product in Lenovo’s expanding Legion line. A premium model, the Go 2 impresses with a beefy AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme CPU and gorgeous OLED display.

Legion fans who prefer Windows: Our other favorite Lenovo Legion Go model (the Go S) ditched Windows for Valve’s own SteamOS. However, the Legion Go 2 is a Windows 11 handheld, with all the benefits (compatibility, mods) and drawbacks (Windows bloat, performance hits) that come with it.

Switch fans curious about PC gaming: The Legion Go 2 isn’t wildly different from its predecessor. In fact, it even brings back detachable controllers, a Switch-esque hardware feature that lets you play games in new ways.

The Lenovo Legion Go S streamlines the original model, keeping what worked while ditching the extra bulk. Additionally, the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor enhances performance, and the 8-inch screen features VRR to minimize lag and screen tearing.

Players who want comfortable gaming sessions: Some gamers may be disappointed to see the Legion Go S lose some of its more creative and experimental features, such as detachable controllers. However, the end result is a handheld that’s smaller, lighter, and more ergonomic than its predecessor.

Gamers who need a long battery life: If you have to recharge your portable device every 30 minutes, then it’s not very portable. Fortunately, the Legion Go S’s improved battery lasted nearly 9 hours in our video test and more than 90 minutes in our gaming test. It’s great for long Fortnite sessions.

The improved MSI Claw 8 AI+ supports the speedy Wi-Fi 7 and runs many games thanks to its Windows 11 operating system. It’s a capable device that delivers on the dream of high-end PC gaming on the go, something considered impossible just a few years ago.

People who want to play on a big screen: The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is ideal for anyone who doesn’t mind a large mobile gaming setup. The redesigned model’s sheer size may impact comfort, but it makes good use of that bulk with an improved 8-inch, 16:10 screen and an 80WHr battery capable of about 2 hours of high-end gaming.

AI Users: The MSI Claw 8 AI+ features experimental AI that adjusts your game’s settings for optimal performance. While AI remains a controversial topic, these customization features are far more useful than generating online slop.