Handheld gaming PCs have been around for a few years, but when the Steam Deck launched in 2022, it blew the market wide open. Now, there are a ton of Steam Deck alternatives pouring out, with a new one coming out every couple of months from manufacturers like Asus, Lenovo and MSI. Most of these handheld gaming PCs also run Windows, which means the biggest drawback of the Steam Deck – being limited to your Steam Library – is a non-issue with these alternatives.
TL;DR – These are the best Steam Deck Alternatives
- Asus ROG Ally X – The best Steam Deck alternative
- Lenovo Legion GO – Best with large display
- GPD Win 4 – Best with built-in keyboard
- Asus ROG Ally Z1 – Best value
- Logitech G Cloud – Best Android Steam Deck alternative
It's still early days for handheld gaming PCs, and most of the Steam Deck alternatives are using the same AMD Z1 or Z1 Extreme chipset that powers the Asus ROG Ally X. Of course, like gaming laptops before them, the amount of juice these handhelds are able to squeeze out of this AMD chip differs from manufacturer to manufacturer.
There's also a ton of room for improvement for Steam Deck alternatives. Because they're glorified gaming laptops, the same problems plague these handhelds, chiefly battery life. While handhelds are improving in this regard, you're still not going to get the same battery life you can get out of the Nintendo Switch. At least not yet. Here's to hoping the obligatory AMD Z2 chip improves battery life and efficiency a bit.
Contributions from Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru
1. Asus ROG Ally X
The Best Steam Deck Alternative
The Asus ROG Ally X takes everything that made the original Ally so good and gets rid of everything else. Because while the AMD Z1 Extreme and the 1080p display are virtually the same as the previous model, everything else has changed, from the chassis to the ports on offer. The Asus ROG Ally X now provides two USB-C ports, rather than the solitary USB port that the original had, while getting rid of the virtually useless XG mobile port. The ports have also been moved around a bit, with the SD card reader no longer being directly on top of an exhaust port, which should lead to fewer fried SD cards this time around.
And even though the Z1 Extreme is still powering the device, it actually gets double-digit performance increases over the first generation, thanks to its faster memory. Because of the way the Z1 is architected, it's starving for memory bandwidth, and Asus sped up the memory to 7,500MHz, up from 6,400MHz. This 17% boost in memory speed directly translates to around 12-15% better gaming performance in most games.
There's a completely new cooler in the ROG Ally X, that channels air away from the touch screen, making it much more comfortable to use after long gaming sessions. That goes a long way to explain why it's slightly thicker and heavier, measuring 1.45 inches thick at its widest point. But more than just a larger cooler, the chassis increase also allows for a much larger battery, with a 80Wh unit, up from the 40Wh battery in the original. In my testing, that larger battery means I can play games for a few hours before I have to worry about plugging it into a wall. That's a huge improvement over other Windows gaming handheld that cry for wall power after an hour and a half.
2. Lenovo Legion Go
Best Steam Deck alternative with a large display
If you’re of the mindset that bigger is better, the Lenovo Legion Go might just be the Steam Deck alternative for you. Not only does it feature a whopping 8.8-inch IPS display, it also boasts an impressive 2560×1600 resolution.
The 144Hz refresh rate, coupled with the higher resolution, gives the Lenovo Legion Go one of the best displays out there on a Steam Deck alternative at the moment.
Just like the ASUS ROG Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go uses an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, making it capable of handling most games with ease, while also offering innovative features such as removable controllers.
3. GPD Win 4
Best Steam Deck alternative with a keyboard
The GPD Win 4 is a unique Steam Deck alternative that comes with a sliding screen that makes way for a full qwerty keyboard. With Windows 11 and a built-in keyboard, it’s easily one of the easiest handheld gaming PCs to use so far.
The only thing that could make this device any better would be a bigger, better screen. With a smaller 6-inch screen, lower 1080p resolution, and lower refresh rate, the screen certainly isn’t the most impressive feature of the GPD Win 4.
If you are curious as to how well the GPD Win 4 runs, take a look at IGN's hands-on review of the GPD Win 4.
4. Asus ROG Ally
The Best Value Steam Deck Alternative
When the Asus ROG Ally first hit the market in 2023, everyone paid attention to the more powerful Z1 Extreme version, but the one that really stands out for me is the Z1 model. While it offers slightly less performance, it still performs on-par with the Steam Deck, and does so at a much more competitive price.
This handheld gaming PC does struggle a bit in super high-end games like Cyberpunk 2077, but let's be honest – handhelds are best for the indies anyway. If you play a lot of indie games, you're not going to need the extra juice of the Z1 Extreme, and the extra battery life you get from a lower tier processor is going to more than make up for the lower performance.
Just keep in mind that the original ROG Ally does have some issues, namely the SD card reader, which has been the source of some controversy, as documented by Gamers Nexus. In my time with the ROG Ally I haven't run into any issues with it, but just keep in mind that some people definitely have.
5. Logitech G Cloud
Best Android Steam Deck Alternative
Much like the Razer Edge, the Logitech G Cloud is another Steam Deck alternative that runs on a mobile chipset. It comes pre-installed with a range of Cloud gaming services like NVIDIA Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and gives you access to the Google Play Store.
With Xbox Remote Play and Steam Link functionality, you can even remotely play your Xbox and Steam games straight from the handheld console. And with 12+ hours of battery life, you can comfortably take the Logitech G Cloud with you to keep you entertained throughout the day.
But, in a side-by-side comparison to the Steam Deck, this handheld console is certainly no match. Let down by a subpar 60Hz refresh rate, 1080p display, and mobile CPU, there’s less oomph to make it a big competitor.
How to Pick the Best Steam Deck Alternative
Choosing the best Steam Deck alternative mostly boils down to your gaming preferences and needs. Are you looking for something with similar specs to the Steam Deck, or are you open to exploring different form factors and operating systems? If you like what the Steam Deck offers but don’t like its complicated OS, you could opt for something like the Asus Rog Ally.
Another thing to consider is your games library. Are you heavily invested in the Steam ecosystem, or do you prefer playing games from other platforms like Epic Games Store, GOG, or Xbox Game Pass? Some Steam Deck alternatives offer compatibility with multiple gaming platforms, while others are more limited in scope.
Performance is of course a key factor to consider, too, since you’ll be investing in a portable console essentially. Look for a device with a powerful processor, ample RAM, and a capable graphics card to ensure smooth and enjoyable gaming experiences.
Portability is also important, especially if you plan on taking your gaming device on the go. Consider the size, weight, and battery life of potential alternatives to ensure they meet your needs for gaming on the move. After all, you don’t want to be restricted to just a few hours of gaming if you plan to be away from a power outlet for longer.
While many Steam Deck alternatives are similar in price, you do need to think about your budget as well. Spending a lot of money on a console can seem daunting, so it should be something that you’re going to enjoy in the long run.
Steam Deck Alternative FAQ
Is the Steam Deck the best option?
If Steam is your go-to gaming platform, then the Steam Deck is a great option. But if you plan to add Xbox Game Pass and other gaming platforms, and you’re not Linux savvy, there are better options out there, and with more powerful hardware.
Is Steam Deck OLED worth upgrading to?
You might be wondering if it’s worth upgrading to the Steam Deck OLED, with its upgraded screen and vibrant colors. But, with tons of Steam Deck alternatives out there, the upgraded screen alone doesn’t make it worth upgrading too. Especially when devices such as the ASUS ROG Ally out perform the Steam Deck OLED in terms of performance.
Will there be a Steam Deck 2?
Valve has confirmed there will be a Steam Deck 2 (not necessarily with this name). They announced that they plan to make the Steam Deck and SteamOS platform an ongoing line of products, much like the Xbox and PlayStation. However, no release date has been confirmed for the next Steam Deck, nor have there been any official specifications leaked.
Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra
