Who needs a console when your next gaming beast fits right in your hands? Yes, handheld gaming PC allow users to play their favorite PC games, including titles from platforms like Steam and Xbox, on the go.
They are small-sized personal computers, sometimes also referred to as palmtop computers, for playing games. However, some tech companies like Asus, Lenovo, and MSI have produced models for gamers to enjoy games without needing an expensive system or laptop.
In this guide, I have listed the top handheld gaming PCs of 2025 and help you find your next portable powerhouse.
What is Handheld Gaming PC?
A handheld gaming PC is a portable device that comes with the power of a traditional gaming computer with the convenience of a console-style form factor.
These devices are designed to run full PC games while being small enough to carry around, offering a unique blend of mobility and performance.
Top 10 Handheld Gaming PC in 2025
Let’s check out the best handheld gaming PCs you can buy in 2025.
List of 10 Best Handheld Gaming PCs
1. ASUS ROG Ally X
2. MSI Claw 8 AI+
3. Lenovo Legion Go 2
4. Steam Deck (OLED)
5. AYANEO Air Pro
6. GPD Win 4 (2025 edition)
7. MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM
8. Legion Go S
9. OneXFly Apex
10. AYANEO Kun
1. ASUS ROG Ally X
The ASUS ROG Ally X is a powerful gaming handheld that runs on Windows 11 and can play compatible games from a user’s PC or Xbox library. It is best for gamers who want to play demanding, newer AAA titles on the go, without major compromises.
It features a 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz VRR touchscreen with FreeSync Premium that enhances its display quality, fast refresh rate, and smooth visuals.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Strong performance for AAA games | Battery life under heavy load is limited |
| Smooth 120 Hz VRR display | Still IPS (not OLED) |
| Improved cooling and build quality | Price is premium |
| Good ergonomics for handheld use | |
| Expandable storage, good ports |
Who It’s Best For
Gamers who want strong AAA gaming in a handheld without completely sacrificing portability. If you play a lot of demanding titles and want high refresh-rate visuals plus flexibility (storage, ports), this is a solid pick. Great for someone who tolerates a bit of weight and heat in exchange for performance.
2. MSI Claw 8 AI+
MSI Claw 8 AI+ is one of the strongest handheld gaming PCs if you want serious performance, a large display, and good features.
It runs on the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (Series 2), which gives it a huge boost in performance and efficiency. Also, the device features a large 8-inch screen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which is amazing for gaming. It’s packed with 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a massive 80Whr battery for extended play sessions.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Large 8-inch 120 Hz panel | Heavy/bulky, less ideal for long handheld sessions |
| High performance | Battery life falls off quickly with heavy usage |
| Strong I/O / connectivity | |
| Efficient cooling design, good thermal control | |
| Large battery (80 Wh) gives better headroom |
Who its Best For
Users who want top-tier performance (especially at moderate power levels) and don’t mind carrying something a bit bulkier. Also good if you care about display smoothness (120 Hz etc.), and want good connectivity/expandability. If battery life is less of a concern than raw power, this will suit you well.
3. Lenovo Legion Go 2
If you need full full-performance device, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 can be your choice. It can be configured with up to an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, which includes an AMD Zen 5 CPU (up to 8 cores/16 threads) and RDNA 3.5-based Radeon 890M graphics. Its eight-core Ryzen Z2 Extreme CPU has shown a significant jump in performance over the Legion Go S.
The device has a more rounded shape for improved ergonomics. However, its buttons, controls, and joysticks have also been updated.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| OLED 8.8-inch 144 Hz screen gives excellent visuals | Trade-off in resolution vs older models |
| Strong internals | Bulk and weight with controllers attached |
| Detachable controllers and improved ergonomics | |
| Premium build and refined features | |
| Good feature upgrades over previous Legion Go |
Who its Best For
People who prioritize visual quality and premium build, OLED screen, better display tech, and detachable controllers. Also good for those who want high performance, but in a larger form factor, and are okay with paying more. If display experience and ergonomics are key for you, this is a strong choice.
4. Steam Deck (OLED)
The Steam Deck OLED is the upgraded version of Valve’s popular handheld gaming PC. It comes with a vibrant 7.4-inch OLED display, which delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and smoother motion compared to the original LCD model.
Valve also improved the battery life, cooling system, and overall performance, so games run more efficiently and look amazing. Basically, it’s like carrying a mini gaming PC in your hands, perfect for playing your favorite Steam games anywhere, anytime, with stunning visuals and comfort.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent software ecosystem | For OLED: no performance boost vs previous model — same CPU/GPU limits |
| OLED version gives much better contrast, color | Non-Steam / non-Linux games require manual setup sometimes |
| Mature, polished device with solid support | |
| Good value considering display + ecosystem | |
| Improved battery & efficiency in OLED |
Who its Best For
Gamers who value ecosystem and usability as much as hardware: Steam library + mature software + good community support. If you’re playing mostly Steam games (or can adapt other ones), like the idea of a handheld that’s polished and reliable, this is for you. Less ideal if you want blistering frame rates or high resolution outside Steam.
5. AYANEO Air Pro
The AYANEO Air Pro is a thin, lightweight Windows handheld gaming device made for people who want to play PC games on the move without hauling around a full-size laptop. It has a bright 5.5-inch OLED (AMOLED) touchscreen that gives rich colors and sharp visuals.
Inside you’ll find a decent processor like the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U (available only on the Pro model) for more demanding games, plus fast SSD storage (you can go up to 1TB) and 16 GB RAM in many versions.
The Air Pro has a larger battery (around 38 Wh) compared to the non-Pro versions, so you get better playtime.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Compact and lightweight | In AAA titles, settings must often be reduced |
| High quality build and premium feel | Smaller screen less ideal for text/UI heavy games |
| Good for lighter / indie / emulated titles | |
| OLED / high display quality in many variants | |
| Strong niche following and community support |
Who Its Best For
Those wanting something more portable and stylish, for lighter-to-mid-range gaming, indie games, emulation, etc. If you care about design, screen quality, portability, and you don’t always need the highest settings, AYANEO Air models are great.
6. GPD Win 4 (2025 edition)
GPD Win 4 (2025) gives you a real Windows gaming experience in a pocketable device. It features a 6-inch 1920×1080 touchscreen in a landscape orientation with a slide-up full QWERTY keyboard built in.
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 or Ryzen 7 8840U processors, along with 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and fast M.2 NVMe SSD storage options, make for smooth multitasking and game loading.
However, its connectivity is solid, too, as it supports WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and it has USB-C / USB4 / OCuLink ports for external displays, docking, or eGPU setups.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Very compact, slide-up keyboard + good performance | Input lag issues reported in some reviews (“input lag … has not been fixed”) |
| Good specs | The small screen can feel cramped for some games or interfaces |
| Strong for emulation | Performance often constrained by thermal |
| Expandable storage | |
| Unique form factor |
Who Its Best For
People who want a very compact device that still can handle PC gaming, and especially those who also value having a built-in keyboard slide (for productivity, emulation, or retro gaming). If you often game on the go and want small form factor, this is ideal, but expect trade-offs in battery and cooling.
7. MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM
MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM is another our picks due to its high-end features and performance. It runs on AMD’s new Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip paired with Radeon graphics which gives it strong performance for modern and demanding PC games.
The screen is an 8-inch IPS‐level touchscreen with Full HD+ resolution (1920×1200) and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports variable refresh rate (VRR), which helps games look smoother without tearing.
For controls, it has high-quality hall-effect analog sticks and triggers (better resistance to drift), multiple buttons, including macro buttons, and good stereo speakers.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Good display support (120 Hz or better) | High power draw may hurt battery under load |
| Better support and updates | Similar weight / bulk issues as other high-spec handhelds |
| Solid port / I/O options expected | |
| May benefit from MSI’s cooling | |
Who Its Best For
Enthusiasts who want the newer AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, strong performance per watt, and are okay dealing with high cost. If you prefer AMD over Intel or want very recent silicon, this one makes sense. Also suitable for users who want future-proofing more than lowest price.
8. Legion Go S
The Lenovo Legion Go S is Lenovo’s latest handheld gaming PC, launched as a slimmer and more affordable follow-up to the original Legion Go. You will love this device if you want the flexibility of a Windows gaming device in a more compact and travel-friendly package.
This handheld features an 8-inch IPS touchscreen with a 1920×1200 resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and vibrant gameplay.
Design-wise, the Legion Go S has built-in controls instead of detachable ones like its predecessor. It uses hall-effect joysticks, which reduce drift and improve long-term durability.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Streamlined gaming experience with SteamOS | Lack premium features or the highest refresh rate panels |
| Better battery life in balanced mode | Performance is lower vs highest spec handhelds |
| Lower cost / more accessible entry to Legion line | |
| Good for users who prefer a more “console-like” experience | |
| Less Windows overhead (fewer background tasks) |
Who Its Best For
People who want a more console-like handheld experience, streamlined software (with SteamOS), and decent performance without going to highest extremes. If you want simpler setup, less tweaking, and good battery in more moderate gaming, this could be your sweet spot.
9. OneXFly Apex
OneXFly Apex is a new gaming handheld PC produced by One-Netbook under its OneXPlayer brand. It’s powered by AMD’s latest Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip, which can easily handle modern, demanding games with smooth graphics and fast speeds.
The device comes with a bright 8-inch display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate, so everything looks sharp and fluid while playing.
You can get it with up to 128GB of RAM and super-fast SSD storage, which means quick load times and plenty of room for your favorite games. To keep things cool, it uses a liquid cooling system, and it even has a large 85Wh removable battery.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| High performance | Battery life under full load will be weak |
| Premium features | Very expensive — high investment |
| Good for power users who want top-end hardware | |
| Advanced cooling |
Who its Best For
Power users who want bleeding-edge specs. If you plan to run demanding games at high settings, maybe even use external displays, want high RAM/storage, cooling capability, and are fine with cost + bulk. For someone wanting maximum performance, this is a top-end pick.
10. AYANEO Kun
Lastly, we have picked AYANEO Kun, which is a beautiful, sleek, and high-performance handheld gaming PC. It has a stunning 8.4-inch 2.5K display, which looks super sharp and colorful, great for both gaming and watching videos. Inside, it runs on AMD’s Ryzen 7 7840U processor, giving it plenty of power to handle modern PC games smoothly.
One of its best features is the huge 75Wh battery, which lasts longer than most handhelds, so you can game for hours without worrying about charging. It also includes hall-effect joysticks and triggers to prevent drift.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Premium build and high specs | High price — steep investment |
| Strong internal hardware (good for AAA) | Battery life will be under pressure at high settings |
| Solid appearance, brand recognition, community support | |
| Good features, display, ergonomics expected |
Who its best for
Gamers who want maximum screen size + power in a handheld, with a very large battery, and excellent build/controls. If you want large IPS/color fidelity, want longer sessions, and don’t mind the size or price, this is a premium option. Good for those who use their handheld in semi-stationary scenarios (on a couch, desk) as well as on the move.
What We Anticipated
These are some of the best handheld gaming PC that you can buy to play high-end games instead of playing on Laptops or PC. No matter if you want the raw power of the ASUS ROG Ally X, the beautiful display of the Legion Go 2, or the balanced performance of the Steam Deck OLED, there’s something here for every kind of gamer.
These devices prove that you don’t need a bulky gaming laptop to enjoy high-quality games anywhere you go. The best one depends on your play style, budget, and what matters most performance, battery life, or portability.
People Also Ask
What is the best handheld gaming PC in 2025?
The ASUS ROG Ally X and Steam Deck OLED are among the top choices this year. The ROG Ally X offers powerful performance for AAA titles, while the Steam Deck OLED is perfect for gamers who love a smooth experience.
Are handheld gaming PCs worth buying?
Yes! If you love gaming but don’t want to be tied to a desk, a handheld gaming PC is totally worth it. They’re powerful enough to run most modern games
Can handheld gaming PCs run AAA games?
Absolutely. Most new models, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go 2, and MSI Claw 8 AI+, can handle demanding AAA games.
What’s the difference between Steam Deck OLED and other handhelds?
The Steam Deck OLED runs on SteamOS and is optimized for the Steam platform. Other devices, like the ROG Ally X or Legion Go 2, run Windows.
Can I connect a handheld gaming PC to a monitor or TV?
Yes! You can connect as most modern handhelds have USB-C or HDMI support to connect them to external displays.
