Not too long ago, PC gaming was shackled to desktops, laptops and tablets. Thanks to recent tech developments, key components have grown more powerful while getting smaller and lighter. Enter the handheld gaming PC – a new breed of portable powerhouse designed to deliver the performance of a gaming laptop, without the hefty price tag.

Unlike their desk-bound ancestors, the handheld gaming PC can be taken everywhere and anywhere. Whether you’re lounging on the sofa, stuck on a train, or waiting at the airport, handheld gaming PCs let you dive into your favourite titles anytime, anywhere.

In this guide, we’ll compare four popular models, each with its own strengths, quirks, and features. Let’s find your perfect match.

ASUS ROG Ally

Image courtesy of ASUS.Under the Bonnet

• Windows 11 operating system: this handheld uses the same operating system as most gaming computers, making it compatible with a wide variety of games from AAA titles to indie favourites.
• 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage: these are fairly standard specs for a mid-range gaming laptop, enabling you to play and download most titles. However, it would likely struggle with very big, resource-heavy games.
• Zero Gravity Thermal System: this unique cooling technology works no matter what angle the handheld is used at, keeping performance steady whether you’re sitting, standing, or lying down.

Play Features

• 7-inch Full HD LCD screen: this device’s screen is designed with gameplay in mind. It has a 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium for quick-changing images without flickering or tearing. 500 nits of brightness and a Gorilla Glass screen make it bright and sturdy enough for outdoor use.
• Ergonomic controls: this handheld is designed for easy grip, no matter the size of your hands. All of the controls, including drift-free joysticks and Hall Effect triggers, are gathered near the top of the screen to allow you to use a more natural hand position. Macro buttons on the rear can be programmed for your favourite shortcuts and combos.
• Dolby Atmos: this audio technology delivers super-realistic surround sound when you play while wearing headphones.

Game Access

• Download and stream: the ROG Ally’s 512GB of storage makes it suitable for streaming or downloading games, allowing you to select your favourites to play online.
• Armoury Crate SE: the handheld’s on-board command centre features the Game Library. It brings all of your launchers together in one convenient place, allowing you to launch and play titles from connected accounts, including Steam and Xbox Game Pass.

Aesthetics and Portability

• Ultralight and ultra-bright: the ROG Ally’s aluminium chassis and optimised internals give it a weight of just 608 grams, making it excellent for travel and all-day use. The Aura Sync lighting system gives you a fully customisable set of light-up RGB joysticks, which you can synchronise with compatible ASUS gaming computers and accessories for a uniform look.

Razer Edge

Image courtesy of Razer.

Under the Bonnet

• Android 12 operating system: while this does mean a quicker and easier setup – you’re not adding another Windows computer to your life – it does mean only Android games can be downloaded and played locally.
• 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage: players dreaming of the ability to take AAA titles wherever they go may need to think twice - if it's not streamed through the cloud or made for phones, you won't be able to play it.
• No system cooling: with on-board thermal technology reserved for the Snapdragon G3x processor, intensive games may cause the system to get hot to the touch or slow down.

Play Features

• 6.8-inch AMOLED FHD+ screen: the Razer Edge outshines most handhelds with its AMOLED screen, which can provide a greater range of bright and dark colours.
• Kishi V2 Pro Controller: unlike the other handhelds, the Razer Edge features a fully removable controller plug-in that is compatible with most Android smartphones. However, some players may struggle to attach and remove the controller.
• THX Spatial Audio: using the Razer Edge with headphones can provide an immersive listening experience, with in-game audio sounding like it’s happening all around you.

Game Access

• All cloud gaming: the only way to play non-mobile games on the Razer Edge is by using cloud gaming services: apps that allow you to play games running remotely from your devices or a cloud server, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam Link, and PS Remote Play.
• Android downloads: if you prefer mobile games, the Razer Edge can download these from the Google Play Store.

Aesthetics and Portability

• Gaming tablet: the Razer Edge is the lightest handheld in our comparison, weighing only 401 grams. Without the removable Kishi V2 Pro controller, the Edge looks little different from a small tablet or a large smartphone. A lack of any RGB lighting may put off some gamers.

MSI Claw

Image courtesy of MSI.

Under the Bonnet

• Windows 11 operating system: this handheld runs on Windows, making it suitable for games on Steam, Epic Games, EA, and other popular platforms.
• 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage: this puts it in line with mid- and high-end gaming laptops, providing plenty of space for downloaded games.
• Wi-Fi 7: this is the only handheld in our comparison that exceeds Wi-Fi 6E. This next-gen wireless technology provides speedier downloads and smoother streaming.
• Cooler Boost HyperFlow: this cooling system redirects airflow through your system to keep the handheld's internals chill and in working order.

Play Features

• 7-inch Full HD LCD screen: this device’s screen is designed for rich gaming visuals.
• Hall Effect controls: like the Razer Edge, the MSI Claw features Hall Effect controls, which minimise drift and wear.
• Intel XeSS: because the Claw works on Intel hardware, you can use Intel XeSS to upscale your games, giving you better visuals.

Game Access

• No dedicated launcher: unlike the other Windows 11 handhelds, the MSI Claw doesn’t have a dedicated launcher bringing together different services. This means that it runs more like a laptop or a gaming PC.
• Plenty of room: with 1TB of storage, this may make it an ideal option if you want to keep everything out of the cloud.
• MSI App player: instead of a launcher, you get an exclusive app player, which allows you to play Android mobile games and other apps like you would on a smartphone.

Aesthetics and Portability

• The colourful option: the Claw’s 675 gram weight may make it less of a featherweight device than the ROG Ally and Razer Edge, but it should still be agile enough to take and play anywhere. MSI's Mystic Light powers the RGB lights on the joysticks and buttons, giving you total control over your handheld’s colours and making it compatible with a variety of computers and accessories.

Lenovo Legion Go

Image courtesy of Lenovo.

Under the Bonnet

• Windows 11 operating system: this is another Windows system, giving you access to a whole world of gaming options.
• 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage: like the ROG Ally, this handheld has the processing power and storage space for most titles, but top-end gaming may be out of the question.
• ColdFront Technology: this provides the system with an increased airflow to cool its internals while producing minimal noise, reducing distracting fan sounds during intense gameplay.

Play Features

• 8.8-inch QHD+ LCD screen: this bigger, higher-resolution display brings users deeper into the action and makes it easier to use its different game modes.
• Four gaming modes: do more than handheld gaming. FPS Mode, Detachable Mode and Battle Station Mode transform the handheld into an arcade shooter, a home console, and even a full gaming PC when you connect it to compatible Legion accessories.

Game Access

• Legion Space: like the ROG Ally’s Armoury Crate, the Legion Go’s Legion Space brings together all of your launchers in one convenient location. It also has a direct link to Gamesplanet, a service that provides discounts on digital copies of games.
• Download and stream: like the ROG Ally, this console’s 512GB of storage gives you room to store your favourites offline.

Aesthetics and Portability

• Mighty machine: the Legion Go is anything but lightweight. At 848 grams, it is the biggest competitor by far. This handheld justifies its bulk with its multiple play modes and removable controls. Understated RGB lighting pulses at the joysticks while you play. Working and looking like a bigger, meaner Nintendo Switch, the Lenovo Legion Go demands attention.

Conclusion

The Best Standalone Handheld: Lenovo Legion Go

This handheld's supersized display and multiple play modes make it ideal to use as your main (or only) game system. Legion Space keeps your games organised across different launchers for added convenience.

The Best Support Handheld: Razer Edge 

If you're looking for something that will work with your existing game systems, the Razer Edge is for you. With Android gaming joined by cloud links to PCs, consoles, and game launchers, every game you own can be a handheld game. The AMOLED screen and super compact size are added bonuses.

The Best Offline Handheld: MSI Claw

With 1TB of storage, this handheld is a great option for gamers who would prefer to keep their games off-cloud. If you do need to connect to the internet, the speedy Wi-Fi 7 will make it quick and stable. The MSI App Player gives you a whole extra platform for gaming too.

The Best Anywhere and Everywhere Handheld: ASUS ROG Ally

The ultra-lightweight ASUS ROG Ally is the best option for home, away, and travelling in between. With comfortable ergonomic controls, an outdoor-ready screen and cooling that works at every angle, this is a console to take with you wherever you go.

When it comes to choosing the best handheld gaming PC, there’s no easy answer. As our journey through the innards, exteriors and gaming features of our four consoles has shown, there’s more than one way to be a handheld gaming PC. Whether you prefer desktop-like power and reliability, unique play modes, easy access to your collection, or anywhere and anytime playability, there’s a handheld PC out there for you. Happy gaming!