The Steam Deck took the handheld gaming world by storm when it launched in early 2022, garnering attention for bringing the power of a gaming PC to a portable format. With its versatile operating system, robust technical specifications and compatibility with Steam‘s expansive games library, the Steam Deck delivers high-end performance on the go.
However, the Steam Deck remains a sizeable investment at $399 and up. For gamers looking for more affordable options or alternatives better suited to their needs, a growing range of competitors have arisen to challenge Valve‘s portable powerhouse. These devices provide their own balances of price, performance, ergonomics, operating system and other factors.
This guide highlights eight of the top alternatives to consider if shopping beyond the Steam Deck for your next handheld gaming PC.
Best Overall: AYANEO 2021
Price: $799.99
Specs:
- 7-inch, 800p touchscreen display
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor
- 16GB LPDDR4x RAM
- 1TB M.2 SSD storage
The AYANEO 2021 stands tall amongst Steam Deck alternatives for its combination of power and thoughtful design. Its 7-inch multitouch display hits a sweet spot between portability and playability, reproducing games smoothly at 800p resolution. Performance comes courtesy of AMD‘s capable Ryzen 5 4500U, providing a nice boost over Steam Deck‘s custom APU.
Inside, 16GB of speedy RAM keeps games fluid and load times snappy, while the spacious 1TB solid-state drive can readily accommodate today‘s storage-hungry titles. The console‘s premium feel extends to its input mechanisms, including a responsive set of analog sticks adopted from controller veterans ALPS. Add up to three hours of battery life, and it becomes easy to see why the AYANEO 2021 one-ups the Steam Deck as the ultimate handheld gaming PC.
Pros
- Great performance for latest games
- High-quality display and inputs
- Large SSD capacity
Cons
- Shorter battery runtime than competitors
- More expensive than Steam Deck
Best Runner Up: GDP Win 4
Price: $1,269.99
Specs:
- 6-inch, 1080p touchscreen
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor
- 32GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 1TB M.2 SSD storage
Sliding into second place, the GPD Win 4 refines the blueprint of its successful predecessors into another worthy adversary to the Steam Deck. Exceptional processing power comes from AMD‘s Ryzen 7 6800U based on the efficient Zen 3+ architecture, while a generous 32GB of RAM future-proofs the device for memory-hungry titles. This hardware drives gameplay up to buttery-smooth 1080p on the Win 4‘s six-inch touch display.
Content loads swiftly from the integrated PCIe SSD, providing ample space for today‘s 100GB-plus gaming behemoths. The console wraps this up in an attention-grabbing design mixing gaming style and laptop sensibilities. Gamers can enjoy the tactile feel of a built-in QWERTY keyboard for typing tasks between gaming sessions. While not quite matching the battery life of Valve‘s offering, the GPD Win 4 still provides an excellent Windows-based alternative.
Pros
- Extremely fast performance
- QWERTY keyboard for versatility
- High storage capacity
Cons
- Relatively heavy at 1.55 lbs
- Mediocre battery life
Best Budget Option: AYANEO Air Plus
Price: $589
Specs:
- 5.5-inch OLED display (720p)
- AMD Ryzen 5 5560U processor
- 16GB LPDDR4x RAM
- 256GB SSD storage
Providing console-quality gaming at a more affordable price point, the AYANEO Air Plus handily earns recognition as the best budget pick amongst Steam Deck rivals. It shares DNA with the Editors‘ Choice AYANEO 2021, including adoption of AMD Ryzen processors. While not chart-topping, performance still impresses thanks to Zen 3 architecture and ample RAM.
Visually, games shine on a 5.5-inch OLED panel ripe with vibrant colors and inky blacks. The scaled-back 256GB solid-state drive offers enough room for a sizable game library if judiciously managed. Battery life sees a slight downgrade from premium alternatives but still keeps you gaming for a couple hours away from AC power. If seeking Steam Deck-caliber gaming on a budget, the AYANEO Air Plus hits the sweet spot.
Pros
- Great performance-per-dollar
- Stunning OLED visuals
- Light and portable
Cons
- Lesser storage capacity
- Battery life merely average
Best Display: OneXPlayer Mini
Price: $899
Specs:
- 7-inch IPS LCD (1200p)
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 1TB M.2 2280 SSD storage
Living up to its name, the OneXPlayer Mini crams exceptional performance into a trim, seven-inch chassis while standing out for its vibrant 7-inch IPS display. The miniaturized console offers pixel-pushing power courtesy of AMD‘s Zen 3+ silicon, lettingAAA games shine at resolutions up to 1200p. Such demanding graphics benefit greatly from the 400+ nit brightness and 100% sRGB coverage showcased on the Mini‘s panel.
With a 1TB SSD and 16GB RAM to back it up, gameplay stays snappy through demanding scenes. The OneXPlayer Mini‘s petite profile slides easily into bags and pockets, ready to transform any destination into a personal gaming den. Just expect the petite powerhouse‘s battery to tap out sooner than larger alternatives when tackling the latest titles.
Pros
- Gorgeous, high-res display panel
- Lightweight and portable
- Capable AMD Zen 3+ performance
Cons
- Battery life limited during intensive gaming
- Expensive
Best Ergonomics: Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld
Price: $299.99
Specs:
- 7-inch IPS LCD (1080p)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor
- 4GB RAM
- No onboard storage
Forgoing top-tier firepower for an accessible price and refined design, Logitech‘s G Cloud gaming handheld brings Xbox Cloud and Steam Remote Play into gamers‘ hands with comfort and style. Its clean aesthetic and lightweight feel aid portability without compromising on inputs. The G Cloud‘s grip-friendly contours and well-placed buttons emulate an Xbox controller to facilitate seamless play.
Visuals shine on a 7-inch IPS panel rendering games at up to 60fps, while integrated force feedback adds immersive rumble. While steering clear of storage-hungry local gaming, integrated Wi-Fi 6 keeps streaming smooth. For just $299, the Logitech G Cloud provides a uniquely polished doorway into cloud gaming services from Xbox and Steam.
Pros
- Ergonomic, lightweight design
- Affordable price
- Built for Xbox Cloud Gaming
Cons
- Lacks local gaming capabilities
- Limited RAM and processor performance
Best Battery Life: AYANEO Air Plus
Price: $769
Specs:
- 7-inch OLED display (1280 x 800)
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 1TB M.2 SSD storage
Combining exceptional battery life with capable gaming performance, the AYANEO Air Plus handily conquers gaming marathons while untethered. Eking 10+ hours of 1080p video playback from a charge, this featherweight console keeps players going longer between pit stops at the nearest outlet. Even grueling 3D titles manage around three hours, outpacing most competitors.
This enables enjoying rich OLED visuals and Zen 3+ gaming power wherever the day takes you. A high-bandwidth SSD stores plenty of games with room to spare. For gamers who want their handheld to keep up with their on-the-go lifestyle, the AYANEO Air Plus is a top choice.
Pros
- Class-leading battery life
- OLED display pops colors
- Robust AMD performance
Cons
- Relatively heavy at 1.44 lbs
- Mediocre speaker sound
Best Controls: AYN Odin Lite
Price: $239
Specs:
- 5.5-inch IPS LCD (1280 x 720)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
- 8GB LPDDR4x RAM
- 128GB UFS 2.1 storage
While it gives up some computing clout versus pricier alternatives, the AYN Odin Lite delights users with its intuitive controls including a pair of clickable analog sticks and well-spaced face buttons. This positions the economical handheld well for dominating classic games via emulation. Its snapdragon processor and Adreno GPU provide enough pep for modest Android gaming too.
The Odin Lite‘s HD display keeps retro titles crisp, while a microSD slot lets you beef up its humble 128GB storage. Battery life lands around five hours during intensive play. While better suited to simpler Android and emulated games than tackling the latest PC blockbusters, the AYN Odin Lite brings excellent controls and customization to an affordable package.
Pros
- Excellent control ergonomics
- Low cost of entry
- microSD expansion slot
Cons
- Underpowered for newer AAA games
- Maximum five hours battery life
Best Flexibility: GPD Win Max 2
Price: $1,368
Specs:
- 10.1-inch touch display (1200p)
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor
- 32GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 2TB M.2 SSD storage
As the largest device on this list, the Win Max 2 makes room for a keyboard alongside its gamepad controls, earning acclaim for input flexibility. Productivity gets a boost from the integrated hardware QWERTY keyboard and generously-sized multi-touch display. A high-resolution 1080p webcam enables video calls and streaming.
Gaming enjoys fantastic support too thanks to AMD‘s Zen 3+ silicon and abundant 32GB of fast RAM blowing past the Steam Deck‘s 16GB capacity. The high-bandwidth 2TB SSD leaves no worries for storage space as your library expands. While heavier than more portable-focused alternatives, the Win Max 2 gives players incredible flexibility to game and create wherever inspiration strikes.
Pros
- QWERTY keyboard enables productivity
- Excellent gaming performance
- Huge SSD capacity
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Expensive
What To Consider When Buying A Steam Deck Alternative
With an increasing array of Steam Deck alternatives to evaluate, keeping some key criteria in mind helps simplify your buying decision:
Intended Use Case: Consider when, where and what types of games you want to play portably most often. Prioritizing battery life or compact size for frequent travel? Need maximum power for triple-A games? Prefer big-screen couch gaming?
Hardware Specifications: Pay attention to the processor, RAM capacity, storage space, screen resolution and battery size that will best suit your performance needs and budget.
Operating System: Most rivals run Windows for straightforward PC game compatibility, while some utilize Android or custom Linux builds. Consider which fits best.
Ergonomics: Comfort during extended gaming sessions matters. Seek alternatives with control schemes and dimensions that fit your hands well.
Features: Determine which extra capabilities like keyboards, webcams or compatibility with gaming platforms are worthwhile for you.
Price: With alternatives ranging from $239 to over $1300, setting a budget helps narrow choices. Identify models offering suitable performance without overspending on unnecessary extras you may not utilize.
The Last Word
While the Steam Deck stands tall as an innovative force in handheld gaming, competition breeds further excellence. For many gamers, one of the compelling alternatives profiled here may prove an even better fit based on their performance needs, preferences and budget. From miniaturized powerhouses to battery life champions, ergonomic marvels to surprisingly affordable options, these handhelds give the Steam Deck a run for its money.
For the on-the-go gamer, a world of portable possibilities awaits. It‘s simply a matter of choosing the right one to light your gaming path. Game on!
