Best 3 Gaming Handhelds Alternatives To The Steam Deck (Not $789)

On May 27, Valve announced a steep price increase for the Steam Deck. Moving forward, the 512GB OLED Steam Deck costs $789; meanwhile, the 1TB edition requires an investment of $949. With a jump in price of $200 and $300, respectively, the Steam Deck has gone from a relatively affordable gaming device to a premium luxury item, simultaneously opening the door for other PC handhelds to step up to the plate.

Although still niche in the grand scheme of things, the PC handheld market has grown quite competitive in recent years, granting customers a few options. Due to the store’s name recognition and competitive price, the Steam Deck generally led the line in both critical and commercial success, even if its sales numbers fall well short when compared to even underwhelming console handhelds. Is the Steam Deck still worth the money? That’s something only you can answer, but other options should definitely be considered at this point.

Put the consoles in the correct order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)


Start

Put the consoles in the correct order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)Start

Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Is The PC Handheld With The Best Value For Money

Asus Store Price: $499.99

Since making its 2023 debut, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 has been the principal competitor to the Steam Deck, mainly due to having similar specs and a comparable price point. Before May 27, Valve’s handheld tended to be a touch cheaper than Asus’ Windows device, at least for the 512GB model. After May 27, the Z1 looks like an absolute steal compared to its more-popular sibling, particularly when you take into consideration that, technically, it is the more powerful device.

At launch, the Z1 Extreme cost $699.99, establishing itself as the high-end alternative to the original model of the ROG Ally. However, nowadays, the ROG Ally Z1’s MSRP comes in at the far more attractive $499.99, and it occasionally goes for less. At this point, the ROG Ally Z1 might offer the best value for your dollar, and it is a very solid option for anybody looking for a good entry-level PC handheld that has enough juice to handle most modern games (but not all).

Full disclosure, my handheld of choice is the Z1 Extreme, although I mainly bought it as a portable PC that I can use while visiting family. As a makeshift low-to-mid-tier Windows PC, this ROG Ally performs like a charm, sufficing as both a workstation and a plugged-in gaming computer that mainly runs older titles. As a handheld, its capabilities are far more impressive, although Windows 11 isn’t fun to use in this form at all.

ROG Xbox Ally Now Seems Cheap Thanks To The Steam Deck

16GB 512GB Base Model: $599.99

The ROG Xbox Ally is essentially a ROG Ally with Xbox branding and a launch interface. Players can jump into Game Pass and bypass Windows 11, giving off the illusion of a handheld console (but it isn’t). Although featuring essentially the same screen as the Z1 Extreme, this version’s Xbox-style controllers deliver improved ergonomics, one of the areas the standard ROG Ally struggles with. This model introduces a far superior battery that should last way longer, arguably making it a more valid handheld device than the Z1 Extreme.

Performance-wise, the Xbox Ally could be seen as roughly the Steam Deck’s equivalent, albeit with a better battery, USB-C ports, and a 1080p screen. Consequently, due to originally being far more expensive, Asus and Microsoft’s collaboration couldn’t really compete with Valve’s product, causing it to be seen as almost a console handheld rather than a PC alternative. However, now that the Xbox Ally’s 512GB model is actually cheaper than the Steam Deck’s cheapest version, things have really changed.

Even After Its Price Increase, The Nintendo Switch 2 Will Be Far Cheaper Than The Steam Deck

Current Price: $449.99; Price from September 1: $499.99

OK, this one is a bit of a cheat, as the Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck occupy different spaces. Realistically, most people who are interested in one device might be looking for something that the other cannot offer. However, for those few folks who just want a handheld device that can keep them entertained during trips, the Switch 2 is the best option on the table. Unlike Valve with the Steam Deck, Nintendo announced a price increase months in advance, granting interested customers the opportunity to pick one up in the meantime. Even then, the Switch 2 price hike amounted to “just” $50, far less than the Steam Deck’s increase.

You need to know what you are getting with the Switch 2: Great exclusives, some third-party support, and a massive backward-compatible library. It can be a fantastic indie gaming device as well, although its selection cannot possibly compare to Steam’s. Games like Donkey Kong Bananza and the upcoming Splatoon Raiders are system sellers, but you don’t need to pick up the latest Nintendo game to get mileage out of your Switch 2. While nothing compares to Valve’s sales, the Nintendo Store consistently stages fairly big discounts, particularly for old Switch games. You don’t need to spend a lot to play a lot.