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The Best Handheld Gaming PC’s 2023 with video

Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023
Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023

Best of the rest of the handheld gaming PC’s

AYANEO Geek – Best Low Cost Handheld Gaming PC

The AYANEO Geek is a lower cost version of the excellent AYANEO 2.

Like the AYANEO 2, the Geek model features the amazing AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor with AMD Radeon 680M graphics. We know from the AYANEO 2 and other handheld gaming PC’s that we can expect great gaming performance!

AYANEO Geek CoD Modern Warfare 2
AYANEO Geek running Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

There are options for 16GB or 32GB of LPDDR-5 RAM and 512GB, 1TB or 2 TB of high speed SSD. For communications we have fast WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 to connect peripherals with.

In our tests whilst running the Cinebench benchmark we got a highest temperature of 45,  and highest fan noise of 69dB. With the 50.25Wh battery, we got exactly one hour at full load at 28W TDP, and 4 hours 35 minutes idle on the desktop at 28W TDP.

AYANEO 2AYANEO GEEK
SCREENFull Screen 1200PSlim Bezel 1200P
VIBRATION“NS same HD”X-Axis linear motor
GYROSCOPEDual Body & HandleBody
FINGERPRINT MODULETouch S3 SleepStandard
SSDPCIE 4.0PCIE 3.0
SIZE264.5×105.5×21.5mm264.5×105.5×22.3
AYANEO 2 & AYANEO Geek Comparison

The AYANEO Geek measures around 10.3 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches (26.4 x 10.5 x 3.6 cm) at its thickest, it is slightly larger than the AYANEO 2. The AYANEO Geek is available in two models with either a 800P or 1200P 7″ touchscreen display. The display quality is very good but in comparison with the AYANEO 2’s excellent display there are some differences in vibrancy and brightness if you put them side by side. It is however barely noticeable if you are playing a game.

AYANEO Geek vs AYANEO 2 display
AYANEO Geek vs AYANEO 2 display

In terms of performance, the AYANEO Geek handheld gaming PC is roughly the same as the AYANEO 2. In our benchmark tests we got overall similar scores while factoring in different driver and game versions when running the tests.

Here are the system and gaming benchmark results and comparison:

AYANEO 2AYANEO GEEK
PCMARK106,3846,224
CINEBENCH (Multi-Core)10,98910,710
3DMARK (Time Spy)2,7102,753
3DMARK (Night Raid)25,08124,796
3DMARK (Fire Strike)6,6896,677
FORZA HORIZON 590 FPS84 FPS
SHADOW OF TOMB RAIDER68 FPS67 FPS
CYBERPUNK 207748.78 FPS50.41 FPS
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 267 FPS64 FPS
AYANEO 2 & AYANEO Geek System & Gaming Benchmarks Compared

Despite some differences in the benchmark results, we found the performance while actually playing games to be very similar. In our full AYANEO Geek review we test performance for best quality and best battery life and they were the same as the AYANEO 2.

The AYANEO Geek is definitely worth considering as an alternative to the AYANEO 2 for the best handheld gaming PC. There are some differences in the display, but the display is still great quality and just the same as any of the other high-end handhelds in this article. The differences with the PCIe, vibration, gyroscope and fingerprint sensor are not so important and unless you really need high-end modules you can ignore them.

You can learn more about and buy the AYANEK Geek here. Read our full review AYANEO Geek Review – Lower cost handheld gaming PC here.

What we like!

  • Lower cost than the other 6800U based handhelds
  • All the important features such as 6800U CPU, fast RAM and storage
  • Similar performance as the other 6800U based handhelds

What we don’t like…

  • The battery life is the shortest, at one hour at highest loads, in the range of 6800U based gaming handheld PC’s

ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO

The ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO handheld gaming PC is the successor to the original ONEXPLAYER Mini, a shrunk down version of the 1S models released in 2021.

Like the AYANEO 2, the ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO features the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor that has eight cores and sixteen threads running up to 4.7Ghz. There’s configurations of up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM and 2TB NVMe SSD.

ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO handheld PC running Cyberpunk 2077
ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO Cyberpunk 2077

The ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO is the smaller model in the handheld PC range measuring 4.9 x 4.17 x 0.90 inches (12.6 x 10.6mm x 2.3cm) and weighing 599g. The display is a 7 inch IPS touchscreen with a 1920×1200 resolution. It is very clear to see text and the colours and brightness are great, though not as good as the AYANEO 2 to compare.

The ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO handheld gaming PC is perhaps the most plain looking of the ones featured today, with a black and orange or white and orange themes. Though it does have some very cool LED lighting running along both sides of the handheld which lights up your hands. It also has hall sensor analogue sticks which is good to see included. Other than that there is nothing that really stands out among the others.

ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO Overlay App
ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO Overlay App

ONEXPLAYER does include their own software which you can access by pressing the dedicated button on the handheld PC. While it is not as feature packed as AYA SPACE for example, it does have all the commonly used functions and shortcuts. You can increase the TDP, fan speed and the LED lighting colours amongst others. Again, it’s basic but functional.

The feel of the gaming handheld is a little plain with just the hand grips on the back to give it some detail. The ONEXPLAYER Mini Pro is slightly less comfortable to hold when compared to the other handhelds. It is perfectly fine for extended gaming sessions but I did find the hand grips a little too small for a perfect fit.

ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO Dead Cells
ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO Dead Cells

Like the AYANEO 2, portability is fine, it wont fit in a trouser pocket, but it will just about fit in a large jacket pocket with some remaining outside. It is best suited for a bag or backpack. There is an official carry case for the handheld gaming PC which will protect from scratches and knocks. And there is also an official docking station which has a nice design and plenty of ports to use.

The ONEXPLAYER Mini PRO is perhaps the weakest in terms of stand out features when compared to the other handheld gaming PC’s. While there is nothing wrong with the actual handheld itself, there is nothing that screams out “buy me”! It’s fairly plain and discreet so it won’t stand out as much compared to playing on the larger model.

You can learn more about and buy the ONEXPLAYER Mini here. Read our full review here: ONEXPLAYER Mini Pro Review – AMD Ryzen 7 6800U AAA handheld gaming PC!

What we like!

  • The 6800U processor is the best for handheld gaming PC’s
  • The size is just right, not too large or small
  • Cool RGB lighting on the sides of the handheld can be customised

What we don’t like…

  • Battery life is a little short at 28W TDP like most 6800U based handhelds
  • ONEXPLAYER Software is not as good as AYANEO’s AYA SPACE

GPD WIN MAX 2 handheld PC

The GPD WIN MAX 2 handheld gaming PC is the latest iteration of the popular WIN MAX series which mixes mini laptop size with gaming controls. You get the benefits of a very usable keyboard and larger screen over other handheld PC’s.

GPD WIN MAX 2 handheld gaming PC emulating PS2 Out Run
GPD WIN MAX 2 Out Run

The WIN MAX 2 is overall the largest and heaviest of our featured handheld gaming PC’s measuring 8.9 x 6.2 x 0.9 (22.7 × 16.0 × 2.3 cm) when folded, and weighs 1005 grams. The display is a 10.1 touchscreen at 1920×1200 resolution and it supports up to 2560×1600 which is the highest resolution out of all the handheld PC’s. The quality is very good and really stands out with bright vibrant colours and clear text. 

There are a few stand out features found on the GPD WIN MAX 2. With it being a laptop style design it means we get a backlit keyboard that is very useful for day to day use. There are two metal plates which can be removed to reveal the gaming controls. You can use the MAX 2 as a laptop during the day for work, as well as a handheld gaming PC on the commute home for example. There is also a 2MP high refresh rate camera which is good for video calls. A separately sold 4G module can be internally installed giving you internet access wherever you are. You can easily add an additional SSD via the compartment on the back which is a great feature.

GPD Motion Assist App
GPD Motion Assist App

GPD does include their ‘MotionAssistant’ software which is mainly for the Gyrometer setup, you can however change the TDP there as well. A new feature just added dynamically adjusts the TDP on demand which is great for battery life. Their ‘Win Control’ software lets you set up the custom back buttons. It is all fairly basic but functional, we hope to see a more user friendly UI from GPD in the future.

Despite the GPD WIN MAX 2 having a laptop style design it is actually quite comfortable to hold and play on for longer periods of time, but that would be while supported on your lap or a table. It does have an advantage of being able to be used unsupported on a desk with an external controller if you wish to. This way you can play it more like a console rather than a handheld gaming PC.

GPD WIN MAX 2 and Ryujinx emulator
GPD WIN MAX 2 and Ryujinx emulator

For portability it is not going to fit in any jacket pockets and would require a bag or backpack to carry around. There is an official GPD WIN MAX 2 protective case to keep the handheld gaming PC safe from scratches and light bumps. The WIN MAX 2 does not have an official dock, though it does not really need one as it does already have a fair number of ports including a HDMI and SD card readers.

The GPD WIN MAX 2 is a great mix of both professional and entertainment in a handheld gaming PC. We like the metal covers that hide the gaming controls, so you can use it in the work environment without any funny looks. The screen size and keyboard are the two main standouts, making it great for day to day use as well as gaming and entertainment on a larger screen.

You can learn more and order the GPD WIN MAX 2 here. Read our full review here: GPD WIN MAX 2 Review – AMD Ryzen 7 6800U AAA gaming mini laptop

What we like!

  • Massive 10.1 inch IPS touch screen @ native 1920×1200 resolution supporting up to 2560×1680
  • Comfortable gaming controls which can be hidden behind a removable panel to keep it looking professional
  • It can run AAA Windows games at great settings
  •  Supports higher end console emulation
  • Two USB Type-C ports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5 for fast data transfer

What we don’t like…

  • It is very large, it’s not going to fit in your pocket!

ONEXPLAYER 2 handheld PC

The ONEXPLAYER 2 was one of the later models featuring the 6800U CPU released.

The most noticeable feature of the ONEXPLAYER 2 are the detachable controllers. First seen from ONEXPLAYER on their GX1 model it did not fare well with loose fitting controllers. We are happy to say that the controllers on the ONEXPLAYER 2 fit very well and unless you intentionally try moving them, there is barely any wiggle in them.

Snow White & Midnight Black ONEXPLAYER 2 models
Snow White & Midnight Black ONEXPLAYER 2 models

The ONEXPLAYER 2 also features the popular AMD Ryzen 7 6800U running up to 4.7GHz at 15-28W TDP. There is a choice of 16GB or 32GB Dual-Channel LPDDR5x RAM at 6400MT/s. For the storage there is a choice of 1TB or 2TB High-Speed PCI-E M.2 2280 SSD.

The ONEXPLAYER 2 measures 12.2 x 5 x 0.9 inches (31 x 12.7 x 2.3 cm) with the controllers connected, and weighs around 848g. Along with the AOKZOE A1, it is the largest handheld gaming PC available. With the larger form factor comes a larger display, a massive 8.4″ touchscreen with a 2560×1600 resolution.

ONEXPLAYER 2 OXP Software
ONEXPLAYER 2 OXP Software

The ONEXPLAYER 2 ‘OXP’ overlay provides easy access to commonly used settings such as TDP, fan speed, screen resolution and brightness. It works perfectly fine as an overlay so there are no complaints there.

ONEXPLAYER 2 running CoD MW2
ONEXPLAYER 2 running CoD MW2

The 65.5W rechargeable battery is the largest in this generation of handhelds. In our benchmark tests we got 1 hour 40 minutes while running Cinebench on full load 28W TDP at 1600P, and 9 hours 30 minutes while idle on the desktop. While running at 15W 800P full load we got a very respectable 2 hours 46 minutes. It is amongst the longest battery life with the GPD WIN MAX 2. Read our full ONEXPLAYER 2 review here.

You can learn more and buy the ONEXPLAYER 2 here.

What we like!

  • Fast AMD Ryzen 7 6800U CPU & 680M GPU
  • Large 8.4″ display
  • Very good battery life
  • Detachable controllers
  • WiFi 6E & Bluetooth 5.2

What we don’t like…

  • Quite large so requires a bag for easy transport

ASUS ROG Ally

The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Pro is a handheld gaming PC, riding on the wave of AMD’s APU technology advancements. Although it doesn’t rival the power of top-tier gaming laptops or the Z1 Extreme version, its affordability and convenience make it a prime choice for those seeking portable PC gaming. The device is primarily tailored to shine in the indie game domain, similar to the Steam Deck, rather than catering to power-intensive titles like Cyberpunk 2077.

ASUS ROG Ally - CoD MW2
ASUS ROG Ally – CoD MW2

One of the device’s major strengths is its sleek design. Despite weighing 608g (21.4oz), the ergonomics make it feel lighter and more comfortable to hold compared to competitors, notably the Steam Deck. Thanks to the removal of haptic pads, the ROG Ally boasts a controller layout reminiscent of the Xbox Series X, enhancing comfort during prolonged gaming. The device’s exterior is adorned with modern white coloration complemented by customizable RGB lighting, giving it an edge in aesthetics. The Ally runs on a standard Windows 11 OS but includes some tweaks by Asus to improve its usability on the 7-inch touchscreen. There are additional functionalities provided by buttons and paddles, such as launching the Asus ROG Armoury crate or pulling up the Windows Task Manager.

The ROG Ally Z1 Pro is equipped with a 7-inch FHD display, a significant improvement over the 800p found on the Steam Deck. This vibrant IPS screen, boasting 500 nits of brightness and 100% sRGB color spectrum coverage, delivers a vivid gaming experience, particularly with colorful indie titles. Yet, users should be mindful of the performance limitations, especially when attempting to run AAA games. Ideally, advancements in the future will combine the portability of such devices with the horsepower of full-blown gaming laptop GPUs.

Under the hood, the ROG Ally Z1 Pro houses a 30W AMD APU comprising a Zen 4 processor and an RDNA 3 graphics card. The 6-core, 12-thread CPU clocks up to 4.9GHz, aligning with top-tier gaming CPUs. However, the GPU, given its compactness, isn’t meant for high-end gaming. While demanding titles can be tweaked to run at around 30 fps, the device primarily excels at indie games. An impressive feature is its battery life; when optimized, it can last over 6 hours based on PCMark10 Battery Test results. Charging is facilitated via USB-C, ensuring convenience for users.

What we like!

  • Portability: Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry for on-the-go gaming.
  • Design: Sleek aesthetics with a modern white coloration and customizable RGB accents.
  • Display: 7-inch FHD IPS display outshines the Steam Deck’s 800p, offering vivid visuals with 500 nits of brightness and 100% sRGB coverage.
  • Usability: Ergonomically designed for comfort, even during prolonged gaming sessions.

What we don’t like…

  • Performance Limitations: Despite its capabilities, it’s not suited for high-end AAA titles at maximum settings.
  • GPU Limitations: The compact design restricts GPU power, resulting in limited gaming performance for demanding titles.
  • No Haptic Pads: Unlike the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally lacks haptic pads which some users might miss.

Steam Deck

The Steam Deck is now far more easily available than it was last year and it has gone on to sell over one million units already.  The Steam Deck measures around 11.7 x 4.6 x 1.9 inches  (29.8 x 11.7 x 4.9cm) and weighs 669 grams. The display is a 7” IPS touchscreen with a 1280×800 resolution, it’s the lowest resolution out of all the handheld gaming PC’s we cover today. Despite this the colours are OK as is the brightness.

Steam Deck Handheld Gaming PC
Steam Deck Handheld Gaming PC

The most immediate stand out feature of the Steam Deck are the two trackpads, some love them, some hate them and it does take a little getting used to. The extra width of the Steam Deck is due to the controller positioning, with the D-Pad and left analogue stick, as well as the right stick and buttons,  parallel to each other instead of the more traditional vertical placement. This does initially feel weird, but is very comfortable to switch between D-pad and stick positions for example.

The Steam Deck run its own Steam OS operating system and it is fully featured. If you have an extensive Steam library then it’s a straightforward process to download and install a game. Official Steam Deck game compatibility at the end of 2022 was only over 7,000 of the estimated 50,000+ games available, though there are more unofficial compatible games.

The compatibility and installing of 3rd party software is one of the downsides for the Steam Deck. There is a fair bit of messing around to install 3rd party software when compared to Windows, where you can literally download and install whatever you want. 

It is for this reason we have Windows installed on our Steam Deck, as well as an upgraded 1TB 22*30 NVMe SSD and hall sensor analogue sticks instead of the standard ones. You do need to install controller emulation software or run the game through the Steam software to get the controls working. But other than some 3rd party software for controlling TDP,  there are no major hurdles, everything works very well. And you can of course install whatever you want and essentially have full compatibility with playing Windows games on Windows OS 🙂 

Steam Deck running Forza Horizon 5 on Windows
Steam Deck running Forza Horizon 5 on Windows

As hinted at, the Steam Deck is very comfortable to play on while resting on your lap or a desk. It’s definitely not pocketable with the ultrawide size, and while you could get half of it in a jacket pocket, you probably wouldn’t want to. It’s best suited for a bag or backpack. There are plenty of cases and docks available for the Steam Deck so you can take your pick.

The most popular argument for the Steam Deck is the price. It is a great price, over half that of other handhelds mentioned today. That is because it is subsidised by Valve and they make money back from game sales from their store. GPD, ONEXPLAYER and AYANEO unfortunately do not have a game store to make the subsidised costs back. 


Benchmark Results and Comparisons

Below is a table containing all the handheld gaming PC’s we have featured in this article, along with a small selection of their specs. To learn more about the device, click the “Buy Now” link in the table!

ModelCPU & GPURAM & STORAGEResolutionScreen SizePurchase Link
GPD WIN 4 2023AMD Ryzen 7 7840U with Radeon 780M
AMD Ryzen 7 7640U with Radeon 760M
16GB/32GB/64GB LPDDR5X @ 7500 MT/s
Up to 4TB PCI-E NVME 4.0 SSD
1920×10806″Buy Now
GPD WIN MAX 2 2023AMD Ryzen 7 7840U with Radeon 780M
AMD Ryzen 7 7640U with Radeon 760M
16GB/32GB/64GB LPDDR5X @ 7500 MT/s
Up to 4TB PCI-E NVME SSD
1920×1200 / 2560×1600 10.1″Buy Now
GPD WIN MINIAMD Ryzen 7 7840U with Radeon 780M
AMD Ryzen 7 7640U with Radeon 760M
16GB/32GB/64GB LPDDR5X @ 6400 MT/s
Up to 2TB PCI-E NVME 4.0 SSD
1920×10807″Buy Now
STEAM DECKAMD APU Zen 216GB LPDDR5 @ 5500 MT/s
Up to 512GB PCI-E NVME SSD
1280×8007″
ASUS ROG ALLYAMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor
AMD Radeon Graphics
16GB LPDDR5 @ 6400 MT/s
512GB PCI-E 4.0 NVME SSD
1920×10807″
AYA NEO 2SAMD Ryzen 7 7840U with Radeon 780M16GB/32GB/64GB LPDDR5 @ 7500 MT/s
Up to 4TB PCI-E 4.0 SSD
1920×12007″Buy Now
AYA NEO GEEK 1SAMD Ryzen 7 7840U with Radeon 780M32GB LPDDR5 @ 7500 MT/s
Up to 2TB PCI-E 4.0 SSD
1920×1200 or 1280×8007″Buy Now
AOKZOE A1 PROAMD Ryzen 7 7840U with Radeon 780M16GB/32GB/64GB LPDDR5X @ 7500 MT/s
Up to 2TB PCI-E 4.0 SSD
1920×12008″Buy Now
ONEXPLAYER ONEXFLYAMD Ryzen 7 7840U with Radeon 780M16GB/32GB/64GB LPDDR5X @ 7500 MT/s
Up to 4TB PCI-E 4.0 SSD
1920×10807″Buy Now
The Best Handheld Gaming PCs – Table

Handheld Gaming PC System Benchmarks

3DMark

Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023 - 3DMARK Benchmark Comparison
3DMARK Benchmark Comparison

3DMark tests the CPU and GPU working together. We can see across the tests that the GPD WIN 4 2023 7840U takes overall first place with two of the three best test results. The other 7840U handheld gaming PC do fairly well though they are a little behind the Win 4. 

Update – 16th November 2023 – Lenovo Legion Go benchmark results

Here are the scores for the Lenovo Legion Go handheld:

TIME SPY: 3109
NIGHT RAID: 26398
TIME SPY: 7428

Overall they are very good scores, definitely in the mix of the better handheld scores!

PCMark

Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023 - PCMARK10 Benchmark Comparison
PCMARK10 Benchmark Comparison

PCMark performs a series of tests on your more day to day usage tasks such as web browsing, media playing, working with large office documents and so on. Again we see the Win 4 2023 take 1st place, with the ROG Ally relatively close behind. The other devices are fairly lower in comparison. 

Update – 16th November 2023 – Lenovo Legion Go benchmark results

Here are the scores for the Lenovo Legion Go handheld:

PCMARK10: 5346

The score is in the average area at best, nothing amazing but not that bad either. It may be slower SSD speed that is dropping the scores a little for example.

Cinebench

Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023 - Cinebench Benchmark Comparison
Cinebench Benchmark Comparison

Cinebench tests the CPU with single and multi-core performance. The AOKZOE A1 Pro takes 1st place here for single and multi-core performance with the other 7840U models close behind, there’s not much in it. 

We are running our gaming benchmarks at the highest resolution the device supports at 28W TDP. Then for comparison we are running at either 800P or 720P at 5, 10, 20 and 28W TDP to give us a range of performance at high and lows. 

Update – 16th November 2023 – Lenovo Legion Go benchmark results

Here are the scores for the Lenovo Legion Go handheld:

SINGLE-CORE: 1339
MULTI-CORE: 12172

The single core performance is lower than the 7840U models by a fair amount. However, for multi-core performance we scores more in line with the 7840U models, roughly on average compared with them.

Forza Horizon 5

Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023 - Forza Horizon 5 Benchmark Comparison
Forza Horizon 5 Benchmark Comparison

We start with the highest resolutions at 28W TDP for Forza Horizon 5 on the Low graphics settings. We can see here that for the most part the Ryzen 7 7840U models do great at higher TDP, and get closer to the Ryzen 5 7640U models as the TDP lowers. At 800P the Min MAX 2 2023 and AYA NEO 2S have the best scores. And for 720P the Win 4 2023 has the highest.

Update – 16th November 2023 – Lenovo Legion Go benchmark results

Here are the scores for the Lenovo Legion Go handheld:

1600P 28W TDP: 60 FPS
720P 28W TDP: 113 FPS
720P 20W TDP: 110 FPS
720P 15W TDP: 80 FPS
720P 10W TDP: 46 FPS
720P 5W TDP: 28 FPS

At 720P we can see the Lenovo Legion Go starts well at 5W low TDP but as we go higher the performance drops behind the 7840U based models.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023 - Tomb Raider Benchmark Comparison
Tomb Raider Benchmark Comparison

Next we have Shadow of the Tomb Raider on the Lowest graphics settings. For the 800P and 720P benchmark results we can again see that the Win Max 2 23 Ryzen 7 just about takes 1st place on 800P with the Win Mini just behind. The Win 4 23 takes 1st place in the 720P resolutions. Again at lower TDP we see the Ryzen 5’s performance match the Ryzen 7’s performance.

Update – 16th November 2023 – Lenovo Legion Go benchmark results

Here are the scores for the Lenovo Legion Go handheld:

1600P 28W TDP: 46 FPS
720P 28W TDP: 96 FPS
720P 20W TDP: 86 FPS
720P 15W TDP: 67 FPS
720P 10W TDP: 38 FPS
720P 5W TDP: 21 FPS

We see the performance start well at low TDP and as the TDP gets higher it stays roughly in line with the 7840U devices. At 28W TDP we a good score beating many of the other models.

Cyberpunk 2077

Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023 - Cyberpunk 2077 Benchmark Comparison
Cyberpunk 2077 Benchmark Comparison

On Cyberpunk 2077 we are running on the Default Low graphics settings. As a note, this is based on the older version of the game, just before the DLC update. The AYA NEO 2S takes overall first place in the 800P resolution and the GPD WIN 4 23 takes 1st in the 720P resolution. We see similar results at lower TDP between the Ryzen 7 and 5 models with just a frame or so difference. 

Street Fighter 6

Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023 - Street Fighter 6 1080P Benchmark Comparison
Street Fighter 6 1080P Benchmark Comparison

In our final benchmark we are running Street Fighter 6 on the highest graphics settings to really test each system. 

On the 1080P resolution you will see the Steam Deck and AYA NEO Geek 1S are missing as these handhelds only support 800P. All the Ryzen 7 models are performing roughly the same, though we do not see the usual close gap at lower TDP with the Ryzen 5, most likely due to the higher demand. The pattern repeats for 720P resolution. 

Update – 16th November 2023 – Lenovo Legion Go benchmark results

Here are the scores for the Lenovo Legion Go handheld:

1080P
FIGHTING GROUND: 37.30 FPS
BATTLE HUB: 34.89 FPS
WORLD TOUR: 32.45

Unfortunately we could not get the game running at 720P as the game would keep reverting to 1080P. The 1080P scores are overall fairly good, it’s in the mix of the scores for the 7840U

Best Handheld Gaming PC 2023 - Street Fighter 6 800P Benchmark Comparison
Street Fighter 6 800P Benchmark Comparison

What is the best handheld gaming PC?

Three standout handheld gaming PCs were identified based on their size. The GPD WIN 4 2023 tops the list with its compact nature and impressive performance, but its smaller display can sometimes be a drawback. Next, the GPD Win MAX 2 2023 combines work and play effectively with its 10” display and discreet controller covers, though its weight might hinder comfort during prolonged play. Lastly, the AYA NEO 2S stands out with its exceptional design and comfort. If budget is a concern, the AYA NEO Geek 1S offers a similar experience at a more affordable price.

The AYN Loki Max emerged as the top choice for budget handhelds. While it doesn’t match the performance of its contemporaries at both high and low TDPs, its cost-to-performance ratio is commendable. For those eyeing current generation devices, the AOKZOE A1 Pro offers a good compromise between cost and performance.

The Steam Deck, while being a recognizable name, is more suited for low TDP gaming for extended battery life. Its performance at higher TDPs doesn’t compete well with even the budget AYN Loki handhelds. The ROG Ally, on the other hand, lags behind 7000 series handhelds in performance but can be a cost-effective option. That said, the AYN Loki models offer better value. As for the GPD WIN Mini, despite the initial performance concerns, there’s optimism that the final model will show improvement.

The GPD WIN Mini, a highly anticipated handheld for this year, awaits a detailed review. Early indications hint at the potential for enhanced performance once the final model is out and beta issues are resolved. Similarly, the ONEXFLY, which showcased decent benchmark results, is slated for an in-depth review soon. Preliminary gaming sessions hint at a promising gaming experience, suggesting it might become a top pick for many.

There is one final feature that we have not mentioned which is Oculink compatibility. The GPD range of handheld gaming PCs excel here with support for high speed data transfer which is perfect for external GPU’s. This will give you far faster performance for higher graphics levels and/or display resolutions. If you have a compatible GPD then the GPD G1 docking station is a must have!

What should you consider when buying a handheld gaming PC?

If you do not have any handheld and are looking to buy your first one then I would recommend one of the 7840U based handheld gaming PC’s. All of the devices perform essentially the same and it really does come down to preference. As to which one you should buy, I believe that is your choice as most have their own stand out features, software and designs of which some may appeal more to your requirements. 

Best Handheld Gaming PC Viewers Poll
Best Handheld Gaming PC Viewers Poll

We recently ran a poll on our YouTube community asking what our viewers’ main factors were when deciding on a Windows handheld gaming PC. The results are quite interesting! Naturally, performance takes the top position with many of the comments suggesting the best performance possible. Many people wanted their handhelds compact, pocketable if possible, with the GPD WIN 4 2023 being a popular choice. But there were also some that desired a more fully featured handheld with a keyboard for example, and preferred the GPD WIN MAX 2 2023.

Where to buy a handheld gaming PC?

You can find out more about all of the handheld gaming PC’s here. DroiXsell a wide variety of to ensure we cover all requirements and tastes,. So whether you desire a pocketable handheld gaming PC or a big screen display gaming handheld, we have you covered!

If you have any recommendations or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below! We’d love to hear from you!

Bringer of videos, text and images! AKA the social media guy at DroiX. Massive retro gaming fan and collector, with a far too large collection of consoles and computers from 1970's to modern.