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The bestSteamDeck alternatives are worth considering if you’re on the fence about picking up Valve’s PC handheld.

I love my Steam DeckOLED, but there’s no getting around the fact that it’s not perfect.

A banner image showing some of the best Steam Deck alternatives.

This handheld console is not only much cheaper than a Steam Deck but far more portable too.

This remote play gadget lets you play your favorite PS5 games on the go.

The best Steam Deck alternative overall

1.

The Lenovo Legion Go

Its bulky design can make it difficult to transport.

Our review labeled theLenovoLegion Go a true Steam Deck rival - and for good reason.

The only real issues with the Lenovo Legion Go are also some of those shared by the Steam Deck.

Turquoise Nintendo Switch Lite console

The best budget Steam Deck alternative

2.

You want top performance:In this case, you really get the performance that you pay for.

These titles not only look amazing but run fantastically and are available exclusively on the platform.

A black PC handheld

Just bear in mind that they often wont run as well compared to the Steam Deck.

This system is seriously compact and I never have any trouble sticking it in my small bag.

It can even fit in your pocket.

Logitech G Cloud on a white background

It also offers significantly better battery life than the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED.

I often manage to play for five or six hours without needing to top up.

The best premium Steam Deck alternative

3.

Backbone One

Its very pricey, but your money is reflected by its specs.

More lightweight indies likeHades 2andBalatroare absolutely flawless.

That higher price tag also nets you a significantly improved battery life.

Retailer picture of the PlayStation Portal handheld gaming device on a white background

The best Steam Deck alternative for streaming

4.

Logitech G Cloud

You want a streaming machine:The Logitech G Cloud excels as a general streaming handheld.

It’s lightweight, slim, comfortable to use, and offers fantastic battery life.

The Lenovo Legion Go sat on a plain wooden table.

You prefer native gaming:Of course, any streaming handheld requires a good internet connection to use.

I found that its incredibly thin and light too, weighing just 16.3oz / 463g with a 1.3-inch thickness.

In terms of software, the Logitech G Cloud is powered by Android.

The Nintendo Switch Lite being played while sat at a sofa.

Our testing showed that it performed poorly in more intensive titles likeCall of Duty MobileandGenshin Impact.

Expect to get around 12 hours of play out of this handheld on a single charge while streaming.

The best mobile Steam Deck alternative

5.

The Asus ROG Ally X in hand.

The best Steam Deck alternative for PS5 owners

6.

This remote play unit performance wonderfully when it comes to streaming your library of PS5 games.

The PlayStation Portal is a good Steam Deck alternative, provided that you already own a PlayStation 5.

The Logitech G Cloud being used at Logi Play 2024.

Should I get a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch?

Firstly, your choice of games and existing library matters a lot.

That said, exclusive titles likeSuper Mario Odysseyare a great reason to pick up the Nintendo Switch.

The Backbone One 2nd Gen and Backbone One 2nd Gen PlayStation Edition on a bright blue desk mat.

If raw power is your main concern, the Steam Deck is the clear winner.

Still, the Nintendo Switch wins out when it comes to battery life and portability.

When testing a Steam Deck alternative, we are careful to consider a wide range of factors.

Image of the PlayStation Portal handheld gaming device

This includes its features, performance, specs, and of course its price.

Read more about how we test

Lenovo Legion Go

Nintendo Switch Lite - Blue

ASUS - ROG Ally X 7" 120Hz…

Best Buy

BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming…