3 Best Gaming Handheld Options for Steam Deck (Not $789)

On May 27, Valve announced a major price increase for Steam Deck. Moving on, the The 512GB OLED Steam Deck costs $789; Meanwhile, the The 1TB version 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 it still has a place in the grand scheme of things, the PC handheld market has become very competitive in recent years, offering customers few options. Due to the store's name recognition and competitive pricing, the Steam Deck generally led the line in both critical and commercial success, even if its sales numbers were low compared to lesser console handhelds. Is Steam Deck Still Worth the Money? That's only you can answer, but other options should definitely be considered at this point.

Place the consoles in the correct order.

easy (5)medium (7)hard (10)

get started

Place the consoles in the correct order.

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

The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is a PC handheld with the best value for money

Asus Store Price: $499.99

Since its 2023 debut, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 has been Steam Deck's main competitor, mainly due to having similar specs and a comparable price point. Before May 27, Valve's handheld was 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, especially when you take into account that, technically, it's a more powerful device.

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

Full disclosureMy handheld of choice is the Z1 Extreme, though I bought it primarily as a portable PC that I can use when visiting family. As a temporary low-to-mid-level Windows PC, this ROG companion performs like a charm, adequate as both a workstation and a plug-in gaming computer that primarily runs older titles. As a handheld, its capabilities are pretty impressive, though Windows 11 is not fun to use in this form.

ROG Xbox Companion now looks cheaper thanks to Steam Deck

16GB 512GB base model: $599.99

ROG Xbox Companion is essentially ROG Companion with Xbox branding and a launch interface. Players can jump into Game Pass and bypass Windows 11, leaving the illusion of a handheld console (but not this one). Despite featuring essentially the same screen as the Z1 Extreme, this version's Xbox-style controllers offer improved ergonomics, one of the areas where the standard ROG Companion struggles. This model features a very good battery that should last a long time, arguably making it more legitimate. handheld Device than Z1 Extreme.

In terms of performance, with a good battery, USB-C ports, and a 1080p screen, the Xbox Companion can be seen as the Steam Deck's equivalent. As a result, being too expensive originally, the Asus and Microsoft collaboration couldn't really compete with Valve's product, causing it to be seen almost as a console handheld rather than a PC option. However, now that the 512GB model of the Xbox Companion is actually cheaper than the cheaper version of the Steam Deck, things have really changed.

Even after its price increase, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be much cheaper than the Steam Deck

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

Well, that's a bit of a cheat, because the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam deck occupy different spaces. In reality, most people interested in one device may be looking for something the other cannot offer. However, for those few people who just want a handheld device that can keep them entertained while on the go, the Switch 2 is the best option on the table. Unlike Valve with the Steam Deck, Nintendo announced the price increase months in advance, giving interested customers the opportunity to pick one up in the meantime. Even so, the Switch 2 price increase amounted to “only” $50, much less than the Steam deck's increase.

You need to know what you're getting from the Switch 2: great features, some third-party support, and a large backwards-compatible library. It can also be a great indie gaming tool, although its selection can't compare to Steam. Like games Donkey Kong Banana and upcoming Splatoon Raiders The systems are sellers, but you don't have 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 offers huge discounts, especially for older Switch games. You don't have to spend a lot to play a lot.