“You get what you pay for” is a saying thrown around a lot. Paying less means lower specs or lower quality, right? Well, Best Buy didn’t get the memo, because right now the ASUS ROG Ally with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor costs less than the same gaming handheld with a Ryzen Z1 (non-extreme) processor. A $200 discount drops the ROG Ally with a Z1 Extreme to $449.99.
What is the best gaming handheld?
Picking the best gaming handheld is a bit tricky since there are many solid choices in 2025. Depending on the operating system you prefer, how big your hands are, and your budget, the best gaming handheld will vary. But the ASUS ROG Ally is safely in the discussion of the best way to game on the go.
The ROG Ally runs Windows 11, giving you access to the massive library of titles available on the platform. Steam, Epic Games, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox app all work on the ROG Ally, which lets you shop for discounts or use your launcher of choice. With the best PC games at your fingertips, you can enjoy 1080p gaming on the go. The ROG Ally has a 120Hz display and generally aims for 60 FPS performance.
VRR support and a powerful processor help the ROG Ally to deliver smooth gameplay despite the relative compactness of the device.
While the ROG Ally is thought of as a device for local gameplay, you can also use the gaming handheld for Xbox Cloud Gaming.
👉Related: First things you should do with your ASUS ROG Ally
Windows 11 is not optimized for gaming handhelds and smaller screens the way that Steam OS is, but at the expense of that optimization, you have the comfort of knowing your PC games are compatible. There are some things you can do to customize Windows 11 to work better on a smaller screen as well.
If you’re not sure the ASUS ROG Ally is right for you, the gaming handheld has an impressive sibling. The ASUS ROG Ally X is better than the original thanks to better battery life, improved ergonomics, and updated buttons and joysticks. But the ROG Ally X is also more expensive, starting at $799.99.
