Steam Deck OLED - Best Overall Handheld Gaming PC
With its stunning screen, comfortable design, and easy-to-use OS, the Steam Deck OLED stands out as the top pick for portable PC gamers.
- +Vibrant 7.4-inch OLED HDR display with 90Hz refresh rate
- +Excellent battery life and efficient SteamOS software
- +Ergonomic design with integrated touchpads for versatile control
- -Limited to Steam library compatibility without workarounds
- -Less powerful than newer Windows-based handheld PCs
- -Fan noise can become noticeable under heavy load
The Steam Deck OLED represents a significant refinement of Valve's pioneering handheld gaming PC. It replaces the original LCD screen with a stunning 7.4-inch OLED HDR display, offering deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and a smoother 90Hz refresh rate. This visual upgrade is paired with a slightly larger battery, Wi-Fi 6E support, and a more efficient 6nm version of the custom AMD APU, resulting in marginally better performance and thermals. The device runs SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system meticulously designed for controller navigation, providing a console-like experience for accessing and playing a vast library of Steam games.
Over 10,000 titles are verified or playable, ensuring broad compatibility. The ergonomic design, complete with dual touchpads, haptic feedback, and gyro controls, makes it comfortable for long sessions and adaptable to various game genres, from first-person shooters to complex strategy titles. While its raw performance is surpassed by newer Windows handhelds, the Steam Deck OLED excels in delivering a cohesive, user-friendly, and high-value package. Its balance of price, performance, and polish secures its position as the benchmark for the category, ideal for gamers deeply invested in the Steam ecosystem who prioritize a seamless portable experience over absolute peak power.