The Steam Deck was the king of gaming handhelds when it arrived. But with more competition (and a higher price), is it still worth the cost?
We’re still deep in the trenches of RAMageddon, the memory shortage caused by AI companies using massive amounts of it in data centers, and virtually no sector of the tech world has been spared. This is especially true for the video game industry, where console prices have increased in recent months (compared to a historic decline over time). The Steam Deck saw its price increase by $300, and with a new generation of portable competitors on the market, it’s easy to wonder if the high price tag is still worth it in 2026.
The gaming landscape has changed a lot since the Steam Deck was first released in February 2022. Unreal Engine 5 was released a few months later, significantly expanding the tools available to developers to create increasingly complex game graphics and, therefore, how demanding they are on a machine. Even the Steam Deck OLED – now the only model available – didn’t see any real performance improvements when it released in 2023, with changes instead focusing on the screen and battery life.
However, the Steam Deck still has features that make it stand out from its competitors in 2026.
The main competitors of the Steam Deck
Arguably the Steam Deck’s biggest competitors in 2026 are the Asus ROG Xbox Ally (and Ally All achieved a higher 3DMark Time Spy raw score – a common benchmark test for GPUs and CPUs – except for the Legion Go S and Legion Go models which feature the less powerful AMD Z2 chip. However, it should be noted that sometimes these differences with the Steam Deck can be very minimal depending on the game (even down to a few frames).
The two competitors have some differences between them. The Xbox Ally or Ally X are obvious choices for gamers who favor Xbox titles (although not all titles support Xbox Play Anywhere). However, the Xbox Ally is held back somewhat by its frequently criticized Windows operating system, which Legion Go has worked around by introducing models that run SteamOS. The Legion Go line (without the S models) also stands out for its detachable Joy-Con-style controllers, making it a particularly attractive option for those interested in connected gaming.
While not for everyone due to its limited title pool, the Nintendo Switch 2 is another viable alternative. “The prices are ridiculous,” says Jessica Conditt, who wrote our review of the Steam Deck OLED. “I feel like the Switch 2 is the only handheld that makes sense for its price right now, honestly.”
Even with its own price increase – going from $450 to $500 in September 2026 – it still beats the prices of the Xbox Ally and Legion Go product lines. There are a few other notable differences: The Switch 2 is the only handheld in this discussion that can support Nvidia’s DLSS rendering technology, and the only one, aside from the Steam Deck, to support HDR.
Is the Steam Deck still worth it?
One of the main considerations when purchasing a Steam Deck is the type of games you want to play. “If you only want to play Steam games and aren’t too concerned about cutting-edge graphics,” Conditt says, “Steam Deck is still a great little machine, even with the price increase.” For those who tend to play less intensive titles and are content with what the library has to offer, this is a good option. Keep in mind, however, that SteamOS cannot run games like Fortnite or CoD: Warzone that use some forms of anti-cheat software.
Another point of deliberation is battery life. Although the Xbox Ally and Legion Go lines (S and 2) offer larger batteries than the Steam Deck OLED, in real-world applications, Valve’s handheld often comes out on top. As soon as the Xbox Ally or Legion Go stop running at low power settings and use their full potential, they tend to die faster. If you’re someone who wants to use their handheld for hours on end, the Steam Deck gives you the best chance at a portable console that lasts. You may also find the Steam Deck more comfortable for long gaming sessions: besides the Switch 2, it’s the lightest of the bunch.
In terms of price, the Switch 2 is by far the cheapest option. The standard Xbox Ally is the most affordable choice with access to a PC library, but with the compromise of the Windows-based operating system. From there, the Steam Deck OLED is cheaper than the Xbox Ally If price is your main deciding factor, Lenovo’s lineup is effectively ruled out. From there, it all depends on whether you prefer Nintendo, Windows, or Steam OS, and how much you’re willing to pay for it.
