After the 2026 price hike, the Steam Deck OLED runs €779–€919. We compare the best alternatives — Switch 2, ROG Xbox Ally, Legion Go 2, and a used Deck — by budget and use case.
With the May 2026 price increase, a new Steam Deck OLED now costs €779 ($789) for 512 GB and €919 ($949) for 1 TB — nearly 50% more than at launch. Suddenly the price gap that made the Deck the obvious value pick has narrowed a lot. If you're looking at paying full price anyway, it's worth asking: is the Steam Deck still the right call in 2026, or is there a better alternative for you?
The short answer: it depends on what you care about. This guide sorts the main Steam Deck alternatives by use case — from the cheapest way in to the most powerful handheld you can buy.
Quick comparison
MSRP as of late May 2026. Street and used prices vary — check live prices on the tracker.
If you want to save money: a used Steam Deck (LCD)
Before writing off the Deck entirely: the cheapest way into the Steam Deck ecosystem isn't a new unit at all — it's a used LCD model. The LCD versions were discontinued in late 2025, but they're plentiful on the used market and undercut anything new by a wide margin. For indies, emulation, and older AAA titles, the performance is still perfectly capable.
So if the new price is what's putting you off, the real alternative is often the same device — just pre-owned. Check the current Steam Deck deals to see used and refurbished units as they're listed. Our new vs. used vs. refurbished guide breaks down how to buy one safely.
If you want Nintendo games: Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the best-selling console in the world, and for many people the most natural alternative. It plays in a completely different category from the Deck: no Windows or SteamOS complexity, but access to Nintendo's exclusives (Mario, Zelda, Pokémon) that you can't get anywhere else.
The catch is that Nintendo is raising prices too. From September 1, 2026, the Switch 2 rises to €499 in Europe (and from $449.99 to $499.99 in the US). If you want one at the current price, the window closes then — after which used units become even more worth a look.
The Switch 2 isn't a PC-handheld alternative in the strict sense — you won't run your Steam library on it. But as a pure gaming device with first-class exclusives and dead-simple operation, it's the better pick for a lot of buyers.
If you want Windows & Game Pass: ROG Xbox Ally / Ally X
Microsoft and Asus launched the ROG Xbox Ally line on October 16, 2025 — Windows 11 handhelds with a handheld-optimized full-screen Xbox interface layered on top.
ROG Xbox Ally (€599 / $599.99): the cheaper model, aimed at newcomers and casual players. At €599 it's the most affordable way into a true Windows handheld — and undercuts the new Steam Deck OLED.
ROG Xbox Ally X (€899 / $999.99): the performance model, with an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 24 GB RAM, and a 1 TB SSD. Both have a 7" FHD IPS display at up to 120 Hz.
The big advantage over the Deck is full Windows: you install Steam, Epic, Game Pass, and anything else with no workarounds. The trade-off is that Windows 11 runs less smoothly on handhelds than SteamOS, and battery life is usually shorter. Tip: open-box and used Ally X units have been showing up well below MSRP lately — watch for them on the tracker.
If you want the best display & high-end power: Lenovo Legion Go 2
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is the premium option. The headline is its 8.8" 1920×1200 OLED display at 144 Hz — the best screen on any handheld right now — paired with up to 32 GB of DDR5X RAM, a 74 Wh battery, and the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme.
The Windows version starts at $1,099 (the Z2 Extreme config from $1,349). Since CES 2026 there's also a SteamOS version from $1,199, available from June 2026, with a dedicated Steam button and the detachable controllers.
There's no getting around it: this is an expensive machine, well above the Steam Deck. It's aimed at enthusiasts who want the best display and maximum performance and are willing to pay for it. For most people it's overkill — but if you want the absolute best, this is where to look.
Also worth considering: MSI Claw A8
The MSI Claw A8 is another Z2 Extreme performance alternative (it launched in the UK from around £850). It sits in the same high-end Windows tier as the Ally X and Legion Go 2 and is worth a look if you're comparing models — availability varies by region.
Which should you pick?
Smallest budget? A used Steam Deck LCD — same ecosystem, a fraction of the price.
Nintendo fan / simple gaming? Switch 2 (grab one before September 1 at the current price).
Cheapest new Windows handheld? ROG Xbox Ally at €599.
Best all-rounder? The Steam Deck OLED is still strong even after the hike — especially refurbished or used.
More power & Game Pass? ROG Xbox Ally X.
The absolute best? Lenovo Legion Go 2.
Most of these devices — and the best prices on them — turn up on the used market, especially now that new prices are climbing across the board. Set the DeckScan tracker to watch the device you want and keep an eye on the live deals feed so you can move the moment a good one appears. New to hunting for a good price? Our tracker guide shows how to grab the right unit faster.
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