Handheld Gaming PC: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide

Stuck in load-shedding? Long commute from Centurion to Sandton? Imagine crushing Baldur's Gate 3 or dominating in Apex Legends... anywhere. The dream of a true portable gaming rig is finally here. But with so many options, choosing the right handheld gaming PC can be daunting. This guide cuts through the noise, helping you find the perfect device for your gaming life in South Africa. Let's dive in. 🚀

Xbox Special Edition Series Controller - Pulse Cipher / Red transparent top case / Rubberised red grips / Metallic red triggers and D-pad / Bluetooth® technology / QAU-00165

R1899.00In Stock

MARVO GT-84 Wireless Gaming Controller - Strong compatibility: PS4/PS3/Windows/IOS/Android - 6 hour battery life - Double Triggers And Analog Mumpers - 6-axis sensor and dual vibration feedback for an immersive gaming experience - Ergonomically designed for comfort with sweat-proof and anti-slip materials / GT-84

R399.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Mobile Gaming Controller - Phantom White / Full-sized Controller Form Factor / Full-sized TMR Thumbsticks / Unparalleled Case Compatibility / RZ06-03550200-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / QAT-00009

R1599.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition XBOX/PC, 6 Remappable Buttons to Outplay Them All, 1000Hz Polling Rate for Competitive Play on PC, Wired Esports Controller - Black / RZ06-05210100-R3M1

R2599.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Pro Gaming Controller / Supports Android, iPhone & iPad Mini / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 8” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05460100-R3M1

R4199.00In Stock

Why a Handheld Gaming PC is a Must-Have

Forget being chained to your desk. A handheld gaming PC offers the ultimate freedom, combining the power and versatility of a PC with the portability of a console like the Nintendo Switch. You get access to your entire Steam, Epic Games, and PC Game Pass libraries in a device that fits in your backpack. It’s your full-fat gaming experience, made for life on the move, whether you’re chilling at a coffee shop or waiting for the power to come back on.

Key Features in Your Handheld Gaming PC

Navigating the specs can feel like a chore, but focusing on a few key areas will make your choice much easier. The perfect handheld gaming PC for you depends entirely on what, where, and how you play.

Performance: The APU at its Heart

The magic inside most modern handheld PCs is the APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), which combines the CPU and GPU onto a single chip. Look for models with powerful, efficient APUs like AMD's Ryzen Z1 Extreme. This chip determines how well your device runs demanding AAA titles versus lighter indie games. More power means smoother frame rates, but often at the cost of battery life.

Display: More Than Just Pixels

While a 1080p resolution on a 7-inch screen looks incredibly sharp, also consider the refresh rate. A 120Hz screen provides a much smoother visual experience, especially in fast-paced shooters. The trade-off? Higher refresh rates consume more power. Also, check for brightness levels (measured in nits) to ensure you can play comfortably outdoors. ✨

Storage: Speed and Space are Crucial

Game install sizes are massive these days. A 512GB internal drive is a good starting point, but you'll fill it up fast. A fast NVMe SSD is non-negotiable for quick loading times. Luckily, many handhelds have a microSD card slot for easy expansion, or you can often upgrade the internal drive yourself. If you're looking to upgrade, check out these great SSD deals to see how affordable more space can be.

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - Black / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 20 hours (w/o vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Windows 10 & later, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0180-EC4

R799.00In Stock

MARVO Monka Contra PS4 Wireless Game Controller / Strong compatibility: PS4/PS3/Windows/IOS13/Android / 6 hour battery life / 6-axis sensor with 3D-Sensor and G-Sensor / Dual vibration feedback for an immersive gaming experience / Ergonomically designed for comfort with sweat-proof and anti-slip materials / GT-96

R349.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC Wireless Controller / Hyper Polling Technology / Swappable Thumbstick Caps / 4 Back Paddles / RZ06-05540100-R3M1

R4699.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Shock Blue / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10, Android And iOS / QAU-00010

R1599.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - White / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512GB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support (DisplayPort™ / Power Delivery) / 1 x MicroSD Card Reader / 1 x Audio combo jack / Finger Print Sensor / 802.11 ax WiFi 6 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.2 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2-Speaker System with Smart Amplifier Technology / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 60Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00G1-M000L0

R12999.00In Stock

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - White / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 20 hours (w/o vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Windows 10 & later, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0240-EC4

R599.00In Stock

Ergonomics and Battery Life

How a handheld gaming PC feels in your hands after an hour is critical. Comfortable grips, responsive buttons, and quality joysticks (look for Hall Effect sticks to avoid drift) make all the difference. As for battery, be realistic. Expect 1.5-2 hours for demanding AAA games and up to 5-6 hours for simpler titles. A high-capacity power bank is one of those essential tech items for any serious portable gamer.

Complete Your Portable Setup

Razer Kishi V3 Gaming Controller / Supports Android and iPhone / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Dual mouse-click back buttons / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-03550100-R3M1

R2999.00In Stock

MARVO GT-84 Wireless Gaming Controller - Strong compatibility: PS4/PS3/Windows/IOS/Android - 6 hour battery life - Double Triggers And Analog Mumpers - 6-axis sensor and dual vibration feedback for an immersive gaming experience - Ergonomically designed for comfort with sweat-proof and anti-slip materials / GT-84

R399.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Shock Blue / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10, Android And iOS / QAU-00010

R1599.00In Stock

Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142

R849.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - White / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512GB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support (DisplayPort™ / Power Delivery) / 1 x MicroSD Card Reader / 1 x Audio combo jack / Finger Print Sensor / 802.11 ax WiFi 6 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.2 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2-Speaker System with Smart Amplifier Technology / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 60Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00G1-M000L0

R12999.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller for PlayStation 5 / PS5, PC: Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons - 8-Way Microswitch D-Pad - HyperTrigger - 6 Remappable Buttons - Chroma RGB   - White- RZ06-04710200-R3G1

R5999.00In Stock

Your handheld gaming PC is the main event, but the right accessories elevate the experience from good to incredible.

For starters, the built-in speakers are usually just okay. To truly immerse yourself and hear every critical footstep, you’ll want a proper headset. We've got some incredible gaming headset deals that are perfect for portable play. Furthermore, think about protection and convenience. From a sturdy carrying case to a portable keyboard for those Discord chats, the right extras complete your on-the-go rig. Explore our full range of gaming accessories deals to find exactly what you need.