Handheld Gaming PC Battery Drain: 10 Fixes to Play Longer

You’ve just settled in for a loadshedding session, ready to smash some Helldivers 2 on your Steam Deck, when the dreaded low battery warning flashes. Sound familiar? That frustrating handheld gaming PC battery drain is a common headache for players across South Africa. But don't stress... with a few smart tweaks, you can reclaim your playtime and keep the game going when the power goes out.

Here are 10 practical fixes to stop your handheld gaming PC's battery drain and play longer.

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

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

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

Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL iPad & Android Tablet Gaming Controller / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 10” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05470100-R3M1

R5199.00In Stock

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller with Bluetooth for Cloud Gaming on Android Mobile Devices with Compact Shape, Console Style Controls, Low Latency Bluetooth - Red / TBS-0766-05

R2499.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller: Licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC - 6 Remappable Buttons - Fast Triggers - Customizable Thumbsticks - Wired Tournament Mode - Black / RZ06-05200100-R3M1

R4999.00In Stock

Quick Software Tweaks to Reduce Battery Drain

Before you even think about hardware, some of the biggest battery wins are just a few taps away. Optimising your device's software is the first step to tackling premature battery drain.

1. Dim Your Screen & Lower the Refresh Rate

Your beautiful, bright screen is the single biggest power hog. Lowering the brightness to a comfortable level (around 50-60%) can instantly add precious minutes, even hours, to your session. If your device supports it, dropping the refresh rate from 90/120Hz down to 60Hz for less demanding games also dramatically reduces power consumption.

2. Optimise In-Game Graphics Settings

Pushing Ultra settings on a small screen is often overkill and a major cause of handheld gaming PC battery drain. Try lowering settings like shadows, textures, and anti-aliasing from Ultra to High or Medium. The visual difference is often minimal on a 7-inch display, but the impact on battery life is huge.

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

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

Steelseries Nimbus+ Gamepad / Apple Gaming Controller / 50 hour Battery Life / Dedicated Navigation Buttons / Built-in Rechargeable Battery / Designed specifically for Apple Gaming / 69089

R1799.00In Stock

Mad Catz C.A.T. 7 Gamepad - 2 Profiles + 2 Macro Settings - Detachable Micro-USB Connection - OLED Display for Configuration - 6 Programmable Tactile Buttons - Multi-Format Compatibility, ideal for PC and console gaming / GCPCCAINBL000-0-SN

R899.00In 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

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

3. Turn Off Unused Connectivity 📡

Are you playing a single-player offline game? Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These radios are constantly searching for signals, sipping away at your battery. Disabling them can give you a surprising boost. This does mean you'll need to swap your wireless cans for a quality wired gaming headset, but the extra playtime is often worth it.

4. Shut Down Background Processes

Just like a desktop PC, handhelds like the ROG Ally run background apps. Launchers, chat apps, and system updates can all be running behind your game, consuming CPU cycles and power. Before you launch a game, make sure to close any unnecessary applications to focus all your device's power on what matters.

Advanced Fixes for Handheld PC Battery Life

Ready to go a bit deeper? These next steps require a little more effort but offer significant rewards in extending your gaming sessions and fixing that annoying battery drain.

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

R849.00In Stock

FORCE PRO W Wireless Gaming Controller / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 48 hours (w/o lighting & vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X|S, Windows 10/11, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0260-C54

R2199.00In 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

PowerA Advantage Wired Xbox Controller - Sonic Style / 3-Way Trigger Locks / Officially Licensed for Xbox Series X|S / XBGP0229-01

R699.00In Stock

Steelseries Nimbus+ Gamepad / Apple Gaming Controller / 50 hour Battery Life / Dedicated Navigation Buttons / Built-in Rechargeable Battery / Designed specifically for Apple Gaming / 69089

R1799.00In 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

5. Use Frame Limiters and V-Sync

There's no point rendering 120 frames per second if your screen can only display 60. Use in-game frame limiters or your device’s built-in tools (like SteamOS’s frame limiter) to cap the FPS at your screen's refresh rate (e.g., 60 FPS). This stops the GPU from working harder than it needs to, saving a ton of power.

6. Keep Your System Updated

Manufacturers are constantly releasing software and firmware updates that include performance optimisations and battery life improvements. Make sure your device’s operating system, graphics drivers, and BIOS are all up to date to benefit from the latest fixes for handheld gaming PC battery drain.

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

R849.00In Stock

MARVO GT-88 WIRELESS GAMING GAMEPAD / Compatible With PC / Analog Mini Sticks With Xbox Positioning / Double Triggers And Analog Mumpers / Rapid Fire With Turbo Mode / Dual Motors For Vibration Feedback / Soft, Sweat-resistant Coating / GT-88

R499.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally X Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 24GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 1x USB 3.2 Type-C / 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / USB Type-C (w/ PD 3.0 Charging) / 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, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00H2-M003E0

R18999.00In 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

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

Steelseries Nimbus+ Gamepad / Apple Gaming Controller / 50 hour Battery Life / Dedicated Navigation Buttons / Built-in Rechargeable Battery / Designed specifically for Apple Gaming / 69089

R1799.00In Stock

7. Keep It Cool ❄️

Heat is the enemy of battery efficiency. When your handheld gets hot, its cooling fans spin faster, drawing more power. Ensure the air vents aren't blocked by your hands or a case. Playing in a cooler environment can make a noticeable difference to both performance and battery longevity.

Hardware Solutions to Play Longer

Sometimes, software tweaks aren't enough. If you need to guarantee longer playtime, especially on the go, it's time to look at some hardware solutions.

8. Invest in a Quality Power Bank

This is the ultimate fix for loadshedding and long trips. A good Power Delivery (PD) power bank with at least a 45W output can charge your handheld while you play. Look for one with a capacity of 20,000mAh or more to get at least one or two full recharges. You can find robust power banks and other tech essentials to keep all your devices topped up.

9. Consider a Storage Upgrade

Did you know your storage can affect battery life? Older or slower SSDs can be less power-efficient than modern NVMe drives. While the gains aren't massive, upgrading to a faster, more efficient SSD can slightly reduce power draw and will drastically improve your loading times. It's a win-win.

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller with Bluetooth for Cloud Gaming on Android Mobile Devices with Compact Shape, Console Style Controls, Low Latency Bluetooth - Red / TBS-0766-05

R2499.00In 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

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

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

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

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition 8K PC Wired Controller / Hyper Polling Technology / Swappable Thumbstick Caps / 4 Back Paddles / RZ06-05550100-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

10. Get the Right Accessories

The right gear can make portable gaming more comfortable and efficient. A portable stand can improve airflow, while a dedicated controller can sometimes be more power-efficient than the built-in controls for long sessions. Browse a range of gaming accessories deals to find peripherals that enhance your handheld experience without killing your battery.

By combining a few of these software and hardware fixes, you can conquer that handheld gaming PC battery drain and spend more time playing, less time charging. Happy gaming!