Handheld game consoles · Ranked #3 of 8

Valve Steam Deck OLED

85
Highly rated
Average of 5 professional reviews
5 of 5 recommend it · critics agree
Where the 5 reviews landedRange 80–90
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

Exact average 85.0 · 3 printed, 2 estimated · printed scores only: 83

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5 professional reviewers tested the Valve Steam Deck OLED, and 5 recommend it. Most common complaint: software and app.

Reviewed by Trusted Reviews, TechRadar, The Verge and 2 more

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What 5 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 90
    Trusted ReviewsHands-on review · 2024

    Cements Valve's handheld as the king of portable PCs with a great screen and better battery, though performance is unchanged and original owners needn't upgrade.

    Read Trusted Reviews review
  2. 80
    TechRadarHands-on review · 2024

    A decent upgrade after months of testing, though the reviewer wanted more, notably better performance than rivals like the ROG Ally offer.

    Read TechRadar review
  3. 80
    The VergeHands-on review · 2023

    A much better screen and many refinements make this what the original should have been, at a reasonable price, despite not being faster.

    Read The Verge review
  4. 90est.
    Retro Game CorpsNo printed score · Video review · 2023

    The Steam Deck OLED is a significant upgrade over the original model, offering a superior display, improved battery life, and quieter operation.

    Read Retro Game Corps review
  5. 85est.
    Gamers NexusNo printed score · Video review · 2023

    The Steam Deck OLED is a significant improvement over the original model, featuring a better screen, longer battery life, and improved thermals.

    Read Gamers Nexus review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

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From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.

What critics praise most

No clear pattern.

What critics dislike most

Software and app2 of 5

Other handheld game consoles critics rate highly

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Top pick, narrowlyNintendo Switch 28 reviews · critics agree85
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Asus ROG Xbox Ally XImage: Asus
Best premium Windows handheldAsus ROG Xbox Ally X9 reviews · broad agreement82
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Common questions

Is the Valve Steam Deck OLED worth it?

Most critics think so: 5 of 5 recommend it.

Do critics agree about the Valve Steam Deck OLED?

Critics agree: scores range from 80 (TechRadar) to 90 (Trusted Reviews), a spread of 10 points across 5 reviews. Reviewers broadly agree.

What do critics dislike about the Valve Steam Deck OLED?

Software and app (2 of 5 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the Valve Steam Deck OLED?

The Nintendo Switch 2 (critic score 85), top pick, narrowly.