Asus ROG Xbox Ally X
Exact average 81.8 · 8 printed, 1 estimated · printed scores only: 81
Image: Asus9 professional reviewers tested the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, and 6 recommend it. Most praised: speed and ports and connectivity. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by Trusted Reviews, Windows Central, CNET and 6 more
The catch: It is very expensive, and battery life is short in demanding games.
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What 9 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 90Trusted Reviews
Calls it the definitive Windows handheld right now, thanks to fast hardware, a good 120Hz screen, comfortable ergonomics and a console-like Xbox interface.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 90Windows Central
Sets the bar for handheld PCs on comfort and performance, though the Xbox software is clearly early-adopter quality.
Read Windows Central review - 81CNET
A flexible Windows handheld that supports many game stores and performs well on lighter games.
Read CNET review - 80Expert Reviews
The best premium gaming handheld the reviewer has tested, with strong performance, comfort and standout battery life.
Read Expert Reviews review - 80TechRadar
A strong handheld for indie and older games, but the Xbox full-screen experience is just an app on top of Windows 11, so the console feel falls short.
Read TechRadar review - 80Tom's Hardware
A well-built PC handheld with a bright screen, good front-facing speakers and sensible thermals, plus an upgradable SSD.
Read Tom's Hardware review - 80Tom's Guide
The best PC gaming handheld the reviewer has used, with strong performance, big battery and a slick Xbox interface.
Read Tom's Guide review - 70WIRED
Reviews both handhelds together and finds them comfortable and versatile.
Read WIRED review - 85est.Retro Game Corps
The ROG Xbox Ally X20 is a solid handheld that offers meaningful improvements over its predecessor, particularly with its larger OLED screen and refined controls.
Read Retro Game Corps 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
Watch a video review
- Retro Game Corps on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 85
From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other handheld game consoles critics rate highly
Common questions
Is the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X worth it?
Critics are divided: 6 of 9 recommend it. It is very expensive, and battery life is short in demanding games.
Do critics agree about the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X?
Broad agreement: scores range from 70 (WIRED) to 90 (Trusted Reviews), a spread of 20 points across 9 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X?
Price (7 of 9 reviews), Software and app (5 of 9 reviews), Size and weight (2 of 9 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X?
The Nintendo Switch 2 (critic score 85), top pick, narrowly.