When the Steam Deck launched in 2022, it changed the landscape of handheld gaming. It wasn’t just a portable PC—it was a statement that handheld gaming could be more than just the Nintendo Switch. But now, in 2025, with new competitors on the scene (and the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon), is the Steam Deck still worth it? Let’s break it down.
The State of the Steam Deck in 2025
Valve’s Steam Deck has aged surprisingly well, thanks to constant software updates and strong community support. Despite newer handhelds like the ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Ayaneo 2 bringing more power to the table, the Steam Deck remains a solid option for many gamers.
Here’s why:
- Consistent Software Updates – Valve has continuously improved SteamOS, adding better performance, compatibility, and quality-of-life improvements.
- Growing Game Compatibility – More games now run better thanks to Proton and official support from developers.
- Price Advantage – The Steam Deck still offers the best price-to-performance ratio compared to its competitors.
- Customization & Modding – Whether it’s custom skins, third-party accessories, or upgraded DeckButtons, the Steam Deck community keeps pushing customization to the next level. Valve's overall stance on modding was a huge draw for me to dedicate so much time to this button project.
How Does It Compare to New Handhelds?
Steam Deck vs. ROG Ally & Lenovo Legion Go
The ROG Ally and Legion Go offer better specs with AMD Ryzen Z1 chips, high-refresh-rate screens, and native Windows support. While they outperform the Steam Deck in raw power, they also come with higher price tags and Windows-based headaches—driver issues, updates, and compatibility quirks that SteamOS largely avoids. Windows in a handheld is about what you'd expect... Clunky at times, and lots of tweaking to get things the way you want them.
One thing to note is that you can still run windows on the deck, it's just not the best experience. I threw a windows partition on one of my decks to play cod and destiny.
Steam Deck vs. Nintendo Switch 2
The biggest challenger to the Steam Deck in 2025 might not even be another PC handheld—it’s Nintendo’s rumored Switch 2. Expected to launch this year, it’ll likely bring:
✅ Better hardware (likely an NVIDIA-powered chip)
✅ Exclusive first-party Nintendo games
✅ Improved third-party support
But the Steam Deck and Switch 2 will still target different audiences. If you want Nintendo’s exclusives (Zelda, Mario, etc.), the Switch 2 will be hard to ignore. But if you want a fully open, customizable gaming experience with access to your entire PC library, the Steam Deck remains unmatched.
Who Should Still Buy a Steam Deck in 2025?
✅ Best for:
✔ PC gamers who want a portable option
✔ People looking for the best value in a gaming handheld
✔ Gamers who love tweaking and modding their devices (aka me lol)
❌ Skip if:
✖ You prefer plug-and-play simplicity and don’t want to deal with Linux or Windows setups. While the day to day Steam Deck experience is pretty painless, there are some times where you may need to tweak something here and there. It's gotten a lot better over the last couple of years so those are few and far between.
✖ You only care about Nintendo games
✖ You need cutting-edge performance and are willing to spend more on newer handhelds
Final Verdict: Is It Still Worth It?
Yes! Despite newer competition, the Steam Deck still offers one of the best gaming handheld experiences in 2025—especially for its price. Valve’s ongoing support, the vast Steam library, and its unmatched customization make it a fantastic buy.
However, if you’re waiting for a Steam Deck 2, While Valve has hinted at a successor, they've also mentioned it's not coming any time soon. It's still a great time to be a Steam Deck owner.
Would you still buy a Steam Deck in 2025? Let us know in the comments!