My gaming handheld is my ride or die: Here are all the best Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and more early Black Friday deals I've found
You don't have to wait until Black Friday to save money on awesome gaming handhelds and the best handheld accessories.
I use the ASUS ROG Ally X (and the ROG Ally before it) all the time, and I love this versatile and capable gaming handheld. I can play my favorite Xbox and PC games in bed or — more importantly — while on planes or in hotel rooms when I'm away for work. I believe more people should have a gaming handheld in their life; even if you already do, you can make it even better with some helpful accessories.
That's where I come in. Ahead of Black Friday, I'm tracking down all the best deals on gaming handhelds and their best accessories, including my current favorite sale that gets you the ASUS ROG Ally for just $389.99 at Best Buy with a My Best Buy Plus membership. Remember this page, because I'll be updating it every day with new deals!
Recent updates
Nov. 7, 2024 @ 11:15 a.m. ET — Updated to ensure that all deals are live and that all information is accurate! Replaced the Lenovo Legion deal with a better alternative, removed a finished internal SSD deal, added a new internal SSD deal for a more entry-level option, added a new deal for a wireless controller.
ASUS ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1, 512GB)
Was: $499.99
Now: $389.99 at Best Buy w/ My Best Buy Plus
"I personally like the ROG Ally quite a lot and find myself wanting to play with it every day. It gives me plenty of freedom to get the Ally doing exactly what I want and access any gaming service I want. I love how light and balanced it feels in my hands, and the fact that it's the only modern gaming handheld that doesn't make my hands cramp up is enormous. Plus, it can run my best PC games rather easily."
Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
✅Perfect for: Those who want an affordable, well-balanced gaming handheld with access to a vast library of games (and shops frequently at Best Buy, as you'll need a My Best Buy Plus membership to take advantage of this deal).
❌Avoid if: You want as much gaming power as possible, as this is the entry-level ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1 chipset, not the Z1 Extreme.
Display: 7-inch IPS LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 500nits brightness, multi-touch support. Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 w/ Radeon graphics. Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 RAM. Storage: 512GB M.2 2230 PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD. OS: Windows 11 w/ ASUS Armoury Crate. Weight: 608g (1.34lbs). Included freebies: Crunchyroll Premium (60-days). Warranty: 2-year Standard. Launch date: 2023.
👉See at: BestBuy.com
Return period: 15 days. Price match? Yes (also applies within return period). Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: My Best Buy w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, 60-day return period, & expanded support.
💰Price check: $499 at Amazon
🤩Alternative deal: ASUS ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 512GB) for $649.99 $549.99 at antonline
Lenovo Legion Go (Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 512GB)
Was: $699.99
Now: $595 at Amazon
"Thanks to its large 8.8-inch display, built-in kickstand, and detachable controllers, the Lenovo Legion Go stands out as one of the most versatile Windows gaming handhelds available. The casing is a bit thick and might be hard for some to hold. Additionally, battery life isn't ideal, the setting software is limited, and sometimes gameplay can be choppy. However, the graphics render beautifully, and the combined effect of the gorgeous color gamut and crisp resolution of the display makes for a great visual experience." — Rebecca Spear
✅Perfect for: Those who want the most versatile Windows-powered gaming handheld with detachable controllers, an FPS mouse mode, built-in kickstand, and a massive (and beautiful) display.
❌Avoid if: You want a more compact gaming handheld that's better for travel.
Display: 8.8-inch IPS LCD, 16:10 aspect ratio, QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) resolution, 144Hz refresh rate. Processor: AMD Z1 Extreme w/ Radeon graphics. Memory: 16GB RAM. Storage: 512GB SSD. OS: Windows 11. Weight: 854g (1.88lbs). Included freebies: Crunchyroll Premium (60-days). Warranty: 1-year Limited. Launch date: 2023.
👉See at: Amazon.com
Return period: 30 days (Most items). Price match? No. Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: Amazon Prime w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, music, video, ebook, & audiobook access, & more.
💰Price check: $651.99 at Best Buy w/ My Best Buy Plus
Corsair MP600 CORE Mini Internal SSD (2TB)
Was: $199.99
Now: $139.99 at Amazon
"The Corsair MP600 Core Mini is a good counterpart to the original MP600 Mini, utilizing QLC instead of TLC to reach up to 2TB in the M.2 2230 form factor. Performance is good enough, but less impressive in sustained and PCIe 4.0 modes." — Shane Downing
✅Perfect for: Those who don't need the fastest or most enduring SSD for their gaming handheld, and care most about getting a big storage upgrade for a small price.
❌Avoid if: You're looking for a complete SSD upgrade across the board — the WD_BLACK SN770M is around $60-70 more expensive, but it's the far better overall SSD.
Form factor: M.2 2230 SSD. Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0. Speeds: 5,000MB/s (Read), 3,800MB/s (Write). Compatibility: Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally. Warranty: 5-year Limited. Launch date: 2023.
👉See at: Amazon.com
Return period: 30 days (Most items). Price match? No. Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: Amazon Prime w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, music, video, ebook, & audiobook access, & more.
💰Price check: $139.99 at Walmart
🤩Alternative deal: WD_BLACK SN770M Internal SSD (2TB) for $239.99 $207.55 at Amazon
Samsung Pro Ultimate microSD Card (512GB)
Was: $79.99
Now: $59.99 at Best Buy
Customer reviews: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ @ Best Buy
✅Perfect for: Those who want the absolute best speeds in a microSD card for older or more casual games and large file media storage.
❌Avoid if: You're just planning on using this for storing screenshots and other smaller files, as this is a little overkill.
Standards: microSDXC, UHS-I, Class 10, A2, U3, V30. Speeds: 200MB/s (Read), 130MB/s (Write). Durability: Temperature, water, shock, & x-ray proof. Compatibility: Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go. Warranty: 10-years Limited. Launch date: 2023
👉See at: BestBuy.com
Return period: 15 days. Price match? Yes (also applies within return period). Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: My Best Buy w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, 60-day return period, & expanded support.
💰Price check: $59.99 at Amazon
JSAUX 5-in-1 Steam Deck Docking Station
Was: $39.99
Now: $23.99 at Amazon w/ additional 20% Off Coupon
"In a word, yes, you should definitely pick up the JSAUX Steam Deck dock. For $50, this is an elegant solution to using your Deck either as a desktop PC or just for hooking it up to your TV to play games on the big screen, making it one of the best Steam Deck accessories." — Richard Devine
Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
✅Perfect for: Those who want a basic, reliable docking station for their gaming handheld that supports an external monitor, Ethernet, and best-in-class charging (if you own or purchase a 100W USB Type-C charger).
❌Avoid if: You need more ports or want faster USB ports (for that, see the alternative deal below).
Connector interface: USB Type-C w/ 100W Power Delivery. Display output: 1x display up to 4K @ 60Hz via HDMI 2.0. Ports: 2x USB Type-A 2.0, 1x Ethernet RJ45. Compatibility: Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally/Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw. Weight: 141g. Warranty: 12-month Standard. Launch date: 2023.
👉See at: Amazon.com
Return period: 30 days (Most items). Price match? No. Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: Amazon Prime w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, music, video, ebook, & audiobook access, & more.
💰Price check: $26.99 at JSAUX
🤩Alternative deal: JSAUX 6-in-1 Steam Deck Docking Station for $39.99 $29.99 at Amazon w/ $10 Off Coupon
GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro Wireless Controller
Was: $49.94
Now: $37.45 at Amazon w/ Amazon Prime
"Designed for seamless compatibility with Switch, PC, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, this wireless controller offers pro-level performance without breaking the bank. With its sleek Xbox-inspired layout and Hall-effect sticks, the T4 Cyclone Pro ensures precision and smooth gameplay. GameSir continues to make no compromises on quality with its controllers." — Jennifer Young
✅Perfect for: Those who want a versatile wireless controller with a familiar Xbox layout and both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless options (for when you don't have a spare USB port).
❌Avoid if: You also want a wireless controller that works with Xbox — this controller is designed for Windows PC and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Connectivity: Wireless via 2.4GHz USB Type-A dongle, wireless via Bluetooth, wired via USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable. Compatibility: Windows PC, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, mobile. Features: Microswitch buttons, Hall Effect thumbsticks & triggers, dual rumble motors, 30-hour battery life. Warranty: 12-month standard. Launch date: 2023.
👉See at: Amazon.com
Return period: 30 days (Most items). Price match? No. Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: Amazon Prime w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, music, video, ebook, & audiobook access, & more.
💰Price check: $49.94 at Walmart
dbrand ASUS ROG Ally Killswitch
Was: $64.90
Now: $59.95 at dbrand
"It's a bit costly, but the ROG Ally Killswitch from dBrand definitely improves upon the gaming handheld experience. The rubber casing makes the device less likely to slip from your hands, while also providing a slightly thicker grip for a more comfortable hold. A kickstand with built-in microSD card storage slots is also very nifty. Additionally, being able to protect the screen, joysticks, and buttons with a removable covering makes the ROG Ally easier to travel with without needing a bulky carrying case to do so." — Rebecca Spear
Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅Perfect for: Those who want to maximize the durability and comfort of their ROG Ally, while also adding useful features and optional customization.
❌Avoid if: You would rather use your ROG Ally naked to save on costs, as this is a premium accessory.
Features: Compatible w/ dbrand skins, optional screen protector, travel cover, & joystick caps, built-in kickstand. Warranty: None provided. Launch date: 2024.
👉See at: dbrand.com
Return period: None (unless allowed by dbrand representative). Price match? No. Free shipping: $65 minimum.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months)
Was: $49.99
Now: $28.59 at CDKeys
"For anyone who wants to game while saving money, for others who simply want all-you-can-eat exploration and discovery, and for those who want to take their games on the go, Xbox Game Pass is simply divine." — Jez Corden
✅Perfect for: Those who want to immediately gain access to a massive library of hundreds of great games on their Windows-powered gaming handheld for a low monthly cost.
❌Avoid if: You almost exclusively use Steam or have a Steam Deck, as Game Pass relies on the Microsoft Store and Xbox App on Windows.
Services: Xbox Game Pass for console, PC Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming, EA Play, Xbox online multiplayer. Benefits: Day one Game Pass additions, permanent access to Xbox first-party exclusives, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate perks, discounts on all included games, and DLC.
👉See at: CDKeys.com
Return period: 7 days (for unredeemed codes). Price match? No. Free shipping: Always. Membership: Free account w/ purchase history, exclusive deals, & community features.
💰Price check: $49.99 at Best Buy
HyperX Cloud III Wired Gaming Headset
Was: $99.99
Now: $70.92 at Amazon
"HyperX's next-generation gaming headset is extremely comfortable, made of quality materials, comes with an excellent microphone, and offers a great listening experience. It's the perfect accessory for solo and multiplayer gaming." — Rebecca Spear
Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
✅Perfect for: Those who want an excellent, high-quality gaming headset that plugs directly into their gaming handheld via 3.5mm.
❌Avoid if: You're looking for a wireless gaming headset — for gaming handhelds, something with Bluetooth will likely work best.
Drivers: 53mm angled drivers w/ Neodymium magnets, 10-21,000 Hz frequency response. Microphone: Electret condenser microphone, uni-directional, noise canceling. Features: DTS Headphone:X surround sound, 24-bit audio, on-board audio controls. Connectivity: Wired via USB Type-A, USB Type-C, & 3.5mm audio. Weight: 304g w/o microphone (0.67lbs), 318g w/ microphone (0.7lbs). Warranty: 12-month Limited. Launch date: 2023.
👉See at: Amazon.com
Return period: 30 days (Most items). Price match? No. Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: Amazon Prime w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, music, video, ebook, & audiobook access, & more.
💰Price check: $99.99 at Best Buy
Syntech ASUS ROG Ally Hard Carrying Case
Was: $25.99
Now: $23.99 at Amazon
"Syntech makes a wide variety of tech, accessories, and gear, and its hard carrying case for the ASUS ROG Ally shows the company's experience. This is a well-designed, well-crafted, and very well-priced carrying case that will keep your ROG Ally safe and store everything you need." — Zachary Boddy
Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅Perfect for: Those who want an affordable, protective all-in-one carrying case for their ASUS ROG Ally or ROG Ally X (and it's even compatible with many ROG Ally cases).
❌Avoid if: You want a highly compact travel case just to slip your ROG Ally into a bag.
Materials: Polyester fabric, polyurethane handle, EVA hard shell, velvet lining. Design features: Waterproof zipper, built-in kickstand & screen protection, mesh pocket, hidden storage. Dimensions: 306.1 x 146.1 x 88.9mm (12.05 x 5.75 x 3.5in). Warranty: 3-month Standard. Launch date: 2023.
👉See at: Amazon.com
Return period: 30 days (Most items). Price match? No. Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: Amazon Prime w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, music, video, ebook, & audiobook access, & more.
UGREEN 145W Fast Charging Power Bank (25,000mAh)
Was: $99.99
Now: $79.99 at Amazon w/ Amazon Prime
"The UGREEN 145W Fast Charging Power Bank (25,000mAh) is built extremely well, is utterly reliable, can charge even the best Windows laptops at max speeds, and can ensure all your devices never want for more power." — Zachary Boddy
✅Perfect for: Amazon Prime members who need a capable, compact power bank with multiple ports, incredible fast charging rates, and a lot of capacity for charging devices like gaming handhelds.
❌Avoid if: You're looking for unreasonable capacity to keep all of your devices going for hours and hours — this power bank is still meant to be able to easily slip into a bag.
Ports: USB Type-C (up to 100W), USB Type-C (up to 65W), USB Type-A (up to 22.5W). Standards: Power Delivery 3.1, Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0. Dimensions: 160 x 80.8 x 26.7mm (6.3 x 3.18 x 1.05in). Weight: 503.5g (1.11lbs). Warranty: Not known. Launch date: 2023.
👉See at: Amazon.com
Return period: 30 days (Most items). Price match? No. Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: Amazon Prime w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, music, video, ebook, & audiobook access, & more.
💰Price check: $79.99 at UGREEN w/ code PB145W
I've been a member of the Windows Central team for years now, and during that time I've reviewed, tested, and enjoyed plenty of gaming PCs, consoles, handhelds, accessories, and more. I use the ROG Ally X all the time and loved the ROG Ally before it, so I know what to look for to make these awesome handhelds even better (and save you some money in the process).
More Black Friday savings
- Best gaming monitor deals
- Best mini PC deals
- Best Xbox & PC controller deals
- Best gaming laptop deals
- Best gaming handheld deals
🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃
- 💽Seagate Xbox Series X|S Card (2TB) | $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $160!)
- 🎮Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma | $59 at Amazon (Save $91!)
- 💻Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (X Elite) | $849.99 at Best Buy (Save $500!)
- 💽Samsung 990 Pro M.2 2280 SSD (2TB) | $149.99 at Newegg (Save $100!)
- 🖥️ABS Cyclone Desktop (RTX 4060) | $1,099.99 at Newegg (Save $400!)
- 📺LG OLED Curved Ultrawide (32-inches) | $889 at Amazon (Save $610!)
- 💻Alienware x16 R2 (RTX 4070) | $1,999.99 at Best Buy (Save $700!)
- 📺HP Curved Ultrawide (34-inches) | $299.99 at Best Buy (Save $180!)
- 💻Dell G16 Laptop (RTX 4060) | $1,199.99 at Best Buy (Save $400!)
- 📺LG C4 OLED 4K TV (42-inches) | $899.99 at Best Buy (Save $250!)
Beating the holiday rush with early Black Friday deals
Black Friday may technically be weeks away, but the deals seem to start earlier every single year, and 2024 is no different.
You can already find plenty of great deals on plenty of great tech, including popular gaming handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, and beyond. It's not just limited to the handhelds themselves, though — you can also find awesome discounts on the best gaming handheld accessories, too, like cases, storage expansions, and more.
Personally, my favorite deal at the moment is a respectable sale on one of the best gaming handhelds for most people — you can get the ASUS ROG Ally for just $389.99 at Best Buy with a My Best Buy Plus membership. There are sure to be plenty of other sales on gaming handhelds and handheld accessories between now and the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, too, and I'll be continually updating this article as we discover those deals.
Which gaming handheld is the best for me?
All of the major gaming handhelds may go on sale at some point during this discount-heavy period of the year, so you may be wondering which one you should ultimately get for yourself. Right now, the best options seem to be the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally & Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go.
The Nintendo Switch is the most casual and affordable entryway into portable gaming, and is perfect for fans of long-running Nintendo franchises or families. The Switch is an excellent console, but it's severely lacking in power and you're limited to the Nintendo eShop for all of your games.
For those who still want an easy-to-use and consistent console, but with more power and access to a larger library of titles, the Steam Deck is the next best choice. A tailored Linux-based interface and access to a massive catalogue of Steam PC games makes the Steam Deck a supremely reliable handheld, although it still lacks in versatility compared to the Windows-powered options.
My personal favorite gaming handheld, the ASUS ROG Ally (or the more premium Ally X, if you're willing to spend more), strikes a great balance with its comfortable and compact form factor, excellent performance and respectable battery life, and the sheer versatility Windows offers gamers — especially when bolstered by ASUS' actually useful software additions. The Lenovo Legion Go is for those who are willing to trade some comfort and convenience for even more capability, as this handheld boasts the largest screen you'll find, as well as a built-in kickstand and detachable controllers.
You really can't go wrong with any of these handhelds, but which one is best for you will depend on your budget and what kind of games you want to play. If you want to take your entire PC gaming library on the go and want to take advantage of Xbox Game Pass, you'll want the ASUS ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go, though.
What accessories do I need for my gaming handheld?
Every gaming handheld I'd recommend will work great the moment you pull it out of the box, but that doesn't mean there aren't accessories that will make your experience even better. If you want added protection or plan to travel with your handheld, a trusty case or reliable travel bag is a must-have. Handhelds often struggle with battery life, too, so a beefy power pack may save you in a pinch.
Games take up a lot of storage, so you might want to upgrade your handheld's storage with a bigger SSD or a more casual microSD card. Some people also transform their Windows-powered handhelds into full-blown PCs with docking stations, which can let you hook up external monitors, keyboards, mice, and other accessories. You can't go wrong with a great gaming headset, either, which will allow you to enjoy your games wherever you are without bothering the people around you.
How do I upgrade my gaming handheld SSD?
Every gaming handheld is a little different, but the overall process for upgrading your SSD and transferring your data should be similar. We have a guide on upgrading your ASUS ROG Ally SSD and another guide for upgrading your Steam Deck SSD to help you get started, but the general guidance is the same either way — make sure you're comfortable opening your device, and prepare ahead of time with the tools you'll need to get the job done.
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday is technically on Nov. 29, 2024, but this sales event seems to start a little earlier each year. Retailers increasingly get more aggressive in terms of when discounts start in order to entice consumers ahead of the main event, so you can see early Black Friday deals as soon as October. Black Friday itself can feel overwhelming and be limited by stock shortages, so it's often a great idea to take advantage of those early sales ahead of time.
When is Cyber Monday?
This year, Cyber Monday falls on Dec. 2, 2024. This continuation of the Black Friday weekend was once the online-version of the aforementioned sales event, but as more retailers go online it's not uncommon to see Black Friday and Cyber Monday blend into one another. If you miss out on sales on Black Friday, you may have another chance on Cyber Monday. Better yet, though, is staying ahead of the curve and getting your holiday shopping done weeks in advance.
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Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.