Open-Box ROG Xbox Ally X Drops to $899.99 at Best Buy

Best Buy just refreshed its open-box inventory of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, and the pricing is finally where it needs to be for handheld buyers. An “Excellent” condition unit — Geek Squad verified, backed by a 15-day return window, and likely carrying most of its original warranty — costs $899.99. That’s a clean $100 off the $1,000 MSRP that hasn’t moved since launch, with a “Fair” tier dropping as low as $838.99.

This is the cheapest entry into the Ryzen Z2 Extreme handheld class, and it’s not a close call. The Lenovo Legion Go 2 runs $1,300, the MSI Claw A8 runs $1,200, and the new Xbox Ally X20 is up for preorder at $1,299.99 — same silicon, $400 more. For anyone who wants Windows-native AAA gaming on the go without paying the OLED tax, this open-box window is the move.

Z2 Extreme Without the OLED Tax

The X20 may be the shiny new thing, but the Ally X is performance-identical to its successor: same Ryzen Z2 Extreme, 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 1TB SSD. You’re giving up the bigger OLED panel and gaining $400 in your pocket. On a 7-inch 120Hz display, the LCD trade-off is far less painful than the price gap suggests — and the Ally X still outclasses the original Ally’s Z1 Extreme in headroom for current AAA Steam releases.

That performance is the real reason to consider this over a Steam Deck, as IGN’s Jackie Thomas argued in her review. Windows with Xbox integration means Game Pass, Epic, and the entire PC storefront ecosystem without compatibility-layer roulette. At $899.99 open-box, it’s the least expensive way to get that experience on Z2 Extreme hardware.

Open-Box Math: When ‘Excellent’ Beats Retail

Best Buy’s “Excellent” grade is worth the extra $61 over a “Fair” unit. Geek Squad verification covers function and cosmetics, and the 15-day return policy gives you room to test the sticks, triggers, and sleep behavior that matter on a handheld. If most or all of the original warranty transfers, you’re getting a like-new device for the price of a mid-range Android handheld.

If you’d rather avoid open-box uncertainty entirely, new stock still sits at $1,000 — check current Asus ROG Ally X pricing on Amazon before you commit. But for a device that’s going to live in a backpack, a verified preowned unit with return protection is the smarter entry. Best Buy’s 15-day return policy is your real safety net — use it to hammer the Ally X with your most demanding Steam titles. If it holds up, you’ve saved $100 on the cheapest Z2 Extreme handheld available. At $899.99, the open-box market just set the price benchmark for this class — the latest shot in the handheld value war.