Over the last few years, the gaming handheld market has exploded. There are now a huge range of devices to choose from. How do you select which is best for you?
Gaming on the go has been around since time eternal. From the Game Boy to modern tablets and smartphones and more. However, some of the best handheld gaming consoles on the market look to take the experience several notches higher.
Though some crossover with our retro handheld guide is inevitable, these devices are more focused on modern gaming.
1. Valve Steam Deck OLED
- Operating system: Linux
- Storage: 512GB/1TB
- Screen: 7.4-inch OLED touchscreen
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth, 1x USB Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 support
- Battery: 3 – 12 hours
- Weight: 640g
- Price: From $549/$649
| Pros | Cons |
| Bright and vivid OLED display | Not compatible with all Steam titles |
| Lighter than OG Steam Deck | |
| Superb build quality |
In our review, we said that the Steam Deck has changed the game – it’s just a little convoluted. Once you get past the learning curve and you start to play games outside of SteamOS, it’s an incredibly wide-open console.
The main thing about the Steam Deck that we wholly recommend is just on a cost and performance basis. This could see you through so many high-end PC games, on the go, with very little compromise. This has only gotten better since the introduction of the Steam Deck OLED, which improved upon the previous LCD model monumentally and added on a new 1TB storage variant of the device.
The upgraded Steam Deck OLED sports a 7.4-inch OLED display, improving the overall look of PC games, and giving them new life through the newly integrated up to 90Hz refresh rate. Better yet, the often contentious battery life has gotten a significant boost, making the OLED version the ideal handheld.
2. Nintendo Switch OLED
- Operating system: Nintendo Switch system software
- Storage: 64 GB
- Screen: 7.0-inch OLED screen
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1x USB Type-C
- Battery: 4.5 – 9 hours
- Weight: 322g
- Price: $349
| Pros | Cons |
| Amazing OLED screen | Older technology |
| Great value for money | Display only 720p |
| Massive exclusive game library |
Nintendo’s almighty Switch might be getting on in age, but it doesn’t mean that the games aren’t worth a look into. Grabbing an OLED or even an original Switch will unlock a healthy amount of games that you might otherwise never get to experience elsewhere.
Yes, the Switch is completely worth it for the exclusives alone. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Odyssey, and more. Nintendo’s entire lineup is an excellent example of what you’re missing out on. Even some of the exclusives from other developers, like Astral Chain and Bayonetta 3 are just worth the entry fee alone.
It’s also an excellent device to have for multiplayer games, as well as catching up on the large portion of games that you never have time for. Who doesn’t want to explore Dragon Quest 11 on the go?
The Switch might be a bit long in the tooth, but the sheer amount of games that have made their way to the eShop over the last few years is nothing short of astounding. You will find something you enjoy, regardless of what it is.
Even at the end of its lifespan, the Nintendo Switch remains worth its wait in video-game gold coins.
3. Asus ROG Ally X
- APU: AMD Z1 Extreme
- RAM: 24GB DDR5 (6400MHz)
- Display: 7-inch 16:9 (120Hz display)
- Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11
- IO: USB-C (DisplayPort), USB-C PD, UHS-II MicroSD Slot
- Features: Embedded controller, three performance modes, dual speakers
- Price: $799
| Pros | Cons |
| Solid battery life | Windows is still cumbersome |
| Great screen | myAsus isn’t very user-friendly |
| Expensive |
The Asus ROG Ally marked one of the first rivals for the Steam Deck, and the brand’s first foray into the world of hanging gaming.
The ROG Ally X packs a lot of power into a comfortable handheld, which, combined with some hefty specs, makes the device one of the best options for gaming on the go. Even when compared to the original model of ROG Ally, the Ally X is a powerhouse
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Running on a Z1 Extreme, the Asus ROG Ally X is a high-powered handheld, capable of playing most of the AAA we threw at it in our review. The newly improved battery life is also a plus for those gaming on the go.
4. Ayaneo 2S
- Operating system: Windows 11
- Storage: 512GB / 2TB/ 4TB m.2 2280 SSD
- Screen: 7-inch, 1200p panel
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 2 x USB-C with DisplayPort
- Battery: 2 – 3 hours
- Weight: 667g
- Price: Starts from $1139, $1,819 (Unit reviewed)
| Pros | Cons |
| Incredible specs | Expensive |
| Clear, vibrant screen | Windows 11 is clunky |
| Solid build quality | AyaSpace is buggy |
Ayaneo has a plethora of handhelds out there to choose from, yet if you have crash burning in your pocket, the Ayaneo 2S is one of the brand’s top contenders. The premium handheld comes decked out with 2TB worth of storage, which is more than enough to download all your favorite PC games and then some.
Games shine on the Ayaneo 2S 7-inch 1200p screen, whether they’re old or new. The bezel-less display brings out vibrant colors, giving new life to older titles like Fallout: New Vegas. In our review, the handheld also managed to go above and beyond our expectations, showing just how high-powered the AMD 7840U can be.
The Ayaneo 2S also comes equipped with a key feature that not a lot of other devices thought of. Next to the options button is another little button on the side. Pressing it brings you straight back to the desktop, no questions asked. There are also three different USB-C ports, each one with dedicated power delivery. When it comes to the Ayaneo 2S, they really did think of just about everything.
5. Miyoo Mini Plus
- Operating system: Linux
- Storage: microSD Card up to 128GB
- Screen: 3.5-inch IPS screen
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C, microSD
- Battery: 3.7V 3000mAh / 5V Charging interface supports 1.5A
- Weight: 162g
- Price: $79.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Compact and portable size | No analog sticks |
| Removable battery | Lackluster specs |
| Excellent retro emulation |
After the original Miyoo Mini reached the end of its life, it was replaced by the new Miyoo Mini Plus. It comes with a larger 3.5-inch IPS display with 640×480 pixels resolution. This new retro console is powered by the Linux system V3 OS and comes with a transparent body and improved internals.
It also supports an open-source RetroArch system allowing users to download more games in relevant formats.
This tiny console is powered by a 3000 mAh battery that can let you play for more than seven hours without needing to look for a charging slot.
6. GameSir G8 Galileo
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Compatibility: Android & iPhone 15
- Price: $77.99
- Features: Hall Effect Joysticks, Pass-through charging, 3.5mm audio jack, Moveable Type-C port, and Magnetic Detachable Faceplates.
| Pros | Cons |
| Hall Effect sticks | Design is uninspiring |
| Comfortable form factor | GameSir app is glitchy |
| Excellent build quality |
If you don’t quite have the cash to shell out for an entire handheld, but you do have a capable smartphone in your pocket, then a solution is at hand.
Mobile controllers like the GameSir G8 Galileo enable any capable smartphone to be turned into a handheld gaming device. The G8 Galileo is our pick due to its premium build, which gives it the correct look and feel for a gaming controller. Especially since it is equipped with Hall Effect analog sticks.
A mobile controller like this one is perfect for a marathon session of Genshin Impact during a long train ride and doesn’t take up too much space in your bag.
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