The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best budget
3. Best for PC gamers
4. Best for retro gaming
5. Best for remote play
FAQs
How we test
If you want to game on the go, then chances are that you’re going to be well served by picking up one of the best handheld games consoles. As much as we love some of the best gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5, there is no denying that they’re pretty heavy and poorly suited for portable play.
Thankfully, there are now plenty of fantastic handheld alternatives on the market, ranging from those geared towards avid retro gamers to fully-fledged handheld PCs that allow you to play some of the best PC games while you are out and about. So much choice can seem a tad overwhelming, however, so we have endeavoured to put together this convenient list of our top picks for the best handheld games consoles that are available to buy right now.
We have carefully considered a wide range of criteria, including options for PC gamers who want to make the most of their existing libraries and cheaper products perfect for those on a budget. In addition to providing expert buying advice, we carefully monitor the latest products that we test to ensure that this list remains up to date.
The Quick List
The best handheld games console overall
The Nintendo Switch OLED is comfortably the definitive handheld console of this generation. This newer model improves on the base version of the console thanks to the addition of a sharper and larger 720p OLED display, improved speakers, more storage capacity and other enhancements. These, in addition to the fantastic software library, all help make it perfect for portable play.
The best budget handheld games console
The Nintendo Switch Lite is both cheaper and smaller than the Nintendo Switch OLED. You lose out on the ability to play on a TV but that's very unlikely to be much of an issue if your main concern is handheld play. If you prefer smaller consoles, are shopping on a budget, or want something perfect for kids, this should be your pick.
The best handheld games console for PC gamers
Valve's fantastic handheld PC is our top pick for PC gamers. Compatible with a huge chunk of your existing Steam library, this is the perfect way to take your favorite PC games on the go. It can also be fairly affordable, especially if you consider the lower end models.
The best handheld for retro gaming
For an MSRP of under $60 / £50, the Super Pocket is not only the cheapest entry on this list but by far the best choice for retro gamers. This pocket-size handheld has a cute GameBoy-inspired design, a good library of built in games (determined by which of the two models you choose from), and can even play Evercade cartridges.
The best handheld games console for remote play
The PlayStation Portal is a tremendous handheld games console for PlayStation 5 owners that enables players to stream their existing PS5 game library over the internet. This is comfortably the best device for Remote Play as it offers a superbly ergonomic design based on the DualSense.
Best handheld games consoles in 2024
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The best handheld games console overall
✅ You play lots of Nintendo games: Nintendo designs its games to, for the most part, both look excellent and run well in handheld mode. If you play lots of Nintendo games, this should be your number one pick.
✅ You want OLED quality on a budget: As handheld consoles with OLED displays go, the Nintendo Switch OLED is on the cheaper end making it great if your main concern is having an OLED screen on a budget.
❌ You want better performance: The Nintendo Switch OLED doesn't feature any major performance improvements over the base model. Expect some third-party games, for example Mortal Kombat 1, to have performance issues.
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the best model in the company's current console line-up. While it boasts the same internal specification as the stock Nintendo Switch, the screen has received a substantial upgrade. It is now a larger 7-inch OLED panel that helps the best Nintendo Switch games really pop.
With its $349.99 / £299.99 asking price, the Nintendo Switch OLED positions itself as much cheaper than many of the alternatives on this list, especially the handheld PCs. This lower price does have a tangible impact on performance, however, and I found that many recently ported games like Mortal Kombat 1 or Biomutant can really struggle to hold a consistent framerate. This was most noticeable while playing on a TV in docked mode, however, making it far easier to recommend if you're wholly concerned with portable play.
With this variant, you're also getting a greatly improved kickstand and upgraded speakers as well, which leads to a much better experience while playing in handheld mode. All of the original Nintendo Switch library is compatible with the Nintendo Switch OLED too and I've loved my time with the countless incredible exclusive experiences like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Splatoon 3.
- Read more: Nintendo Switch OLED review
The best budget handheld games console
✅ You're shopping for kids: The Nintendo Switch Lite is made of thick and durable plastic which is hard to damage. The fact the Joy-Cons are built-in also means they cannot be lost easily.
✅ You're on a tight budget: The Nintendo Switch Lite is considerably cheaper than both the Nintendo Switch OLED and the original Nintendo Switch. Best of all, it plays all the same games.
❌ You might play docked: Although portable play is the focus here, it is worth noting that the Switch Lite cannot be played on a TV like other models. Only buy this if you're sure you want to play in handheld mode all of the time.
With its affordable asking price of $199.99 / £200, the Nintendo Switch Lite is our top pick for those who are shopping on a budget. Its smaller form factor is perfect for portable play as it can be quickly shoved into a rucksack or even a large pocket when you're on the move. There are also a range of attractive bright colors to choose from including blue, pink, purple, grey, and yellow.
The design is constructed out of a thick plastic and, in our testing, proved more durable than the original Nintendo Switch model which is ideal if you're prone to dropping or scratching your systems. I take a Nintendo Switch Lite with me to the office every day in a small case in my rucksack and it looks practically good as new after about a year of ownership. Furthermore, the fact that the Joy-Con controllers are permanently attached to the system has the added benefit that they are impossible to lose while out and about.
You're getting a slightly smaller screen here, but it runs at the same 720p resolution as the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED, so there is no performance or visual downgrade. If anything, I think that the smaller size can help the image look a little sharper.
So far, I've particularly enjoyed diving into retro fighting games like Ultra Street Fighter 2: The Final Challengers and Darkstalkers plus Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo from the excellent Capcom Fighting Collection - which lend themselves well to bursts of portable play. The one limitation of the Nintendo Switch Lite, however, is its complete inability to dock and play games on a TV when you're at home, so definitely bear this in mind before you buy.
- Read more: Nintendo Switch Lite review
The best handheld games console for PC gamers
✅ You want your Steam library on the go: The Steam Deck is the best way to play your Steam library out of the house, at home on the couch, or in bed. We don't recommend playing it in the bath, though, for obvious reasons.
✅ You want something cheaper than a gaming laptop: Even the top-end Steam Deck is far cheaper than a similar-spec gaming laptop, making it a more accessible and affordable way to get into portable PC gaming.
❌ You want something more compact: The sheer size of the Steam Deck can make it annoying to lug around. Consider an alternative like the Nintendo Switch Lite if you want something much smaller.
A powerful, portable gaming PC that can fit in your pocket is certainly an attractive proposition. While it can't really fit in your pocket thanks to its absolutely gigantic size, the Steam Deck does offer all of the power of a gaming laptop in a much smaller package. With its surprisingly modest starting price of $399 / £349 for the most basic model the Steam Deck packs in an awful lot of high-end hardware for your money.
It's available directly through Valve's Steam client and, regardless of the version you go for, runs Steam Deck Verified titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Apex Legends smoothly. As this device is powered by a modified version of the Linux operating system, not every game from your Steam library will run flawlessly but there's a good chance that a sizeable chunk of titles you already own will be compatible straight out of the box.
Valve's first foray into the handheld hardware market isn't entirely perfect though, as our testing found that the battery life can struggle with more intensive titles. We found that a game like God of War really pushed the system to its limit, lasting just over an hour and a half while not plugged in. Given just how well many of the most demanding titles look and run on this device, though, this is a trade-off that we think is well worth making.
- Read more: Steam Deck review
The best handheld games console for retro gaming
✅ You want to play Evercade games on a budget: With its extremely affordable price point, the Super Pocket is easily the cheapest way to play the wide library of Evercade games.
✅ You want a small system perfect for retro games: When it comes to size, few handheld games consoles are more portable than the Super Pocket.
❌ You want a larger system: If you're in the market for something larger, consider the other options on this list. The small size of the Super Pocket could make it a pain for those with bigger hands.
The Super Pocket performs impressively well while playing older titles which makes it our top pick if you want a handheld console for playing retro games. There are currently two versions of the handheld console on the market; the green and black Taito Edition and the yellow and blue Capcom Edition.
Both versions include a unique built-in library of titles, focusing specifically on popular games from their respective publishers. I absolutely adore Space Invaders and Bubble Bobble from the Taito Edition in particular, but also have a big soft spot for Street Fighter 2: Hyper Fighting, Final Fight, and the original Mega Man on the Capcom Edition. I played all of the games across the two libraries during my testing and was hugely pleased with the smooth performance given the cheap price and small form factor.
The 320x240px IPS screen is certainly going to pale in comparison to the far more premium displays found on others systems on this list, like the Nintendo Switch OLED’s much high resolution 720p display, but it's balanced out thanks to its 2.8” (~7cm) size. On the whole, games look fantastic and boast deep colors. There are even some decent display options (such CRT scanline filters and aspect ratios) that allow you to further to tweak their look to your liking in the software.
Easily one of the most desirable features of the Super Pocket, however, is the Evercade cartridge slot. This grants Super Pocket owners access to a growing library of affordable Evercade cartridges that can pack everything from classic Namco arcade games to modern indie titles like Micro Mages and Foxyland.
- Read more: Super Pocket review
The best handheld games console for remote play
✅ You want another way to play your PS5 games: The PlayStation Portal lets you enjoy your PS5 without the need for a TV, offering a brilliant way to get more game time. This is perfect for when someone else is using the TV, or when you want to game in another room.
✅ You want an ergonomic handheld: Having been designed around an established, excellent controller, the PlayStation Portal is one of the most comfortable and ergonomic handhelds right now. It has all the features of a DualSense controller and is also incredible from an accessibility perspective as a result.
❌ You want a device that can play games natively: The Portal is only for streaming from your PS5 and its games to you over the internet - if you don't own a PS5 or are looking for something to play games natively (or stream from the cloud) then the Portal is not for you.
The PlayStation Portal is a brilliant companion device for the PlayStation 5. It enables PS5 owners to access their games remotely by streaming them over Wi-Fi (or a tethered mobile connection), beautifully translating big-screen games on its small and portable screen.
What makes the Portal really shine is its slick design and varied feature set. This is effectively a PS5 DualSense controller with an 8-inch LCD screen squeezing into the middle. It maintaining the ergonomics, design, and features of the controller, sitting in your hands very comfortably and is easy to use if you're used to the layout. I'm also a huge fan of the excellent haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
The screen is punchy and vibrant while the speakers are more than enough for most games. The downsides here are very minor and only extend to an irksome lack of Bluetooth support and the very slow battery charging speed.
While it's not a handheld console by way of playing games natively (or streaming from the cloud), it superbly serves a very specific niche - which is to provide PS5 players with another way to play their PS5 remotely. I've especially enjoyed my time playing PlayStation exclusives like The Last of Us Part 2 and Spider-Man 2 away from my TV, but have also spent plenty of time with A Plague Tale: Requiem, Grand Theft Auto 5, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
- Read more: PlayStation Portal review
How to choose a gaming handheld
The easiest way to choose a gaming handheld is to think about the kinds of games that you would want to use it to play. If you’re interested in playing Nintendo published titles on the go, like Super Mario Odyssey or Mario Kart 8, then you’re going to need to choose the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch OLED, or Nintendo Switch Lite as these are the only platforms where such games are available.
Likewise, if you want access to the latest PlayStation games and already own a PS5 with an expansive library, the PlayStation Portal is going to be your best bet. Do bear in mind, however, that the PlayStation Portal is a streaming-only device that requires a constant internet connection. If you need a device that can be played offline, consider the other options on this list instead.
If you want to play more PC-oriented games such as Counter Strike 2, Valheim, or Signalis, then a portable PC such as the Steam Deck or Steam Deck OLED is going to be the best choice. You should also consider a Steam Deck or Steam Deck OLED if you’re most concerned about performance, as it features dramatically higher specs than the Nintendo Switch while maintaining a similar portable form factor. While all of the options on this list are able to play retro titles, a dedicated retro handheld such as the Super Pocket could be the perfect option if you’re more concerned with playing older games and don’t want to break the bank.
The Super Pocket offers an incredibly portable way to play retro games on the go, with a robust in-built library of titles right out of the box. It also offers compatibility with Evercade cartridges, allowing you to experience even more games down the line.
Best handheld games console - FAQs
Is the Nintendo Switch better in docked or handheld mode?
Your experience with the Nintendo Switch will largely come down to personal preference. If you're out and about a lot, then handheld mode may be the way forward with the console. Even so, having the flexibility to play docked when you're at home can be a great added bonus. Obviously, with a Nintendo Switch Lite, you won't have the flexibility to enjoy the console docked, but you can still enjoy the same great games.
Are handheld games consoles more affordable?
Handheld consoles are fantastic if you're looking to save money and still get a high-quality gaming experience, but that doesn't always mean they are cheaper than a home console. If you're on a strict budget, the Nintendo Switch Lite or the Super Pocket are very budget-friendly. If you're after more powerful hardware, however, the price will start to climb and you may end up paying a similar figure for a handheld as you would for a home console like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
What's the best handheld console for kids?
If you're looking specifically for a dedicated handheld machine for kids, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a great option. Its small size and robust design is very well suited to little hands. It also lacks the ability to remove the controllers, meaning there are fewer things to break or lose.
How we test the best handheld games consoles
Each of the handheld consoles on this list has been tested rigorously by a member of the TechRadar team. Our testing takes into account factors like the system's price and any unique features. We also test a range of games and software that suit the handheld in question. For example, we tested the PlayStation Portal with a range of popular PS5 titles including Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Helldivers 2, and The Last of Us Part 2. For the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite, we tested top Nintendo Switch games including Mario Kart 8 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in addition to a range of graphically demanding ports such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Xcom 2.
While testing the Steam Deck, we assessed its performance and compatibility with a wide a range of Steam Deck Verified games from indie hits like Hades and Hotline Miami to huge adventures such as God of War. When it comes to the Super Pocket, we tested the built-in library in addition to an Evercade cartridge featuring games such as Burger Time and Sly Spy.
To take the example of Nintendo Switch OLED and Nintendo Switch Lite, that involved playing some of the most recent Nintendo Switch games in portable mode. In the case of handheld PCs like the Steam Deck, rigorous testing of our Steam library was involved including tests to determine how compatible popular titles were and how well they ran on the handheld.
Want more recommendations? See our picks for the best gaming console this year. For more Nintendo recommendations, see our ranking of the best Nintendo Switch games.
