The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best budget
3. Best for PC gamers
4. Best for retro gaming
5. Best high-end
6. 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 compared to other handheld PC alternatives, 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 high-end handheld games console
There are few products that can hold a candle to the AyaNeo Air Plus in the high-end handheld market. Smaller and more powerful than the Steam Deck, this Windows gaming machine has specs that can even rival some comparably priced gaming laptops.
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 lineup. While it boasts the same internals 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, meaning that many ported games like Mortal Kombat 1 can begin to struggle. This is most noticeable if you're someone who primarily plays on the TV in docked mode, however, making it far easier to recommend for portable play.
With this variant, you're also getting a greatly improved kickstand and significantly better speakers as well, leading 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, granting you immediate access to incredible exclusive games like Animal Crossing New Leaf 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. 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 here. If anything, the smaller size can help the image look a little sharper. The one limitation of the Nintendo Switch Lite, however, is its complete inability to dock and play games on a TV. 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 other options if you want something small.
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 offers all of the power of a high-end Gaming Laptop in a much smaller package. With its surprisingly modest starting price of $399 / £349 for the most basic model (and up to $649 / £569 for the highest-end version) the Steam Deck packs in a hell of a lot of high-end hardware for your money.
It's available directly through Valve's Steam client and, regardless of the version you opt for, you will be able to experience many Steam Deck Verified titles including the likes Cyberpunk 2077 and Apex Legends. The list of supported games is growing all the time so while your favorites might not be supported right now there's a high chance that they will be in future.
Valve's first foray into the handheld hardware market isn't entirely perfect, as the battery life can struggle with more intensive titles but, given just how well many of the most demanding titles look and run on this device, this is a trade-off that we think is well worth making. As this device runs on 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.
- 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 including the likes of Space Invaders and Bubble Bobble or Street Fighter 2: Hyper Fighting, Final Fight, and Mega Man. We played all of the games in these two libraries during our testing and were very pleased with the smooth performance given the 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 high-end handheld gaming PC
✅ You like tactile buttons: The buttons on the AyaNeo Air Plus are extremely satisfying to use thanks to their clicky, tactile switches. This is especially good for fighting games.
✅ You want high-end performance: The performance of the AyaNeo Air Plus absolutely blows the Steam Deck out of the water. This is our top pick if you want the performance of a high-end PC on the go.
❌ You're shopping on a budget: There's no getting around the fact that this handheld is expensive. While there are some cheaper versions on the way, the high-end model that we tested is extremely pricey.
If you’re looking to spend quite a bit getting the best possible performance, then the AyaNeo Air Plus is one of the best premium offerings on the market. It outperformed the Steam Deck in our tests and therefore offers the best experience for players that want to crank the settings up on some of the most recent PC games. Unlike the Linux based operating system of the Steam Deck, the AyaNeo Air Plus runs on Windows meaning that it is compatible with a fair few more games.
It is also much more compact than the Steam Deck, making it far better suited for travel. We were also very impressed by the tactile buttons, which have a clicky feel that is absolutely perfect for diving into the best fighting games. It also includes a handy fingerprint reader, which helps you get back into your games quicker than its rivals.
The one drawback here is the Aya Space game launcher software, which is just no match to the launcher found on the Steam Deck. It's a little clunky to use, but is more than adequate for getting you into games. The limited battery life is also worth considering. As with other portable PC handhelds, expect to only get a few hours of use out of a charge when playing games at their maximum graphical settings.
- Read more: AyaNeo Air Plus 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 while maintaining the ergonomics, design, and features of the controller. It sits in your hands very comfortably and is easy to use if you're used to the layout. It also gives you that awesome haptic feedback and access to adaptive triggers.
The screen is punchy and vibrant, despite being an LCD panel, while the speakers are more than enough for most games. Despite this, the Portal does feel like it was meant to be used with a headset plugged in via the 3.5mm headphone jack. 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. This is an excellent handheld, and, if it suits your specific circumstances, a very capable PS5 accessory.
- Read more: PlayStation Portal review
Best handheld games console - FAQs
Is the Nintendo Switch better in docked or a handheld?
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 than home consoles?
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 is the best handheld console for kids?
If you're looking for something easy to understand and use, the Nintendo Switch family of consoles are perfect for all ages. If you're looking specifically for a dedicated handheld machine for kids, then 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 members 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.
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.
