Best Handheld Gaming Console 2024

If you want to play games while on the go, getting one of the top handheld gaming consoles can be the best option. Numerous of them provide capabilities that are comparable to those of many of the top game consoles, such as the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5, but in a much more portable and small package. There will be a handheld console for you regardless of the games you like, whether they are the newest AAA blockbusters or underappreciated independent classics.

Numerous handheld systems are available on the market, each meeting a distinct set of requirements. Some are handheld PCs made just for retro players, while others are made to run the greatest PC games with exceptional performance.Sadly, all of these options can make for a very perplexing and daunting purchasing experience. Ultimately, how will you determine which portable gaming system is best for you? With this helpful guide, we hope to provide an answer to this question.

All of the highlighted entries have undergone rigorous testing and investigation, and their inclusion was determined by taking into account a variety of characteristics. In addition to our professional purchasing guidance, we closely monitor new product launches and upgrades to ensure that this list is constantly current.

1.Valve Steam Deck

The hardware track record of valves is inconsistent. With its innovative controllers, the Index is a great VR headset. When compared to traditional gaming PCs and gamepads, Steam Machines and the Steam Controller utterly died. Surprisingly useful local game streaming was made possible with the Steam Link, although mobile apps eventually took its place.

The Steam Deck gaming handheld is the latest. Although it is based on the foundation of Valve’s previous hardware, it has a much more specialized, unique design that does not aim to displace gaming PCs. More than anything else, it is a Nintendo Switch substitute, albeit one that is larger, more potent, and comes with a dock that can be purchased separately. Although the Steam Deck is Linux-based, the SteamOS front end is quite user-friendly, allowing you to install and play many Windows games via Proton. The Linux backbone includes a full desktop environment, which leaves lots of room for tinkering and classic game emulation.

The Steam Deck is a powerful machine in a small, awkward package. Although it starts at a fair $399, we advise investing the additional $130 on the mid-tier model, which has four times as much onboard storage (keep in mind that all three Steam Deck versions have the same CPU, GPU, and RAM power; the only differences are in the type/capacity of the display and storage). Although Valve’s handheld is a great way to carry your Steam library with you, there are certain issues with the firmware that should be fixed, particularly if you wish to use game mods and emulation extensively. Note: Valve introduced the Steam Deck OLED, a portable with a ton of awesome enhancements, in November 2023.

Almost a foot in width and nearly a pound and a half, the Steam Deck stands firmly on the unwieldy side of what you would consider a portable game system. The Nintendo Switch with Joy-Cons attached is over two inches slimmer and half a pound lighter than the Steam Deck. That’s a bit surprising, since the Steam Deck and OLED Switch both have 7-inch screens. You can pack the Steam Deck in a bag, but it’s far too big to tuck into a jacket or comfortably play on the train. Even the Asus ROG Zephyrus 14 gaming laptop is just half an inch wider, though to be fair, it’s considerably deeper and heavier than the 4.6-inch-deep handheld.

2.Nintendo Switch Oled

Even though the Nintendo Switch OLED isn’t much better than the regular Nintendo Switch, it is still undoubtedly the greatest Switch family console nearly three years after it was first released. Even though the Nintendo Switch 2 may be coming soon, the OLED is still worth taking into consideration if you want one of the greatest portable gaming systems when you start to evaluate all the minor upgrades.

The Nintendo Switch OLED has improved speakers outside of the display to make gaming without headphones much more pleasurable. The 7-inch display, which boasts excellent blacks and vibrant colors, significantly improves the visuals when compared to the LCD of earlier panels. Overall, the console sounds unquestionably less tinny in comparison to its 2017 counterpart. This alone makes the best Nintendo Switch games sound crisper than ever.

Additionally, with 64GB of storage, the console offers twice as much storage as the original Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite. The PS5 and Xbox Series X, which provide far speedier storage at much larger capacity, are still far away from that. But since Nintendo Switch games are usually much smaller and the system has a Micro SD card, you can always add more at a reasonable pace if necessary.

So far, so good. However, Nintendo has failed to include TV mode, one of the three essential components of the Switch experience, and as a result, the new system is difficult to market. Although the console’s dock has been redesigned with smoother edges, greater space for breathing, and even a LAN port for those who prefer to play online, the OLED is surprisingly bare in this crucial sector.

The fact that there will be no 4K upscaling and that you are still limited to a 1080p output is another huge letdown for Switch gamers who are watching on their TVs. Therefore, all of the Nintendo Switch’s main selling qualities magically vanish moment you dock the OLED. Considering that this platform is meant to support all three forms of play equally, this baffles me.

As a result of the Switch OLED’s absence of 4K output, Nintendo is forced to answer the question of why the internal specifications are identical to those of the original Switch and Switch Lite. You won’t find a Nintendo Switch Pro here if that’s your goal. Dreams of this have been crushed by production issues.

3.Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is a hugely important addition to Nintendo’s console family in terms of its distinctive offering because it is the first step toward closing the gap between home and handheld platforms. In addition to packing some amazing capabilities in its hybrid form—especially when you consider its flexibility—it boasts a ton of bright new features to expand upon the foundations laid by earlier consoles.

The Nintendo Switch is more popular than ever after seven years, thanks to a 2019 console update and the more recent release of the Switch Lite and OLED variants. It’s clear that Nintendo has found a successful formula with their handheld hybrid.

Building on the success of the groundbreaking Nintendo Wii and the adored Nintendo 3DS, the design of the Nintendo Switch has allowed Nintendo to maintain its dominant position in the console market with something completely new.The Switch is a very different gadget from the ones we’ve seen before, and the console’s portability offers the best of both worlds. With so many excellent first-party games and distinctive third-party titles added to the list of the greatest Nintendo Switch games, you’ll probably want to spend as much time as possible playing the system.

It’s difficult to dispute that the Nintendo Switch is a great idea, whether you’ve already bought it or not. It combines some of the features that made the Wii and Wii U appealing to gamers.A key concept introduced by the Nintendo Switch may be used to almost any game, not only those that support motion control or a second screen. Everybody has longed to pack up their console and move it with them at some point. In essence, this hybrid concept is fulfilled by the Switch. It’s a reliable, high-end handheld that functions like a home console and can be flipped into docked mode.

However, the Nintendo Switch is undoubtedly not flawless; the most of its problems stem from its daring attempt to accomplish everything at once and its inability to consistently strike the appropriate balance.

How to choose a gaming handheld

The simplest method for selecting a gaming portable is to consider the types of games you would like to play on it. Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8, and other Nintendo-published games are only accessible on the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch OLED, or Nintendo Switch Lite, so if you want to play them on the go, you’ll need to pick one of these devices.

Similarly, the PlayStation Portal will be your best option if you currently own a PS5 with a large library and want access to the newest PlayStation titles. However, keep in mind that the PlayStation Portal is a streaming-only device that needs a steady internet connection. If you require a gadget that can be played offline, consider the other options on this list.

Best handheld games console – FAQs

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.