While the spotlight often shines on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, some of us crave a portable gaming experience beyond the confines of our homes. For those seeking the best handheld of all time available in 2023, look no further. We have compiled a list of the finest options that offer exceptional gaming on the go.
The handheld console market, admittedly, may not be as extensive as other gaming platforms. However, Nintendo remains dedicated to this audience, as evidenced by the recent release of the Switch Lite. On the other hand, Sony, once a fierce competitor, withdrew from the handheld market after the launch of the PS Vita. Meanwhile, Microsoft seems more interested in transforming cell phones into pocket consoles through xCloud.
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If handheld gaming doesn’t pique your interest, feel free to explore our other guides using the links provided above. It is essential to note that prices and product availability may change frequently. Therefore, if you find a console missing from this list, it might not have been available at the time of our last update.
Best Handheld of all time buy in 2023
Nintendo Switch Lite
As the best pocket gaming device version of the original Switch, the Nintendo Switch Lite offers a compact and lightweight design. Unlike its predecessor, the Joy-Cons are integrated into the device’s body, eliminating the option to change them.
The Switch Lite exclusively serves as a handheld console and does not support TV docking. If you wish to use the console on your TV, you’ll have to opt for the traditional Switch, which was designed with versatility in mind. Additionally, the smaller screen limits game resolution to HD only, but the improved battery life compensates for this limitation. Nintendo released an update in 2019, making the newer Switch version the superior choice among the three.
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Nintendo Switch Lite - Coral - Switch | $197.03 | Buy on Amazon |
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Nintendo Switch Lite - Blue | $196.44 | Buy on Amazon |
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Nintendo Switch Lite - Turquoise | $195.97 | Buy on Amazon |
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Nintendo Switch Lite - Gray | $192.50 | Buy on Amazon |
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Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Nintendo Switch Lite - Yellow | $196.70 | Buy on Amazon |
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch earns a place in our list of best handheld of all time for a reason. This console’s standout feature is its versatility, doubling as both a handheld and traditional console. The detachable joycons offer various ways to play, enhancing the gaming experience.
Powered by the NVIDIA Tegra GPU modified for the Switch, the console handles gameplay seamlessly, even on TV, despite some minor frame rate drops. Its impressive library includes beloved titles like Zelda Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Mario Odyssey.
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Nintendo Switch™ with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con™ | $296.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con | $319.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Nintendo Switch OLED
The updated Nintendo Switch OLED edition retains the console’s shared gaming concept from its previous version. Notably, it sports a larger 7″ OLED screen, a subtle but impactful improvement over the 6.2″ screen in the older model. This slight increase in size also makes it marginally heavier.
Visually similar to its predecessor, the OLED version features enhanced display quality, creating a more immersive gaming experience. It maintains Nintendo’s tradition of delivering enjoyable gaming on the go.
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Nintendo Switch (OLED model) with White Joy-Con | $349.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Nintendo Switch – OLED Model - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition | $359.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Nintendo Switch – OLED Model w/ Neon Red & Neon Blue Joy-Con | $349.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Steam Deck
For those seeking access to a diverse collection of games across multiple stores, the Steam Deck, powered by Valve’s SteamOS 3.0 system, is a compelling choice. With a KDE Plasma graphical interface, it also supports Xbox Cloud through Microsoft Edge.
Storage options include a 64 GB eMMC or a more spacious 256 GB or 512 GB SSD, giving you the flexibility to choose according to your needs.
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Valve Steam Deck,HDMI, 64 GB, Black | $499.00 $416.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Valve Steam Dec, USB, 256gb | $485.00 $424.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Valve Steam Deck 512GB Handheld Gaming Console with Carring Case, 1280 x 800 LCD Display, Bundle... | $553.99 $508.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Conclusion: Best Handheld of all time buy in 2023
In conclusion, whether you prefer the refined Nintendo Switch Lite, the versatile Nintendo Switch, the enhanced Nintendo Switch OLED, or the vast gaming options offered by the Steam Deck, the handheld console market in 2023 caters to different preferences and playstyles.
*Please note that Techtoyreviews cannot be held responsible for any price changes implemented by Amazon or any other retailers. The pricing mentioned in the article was accurate at the time of publication, but it is important to be aware that it may have limitations in terms of duration or quantity.