If you’re focused on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series but want something more portable than a home console, we’ve got you covered with the best handheld PC gaming devices you can buy right now.
The market for portable consoles is still relatively limited. However, Nintendo continues to dominate with its portable offerings, and rumors suggest they are preparing for the highly anticipated Switch 2, which is expected to feature Nvidia’s Tegra T239 chip, recently leaked on a Chinese website. On the other hand, new players like Asus and MSI are entering the scene with their portable consoles, and their next-generation models are expected to hit the market soon.
If you’re not specifically looking for handheld consoles, feel free to check out our other guides. In this guide, we’ve listed the best handheld PC gaming devices, organized by price, featuring only models currently available for purchase through online retailers.
Keep in mind that prices and availability can change quickly. If a console isn’t on the list, it may be temporarily unavailable at the time of the update.
Best Handheld PC Gaming Devices: Buying Guide
Asus ROG Ally X
The Asus ROG Ally X stands out among the best handheld PC gaming devices with its impressive performance and robust build. It features a powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, which handles demanding games like Black Myth: Wukong smoothly, even at high settings. The 120Hz refresh rate on its vibrant 7-inch display ensures fluid gameplay and stunning visuals. Another highlight is its compatibility with Xbox Game Pass, providing access to a large game library right out of the box.
However, the device does have a few cons. Battery life can be underwhelming during intense gaming sessions, and the built-in cooling system, while effective, can get a bit noisy. Despite these minor drawbacks, the ROG Ally X is a top contender for gamers who want a handheld that offers power and portability.
Also see: Asus ROG Ally X Review
The Asus ROG Ally X is available at a starting price of $949 on Newegg.com.
Lenovo Legion Go
As a compelling alternative to the ROG Ally and Steam Deck, the Lenovo Legion Go features an impressive 8.8-inch QHD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring crisp visuals and smooth gameplay.
Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, it’s paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM for seamless multitasking and gaming performance. Storage is generous, offering up to 512GB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe M2 2242, allowing you to load and run games with speed and efficiency.
The Lenovo Legion Go is available at a starting price of $624, and you can find it on popular retailers such as Newegg.com, Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk.
MSI Claw
The MSI Claw is a strong contender with several notable features. Its key highlights include the ability to handle AAA games smoothly, thanks to a powerful processor and graphics chip. The device offers a decent battery life, which is impressive for its category, providing hours of gameplay without constant recharging. Additionally, the Claw features a vibrant display and solid build quality, making it a durable option for gaming on the go.
However, some cons include its slightly bulkier design compared to other handhelds, which might not appeal to users looking for something more compact. The fan noise can also be noticeable under heavy load, and the pricing could be a bit steep for some, especially when compared to other models in the market. Despite these drawbacks, the MSI Claw remains a competitive option for those who prioritize performance and battery life in a portable gaming device.
Also see: MSI Claw Review
The MSI Claw is available at a starting price of $549, and you can find it on popular retailers such as Newegg.com, Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk.
Asus ROG Ally
The Asus ROG Ally is a strong contender in the best handheld PC gaming devices buying guide, offering a powerful and portable gaming experience. Key highlights include its bright 7-inch Full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making gameplay smooth and visually impressive.
An AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor powers the device, delivering excellent performance for AAA games on the go. Its comfortable design, responsive controls, and impressive battery life make it great for extended gaming sessions. However, some cons include the lack of optimized software and the device running hot during intensive gaming, which might affect comfort over time.
Also see: Asus ROG Ally Review
The Asus ROG Ally is available at a starting price of $429, and you can find it on popular retailers such as Newegg.com, Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk.
Steam Deck
If you want the freedom to access your entire game collection without being tied to a single platform, the Steam Deck is a solid choice. It primarily integrates with Steam (from Valve) as its main store, but its versatility extends beyond that. Powered by SteamOS 3.0, which is based on Arch Linux and features a KDE Plasma graphical interface, the device also supports Xbox Cloud gaming through Microsoft Edge, giving you even more options.
The Steam Deck offers flexible storage options, including a 64 GB eMMC, or faster 256 GB and 512 GB SSD versions, making it a versatile addition to the list of best handheld PC gaming devices.
The Steam Deck is available at a starting price of $385, and you can find it on popular retailers such as Newegg.com, Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk.
Nintendo Switch OLED
The updated version of the Nintendo Switch makes an appearance in our guide, offering an OLED screen that enhances its vibrant display while keeping the beloved shareable console experience from the previous generation.
In terms of design, it closely resembles its predecessor, with the main difference being the screen size increase from 6.2″ to 7″. This change gives the new model a slightly larger and heavier feel, though the difference is barely noticeable during use. The OLED display elevates the visual experience, making it a solid choice for gamers looking for a portable console with excellent display quality.
The Nintendo Switch OLED is available at a starting price of $299.99, and you can find it on popular retailers such as Newegg.com, Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk.
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch not only ranks among the best consoles of all time but also earns its spot on this guide due to its portability. A standout feature of the Switch is its versatile Joy-Con controllers, which offer multiple configurations, allowing players to adapt them to different play styles.
Powered by a modified NVIDIA Tegra GPU, the Switch performs well in handheld mode, though using it in TV mode may cause occasional frame rate drops. However, this minor issue doesn’t detract from the overall experience, especially when playing iconic titles like Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Mario Odyssey, which continue to elevate the gaming experience on this portable device.
The Nintendo Switch is available at a starting price of $299.99, and you can find it on popular retailers such as Newegg.com, Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk.
Nintendo Switch Lite
The Switch Lite is a more compact and lightweight version of Nintendo’s handheld lineup, with built-in controls on the device, unlike the original model, which allows for swapping out Joy-Cons. The design focuses solely on handheld use, so it doesn’t include a dock or support TV connection. If you want a console that works on a bigger screen, you’ll need to choose the traditional Switch.
The Switch Lite features a smaller screen, limiting game resolution to HD, but it offers improved battery life compared to the original 2017 Switch, thanks to its more efficient design. However, the 2019 revision of the original Switch model has further improved its battery life, making it the best overall option between the two.
The Nintendo Switch Lite is available at a starting price of $173, and you can find it on popular retailers such as Newegg.com, Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk.