Working out the best handheld games consoles has never been easier. Now that I've had plenty of time to test the recently released Nintendo Switch 2, I can say for sure that is is currently the best option for those seeking the highest-quality overall handheld gaming experience.

That's not to say that there aren't plenty of alternatives out there, however, with many catering to specific niches. The older Nintendo Switch Lite, for example, is ideal if you're on a tight budget and value portability, while the Steam Deck OLED could be the perfect choice for those with an existing PC game library.

I've personally tested every handheld console featured on this list, putting me in a fantastic position to deliver tailored buying advice, walking you through the best options and discussing which ones will suit your individual needs. I've tried to include a wide range of diverse picks here, considering important variables like performance, design, compatibility, individual game libraries, and, of course, the price and value for money of each unit.

Edited and updated byDashiell WoodHardware Writer

This guide is regularly edited and updated by Dash, a Hardware Writer at TechRadar. He has years of experience writing about gaming software and hardware for a wide range of publications, including print magazines like PLAY and Edge in addition to online outlets like NME and PC Gamer.

The Quick List

Best overall

1. Nintendo Switch 2 Check AmazonCheck Walmart

The best handheld games console overall

The Nintendo Switch 2 currently the best handheld games console on the market, delivering a fantastic all-round experience. It's got a library of great games, strong performance, and leading backwards compatibility.

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Best budget

2. Nintendo Switch Lite View at AmazonView at NeweggView at Verizon

The best budget handheld games console

The Nintendo Switch Lite is cheaper and smaller than the Nintendo Switch OLED. You lose the ability to play on a TV but if you are shopping on a budget, or want something ideal for kids, this should be your pick.

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Best for PC gamers

3. Steam Deck OLED View at NeweggView at AmazonView at Walmart

The best handheld games console for PC gamers

The latest version of Valve's fantastic handheld 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.

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Best for retro gaming

4. Super Pocket View at AmazonView at AmazonCheck Walmart

The best handheld for retro gaming

The Super Pocket is not only the cheapest entry on this list but the best for retro gamers. This pocket-size handheld has a cute design, a good library of built in games, and can even play Evercade cartridges.

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Best remote play

5. PlayStation Portal Check AmazonCheck Walmart

The best handheld games console for remote play

The PlayStation Portal is a tremendous handheld for PlayStation 5 owners that enables players to stream their existing 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.

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Best handheld games consoles in 2025

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The best handheld games console overall

1. Nintendo Switch 2

The best handheld games console overall

Our expert review:

Specifications

Dimensions: 10.7 x 4.5 x 0.6in / 272 x 114 x 15mmDisplay: 7.9in Vivid LCDWeight: 1.18lbs / 535g (with Joy-Con 2 attached)Storage: 256GBBattery life: 2-5 hoursToday's Best DealsCheck AmazonCheck Walmart

Reasons to buy

Premium look and feel Crisp and bright 1080p display Smooth, speedy user interface Fantastic backwards compatibility

Reasons to avoid

-Lacklustre battery life

The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a suite of significant upgrades compared to the original Nintendo Switch. With support for 4K and 1440p resolution output in its docked mode or 1080p at up to 120Hz in handheld mode, Nintendo games have never looked better.

Its 7.9 inch screen is spacious and, although it is only an LCD panel, impressively bright and vivid. It also boasts the upgraded Joy-Con 2 controllers, which are larger and more comfortable than the ones on its predecessor. Innovative new features, like the Joy-Con 2 mouse mode also introduce exciting, novel ways to interact with games and are the perfect fit for the likes of Sid Meier's Civilization 7.

In addition to a growing library of fantastic Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives, such as Mario Kart World, the system has brilliant backwards compatibility. Certain titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom benefit from paid Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades that increase the framerate, while others are naturally improved by the upgraded specs. Expect shorter loading times, and more stable framerates in games like Bayonetta 3, which really struggled on the original Switch.

The only major downside of the Nintendo Switch 2 is its battery life, which has taken a big hit. Nintendo claims that it lasts between 2 and 6.5 hours, though in my testing I have never been able to achieve that latter figure. I often find it running out of juice in about two and half hours, which has been a problem when I've tried to use it on long journies.

• Read more: Nintendo Switch 2 review

The best budget handheld games console

2. Nintendo Switch Lite

The best budget handheld games console

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Specifications

Dimensions: 3.6 x 8.2 x 0.55in / 91.1 x 208 x 13.9mmDisplay: 5.5inWeight: 9.76oz / 275gStorage: 32gbBattery life: 3 - 7 hoursToday's Best DealsView at Amazon(Black)View at Newegg(Turquoise)View at Verizon

Reasons to buy

Great selection of colors Very light and portable More affordable price tag

Reasons to avoid

-No docked mode at all

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 took a Nintendo Switch Lite with me to the office every day in a small case in my rucksack and it looked practically good as new after about a year of ownership. Furthermore, the fact that the 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 but most will likely not notice this.

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

3. Steam Deck OLED

The best handheld games console for PC gamers

Our expert review:

Specifications

Dimensions: 11.73 x 4.6 x 1.9in / 298 x 117 x 49mmDisplay: 7.4in OLEDWeight: 22.5oz / 640gStorage: 512GB / 1TBBattery life: 2 - 8 hoursToday's Best DealsView at NeweggView at Amazon(512GB)View at Walmart(Black)

Reasons to buy

Great build and design Bright OLED display improves games Massive library of compatible titles

Reasons to avoid

-Very bulky for a handheld-Some games run poorly

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 OLED does offer all of the power of a respectable gaming laptop in a much smaller package.

It's available directly through Valve's Steam client and, regardless of the version you go for, can run most Steam Deck Verified titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Apex Legends smoothly. That said, I have found that certain recent titles do run badly - such as Deathloop. This isn't a dealbreaker, but is worth bearing in mind as you stack the Steam Deck OLED up against the competition.

Because this device is powered by a modified version of the Linux operating system, not every game from your Steam library will work either. That's not to say that there is a good chance that a sizeable chunk of titles you already own will be compatible straight out of the box.

One of the other issues with Valve's handheld that was revealed in my testing was the fact that it battery life can really struggle with more intensive games. I found that something like God of War really pushed the system to its limit, lasting for just about two hours on standard settings 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 I think is well worth making.

• Read more: Steam Deck OLED review

The best handheld games console for retro gaming

4. Super Pocket

The best handheld games console for retro gaming

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Specifications

Dimensions: 4.12 x 0.43 x 6.62 in / 104.65 x 10.92 x 168.15mmDisplay: 2.8" IPSWeight: 0.71 ozStorage: N/ABattery life: 4 hoursToday's Best DealsView at Amazon(Blue)View at Amazon(Green)Check Walmart

Reasons to buy

Cute design Great controls Loads of games

Reasons to avoid

-Screen is a bit small

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 four versions of the handheld console on the market: the green and black Taito Edition, the yellow and blue Capcom Edition, the blue and white Technos Edition, and the red and black Atari Edition.

All 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. As for the other two models, River City Ransom on the Technos Edition remains an absolute banger while I have enjoyed my time with arcade classics like Asteroids and Centipede on the Atari version.

I have played all of the games across each library during my testing and have been 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 higher 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

5. PlayStation Portal

The best handheld games console for remote play

Our expert review:

Specifications

Dimensions: 13.27 x 5.91 x 3.74in / 337 x 150 x 95mmDisplay: 8in LCDWeight: 18.66oz / 529gStorage: N/ABattery life: 6 - 9 hoursToday's Best DealsCheck AmazonCheck Walmart

Reasons to buy

Excellent remote play performance Highly ergonomic design Premium build quality

Reasons to avoid

-Requires a PS5 console-LCD display is limited

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

Other handheld games consoles we reviewed

Nintendo Switch: The newer Nintendo Switch OLED might be all the rage, but the original Nintendo Switch is still a great pick if you want to save some cash. Its age means that it can often be found on sale and is regularly part of killer bundle deals. Read our Nintendo Switch review for all the details.

Asus ROG Ally X: If you have a generous budget and want a more premium alternative to the Steam Deck OLED, then our Asus ROG Ally X review details why it could be a good pick. It's extremely powerful, with better battery life and Windows 11 support, but the high price tag holds it back from a more prominent position in this guide.

Lenovo Legion Go: Another Steam Deck rival to consider is the Lenovo Legion Go, which we awarded a glowing four and a half stars in our Lenovo Legion Go review. Useful additions like a built-in kickstand and improved performance make it a worthy contender, but it does suffer from some poorly-designed software.

Steam Deck: The older Steam Deck model can still sometimes be found on sale from Valve or, more reliably, through the second hand market. Although the Steam Deck OLED is the way to go if you're buying new, visit our Steam Deck review if you plan to buy one used.

Logitech G Cloud: The Logitech G Cloud is extremely niche, earning quite an unfavorable score in our Logitech G Cloud review, but it still has quite a dedicated audience. If you want a handheld designed for streaming and nothing else, then it might be worth keeping in mind.

Backbone One 2nd Gen: Although technically not an all-in-one handheld console, the Backbone One 2nd Gen is a pocket-sized controller that helps turn your mobile phone into a portable gaming powerhouse. Read our Backbone One 2nd Gen review to find out why it's worth considering if you're on a very tight budget.

Razer Edge: We also took a look at the Razer Edge in our Razer Edge review. This Android handheld positions itself as a portable gaming machine, but falls a little short of that promise thanks to a sky-high price tag and inconsistent battery life.

Evercade EXP: A good, but more expensive option for retro gamers compared to our number one pick, the amazing Super Pocket. If you want a slightly bigger handheld with a much larger display, our Evercade EXP review details why this could be the one for you.

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 other options.

If you want to play more PC-oriented games such as Valheim or Baldur's Gate 3 then a portable PC such as the Steam Deck or Steam Deck OLED is going to be the best choice. You should also look at 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 in some capacity, 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's also compatible with Evercade cartridges, allowing you to experience even more games down the line.

Best handheld games console - FAQs

Do handheld games consoles make good gifts?

Yes, handheld games consoles make great gifts. The reasons for this are simple. Firstly, many handheld games consoles are all-in-one machines that don't require a TV or any external controllers to play. This makes them super convenient and means that you don't have to worry about potential compatibility issues with certain displays. They can also be played in any environment, even out and about.

Handheld games consoles also appeal to a wide range of ages. Systems like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck have libraries with a huge variety all designed for different age groups. Handheld consoles are also a good pick for younger children, as they are simpler to setup and use than home consoles while also often coming in much cheaper on the whole.

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.

Can I play the PlayStation Portal without a PS5?

No, you cannot play games on the PlayStation Portal without a PS5. That said, there is currently a cloud streaming option in beta for PlayStation Plus members that allows you to stream games directly to the handheld from Sony's servers without the need for a console. This suggests that the feature could see a wider release in future and make the PS Portal more capable in that regard.

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.

Tested by

Each of the products included in this guide was extensively tested by one of our expert reviewers.

Rob DwiarManaging Editor, TechRadar Gaming

Rob is TechRadar Gaming's Managing Editor. Having previously served as the Commissioning Editor for Hardware at GamesRadar, he brings years of gaming hardware reviewing experience to the table. He has also worked as a freelance journalist, with words at Eurogamer, Rock Paper Shotgun, and more.

Rhys WoodHardware Editor

Rhys is TechRadar Gaming's Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years.

Dashiell WoodHardware Writer

Dash is a tech journalist at TechRadar who covers gaming hardware. He has years of experience working as a journalist and has written for some of the UK's most popular magazines including PLAY, Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX.

Matt HansonManaging Editor, Core Tech

Matt has been working as a technology journalist for over one and a half decades. He first joined TechRadar in 2014 and gradually climbed up the ladder to become the Managing Editor of Core Tech. He leads a team experienced in reviewing everything from gaming laptops to the latest Chromebooks.

Vic HoodAssociate Editor, TechRadar Gaming

Vic Hood previously served as the Associate Editor of TechRadar Gaming. An award-winning games journalist, she has over four years of experience and a degree in Journalism from City University, London. She has previously appeared on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5, BBC Radio Ulster, and others.

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