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The best handheld gaming consoles of today are a cause for celebration compared to the devices we played on just a few years ago. Not even a decade ago, if you told me I would be playing modern, demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 on the move, I'd laugh it off.
Today, that's no longer a pipe dream. Not only are current-generation handhelds delivering the graphics and performance on par with modern game consoles and PCs, but we have a variety of portable powerhouses, big and small, to choose from — and we here at Tom's Guide have tested them all. Luckily, that puts us in a position to help you find just the portable gaming device that’s just right for you
Ever since grabbing my first gaming handheld (a Game Boy Advance, if you must know), I've always wondered when we'd see modern console games finally become portable. Well, look at where we are now! Not only do classic and indie games run flawlessly on these machines, but we're also seeing demanding titles be played on the move. From my perspective, we couldn't be more spoiled for choice with the best gaming handheld consoles on the market today, and my team and I have tested the lot to help you find the one that fits your needs (and budget).
The best handheld gaming consoles you can buy today
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The best handheld gaming console overall
"The Steam Deck OLED improves upon an already great handheld and is now the definitive version to buy for newcomers or hardcore Steam Deck users. The gorgeous OLED panel alone is worth the price of admission, but other updates such as faster Wi-Fi, a lighter build and better cooling make the system more enticing. The Steam Deck OLED sets a new standard for other handhelds to emulate."
The Steam Deck OLED is the real deal. Actually, it’s more than that: it’s the best handheld gaming PC ever made. And it’s not all that close. While it’s not a revolutionary upgrade over the original Steam Deck, new features like an OLED HDR-capable display, Wi-Fi 6, and improved cooling make a huge difference. Like its predecessor, this handheld is an engineering marvel.
If you already own a Steam Deck, I still recommend upgrading in the strongest terms… providing you can afford it, of course. Let me be clear about the Deck OLED’s HDR screen: it’s the definition of a “game-changer”. It’s a night-and-day improvement over the subpar LCD panel that often made the best Steam games look washed out on the OG system. Play classics like the Resident Evil 2 remake or Batman: Arkham Knight on the upgraded Deck’s mesmerizing screen and those games now look so much easier on the eyes thanks to the infinite black levels Valve’s revised handheld is now capable of delivering.
If you’ve got a bulging Steam library on either a gaming PC or laptop, Steam Deck OLED gives you a terrific new way to experience your library. SteamOS is a dream to navigate, with Valve creating a console-like interface that works with zero hassle, while the developer also does a marvelous job of telling you what games run well on its handheld PC, thanks to its “Steam Deck Verified” ratings.
If you’re into PC gaming, the Steam Deck OLED is a no-brainer purchase. The quality of that incredible HDR display, which can hit peak screen brightness of 600 nits, paired with the strength of SteamOS, means no Windows handheld can currently match Valve’s marvelous machine.
Read our full Steam Deck OLED review
The best handheld for console gamers
"For years, I’ve been pining for a Nintendo Switch console which is the same but with more powerful components. And Nintendo has given me exactly that. Couple the increased under-the-hood improvements with smart upgrades like the magnetized Joy-Cons and the impressive larger display, and you’ve got the best version of an already excellent system."
The Nintendo Switch 2 is quite an un-Nintendo-like follow-up. Instead of introducing a brand-new form factor, the Japanese gaming titan opted to skip the gimmicks and instead deliver a console that iterates on its predecessor. Giving gamers more of the same but with across-the-board upgrades was a wise move.
This handheld/console hybrid feels like the ultimate version of the Switch concept. It takes everything that worked before and buffs it to a fine sheen. This new system has a larger 7.9-inch 1080p 120Hz display and an upgraded custom Nvidia chip with DLSS, which makes it a rival to machines like the Steam Deck OLED and Asus ROG Ally.
As before, you can slip the system into its dock to switch between playing on your TV or on the go in just seconds, effectively giving you two gaming machines in one. No matter which way you play, you'll be treated to sharp visuals and smooth performance. Because of that, the original Switch feels like a proof of concept in comparison.
These upgrades don't come without some caveats. Due to the extra power under the hood, battery life takes a big hit. Don't expect the Switch 2 to last more than two hours in handheld mode. The Switch 2's larger size can also highlight issues with the console’s flat design that lacks built-in ergonomic grips.
Priced at $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 is squarely in the "premium" category. The hybrid is a more substantial investment and less attractive as a second console for those looking to play exclusive games like Mario, Zelda and Kirby. However, given the admittedly impressive improvements, the price is justified. Right now, this is the ultimate Nintendo Switch console available.
Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 review
The best Steam Deck alternative
"I once said I wanted a handheld with the ROG Ally X’s specs that ran on SteamOS. I’m happy to say the Lenovo Legion Go S is literally what I’ve asked for. It heralds a brighter future for gaming handhelds and is a fantastic device in its own right. If you’ve considered buying a handheld but didn’t know which one to get, this is the one for you."
The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is the gaming handheld many have been waiting for. While Windows 11 works well on the best gaming PCs and best gaming laptops, Microsoft’s operating system hasn’t really benefited the best handheld gaming consoles. Now, though, we finally have a non-Steam Deck handheld running on SteamOS, and it’s better than we could have imagined.
The main difference between this and the Lenovo Legion Go S with Windows is their respective operating systems. Besides that, this model has the same design but in a different color. It also has an 8-inch (1,920 x 1,200) 120Hz LCD, trigger locks for the L2 and R2 buttons, and a rounded D-pad.
This handheld crushes its Windows 11 counterparts on usability alone. But thanks to the improved performance provided by the lean operating system and our review unit’s AMD Z1 Extreme chip, we now have the first true Steam Deck rival.
While the Legion Go S with SteamOS might not offer the freedom of Windows 11 or the wallet-friendly price of a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, it’s still a phenomenal gaming handheld.
Read our full Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) review
The best handheld console for Windows gaming
"I live in a paradoxical mind. On the one hand, I sit on my lawn chair saying gaming handhelds have gotten too damn expensive. But on the other hand, I can’t lie — this is the best PC gaming handheld I’ve ever used, and I’d feel OK dropping $999 on it."
Despite what Microsoft says, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is not an Xbox! That said, it's still an impressive leap forward for handheld gaming. From the simplification of Windows 11 to boot straight into an easy-to-use Xbox UI, to the ergonomic design and the power under the hood, it’s almost like Microsoft has seen our complaints about Windows gaming handhelds and meticulously addressed each one.
The Xbox controller-inspired body is oh-so comfortable for playing for hours on end, the Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme chip delivers solid performance (further enhanced by a streamlined version of Windows 11), and the 80 Wh battery easily gave me around three hours of playtime on one charge. This is certainly one of the best gaming handhelds you can buy.
But at $999? This is a pricey purchase — one that only serious gamers with dense PC libraries should pay for. And notice that I said “PC,” because the “Xbox Play Anywhere” branding is sure to create some confusion amongst long-time Xbox players looking to dig up their entire library.
Though it's not perfect, the ROG Xbox Ally X is certainly a phenomenal handheld, whether you're an Xbox or PC player.
Read our full Asus ROG Xbox Ally X review
The best value handheld console for Windows
"On its own, the Asus ROG Ally is a great Windows 11 handheld. It has a gorgeous display, feels fantastic to hold and gives you access to your PC gaming library. Though I expected better performance, playing modern titles at moderate to high frame rates on such a small device is impressive. If you’ve never played PC games on a handheld, you’ll be blown away by what Asus’ machine offers."
The Asus ROG Ally might not be the Steam Deck killer we expected, but it's currently the best value Windows handheld on the market. This 7-inch handheld boasts a 120Hz display and a powerful new Zen 4-based AMD APU. Toss in official support from Xbox, and the ability to play any Windows-compatible game out of the box, and the ROG Ally should theoretically decimate Valve’s portable gaming device. Yet that’s simply not the case when you have my beloved Steam Deck OLED out there.
Better specs on paper don’t always make for a better gaming experience, though I appreciate the ROG Ally’s 1080p display that delivers sharp visuals at a smooth refresh rate. Games can also run at 60 frames per second and above, thanks to the new Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor. On top of that, the handheld’s ergonomic design makes it a pleasure to hold, from my experience — not to mention how comfortable it proves to use for long stretches of time. There’s a lot I like about the ROG Ally.
Despite its virtues, the Asus ROG Ally can’t topple the Steam Deck OLED. Yes, it has a sharper display and a faster processor, but the gains from these are arguably negligible — especially when you have to run games at 720p to get nominally better performance. Worst of all is the lack of a dedicated user interface like SteamOS. The Asus Armoury Crate app does a decent enough job of gathering games in one spot, but it’s nowhere near as intuitive or functional as Valve’s operating system.
Read our full Asus ROG Ally review
The best premium gaming handheld
"The Lenovo Legion Go 2 (starting at $1,099) updates the original Legion Go in meaningful ways thanks to its vibrant OLED panel, ergonomic design and new AMD Ryzen Z2 chip. Like before, Lenovo’s device also has Nintendo Switch 2-like detachable controllers and runs on Windows 11. While the Legion Go 2 is certainly impressive, all those updates come at a steep cost."
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 updates the original Legion Go in meaningful ways thanks to its vibrant OLED panel, ergonomic design and new AMD Ryzen Z2 chip. Like before, Lenovo’s device also has Nintendo Switch 2-like detachable controllers and runs on Windows 11. While the Legion Go 2 is certainly impressive, all those updates come at a steep cost.
The large 8.8-inch OLED touch display is a marvel to behold, and makes the 7- or 8-inch panels on rival handhelds appear tiny in comparison. It’s hard to properly convey how great the OLED appears in person, but suffice it to say it’s arguably the best-looking screen on a handheld.
As one of the few gaming handhelds to feature the latest AMD Ryzen Z2 or Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, the Legion Go 2 is capable of delivering impressive performance. We say it’s “capable” since you’ll need to tinker with the in-game graphics and display settings—not to mention turn on the frame-boosting FSR in games that support it—to get the best results. While you might not see radically better performance in comparison to other handhelds, the extra 5-10 frames can make a big difference.
The Legion Go 2 is the largest gaming handheld from a major manufacturer. While it’s more comfortable to hold thanks to its rounded edges, it can still get heavy after prolonged use. Thankfully, you can use the built-in kickstand and set the device on a desk while you play. You can also detach the controllers while the handheld is in “tabletop” mode, if you want.
While we like what the Legion Go 2 has to offer, it won't be one of the best handheld gaming consoles for everyone, and not just because of the steep asking price that can climb as high as $1,479. As always, Windows 11 is still clunky to use on a handheld. We also wish the battery life were longer.
Faults aside, the Lenovo Legion Go 2’s amazing OLED display, unique design and strong gaming performance might make the system worth the high asking price for some.
*Note: Just like the Legion Go S, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is coming with SteamOS, set to launch in June. This will surely give the handheld the boost its Windows 11 counterpart couldn't quite achieve, so stay tuned for our review!
Read our full Lenovo Legion Go 2 review
Battery life tests
No matter how powerful a gaming handheld can get, it's only as good as its battery life! It's all about gaming on the go, after all. Now, depending on the games you play and the settings you tinker with, you could get far less or much more out of these handhelds. But this is an average to expect.
We've done the testing to see just how long these devices last (when gaming):
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Battery life (hh:mm) |
Steam Deck OLED | 03:12 |
Nintendo Switch 2 | 02:29 |
Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) | 01:30 |
ROG Xbox Ally X | 02:56 |
Asus ROG Ally | 01:43 |
Lenovo Legion Go 2 | 02:15 |
How to choose the best handheld gaming console for you
The best handheld gaming console for your needs depends on where you want to use it. If you value performance above all, then you'll want handhelds packing an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, such as the Legion Go 2 and ROG Xbox Ally X. Conversely, if you want a simple-to-use machine that you can hook up to a TV, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the best option.
Price is also a consideration. The original ROG Ally and Switch 2 are the most budget-friendly handhelds we've listed above. Conversely, if you want your handheld to double as your PC, any of the Windows machines will fit that task. The latter devices are also good if you want more versatility than SteamOS offers.
How we test handheld gaming consoles
Windows handhelds are the easiest to test since our benchmark tools are compatible with Microsoft's operating system. However, we don't have a standardized procedure for testing Nintendo devices or machines running on SteamOS.
Instead, we draw from our experiences with these devices after we give them full reviews. A Nintendo Switch and a Legion Go S, for example, fill very different roles, so devising apples-to-apples tests for them is nearly impossible.
Instead, we evaluate each system’s game library, as well as how well it plays games relative to its hardware. The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is more powerful than the Switch 2, but the latter is tailor-made for console gamers, whereas the former is for hardcore PC players.
To earn a spot on this list, a system simply has to play excellent games and be (relatively) small enough to transport easily. For anything beyond that, we rely on our qualitative judgment.
