Top 3 Best Handheld Gaming Consoles In 2025

Consider the top portable gaming consoles if you’re looking for a fun way to pass the time when you’re not at home. Even if you just plan to utilize them in one location, they can still be a fantastic option. Because handheld consoles are typically all-in-one gaming devices that don’t need an extra controller or display, they reduce clutter and free up the TV screen for other family members.

I would also recommend a handheld if you’re new to console gaming or shopping for a child, as they tend to be easier to set up and more intuitive than a fully fledged home system. Right now, there are a ton of options available, from well-known choices like the Nintendo Switch OLED to more specialized options like the PlayStation Portal and Steam Deck OLED. Choosing which one to choose can be a little intimidating, even though this does imply that you will be able to locate something that suits your unique needs.

That’s why I’ve assembled this guide through plenty of hands-on testing and in-depth research. In addition to making extensive use of each of the products that are highlighted, I have made an effort to take into account a variety of significant factors in order to provide the most varied selections. Price, performance, design, compatibility, overall value, and many more factors are included in this. Furthermore, I stay abreast of the most recent product launches, regularly revisiting this list to make sure it stays current.

Table of Contents

• No 1 Asus ROG Ally X
• No 2 Lenovo Legion Go
• No 3 Nintendo Switch OLED

Top 3 Best Handheld Gaming Consoles In 2025

No 1 Asus ROG Ally X

This puts the ROG Ally X in a bit of a strange position. If you want the most affordable way to play PC games on a portable device, then the Steam Deck remains a solid choice – and even the original ROG Ally now offers better value for money.

And, if you just want the best portable gaming system, the best gaming laptops are the way to go. If it weren’t for the larger screen and new pristine white Joy-Con controllers, you’d be hard-pressed to notice any design differences between the Switch OLED and the original Switch. However, look a little closer, and several changes can be found.

The new 7-inch OLED display is the most prominent new design feature, and it’s surprisingly impactful, despite only being 0.8 inches larger than the original Switch’s 6.2-inch screen. As a result, the Switch OLED is slightly bigger than its predecessor: it’s 0.1 inches longer, at 9.5 x 0.55 x 4 inches (W x D x H), but it still feels immediately familiar in the hands.

The Switch OLED has a bit more heft about it, though. It weighs 422 grams with the Joy-Con attached, about 22 grams more than the Nintendo Switch.

No 2 Lenovo Legion Go

One of the big reasons (pun intended) the Legion Go has garnered so much attention is because of its large 8.8-inch display. As I said in my initial hands-on preview, it looks enormous compared to the 7-inch displays seen on the Steam Lenovo claims the display hits 97% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and can achieve up to 500 nits of brightness.

We’re still in the middle of testing this device in our lab, but to my eyes, the screen is very bright and colorful. I expect good results from our test results. While the Legion Go only weighs 1.88 pounds, it can feel heavy after extended use.

Because of that, I like flipping the kickstand open, detaching the controlelrs and playing the handheld while it’s on a desk. You can do this with the Switch as well, but the thin kickstand makes it a cumbersome exercise. Not so with the Legion Go.

The built-in kickstand is a true winner. Legion Space is the Legion Go’s answer to the SteamOS UI (User Interface). I’ll cover Legion Space in greater depth in my full review, but I wanted to go over something I like about the UI: easy access to the most popular game launchers.

No 3 Nintendo Switch OLED

The Nintendo Switch OLED model’s higher price tag seems reasonable, however. The upgraded console comes with a larger, 7-inch OLED display, enhanced speakers, double the internal storage and a wider kickstand, and you also get a slightly improved dock that includes a LAN port for more stable online play.

If it weren’t for the larger screen and new pristine white Joy-Con controllers, you’d be hard-pressed to notice any design differences between the Switch OLED and the original Switch.

However, look a little closer, and several changes can be found. The new 7-inch OLED display is the most prominent new design feature, and it’s surprisingly impactful, despite only being 0.8 inches larger than the original Switch’s 6.2-inch screen. As a result, the Switch OLED is slightly bigger than its predecessor:

it’s 0.1 inches longer, at 9.5 x 0.55 x 4 inches (W x D x H), but it still feels immediately familiar in the hands. The Switch OLED has a bit more heft about it, though.

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.

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