Handheld gaming is more crowded than ever, so picking the right device can save you money and frustration. I ranked eight major handheld consoles from worst picks to best buys, focusing on how they actually perform in daily use, how flexible they are with different types of games, and how much value they deliver for the price.
8. PlayStation Portal: Streaming-Only Limitations Make It a Poor Standalone Choice
The PlayStation Portal is built around a single idea, streaming games from a PlayStation 5 to an 8 inch screen with PlayStation-style controls. That remote play focus means there is no local processing for native games, no cloud apps, and no offline capabilities at all. As recent handheld rankings point out, you must already own a PS5 and maintain a strong home or hotel Wi‑Fi connection just to use it.
In practice, that makes the Portal a niche accessory rather than a true handheld console. Input lag and compression artifacts depend entirely on your network, and if your internet drops, your gaming session ends instantly. For players who travel frequently or want a device kids can use independently, the requirement for a separate console and constant connectivity is a major drawback, which is why I place it at the bottom of this list.
7. Logitech G Cloud: Cloud-Focused Design Falls Flat for Local Play
The Logitech G Cloud is designed primarily for services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now, with Android apps filling in the gaps. Guides that rank best handheld gaming devices note that its modest mobile chipset and limited GPU power struggle with demanding native Android titles, let alone any form of local PC gaming. It shines when you are streaming from powerful servers, but that is only part of the handheld story.
Because the G Cloud leans so heavily on streaming, its value depends on subscription services and stable broadband. Battery life is acceptable but not exceptional for long cloud sessions, especially at higher brightness levels. For players who mostly want to tap into Game Pass or GeForce Now around the house, it can work, yet anyone seeking a flexible machine for offline trips or intensive local play will quickly run into its hardware ceiling.
6. Ayn Odin 2: Great for Emulation but Lacks PC Powerhouse Punch
The Ayn Odin 2 is built around Android and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which gives it impressive performance for mobile titles and emulation. Reviews of the Odin 2 Portal highlight its large OLED display and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, while listings for the AYN ODIN 2 emphasize that, at the heart of the device, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 features a Kyro GoldPlus core clocked at 3.2 GHz and multiple Kyro Gold cores for strong multi‑threaded workloads.
Community impressions describe The Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini as “the pinnacle of performance for Android handheld emulators,” with some reviewers calling The Odin 2 Pro “the best Android handheld” they have used. That power, however, does not translate into native PC gaming, since the device relies on Android and ARM architecture rather than x86 Windows. For players focused on retro systems, GameCube, or even some PlayStation 2 and Switch emulation, it is outstanding, but it cannot replace a portable PC for modern AAA releases.
5. MSI Claw: Intel’s Handheld Debut Disappoints in Raw Performance
The MSI Claw is notable as one of the first major handhelds built on Intel Meteor Lake, pairing that CPU architecture with Intel Arc graphics. Analyses of the best handheld gaming PC options report that, in practice, Arc’s GPU performance often lags behind AMD’s RDNA‑based rivals, especially in titles that lack mature driver optimization. Benchmarks show inconsistent frame rates and occasional stutter in demanding games that run more smoothly on comparable AMD Z1 Extreme or custom RDNA 2 hardware.
Wirecutter’s broader look at handheld gaming consoles also flags software bugs and usability quirks that affect the Claw’s appeal. Intel’s XeSS upscaling can help in some titles, but the experience varies widely from game to game. For early adopters who want to see where Intel handhelds are heading, the Claw is interesting, yet for buyers who simply want reliable performance today, it feels like a first‑generation experiment rather than a safe recommendation.
4. Lenovo Legion Go: Big Screen Brilliance Marred by Portability Woes
The Lenovo Legion Go targets power users with an 8.8 inch QHD display, detachable controllers, and full Windows support. Lenovo’s own overview of The Lenovo Legion Go emphasizes that it is a powerful Windows handheld with a big display and full PC capabilities, while roundups of the best handheld gaming consoles highlight its ability to push high refresh rates up to 144 Hz when paired with sufficient GPU power and 32 GB of RAM.
That performance comes at a cost in size and stamina. At roughly 854 g, the Legion Go is significantly heavier than most competitors, and reports note that its battery can drain in roughly 2 to 3 hours under heavy load. Detachable controllers and a kickstand help desk use, but on a commute or long flight the weight and short runtime make it less practical. It is a great fit for players who want a semi‑portable mini PC, not a truly grab‑and‑go console.
3. Asus ROG Ally: Powerful Hardware Hampered by OS Quirks
The Asus ROG Ally centers on AMD’s Z1 Extreme APU, which handheld guides describe as capable of running many modern games at 1080p between 30 and 60 frames per second. In overviews of the best gaming handheld options, the Ally is praised for its bright 120 Hz display and strong performance in titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Cyberpunk 2077 when settings are tuned appropriately. That raw power makes it one of the more capable Windows handhelds for AAA gaming.
The tradeoff is software friction. Because it runs Windows 11, the Ally inherits a desktop interface that is awkward on a 7 inch touchscreen, and reviewers repeatedly point out that Armoury Crate, Asus’s launcher and control hub, still needs refinement. Navigating between Steam, Xbox, and other launchers can feel clunky compared with console‑style UIs. For enthusiasts willing to tweak settings and live with occasional quirks, the Ally is a strong mid‑tier pick, but it is less friendly for plug‑and‑play users.
2. Nintendo Switch OLED: Timeless Library and Versatility Shine Through
The Nintendo Switch OLED remains a standout because of its exclusive games and hybrid design. Its 7 inch OLED screen gives titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder vivid color and deep contrast, while detachable Joy‑Con controllers enable tabletop, handheld, and docked TV play. Long term evaluations of handheld consoles consistently praise the Switch family for reliability and ease of use across age groups.
Rankings that compare major handheld consoles often place the Switch OLED near the top because its library is unmatched in family friendly and couch co‑op experiences. Battery life is solid for a hybrid device, and the docked mode effectively turns it into a living room console. For most mainstream players who care more about Nintendo’s catalog than raw teraflops, the Switch OLED remains one of the safest and most versatile buys available.
1. Steam Deck OLED: The Ultimate All-Rounder for PC Portability
The Steam Deck OLED refines Valve’s original design with a 7.4 inch HDR OLED display, a 50 Wh battery, and upgraded Wi‑Fi, all while keeping access to the full Steam library. Overviews of the best handheld gaming devices note that the Steam Deck OLED improves battery life and screen quality significantly, while detailed breakdowns of reasons the Steam Deck OLED is already the best gaming handheld highlight its gorgeous 90 Hz OLED panel, better battery life, and upgraded storage options.
Other reviewers describe The Steam Deck OLED as “an impressively user‑friendly piece of hardware,” praising how the buttons, sticks, and touchpads integrate with the streamlined SteamOS interface. Video analysis arguing that the steam deck OLED is probably the best value in gaming right now reinforces that it balances performance, price, and usability better than rivals. With 3 to 12 hours of battery life depending on workload, robust Proton compatibility for Windows games, and simple suspend and resume, it delivers the best overall mix of portability, power, and library access in the handheld market today.
More from Morning Overview