The 6 Best Handheld Gaming Consoles (2024): Switch, Steam Deck, and More

It seems like a distant reminiscence by now, however proper earlier than the Nintendo Switch launched in 2017, it appeared like transportable gaming was on its final life. Cellular video games had devoured up enormous parts of the market, and most fashionable video games required a variety of energy to run on gadgets just like the Nintendo 3DS. Quick-forward to right now, and there are extra methods to take your video games exterior the lounge than ever.

It is a little bit of an odd class as a result of, to be fairly frank, most of the gadgets at present in the marketplace aren’t excellent. Valve’s Steam Deck kicked off a wave of producers seeking to compete with the Nintendo Swap, however a lot of their choices are rushed, buggy, or simply not an effective way to play video games. A number of have risen to the problem, and I am snug saying that there are lastly some good choices to select from. I’ve spent a whole bunch of hours testing as many gaming handhelds as I may get my grubby fingers on—these are the very best.

You should definitely take a look at our different gaming shopping for guides, together with the Best Retro Gaming Consoles, Best Mobile Game Controllers, Best Steam Deck Accessories, Best Switch Accessories, and Best Gaming Laptops.

Up to date August 2024: Added new data on how to decide on the precise gaming handheld for you, and data about Asus Rog Ally software program updates. We have additionally added new pictures.

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What to Look For in a Gaming Handheld

The Swap might have set a brand new customary for transportable gaming, however within the time since, the class has gotten more and more complicated. New platforms, new management schemes, and a variety of battery life that runs the gamut from a number of hours to “do not stray too removed from a charger.” With that in thoughts, listed below are just a few components to bear in mind when deciding which one is best for you:

• Platform: The Swap runs video games that had been designed (or at the very least tailored) for the Swap. Simple sufficient. Different handhelds could be a bit extra sophisticated. On the Steam Deck, for instance, Valve makes use of customized software program and the Proton compatibility layer to make video games run and play nicely on a handheld. Some handhelds simply run Home windows straight (which has its drawbacks). Be sure that to see what video games you need to play can be found on which platform and the way nicely they run before you purchase.
• Image: If you happen to’re gonna stare at your gaming handheld all day, it might as nicely have an awesome show. Many gadgets, just like the Swap and the Steam Deck, have OLED variants with extremely crisp, vibrant shows. Nevertheless, higher does not all the time imply, er, higher. Screens with increased resolutions and sooner refresh charges also can drain extra battery.
• Energy: Talking of battery life, that is one space the place gaming handhelds can differ wildly. Some gadgets, just like the Swap and the Steam Deck, are optimized as a lot as they are often for battery consumption. Nonetheless, working graphics-heavy video games like Tears of the Kingdom will all the time use extra battery than easier video games like Stardew Valley. On handhelds that run much less optimized working methods like Home windows, battery can drain even sooner. If you happen to plan to make use of a variety of heavy battery-draining options or video games, then you definitely may need to pick up a portable charger.
• Efficiency: The Swap notoriously runs on an underpowered processor in comparison with its opponents. But, its video games take advantage of it by being optimized for the {hardware} they run on. With regards to video games that had been designed for Home windows (whether or not they run on the Steam Deck, or Home windows handhelds straight), they will require much more energy to get the identical form of efficiency. Quicker, extra highly effective processors can imply you will get a extra fluid gaming expertise. However, as soon as once more, remember the fact that sooner processors expend extra battery, so make sure to steadiness efficiency with energy drain.