it feels like A distant memory by now, but right before Nintendo Switch launches in 2017It seemed as if portable gaming was on its last legs. Mobile games had taken over a large share of the market, and most modern games required a lot of power to run on devices like the Nintendo 3DS. Fast forward to today, and there are more ways than ever to take your game out of the living room.
This is a bit of a strange category because, frankly, many of the devices on the market aren't very good. of valve steam deck A wave of manufacturers started looking to compete with the Nintendo Switch, but many of their offerings felt rushed, buggy, or just weren't a good way to play games. Some people have risen to the challenge and I'm comfortable saying that they have At the end Some good options. I've spent hundreds of hours testing every gaming handheld I can get my grubby hands on—these are the best.
Be sure to check out our other gaming buying guides including Best Retro Gaming Console, Best Mobile Game Controller, Best Steam Deck Accessories, Best Switch AccessoriesAnd best gaming laptop,
Updated November 2024: We've added information about the Analog Pockets and the Logitech G Cloud.
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What to look for in a gaming handheld
The Nintendo Switch may have set a new standard for portable gaming, but in the time since, the category has become increasingly complex. New platforms, new control schemes, and a range of battery lives that last several hours so “don't stray too far from the charger.” With that in mind, here are some factors to keep in mind when deciding which one is right for you:
- platform: The Switch runs games that were designed (or at least optimized) for the Switch. Quite easy. Other handhelds may be a little more complicated. For example, on Steam Deck, Valve uses custom software and proton Compatibility layer to make games run and play smoothly on handhelds. Some handhelds run Windows directly (which it has its drawbacksBefore purchasing, be sure to consider which games you want to play, on which platforms they are available, and how well they run.
- Display: If you'll be staring at your gaming handheld all day, it might as well have a great display. Many devices like the Switch and Steam Deck have OLED variants with incredibly crisp, vibrant displays. However, better does not always mean better. Screens with higher resolution and faster refresh rates can also drain more battery.
- Power: When it comes to battery life, this is one area where gaming handhelds can vary wildly. Some devices, such as the Switch and Steam Deck, have been optimized as much as possible for battery consumption. Still, running graphics-heavy games like tears of state will always use more battery than simple games like Stardew ValleyOn handhelds running less optimized operating systems such as Windows, the battery may drain even faster. If you plan to use a lot of battery-draining features or games, you may want to pick up a portable charger,
- Display: Switch notoriously moves a low power processor Compared to its competitors. Still, its games get the most out of it by being optimized for the hardware they run on. When it comes to games that were designed for Windows (whether they run on a Steam deck, or directly on a Windows handheld), they may require a lot more power to get the same kind of performance. A faster, more powerful processor can mean you'll have a more smooth gaming experience. But, once again, keep in mind that faster processors use more battery, so be sure to balance performance with power drain.