Handheld gaming methods are having a second. Whereas gaming on the go has been a factor because the Sport Boy, the success of the Nintendo Swap and a string of ever-improving processors have introduced an eruption of units that allow you to play all kinds of video games wherever you need. As a result of new fashions appear to reach each week, nonetheless, determining the most effective gaming handheld for you might be difficult. You already know that the Swap is nice, however relying on what else you wish to play, the appropriate handheld might vary from a $100 emulation machine to a $700 transportable PC. That can assist you slim issues down, we’ve researched the most effective handheld gaming consoles, examined the most important contenders and laid out a couple of prime picks.
Desk of contents
Greatest gaming handhelds for 2024
Photograph by Jessica Conditt / Engadget
Steam Deck OLED – Show: 7.4-inch HDR OLED, 1,280 x 800 decision, 1,000 nits peak HDR brightness, 600 nits SDR brightness, as much as 90Hz | Processor: Customized 6nm AMD APU | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 6400 MT/s | Storage: 512GB, 1TB SSD | Battery: 50Whr | Dimensions: 11.73 x 4.6 x 1.93 inches | Weight: 1.41 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | OS: SteamOS
Steam Deck LCD – Show: 7-inch IPS, 1,280 x 800 decision, 400 nits brightness, 60Hz | Processor: Customized 7nm AMD APU | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 5500 MT/s | Storage: 256GB SSD | Battery: 40Whr | Dimensions: 11.73 x 4.6 x 1.93 inches | Weight: 1.48 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 | OS: SteamOS
Because of a refresh late final yr, Valve’s Steam Deck continues to supply the most effective steadiness of value, efficiency and usefulness within the gaming handheld market. And the brand new Steam Deck OLED is an intensive improve over the unique. Beginning at $549 for 512GB of storage, this variant encompasses a 7.4-inch OLED show that’s brighter, sooner, barely larger and extra vivid than the 7-inch IPS panel on the now entry-level mannequin. The upper distinction and richer colours of an OLED display makes each sport look higher by default, however this show additionally helps HDR, with considerably brighter highlights at its peak. The utmost refresh fee has jumped from 60Hz to 90Hz as nicely, which might help many video games look smoother.
As a result of much less power-hungry show, a extra environment friendly AMD APU and a bigger battery, the Steam Deck OLED additionally lasts longer than earlier than. No handheld can play resource-intensive “AAA” video games for too lengthy, however Valve says the brand new mannequin can run for 3 to 12 hours relying on the sport, whereas the LCD mannequin lasts between two and eight. A bigger fan retains issues cooler and quieter, and the chassis feels lighter. Efficiency is roughly the identical, although the OLED mannequin’s elevated reminiscence bandwidth might help it achieve a pair further frames in sure video games.
All that mentioned, $549 is an enormous funding. The entry-level Steam Deck, which makes use of a extra fundamental IPS LCD show however now comes with a 256GB SSD as customary, continues to be an unmatched worth at $399. Newer AAA video games are definitely pushing their limits, however each Decks can run tons of video games that simply aren’t attainable on a Nintendo Swap, from Elden Ring to Closing Fantasy VII Remake to the Resident Evil 4 remake. Whereas official sport help is proscribed to a subset of the Steam library, the record of formally verified and still-playable titles is huge, numerous and continually rising. (There are workarounds to entry different storefronts as nicely.)
A near-constant stream of updates has turned Valve’s SteamOS into a versatile but user-friendly platform. You’ll nonetheless have to make tweaks once in a while to get a sport to run optimally, however the course of is often simple. That energy, mixed with third-party instruments like EmuDeck, makes the Deck very good for emulation as nicely. Some PS3 and authentic Xbox video games might be difficult, however nearly all the pieces else works fantastically. You can too cloud stream Xbox video games with a bit setup.
The Steam Deck’s largest difficulty is its dimension: At two inches thick and almost a foot lengthy, it stretches the definition of a “handheld” gadget, even when the OLED mannequin is lighter by comparability. The LCD Deck can get heat and noisy pretty rapidly, too, and the d-pad on every gadget is considerably mushy. However the contoured grips on the again assist offset the majority, and each variations really feel sturdy, with responsive face buttons and triggers, clean joysticks and helpful twin touchpads.
- Sufficient energy play trendy PC video games
- Person-friendly interface
- Vivid show on OLED mannequin
- LCD mannequin is improbable worth
- Excellent emulation efficiency
- Cumbersome
- Would not help each Steam sport or video games from different PC purchasers
Photograph by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Show: 7-inch IPS, 1080p decision, 500 nits brightness, 120Hz, VRR | Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive | RAM: 24GB LPDDR5 7500 MT/s | Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery: 80Whr | Dimensions: 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.97-1.45 inches | Weight: 1.49 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | OS: Home windows 11
When you’re prepared to spend further for extra energy, you possibly can skip the Steam Deck and purchase a Home windows-based handheld as an alternative. The ASUS ROG Ally X is the most effective of these proper now, and it’s a good various to Valve’s gadget in the event you’re prepared to commerce some ease of use for the next efficiency ceiling. Consider it like a extra transportable gaming laptop computer.
The ROG Ally X is an upgraded model of final yr’s ROG Ally, our earlier advice on this spot. This newer mannequin runs on the identical chip (AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Excessive) and has the identical show however comes with extra RAM, double the storage, a battery that’s twice as massive, improved ergonomics and a further USB-C port. It prices $150 extra, so it’s expensive, however it’s a superior piece of {hardware} in almost each means.
There are three major causes to think about the ROG Ally X over the Steam Deck. The primary is energy: The unique ROG Ally was already a bit extra constant at taking part in graphically intense video games at increased body charges, thanks largely to a “Turbo mode” that reinforces the gadget’s energy draw to 25W, or 30W when plugged in. (The Steam Deck formally tops out at 15W.) In our ROG Ally X evaluate, we discovered the additional RAM and improved reminiscence bandwidth right here helped additional this benefit by 5 to 10 p.c relying on the title. It’s nonetheless not a night-and-day improve in sure video games when all settings are equal, however it’s often higher, and it has rather more overhead each for now and the long run. When you primarily wish to play demanding “AAA” video games, the Ally X is extra prone to run them nicely.
On that observe, the Ally X’s second main promoting level is its variable refresh fee. The 7-inch LCD show right here is clearly not as vivid or color-rich as that of the Steam Deck OLED, however it’s each sharper (1080p) and sooner (120Hz), and VRR help does wonders to maintain video games wanting clean even when their body fee fluctuates. It’s an enormous deal.
The third key benefit is the truth that Home windows enables you to play video games from any PC consumer, not only a collection of Steam video games. When you’ve constructed up libraries on shops like Epic, GOG or the Xbox app, you possibly can entry them right here as you’d on some other Home windows PC, no workarounds required. For Xbox Sport Go video games, Epic Video games Retailer exclusives or finicky always-online titles like Future 2 that require anti-cheat software program, it’s nice.
Alas, for all its flexibility, Home windows can also be the most important detriment to any Home windows handheld. ASUS has made actual strides over the previous yr by turning its Armoury Crate app into a wonderfully usable sport launcher and settings hub, however it’s nonetheless slapping a bandage onto an OS that isn’t designed for this kind issue (a sentiment Microsoft itself has acknowledged).
Navigating Home windows along with your fingers and a controller continues to be frustratingly inconsistent. Sleep mode doesn’t all the time keep asleep. Whether or not a sport works easily from the soar generally is a crapshoot; typically the UI received’t scale correctly, different occasions you might have to spend minutes fidgeting with graphics settings and key bindings. These points pop up with any gaming PC, in fact, however they’re extra annoying to cope with on a small display with no mouse helpful. Then there’s the bloat: You don’t want printer drivers, Copilot or advertisements for Workplace 365 in your gaming handheld. No person will confuse a Steam Deck with a Swap, however SteamOS is far simpler to simply decide up and use — even whether it is extra closed-off in consequence.
The Ally X’s battery life can’t match the Steam Deck both, although the drop-off is far much less obvious than it was with the primary Ally. You possibly can count on someplace round 2-2.5 hours with heavier fare, however nicely past that with much less demanding stuff. The larger battery does make the chassis barely heavier, however its extra pronounced grips, tighter joysticks, meatier triggers and barely taller face buttons make it simply that further bit comfier than earlier than. It’ll nonetheless match greatest in larger fingers, however it’s a couple of half-inch thinner than Valve’s machine. The overheating points that plagued the prior mannequin’s microSD card reader ought to be mounted, too, and the corporate has at the very least pledged to enhance its RMA course of after a raft of complaints.
In the end, whether or not the ROG Ally X is best for you comes right down to your tolerance for software program jank. When you’re prepared to courageous some UX sloppiness in an effort to play high-end video games from any consumer, wherever you need, it must be well worth the value premium.
- Extra highly effective than Steam Deck
- Works with any Home windows gaming consumer
- 1080p 120Hz show with VRR
- Effectively-built
- Home windows 11 is not optimized for handhelds
- Pricier than Steam Deck
- No included case
- No Corridor impact joysticks
Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Show: 4.7-inch IPS, 750 x 1,334 decision, 500 nits brightness, 60Hz | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1100 | RAM: 8GB LPDDR4x | Storage: 128GB UFS 3.1 | Battery: 5,000mAh | Dimensions: 7.27 x 3.25 x 0.62 inches | Weight: 0.58 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 | OS: Android 11
The $199 Retroid Pocket 4 Professional is a good worth for many who primarily desire a gaming handheld to emulate older consoles. It’s an Android-based gadget with far much less energy than the Steam Deck or ROG Ally X, so it may well solely run PC, PS5 and Xbox video games through streaming. However if you need one thing extra compact and are prepared to go via the trials of getting emulators to work, it’s essentially the most succesful handheld we’ve examined for lower than $200.
The Pocket 4 Professional runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 1100 chip and 8GB of RAM, and it has a built-in fan with three totally different modes you possibly can activate to achieve a bit further efficiency. This supplies sufficient energy to play most video games from the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube, two fashionable retro consoles which are typically powerful for cellular handhelds to emulate. Not each sport labored — significantly demanding titles like Star Wars Rogue Squadron II and ESPN NFL 2K5 had been too uneven — and getting many others to run optimally required tinkering with decision, rendering and lively cooling settings. With some setup, although, it may well play a big chunk of PS2 and GameCube video games at full pace and double their native decision. The actual fact it may well stably play extra intensive titles like Gran Turismo 4 in any respect, even at decrease settings, is improbable for the cash.
Virtually all the pieces we examined from methods under the PS2 and GameCube on the efficiency totem pole — PSP, Dreamcast, PS1, N64, and so forth. — ran flawlessly at a 2-4x upscale. The one exceptions had been a couple of video games for the notoriously thorny Sega Saturn. Choose video games from later consoles just like the 3DS and Wii had been additionally playable, although the expertise was extra touch-and-go. For contemporary video games, Xbox cloud streaming labored simply superb, as did native Android video games with gamepad help like Diablo Immortal.
The Pocket 4 Professional is constructed like a shorter Nintendo Swap Lite. It’s a flat slab that lacks ergonomic grips however continues to be comfy to carry due to its low weight and small profile. (Retroid sells a comfy grip add-on for one more $15 in the event you want it, although.) It doesn’t really feel low cost or creaky regardless of its plastic body, and its textured coating is pleasant to the contact. All of its buttons really feel proper: The face buttons are clean and have a cushty quantity of journey; the analog triggers are conveniently vast and flared; the bumpers are clicky and simple to differentiate; and the d-pad is agency and exact. The joysticks are on the stubby facet and positioned a bit too low on the gadget to be really comfy with trendy video games, however they’ve a cushty degree of pressure. And since they use magnetic Corridor impact sensors, they need to keep away from drifting points over time. Beneath these are helpful begin, choose, residence and again buttons. There’s additionally a micro-HDMI port for connecting to a TV or monitor. The down-firing audio system are completely first rate, although they’re straightforward to cowl along with your fingers accidentally.
The 4.7-inch IPS show isn’t essentially the most correct we’ve examined even after updates, however it’s sufficiently vivid, sharp and vivid, and any shade temperature points are arduous to note except you’re taking a look at white background. It’s cramped for streaming trendy video games, nonetheless, and its 16:9 side ratio means you’ll get hefty black borders with some older consoles by default. Battery life is okay given the gadget’s size-to-performance ratio: We bought three to 4 hours with PS2 and GameCube video games, and round eight or 9 hours mixing in older consoles. The lively cooling system prevents the Pocket 4 Professional from ever feeling too sizzling, although it may well get noticeably loud at its highest efficiency setting.
Retroid additionally sells a non-Professional model of the Pocket 4 with a slower Dimensity 900 chip and 4GB of RAM for $149. We haven’t been in a position to take a look at it, however in the event you like this design and don’t care as a lot about emulating video games from the PS2, GameCube and up, it might be a greater worth. It’s going to nonetheless be capable of play many video games from these two methods, and all the pieces under that must be rock stable. However the Pocket 4 Professional casts a wider security web performance-wise, so it must be price the additional $50 for many who wish to emulate higher-power consoles extra reliably.
- Sturdy emulation efficiency for the value
- Extremely transportable
- Controls really feel nice
- Android is easy to navigate
- Requires a ton of tinkering to get emulation working optimally
- Measurement and controls aren’t superb for streaming trendy video games
- Battery life is not lengthy with demanding duties
Photograph by James Trew / Engadget
Show: 6-inch IPS, 1080p decision | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | RAM: 8GB, 12GB or 16GB LPDDR5x | Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.0 | Battery: 8,000mAh | Dimensions: 8.86 x 3.86 x 0.67 inches | Weight: 0.93 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | OS: Android 13
When you have additional cash to burn on an emulation-focused machine, the AYN Odin 2 is the best possible retro gaming handheld you should buy proper now. This Android gadget can play all the pieces the Retroid Pocket 4 Professional can plus a bit further, with smoother and extra dependable efficiency. That is primarily as a result of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is identical chip utilized by a lot of final yr’s flagship telephones.
The Odin 2 begins at $299 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is dear when the entry-level Steam Deck enables you to play PC video games for simply $100 extra. Nonetheless, amongst extra compact cellular handhelds, there is not a lot else that runs this nicely on this value vary. It performed all PS2 and GameCube video games we examined at two to 3 occasions their native decision, whereas methods just like the PS1, N64 and Dreamcast had been sometimes playable at a 3-4x upscale. Most 3DS and Wii video games may have little to no slowdowns at 2-3x, both. It’s higher than most with the Sega Saturn, and it may well play a wider vary of Swap video games than the Pocket 4 Professional (although you must simply purchase a Swap if that is a significant concern). More difficult methods will nonetheless require some settings tweaks, however you received’t should tinker on a game-by-game foundation as a lot as you’ll with lower-cost units.
It’s not simply uncooked efficiency, although: The Odin 2 can also be a refined piece of {hardware}. It’s not as compact because the Pocket 4 Professional, however it’s a lot much less chunky than a conveyable PC and the curved grips on its again make it straightforward to carry, significantly with newer video games. Its d-pad, face buttons, analog triggers and Corridor impact joysticks all really feel nice. Different touches like a fingerprint scanner, a devoted return button, a micro-HDMI out port and two customizable again buttons are all good perks, and the front-facing audio system are a transparent improve over the Pocket 4 Professional.
The 6-inch, 1080p touchscreen is stable and well-sized, although it may well keep a bit too vivid in darker settings. Battery life is great: We bought greater than eight hours of juice emulating methods just like the PS2, however that jumped over 20 hours with lighter duties. The gadget helps 65W quick charging as nicely. Cloud streaming and native Android video games work as they need to, and since the entire thing runs on a evenly modded model of Google’s OS, its inventory interface ought to really feel acquainted to most.
The bottom Odin 2 has been out and in of inventory, and the Pocket 4 Professional is a genuinely compelling various for $100 much less. However the Odin 2 continues to be a step up in efficiency and general consolation for many who can afford it. If you wish to play the classics or stream trendy video games and not using a hitch, it’s the Android handheld to get.
- Wonderful emulation efficiency
- Snug
- Nice battery life
- Android is easy to navigate
- Steam Deck is extra succesful for $100 further
- Establishing emulators nonetheless might be laborious
- Docked expertise is not seamless
- Inventory points
Photograph by James Trew / Engadget
Show: 3.5-inch LCD, 1,600 x 1,440 decision, VRR 30Hz-62Hz | Chipset: Altera Cyclone V FPGA, Altera Cyclone 10 FPGA | RAM: 3.4MB BRAM, 2x 16MB 16-bit mobile RAM, 64MB 16-bit SDRAM, 256KB 16-bit asynchronous SRAM | Battery: 4,300mAh | Dimensions: 5.86 x 3.46 x 0.86 inches | Weight: 0.61 kilos | OS: Analogue OS
The Analogue Pocket is the final Sport Boy. Its vertical design is constructed like a modernized, premium model of Nintendo’s traditional handheld, and it may well even work with equipment just like the Sport Boy Digital camera. In comparison with the unique, although, the Pocket provides two further face buttons, a pair of rear triggers, a microSD slot, a USB-C port and a chargeable battery rated for six to 10 hours of playtime. Most importantly, it has a beautiful 3.5-inch show that’s each backlit and extremely sharp (615 ppi) however might be set to appear like an outdated Sport Boy panel with totally different filter modes. The gadget may output to a TV with an elective dock.
Not like the retro handhelds talked about above, the Pocket is designed to play precise cartridges, not simply ROM information. It really works with Sport Boy, Sport Boy Coloration and Sport Boy Advance video games via its cartridge slot, whereas video games from the Sega Sport Gear, TurboGrafx-16, Neo Geo Pocket and Atari Lynx are playable via elective adapters.
Like previous Analogue units, the Pocket makes use of field-programmable gate array (FPGA) motherboards to imitate its goal methods on a {hardware} degree. In observe, this implies the Pocket’s “emulation” of older titles is near-perfect, with a degree of responsiveness and visible faithfulness that software-based emulation can’t match. Pop in a Sport Boy or GBA cartridge and you’ll basically play it as meant. That mentioned, due to a huge post-launch replace and an lively person neighborhood, the Pocket may run ROMs off a microSD card and thus play methods just like the SNES and Sega Genesis.
The Pocket isn’t low cost at $220, and its shoulder buttons aren’t as crisp to press as the superb d-pad or face buttons. Nonetheless, when you have a group of Sport Boy, Sport Gear or GBA video games, the Pocket is essentially the most elegant solution to play them, and it’s solely turn into extra versatile over time. Its largest flaw is that it may be arduous to purchase — count on to attend a couple of weeks for brand spanking new orders to ship, if not longer.
- Performs Sport Boy, Sport Boy Coloration, and GBA cartridges with near-perfect emulation
- Attractive show
- Spectacular construct high quality
- Expandable through adapters
- Software program emulation out there
- Inventory points and delivery delays are frequent
- Shoulder buttons really feel a bit spongy
- Tiny quantity buttons
Gaming handheld honorable mentions
The Lenovo Legion Go is a succesful various to the ASUS ROG Ally X if you need a Home windows handheld with a bigger show. It prices $700, runs on the identical Ryzen Z1 Excessive chip and provides the same set of efficiency modes, however it has a mondo-sized 8.8-inch panel with a sharper 2,560 x 1,600 decision and the next 144Hz refresh fee. It additionally borrows some concepts from the Swap, together with removable controllers and a built-in kickstand for enjoying video games in a “tabletop” mode. These controllers have touchpads to make navigating Home windows a bit simpler, one thing the ROG Ally X lacks.
But it surely’s nonetheless a Home windows handheld, and Lenovo’s software program tweaks aren’t as mature (but) as what ASUS has performed with Armoury Crate, so the UX typically feels half-baked. The jumbo design is bulkier and a half-pound heavier than the ROG Ally, so some will discover it too fatiguing to carry. Its followers are louder, too, and the show lacks VRR. Nonetheless, it is not a nasty alternative in the event you’re dead-set on Home windows.
The Miyoo Mini Plus is rather more reasonably priced than the Retroid Pocket 4 and comes with a well-built, Sport Boy-style kind issue that matches properly with older video games. Its 3.5-inch show actually pops for one thing within the $60 to $80 vary, its battery lasts so long as it must and it may well emulate consoles as much as the unique PlayStation with out a lot difficulty. It runs Linux, so it’s extensively customizable, although it may well require a little bit of tinkering to get it working optimally. Because it’s from a smaller Chinese language agency and isn’t out there at main retailers, nonetheless, it may be troublesome to truly purchase.
The Playdate, from app developer and Untitled Goose Sport writer Panic, is a tiny yellow field with a 2.7-inch monochrome show, two face buttons, a d-pad and a bodily crank constructed into its facet. We referred to as it a “cross between a Game Boy and a business card” in our evaluate, and it’s certainly extremely small at roughly three inches tall and 0.18 kilos. It has a devoted sport library that largely consists of oddball indies, most of which concentrate on one or two core concepts as an alternative of making an attempt to stuff in as many mechanics as attainable. A pair dozen of these video games are bundled with the gadget, whereas others can be found through a built-in retailer or sideloading from outlets like Itch.io. It’s usually well-built, and its battery life is first rate at six to eight hours per cost.
At $200, it’s arduous to name the Playdate an ideal worth when it’s solely designed to play a collection of area of interest video games. Its show isn’t backlit, both. However in a sea of units that attempt to be all the pieces for everybody, the Playdate is admirably targeted and low-key. When you’re into smaller-scale fare and have some cash to play with, it’ll be a enjoyable toy.
The Anbernic RG405M is an efficient Android handheld in the event you like the concept of the Retroid Pocket 4 however need one thing extra compact. This gadget has a 4-inch show with a 4:3 side ratio, which suggests you received’t should cope with black bars as a lot for retro video games (although it may well really feel crunched with newer methods and cloud streaming). It additionally has a extra substantial metallic body. However its chipset is weaker for PS2 or GameCube emulation than the Pocket 4, which prices solely a bit bit further.
We’ll additionally observe the Retroid Pocket 2S, one other 4:3 handheld that is out there for $90. It’s a pleasant compromise in the event you’re on a tighter funds, however that decrease price brings a smaller 3.5-inch show, a barely slower chip and fewer premium construct high quality than the RG405M.
Different gaming handhelds we examined
The MSI Claw is without doubt one of the solely Home windows handhelds to run on an Intel chip. It’s constructed nicely sufficient and has a good 7-inch 120Hz show, however its efficiency can’t hold with AMD-based handhelds just like the ROG Ally X and Legion Go. Its central software program hub, MSI Middle M, wants work, too. At $700 to $800 relying on the configuration, there simply isn’t a lot cause to think about it. You possibly can learn our evaluate for extra particulars.
The Ayaneo Flip DS is a cool idea: a strong Home windows machine with a clamshell design and twin shows, kind of like a supercharged Nintendo DS. It feels sturdy, it performs roughly on par with the opposite Ryzen 7 7840U (or 8840U) handhelds on this information, and its 7-inch prime show is sharp, quick and vivid. The second display makes it a pure match for emulating Wii U or 3DS video games, however you can additionally, say, search for a information or play a YouTube video with out having to shut no matter you’re taking part in. Sadly, that is extra of a neat thought than a totally thought-out product. The folding design implies that the joysticks should be brief and recessed, whereas the face buttons and d-pad are uncomfortably flat. The entire thing is overly thick and heavy, plus it runs very popular. Battery life tops out round two hours, and truly managing two shows on a Home windows handheld is about as clunky as you’d count on. With costs beginning above $800, the Flip DS is difficult to advocate except you’re (oddly) determined for a handheld Wii U emulator. We’re all the time completely satisfied to see extra bizarre {hardware}, although.
The Ayaneo Kun is among the many most decadent Home windows handhelds we’ve examined. With a pointy 8.4-inch show, a strong Ryzen 7 7840U chip, as much as 64GB of RAM, as much as 4TB of storage, an enormous 75Wh battery and a whopping 54W max TDP, it’s each a gaming beast and a possible substitute for a desktop PC. But it surely begins at nicely over $1,000, with a top-end config priced at an eye-watering $1,800. It’s additionally enormous, and it suffers from the same old Home windows-related points. It’s an excellent gadget if cash is actually no object, however it’s extra handheld than most want.
The Ayaneo 2S is one other high-power Home windows handheld with a sharper show, bigger battery and extra configuration choices than the ROG Ally X. It makes use of the identical chip because the Kun as nicely. But it surely’s restricted to a 60Hz refresh fee and prices a couple of hundred {dollars} extra.
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus is one other wallet-friendly vertical handheld. For about the identical value because the Miyoo Mini Plus, it provides a sooner chipset, extra RAM and a much bigger battery alongside a equally spectacular design. Its inventory OS is sloppy, nonetheless, and the third-party firmware customizations you possibly can flash to it aren’t as user-friendly or straightforward to arrange as these out there for Miyoo’s handheld. Additionally, whereas its stronger processor is sweet, its small display and lack of analog sticks means you received’t wish to emulate a lot past the PS1 anyway. Our reservations over the software program additionally apply to the RG35XX H, a more recent variant of the Plus that places the identical chip in a extra conventional design.
The Logitech G Cloud can be an ideal Android decide if it price about $150 much less. Its 7-inch 1080p show is vivid, vibrant and usually extra pleasing to have a look at than the panels on the Retroid Pocket 4 Professional or AYN Odin 2, its battery lasts a very good 10 to 12 hours per cost and its design is cozy to carry for hours at a time. Alas, the G Cloud sometimes sells for $300, which is simply an excessive amount of when the Odin 2 provides much more energy for a similar value.
The PlayStation Portal is a baffling gadget that may solely stream video games from a PlayStation 5. It lacks built-in apps, so emulation isn’t attainable, and it may well’t faucet into the cloud streaming service out there with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. As a result of it’s fully depending on the standard of your property Wi-Fi, we are able to’t assure how nicely it’ll really carry out for you. It doesn’t work with Bluetooth earbuds, both. Its 8-inch show is okay and the DualSense-style controls are nice, so Sony diehards who desire a second display for native PS5 streaming might even see the attraction. However there’s nothing right here that you would be able to’t do with a smartphone and a cellular sport controller, so most individuals are higher off saving their $200.
What to know in regards to the gaming handheld market
You possibly can break down the gaming handheld market into three broad tiers. On the prime, you have got x86-based transportable gaming PCs just like the Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally X. These are essentially the most highly effective handhelds you should buy, as they search to duplicate the expertise of a reasonably specced gaming desktop. The Steam Deck runs on the Linux working system, however most others use Home windows. If you wish to play trendy, not too long ago launched PC video games on the go (and want one thing stronger than a Swap), that is the kind of gadget you’d get. They will additionally emulate the widest vary of retro consoles. They’re sometimes the biggest and most cumbersome units to carry, nonetheless, and their battery life might be brief. Naturally, they’re additionally the costliest, costing wherever from $400 to greater than $1,000.
Additional down on the value spectrum are “mobile handhelds” just like the Logitech G Cloud or Retroid Pocket. These units typically run Android or Linux and may vary from beneath $50 to $400-ish. They aren’t geared up to play trendy console or PC titles, however they’re often extra compact than a conveyable PC, and you’ll nonetheless use them for cellular video games and cloud streaming. Whereas most are marketed towards these ends, many avid gamers really purchase them to emulate traditional video games via software program like RetroArch. Getting emulators to work might be difficult, and accessing the BIOS and ROM information required to play video games this fashion is legally murky. One lawsuit from Nintendo not too long ago led to the shutdown of the most outstanding Swap and 3DS emulators, as an example. (Engadget doesn’t condone piracy.) Backing up information of video games you already personal for private use solely is taken into account extra defensible, although, so for {that a} cellular handheld generally is a extra user- and wallet-friendly solution to play the classics — offered you don’t wish to simply use your telephone.
We’ll name the final tier “handhelds that do their own thing.” It is a catch-all for issues just like the Swap or Playdate: transportable units that run closely personalized software program and goal to offer a singular gaming expertise. They aren’t essentially superb for emulation or taking part in the most recent multiplatform titles; as an alternative, they typically have distinct sport libraries. They won’t have the widest attraction in consequence (Swap excluded), however they’re typically simpler for much less tech-literate people to simply decide up and use.
Current updates
August 2024: We’ve changed the ASUS ROG Ally, our prior decide for the most effective Home windows gaming handheld, with the brand new and improved ROG Ally X. We’ve additionally checked to verify all availability and pricing particulars famous all through the information are correct.
June 2024: We’ve up to date this information to make sure all of our suggestions are updated, including a observe on ASUS’ upcoming ROG Ally X within the course of. We’ve additionally included particulars on two new handhelds we’ve examined since our earlier replace: the MSI Claw and Ayaneo Flip DS. Staying on prime of this market is a tall process, however we’re at the moment taking a look at latest noteworthy releases just like the PSP-esque AYN Odin 2 Mini, the GBA-style Anbernic RG35XXSP and the Anbernic RG Dice as nicely.
