The very best gaming handhelds for 2024

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

Due to a refresh late last year, Valve’s Steam Deck continues to supply one of the best steadiness of value, efficiency and usefulness within the gaming handheld market. And the brand new Steam Deck OLED is a radical improve over the unique. Beginning at $549 for 512GB of storage, this variant contains a 7.4-inch OLED show that’s brighter, sooner, barely greater 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 recreation look higher by default, however this show additionally helps HDR, with considerably brighter highlights at its peak. The utmost refresh charge has jumped from 60Hz to 90Hz as nicely, which will 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 will help it acquire a pair further frames in sure video games.

All that mentioned, $549 is a giant funding. The entry-level Steam Deck, which makes use of a extra primary IPS LCD show however now comes with a 256GB SSD as normal, continues to be an unmatched worth at $399. Newer AAA video games are actually 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 Final Fantasy VII Remake to the Resident Evil 4 remake. Whereas official recreation assist is proscribed to a subset of the Steam library, the checklist of officially verified and still-playable titles is huge, numerous and consistently 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 must make tweaks every so often to get a recreation to run optimally, however the course of is normally simple. That energy, mixed with third-party instruments like EmuDeck, makes the Deck excellent for emulation as nicely. Some PS3 and authentic Xbox video games will be difficult, however nearly every part else works fantastically. You too can cloud stream Xbox video games with a little setup.

The Steam Deck’s largest subject is its measurement: At two inches thick and practically a foot lengthy, it stretches the definition of a “handheld” system, 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 system 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, easy joysticks and helpful twin touchpads.

Show: 7-inch IPS, 1080p decision, 500 nits brightness, 120Hz, VRR | Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive or AMD Ryzen Z1 | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 6400 MT/s | Storage: 512GB SSD | Battery: 40Whr | Dimensions: 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.83-1.28 inches | Weight: 1.34 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | OS: Home windows 11

Should 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 is the one that ought to work for most individuals, and it’s an honest various for those who’re prepared to commerce ease of use for a better efficiency ceiling. Consider it like a extra transportable gaming laptop computer.

Be aware that we’re particularly recommending the mannequin with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive APU, which prices $649. ASUS sells one other model with a weaker Ryzen Z1 chip for $150 much less, however the energy drop-off there may be too nice. With the Z1 Excessive, the ROG Ally can play extra demanding video games at increased body charges and resolutions than the Steam Deck. In our review, we noticed fps beneficial properties of 15 to 25 % in AAA fare like Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Whereas the Steam Deck formally tops out at a TDP of 15W, the ROG Ally’s Turbo mode boosts its energy draw to 25W (or 30W when plugged in), letting it eke out extra frames. The recent addition of AMD’s Fluid Movement Frames body technology tech will help some video games look smoother, too, although setting that feature up and correctly optimizing it is way from intuitive. Basically, the ROG Ally is not absolutely the quickest handheld, and the Steam Deck can truly outperform it from time to time on the identical TDP, decision and graphics settings. Nevertheless it has extra overhead going ahead, which is vital for those who principally play graphically demanding video games.

The ROG Ally’s 7-inch LCD show isn’t as brilliant or color-rich because the Steam Deck OLED, nevertheless it has a sharper 1080p decision and a sooner 120Hz refresh charge. Most significantly, it helps variable refresh charges (VRR), which helps preserve the picture easy at the same time as a recreation’s body charge fluctuates. Regardless of having a similar-size display, the ROG Ally can be shorter, lighter and thinner than the Steam Deck OLED. That mentioned, it doesn’t include a case. And although the {hardware} isn’t as a lot of a brick because the Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld has extra pronounced grips round its again, which may nonetheless make it simpler to carry for these with giant fingers.

The ROG Ally’s upgraded efficiency and sharper show come on the expense of battery life, nevertheless. That normally sits within the two- to four-hour vary, however it may be even much less with sure video games and better efficiency modes, considerably defeating the purpose of a “transportable” system.

As a result of it runs on Home windows 11, the ROG Ally can play video games from any gaming shopper, not only a choice of Steam video games. Should you’ve constructed up libraries on shops like Epic, GOG, Itch.io or the Xbox app, you possibly can entry them right here as you’d on some other Home windows PC, no particular workarounds required. For individuals who wish to play Epic exclusives like Alan Wake 2 or Xbox Recreation Go titles, it is a actual benefit.

However the largest subject with all Home windows handhelds is Home windows itself. ASUS has made more strides than most by turning its Armoury Crate software program right into a centralized settings hub and recreation library, nevertheless it’s nonetheless slapping a bandage on an OS that merely isn’t designed for this system class (for now).

Whether or not a recreation works easily instantly can really feel like a crapshoot on a Home windows handheld. Generally the UI gained’t scale correctly, generally you’ll need to spend a number of minutes fidgeting with graphics settings and key bindings, oftentimes you’ll need to alternate between navigating the OS with buttons and along with your fingers. I as soon as needed to hard-reset the ROG Ally after a driver subject saved the display from turning on.

ASUS reveals a useful seven-minute tutorial on methods to replace and use the ROG Ally upon first launching Armoury Crate, however the truth that it wants a seven-minute intro video within the first place is telling. No one will confuse the Steam Deck with a Swap, nevertheless it’s a lot less complicated to only decide up and use than any Home windows various.

The ROG Ally has additionally had some troubles with high quality management. Most notably, a number of customers have reported issues with the system ejecting or outright killing their microSD playing cards, a problem ASUS has since confirmed. The system’s SSD is replaceable with a little legwork, nevertheless, so we suggest taking that route for those who want greater than 512GB of storage. Numerous ASUS system homeowners have famous notably terrible experiences with the corporate’s guarantee and return service as nicely, although the agency recently pledged to overtake its buyer assist processes.

Since our final replace, ASUS has unveiled a upgraded variant of the Ally referred to as the ROG Ally X, which is up for pre-order now and shall be launched on July 22. This mannequin has the identical show and chipset however makes use of an even bigger 80Whr battery, 1TB of storage, 24GB of sooner RAM, an additional USB-C port and several other design tweaks, together with extra pronounced grips and a revised d-pad. The trade-offs are that it’s barely thicker and heavier, plus it prices extra at $800. Engadget’s Sam Rutherford was extremely impressed with the upgrades in his hands-on preview, however we’ll replace this information once more as soon as we are able to absolutely overview the brand new mannequin.

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 Pro is a superb worth for many who primarily need a gaming handheld to emulate older consoles. It’s an Android-based system with far much less energy than the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, so it will probably solely run PC, PS5 and Xbox video games through streaming. However in order for you one thing extra compact and are prepared to go through the rigors 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 little bit further efficiency. This offers sufficient energy to play most video games from the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube, two well-liked retro consoles which might be usually robust for cellular handhelds to emulate. Not each recreation labored — notably 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 will probably play a big chunk of PS2 and GameCube video games at full velocity and double their native decision. The actual fact it will probably stably play extra intensive titles like Gran Turismo 4 in any respect, even at decrease settings, is incredible for the cash.

Nearly every part we examined from techniques beneath the PS2 and GameCube on the efficiency totem pole — PSP, Dreamcast, PS1, N64, and so on. — ran flawlessly at a 2-4x upscale. The one exceptions had been a number 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 wonderful, as did native Android video games with gamepad assist 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 for one more $15 for those who 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 easy and have a snug quantity of journey; the analog triggers are conveniently vast and flared; the bumpers are clicky and straightforward to differentiate; and the d-pad is agency and exact. The joysticks are on the stubby aspect and positioned a little bit too low on the system to be actually comfy with fashionable video games, however they’ve a snug degree of pressure. And since they use magnetic Hall effect sensors, they need to keep away from drifting points over time. Beneath these are helpful begin, choose, dwelling and again buttons. There’s additionally a micro-HDMI port for connecting to a TV or monitor. The down-firing audio system are completely respectable, although they’re straightforward to cowl along with your fingers by chance.

The 4.7-inch IPS show isn’t essentially the most correct we’ve examined even after updates, nevertheless it’s sufficiently brilliant, sharp and vivid, and any colour temperature points are exhausting to note except you’re taking a look at white background. It’s cramped for streaming fashionable video games, nevertheless, and its 16:9 facet ratio means you’ll get hefty black borders with some older consoles by default. Battery life is okay given the system’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 scorching, although it will probably 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 for those who 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 will nonetheless be capable of play many video games from these two techniques, and every part beneath that needs to be rock strong. However the Pocket 4 Professional casts a wider security web performance-wise, so it needs to be price the additional $50 for many who wish to emulate higher-power consoles extra reliably.

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

You probably have extra cash to burn on an emulation-focused machine, the AYN Odin 2 is the best possible retro gaming handheld you should purchase proper now. This Android system can play every part the Retroid Pocket 4 Professional can plus a little bit further, with smoother and extra dependable efficiency. That is primarily as a result of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is similar chip utilized by a lot of final yr’s flagship phones.

The Odin 2 begins at $299 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is dear when the entry-level Steam Deck helps 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 a few instances their native decision, whereas techniques just like the PS1, N64 and Dreamcast had been sometimes playable at a 3-4x upscale. Most 3DS and Wii video games can have little to no slowdowns at 2-3x, both. It’s higher than most with the Sega Saturn, and it will probably play a wider vary of Swap video games than the Pocket 4 Professional (although it is best to simply purchase a Swap if that is a significant concern). More difficult techniques will nonetheless require some settings tweaks, however you gained’t need to 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 be a refined piece of {hardware}. It’s not as compact because the Pocket 4 Professional, nevertheless it’s a lot much less chunky than a conveyable PC and the curved grips on its again make it straightforward to carry, notably 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 strong and well-sized, although it will probably keep a bit too brilliant in darker settings. Battery life is great: We bought greater than eight hours of juice emulating techniques just like the PS2, however that jumped over 20 hours with lighter duties. The system 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 fashionable video games and not using a hitch, it’s the Android handheld to get.

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 ultimate Game Boy. Its vertical design is constructed like a modernized, premium model of Nintendo’s traditional handheld, and it will probably even work with equipment just like the Recreation 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 will be set to appear to be an outdated Recreation Boy panel with totally different filter modes. The system may also output to a TV with an optionally available dock.

Not like the retro handhelds talked about above, the Pocket is designed to play precise cartridges, not simply ROM recordsdata. It really works with Recreation Boy, Recreation Boy Colour and Recreation Boy Advance video games by its cartridge slot, whereas video games from the Sega Recreation Gear, TurboGrafx-16, Neo Geo Pocket and Atari Lynx are playable by optionally available adapters.

Like previous Analogue units, the Pocket makes use of field-programmable gate array (FPGA) motherboards to imitate its goal techniques on a {hardware} degree. In apply, 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 Recreation Boy or GBA cartridge and you’ll basically play it as supposed. That mentioned, due to a big post-launch update and an lively consumer group, the Pocket may also run ROMs off a microSD card and thus play techniques 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 wonderful d-pad or face buttons. Nonetheless, when you’ve got a group of Recreation Boy, Recreation Gear or GBA video games, the Pocket is essentially the most elegant strategy to play them, and it’s solely grow to be extra versatile over time. Its largest flaw is that it can be hard to purchase — count on to attend a number of weeks for brand spanking new orders to ship, if not longer.