Best handheld console 2024: Steam Deck, Switch & more

❘ Published: 2024-02-16T16:23:28

Dexerto

Getting the best handheld console in 2024 doesn’t have to be a headache. These devices offer the best gaming experience while on the go. We’ve done the hard work and researched exactly which consoles you should pick up.

Gaming on the go has been around since time eternal. From the Game Boy to modern tablets and more. However, some of the best handheld gaming consoles on the market look to take the experience several notches higher.

Over the last few years, the gaming handheld market has exploded. You can now pick up devices like the Steam Deck, Ayaneo 2, GPD Win, OnexPlayer, and more. The market is ever-expanding with bigger brands also wanting a slice of the action, with devices like Asus ROG Ally and the upcoming MSI Claw.

To keep things a little different here, as compared to our best retro consoles guide, we recommend, we won’t include older games consoles like the DS, 3DS/2DS, and Game Boy. So, without keeping you waiting, our top picks for the best handheld consoles are listed in all their glory below:

1. Valve Steam Deck OLED

Steam Deck OLED on pile of gaming handhelds

Operating system: Linux
Storage: 512GB/1TB
Screen: 7.4-inch OLED touchscreen
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth, 1x USB Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 support
Battery: 3 – 12 hours
Weight: 640g
Price: From $549/$649

Get the Valve Steam Deck

Valve Steam Deck OLED review

In our review, we stated that the Steam Deck has changed the game – it’s just a little convoluted. Once you get past the learning curve and you start to play games outside of SteamOS, it’s an incredibly wide-open console.

The main thing about the Steam Deck that we wholly recommend is just on a cost and performance basis. This could see you through so many high-end PC games, on the go, with very little compromise. This has only gotten better since the introduction of the Steam Deck OLED, which improved upon the previous LCD model monumentally and added on a new 1TB storage variant of the device.

The upgraded Steam Deck OLED sports a 7.4-inch OLED display, improving the overall look of PC games, and giving them new life through the newly integrated up to 90Hz refresh rate. Better yet, the often contentious battery life has gotten a significant boost, making the OLED version the ideal handheld.

2. Nintendo Switch OLED

Operating system: Nintendo Switch system software
Storage: 64 GB
Screen: 7.0-inch OLED screen
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1x USB Type-C
Battery: 4.5 – 9 hours
Weight: 322g
Price: $349

Get the Nintendo Switch on Amazon

Nintendo Switch OLED review

Nintendo’s almighty Switch might be getting on in age, but it doesn’t mean that the games aren’t worth a look into. Grabbing an OLED or even original Switch will unlock a healthy amount of games that you might otherwise never get to experience elsewhere.

Yes, the Switch is completely worth it for the exclusives alone. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Odyssey and more. Nintendo’s entire lineup is an excellent example of what you’re missing out on. Even some of the exclusives from other developers, like Astral Chain and Bayonetta 3 are just worth the entry fee alone.

It’s also an excellent device to have for multiplayer games, as well as catching up on the large portion of games that you never have time for. Who doesn’t want to explore Dragon Quest 11 on the go?

The Switch might be a bit long in the tooth, but the sheer amount of games that have made its way to the eShop over the last few years is nothing short of astounding. You will find something you enjoy, regardless of what it is. Even at the end of its lifespan, the Nintendo Switch remains worth its wait in video-game gold coins.

3. Asus ROG Ally

Operating system: Windows 11
Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
Screen: 7-inch 16:9 (120Hz display)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, custom Asus PCIe port
Battery: 2 hours
Weight: 608g
Price: $544.99

Get the Asus ROG Ally on Amazon

Asus ROG Ally review

The Asus ROG Ally marked one of the first rivals for the Steam Deck, and the brand’s first foray into the world of hanging gaming.

The ROG Ally packs a lot of power into a comfortable handheld, which, combined with some hefty specs, makes the device one of the best options for gaming on the go.

Its bright white shell and flat-bottomed edge makes the Asus ROG Ally stand out from the crowd. As does its RGB rings around the sticks, which give the handheld that “gamery” appeal.

Running on a Z1 Extreme, the Asus ROG Ally is a high-powered handheld, capable of playing most AAA we threw at it in our review. Better yet, the handheld is easily upgradable, so you can up the SSD and push the ROG Ally even further.

4. Ayaneo 2S

Operating system: Windows 11
Storage: 512GB / 2TB/ 4TB m.2 2280 SSD
Screen: 7-inch, 1200p panel
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 2 x USB-C with DisplayPort
Battery: 2 – 3 hours
Weight: 667g
Price: Starts from $1139, $1,819 (Unit reviewed)

Ayaneo 2S review

Ayaneo has a plethora of handhelds out there to choose from, yet if you have crash burning in your pocket, the Ayaneo 2S is one of the brand’s top contenders. The premium handheld comes decked out with 2TB worth of storage, which is more than enough to download all your favorite PC games and then some.

Games shine on the Ayaneo 2S 7-inch 1200p screen, whether they’re old or new. The bezel-less display brings out the vibrant and rich colors, giving new life to older titles like Fallout: New Vegas. In our review, the handheld also managed to go above and beyond our expectations, showing just how high-powered the AMD 7840U can be.

The Ayaneo 2S also comes equipped with a key feature that not a lot of other devices thought of. Next to the options button is another little button on the side. Pressing it brings you straight back to the desktop, no questions asked. There are also three different USB-C ports, each one with their own dedicated power delivery. When it comes to the Ayaneo 2S, they really did think of just about everything.

5. Miyoo Mini Plus

Operating system: Linux
Storage: microSD Card up to 128GB
Screen: 3.5-inch IPS screen
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C, microSD
Battery: 3.7V 3000mAh / 5V Charging interface supports 1.5A
Weight: 162g
Price: $79.99

Get the Miyoo Mini Plus on Amazon

Miyoo Mini Plus review

After the original Miyoo Mini reached the end of its life, it was replaced by the new Miyoo Mini Plus. It comes with a larger 3.5-inch IPS display with 640×480 pixels resolution. This new retro console is powered by Linux system V3 OS comes with a transparent body and improved internals.

It ships with a 64GB SD card that comes preloaded with over 7000 retro games and it also supports open source RetroArch system allowing users to download more games in relevant formats. This tiny console is powered by a 3000 mAh battery that can let you play form more than seven hours with you needing to look for a charging slot.

Retro gaming is getting so much easier to get into these days. While we’ve spoken briefly about emulation, make sure you already own the games that you seek to play.

If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Also, make sure to check out our other guides: