The Nintendo Switch has dominated the conversation around handheld gaming consoles for several years now thanks to its innovative hybrid design, relatively accessible price point, and monumental, still-growing lineup of games. (Who needs horsepower, anyway?) It’s now one of the bestselling consoles of all time — but it’s not the only handheld worth buying these days.
After dozens of hours of hands-on testing, our favorite handheld consoles include the glitzy Nintendo Switch – OLED Model ($349.99), the compact Nintendo Switch Lite ($199.99), the slick Valve Steam Deck (starting at $399), and the delightfully nostalgic Analogue Pocket ($219.99). These are four unmistakably different systems in terms of their overall designs, features, and/or use cases, but they all excel at making great games playable on a portable level, and offer solid specs for the money.
Here’s a more intensive breakdown of each console to help you figure out which one’s best for you — whether you’re hunting for a portable PC setup, sitting on a pile of old Game Boy cartridges, or just desperate to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the best system available.
