The Best Handheld Game Consoles for 2025

Handheld gaming has come a long way since the early days of the Game Boy and PSP. In 2025, gamers are spoiled for choice with a range of powerful, versatile, and stylish portable consoles that blur the line between mobile and home gaming. Whether you're a retro gaming enthusiast, a PC gamer on the go, or someone who just wants a dedicated system to play indie titles, there’s a handheld for you.

Here’s a deep dive into the best handheld game consoles available in 2025.

1. Steam Deck OLED

Valve’s Steam Deck continues to be a major player in the handheld market, and the 2024 OLED version cements its position even further. With a brighter, more vibrant screen and better battery life, the Steam Deck OLED offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor.

Key Features:
- 7.4" OLED Display – Improved color reproduction and clarity.
- Upgraded APU – Slight boost in performance with better heat management.
- Refined design – Lighter and more ergonomic.

Why It's Great:
The Steam Deck is essentially a portable PC, capable of running AAA games, emulators, and indie titles from your Steam library and beyond. It supports cloud gaming, modding, and desktop Linux features, making it ideal for tech-savvy users who want full control.

Best For:
- PC gamers
- Indie game fans
- Tech enthusiasts who like to tinker

2. Nintendo Switch 2

After years of speculation, the Nintendo Switch 2 (officially released in March 2025) builds on the hybrid legacy of the original with updated hardware and backward compatibility. It retains the dockable design but includes performance improvements and a new generation of exclusive titles.

Key Features:
- NVIDIA custom chip – Boosted graphics and performance
- 8" Mini-LED display – Sharper visuals and improved brightness
- Backwards compatible with Switch games
- Enhanced Joy-Cons with better drift protection

Why It's Great:
Nintendo once again delivers a solid mix of exclusive IPs and family-friendly features, but now with performance that's closer to PS4 Pro levels. The Switch 2 offers both portable and docked gaming experiences with seamless transitions.

Best For:
- Fans of Nintendo franchises (Zelda, Mario, Pokémon)
- Casual gamers
- Families and kids

3. ASUS ROG Ally X

The ASUS ROG Ally series was already impressive, and the 2025 “X” model brings incremental but meaningful improvements. It’s one of the sleekest Windows-based handhelds and is perfect for those who want desktop-level gaming in a portable shell.

Key Features:
- 8-core AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor
- 7" 120Hz display
- Windows 11 with Armoury Crate SE
- High-capacity cooling and performance modes

Why It's Great:
It delivers exceptional performance for its size and comes ready to run Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and more. ASUS has also refined its Armoury Crate UI for better navigation with thumbsticks and touch input.

Best For:
- Hardcore gamers
- Xbox Game Pass subscribers
- Windows power users

4. Ayaneo Kun

Ayaneo has become a premium player in the handheld PC space, and the Ayaneo Kun is their flagship device as of 2025. It’s big, powerful, and designed for people who want no compromise in performance.

Key Features:
- 8.4" 1600p display
- AMD Ryzen 7840U processor
- Up to 64GB RAM / 2TB SSD
- Hall-sensing joysticks and touchpads

Why It's Great:
The Kun is practically a desktop in handheld form. It’s expensive but justifies the price with its luxurious build quality, gorgeous display, and customizable gaming features. It also supports emulation at 4K and handles high-end PC games with ease.

Best For:
- Enthusiasts with big budgets
- Emulation and retro gaming fans
- Content creators and developers on the move

5. Playdate+

If retro aesthetics and quirky game mechanics are your thing, the Playdate+, an upgrade of Panic’s original Playdate, offers an artistic and minimalist gaming experience unlike any other.

Key Features:
- 1-bit screen upgraded to e-paper with grayscale
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Updated SDK for indie developers
- Hand crank mechanic retained

Why It's Great:
This is a console for people who love bite-sized, experimental games. Its updated display and improved storage make it more usable day-to-day, but it keeps its charming core appeal. The developer scene around Playdate is thriving in 2025.

Best For:
- Indie game fans
- Retro aesthetics lovers
- Gamers who want something totally unique

6. Logitech G Cloud 2

Cloud gaming is more relevant than ever, and Logitech has refined its vision with the G Cloud 2, offering a larger, faster, and more responsive experience for streaming games from services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now, and Steam Link.

Key Features:
- 8" 1080p 120Hz LCD screen
- Snapdragon G4X Gen2 chip
- Improved Wi-Fi 6E support
- Android 14-based OS

Why It's Great:
If your internet is strong, this might be all you need. It’s not built to run native AAA games, but for streaming and mobile gaming, it’s super comfortable and efficient. Its battery life is also longer than most Windows handhelds.

Best For:
- Cloud gaming users
- Casual players
- Gamers who want low heat and fan noise

7. Anbernic RG556

Emulation fans are loving the 2025 Anbernic RG556, a budget-friendly handheld that plays everything from NES and PS2 to GameCube and even some lighter Switch games via Android emulation.

Key Features:
- Unisoc T820 chip
- 5.5" AMOLED display
- Dual analog sticks and full-size D-pad
- Android 13 OS with custom launcher

Why It's Great:
Anbernic has a loyal following, and the RG556 is their most versatile Android-based handheld yet. It balances performance with affordability and delivers great value for emulation enthusiasts.

Best For:
- Retro and classic console fans
- Tinkerers and modders
- Budget-conscious gamers

Final Thoughts

2025 is arguably the best year ever for handheld gaming. Whether you want a powerhouse PC experience, the latest Nintendo magic, or a cloud-streaming specialist, there’s something on the market for every type of gamer.

Quick Summary:

| Handheld                 | Best For                            | OS           | Price Range   |
|-------------------    -|-----------------------------|--------------|---------------|
| Steam Deck OLED    | PC gamers, modders        | Linux (SteamOS) | $549–$649     |
| Nintendo Switch 2   | Nintendo fans, families     | Nintendo OS  | $399–$449     |
| ASUS ROG Ally X     | Hardcore gamers, Game Pass users | Windows 11   | $699–$799 |
| Ayaneo Kun         | Power users, developers        | Windows 11   | $999–$1299    |
| Playdate+          | Indie game lovers, minimalists | Custom OS    | $199–$249     |
| Logitech G Cloud 2 | Cloud gaming, casual players | Android 14   | $349–$399     |
| Anbernic RG556     | Emulation, retro gaming       | Android 13   | $149–$199     |

There’s never been a better time to dive into handheld gaming. Whether you’re curled up on the couch, commuting, or traveling, these consoles are ready to deliver immersive gaming experiences in the palm of your hand.