Video games are fun when you are sitting in your living room. A big screen in front of your eyes makes it livelier for you. But gamers will know the true fun lies in playing on the go. It would be so good if you could play your favorite video game from anywhere. That’s where handheld gaming comes in. Firstly, it gives you the freedom to step away from your TV and desk. Secondly, you can join your friends for a quick game session.
Which Handheld Devices are The Best for You?
The small and portable devices are certainly the best options for people who want to play games on the go. There are hordes of mini games you can play on these handheld consoles. Mini-games’ role in engaging gamers is unprecedented.
Secondly, people prefer handheld consoles as they can carry these compact devices anywhere. Just stash it in your bag and carry it anywhere. Onboard it in trains, flights, anything! There’s no ban on gaming handheld consoles.
But the pressing question that remains is- which handheld consoles are the best. So, let us take a deep dive and understand the features that make a handheld gaming device stand out.
The Top Pick: Steam Deck LCD
A lot of gamers consider it the best gaming console for handheld gamers. The Steam deck’s LCD version is a powerful PC based video gaming device. But what makes it exceptional?
Firstly, you get the best interface, long battery life, and reliable performance when you invest in it. However, the best part is the affordable price of the device. Let me know what the price of the Steam Deck LD is in your area. On Steam’s website, it is available for $399.
Best Features of the Device
The OG Steam Deck ignited the trend of playing games on handheld consoles. People who use the OS of Steam’s devices find it very navigable and supports the original resolution of a lot of games!
Various sports betting apps also have featured console games that we enjoy playing. So, you can simply download the app and play Steam deck sports games there too.
You may have 100s of PC games. The Steam OS would be compatible with almost all of them. But there is only one drawback. The 256 GB storage! People buying it already know that this much memory is enough to play maybe only 2 to 3 PC Games.
Asus ROG Ally X
If you want a device that is not an all-rounder, but optimizes your games to the core, that would be it. But the best part is that it has a long battery life too. Wait, there’s more.
It also works well with the XBox Game Pass and other PC gaming services. However, the price may be one of its major drawbacks. The Asus website sells it for $800.
The Best Features of This Asus Device
You already know that the Asus ROG Ally X can keep the frame rate of any and every game intact. Combined with its huge battery, you probably won’t face any lag throughout the gameplay session.
The inbuild software is Windows PC software. Hence, Game Pass is a given with it. It also supports platforms like Blizzard’s Launcher. Ubisoft Connect and Epic Games.
Asus can brag that its Ally X is the most expensive handheld console. Moreover, it has the best optimization among Windows devices in handheld gaming! But gamers are still split over one issue. Some say the Armory Crate is not as stable as the Steam OS.
The Nintendo Switch
If you want a good family device, that’s Nintendo for you. You can play a lot of exclusive games on this device. Most importantly, it’s cheaper when compared to the other handheld gaming devices of it’s class in 2025. But the device was updated last in 2017. So, you can now play games that are officially licensed by Nintendo.
The Bottom Line
The list of PC based handheld gaming devices is fragile. But they are the best option for kids and adults. Beginners can also have fun playing handheld games on these devices. Even people with no PC gaming experience can have a great time with these devices.
But we chose these for the classic combination of hardware and software support. Each of these devices can take a beating from you. Meanwhile, the software of these handheld devices is also the best!
Criteria that matter
How to spot better devices that will come up in the market this year? Well, 2025 has just started, and there can be upgrades or the launch of new devices later.
But how can you define that a newly launched device is a good one? Well, there are four things you need to check out. Starting with performance and UI. Check the processor’s speed, memory, and graphics support.
Then, check out the user interface. Other than Windows support, good devices have extra consoles and overlays to make the gaming experience smooth!
