What Are The Best Portable Game Systems To Buy In 2025?

Portable Game Systems are currently experiencing a surge in popularity, and polarservicecenter.net understands the need to stay informed about the latest trends. With a plethora of options available, pinpointing the best handheld gaming consoles can be challenging; let’s explore top contenders and discover which one suits your gaming preferences with polarservicecenter.net. Whether you prioritize performance, portability, or a vast game library, we have you covered, from the versatile Steam Deck to the classic Analogue Pocket, discover a portable gaming solution tailored to your needs, and ensure your devices stay in top condition with our expert support and services at polarservicecenter.net.

1. Best Handheld Gaming Devices For 2025

1.1 Best Handheld Gaming PC For Most

Steam Deck

Valve’s Steam Deck is the best balance of price, performance, and usability in the gaming handheld market. The Steam Deck OLED, starting at $549 for 512GB, features a 7.4-inch OLED display that is brighter, faster, bigger, and more vivid than the 7-inch IPS panel on the entry-level model. This OLED display supports HDR, providing significantly brighter highlights, and has a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz, making games smoother in motion.

Steam Deck OLED gaming handheld

The Steam Deck OLED lasts longer than the original due to a less power-hungry display, a more efficient AMD APU, and a larger battery. While no handheld can play resource-intensive AAA games for very long, Valve states that the OLED model can run for three to 12 hours, depending on the game, while the LCD model lasts between two and eight hours. A larger fan keeps things cooler and quieter, and the chassis feels lighter. Performance is roughly the same, but the OLED model’s increased memory bandwidth can help it gain a couple extra frames in certain games.

The entry-level Steam Deck has a more basic LCD display and a smaller 256GB SSD, but it still delivers the same core experience for $150 less. At $399, it is a fantastic bargain. Either Steam Deck model, however, is showing its age in 2025, especially when compared to higher-end Windows handhelds.

Many of the most graphically demanding games released in the past two years just don’t run well on this hardware. Issues with Linux and anti-cheat software have rendered live-service games like Destiny 2 and Apex Legends unplayable, too. However, the Deck can still play many games that aren’t possible on the original Nintendo Switch or other handhelds in this price range, from Elden Ring to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. It’s also a natural home for older and/or smaller-scale gems. While official game support is limited to a subset of the Steam library, the list of formally verified and still-playable titles is massive, diverse, and constantly growing. There are workarounds to access other storefronts as well.

A steady stream of updates has turned Valve’s SteamOS into a flexible yet user-friendly platform. You’ll still need to make tweaks every now and then to get a game running optimally, but the process is typically straightforward, and there’s a wealth of community-driven resources that document exactly what settings you may need to change. The Deck’s processing power, combined with third-party tools like EmuDeck, makes it a superb portable game system for emulation as well.

The Steam Deck’s biggest issue is its size: At two inches thick and nearly a foot long, it stretches the definition of a handheld device, even if the OLED model is lighter by comparison. The LCD Deck can get warm and noisy fairly quickly, and the d-pad on both devices is somewhat mushy. However, the contoured grips on the back help offset the bulk, and both versions feel sturdy, with responsive face buttons and triggers, smooth joysticks, and useful dual touchpads.

Pros:

Enough power to play many modern PC games
User-friendly interface
Vivid display on OLED model
LCD model is fantastic value
Superb emulation performance

Cons:

Bulky
Not the most powerful hardware
Doesn’t officially support every Steam game or games from other PC clients

1.2 Best Windows Gaming Handheld

ASUS ROG Ally X

The ASUS ROG Ally X is the best Windows-based handheld, which is a decent alternative to the Steam Deck if you’re willing to trade some ease of use for a higher performance ceiling. It is an upgraded version of the original ROG Ally, with the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip and display, but with more RAM, up to four times the storage, a battery that’s twice as large, improved ergonomics, and an additional USB-C port.

ASUS ROG Ally X gaming handheld

There are three main reasons to consider the ROG Ally X over the Steam Deck:

Power: The ROG Ally was already a bit more consistent at playing graphically intense games at higher frame rates, thanks to a Turbo mode that boosts the device’s power draw to 25W, or 30W when plugged in. The Steam Deck officially tops out at 15W. The Ally X’s extra RAM and improved memory bandwidth further improve performance by five to ten percent depending on the title. If you mainly want to play demanding AAA games, the Ally X is more likely to run them well.
Variable Refresh Rate: The 7-inch LCD display is not as bright or color-rich as that of the Steam Deck OLED, but it’s both sharper (1080p) and faster (120Hz), and VRR support does wonders to keep games looking smooth even when their frame rate fluctuates.
Windows Compatibility: Windows lets you play games from any PC client, not just a selection of Steam games. If you’ve built up libraries on stores like Epic, GOG, or the Xbox app, you can access them here as you would on any other Windows PC, no workarounds required.

Windows is also the biggest detriment to any Windows handheld. ASUS has made real strides in turning its Armoury Crate app into a usable game launcher and settings hub, but it’s still slapping a bandage onto an OS that isn’t designed for this form factor. Navigating Windows with your fingers and a controller is still frustratingly inconsistent. Sleep mode doesn’t always stay asleep, and whether a game works smoothly from the jump isn’t constant. You don’t need printer drivers, Copilot, or ads for Office 365 on your gaming handheld.

The Ally X’s battery life doesn’t always match the Steam Deck either, but it’s much closer than the first Ally ever was. You can expect around 2-2.5 hours with heavier fare, but well beyond that with less demanding stuff. The giant 80Wh battery means the chassis is slightly heavier than its predecessor, but its more pronounced grips, tighter joysticks, meatier triggers, and slightly taller face buttons make it comfier than before. The overheating issues that plagued the prior model’s microSD card have been fixed, too, and the company has pledged to improve its RMA process after a raft of complaints.

Ultimately, whether the ROG Ally X is right for you comes down to your tolerance for software quirks. If you’re willing to brave some UX sloppiness in order to play high-end games from any client, anywhere you want, it should be worth the price premium.

Pros:

More powerful than Steam Deck
Works with any Windows gaming client
1080p 120Hz display with VRR
Well-built

Cons:

Windows 11 isn’t optimized for handhelds
Pricier than Steam Deck
No included case
No Hall effect joysticks

1.3 Best Mobile Gaming Handheld For Most

Retroid Pocket 5

The Retroid Pocket 5 is the handheld to get if you mainly want to emulate older consoles, running on an Android-based device that’s far less powerful than portable PCs like Steam Deck or ROG Ally X. The Pocket 5 runs on a Snapdragon 865 chip (the same one used by flagship phones from 2020) and 8GB of RAM, plus it has a built-in fan you can set to three different modes to gain a little extra performance.

Retroid Pocket 5 gaming handheld

This gives it enough power to play most games from the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube, with everything we tested from consoles below the PS2 and GameCube on the performance totem pole—PSP, Dreamcast, PS1, N64, etc.—running flawlessly. Let’s be clear: If you’re new to emulation, you need to go into a device like this expecting to tinker. Even after the laborious process of securing ROM files, downloading the best versions of certain emulators, mapping different control schemes for each console, and navigating the menu hell that is RetroArch, some games just won’t work right.

We wouldn’t call the Pocket 5’s plastic frame “premium,” but it’s clearly sturdier and more substantial than most emulation handhelds from little-known Chinese companies. The 1080p OLED display is the highlight, making everything look more vibrant. There are textured, modestly sized grips around the back that give your fingers a natural place to rest. The face buttons are smooth to press, with a comfortable level of travel. The d-pad is firm and precise enough for us to play Tetris DX without whining. Our main complaint is with the joystick layout, which situates the left stick underneath the d-pad. Battery life can vary from three-ish hours with demanding Android games to more than 10 hours when emulating older 8- and 16-bit consoles.

Pros:

Capable emulation and Android gaming performance
Lovely OLED display
Sticks and buttons feel great
Sturdy, portable design

Cons:

Requires a ton of tinkering to get some emulators working optimally
Joystick layout isn’t ideal for modern games

1.4 Another Good Option: Retroid Pocket Flip 2

The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is essentially the Pocket 5 in a clamshell shape, running on the same chip and thus can emulate the same wide range of retro games. It’s just built like a fatter Nintendo DS with no second display. It’s thicker and heavier than the Pocket 5, and it has a flat back, so we find it a touch more fatiguing to use over time.

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 gaming handheld

Separating the display gives more space for the different control elements to breathe. The joysticks are offset from the d-pad and face buttons, which makes them feel less cramped with games that are more reliant on analog input. They also sit above the other inputs, so you don’t have to reach as much when playing Game Boy, SNES, or other systems that aren’t built for joystick control at all.

The clamshell shape gives everything a natural layer of protection, which in turn makes the device easier to just chuck in a bag. Though we can’t say how well the hinge will hold up years down the road, it feels appropriately tight, and it’s given us no issues after several weeks of testing. The Flip 2 costs $10 more than the Pocket 5 before tariffs, but whether it’s worth buying entirely comes down to how you feel about clamshells. If you want a retro handheld that’s more DS than PSP, grab it instead.

Pros:

Capable emulation and Android gaming performance
Sturdy clamshell design provides a natural layer of protection
Lovely OLED display

Cons:

Requires a ton of tinkering to get some emulators working optimally
Recessed joysticks
Buttons and d-pad could be larger

1.5 Best Mobile Gaming Handheld Overall

AYN Odin 2

The AYN Odin 2 is a step up from the Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2, and can play everything those picks can, just smoother and more reliably. This is mainly due to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.

AYN Odin 2 gaming handheld

The Odin 2 starts at $299 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is expensive when the entry-level Steam Deck can run PC games natively for just $100 more. Still, among more compact mobile handhelds, there aren’t many alternatives that run this well at this price. It played all PS2 and GameCube games we tested at two to three times their native resolution, while systems like the PS1, N64, and Dreamcast had no problems at a 3-5x upscale. The superior chip means you won’t need to tinker on a game-by-game basis as extensively as you would with a lower-cost device.

It’s not just raw performance, though: The Odin 2 is also a refined piece of hardware. It’s larger than Retroid’s handhelds, but it’s still much less chunky than a portable PC, and the curved grips on its back are inviting to hold. The d-pad, face buttons, analog triggers, and Hall effect joysticks all feel great; the latter are also offset, which makes the design comfier than the Pocket 5 for streaming recent console and PC games.

The 6-inch 1080p touchscreen isn’t as color-rich as the Retroid’s OLED panel, but it’s still bright and well-sized for modern games. Battery life is superb: We got more than eight hours of juice emulating systems like the PS2, but that jumped over 20 hours with lighter tasks. The device supports 65W fast charging as well.

AYN sells a few different variants of the Odin 2, including the PS Vita-esque Odin 2 Mini and the larger, OLED-sporting Odin 2 Portal. The original Odin 2 should cast the widest net between the three.

Pros:

Excellent emulation and Android gaming performance
Comfortable
Great battery life

Cons:

Relatively pricey for a mobile handheld (even before tariffs)
Setting up emulators can still be laborious
Docked experience isn’t seamless

1.6 A Premium Handheld For Classic Portable Games

Analogue Pocket

Display: 3.5-inch LCD, 1,600 x 1,440 resolution, VRR 30Hz-62Hz | Chipset: Altera Cyclone V FPGA, Altera Cyclone 10 FPGA | RAM: 3.4MB BRAM, 2x 16MB 16-bit cellular 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 pounds | OS: Analogue OS

The Analogue Pocket is the ultimate Game Boy, with its vertical design built like a modernized, premium version of Nintendo’s classic handheld. Compared to the original, though, the Pocket adds two extra face buttons, a pair of rear triggers, a microSD slot, a USB-C port, and a rechargeable battery rated for six to 10 hours of playtime. Most significantly, it has a gorgeous 3.5-inch display that’s both backlit and incredibly sharp (615 ppi) but can be set to look like an old Game Boy panel with different filter modes. The device can also output to a TV with an optional dock.

Analogue Pocket gaming handheld

Unlike the retro handhelds mentioned above, the Pocket is designed to play actual cartridges, not just ROM files, and works with Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games through its cartridge slot. Like past Analogue devices, the Pocket uses field-programmable gate array (FPGA) motherboards to mimic its target systems on a hardware level. In practice, this means the Pocket’s “emulation” of older titles is near-perfect, with a level of responsiveness and visual faithfulness that software-based emulation can’t match. Pop in a Game Boy or GBA cartridge and you can essentially play it as intended.

That said, thanks to a big post-launch update and an active user community, the Pocket can also run ROMs off a microSD card and thus play systems like the SNES and Sega Genesis.

The Pocket isn’t cheap at $220, and its shoulder buttons aren’t as crisp to press as the excellent d-pad or face buttons. Still, if you have a collection of Game Boy, Game Gear, or GBA games, the Pocket is the most elegant way to play them, and it’s only become more versatile over time. Its biggest flaw is that it can be prone to stock shortages and shipping delays.

Pros:

Plays Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and GBA cartridges with near-perfect emulation
Gorgeous display
Impressive build quality
Expandable via adapters
Supports software emulation

Cons:

Stock issues and shipping delays are common
Shoulder buttons feel a little spongy
Tiny volume buttons

1.7 Honorable Mention: Playdate

The Playdate, from app developer Panic, is a tiny yellow box with a 2.7-inch monochrome display, two face buttons, a d-pad, and a physical crank built into its side.

Playdate gaming handheld

It has a dedicated game library that largely consists of oddball indies, most of which focus on one or two core ideas instead of trying to stuff in as many mechanics as possible. A couple dozen of those games are bundled with the device, while others are available via a built-in store or sideloading from shops like Itch.io. At $229, it’s hard to call the Playdate a great value when it’s only designed to play a selection of niche games. Its display isn’t backlit, either. But in a sea of devices that try to be everything for everyone, the Playdate is admirably focused and low-key.

2. Other Gaming Handhelds We’ve Tested

Below is a selection of other noteworthy gaming handhelds that have been tested. This is not a comprehensive list of everything we’ve ever tried:

2.1 MSI Claw 8 AI+

The original MSI Claw was a flop, but the newer Claw 8 AI+ is much more appealing. With its Intel Core Ultra 7-258V chip and 32GB of RAM, it typically pumped out 10 to 15 percent higher frame rates than other high-end models. Battery life is relatively strong, while its 8-inch 120Hz IPS display is plenty bright and supports VRR. There are smooth Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a built-in fingerprint sensor beyond that.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld

The Claw’s main issue is its price: At $1,000 after a recent price hike, it’s hard to justify over the ROG Ally X. ASUS’ handheld is smaller, lighter, and generally more portable on top of that—though the Claw is thinner—and its Armoury Crate software, while far from perfect, is still a bit more polished than MSI’s Center M hub. There’s also a smaller 7-inch version of this handheld for $900, but we haven’t tested that one yet.

2.2 Lenovo Legion Go

The Lenovo Legion Go is another capable alternative to the ASUS ROG Ally X with an even larger display. It runs on the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip and offers a similar set of performance modes, but it has a mondo-sized 8.8-inch panel with a sharper 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and a higher 144Hz refresh rate.

Lenovo Legion Go gaming handheld

It also borrows some ideas from the Switch, including detachable controllers and a built-in kickstand for playing games in a tabletop mode. Those controllers have touchpads to make navigating Windows a little easier, something the ROG Ally X lacks. But it’s still a Windows handheld, and Lenovo’s software tweaks aren’t as intuitive as what ASUS has done with Armoury Crate, so the UX can feel half-baked by comparison. The jumbo design is bulkier and heavier than the ROG Ally X, so some will find it too fatiguing to hold. Its fans are louder as well, plus the display lacks VRR. Lenovo teased a Legion Go 2 at CES earlier this year, though it hasn’t shared a release date or pricing details as of our latest update.

2.3 Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows Version)

The Lenovo Legion Go S has a relatively comfortable design and a commendable 8-inch 120Hz display, but its performance lags too far behind the ROG Ally X, Claw 8 AI+, and original Legion Go for a device priced at $730.

Lenovo Legion Go S gaming handheld

Windows is still as clunky as ever, too. We’re more excited to test the SteamOS version that’s scheduled to arrive in May, as that should be one of the first non-Valve devices to utilize the Steam Deck’s software.

2.4 Ayaneo Flip DS

The Ayaneo Flip DS is a cool concept: a powerful Windows machine with a clamshell design and dual displays, sort of like a supercharged Nintendo DS. It feels sturdy, it performs roughly on par with the other Ryzen 7 7840U (or 8840U) handhelds, and its 7-inch top display is sharp, fast, and bright.

Ayaneo Flip DS gaming handheld

The folding design means that the joysticks have to be short and recessed, while the face buttons and d-pad are uncomfortably flat. The whole thing is overly thick and heavy, plus it runs very hot. Battery life tops out around two hours, and actually managing two displays on a Windows handheld is about as clunky as you’d expect. With prices now starting above $1,000, the Flip DS is hard to recommend unless you’re (oddly) desperate for a handheld Wii U emulator. We’re always happy to see more weird hardware, though.

2.5 Ayaneo Kun

The Ayaneo Kun is among the most decadent Windows handhelds we’ve tested. With a sharp 8.4-inch display, a Ryzen 7 8840U chip, up to 64GB of RAM, up to 4TB of storage, a sizable 75Wh battery, and a 54W max TDP, it’s both a capable gaming device and a feasible replacement for a desktop PC.

Ayaneo Kun gaming handheld

But it now starts at a pricey $999, it’s huge, and it suffers from the usual Windows-related issues. It also lacks VRR. It’s still a fine device if money is truly no object, but it’s more handheld than most need. The ROG Ally X is a much better value. This is technically an older model for Ayaneo, too, as the company seems to launch a new handheld every other hour these days.

2.6 Ayaneo 2S

The Ayaneo 2S is another high-power Windows handheld with a sharper display and higher configuration options than the ROG Ally X. It also uses the same chip as the Kun above, and is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and costs a few hundred dollars extra.

2.7 Retroid Pocket Mini

The Retroid Pocket Mini is essentially a smaller version of the Retroid Pocket 5. It runs on the same Snapdragon 865 chip and feels just as sturdy, but it has a smaller 3.92-inch display with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Retroid Pocket Mini and Retroid Pocket 5 gaming handhelds

If you mainly want to emulate systems like the SNES, Sega Genesis, or Game Boy Color and don’t mind paying extra for a rich OLED display, it’s a good little device. But the tiny screen is limiting if you ever want to play newer games, and we wish there wasn’t so much empty space around the display.

2.8 Retroid Pocket 4 Pro and Retroid Pocket 4

The 4.7-inch Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is the predecessor to the Pocket 5. Its performance isn’t significantly far off the newer model, so it remains a nice value if you’re determined to spend less than $200 on an emulation device.

2.9 Miyoo Mini Plus

The Miyoo Mini Plus is a highly affordable handheld with a well-built, Game Boy-style form factor that fits nicely with older games. Its 3.5-inch display really pops for something in the $60 to $80 range, its battery lasts as long as it needs to, and it can emulate consoles up to the original PlayStation without much issue.

2.10 Anbernic RG35XX Plus

The Anbernic RG35XX Plus is another wallet-friendly vertical handheld—or at least, it was before Anbernic paused shipments to the US. For about the same price as the Miyoo Mini Plus, it offers a faster chipset, more RAM, and a bigger battery alongside a similarly impressive design.

Anbernic RG35XX Plus gaming handheld

2.11 Anbernic RG35XXSP

The Anbernic RG35XXSP is a variant of the RG35XX Plus based on the same internals, only it apes the clamshell form factor of the old Game Boy Advance SP.

Anbernic RG35XXSP gaming handheld

2.12 Anbernic RG405M

The Anbernic RG405M is another 4:3 handheld with a 4-inch display and a pleasing metal frame. It’s an OK alternative to the Retroid Pocket Mini if you want a little more screen space for less cash, but it’s slower, and it lacks the Mini’s OLED display.

2.13 Playstation Portal

The PlayStation Portal is an odd accessory that’s designed to stream games from a PlayStation 5. It lacks built-in apps, so it doesn’t support traditional emulation and doesn’t work with Bluetooth earbuds, but it’s display is fine, with great DualSense-style controls.

PlayStation Portal gaming handheld

2.14 Logitech G Cloud

The Logitech G Cloud would’ve been a great Android pick when it launched if it cost about $150 less. Its 7-inch 1080p display is bright, vibrant, and generally more pleasing to look at than the panel on the AYN Odin 2, its battery lasts a good 10 to 12 hours per charge, and its design is comfy to hold for hours at a time.

3. What to Know About The Gaming Handheld Market

You can break down the gaming handheld market into three broad tiers:

x86-Based Portable Gaming PCs: These are the most powerful handhelds you can buy, as they seek to replicate the experience of a moderately specced gaming desktop, and can also emulate the widest range of retro consoles. They’re typically the largest and most cumbersome devices to hold, however, and their battery life can be short. Naturally, they’re also the most expensive, costing anywhere from $400 to more than $1,000.
Mobile Handhelds: These devices often run Android or Linux and can range from under $50 to $400-ish (before tariffs). They aren’t equipped to play modern console or PC titles, but they’re usually more compact than a portable PC, and you can still use them for mobile games and cloud streaming.
Handhelds That Do Their Own Thing: This is a catch-all for things like the Switch or Playdate: portable devices that run heavily customized software and aim to provide a unique gaming experience. They aren’t necessarily ideal for emulation or playing the latest multiplatform titles; instead, they often have distinct game libraries.

4. Recent Updates

May 2025: The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 has been tested and recommended as an alternative to the Retroid Pocket 5. We’re in the process of testing a couple of buzzy “vertical” retro handhelds in the Retroid Pocket Classic and TrimUI Brick. We’re also watching out for the first third-party devices that run SteamOS, starting with the new Lenovo Legion Go S, and the next ASUS ROG Ally device, which seems to be arriving soon based on recent leaks.

March 2025: This guide has been edited for clarity and added testing notes for the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows version). Our main picks are unchanged. Looking ahead, we’re keeping an eye on upcoming Windows handhelds from Acer and Ayaneo, a pair of new emulation devices from Retroid, the first third-party devices to ship with SteamOS, and more machines that run on AMD’s Ryzen Z2 chips, among others.

January 2025: We have a new top pick among emulation-focused handhelds: the Retroid Pocket 5. Beyond that, we’ve added notes on a few other devices we’ve

What Are The Best Portable Game Systems To Buy In 2025?

1. Best Handheld Gaming Devices For 2025

1.1 Best Handheld Gaming PC For Most

1.2 Best Windows Gaming Handheld

1.3 Best Mobile Gaming Handheld For Most

1.4 Another Good Option: Retroid Pocket Flip 2

1.5 Best Mobile Gaming Handheld Overall

1.6 A Premium Handheld For Classic Portable Games

1.7 Honorable Mention: Playdate

2. Other Gaming Handhelds We’ve Tested

2.1 MSI Claw 8 AI+

2.2 Lenovo Legion Go

2.3 Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows Version)

2.4 Ayaneo Flip DS

2.5 Ayaneo Kun

2.6 Ayaneo 2S

2.7 Retroid Pocket Mini

2.8 Retroid Pocket 4 Pro and Retroid Pocket 4

2.9 Miyoo Mini Plus

2.10 Anbernic RG35XX Plus

2.11 Anbernic RG35XXSP

2.12 Anbernic RG405M

2.13 Playstation Portal

2.14 Logitech G Cloud

3. What to Know About The Gaming Handheld Market

4. Recent Updates

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