The Best Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2023 – Top Picks
If you landed on this post, chances are you are starting to dive into the world of handheld consoles. Or you are relatively knowledgeable about the handheld console market but need a little more information to make that final informed purchase. Or you think the PSVita was the last true handheld console and everything else is wack.
Either way, you all came to learn more about the best handheld gaming consoles on the market. Hopefully, this article can shed some light on this growing product market space. I want to preface some of these consoles I have yet to hold in my hands as resellers are destroying the market. My view of those comes from various internet sources and research I’ve been doing.
With that aside, let’s get straight into it.
What are the best handheld gaming consoles in 2022?
Steam Deck
Developed by Valve, the Steam Deck is a handheld gaming console that allows you to play PC games on the go. It has a built-in controller and a 6-inch display. The Steam Deck also comes with an HDMI output so you can play PC games on your TV. It connects to your Steam library to play compatible Steam Deck titles. Yes, the game must be compatible with the steam deck for an optimal play session.
Pros: Cons:Price
64 GB: $399
256 GB: $529
512 GB: $649
My View
Valve taking a stab at the handheld console scene shows they understand there is a growing market in this space. The Valve Index was an excellent VR system but with a few drawbacks. The Steam Deck is a great system but with a few drawbacks.
My biggest problem is the battery life. It’s thoroughly optimized for Steam OS but the battery starts to be a problem with other OS and emulators. Another gripe I have is the display. The display itself is great but the screen real estate is not to my taste. Bezels kill the mood. This is the biggest problem I had with the first Nintendo Switch and now also with the Steam Deck. However, with the release of the Nintendo Switch OLED and its greater screen real estate, I expect Valve to do the same in its next iteration. Which is probably like 6 years from now.
Overall, the Steam Deck is a good handheld console with an affordable price with areas that are not yet polished.
Ayaneo 2
The Ayaneo 2 is the newest gaming console from the AYA team. The Ayaneo 2 is a sleek and powerful handheld gaming console that offers a similar experience to the Steam Deck. It features a high-resolution display, powerful stereo speakers, and a fast processor, making it the perfect choice for gamers on the go. However, it’s not exactly pocket-portable with its two analog sticks. And the full display powered by an AMD 6800U comes at a much higher price point than its competition.
Pros: Cons:Price (Retail Price)
16 GB + 512GB: $1099
16 GB + 1T: $1299
32 GB + 1T: $1499
My View
The Chinese competitor to Valve’s Steam Deck, Ayaneo 2 is the beautiful evolution of its predecessors that comes at a costly price. The lowest price model is priced at $949, which by the way is discounted for its early bird special. The spec on this model can qualify it as a handheld pc. However powerful components come at a cost. Poor battery life is quite common. Portability also becomes an issue as dimensions become bigger to accommodate power. That said, this device is probably the most powerful and beautiful on this list.
Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo Switch OLED handheld gaming console offers stunning high-definition visuals on a 6.2″ capacitive touchscreen display. This powerful device is perfect for gamers of all ages and provides hours of entertainment whether you’re at home or on the go. The Switch also features a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope for enhanced gameplay, as well as an HD rumble function on their that creates realistic vibrations to really bring your games to life!
Pros: Cons:Price:
$350
My View
Although limited to Nintendo’s growing catalog, the Nintendo Switch OLED offers a great handheld gaming experience for yourself and a group. In my view, the OLED is what the Switch’s first iteration should have been. Better display, greater screen real estate, and longer battery life are all perks of the Switch OLED.
The catalog of Nintendo’s best-selling is still growing. With much-anticipated sequels like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Pikmin 4, the Switch OLED is a must-carry. If you’re thinking of waiting for the next iteration, don’t.
The original Switch is five years old, but the OLED is only a year old. Even though Nintendo has a pattern of new consoles every six years, the prospect of a new Switch console is doubtful. Hopefully, I’m proven wrong, but in the meantime, the Switch OLED is a great handheld for Nintendo fans and for those wanting to play the newest Nintendo titles.
Side Note: If the price tag of the OLED deters you, then I recommend getting the Nintendo Switch Lite. It can play all the Switch titles at the cost of a smaller screen.
Analogue Pocket
The Analogue Pocket handheld gaming console is a unique and retro way to play your favorite games. This handheld console comes complete with a built-in screen alongside the classic Gameboy look, as well as connectors for classic gaming cartridges. Whether you’re a fan of 8-bit or 16-bit games, the Analogue Pocket is perfect for you!
Pros: Cons:My View
If you have a lot of GBA or game boy games lying around, the Analog Pocket is perfect for booting up those old but gold games. It’s very possible to play original game boy color games. This handheld gaming console can run many retro games through either game cartridges or digitally through software. Analogue also boasts an extensive accessories catalog. A docking station for HDMI capabilities and a Sega Game Gear adapter to name a few. The community is also quite active on Reddit and GitHub where a great number of software enhancements exist.
Honorable Mention
Recently Razer announced their Android-based handheld gaming console, the Razer Edge. I wanted to include it as an honorable mention as it’s just released and there aren’t many comments on it as of now. Razer released a Wi-Fi version and a 5G version with price points of respectively. I’ll keep an eye out for its performance.
My Final Views
Handheld game consoles are becoming a flagship product line for many PC and console gaming companies. Companies realize portable gaming is a big market. Chances are most gamers already own gaming consoles like an Xbox series in addition to a portable gaming console. As a fan of the many Nintendo IPs, it is hard not to own a Nintendo Switch. With an ever-growing Steam Library, playing games on the go while having the same experience as playing on a gaming pc. If the answer to “when and where” I want to play games is “all the time and everywhere”, then the best handheld gaming console should help you keep playing.
