Gaming handhelds are on the rise, and since the Steam Deck, many new devices have been released. MeinMMO introduces you to the most well-known and important gaming handhelds you should know about.
Gaming handhelds are now the alternative when you do not want to play on a gaming PC or a console like the PS5 or Xbox.
MeinMMO presents the most important and best gaming handhelds you can currently buy. The following list is not a ranking; the handhelds follow in random order.
The best gaming handhelds at a glance:
- Asus ROG Ally and ROG Ally X
- Lenovo Legion Go
- Steam Deck (OLED)
- Zotac Zone Gaming
- OneXPlayer 2
- Nintendo Switch OLED
- Aya Neo Air Plus
- Analogue Pocket
- Logitech G Cloud
Last updates: 09/10/24, 08/19/24, 02/02/24, 10/15/23
Asus ROG Ally and ROG Ally X
Release: June 13, 2023 | Hardware: AMD Phoenix, Zen 4 | Price: 735 euros | Operating System: Windows 11
Advantages: The ASUS ROG Ally offers a good, ergonomic feel and an attractive design. The 7-inch handheld also features a 120Hz display and plenty of power for modern games.
Thanks to the installed Windows, you can install and theoretically play any game and any platform like Steam, Epic, and more on the device. In contrast to the Steam Deck, you also get a 1080p display.
Disadvantages: The battery life is very weak, especially the 120Hz display puts a strain on the runtime. The user interface of the ROG Ally is also quite immature, and the installed Windows is not designed for a touchpad.
Update, August 19, 2024: There is now the official successor ROG Ally X available for purchase. The ROG Ally X offers a significantly improved battery life. Whether the ROG Ally X is worth it can be read in the following article on MeinMMO:
Lenovo Legion Go
Release: October 31, 2023 | Hardware: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | Price: 799 euros | Operating System: Windows 11
Advantages: The Lenovo Legion Go received positive points in the test on MeinMMO especially for its high-quality workmanship and excellent display. The performance is not lacking compared to the Rog Ally, thanks to the Ryzen Z1 Extreme.
The integrated Lenovo launcher is adjusted for touch control, making the interface feel pleasantly intuitive after the initial setup.
Disadvantages: The battery life is very short, especially when you want to play demanding titles. In contrast to the ROG Ally, there is no VRR integrated, and the fans emit an unpleasant loud noise in idle mode, and the full resolution (2560×1600) is rarely usable in AAA titles.
Steam Deck (OLED)
Release: February 25, 2022 | Hardware: AMD Van Gogh, Zen 2 | Price: 369,- (LCD, 64 GB), 419,- (LCD 256 GB), 469,- (LCD, 512 GB), 569,- (OLED, 512 GB), 679,- (OLED, 1 TB) | Operating System: Steam OS (Linux)
Advantages: Valve describes the Steam Deck itself as a fully functional gaming PC packed into the case of a handheld. The device contains not only PC features but also haptic feedback, a gyroscope, and two touchpads.
Most games run well on the device. Hundreds of games from the Steam library work on the Steam Deck. Additionally, there is great potential for emulators.
Since mid-2023, there is also an OLED model of the Steam Deck available. For the same price as before, you now get more storage and an OLED display.
Disadvantages: The battery life is quite short, and during demanding games, the device quickly gets very hot. Additionally, not all games run smoothly on the Steam Deck. Some games require skill in configuration.
Zotac Zone Gaming
Release: September 12, 2024 | Hardware: AMD Ryzen 7 8840U with RDNA3 graphics | Price: from 849 euros | Operating System: Windows 11
Advantages: The Zotac Zone Gaming is once again more oriented towards the Steam Deck, as it offers trackpads again. Our colleagues from GameStar Tech describe the device in their test of the Zotac Zone Gaming as “extremely ergonomic.” Additionally, the AMOLED display features vibrant colors and deep blacks.
MeinMMO was able to test the Zotac Zone Gaming at gamescom 2024, where details such as an additional USB-C port and the rear kickstand convinced us.
Disadvantages: The biggest weakness is also, like with almost all other handhelds (except for the ROG Ally X), the battery life. The ROG Ally X with double battery life costs only around 50 euros more in comparison. Windows 11 still feels unnatural and bulky on the gaming handheld.
OneXPlayer 2
Release: March 22, 2022 | Hardware: AMD Ryzen 7 6800U with AMD Radeon 680M; Intel Core i7 of the 13th generation | Price: from 1,110 euros | Operating System: Windows 11
Advantages: The OneXPlayer 2 offers good performance, long battery life, and detachable controllers. This makes the handheld somewhat reminiscent of the Switch, where this is also possible. With its 8.4-inch display, the OneXPlayer 2 features one of the largest displays in the handheld sector.
Disadvantages: The software of the handheld is not very good, and there are few optimizations for handheld mode. The price is also very high compared to other handhelds. We’re easily talking about 1,100 euros and more.
Nintendo Switch OLED
Release: October 8, 2021 | Hardware: Nvidia Tegra X1 | Price: 319 euros | Operating System: Nintendo System
Advantages: The Nintendo Switch is a small handheld that can only play Nintendo games. The OLED version offers several improvements compared to the regular version: The namesake OLED display, an improved stand, and the docking station also features an Ethernet connection.
Disadvantages: In handheld mode, games run only at a resolution of 720p and on the TV at least in Full HD (1080p). The ergonomics of the Joy-Cons are more aimed at young players than adults. Some games also run with quite poor performance on the Switch. Compared to the other handhelds, the performance of the Switch is significantly weaker.
Aya Neo Air Plus
Release: April 2023 | Hardware: AMD Ryzen 7 6800U or AMD Ryzen 7 7840U | Price: from 549 euros | Operating System: Windows 11
Advantages: The Aya Neo Air Plus is a high-end device with performance even sufficient for modern AAA titles. Unlike the Steam Deck, you get a complete Windows 11 system, just like you know it from desktop PCs.
Disadvantages: Still, the device has some downsides: The initial setup is somewhat cumbersome, the battery life is quite short, and the overlay for Windows is anything but mature. However, the last problem is shared with other Windows handhelds.
Analogue Pocket
Release: December 2021 | Hardware: Altera Cyclone V | Price: 319 euros | Operating System: Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
Advantages: The Analogue Pocket is a specialist. The small device was designed solely for playing Game Boy games directly from the original game cartridges.
The clever aspect of the device is that it is not an emulator but can play Game Boy games natively. It can not only play the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges but also games from the Sega Game Gear, Atari Lynx, and Neo Geo.
If you still have a whole set of old games in your closet and want to experience them in a new light, you should give the Analogue Pocket a chance.
Disadvantages: Games from the “Game Boy Advance” series are not displayed perfectly on the screen. Additionally, the waiting times for order deliveries are very long. If you don’t already have a bin full of old games, the device is also uninteresting for you.
Logitech G Cloud
Release: May 22, 2023 | Hardware: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G | Price: 359 euros | Operating System: Android
Advantages: With the Logitech G Cloud, you get a stylish and ergonomically comfortable gaming handheld, especially suitable for cloud gaming. With Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now, there are enough options you can utilize on the G Cloud. The battery life is also long, and the buttons feel excellent to the touch.
Disadvantages: The G Cloud is practically useless without the internet. Therefore, the G Cloud is not suitable if you’re on the go or if you have a poor internet connection at home. The version with a SIM card is also exclusively available only in North America.
Also, Sony will soon release a new handheld and more accessories for the PS5. We have introduced the accessories for the PS5 in the following article: Sony presents new accessories for the PS5: A gaming handheld and new headphones
