The best handheld gaming console is the one that plays the library you want. Handhelds now fall into very different families: PC game handhelds, retro handhelds, systems that play real cartridges and one-of-a-kind designs. Decide which games you want to play first, then compare the devices in that family on each maker's site.
Search for a handheld console and you'll find devices that have very little in common. Some run PC game libraries, some are built for retro games, some play original cartridges and one has a crank.
This list covers ten handheld makers, using only what each maker's own website says, read on 1 Nov 2026 (as of Nov 2026). It's alphabetical and in no particular order. It's about handheld gaming devices, not gaming phones or controllers, and it leaves performance, screen and battery claims to the makers.
Handheld consoles at a glance
| Tool | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Analogue | Pocket, a multi-video-game-system portable handheld | Game Boy family cartridges |
| Anbernic | Retro handheld game consoles | A long run of retro models |
| AYANEO | Windows and Android gaming handhelds | Windows or Android handhelds |
| Evercade | Retro consoles and game cartridges | Licensed retro collections |
| Lenovo Legion | Gaming laptops and handhelds | Legion Go with SteamOS |
| Nintendo | Switch 2 and Switch systems | The Switch 2 system |
| Playdate | A tiny handheld game system | A handheld with a crank |
| Powkiddy | Retro handheld game consoles | Retro handhelds by model |
| Retroid Pocket | Handhelds, accessories and DIY | The Pocket Duo line |
| Valve | Steam Deck OLED and LCD | Portable PC gaming |
Ten handheld makers and what they make
Analogue
Best for: Playing Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges on the Pocket, with cartridge adapters for other handheld systems.
Anbernic
Best for: Browsing a long run of retro handhelds, including the RG DS Plus, RG 55G1 and RG VITA, with Android and Linux models in the range.
AYANEO
Best for: Choosing between Windows gaming handhelds and Android gaming handhelds, with models such as the Flip 1S and Pocket Air.
Evercade
Best for: Officially licensed game collections on physical cartridges, with hardware such as the Alpha, Nexus, EXP-R, VS-R and Super Pocket.
Lenovo Legion
Best for: Looking at the Legion Go Gen 2 and Legion Go S, both shown on its page powered by SteamOS.
Nintendo
Best for: Starting with the Switch 2 system, with the Switch range, games and accessories on the same site.
Playdate
Best for: Trying a handheld with a crank, plus a season of brand new games that arrive after you set it up.
Powkiddy
Best for: Picking from handhelds such as the RGB30 and the RGB10MAX3 Pro pocket handheld game console.
Retroid Pocket
Best for: Comparing the Duo and Duo Lite handhelds it lists under hot selling items.
Valve
Best for: Using Steam Deck OLED or Steam Deck LCD, which its page calls portable PC gaming with a console-like user experience.
Four families of handheld
Here's what decides it: handhelds fall into very different families, and the library you want decides the device. A PC game handheld, a retro handheld and a cartridge system can look alike in a photo and play completely different games.
Analogue says its Pocket plays the Game Boy Advance game cartridge library, with 'no emulation' in its own words. Evercade plays physical cartridges on handheld, TV and arcade systems. AYANEO splits its range into Windows gaming handhelds and Android gaming handhelds, Lenovo's page shows a Legion Go powered by SteamOS, and Playdate calls itself a tiny handheld game system.
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- PC game handhelds: Windows and SteamOS devices sold for portable PC gaming.
- Retro handhelds: devices listed by model name on retro makers' sites, including Android and Linux models.
- Cartridge systems: devices that play original or licensed physical cartridges.
- One-of-a-kind designs: such as a tiny handheld with a crank.
Retro handhelds and the model number maze
Retro makers list their devices by model name, and the names don't give much away. Anbernic's range runs from the RG 35 to the RG Rotate, Powkiddy keeps its handhelds and gamepads in separate menus, and Retroid Pocket lists accessories, DIY and software beside its handhelds.
If you're new to retro handhelds, write down the systems you want to play before you look at model numbers, then check each maker's product page for the exact device. It's slower, but it stops you buying on a model name alone.
PC handhelds and the big console names
On the PC side, Valve's Steam Deck site has a Deck Verified section beside its Dock and tech specs, and another maker here shows a handheld with access to your full Steam library. Nintendo's Switch 2 page carries GameChat in its menu beside games and accessories. If the games you want are on Steam or the Switch, this is where your shortlist starts.
Questions to answer before you buy a handheld
- Which games do I want to play: PC games, retro games or something new?
- Do I want to play physical cartridges?
- Windows, Android or SteamOS?
- Will I want to play on a TV as well, through a dock or a home system?
- Which models does the maker list right now, and which are pre-order only?
- What does the maker's own product page say about the exact device?
Do you make handheld gaming consoles? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice for choosing a handheld
Start with the library, not the hardware. If your games live on a PC, look at the PC handhelds. If you want original cartridges, the cartridge systems are where to start. If you're after retro games, compare the retro makers' model ranges and read each product page. And treat any performance, screen or battery claim as the maker's own.
If you've gone for a Switch, my list of 2 player Switch games for couples and siblings is a good place to start, and so is my guide to Switch RPG games worth your time.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What types of handheld gaming console are there?
On the makers' own pages here: PC game handhelds running Windows or SteamOS, retro handhelds listed by model name, systems that play physical cartridges, and one-of-a-kind designs such as a tiny handheld with a crank.
Which of these handhelds play physical cartridges?
Two on this list do. One plays the Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridge library, and another plays officially licensed game collections on physical cartridges across handheld, TV and arcade systems.
Can I play PC games on a handheld?
Some handhelds here are sold for it. One maker's page calls its device portable PC gaming, another shows a handheld powered by SteamOS with access to your full Steam library, and a third sells Windows gaming handhelds.
Are there Android gaming handhelds?
Yes. One maker on this list has an Android gaming handhelds category beside its Windows handhelds, and a retro maker describes one of its models as part of its Android handheld lineup.
What makes the handheld with a crank different?
Its maker calls it a new, tiny handheld game system with a bunch of brand-new games. It has a crank, and in the maker's own words, not every game uses it.
Where do I find screen and battery details?
On the maker's tech specs page and product page for the exact device. This list sticks to what each maker sells and the family its devices belong to.
