Handheld gaming consoles let you take your games anywhere, from AAA PC titles on the go to thousands of retro classics in your pocket. The best handheld consoles span powerful Windows-based devices, cloud-gaming streamers, and Android and Linux emulation machines, so there’s a perfect portable for every kind of player and budget.
Below we round up the top handheld gaming consoles available now across these categories, plus how to choose the right one for how you like to play.
Our top picks
Retroid Pocket 5 Retro Handheld Game Console- Please note that no games are preloaded on…
- Powerful Performance
- Vibrant 5.5" Touchscreen
OnePro Cloud Handheld Portable Remote Play Gaming- [Cloud Gaming Plus More] abxylute supports cloud gaming…
- [Unmatched Remote Play] Seamlessly connect to your PlayStation,…
- [Minimal Latency] Featuring the 2T2R MU-MIMO Wi-Fi module…
MANGMI AIR X Android Handheld Game Console- 【High-Performance Hardware】The MANGMI AIR X handheld gaming console…
- 【5.5-inch IPS Touchscreen】The MANGMI AIR X handheld gaming…
- 【5000mAh High-Capacity Battery】The AIR X features a built-in…
| Product | Key specs | |
|---|---|---|
| Retroid Pocket 5 Retro Handheld Game Console | Please note that no games are preloaded on… Powerful Performance Vibrant 5.5" Touchscreen | Check price |
| OnePro Cloud Handheld Portable Remote Play Gaming | [Cloud Gaming Plus More] abxylute supports cloud gaming… [Unmatched Remote Play] Seamlessly connect to your PlayStation,… [Minimal Latency] Featuring the 2T2R MU-MIMO Wi-Fi module… | Check price |
| MANGMI AIR X Android Handheld Game Console | 【High-Performance Hardware】The MANGMI AIR X handheld gaming console… 【5.5-inch IPS Touchscreen】The MANGMI AIR X handheld gaming… 【5000mAh High-Capacity Battery】The AIR X features a built-in… | Check price |
 Anbernic RG34XX Retro Handheld Game Console Linux | 【RG34XX Retro Handheld Game Console】RG34XX come with 3.4-inch… 【RG34XX Preloaded 5000+ Retro Games】RG34XX is compatible with… 【RG34XX Multimedia Capabilities】RG34XX handheld game console is a… | Check price |
 RG406V Handheld Game Console RG 406V 4-inch | Beautiful and ergonomic appearance: The sleek design of… RG406V Upgrade Technology and Performance: The Anbernik RG… RG406V Unique design: The RG 406V supports streaming… | Check price |
 RG477M Retro Handheld Game Console | 【 System Configuration of RG477M 】CPU: dimensity 8300… 【Android14 System 】 NO PRELOAD GAMES - Please… 【 Upgrade Features 】RG477M Supports MoonlightStreaming, allowing you… | Check price |
 Retro Handheld Game Console | 【Game Console with Linux Stylem】Comes with 64G TF… 【supports 5G WIFI Bluetooth 2.4G Wireless Gamepad and… 【3200 mAh Li-polymer battery and 3.5 INCHES OCA… | Check price |
 Anbernic RG Rotate Handheld Game Console-3.5 Inch | SWIVEL SCREEN FOR A NEW WAY TO PLAY：The… SMOOTH AND RESPONSIVE ANDROID PERFORMANCE： Powered by the… CONTROLS THAT ADAPT TO YOUR PLAY STYLE：The Anbernic… | Check price |
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Watch: Best Handheld Console — Video Review
How to Choose a Handheld Console
- What you’ll play: Windows handhelds run PC games; cloud devices stream them; Android/Linux units shine at emulation and mobile titles.
- Screen quality: A sharp, high-refresh 1080p touchscreen improves clarity and smoothness.
- Performance: More powerful chips run demanding games; lighter ones excel at retro and cloud play.
- Battery life: Bigger batteries mean longer sessions away from a charger.
- Controls and storage: Hall joysticks resist drift, and expandable or ample storage holds more games.
The Best Handheld Consoles Reviewed
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally
The premium powerhouse, the ROG Xbox Ally features a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz touchscreen, an AMD Ryzen Z2 A chip, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, plus three months of Xbox Game Pass Premium. It’s a full Windows gaming handheld built to run modern PC and Xbox titles.
OnePro Cloud Handheld
Made for cloud gaming, the OnePro streams from Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW, PlayStation, and PC on a 7-inch 1080p touchscreen. Lightweight with long battery life, it’s an affordable way to play demanding games without powerful onboard hardware.
MANGMI AIR X Android Handheld
This Android console pairs a 5.5-inch FHD IPS screen with a Snapdragon 662, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a 5000mAh battery. Hall joysticks and a six-axis gyroscope on Android 14 make it a capable pick for mobile games and emulation.
RG477M Retro Handheld
Built for enthusiasts, the RG477M uses an aluminum-alloy CNC body, a Dimensity 8300 chip, and Android 14 with a 4.7-inch touch screen. Hall joysticks, RGB lighting, and a 5300mAh battery make it a premium emulation and Android gaming device.
Anbernic RG34XX Retro Handheld
A budget retro favorite, the RG34XX runs Linux on a 3.4-inch IPS screen with an H700 chip, 5000+ classic games on a 64GB card, and a 3500mAh battery. Bluetooth and WiFi round out an affordable, focused device for classic gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which handheld can run PC games?
Windows-based handhelds like the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally run full PC and Xbox games natively thanks to their AMD Ryzen Z2 hardware, making them the most capable but also the most powerful and premium option.
What is a cloud gaming handheld?
Devices like the OnePro stream games from services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce NOW rather than running them locally. They’re affordable and lightweight but require a strong, stable internet connection.
Are retro handhelds worth it?
Yes — for fans of classic games, devices like the Anbernic RG34XX and RG477M offer thousands of retro titles and emulation in a pocketable form at a low price, making them great value.
Android or Linux for emulation?
Android handhelds like the MANGMI and RG477M offer app flexibility and modern games, while Linux devices like the RG34XX are streamlined and budget-friendly. Both handle retro emulation well; choose based on how much versatility you want.
Final Thoughts
The best handheld console depends on what you play. The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally leads for native PC gaming, the OnePro is ideal for cloud streaming, and the Anbernic RG34XX and RG477M excel at retro and Android play. Match the device to your library and budget for portable gaming that fits your life.
