According to a 2024 report published by the Entertainment Software Association, 61% of Americans play video games at least one hour a week, with the majority choosing to game on their smartphone. It makes sense: your phone is essentially a handheld gaming console, one that fits in your pocket and goes with you everywhere.
While I have played some amazing games on my phone, none of them compare to the fun I’ve had playing a handheld gaming console like the Nintendo Switch. We spoke with game industry experts about the best handheld gaming consoles, and which one is right for you.
SKIP AHEAD The best handheld gaming consoles in 2024 | How to shop for a handheld gaming system | Meet our experts | Why trust NBC Select?
How I picked the best handheld gaming consoles
The experts we spoke to told us what to look for when shopping for a handheld gaming console. Combining their advice with decades of gaming experience from myself and other NBC Select staffers, we chose handheld gaming consoles based on the following:
- Game library: The best handheld gaming consoles are the ones with hundreds of great games to play, according to our experts. I included handhelds with large libraries of top-selling games.
- Stable software: Confusing software can make even the most capable gaming machine a pain to use. I chose handheld consoles that have stable software relatively free of bugs and confusing menus, and with years of software updates already completed.
- Accessibility: Mobile gaming is popular and accessible, after all, most of us already have a smartphone in our pocket. I made a point to consider mobile gaming and mobile gaming accessories in my recommendations.
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The best handheld gaming consoles in 2024
Our staff and experts recommend consoles from Nintendo and Valve, as well as accessories that make it easier to play games more comfortably on your smartphone.
Best overall:Nintendo Switch
- Excellent exclusive games
- TV and handheld mode
- Nintendo classic games library
- Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025
Our experts and NBC Select staff point to the Nintendo Switch as the best handheld gaming console. “I recommend the Switch to basically anyone with a passing interest in games, as it’s great for casual players and seasoned gamers,” says Trent Garlipp, an independent game developer and creator of the game A Walk With Yiayia.
The Nintendo Switch’s amazing library of games is its greatest strength — I’ve played fantastic titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing: New Horizons that are exclusive to the console.
The optional Nintendo Switch Online membership ($19.99 a year or $3.99 per month) lets you play online against others in supported games like Splatoon 3. It also lets you download games from Nintendo’s classics library, which has hundreds of titles from older consoles like the Super Nintendo, Game Boy and Nintendo 64.
The system can be played handheld or plugged into a TV or monitor with the included dock. The controller can also be split between two players, meaning fun multiplayer gaming without having to carry around extra equipment. I find the Switch’s compact form factor perfect for traveling and lying around on the coach.
Something to note: Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has said the company plans to make an announcement about the successor to the Switch in the first quarter of 2025.
Battery life: 4.5 to 9 hours | Screen: 6.2-inch LCD touchscreen, 60Hz refresh rate | Resolution: 1280 x 720 | Storage: 32GB internal storage plus microSD card slot | Size: 9.5 x 4 x 0.55 inches | Weight: 0.88 lbs
An upgraded Switch: Nintendo Switch OLED
- Vivid OLED screen
- Improved design
- Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025
This is an upgraded version of the original Nintendo Switch. It plays the same games, but has a bigger, more vibrant screen, more internal storage space, louder speakers and a wider kickstand. It is $50 more expensive than the original Switch, but the improvements are noticeable, and may be worth the extra cost if you play games often.
Battery life: 4.5 to 9 hours | Screen: 7-inch OLED touchscreen, 60Hz refresh rate | Resolution: 1280 x 720 | Storage: 64GB internal storage plus microSD card slot | Size: 9.5 x 4 x 0.55 inches | Weight: 0.93 lbs
For PC gamers: Valve Steam Deck
- Massive game library
- Good battery life
- PC crossplay
- Some less-polished titles
If you are looking for a more powerful console with a bigger library of games, Garlipp recommends the Steam Deck. It is capable of playing hundreds of graphically-intense games like Balder’s Gate 3 and Elden Ring.
The Steam Deck is a good fit for people who already play games on their PC or laptop, in my experience. That’s partly because, instead of buying physical game cartridges, you download games from Valve’s Steam storefront. Steam saves your games on the cloud, so you can easily switch between playing on your Steam Deck and playing on your gaming laptop or computer.
Visually, the Steam Deck is similar to the Nintendo Switch, albeit bigger, with more buttons, and with extra trackpad controls on either side. It can connect to a TV, headphones, controllers and other devices through the Steam Deck Docking Station (sold separately). For games, I recommend sticking to titles listed on the brand’s official Steam Deck Verified page for the most polished experience possible.
Battery life: 3 to 12 hours | Screen: 7.4-inch OLED touchscreen, 90Hz refresh rate | Resolution: 1280 x 800 | Storage: 512GB internal storage plus microSD card slot | Size: 11.73 x 4.6 x 1.92 inches | Weight: 1.41 lbs
For mobile gamers: Backbone One
- Great ergonomics
- Works on most phones
- Nothing at this time
Gaming on your phone won’t compare to a gaming console like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck, but it’s by far the most affordable option, according to our experts. Plus, attaching a controller to your phone like the Backbone One can make it much more comfortable and capable.
This model connects to your phone’s charging port and mounts to the sides, making it feel more like a traditional gaming controller. The version linked above uses a USB-C connection, compatible with most Android phones and the iPhone 15 and 16. For older iPhones, shop the Lightning port model instead.
Be aware that not all games are compatible with the Backbone One — double check that your favorites are included.
Battery life: n/a | Screen: n/a | Resolution: n/a | Storage: n/a | Size: 6.94 (contracted) — 10.14 (expanded) x 3.7 x 1.28 inches | Weight: 0.3 lbs
For powerful performance: Asus Rog Ally X
- Powerful performance
- Detailed
- Fast screen
- Pricey
- Learning curve
The Asus Rog Ally X is the newest and most powerful device on this list. It is best for tech and gaming enthusiasts looking for the most performance and customization. Unlike other handheld gaming consoles, the Rog Ally X runs the Windows operating system, meaning it can natively browse the web, download software and handle tasks more common for a laptop than a gaming console.
It has a faster, more detailed screen than the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, plus much more internal storage space for games built-in. It also gets brighter than its competitors, which can help when playing games in a bright environment. Like other handhelds, it can connect to a TV, controllers and other devices through its Asus Rog Gaming Charger Dock (sold separately).
You can download and play games on several storefronts like Steam, Epic Games and Xbox Game Pass with ease.
Battery life: unlisted | Screen: 7-inch LCD touchscreen, 120Hz refresh rate | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Storage: 1000GB internal storage plus microSD card slot | Size: 11.02 x 4.37 x 1.45 inches | Weight: 1.49 lbs
While all of our recommended consoles have some storage space built in, you may want to invest in a decent SD card too, says Shimomura. More and more games are being sold exclusively as digital downloads, meaning you’ll need more storage space to keep all your favorites downloaded at the same time. I use a Sandisk Ultra microSD card in my Nintendo Switch, and Shimomura recommends Samsung Pro Plus micro SD cards for a good value.
Related
What is a handheld gaming console?
A handheld gaming system is any device you can reasonably take with you on the go. Handheld gaming systems can fit easily into a bag or backpack, have hours of battery life, and do not require a constant internet connection or a big TV screen to use, in my experience.
One of the big appeals of a handheld gaming console over something like a Playstation or Xbox is flexibility, says Garlipp. “Being able to pick up a handheld [console] and bring it to a different part of your house or put it in a bag before heading out feels a lot more convenient and flexible than having to park yourself in one place and commit to ‘playing a game’,” says Garlipp.
How to shop for a handheld gaming console
Our experts say that shopping for the right handheld gaming system is about understanding your own gaming habits. Take some time to reflect on the following before buying your new device.
What kinds of games do you, your friends and your family play?
Games are the most important part of any gaming console — if the console doesn’t have games you enjoy, you won’t have a good time, no matter how advanced the technology is.
“Look at the games first, and if they appeal to you, that’s the handheld to get,” says Garlipp. If you plan to play games with friends and family, ask them what console they are playing on, and try to match with them.
How much time do you spend gaming?
A game designed to be played on the go is usually built to be played in small, bite-sized sessions, says Shimomura. That means you will make good progress even if you only play for 15 or 30 minutes at a time.
If you like this bite-sized approach, handhelds like the Nintendo Switch or your phone are a good match. If you enjoy hours-long gaming sessions, options like the Steam Deck have more sprawling titles that might be a better fit.
Will kids use this console?
The Nintendo Switch has the most accessible, easiest-to-understand design, making it the best fit for children, in my experience. The Switch also has many kid-friendly games that are rated E for everyone by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, titles like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pokemon Scarlet.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Trent Garlipp is an independent game developer and creator of A Walk With Yiayia.
- David Shimomura is the editor-in-chief at Unwinnable, a website and digital magazine focused on gaming and cultural criticism.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on smartwatches, streaming devices and wireless earbuds. For this piece, I leveraged my gaming experience and the experience of other NBC Select staffers. I also spoke with industry experts and researched handheld gaming consoles currently on the market.
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