This year, there are many best handheld consoles for those who want to play games anywhere, anytime, without any hassle. The best handheld consoles of 2025 are not just about high specs, but also about comfort, game ecosystem, and features that make you feel comfortable playing for a long time.
The best handheld console of 2025 is really interesting because every brand is competing to release new innovations. From ASUS, Lenovo, Valve, to Nintendo, everyone has their own champion.
With so many choices, it can be confusing, especially if you're looking to buy your first handheld console. In this article, I'm going to discuss about best handheld console 2025, ranging from advantages, disadvantages, to detailed specs. So, you can be more confident before deciding which one to buy. Let's discuss them one by one!
Best Handheld Console 2025
Speaking of the best handheld console of 2025, there are actually several indicators that can be a benchmark.
- First, of course, the hardware performance-the processor, RAM, and GPU used must be capable of playing AAA games without lagging.
- Secondly, screen quality is also important, especially now that many games have really cool visuals.
- Third, battery life, because it's useless if the console is sophisticated but you've only been playing for a while and you have to find a plug.
- Fourth, the gaming ecosystem and operating system-whether the console supports multiple gaming platforms or is exclusive to one.
- Lastly, design and ergonomics, because a handheld console needs to be comfortable to hold for a long time.
The best handheld console of 2025 usually has a combination of all the above factors. Big brands like ASUS, Lenovo, Valve, and Nintendo have released products that are not only powerful, but also user-friendly. Some consoles have even started to adopt new features such as high refresh rates, OLED screens, and direct integration to cloud gaming services. So, if you're looking for the best handheld console of 2025, make sure you check all these aspects so you don't regret it later.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme |
| RAM | 24GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Screen | 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz, Freesync |
| Operating System | Windows 11 + Xbox FSE |
| Weight | 1.58 lbs (about 717 grams) |
| Battery | 2.5 hours (heavy gaming) |
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X This is the new star in the world of the best handheld console of 2025. The collaboration between ASUS and Microsoft finally gives you the Xbox Full Screen Experience directly on your handheld. For those of you who like to play Xbox games or subscribe to Game Pass, this is a portable solution that is not complicated. As soon as you turn it on, you'll be taken straight to the Xbox App without having to deal with Windows Explorer or other apps that aren't essential for gaming.
The main advantages of the ROG Xbox Ally X are in performance and comfort.
- The Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB RAM, and 1TB SSD make this console capable of handling heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077 with stable frame rates.
- The design is also unique, similar to an Xbox controller with an extended screen in the middle. The grip is very comfortable, even for marathon gaming sessions.
- The 7-inch Full HD 120Hz display also supports Freesync Premium, so the visuals are really smooth. The triggers feature with Xbox Series X-style haptic feedback also makes the experience of playing racing or FPS more immersive.
- In addition, the ROG Xbox Ally X has two USB-C ports, MicroSD, fingerprint sensor, and an efficient cooling system.
- The battery can last up to 2.5 hours for heavy gaming, and almost 10 hours for light activities.
The price is premium, but when compared to competitors with similar specs, it's still reasonable. Bottom line, if you're looking for the best handheld console of 2025 that's powerful, comfortable, and has the Xbox ecosystem, this is an option to consider.
Lenovo Legion Go S (Z1 Extreme, SteamOS)
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| RAM | 32GB/16GB |
| Storage | 1TB/512GB |
| Screen | 8-inch IPS, 1920×1200 |
| Operating System | SteamOS |
| Weight | 735 grams |
| Battery | 55.5 Wh |
The Lenovo Legion Go S is equally cool for those of you looking for the best handheld console of 2025. What makes this console special is the use of SteamOS, an operating system specifically designed for gaming. With SteamOS, you can directly access thousands of games on Steam without the hassle of installing Windows or additional settings. The Legion Go S also has an ergonomic design with curved grips and a comfortable texture in the hand, so it's perfect for those who like to play for a long time. Another plus:
- The Legion Go S's performance is no joke. Although it still uses Ryzen Z1 Extreme (not the latest generation), but because SteamOS is lighter than Windows, its performance can beat other handhelds with newer hardware.
- The 8-inch IPS display with 1920×1200 resolution makes the game visuals more vivid and detailed. The battery is 55.5 Wh, enough to play heavy games for several hours.
The downside is that because it uses SteamOS (Linux), not all Windows games or applications can run smoothly. But if you're focused on Steam games, this isn't a big deal.
OLED Steam Deck
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Custom AMD APU (RDNA 2) |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | Up to 1TB |
| Screen | 7-inch OLED, 800p, 90Hz |
| Operating System | SteamOS |
| Weight | 640 grams |
| Battery | 40 Wh |
If you're looking for the best handheld console of 2025 with proven quality, Valve's Steam Deck OLED is still the top choice. This OLED version brings a lot of improvements over the previous generation, especially in the screen quality which is now much brighter, high contrast, and 90Hz refresh rate. Although the performance isn't as strong as competitors using the latest chips, it's more than enough for playing Steam games.
The Steam Deck OLED has an ergonomic design, weighs less than the older version, and is still comfortable to hold. The operating system is SteamOS, so you can instantly access thousands of games that have been optimized for handhelds. Features like dual touchpad, haptic feedback, and gyroscope make the gaming experience more exciting, especially for games that require precise control. The battery is not very durable (about 2-3 hours for heavy games), but this is standard in PC gaming handhelds.
ASUS ROG Ally
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD |
| Screen | 7-inch IPS, 1080p, 120Hz |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Weight | 608 grams |
| Battery | 40 Wh |
ASUS ROG Ally also deserves to be on the list of the best handheld consoles of 2025. Even though it's not an Xbox version, the ROG Ally is still a favorite of many gamers for its stable performance and cool design. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD make this console capable of handling AAA games at 1080p resolution with high frame rates. The 7-inch 120Hz display is also sharp and responsive, perfect for those who like smooth visuals.
ROG Ally's strong point is its flexibility. Because it uses Windows 11, you can install various gaming platforms-Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and GOG-so there's no need to use workarounds like with Steam Deck. The design is also lighter than the competition, with RGB thumb sticks that make it look even better. On the downside, the controls are still less comfortable than Steam Deck, and the battery runs out quickly when playing on turbo mode.
Nintendo Switch 2
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Custom Nvidia Tegra |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB internal, MicroSD |
| Screen | 8-inch LCD, 1080p, 120Hz |
| Operating System | Nintendo OS |
| Weight | 1.18 lbs (about 535 grams) |
| Battery | 2.5 hours (heavy gaming) |
Finally, the best handheld console of 2025 that should not be missed is the Nintendo Switch 2. This console is the successor to the first generation Switch that legend. Switch 2 brings a lot of upgrades, from a 1080p 120Hz LCD screen, a new dock that supports 4K HDR, to 256GB of internal storage. The design is similar to the old Switch, but bigger and heavier, with a new magnetic system to make the Joy-Con more practical.
The Switch 2's main advantage is its ecosystem of exclusive Nintendo games that don't exist on other platforms. In addition, the Joy-Con mouse control feature makes the experience of playing strategy or FPS games more flexible, although the ergonomics can still be improved. The new dock also allows you to play on your TV with sharper picture quality. On the downside, the battery in handheld mode is still limited (about 2.5 hours for heavy games), and the price is quite high compared to the first generation Switch.
So, those are the five best handheld consoles of 2025 that I think are most worthy of your consideration. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages, you just have to adjust it to your needs and budget. Happy hunting for the best handheld console 2025, hopefully this article can help you make the most suitable decision!
