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Top Handhelds on the market
Portable gaming continues to evolve, and in 2025, handheld gaming devices have reached new heights of performance, design, and usability. These portable gaming consoles are no longer just for casual gamers—they can now compete with mid-tier gaming PCs, offering a wealth of features and compatibility for demanding titles.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best portable gaming consoles available in 2025, comparing performance, price, and usability. If you’re in the market for one, you’ll find a range of options suited to different needs and budgets.
Comparison of Top Handheld Gaming Consoles for 2025
| Console | Display | Processor | Refresh Rate | Battery Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Go | 8.8-inch, 2560×1600 | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | 144Hz | ~2 hours |
| ASUS ROG Ally | 7-inch, 1080p | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | 120Hz | ~1-2 hours |
| Steam Deck (OLED) | 7.4-inch OLED, 1280×800 | Custom AMD APU (Zen 2, RDNA 2) | 60Hz | ~2-8 hours |
| OneXPlayer 2 Pro | 8.4-inch, 2560×1600 | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U | 120Hz | ~2-3 hours |
| Ayaneo Kun | 8.4-inch, 1600p | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U | 120Hz | ~3-4 hours |
| MSI Clutch GM21 | 7-inch, 1080p | AMD Ryzen Z1 | 144Hz | ~2 hours |
1. Lenovo Legion Go
The Lenovo Legion Go is a standout device, offering a unique combination of power and versatility. With its 8.8-inch, 2560×1600 resolution display and 144Hz refresh rate, the Legion Go is perfect for gamers who want a larger screen with vibrant colors. It also features detachable controllers, making it a hybrid between a gaming console and a PC-like handheld.
At its core is the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, the same processor found in other premium handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally. While the hardware is impressive, the software is less polished, with reports of bugs and compatibility issues affecting its usability. Battery life is another limitation, offering only around 2 hours of gameplay.
If you’re looking for a device that doubles as a mini PC and can handle higher resolutions, the Legion Go is a solid pick, though it may not be the most user-friendly option for everyone.
2. ASUS ROG Ally
The ASUS ROG Ally remains one of the best all-around portable gaming devices, thanks to its sleek design, strong performance, and excellent support from ASUS. It features a 7-inch, 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth and sharp visuals with 500 nits of brightness—great for both indoor and outdoor use.
Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the Ally handles most modern games with ease. However, like the Legion Go, it has a relatively short battery life, lasting between 1 to 2 hours of gameplay, which makes a portable power bank a necessity for long gaming sessions.
The Ally excels in compatibility, supporting a wide range of Steam and Windows games, thanks to its Windows-based platform. ASUS also continues to release updates, making it one of the most reliable choices for gamers.
3. Steam Deck (OLED Model)
The Steam Deck from Valve has been a fan favorite since its launch, and the 2025 OLED model makes it even better. The 7.4-inch OLED display offers improved contrast and color accuracy, giving a richer gaming experience.
The Steam Deck’s battery life is one of its strongest points, ranging from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the game. It’s powered by a custom AMD APU with 4-core/8-thread Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 graphics, along with 16GB of RAM, ensuring great performance for most titles.
The SteamOS platform offers a console-like experience while retaining PC versatility. While you can install Windows, doing so can introduce bugs and compatibility issues. Compared to the ASUS Ally, the Steam Deck is less powerful but delivers excellent value for its price. If you’re on a budget, the Steam Deck is still the best option in 2025, especially with its expanded library of compatible games and improved display.
4. OneXPlayer 2 Pro
The OneXPlayer 2 Pro is the newest model from OneXPlayer, offering top-tier performance for gamers who prioritize raw power. With its 8.4-inch 2560×1600 display and 120Hz refresh rate, it delivers stunning visuals and smooth gameplay.
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor with RDNA 3 graphics, this device is one of the most powerful handhelds on the market, capable of running demanding PC games at high settings. The OneX Console software provides advanced system controls, allowing users to adjust TDP and CPU clock speeds for optimized performance.
While its 64GB of RAM and up to 4TB of SSD storage make it a powerhouse, the higher-end configurations may be overkill for most gamers. Additionally, bugs and limited customer support have been reported, which makes it less reliable than competitors like the ASUS ROG Ally or Steam Deck.
5. Ayaneo Kun
The Ayaneo Kun is a premium handheld gaming console designed for gamers who demand the very best. Its 8.4-inch display is slightly larger than most handhelds, offering 1600p resolution and excellent color accuracy. The Kun also boasts one of the largest batteries in the handheld gaming category, providing up to 4 hours of gameplay—a significant improvement over other devices.
With its AMD Ryzen 7 7840U chip and RDNA 3 GPU, it competes directly with the OneXPlayer 2 Pro in terms of performance. However, the Ayaneo Kun stands out for its ergonomic design and superior build quality. It’s a more refined choice for gamers who don’t mind spending extra for comfort and durability.
6. MSI Claw
The MSI Claw offers a unique balance of performance and affordability. Featuring a 7-inch 1080p IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Claw is designed for gamers who prioritize smooth gameplay. However, if you want more perormance you might want to consider the more recent upgrade with the MSI Claw 8 AI+ to get the latest iteration of MSI’s handheld PC.
The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor in the MSI Claw provides solid performance, though not quite on par with the Z1 Extreme in the Ally or Legion Go’s chipset. However, MSI’s strong support network ensures regular updates and compatibility improvements, making it a reliable mid-range option.
Final Thoughts: Which Handheld is Right for You?
The best handheld gaming console in 2025 depends on your priorities:
- For all-around performance and reliability, the ASUS ROG Ally is the top pick. Its excellent compatibility and continuous updates make it a dependable choice for most gamers.
- If you’re on a budget, the Steam Deck OLED is the best value, offering a great library of games and impressive battery life.
- For power users, the OneXPlayer 2 Pro and Ayaneo Kun deliver unmatched performance, though they come at a premium price.
- If you want something more unique, the MSI Clutch GM21 provides a fresh take on handheld gaming at a more affordable cost.
Each device on this list brings something unique to the table, so your choice will depend on what features matter most to you.
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