Best Handheld Gaming Consoles 2024

In 2024, the handheld console market is thriving, offering gamers a variety of options that cater to different gaming preferences and needs. From versatile hybrid consoles to powerful portable gaming PCs, there's something for everyone. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at five of the best handheld consoles of 2024: the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch OLED, Lenovo Legion Go, and Logitech G Cloud.

1. Steam Deck

Valve's Steam Deck continues to be a dominant force in the handheld gaming market. With its impressive hardware, extensive game library, and seamless integration with Steam, the Steam Deck offers a powerful and user-friendly gaming experience. It features a custom AMD APU, blending the power of a Zen 2 CPU with RDNA 2 graphics, ensuring smooth performance for even the most demanding games. With a 7-inch touchscreen and ergonomic design, the Steam Deck offers a comfortable and immersive gaming experience, whether you're playing AAA titles or indie gems. Its versatility extends with options for different storage capacities and the ability to dock and connect to external displays and peripherals.

Key Features:

Performance: Equipped with a custom AMD APU, the Steam Deck provides smooth performance for both AAA and indie games.
Display: The 7-inch touchscreen has a resolution of 1280x800, delivering crisp visuals.
Storage: Available in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB models, with expandable storage via microSD.
Controls: Ergonomic design with thumbsticks, a D-pad, and trackpads for precision control.
OS: Runs SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system optimized for gaming.

Pros:

Access to the vast Steam library.
Excellent performance for a handheld device.
Customizable and open platform.

Cons:

Larger and heavier than some other handhelds.
Limited battery life during intense gaming sessions.

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2. ASUS ROG Ally

The ASUS ROG Ally is a newer handheld gaming console designed for gamers seeking top-tier performance on the go. Powered by AMD Ryzen Z1 series processors, it delivers exceptional speed and graphics capabilities, making it ideal for modern gaming. The Ally boasts a 7-inch FHD touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing crisp visuals and responsive gameplay. Its ergonomic design, complete with customizable controls and RGB lighting, enhances the gaming experience. With its Windows OS, you get some added flexibility in its use but may also be a bit clunkier to learn and setup than systems with more dedicated gaming UIs.

Key Features:

Performance: Powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and RDNA 3 graphics, offering top-tier performance.
Display: Features a 7-inch Full HD 120Hz display, providing stunning visuals and smooth gameplay.
Storage: Comes with up to 1TB of SSD storage, ensuring fast load times and ample space for games.
Controls: Comfortable and responsive controls with customizable RGB lighting.
OS: Runs Windows 11, allowing for compatibility with a wide range of games and software.

Pros:

Exceptional performance and display quality.
Windows 11 compatibility opens up a vast game library.
Premium build quality and design.

Cons:

High price point.
Shorter battery life under heavy load.

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3. Nintendo Switch OLED

The Nintendo Switch OLED elevates the beloved Switch experience with a stunning 7-inch OLED display, offering vibrant colors and deeper contrasts. This handheld console retains the versatility of the original Switch, allowing players to switch between handheld, tabletop, and docked modes effortlessly. The OLED model also features enhanced audio and a wider adjustable stand for improved tabletop gaming. With an extensive library of exclusive games and family-friendly content, the Nintendo Switch OLED continues to be a top choice for gamers of all ages looking for fun and flexibility.

Key Features:

Display: A vibrant 7-inch OLED screen with rich colors and deeper blacks.
Performance: Utilizes the same processor as the original Switch, ensuring compatibility with all existing Switch games.
Storage: 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
Dock: Improved dock with a wired LAN port for better online connectivity.
Versatility: Can be used in handheld, tabletop, and docked modes.

Pros:

Stunning OLED display enhances visual quality.
Versatile and family-friendly.
Extensive game library with exclusive titles.

Cons:

No significant performance upgrade over the original Switch.
Limited to Nintendo's ecosystem and less powerful than some competitors.

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4. Lenovo Legion Go

The Lenovo Legion Go is a high-performance handheld gaming console that stand out with its exceptional power, advanced display, and customizable features. It lives up to the high reputation of the Lenovo Legion gaming line. Powered by AMD Ryzen processors paired with integrated Radeon graphics, the Legion Go ensures smooth and responsive gameplay for modern, graphically demanding titles. This robust hardware setup allows it to handle AAA games and complex applications with ease, making it a formidable competitor in the handheld gaming market.

One of the standout features of the Lenovo Legion Go is its 8.8-inch QHD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate. This large, high-resolution screen delivers sharp, vibrant visuals and fluid motion, enhancing the gaming experience significantly compared to the more standard displays found on other handheld consoles. The high refresh rate ensures that fast-paced games run smoothly, providing a competitive edge for serious gamers.

Like the ROG Ally, the Legion Go runs on Windows 11 allowing for alot of flexibility in games and usage. Some users even connect wireless keyboards and use these to use like a laptop. The specs are quite high for comparable laptops or 2-in-1 tablets, further expanding the value you can get from purchasing one.

Key Features:

Performance: Equipped with AMD Ryzen processors and Radeon graphics for high-end gaming performance.
Display: Boasts an 8.8-inch QHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate.
Storage: Up to 1TB of SSD storage with expandable options.
Controls: Innovative detachable controllers and a built-in kickstand.
OS: Runs Windows 11, providing access to a vast array of games and applications.

Pros:

Large, high-resolution display with a high refresh rate.
Powerful hardware for demanding games.
Detachable controllers offer flexibility.

Cons:

Bulkier than other handhelds.
Expensive.

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5. Logitech G Cloud

The Logitech G Cloud is a unique handheld console that focuses on cloud gaming, offering a different approach to portable gaming. Cloud gaming allows you to stream games directly from powerful servers to your device, eliminating the need for high-end local hardware. This means you can access and play graphically intensive games on the G Cloud, which is powered by a relatively modest Snapdragon 720G processor. The main advantage of cloud gaming is that it enables you to play a vast library of games without requiring extensive storage space or significant processing power - translating to a lower price point while maintaining high performance. This approach not only provides access to a vast library of games but also ensures that the device remains lightweight and power-efficient, boasting an impressive battery life that can last for up to 12 hours of gameplay.

However, cloud gaming does come with some caveats. A stable and fast internet connection is essential for smooth gameplay, as any latency or connectivity issues can disrupt the experience. Moreover, while cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now offer a wide range of titles, their availability may vary, and some games may require separate purchases or subscriptions. Despite these potential drawbacks, the Logitech G Cloud is a compelling option for those who want the flexibility and convenience of cloud gaming, providing access to high-quality games without the need for powerful local hardware.With a starting price of $299 it's definitely one of the cheaper options on this list since it doesn't need as much local processing power.

Key Features:

Performance: Designed for cloud gaming with minimal local processing power.
Display: 7-inch Full HD display with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Storage: 64GB of internal storage, primarily for apps and smaller games.
Cloud Services: Supports Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and other cloud services.
Battery Life: Excellent battery life due to low power consumption.

Pros:

Lightweight and highly portable.
Long battery life.
Access to a vast library of cloud-based games.

Cons:

Dependent on a stable internet connection for optimal performance.
Limited local gaming capabilities.

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Conclusion

Each of these handheld consoles brings something unique to the table in 2024. The Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally are perfect for gamers seeking high performance and a broad game library, while the Nintendo Switch OLED offers unmatched versatility and family-friendly games. The Lenovo Legion Go provides cutting-edge specs for hardcore gamers, and the Logitech G Cloud introduces a new dimension with its cloud gaming focus. No matter your gaming preference, there's a handheld console on this list that will suit your needs.