Gaming on the move has long been a compromise where gamers have had to sacrifice power and graphics for portability. As the difference between handheld consoles and home consoles becomes less and less, what is the best handheld console for travel?

There’s no definitive answer to that question but there are a few options out there with different pros and cons to them. Here, we look at how they suit different needs so you can make an informed decision.

What are the disadvantages of handheld consoles?

Handheld consoles have the advantages of being portable, so you can play on long train journeys or flights, on camping trips or even just around the house, but they often lack the power of home consoles and only have a limited battery life.

The Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 try to combine the best of both worlds with their home docks for use on a TV and then the portability of the machine itself. However, in terms of power they still fall behind the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

What is the most powerful gaming handheld right now?

Not as simple a question as you might think, this depends on what you consider a handheld console. The Nintendo Switch 2 easily outstrips its predecessor (see our comparison of the two here), the Nintendo Switch, in power and also is more powerful than the PlayStation Portal (which is not so much a handheld console as it is a remote-play streaming accessory, as it requires the PS5 to be on and you to have a strong Wi-Fi connection).

However, there are other handheld gaming devices out there with greater power but these tend to be more portable gaming computers, utilising gaming services from Microsoft or Steam.

How to choose the right handheld console?

Choosing the right handheld for you comes down to what you want from it. If you want something super compact, there’s options like the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is a lighter, smaller version of the original Switch that is made solely for portable play.

But if you want something that is rugged and adaptable to at home play too, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a great choice. If you’re looking for taking your PC games library with you, there’s loads of handheld PC choices available, like the Asus Rog Xbox ally that uses your Xbox digital library, or you could get that retro vibe with something like a handheld console with preloaded games, that has the look and feel of a classic Game Boy.

Assess what you want and look at what best ticks those boxes for you and go from there.

What is the best handheld games console?

There is no best, which is probably not the answer you’re looking for, but it’s true. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the standout for having its own library of dedicated games but, as mentioned above, there are more powerful PC options or more compact portable options.

But with its adaptability for at home or handheld play, and a library of much-loved characters and games, with more to come, then the Switch 2 is a great option for most.

Conclusion

Handheld and at home gaming have moved closer together than ever before and Nintendo seem to be the only big console maker with a dedicated portable handheld (if you can call a handheld that doubles as a home console “dedicated”).

However, as PCs become more portable there’s also plenty of those about where you can cart about your PC library, and many of those games will be the same. Find what games you like to play on the move and then choose which sort of system you’d prefer. If you’re looking for something that works at both home and when travelling though, you can’t really go wrong with a Switch 2.

Discover our full range of games consoles, videogames and merchandise via our gaming hub which is great for inspiration and information.

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