The Ultimate 2025 Handheld Gaming Guide

Handheld gaming is having a serious main-character moment. Whether you’re a PC gamer who wants to take your Steam library to the couch, or a parent trying to figure out which device makes sense for your family, the options in 2025 can feel… a little chaotic.

In this guide, we’re going to break down six of the biggest players right now:

• ASUS ROG Xbox Ally

• Lenovo Legion Go 2

• Lenovo Legion Go S

• MSI Claw 8 AI+

• Steam Deck OLED

• Nintendo Switch 2

We’ll compare screen size, weight, operating system, and standout features, and then I’ll share who each device is actually best for.

A Few Things to Note, Super Quickly

• Windows handheld (ROG Xbox Ally, Legion Go 2, Legion Go S Windows, MSI Claw 8 AI+): basically a tiny gaming laptop. Great flexibility.

• SteamOS handheld (Steam Deck OLED, Legion Go S SteamOS): more “console-like” and plug-and-play for PC games. Games with Anti-Cheat (Fortnite, Call of Duty, Destiny 2) will NOT work on Steam OS.

• Console handheld (Nintendo Switch 2): classic console experience with cartridges/digital store and exclusive games.

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally | Starts at $599

The ROG Xbox Ally is ASUS’ Windows-based handheld that feels like a powerful little gaming laptop wrapped in Xbox-style controls.

Note: there is another version of this device called the ROG Xbox Ally X, and its extremely similar, just has a larger battery and a different processor.

Key Specs

• Screen: 7” IPS display, 1920×1080 (Full HD), up to 120Hz with VRR  

• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 A (4 x Zen 2 cores / 8 threads, up to 3.8 GHz, 6-20W TDP)

• Weight: ~670 g / 1.48 lb  

• OS: Windows 11 Home  

• Extras: USB-C charging, microSD expansion

What it feels like to use

Think: “tiny gaming PC you can take on the couch.” You can install Steam, Xbox app, Epic, GOG, emulators, and productivity apps. The 1080p 120Hz display looks fantastic with sharp text, and the device is surprisingly light compared to some chunkier rivals. The ergonomics of this handheld are shaped more like what you would know a traditional gaming controller to be.

Windows 11 is flexible but not exactly designed for thumbsticks, so you’ll occasionally be wrestling tiny windows and touch targets.

Best for:

PC gamers who want maximum flexibility and already live in the Windows ecosystem.

If you:

• Subscribe to PC Game Pass,

• Already own a ton of games across multiple launchers, and

• Don’t mind tweaking settings and Windows updates,

…the ROG Ally is a great fit. It’s especially good for people who value high refresh 1080p visuals and plan to plug into a dock/monitor sometimes.

Ease of Use for Non-Gamers ⭐⭐⭐

Accessible Library of Games ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cost to Benefit Ratio ⭐⭐⭐

Lenovo Legion Go 2 | Starts at $1,099

The Legion Go 2 is the “go big or go home” option. It keeps the unique detachable controllers from the original Legion Go, but upgrades almost everything else.

Key Specs

• Screen: 8.8” OLED, 1920×1200, 144Hz with VRR and HDR support  

• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 with RDNA graphics  

• Battery: 74Wh (big for a handheld)  

• Weight: 920 g / 2.03 lb with controllers attached  

• OS: Windows 11

• Extras:

  • Detachable controllers (Joy-Con style)

  • Built-in kickstand for tabletop play

  • Fingerprint reader

What it feels like to use

The huge 8.8” OLED panel makes everything look glorious—like “mini OLED TV” vibes. The detachable controllers mean you can set it on a stand and play from a distance, or even use one controller as a pseudo-mouse for shooters. 

The trade-off: it is heavy. Over 2lbs means long handheld sessions can fatigue your wrists. You’ll probably use it a lot in tabletop mode or docked.

Best for:

Display snobs and power users who want a premium, do-everything Windows handheld.

If you’re the type who:

• Wants the biggest, nicest screen

• Loves detachable controllers and tabletop play

• Doesn’t mind a learning curve + Windows tinkering

…the Legion Go 2 is basically the “portable battlestation” of this list.

Ease of Use for Non-Gamers ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Accessible Library of Games ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cost to Benefit Ratio ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lenovo Legion Go S | Starts at $649

The Legion Go S is like the more approachable sibling: you lose the detachable controllers and OLED, but gain portability, a simpler OS (SteamOS), and generally lower price. 

Key Specs

• Screen: 8” IPS, 1920×1200, 120Hz  

• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme

• Weight: ~740 g / 1.61 lb  

• Battery: ~55.5Wh

• OS: SteamOS  

What it feels like to use

If you love the idea of a Steam Deck, but want a slightly bigger screen and a Lenovo aesthetic, this is it. SteamOS gives you a console-like UI, easy updates, and quick resuming of your games. 

You don’t get detachable controllers or an OLED panel, but you do get:

• A larger display than Steam Deck,

• A somewhat lighter device than the Go 2, and

• A price that is usually less intense than Legion Go 2.

Best for:

Steam-first gamers who want a big screen without Legion Go 2 bulk or price.

If:

• 90% of your games are on Steam,

• You prefer a console-like experience over Windows fiddling,

• You still want a big 8” screen,

…the Legion Go S (especially the SteamOS version) is a very sweet middle-ground.

Ease of Use for Non-Gamers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Accessible Library of Games ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cost to Benefit Ratio ⭐⭐⭐

MSI Claw 8 AI+ | Starts at $1099

The MSI Claw stands out because it uses Intel’s Core Ultra chips instead of AMD, plus it throws in Thunderbolt 4—handy if you’re dreaming about an external GPU or ultra-fast docking. 

Key Specs

• Screen: 8” LCD, 1920×1200, 120Hz  

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

• Weight: ~794 g / 1.75lbs 

• Battery: ~80Wh  

• OS: Windows 11 Home

What it feels like to use

In the hand, it’s similar in size/weight to the Ally and Steam Deck, with ergonomics that many people find quite comfy. Performance depends a lot on Intel’s drivers and game optimizations; in some titles it can hang with AMD rivals, in others it may lag a bit behind. 

Thunderbolt 4 is the party trick: you can connect fast docks, external storage, and even external GPUs if you’re really extra.

Best for:

Tinkerers and “dock it all” types who love the idea of a tiny Intel PC with console controls.

Choose the Claw if you:

• Want Thunderbolt 4 for eGPU/dock setups

• Don’t mind experimenting with Intel’s evolving handheld performance

• Like a 8” 1080p, 120Hz sweet spot

Ease of Use for Non-Gamers ⭐⭐⭐

Accessible Library of Games ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cost to Benefit Ratio ⭐⭐⭐

Steam Deck OLED | Starts at $319

Valve’s Steam Deck OLED is the “default recommendation” in a lot of handheld guides for a reason: it balances price, performance, and user experience incredibly well. 

Key Specs

• Screen: 7.4” HDR OLED, 1280×800, up to 90Hz, very high brightness (up to ~1000 nits in HDR)  

• Processor: Custom AMD APU (Zen 2 + RDNA 2)  

• Weight: ~640 g / 1.41 lb  

• Battery: 50Wh

• OS: SteamOS 3

What it feels like to use

Steam Deck OLED feels like a portable console built around your Steam library:

• The OLED screen is a big upgrade over the original LCD: better contrast, colors, and power efficiency.  

• SteamOS is easy: big tile UI, controller-friendly menus, quick suspend/resume.

• You can still tinker (desktop mode, emulation), but you don’t have to.

It’s not the highest-resolution or fastest-refresh screen here, and the APU is no longer the absolute newest. But its overall experience is smooth, polished, and often more battery-friendly than Windows handhelds. 

Best for:

Most PC gamers who want a “just works” handheld.

If you:

• Own lots of Steam games,

• Care more about experience and battery than chasing 144Hz,

• Want something that feels like a console but acts like a PC when you need it,

…the Steam Deck OLED is probably your safest all-around pick.

Ease of Use for Non-Gamers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Accessible Library of Games ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cost to Benefit Ratio ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nintendo Switch 2 | Starts at $449

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the next-gen follow-up to the wildly popular Switch, with a sharper display, more power, and improved docked output—but still very much a Nintendo console at heart. 

Key Specs

• Screen: 7.9” LCD, 1920×1080, VRR up to 120Hz in supported games  

• Processor: Custom NVIDIA chip with DLSS and ray tracing support  

• Weight:

  • ~0.88 lb without Joy-Con 2 controllers

  • ~1.18 lb with Joy-Con 2 attached  

• Storage: 256GB built-in (plus microSD)  

• Battery: 20Wh

• Docked output: up to 4K via dock on compatible TVs  

What it feels like to use

This is the most family-friendly and straightforward system in the lineup:

• You get Nintendo’s first-party games: Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, etc.

• The hybrid design still shines: handheld on the couch, drop into the dock for 4K TV play.  

• The UI is simple, parental controls are strong, and physical cartridges are still a thing.

Compared to PC handhelds, you trade open platforms and emulation flexibility for polish and exclusives.

Best for:

Families, casual gamers, and anyone who just wants to play Nintendo games anywhere.

If you:

• Want a device your kids and partner can easily understand,

• Care most about Mario Kart nights and Zelda on the couch,

• Like the idea of one device that’s both handheld and TV console,

…the Nintendo Switch 2 is the obvious answer.

Ease of Use for Non-Gamers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Accessible Library of Games ⭐⭐⭐

Cost to Benefit Ratio ⭐⭐⭐⭐

How to Choose the Right Handheld for You

Here’s a quick personality quiz to close things out:

“I live in my Steam library and want a console-like experience.”

→ Steam Deck OLED or Legion Go S (SteamOS).

“I want the sharpest, fanciest display and don’t mind weight or price.”

→ Legion Go 2.

“I use Game Pass, Epic, Steam, and love tinkering.”

→ ROG Ally or MSI Claw (pick Ally for AMD, Claw for Intel + Thunderbolt).

“I want something my kids and non-techy spouse can use easily.”

→ Nintendo Switch 2, hands down.

“I want big screen, console-like OS, but cheaper and lighter than Legion Go 2.”

→ Legion Go S.