Top Gaming Handhelds of 2025: From Budget Emulators to High-End Portable PCs

Explore the best gaming handhelds of 2025, ranging from affordable emulation devices to powerful portable PCs, to find your perfect on-the-go gaming companion.

Let’s talk handheld gaming in 2025—it’s like a candy store for gamers, packed with options from wallet-friendly emulators to those fancy portable PCs that make your bank account weep. Seriously, there’s something for everyone, and we’ve put the top picks through their paces so you don’t have to.

Best Handheld Gaming Devices for 2025

Whether you’re team Steam Deck or eyeing the ASUS ROG Ally X, the market’s spoiling us with choices. It’s all about what floats your boat and fits your budget.

MSI Claw 8 AI+

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is like the sports car of handhelds—Intel Core Ultra 7-258V chip, 32GB RAM, and performance that’s through the roof. Just brace yourself for the $900 price tag (ouch).

Lenovo Legion Go

If size matters to you, the Lenovo Legion Go boasts an 8.8-inch screen with a silky 144Hz refresh rate. Though, fair warning, it’s a bit of a chonker.

Retroid Pocket Mini

For the retro gaming crowd, the Retroid Pocket Mini is a tiny powerhouse. Sure, the screen’s small, but it’s perfect for those nostalgic gaming sessions.

What to Know About the Gaming Handheld Market

Think of the market as a three-layer cake: high-end portable PCs at the top, mobile handhelds for emulation and cloud gaming in the middle, and quirky picks like the Nintendo Switch at the base. Pick your layer based on how you game.

Recent Updates

The handheld world’s always on the move—new kids like the Acer Nitro Blaze 11 are shaking things up, and old favorites are getting facelifts. Stay tuned, because this ride’s only getting faster.