The best handheld gaming consoles of 2023

The Nintendo Switch has dominated the conversation around handheld gaming consoles for several years now thanks to its innovative hybrid design, relatively accessible price point, and monumental, still-growing lineup of games. (Who needs horsepower, anyway?) It's now one of the bestselling consoles of all time — but it's not the only handheld worth buying these days.

After dozens of hours of hands-on testing, our favorite handheld consoles include the glitzy Nintendo Switch – OLED Model ($349.99), the compact Nintendo Switch Lite ($199.99), the slick Valve Steam Deck (starting at $399), and the delightfully nostalgic Analogue Pocket ($219.99). These are four unmistakably different systems in terms of their overall designs, features, and/or use cases, but they all excel at making great games playable on a portable level, and offer solid specs for the money.

Here's a more intensive breakdown of each console to help you figure out which one's best for you — whether you're hunting for a portable PC setup, sitting on a pile of old Game Boy cartridges, or just desperate to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the best system available.