Handheld Gaming rankings

Every review we have published, highest score first. S tier is 9.0 and up, A is 8.0 to 8.9, B is 6.5 to 7.9, C is below 6.5.

[ 7 reviews ]

2 reviews

Retroid Pocket 6 Review: What a $244 Android Handheld Can Emulate, and What Setup Takes

Best forFirst-time emulation buyers who want a Switch-capable handheld

The best-value emulation handheld for newcomers: a fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a lovely AMOLED screen and Hall-effect sticks for $244. Everything through PS2 and GameCube runs well and much of the Switch library is playable. The 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and fingerprint-prone glass are the limits.

8.2/10From $244Handheld Gaming · Feb 6, 2026

Steam Deck OLED Review: Still the Handheld PC to Beat at $789?

Best forSteam library owners who want a polished, no-fuss handheld

The Steam Deck OLED is still the handheld PC with the best screen-to-software balance: the HDR OLED panel, the 50Whr battery and SteamOS that just works with Deck Verified games. At $789 it has lost its old bargain status, and its chip is the oldest in its class. Buy it if you live in your Steam library. Look elsewhere if you need Windows-only launchers or the highest frame rates.

8.0/10From $789Handheld Gaming · May 9, 2026

4 reviews

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Review: The Fastest PC Handheld, and $1,799.99 Is the Price of Admission

Best forEnthusiasts who want the fastest handheld and will pay for it

Yes, the Claw 8 EX AI+ is the fastest handheld PC we can point to: independent tests show it matching AMD's Z2 Extreme at 17W against 35W, and leading by 20 to 30 fps at 1200p. It is also heavy, burns through its 80Wh battery in about three hours at full power, and costs $800 more than the ROG Xbox Ally X. Buy it only if speed is the whole point.

7.2/10$1,799.99Handheld Gaming · Mar 9, 2026

ROG Xbox Ally X Review: Windows Handheld Finally Behaves, but $999.99 Is a Lot

Best forPlayers who want Game Pass and every PC launcher in one handheld

The most capable Windows handheld you can buy, and the Xbox full screen experience makes it nicer to live with than any earlier Ally. It still hits Windows rough edges, third-party launchers are fiddly, and the $999.99 price is hard to defend. Buy it if you want PC and Game Pass games in one device. Otherwise the Steam Deck OLED does more for much less.

7.0/10$999.99Handheld Gaming · Apr 24, 2026

1 review

Lenovo Legion Go S Review: A Bigger SteamOS Screen, but the Steam Deck Is Still Smoother

Best forPlayers who want an 8-inch 120Hz screen on SteamOS

The Legion Go S with SteamOS has the bigger, sharper 120Hz screen and a larger battery, and it is a little faster. It also has a single rear paddle per side, no trackpads, a louder fan and younger Linux driver support. Priced near a Steam Deck OLED it is a fair alternative, but at $829.99 we would buy the Deck. Pick Lenovo only if you want the screen.

6.4/10From $829.99Handheld Gaming · Feb 21, 2026