Q: How do I use the chart on different devices?

A: For the best experience, view this leaderboard on a wider screen like a computer monitor or tablet. You can instantly sort the data by clicking on any category header. On smaller screens like a phone, the chart automatically transforms into a mobile-friendly card layout; just use the "Sort by:" dropdown menu at the top to organize it. By default, selecting a category will sort the devices from highest to lowest score.

Q: Why should I trust these scores?

A: Our goal is to be the most objective, trustworthy resource in the handheld community. To do that, our scores are a collaboration between our internal team and verified community members, governed by one strict rule: contributors must own at least two devices to ensure all feedback is based on direct, side-by-side comparison. Nobody here is loaned or gifted review units by manufacturers.

Our team’s baseline expertise also comes from a unique place—our physical repair and modding shop right here in Melbourne. We tear down, fix, and upgrade these devices daily. We see the hardware flaws, the thermal failures, and the reality of manufacturer customer support long after standard reviewers have moved on. Because our business is funded by actual services and not sponsorships, our perspective reflects the unfiltered reality of long-term ownership.

Q: Are these scores based on objective specs or subjective experience? 

A: Both, but we heavily weight the actual human experience. Standard tech reviews often rely on sterile metrics that don't tell the whole story. For example, a reviewer might hold a decibel meter to a fan exhaust, see a low number, and call it a day. We find this to be a dishonest way of reviewing acoustics because it ignores frequency and pitch—40dB of rushing air is infinitely more pleasant to listen to than 30dB of high-pitched motor whine.

Because of this, we apply subjective adjustments to categories like Fan Noise, Ergonomics, and User Experience based on real-world comfort and annoyance levels. A handheld might look incredibly powerful on a spec sheet, but if it drills a mosquito-like whine into your eardrum, requires endless software tinkering just to launch a game, or has terrible manufacturer support when something breaks, its score will be heavily penalized to reflect that reality.

Q: Why did the score for my handheld go down?

A: This chart is a living document! Our scoring is entirely relative, meaning devices are constantly judged against the rest of the market. When a new handheld drops that sets a higher benchmark for performance, screen quality, or battery life, the scores of older devices are naturally adjusted downward to accurately reflect their new place in the landscape.

Q: How can I contribute, disagree with a score, or join the community?

A: We actively rely on your feedback and criticism to keep these rankings accurate! The best place to challenge a score, share your side-by-side comparisons, or just talk hardware with fellow enthusiasts is in our official Facebook Group and Community Discord.