The PlayStation Portal is a unique device. Designed to give you remote access to your PS5, it’s a powerful streaming gadget that lets you take your favorite games with you while away from the big screen. Equipped with a massive 8-inch LCD screen and capable of playing games at 60fps in 1080p, it’s one of the best ways to remotely access your PS5 games.
However, PlayStation Portal isn’t perfect. For one, some users have noted that its performance is less than stellar when used outside your home network. You also can’t store games on it, with the device intended to remotely stream titles from your PS5. And, as you’d expect from something called the PlayStation Portal, it’ll only let you access PlayStation games with no options to play titles on PC, Xbox, or other platforms.
Here’s a look at the five best PlayStation Portal alternatives in 2024. These run the gamut from streaming devices to handheld PCs, and all of them are great options for gaming away from your TV. Best of all, many offer access to catalogs beyond PS5, making them more versatile than Sony’s Portal.
The best PlayStation Portal alternatives in 2024
Buy the Logitech G Cloud for the best overall PlayStation Portal alternative.
Buy the Razer Edge for a premium 5G gaming setup.
Buy the Backbone One Controller for an affordable alternative.
Buy the Steam Deck for a handheld PC alternative to PS5 gaming.
Buy the ROG Ally if want access to PC games beyond your Steam library.
Logitech G Cloud
The best overall PlayStation Portal alternative
Logitech
Pros
Cons
Supports multiple cloud gaming platforms
No 5G or 4G support
Sleek, ergonomic design
PS Remote Play isn’t perfect
Vibrant 7-inch display
The Logitech G Cloud is a powerful streaming handheld, allowing you to access a variety of platforms such as GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming. You’ll also get access to PS Remote Play via the Google Play store, though you’ll need to mess with some key mapping features to get it working properly.
Most handhelds don’t even offer support for PS Remote Play, so while it’s not as flawless as PlayStation Portal, it’s great to have the option to access your PS5 through the G Cloud. Along with apps for most of the big game streaming platforms, the G Cloud lets you play standard Android mobile games, making it surprisingly versatile for its price.
Coupled with up to 12 hours of battery life, a lightweight design that clocks in at less than 500 grams, and Wi-Fi connectivity that maxes out at 800 Mbps, and you’ve got a handheld system that’s perfect for long gaming sessions. It lacks 5G and doesn’t offer as much support for PS5 as the first-party Portal, but it’s a great alternative — especially if you plan to access games beyond the PlayStation catalog.
Specifications
Support for PS Remote Play
Partial (Requires DualSense)
Wireless connection
Wi-Fi
Screen size
7-inches (1080p)
Razer Edge
The best premium 5G gaming system
Digital Trends
Pros
Cons
Premium build quality
Expensive
5G support
Noisy fan
Impressive hardware
Coming from Razer, it’s no surprise that the Edge is a premium, upscale device. It’s built to support multiple game streaming platforms, including PS Remote Play — though you’ll want to pair it with a DualSense controller for complete support.
The Razer Edge is available in both Wi-Fi and 5G formats. The 5G model is the better of the two, giving you access to lightning-fast speeds regardless of where you roam. It’s expensive, but most customers will find it to be significantly more useful than its Wi-Fi counterpart. Regardless of which model you pick, you’ll have to put up with a noisy fan during intense gaming sessions.
That’s about the only knock on what’s otherwise a well-rounded product. With hardware that should stream most games with ease, a vibrant AMOLED display, and support for up to 144Hz refresh rates, it’s a premium handheld for gamers who want the best streaming experience possible.
Specifications
Support for PS Remote Play
Partial (Requires DualSense)
Wireless connection
Wi-Fi or 5G
Screen size
6.8-inch (2880×1080 resolution)
Backbone One Controller
The best affordable PlayStation Portal alternative
Backbone
Pros
Cons
Affordable
Requires a smartphone
Portable design
Models for both Android and iOS
Looking for something a bit more affordable? Then you can stop your search with the Backbone One. Clocking in at around $100, the Backbone One connects to your smartphone and essentially turns it into a game-streaming device.
What makes the Backbone One so great for PS Remote Play is that its detected as a DualSense controller. This means you won’t have to mess around with additional key mapping or connecting an actual DualSense to your phone. Just connect the Backbone One, launch the Remote Play app, and you’re ready to start gaming.
You’ll find formats that support most Android and iOS devices, along with a few different color palettes. It’s not as fancy as some other PlayStation Portal alternatives — after all, it’s essentially just a mobile controller — but the fact that it’s detected as a DualSense is a massive win for PS5 fans looking to take their game on the road.
Specifications
Support for PS Remote Play
Yes
Wireless connection
N/A (Connects to phone via USB or Lightning port)
Screen size
N/A
Steam Deck
The best handheld gaming PC
Valve
Pros
Cons
Native support for Steam
Designed specifically for Steam
Multiple available models
Entry level model is lackluster
Ergonomic design
The Steam Deck won’t let you access PS Remote Play without some serious workarounds, but if you’re looking for the best handheld gaming PC, the Steam Deck is it. Available with a variety of specs and starting at $349, it’s ideal for folks who don’t mind leaving the PS5 ecosystem and playing PC games instead.
With an optional OLED display, up to 1TB SSD, and enough hardware to run the majority of games on Steam without breaking a sweat, Steam Deck is the ideal companion for mobile gaming. Instead of streaming games like PlayStation Portal, it stores them locally — meaning you can play them without a need for a fast internet connection.
The biggest drawback to Steam Deck? It’s designed exclusively for Steam. That means you’ll need to tinker with its software to gain access to other platforms. But if you’re one of the millions of PC gamers with an ever-growing backlog of Steam games, consider giving it a look instead of picking up the Portal.
Specifications
Support for PS Remote Play
No
Wireless connection
Wi-Fi
Screen size
Up to 7.4-inches (1280×800)
ROG Ally
The best handheld console for customization
Asus
Pros
Cons
Runs on Windows 11
Expensive
Access to multiple streaming platforms
Not perfect for PS Remote Play
Impressive hardware
Like Steam Deck, the ASUS ROG Ally is a handheld PC. But unlike Steam Deck, it runs on Windows 11 — allowing you to access PC games beyond Steam. That makes it appealing to anyone interested in accessing games outside of Valve’s ecosystem or using it to browse the web.
Since the Ally is essentially a Windows 11 PC, you can customize it to your heart’s content. You can even get PS Remote Play running on it, though you’ll likely want to download additional software to get it working flawlessly with the Ally’s controls.
Beyond streaming games, the Ally is a complete gaming rig. Its hardware is powerful enough to handle games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Dying Light 2, making it a serious competitor for not just PlayStation Portal, but also budget gaming laptops.
Specifications
Support for PS Remote Play
Partial (Requires a workaround)
Wireless connection
Wi-Fi
Screen size
7-inches (1080p)
How we chose the best PlayStation Portal alternatives
There are plenty of handheld gaming systems to choose from, but not all of them are rivals to the PlayStation Portal. Here’s a look at the factors we considered when searching for alternatives to the Portal.
Functionality and powerful specs
While most of the above picks let you access your PS5 remotely, others are designed to be fully functional handheld PCs. Regardless of what games they support, PlayStation Portal alternatives need to have impressive hardware and be capable of smoothly streaming games or running them directly off their built-in SSD.
Style and ergonomics
If a device isn’t comfortable to hold or causes discomfort after just a few minutes of gaming, it’s not a good product. The above list is designed with ergonomics in mind, ensuring you stay comfortable during long play sessions. Along with comfort, the five handhelds above are stylish and easy on the eyes.
Pricing
Handheld systems aren’t cheap — but some are clearly overpriced. Finding products with hardware that matches their price is important and ensures you’re not overpaying simply because of the logo on the back.
Ease of use
Playing games on the road shouldn’t be a challenge. Products that make it easy to access your games or navigate your library are preferred over ones that are convoluted and bury your titles behind needless menu screens.
This article is managed and created separately from the Digital Trends Editorial team.
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