If you want the most powerful handheld emulation experience I talked about, the Steam Deck is it. With EmuDeck it’s become way easier to set up, the UI through EmulationStation is brilliant, and it’s comfortable enough to play for hours—just be ready to do more tinkering and load your own ROMs.
Pros
+EmuDeck makes setup much easier than it used to be
+Supports a wide range of systems (including GameCube, PS3, Wii, Switch)
+Very comfortable to hold with excellent control layout
+Clean UI and fewer OS quirks than cheap handhelds
+Great image presentation with correct aspect ratios and themed bezels
Cons
-Doesn’t come with games; you need to source and manage your own ROMs
-More setup/tinkering required than plug-and-play handhelds
-Battery life isn’t as good as simpler pocket emulators