Sony’s PlayStation Portal may not be the most impressive handheld we’ve tested, but it’s good enough that it’s proving hard to come by. This single-purpose device has been flying off the shelves since it launched, but today, you still have a chance to get your hands on the elusive remote player. It’s currently available at Best Buy, where its full retail price is $199.99.
If you need a refresher, Sony’s new handheld device features an 8-inch touchscreen LCD that you can use to stream PlayStation 5 games via Wi-Fi remote play. Unlike your phone, iPad, or mobile controllers like the Backbone One or Razer Kishi, it’s a fun, portable device that offers a great all-in-one experience. Unlike the latter device, the Portal supports the full range of DualSense haptics, which means you can take advantage of tilt controls and more immersive features (ahem, adaptive triggers).
However, this add-on does have some drawbacks. For one, you can only use the device with Sony’s proprietary Link audio gear, specifically the Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite headphones. Its sole reliance on Wi-Fi 5 also renders it unusable if your connection is poor, at least in our testing. Thankfully, we’ve found that plugging your PS5 into Ethernet helps, allowing you to play the AAA single-player games the PlayStation brand is famous for. Just avoid games with higher latency, such as fighting games and online shooters.