Handhelds win on portability
A handheld combines screen, controls and battery in one device. That makes it useful for commuting, travel and solo play away from a television. The tradeoff is a smaller screen and controls that cannot always match full-size gamepads for long sessions.
TV boxes win on shared play
A living-room console naturally supports a large screen and can make two-player games easier when two controllers are included. It is better suited to family nights, friends visiting and anyone who prefers sitting back from the display.
Battery vs wall power
Handhelds depend on battery life and charging. TV consoles are typically powered while in use, so long sessions do not depend on an internal battery. That also means a TV box is less portable unless you are moving it between televisions.
Screen quality vs screen size
A premium handheld can have an excellent high-density screen, while a TV setup benefits from physical size and shared visibility. Retro art can look good on both when scaling is configured well. A giant screen does not automatically mean better image quality.
Many enthusiasts eventually use both
A handheld is ideal for solo portable sessions; a TV box is ideal for couch play. If you already own one category, the other can complement it rather than replace it.
Questions shoppers ask before they buy.
Can a handheld connect to a TV?+
Some models support video output or docks, but controller and interface behavior varies by device.
Which is better for two players?+
A TV console with two full-size controllers is usually the simpler couch-multiplayer setup.
Which is better for travel?+
A handheld is usually easier because the screen and battery are integrated.