Skip to content
HANDHELDVERDICT

Glossary · Power & Chargers

Thermal Throttling

Thermal throttling is a processor reducing its clocks and power to stay within safe temperatures, and it is the physical reason sustained performance sits below the peak. In a small handheld shell with limited cooling, throttling is normal — the question is how gracefully a device manages it. Reviews that measure performance over a long session, not a benchmark burst, reveal it, and it is why we grade on sustained figures. A device that throttles hard turns a flagship spec into a mid-range experience.

Related terms

Reader favorites

The short list — full rankings live on the rankings page.

  • AYANEO — AYANEO 3 (Modular Windows Handheld)

    4.4/5

    $699.00

    Check price
  • Anbernic — RG557 (5.5" AMOLED Android Handheld)

    4.4/5

    $229.00

    Check price
  • JSAUX — 6-in-1 Docking Station (HB0603)

    4.4/5

    $49.99

    Check price

Straight disclosure —As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — we may earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never changes the price you pay, and it never changes a verdict.

4.4/5 average across vetted picks

60 guides published

4 offers vetted

20 reader price checks