Over the past few years, we have seen a massive increase in gaming handheld devices and as technology continues to get smaller and smaller, gaming on the go has never been easier. Not only from a convenience standpoint have handhelds improved but from a performance viewpoint you can take what is essentially a high-powered console with you anywhere. As someone who remembers playing the OG Gameboy on long car rides and not even having a backlight so you can play at night, seeing where we are today it's been a remarkable and fun journey for gamers. With the recent announcement from Nintendo on the Switch 2 and the dominance the SteamDeck has had (as of February 3rd, 2025, currently #3 in top sellers on Steam and a 143-week streak in the top 100) the future of handhelds is extremely bright. That being said, the market is still expanding and there are several popular handhelds today, including; the Nintendo Switch, SteamDeck, ROG Ally, MSI Claw A1M, Playstation Portable, and AokZoe A1 X. Each of these current handhelds has made tremendous strides from the days of Gameboys and PSPs, even though many would argue how the PSP was well ahead of its time, there are a few areas where improvements could be made. When you make a gaming device meant for convenience, travel, and versatility, size is an area of focus for manufacturers. This applies to not only the total size of the device but also the buttons and most importantly the analog thumbsticks.

As an owner of the Switch Lite, I have been mostly satisfied with how easy it is to travel and still play the games I love at a high level, but as someone who traditionally plays on an Xbox controller, there was certainly an adjustment that I had to get used to. One major adjustment was the feel and comfort of the thumbsticks, performance aside, I was not a fan of how small the thumbsticks felt. I also noticed after a few months of use my performance and skill were slightly diminished when playing similar games versus on my console at home. The main factors I realized were primarily due to the thumbstick size shrinkage and the grip change required when playing a handheld device. I play a range of games from FPSs, RPGs, Sports games, and your more relaxing ones like Stardew Valley, but I quickly learned it was easier to save the more competitive games for when I was not on the road due to constant slippage and lack of confidence I felt when playing on my handheld. When it comes to handhelds many companies try to replicate the feel of a traditional controller like the PlayStation Portal which utilizes PlayStation “DualSense-style” thumbsticks or the SteamDeck that resemble the Xbox thumbsticks. Both try to mimic the feel and style of a controller but of course, have to make adjustments due to the smaller size of most handheld devices, and this creates a pain point for customers like myself. As someone competitive by nature I quickly began my research to solve this issue and to my surprise, I immediately came across KontrolFreek’s No-Slip Thumb Grips - Handheld Gaming Edition. 

The No-Slip Advantage for Handhelds

The KontrolFreek No-Slip Thumb Grips - Handheld Gaming Edition are an instant remedy for anyone who may be using a handheld gaming device for a multitude of reasons and is now something I cannot game without. These No-Slip Thumb Grips that come in a pack of 8 blew me away with how quickly they impacted my gaming performance on my handheld device and are the perfect companion for anyone who is looking to get an advantage on the road or just in general for their handheld. My favorite aspects of these No-Slip Thumb Grips are the no-slip material and texture, both of these combine to create a comfortable but incredibly sticky feel that catches your thumbs so easily it had me increasing my sensitivity for FPS and RPGs so I could aim quicker with ease. Even when I was playing more intense games that require a ton of movement and twitch-like controls I never had an issue with slippage or the grips sliding around due to their tight fit around my thumbsticks. Another unique advantage these thumbsticks have is that they are made from durable rubber so no matter how many times you swap them out or change handhelds they keep their shape and never feel too loose when applied. This is perfect for those who have multiple handhelds or just like to switch up the colors since KontrolFreek’s No-Slip Thumb Grips come in 4 different colors as well so you can mix and match to your desire. 

They are a universal fit which means whether you have the MSI Claw, Gamesir G8+, ASUS ROG Ally, SCUF Nomad, Valve Steam Deck, or PlayStation Portal these No-Slip Thumb Grips are compatible. Their application is a breeze (see below) and because they fit so well across so many handhelds they are a must-have for me when traveling or make a great gift for my friends who have had the same experience with handhelds as I have. When you combine the extra-soft, ultra-grippy, proprietary material with your thumbsticks it adds a layer of comfort that your thumbs never knew it needed, and there's extra cushion in the center so if you really need to dig in during gameplay these will provide the comfort you need without having to worry if you are harming or wearing out the thumbstick. 

That Brand New Feeling

Lastly, these No-slip Thumb Grips are the perfect addition to any handheld that you may have had for years or just have used so much that your thumbsticks are bare because they can revitalize worn-out thumbsticks. My Switch feels brand new with them and I no longer have to worry if it will last long enough until the Switch 2 is released. Adding these new No-Slip Thumb Grips has even had me revisiting more difficult levels and maps where I had struggled previously so I would highly encourage anyone who is looking for an advantage, an upgrade or even just wanting to prolong the life of their handheld to try these thumb grips out. If you are eager to see which handhelds the KontrolFreek No-Slip Thumb grips are most compatible with, check out their official list here.