Going to split this all up into pricing tiers to make this super easy and simple for you. All of the pricing will be in US dollars cause that’s easiest. AliExpress is mostly used for pricing since it’s the cheapest, but a second resource is GoGameGeek using my code JOEY for 15% off.
Under $50
The under $50 tier is tricky because it fully depends on if you want to wait for AliExpress deals or not. I’ll be honest, none of the devices with an MSRP of under $50 are actually worth purchasing.
TrimUI Smart Pro
So, I have three general recommendations for handhelds under $50 US dollars right now. The TrimUI Smart Pro is number one – my favorite that regularly does end up in the $40-50 dollar range through AliExpress sales, but you’ll have to hunt and wait for that one. For those unfamiliar, the TrimUI Smart Pro runs Linux, has the power to run some Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PSP and so on and is overall a great starter device. It’s also one of the very few Linux devices to have an actual working sleep mode, which is just great.
Anbernic H700 Lineup
Next up would be Anbernic’s H700 lineup of devices. Anbernic has eight devices with the same performance, but different form factors – so you can choose whatever you want to purchase. Small vertical, big vertical, small horizontal, big horizontal and so on. My suggestions from the eight would be the SP, which is the clamshell, and the RG40XX H and V, which are the bigger horizontal and vertical devices, but pick your poison here. Not all of them will be sub $50 US dollars, but most are in that range, if not a few bucks more once again off AliExpress. Consider the $50 limit to be loose in this tier because this truly is a get what you pay for tier.
Miyoo Mini Plus
Lastly, we have one of my personal favorite devices for newcomers and it’s the Miyoo Mini Plus. The Miyoo Mini Plus is sort of the blueprint for gift friendly and ease of use and is a fantastic device, but not the most performant – it has the least performance of the systems on this list so far with a cap of some PlayStation 1 essentially. The Miyoo Mini Plus is still on this list because OnionOS, the software it uses, is one of the best, most user friendly and community friendly options available to you, there is tons of information out there about the device and there’s a ton you can do to mod it and make it your own. No other device has the popularity that the Miyoo Mini Plus has, and so it’s one of my favorite recommendations here and regularly under $50. Plus, it’s just the cutest of the sub $50 options.
Under $100
The Under $100 tier has a lot of the same devices as the under $50 tier, except more devices are available in this tier regularly since that’s their normal price.
TrimUI Smart Pro
Anbernic H700 Lineup
This tier is where most retro gaming devices live and so you have an absolute ton of options with all the same performance, same specs and all of that. Of course, the TrimUI Smart Pro and the Anbernic H700 devices show up here again as well because they’re usually in this price range without sales.
Retroid Pocket 2S
However, there is a single device in the sub $100 category that has the best performance of them all, the best build quality and overall is the best sub $100 device you can purchase and that’s the Retroid Pocket 2S directly from Retroid’s website.
Remember before how we talked about being able to play some Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and so on? Well, the 2S does those systems perfectly, so not just some, and also does some GameCube, PS2 and so on. It’s the one single device in this category that actually makes a leap in performance, has fantastic sticks that aren’t switch sticks, front firing speakers, analog triggers and so on.
The main real negative is it has a 3.5” screen, but if you can get over that, this is the handheld to get. I called this one of the best retro handhelds ever made, and it still is to this day. Now, this is an Android device, and as much as Retroid has built in a lot of emulators and configuration, there’s a bit of a learning curve here.
I would argue it’s not much different than Linux devices, but for the most part, the other devices in this list would be easier for you to setup and gift to others than an Android device would.
But hey, imagine you knew a content creator that makes guides for Android devices, wouldn’t that be cool.
$100-200
This is a fun tier full of different form factors, performance and devices. It’s also the best value tier because a lot of these handhelds can be purchased and used for a long while without needing replacing.
However, given how I’m trying to make your life easier, not harder, I’ve narrowed this list down to three options, all Android because from here on out, there’s no more Linux.
Anbernic RG406V
The first is the Anbernic RG406V – perfect for anyone that loves the old DMG Game Boy because this form factor is all about nostalgia, but it comes backed with the best battery life of any handheld I’m aware of, a great 4:3 screen, great dpad, great sticks and overall is a great overall handheld. You can’t go wrong with an RG406V if you want a vertical handheld.
Retroid Pocket Mini
Next up we have the Retroid Pocket Mini, the portable lovers dream. It’s the smallest powerful handheld with an OLED screen, the power to run everything up to and some Nintendo Switch, great battery life, great sticks, great dpad and overall a fantastic package. If you or someone you know wants the best small device with the best screen, this is it.
Retroid Pocket 5*
Lastly we have the Retroid Pocket 5 and I’m going to asterisk this one. It isn’t under $200 while at least the Mini was before shipping, the 5 is $219. However, our next tier is going to cover everything $200 and above and this is closer to $200 than it will be to the next tier.
Plus, no other device comes close to the value that the 5 brings at $220ish dollars. 5.5” 1080p OLED screen, Snapdragon 865 processor lets it play everything up to and including some Nintendo Switch, the best color combination of pretty much any retro handheld with the GameCube colors, great battery, great sticks, great dpad – this is a total complete package handheld.
If you can stretch your budget, you stretch it for this. If the Retroid Pocket Mini is too small, this is what you want. If you can’t decide on any other handheld, this is what you want.
$200 and above
This tier is going to have basically every other expensive device, and don’t worry, once again I’m shortening this list.
It might shock you to know or not shock you considering every other tier was the same, but there are three devices or device tiers here that I recommend.
AYN Odin 2/Mini/Portal
The first is the Odin 2 series of devices – the Odin 2, and the Odin 2 Mini. The Odin 2 is the cheapest at $299, and the Mini next at $339. All of these are using the same processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which unlike previous tiers, can play Nintendo Switch and really any game that is currently on Android, either emulation or Android games and even Winlator. These are the highest end Android devices, the one and done, buy it and move on type device. My personal favorite is the Odin 2 Mini of the two because of it’s smaller size, but the Odin 2 is a better value.
Just a special note – there is a third Odin 2, the Odin 2 Portal that just launched on Indiegogo and will be arriving in December. However, I don’t expect that you can order it now and have it delivered in time for Christmas, so it’s left off this list. But for those watching this as a general buyers guide, the Odin 2 Portal is $349, 7” screen, OLED with 120hz and would be a fantastic pick as well.
Steam Deck OLED
Next up we have the Steam Deck OLED. There’s honestly really no point for me to even talk about the Steam Deck, you know it, we all know it, you can’t walk down the street without something telling you to buy a Steam Deck. So yeah, it’s here.
ASUS ROG Ally X
But my personal top favorite in this tier, or best overall handheld, is the ASUS ROG Ally X. To me, nothing else comes close to it, it’s a beautiful device that’s in a class of its own. Massive battery, great performance, great sticks, great dpad, great ergonomics, eGPU support – everything. The ROG Ally X is the best handheld of the year and the best handheld you can purchase, if you have the money for it.
My Top Picks
Now, if you’re curious what my single one pick would be from every tier – it would be the Miyoo Mini Plus at under $50, the Retroid Pocket 2S at under $100, the Retroid Pocket 5 at under $200 with an asterisk, and the ASUS ROG Ally X at over $200. The ROG Ally X and a small companion device would be a perfect two device combination for people, I know it is because I do it.
Hope that helps you if even today’s list of devices was too long.