Quality handheld gaming doesn't require a massive budget. Our curated selection features the best gaming handhelds under $100, from clamshell to vertical retro gaming devices from brands like Miyoo, Anbernic and Trimui. 

Find the best budget handheld gaming consoles under $100. We review and compare the top devices for retro gaming on a budget.

Best Gaming  Handhelds Under $100

Best Gaming Handhelds Under $100

The $200 price range offers the sweet spot for handheld gaming, delivering serious performance without premium pricing. These carefully selected devices handle everything from retro classics to demanding PS2 and GameCube emulation with impressive capabilities.

Find powerful handheld gaming consoles under $200. Compare top devices for PS2, GameCube emulation and modern gaming performance.

Best Gaming Handhelds Under $200

The $300 price range represents the sweet spot for a lot of handheld gaming, offering premium emulation and light PC gaming performance without the steep cost of flagship devices. Whether you're seeking modern AAA gaming, comprehensive retro or Nintendo Switch emulation this price tier delivers exceptional value across multiple gaming categories.

Discover the $300 handheld gaming sweet spot with premium performance and retro emulation up to Nintendo Switch for gaming flexibility at great value

Best Gaming Handhelds Under $300

Relive the golden age of 8- and 16-bit gaming with these ten retro handhelds. Each pick balances authentic controls, crisp modern screens, robust community firmware and batteries that last a whole nostalgia-hit commute. Whether you grew up with Game Boy or Neo Geo Pocket, you’ll find a high-quality throwback that still feels great in 2025.

Compare specs, screen quality and battery life on the 10 highest-rated retro handheld consoles you can still buy in 2025.

Best Retro Handheld Consoles 2025

Top 10 Retro Handheld Gaming Consoles (2025)

Need desktop-class frame-rates in your backpack? We’ve rounded up the fastest x86 portable PCs, from SteamOS handhelds to Windows portable gaming machines. Per device you can check out the specs and performance, with the focus on emulating retro gaming systems.

See the top portable PC-class handhelds for AAA gaming away from your desk.

Best Portable Gaming PCs 2025

Best Portable PCs for Gaming on the Go

Looking for flawless 240 × 160 action? Every device here runs GBA titles at full speed with zero frame-drops—often at 3× native resolution. We have an array of very different devices with each one their different strength and weaknesses. From pockatable GBA handhelds, to big-screen systems.

Discover pocket systems that run Game Boy Advance ROMs flawlessly.

Best Handhelds for GBA Emulation

10 Best GBA-Emulator Handhelds to Relive Game Boy Advance Classics

If you love the Switch concept but want more flexibility in terms of gaming, then these ten handhelds deliver better graphics for retro gaming, custom launchers and ergonomic grips—without Nintendo’s pricing or drift issues. Dock them via USB-C for couch co-op or enjoy gaming yourself.

Find the best non-Nintendo handhelds that match or beat the Switch for performance, comfort and price.

Best Nintendo Switch Alternatives 2025

10 Best Nintendo Switch Alternatives for Portable Fun

OLED panels make sprites pop and HDR cut-scenes sing. We have ranked and listed different kinds of retro and pc gaming handhelds, so you can decide which one is your favorite. They all have a strength: each offers infinite black levels for much better contrast.

Our picks for handhelds with vivid OLED panels.

Best OLED Screen Handhelds 2025

Top 10 OLED Handhelds with Stunning Mobile Displays

Emulators are only as good as the hardware driving them. Our picks chew through everything from NES to Wii thanks to big-little CPUs, Vulkan-ready GPUs and good cooling. Each unit ships with enough RAM and storage to house an entire retro library and a front-end like ArkOS or Knulli.

Ten handhelds that can emulate everything from NES to Wii.

Best Multi-System Emulation Handhelds

10 Best Emulation Handhelds with Support for Many Gaming Systems

Dreaming of Shadow of the Colossus on the subway? Each handheld here hits or exceeds 30 fps, with precise analog triggers and enough cooling to survive long boss fights. Want to play any retro system below PS2? That is possible and most devices will have the ability to easily add games from other generations of gaming.

Portable handheld systems that play PlayStation 2 titles.

Best PS2 Emulation Handhelds 2025

10 Best Handhelds for PS2 Emulation (2025)

MagicX Zero 40 Handheld Game Console, 4.0 Inch IPS Screen Retro Video Games Consoles with 4300mAh Long Battery Life & 64GB TF Card Preloaded Games, WiFi Wireless Connection Classic System (Black)​

SNES

Modern

Switch

Wii U

Sega Saturn

Zero 40

Android 10

MANGMI AIR X Gaming Console Snapdragon 662 With 5000mAh Battery 5.5-inch Screen RGB Hall Joystick Hall Linear Trigger Handheld

Air X

Android 14

ANBERNIC RG Nano Retro Handheld Game Console Portable Game Console Mini Aluminum Alloy with 1.54 Inch IPS Screen 64G TF

RG Nano Retro Handheld Game Console , Aluminum Alloy CNC Support Clock , Music Player Function 1.54 Inch IPS Screen 64G (Anbernic Rg Nano Purple)

RG Nano

Linux

Trimui Brick Retro Handheld Portable Retro Gaming WiFi Multiplayer 159g Lightweight Retro Emulator with RGB Lighting USB-C Fast Charging 3.2" Square IPS Screen 3000mAh 64G TF Card Linux Black

MinUI

Brick

MIYOO Mini V4 Portable Retro Handheld Game Console 2.8"Inch IPS Screen Small Video Game Consoles Classic Gaming Emulator Players

Miyoo Mini V4 Retro Handheld Game Console, 2.8 inch Classic System Retro Video Games Consoles Portable Rechargeable Hand Held 64GB with Case White

OnionOS

Mini v4

MIYOO Mini Plus Open Source Linux System Classic Handheld Game Console 3.5 Inch IPS HD Screen Retro Classic Portable Arcade Gift

Miyoo Mini Plus Retro Emulator Handheld Game Console Latest Version with WiFi & RTC, 3.5’’ 640*480 IPS Screen 3000mAh Battery, Gray 64GB

Mini Plus +

TRIMUI SMART PRO new retro game console open source childhood nostalgia handheld game console

Trimui Smart Pro Handheld Game Console 4.96-Inches Display Game Console, Linux System with Allwinner A133P Processor Built-in 64G TF Card Black

JELOS (Linux)

Smart Pro

ANBERNIC RG35XX PLUS Retro Handheld Game Player Support-HD TV Portable For Travel Kids Gift Built-in 64G TF 5000+Classic Games

RG35XX Plus Retro Handheld Game Console , Support HDMI TV Output 5G WiFi Bluetooth 4.2 , 3.5 Inch IPS Screen Linux System Anbernic RG35XX Plus Black

ROCKNIX

Batocera

RG35XX Plus +

ANBERNIC RG Cube XX Handheld Game Console 3.95 Inch HDMI TV Connect WiFi Pairing Birthday Gift

RG Cubexx Handheld Game Console RG Cubexx 3.95'' IPS Screen 720*720 with 128G TF Card Supports 3800mAh Battery,Supports TV and HDMI Retro Emulator Linux System Games Consoles(White)

MuOS

RG Cube XX

ANBERNIC RG 34XX Retro Handheld Game Console RG34XX Video Player Gaming Linux 3.4-inch HD IPS OCA WIFI Bluetooth PSP Games Gift

RG34XX Retro Handheld Game Consoles RG34XX Classic Retro Gaming Console 32+64G Card Preloaded Games 5000+ rg34xx Portable Gaming Console Linux 64-bit 3500mAh Battery WiFi Bluetooth HD and TV Output Black

RG34XX

MagicX

Compare specs for MagicX Zero 40. Pros: Budget price, Vertical screen, Hall effect joystick. Cons: Low performance and bad system support, Single stick controls, Has no video out.

MagicX Zero 40

Online Retailers

MANGMI

Compare specs for MANGMI Air X. Pros: Great value, 1080p display, Hall-effect controls. Cons: No video out, Slow charging, Plastic build.

MANGMI Air X

Anbernic

Compare specs for Anbernic RG Nano. Pros: Tiny Keychain Size, Metal Build, Loud Speaker. Cons: Extremely Small Screen, No WiFi/Bluetooth, No Headphone Jack.

Anbernic RG Nano

Trimui

Compare specs for Trimui Brick. Pros: Super-slim design, Bright 3.2-inch screen, RGB lighting, Smooth retro gameplay. Cons: Awkward shoulder buttons, Average 3h battery life, Weak PS1 support.

Trimui Brick

Amazon & AliExpress

Miyoo

Compare specs for Miyoo Mini v4. Pros: Pocket-size and light, Crisp 2.8-inch screen, Great starter handheld, Good battery. Cons: Tiny screen, Small buttons, No built-in Wi-Fi, Struggles with PS1.

Miyoo Mini v4

Compare specs for Miyoo Mini Plus +. Pros: Pocket-friendly vertical design, Crisp 3.5-inch IPS screen, Built-in Wi-Fi for RetroAchievements. Cons: Mono speaker, Battery life underperforms spec, Bare-bones stock UI.

Miyoo Mini Plus +

Compare specs for Trimui Smart Pro. Pros: Lightweight design, customizable open-source system. Cons: No video output, limited RAM.

Trimui Smart Pro

Compare specs for Anbernic RG35XX Plus +. Pros: Dreamcast-level performance, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth built-in, 8-hour battery life. Cons: Mono speaker, Basic stock UI, Glossy small buttons.

Anbernic RG35XX Plus +

Compare specs for Anbernic RG Cube XX. Pros: Affordable Price, Square 720p Screen, RGB Lighting. Cons: Low RAM, Weaker CPU, No Touchscreen.

Anbernic RG Cube XX

Compare specs for Anbernic RG34XX. Pros: Low Cost, GBA-Friendly Screen, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth. Cons: 1 GB RAM, Mini HDMI Only, Battery Just 3500mAh.