Retro Game Corps' Favorite Handhelds Under $100
Updated March 2026
Quick List:
Favorite Ultra Budget Handhelds
- Best Ultra Cheap:
- Runner-up: Best Ultra Cheap:
Favorite Clamshells
- Best for GBA:
- Best for 4:3 Systems:
- Best Pocketable:
Favorite Bread and Butter handhelds - Vertical
- Best Budget Vertical:
- Best Vertical with Large Screen:
Favorite Bread and Butter handhelds - Horizontal
- Best Budget Horizontal:
- Russ's Personal Favorite:
Favorite Bang for your Buck
- Best for PSP:
- Most Powerful Under $100:
- Best Unique and Powerful:
The Best of the Best
- Best Budget Handheld Overall:
The Best Ultra Cheap Handheld Under $50: BATLEXP G350
Released
Feb. 2025
OS
Linux
Screen
3.5”, 4:3
Up To
NDS
Best For
PS1, SNES
Price
~$40
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Has some of the best feeling buttons in this price range
- Decent screen
- Small device, very pocketable
Cons
- No Wi-fi (no RetroAchievements, box art scraping, file transfer etc...)
- Not powerful enough for higher end emulation
- No Bluetooth
Good alternative:
Game Console R36S
Runner-up: The Best Pocketable Ultra Cheap Handheld: Miyoo A30
Released
May. 2024
OS
Linux
Screen
2.8”, 4:3
Up To
NDS
Best For
PS1, SNES
Price
~$40
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Well-supported by the community, multiple CFWs available
- Small device, very pocketable
- Very affordable
Cons
- Screen can be too dim in some environments
- No support for L3/R3 inputs (button clicks on analog sticks)
- 2.8” screen might be too small for some
The Best Handheld for a Perfect GBA Experience: Anbernic RG-34XXSP
Released
May. 2025
OS
Linux
Screen
3.4”, 3:2
Up To
Dreamcast
Best For
GBA, Game Gear
Price
~$60
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Nostalgic design borrowing from the original GBA SP
- Well-supported by the community, multiple CFWs available
- Ideal 3:2 aspect ratio for Game Boy Advance
Cons
- Device can feel bulky when closed
- Unstable emulation on more demanding systems
The Best Budget Clamshell for 4:3 Aspect Ratio Systems: Miyoo Flip
Released
Dec. 2024
OS
Linux
Screen
3.5”, 4:3
Up To
PSP
Best For
Dreamcast, N64
Price
~$70
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Can be connected to external displays
- Foldable form factor keeps screen safe
- Decent 3000 mAh battery
Cons
- The plastic build may feel cheap
- Some users report issues with the hinge
- Not powerful enough for higher end emulation
Good alternative:
Anbernic RG-35XX SP
The Best Pocketable Handheld to Bring Everywhere: Miyoo Mini Flip
Released
Oct. 2025
OS
Linux
Screen
2.8”, 4:3
Up To
NDS
Best For
PS1, SNES
Price
~$50
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Perfect EDC handheld
- Well-supported by the community, multiple CFWs available
- Small device, very pocketable
Cons
- Poor audio quality, sounds tinny
- Tiny controls
- 2.8” screen might be too small for some
Good alternative:
Miyoo Mini
The Best Budget Vertical Handheld with a Great Screen: TRIMUI Smart Brick
Released
Nov. 2024
OS
Linux
Screen
3.2”, 4:3
Up To
Dreamcast
Best For
PS1, SNES
Price
~$70
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Build quality feels premium
- Well-lit screen
- Perfect EDC handheld
Cons
- May heat up noticeably during heavy play
- Some users report a bug where the device can stay on while powered off and become unresponsive
- 3.2” screen might be too small for some
Good alternative:
Miyoo Mini Plus
The Best Budget Vertical Handheld with a Larger Screen: Anbernic RG-40XXV
Released
Aug. 2024
OS
Linux
Screen
4.0”, 4:3
Up To
Dreamcast
Best For
Dreamcast, N64
Price
~$60
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Great offering at this budget price point
- The 4.0 screen is a good size for retro games
- Good community support, multiple CFWs available
Cons
- Low resolution screen
- Not powerful enough for higher end emulation
The Best Budget Horizontal Handheld: Anbernic RG-35XX H
Released
Jan. 2024
OS
Linux
Screen
3.5”, 4:3
Up To
Dreamcast
Best For
Dreamcast, N64
Price
~$60
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Well-supported by the community, multiple CFWs available
- Can be connected to a larger display
- PortMaster support for PC game ports
Cons
- Unstable emulation on more demanding systems
Good alternative:
Anbernic RG-40XXH
Russ's Personal Favorite Budget Horizontal Handheld: Anbernic RG Cube XX
Released
Oct. 2024
OS
Linux
Screen
3.95”, 1:1
Up To
Dreamcast
Best For
Arcade, Game Boy
Price
~$60
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Good community support, multiple CFWs available
- Square screen is perfect for Game Boy, NES, SNES, Pico-8...
- Can be connected to external displays
Cons
- Not powerful enough for higher end emulation
The Best Budget Handheld for PSP Emulation: TRIMUI Smart Pro S
Released
Dec. 2025
OS
Linux
Screen
4.96”, 16:9
Up To
Saturn
Best For
PSP, Dreamcast
Price
~$90
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Feels comfortable in the hand thanks to the rounded edges
- Big 5000 mAh battery
Cons
- Black bars when playing older retro systems
- No video out, can't be connected to an external display
The Most Powerful Budget Handheld Under $100: AYANEO Pocket Air Mini
Released
Nov. 2025
OS
Android 11
Screen
4.2”, 4:3
Up To
PS2
Best For
GameCube, Wii
Price
~$90
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Amazing price to performance ratio
- High resolution display
- Access to mobile games and apps
Cons
- Older Android version, less compatibility with the Play Store
- No video out, can't be connected to an external display
The Best Unique and Powerful Budget Handheld: MagicX One 35
Released
Dec. 2025
OS
Android 12
Screen
3.5”, 3:2
Up To
Saturn
Best For
GBA, Game Gear
Price
~$80
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Designed to be flipped for a great experience with vertical Arcade games
- Access to mobile games and apps
- Perfect 3:2 aspect ratio for GBA
Cons
- Powerful device, but the screen dimensions aren't ideal for widescreen games
- No video out, can't be connected to an external display
The Best Budget Handheld Overall: Mangmi Air X
Released
Oct. 2025
OS
Android 14
Screen
5.5”, 16:9
Up To
3DS
Best For
PSP, Dreamcast
Price
~$100
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Nice screen, much better than other offerings at this price point
- Great-feeling buttons and D-Pad
- High resolution display
Cons
- Speakers are good but not great
- Black bars when playing older retro systems
- No video out, can't be connected to an external display
