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
Let’s just jump right in with the $50 US dollar and under tier.
This tier has the highest amount of unsavory devices, it’s a rough tier as for many years, it was just full of really bad handhelds with so many compromises.
You’d pay, like $30, but then spend $100 in your time trying to fix it and make it as good as a $50 device – it never made sense.
The other problem with this tier is that AliExpress sales can usually bring an over $50 US dollar device into this price range, but that’s super hard to count on for the entire world.
So instead, let’s talk about actual devices that retail for under $50 and not just go on sale for it.
There’s actually two devices I would recommend in this pricing tier.
There’s the Miyoo Mini Plus and the BatleXP G350.
Miyoo Mini Plus
The Miyoo Mini Plus has been on this list for years at this point, consistently one of the best devices for under $50 and still continues to be to this day.
It definitely has aged at this point, but if you ask me – it’s still perfect for the task.
With the Miyoo Mini Plus, you get one of the best operating systems for newcomers, super easy to use with OnionOS and you can play a ton of systems – NES, SNES, Game Boys, Genesis, and so on, up to and including PlayStation 1.
BatleXP G350
However, this year we saw the arrival of a new best option in this pricing tier and it’s the BatleXP G350.
The G350 seems to be made by Anbernic, under a new brand and so you get quality hardware and quality software for $40 or so dollars.
The G350 easily came and replaced the very popular R36S that’s all over AliExpress as the best sub $50 handheld by virtue of being made better, by a large margin, and having the same power for pretty much the same price.
Where the G350 differs from the Miyoo Mini Plus, besides looks of course, is that it can play a bit more than PlayStation 1 like some Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and PSP – so overall more powerful and that translates to faster fast forwarding in games like Pokemon too.
Long story short, the BatleXP G350 is the best under $50.
$50 to $100
There is one single best device in this price range and it’s the Mangmi Air X.
Mangmi Air X
The Mangmi Air X can do PSP, N64 and even 3DS for under $90.
There is just no other competing device on the market that has this power, it is the best you can buy in this price range.
$100 to $150
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is currently the best option under $150.
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is a little older, but because it’s still being sold and discounted, it’s the best device you can buy under $150 right now.
You have the power to play some GameCube, some PlayStation 2, and even some Switch games.
$150 to $200
In the $150 to $200 tier, there’s a few options to consider.
The Anbernic RG476H is the best 4:3 device you can buy in this price range.
With the 120hz 4:3 screen, and the power to play some GameCube, some PlayStation 2 and so on – it’s a great value.
Anbernic RG476H
Retroid Pocket Mini V2
The Retroid Pocket Mini V2 can play even more GameCube, PlayStation 2 and so on compared to the previous handhelds, and it has a nice OLED screen too.
It’s an awesome choice, and smaller too.
$200 to $250
There’s a lot in this range to choose from, but here’s the best choices.
Retroid Pocket 6
TBD
KONKR Pocket FIT
TBD
$250 to $400
AYN Thor
The AYN Thor is the most unique device on the market by having dual OLED screens with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
You have the power to play basically anything you want, plus a small form factor, and two screens.
AYN Odin 2 Portal
The AYN Odin 2 Portal is the best overall Android handheld on the market, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 7″ 1080p 120hz OLED screen and more.
This is one of the best devices we’ve seen.
AYN Odin 3
TBD
PC Handheld
ROG XBOX Ally X
The ROG XBOX Ally X is the current best PC handheld that you can buy, with a Z2 Extreme processor, 80wh of battery and more, it’s the de facto best option.