Handheld Buying Guide
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Where to buy[edit]
The cheapest prices are usually on AliExpress. Only downside there is the delivery time (up to 2 weeks). Some manufacturers like Anbernic or Retroid also have their own stores. Ordering on Amazon is not recommended due to higher prices.
Choosing a Handheld[edit]
There are many options in the handheld market. Selecting the right device can be a daunting task due to the sheer number of choices available. It's advised to determine the features you want before making an impulse purchase:
- Form Factor (vertical, horizontal, clamshell)
- Price/Performance
- Display and size
- Android or Linux based operating system
- Additional features (like wifi or hdmi out)
AliExpress Advice[edit]
▶ Save extra money with coins and promo codes- Click expand for a guide with screenshots
This often only works on the AliExpress mobile app. You will also need to collect "coins" which can be obtained through daily logins or minigames in the coins section.
-
Promo codes during sales can be found on the AliExpress start page -
Visit the listing on the wiki once (can be done on PC too) -
Go to the coins section (Münzen) -
Go to Discount Finder (Rabattsucher) -
Click on the item you visited in the second step -
Click on Buy Now (Jetzt kaufen) -
Choose the color you want and click continue (Fortfahren) -
Apply promo codes from the AliExpress startpage (every country has different codes)
Tip: Most prices can be reduced with discount codes.
- You can find them during sales on the AliExpress homepage.
- Many countries have their own codes.
- There are also worldwide codes that work for multiple countries.
- Only order products that have positive reviews and pictures of the delivered item.
- Avoid shops with "Shop23566811113444" name and zero reviews.
- Only order from "Choice" stores to avoid shipping fees.
- Prices are not the same in every country, and availability varies by region.
- Wait for sales on AliExpress which are announced at the top of the AliExpress homepage.
- Use promo codes (if available for your country) and collect AliExpress coins.
It's always recommended to check the latest reviews of the product.
-
sorting by newest -
check out the latest reviews
You can click on "similar items" and look for cheaper listings from different sellers.
Make sure the correct item is selected before adding to the cart.
-
always check the item selection
Recommended Handhelds[edit]
These are some of the suggested devices from the retro handheld communities.
Official Stores:
Trusted AliExpress Sellers:
| Name | Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R36XX |  |
AliExpress #1 - AliExpress #2 - Amazon  - Amazon  - Amazon  |
~30€ | Newer R36S version with built-in Wi-Fi. |
| R36Plus |  |
AliExpress #1 - AliExpress #2 - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~35€ | R36S with a bigger 1:1 screen. |
| BATLEXP G350 |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~45€ | Amazing build quality for the price (Anbernic quality). |
| Anbernic RG35XX H |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~45€ | 3.5" inch screen, great build quality, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI out,... |
| Miyoo Mini + |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~45€ | Bigger version of the Miyoo Mini with a 3.5" screen. |
| Miyoo Mini |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~45€ | Loved by the community for its small size and pocketability. Has one of the best custom firmwares. Great buttons. |
| Trimui Smart Pro |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~50€ | Big screen, very good for PSP games because of the aspect ratio. |
| Anbernic RG35XX SP |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~50€ | Clamshell form factor, great build quality, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI out,... |
| Anbernic RG40XX V |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~55€ | 4 inch screen, great build quality, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI out,... |
| Anbernic RG40XX H |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~55€ | 4" screen, great build quality, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI out,... |
| Trimui Brick |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~55€ | Great 3.2" screen, very good build quality. |
| Anbernic RG 34XX |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~60€ | Anbernic's take one the Game Boy Advance, great build quality, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI out,... |
| Anbernic RG34XXSP |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~70€ | Latest clamshell device from Anbernic with dual joysticks. Great build quality, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI out,... |
| Name | Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anbernic RG406V |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~140€ | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, GameCube, Wii and 3DS games. Can also run a few Switch titles. |
| Anbernic RG Cube |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~140€ | 1:1 screen. Can emulate most PS2, GameCube, Wii and 3DS games. Can also run a few Switch titles. |
| Anbernic RG406H |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~140€ | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, GameCube, Wii and 3DS games. Can also run a few Switch titles. |
| Anbernic RG556 |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~170€ | Very good screen. Can emulate most PS2, GameCube, Wii and 3DS games. Can also run a few Switch titles. |
| Retroid Pocket 5 |  |
AliExpress - Amazon |
~200€ | Superb quality and performance. Can emulate PS2, GameCube, Wii and 3DS games. Can also run a few Switch titles. |
| Retroid Pocket Flip 2 |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon |
~210€ | Premium big clamshell device from Retroid. |
| Anbernic RG557 |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon |
~220€ | Anbernic's latest flagship device. Can emulate PS2, GameCube, Wii and 3DS games. Can also run a few Switch titles. |
| Name | Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AYN Odin 2 |  |
AliExpress | ~280€ | Better specs than the Retroid Pocket 5. |
| Steam Deck 512GB |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~600€ | Absolute emulation beast. Can also play PC games. |
| ASUS ROG Ally X |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~900€ | Absolute emulation beast. Even better specs than the Steam Deck. |
| Name | Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DS ML |  |
AliExpress | ~50€ | Re-shelled Nintendo DS. Compatible with GBA and DS cartridges. R4 flash cards for ROMs and homebrew also work. |
| Nintendo Switch Lite |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~150€ | Official Nintendo Switch Lite console. |
| Nintendo Switch OLED |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~220€ | Official Nintendo Switch OLED console. |
| Nintendo Switch 2 |  |
AliExpress - Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~500€ | Official Nintendo Switch 2 console. |
Last update: January 8, 2026
1 Buying through these affiliate links helps support the wiki. Your price stays the same. Commissions go toward devices, testing, documentation, and server costs.
US sellers[edit]
| Name | Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANBERNIC RG28XX |  |
AliExpress |
$35.04 | Very cheap and small horizontal Handheld by Anbernic. |
| Miyoo Flip V2 |  |
AliExpress |
$39.79 | Clamshell handheld from Miyoo with dual joysticks |
| BATLEXP G350 |  |
AliExpress |
$44.54 | Very good buttons (Anbernic quality). Best bang for the buck budget handheld in 2025. |
| Miyoo Mini Plus |  |
AliExpress |
$44.94 | Bigger version of the Miyoo Mini with a 3.5" screen |
| ANBERNIC RG CubeXX |  |
AliExpress |
$48.83 | 1:1 screen, great build quality, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out,... |
| ANBERNIC RG35XXSP |  |
AliExpress |
$49.67 | Great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| ANBERNIC RG35XX H | |
AliExpress |
$50.07 | 3.5 inch screen, great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| ANBERNIC RG40XX H |  |
AliExpress |
$50.77 | 4 inch screen, great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| Miyoo Mini |  |
AliExpress |
$52.61 | Loved by the community for its small size and pocketability. Has one of the best custom firmwares. Great buttons. |
| ANBERNIC RG40XX V |  |
AliExpress |
$53.23 | 4 inch screen, great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| ANBERNIC RG34XX |  |
AliExpress |
$53.23 | Gameboy Advance design, great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| Trimui Brick |  |
AliExpress |
$57.82 | Great 3.2" screen, very good build quality. |
| Trimui Smart Pro |  |
AliExpress |
$58.58 | Big screen, very good for PSP games because of the aspect ratio |
| Anbernic RG34XXSP | |
AliExpress |
$71.92 | Clamshell device from Anbernic with dual joysticks. Great build quality, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI out,... |
| Name | Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANBERNIC RG406H |  |
AliExpress |
$115.09 | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. |
| ANBERNIC RG406V |  |
AliExpress |
$119.53 | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. |
| ANBERNIC RG Cube |  |
AliExpress |
$139.60 | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. |
| ANBERNIC RG476H |  |
AliExpress |
$147.37 | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. |
| ANBERNIC RG556 |  |
AliExpress |
$159.56 | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. |
| Retroid Pocket 5 | |
AliExpress |
$205.51 | Superb quality and performance. Can emulate PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. Can also run a few switch titles. |
| Retroid Pocket Flip 2 |  |
AliExpress |
$208.85 | Premium big clamshell device from Retroid. |
| ANBERNIC RG557 |  |
AliExpress |
$233.19 | Anbernic's latest flagship device. Can emulate PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. Can also run a few switch titles. |
| Name | Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Lite | |
AliExpress |
$122.67 | Official Nintendo Switch Lite |
| Nintendo Switch OLED |  |
AliExpress |
$200.43 | Official Nintendo Switch OLED |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | |
AliExpress |
$515.20 | Official Nintendo Switch 2 console. |
Last update: January 12, 2025
1 Buying through these affiliate links helps support the wiki. Your price stays the same. Commissions go toward devices, testing, documentation, and server costs.
SD cards[edit]
There are a lot of fake or bad quality SD cards sold on AliExpress and Amazon. For an in-depth testing of various SD cards you could check The Great MicroSD Card Survey.
Here are a few reliable options picked by the community.
| Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
AliExpress | ~5-20€ | KODAK UHS-I U3 V30 A1 32-256GB |
 |
AliExpress | ~5€ | KODAK UHS-I U3 V30 A1 64GB |
 |
AliExpress | ~5€ | HP mx330 Class 10 U3 64 - AVOID THE 128GB/256GB VERSION! |
| Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~10-60€ | Kingston Canvas Select Plus microSD Card 64-512GB |
 |
Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~20€ | Samsung Evo/Pro plus 128GB |
 |
Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~30€ | Samsung Evo/Pro plus 256GB |
 |
Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~10-60€ | Samsung EVO Select 64-512GB |
 |
Amazon - Amazon |
~10-30€ | Netac 32-256GB |
SD card Reader[edit]
| Image | Link1 | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
AliExpress | ~6€ | UGREEN Card Reader USB3.0 & USB C - Supports 2 cards simultaneously - Different types available |
 |
Amazon | ~7€ | UGREEN Card Reader USB3.0 & USB C - Supports 2 cards simultaneously |
Other Projects at the Handhelds Wiki
