R36S vs R36XX vs R36Plus vs R36H

Overview[edit]

Devices in this test[edit]

R36S from Factory Game Direct Store ¹ (May 21st, 2025 for 27,91€)
R36XX from Classic Game Store ¹ (June 8th, 2025 for 30,74€)
R36Plus from Zhai Nan Store ¹ (June 8th, 2025 for 34,79€) - came with internal wi-fi chip
R36H from GAMEFIELD Store ¹ (June 8th, 2025 for 32,17€)

Updated prices and links to trusted sellers + listings:

¹ _{Buying through these affiliate links helps support the wiki. Your price stays the same. Commissions go toward devices, testing, documentation, and server costs.}

Comparison[edit]

They are mostly the same, so all of them are recommended if you can get them around 30€ or less.

R36S
↪ R36S @ handhelds.wiki
Price	★★★★★
D-pad	Not the best, but okay for the price
Face buttons	Not the best, but okay for the price
Start/Select/FN	Loud and clicky
Shoulder Buttons	Loud and clicky
Screen	Amazing screen with very good brightness
Wi-Fi	Adapter + Wi-Fi dongle needed
Comfortability	★★★☆☆
Firmware Support	★★★★★
Notes	Compact and very cheap retro emulation handheld. Price of 25€ is great and it's a nice entry device in this hobby.

R36XX
↪ R36XX @ handhelds.wiki
Price	★★★★☆
D-pad	Same as the R36S
Face buttons	Same as the R36S
Start/Select/FN	Similar to the R36S
Shoulder Buttons	More ergonomic design, but similar to the R36S
Screen	Same screen as the R36S (Panel 4)
Wi-Fi	built-in
Comfortability	★★★☆☆
Firmware Support	★★★★★
Notes	It's basically a R36S revision with built-in wi-fi. The data cable/lanyard in the pic is optional and can be removed.

R36Plus
↪ R36Plus @ handhelds.wiki
Price	★★★★☆
D-pad	A little stiffer than the R36S D-pad, but still okay
Face buttons	A little louder than the R36S, but still okay
Start/Select/FN	Similar to the R36S
Shoulder Buttons	Similar to the R36S
Screen	1:1 screen but same screen quality as the R36S
Wi-Fi	Most models come with built-in wifi
Comfortability	★★★☆☆
Firmware Support	★★★★☆
Notes	The bigger screen with 1:1 aspect ratio is very good for NES, SNES, GB, GBC, Vertical Arcade and PICO-8 emulation.

R36H
↪ R36H @ handhelds.wiki
Price	★★★★☆
D-pad	A little stiffer than the R36S, but still okay
Face buttons	A little quieter than the R36S
Start/Select	Similar to the R36S
Shoulder Buttons	A little quieter than the R36S
Screen	Same screen as the R36S (Panel 4)
Wi-Fi	Adapter + wifi dongle needed
Comfortability	★★★★☆
Firmware Support	★★★★★
Notes	More ergonomic because of the different form factor. Buttons are a little quieter, but it's missing the FN button.