Handheld Buying Guide: Difference between revisions
From Handhelds Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
HandheldWiki (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
HandheldWiki (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
The cheapest prices are on '''AliExpress'''. Only downside there is the delivery time (up to 2 weeks). | The cheapest prices are on '''AliExpress'''. Only downside there is the delivery time (up to 2 weeks). | ||
{{SectionStyleEnd}} | |||
{{SectionStyleStart}} | |||
== Choosing a Handheld == | |||
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) | |||
{{SectionStyleEnd}} | {{SectionStyleEnd}} | ||
| Line 12: | Line 24: | ||
== Recommended Handhelds == | == Recommended Handhelds == | ||
{{Affiliate}} | {{Affiliate}} | ||
These are some of the suggested devices from the retro handheld communities. | |||
{{Template:Handheld buying guide}} | {{Template:Handheld buying guide}} | ||
Revision as of 05:40, 20 July 2025
Where to buy
The cheapest prices are on AliExpress. Only downside there is the delivery time (up to 2 weeks).
Choosing a Handheld
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)
Recommended Handhelds
1 Buying through these affiliate links helps support the wiki. Your price stays the same. Commissions go toward devices, testing, documentation, and server costs.
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 Plus |  |
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
⚠️ Attention to people from the US: Due to recent changes in the tariff policies it's recommended to only order from sellers that ship directly from the US. These are shipped from within the USA and the new tariffs do not apply.
1 Buying through these affiliate links helps support the wiki. Your price stays the same. Commissions go toward devices, testing, documentation, and server costs.
| Device | Image | Link1 | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BATLEXP G350 |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $33.97 | Very good buttons (Anbernic quality). Best bang for the buck budget handheld in 2025. |
| Miyoo Mini V4 |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $41.26 | Loved by the community for its small size and pocketability. Has one of the best custom firmwares. Great buttons. |
| ANBERNIC RG28XX |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $41.44 | Very cheap and small horizontal Handheld by Anbernic. |
| ANBERNIC RG Nano |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $42.21 | Micro-Handheld. Emulates up to PS1. |
| Miyoo Mini + |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $43.45 | Bigger version of the Miyoo Mini with a 3.5" screen |
| ANBERNIC RG35XX H | |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $52.99 | 3.5 inch screen, great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| ANBERNIC RG35XX Plus |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $53.41 | 3.5 inch screen, great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| ANBERNIC RG40XX V |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $53.88 | 4 inch screen, great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| ANBERNIC RG40XX H |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $55.83 | 4 inch screen, great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| ANBERNIC RG35XXSP |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $57.59 | Great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| ANBERNIC RG CubeXX |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $58.08 | 1:1 screen, great build quality, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out,... |
| Trimui Brick |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $52.16 | Great 3.2" screen, very good build quality. |
| ANBERNIC RG34XX |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $61.27 | Gameboy Advance design, great build quality/buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, great custom firmware support. |
| Trimui Smart Pro |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $61.30 | Big screen, very good for PSP games because of the aspect ratio |
| Device | Image | Link1 | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANBERNIC RG Cube |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $154.14 | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. |
| ANBERNIC RG406V |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $176.99 | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. |
| ANBERNIC RG406H |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $171.99 | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. |
| ANBERNIC RG556 |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $199.99 | Anbernic quality. Can emulate most PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. |
| Retroid Pocket 4 Pro |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $203.07 | Superb quality and performance. Can emulate PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. Can also run a few switch titles. |
| Retroid Pocket 5 | |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $265 | Superb quality and performance. Can emulate PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. Can also run a few switch titles. |
| ANBERNIC RG557 |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $269.99 | Anbernic's latest flagship device. Can emulate PS2, Gamecube, Wii and 3DS. Can also run a few switch titles. |
| Device | Image | Link1 | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Lite | |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $141.70 | Official Nintendo Switch Lite |
| Nintendo Switch OLED |  |
AliExpress 🇺🇸 | $238.87 | Official Nintendo Switch OLED |
Last update: June 11, 2025
Check Reviews
-
sorting by newest -
check out the latest reviews
Check Cheapest Price
Double check the item selection
-
always check the item selection
SD cards
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Amazon - Amazon - Amazon |
~10-60€ | Samsung EVO Select 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€ | Kingston Canvas Select Plus microSD Card 64-512GB |
 |
Amazon - Amazon |
~10-30€ | Netac 32-256GB |
Lots of users also reported cheaper KODAK and HP cards as reliable options. Make sure to check the reviews before ordering one of these.
| 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! |
SD card Reader
| 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
