Handheld Emulator reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 429 Reddit reviews across 20 subreddits and 94 posts to rank the best Handheld Emulator brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/SBCGaming, r/Handhelds, r/retrogaming, r/ANBERNIC, r/Roms. Top-rated brands include Anbernic (4.1/5), Retroid (4.2/5), Steam Deck (4.8/5).

Stats

Reviews429

Subreddits20

Posts94

Brands48

Products71

Top communities

r/SBCGaming244 r/Handhelds39 r/retrogaming24 r/ANBERNIC23 r/Roms22

429 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Anbernic

4.1

(103)

"I vote the RG CubeXX. Great form factor and performance for that level of game library"

"The RG40XX H has the best price performance ratio in the category up to PS1 in my opinion."

"I’d also say RG40XXV for those who want a vertical. It’s an amazing device."

"Got my RG40xx V last week and I love it, runs everything great on ps1."

"I really enjoy my RGCubeXX ... It’s great and play up to ps1 flawlessly. I also have been playing some DC,N64 and psp with no issues."

"The 40XXH. Large battery, ergonomic, large screen (4in), good joysticks, decent DPad, nice positioned triggers, pocketeable, plays every single PS1 game flawlessly."

"Rg406h would be my pic in fact I think it's the best device they've ever made."

"34xx is perfect if you have any nostalgia whatsoever, and is an excellent handheld with a perfect GBA aspect ration even if you don't."

"CubeXX is the most underrated and best bang for buck on the market imo. It's so comfortable compared to most devices and the buttons feel really good."

"+1 for Cube. I didn't want DSi because it seemed a little more difficult to set up and I think pokemon games are way better with fast forward functionality."

Retroid

4.2

(53)

"The best handheld emulator is a custom Retroid Pocket Mini with the replacement screen, a 3D-printed shell, and some really sharp transparent buttons"

"Personally I feel the best the $200 price point is the Retroid Pocket 5. Small, powerful, great build quality."

"If price matters to you, the RP5 is cheaper during a sale from Retroid's Moorechip aliexpress store."

"I've settled on the Retroid Pocket 5 because I feel it will give me enough fun exploring this world before I upgrade."

"I've settled on the Retroid Pocket 5 as I feel it will give me enough fun exploring this world before I upgrade."

"The RP5 is awesome."

"The Retroid Pocket 5 has a relatively large 5.5" OLED while still being smaller and easier to carry around than a whole-ass Steam Deck."

"The Retroid Pocket Mini is my pick for best emulator of 2025, plays up to PS2 very well and is nice and travel sized."

"If you want a real Hand held that you can put in your pocket with a gorgeous screen... The retroid pocket 5. Hands down."

"That one has the best performance with all emulators because it has the best specs."

Steam Deck

4.8

(31)

"I think the best option you got would be a steamdeck"

"As others have said the steam deck is perfect for it"

"It’s pricey but the steam deck is perfect!"

"SD is arguably the best emulation machine."

"If you want one device that can play the most games for the least money, there is quite simply nothing that beats the Steamdeck."

"For purely emulation I think right now its basically Steam deck > Odin 2"

"For the one device to rule them all, OLED Steam Deck."

"If you’re only buying one device the steamdeck is unbeatable."

"Steam Deck is the best."

"Steamdeck"

Miyoo

4.1

(26)

"Check out the brands Miyoo Mini, Anbernic, and Trimui. These are relatively cheap, but also good quality. Famous ones being the Miyoo Mini Plus, Anbernic RG35XX series, and Trimui Brick."

"I would highly recommend the Miyoo Mini+ Easy set up. Great and super helpful community & Easy to load with a pre-built package then you're good to go."

"I personally like the OG miyoo mini cause I can bring it round easier and play one handed."

"My current favorite is the Miyoo Mini Plus with OnionOS installed on it!"

"MIYOO mini v2, geez I love this thing! It got me back into Roms after being away for years."

"Got a miyoo Flip recently, runs PSP and N64 fantastically as well as the basic PS1 and earlier consoles."

"Miyoo mini is awesome"

"I’d also say the miyoo A30"

"I think the Miyoo Mini is around that price these days. Great little console."

"Miyoo mini plus"

Trimui

4.2

(21)

"TrimUI Smart Pro (TSP) is so good. The only knock is the lack of L3 and R3 (stick buttons), but otherwise it's perfect."

"Trimui Smart Pro is an awesome device for this. It offers great value overall."

"I actually just received the Trimui Smart Pro for 51 euros total."

"The tsp runs some DC and PSP well, and a bunch of N64 decently ... has a great screen."

"The TSP is a great device for PS1 or lower."

"I've bought the Trimui Smart Pro for $47 ... There's also the Anbernic RG XX line.. they're all going to play PS1 and below just fine."

"Would probably go for trimui smart pro; the large screen and the analog sticks both make ps1 games nice to play."

"If the Trimui Smart Pro is in your price range, but if it is it's one of the best at its price."

"I just set up a trimui smart pro with Crossmix OS for a buddy to play DS games and its pretty great and a comfy device."

Powkiddy

3.8

(19)

"Powkiddy V10. DuH"

"Best budget value for GBA: Powkiddy V10"

"Cheapest: Powkiddy V10. 2x integer scale. Weakest chipset on this list. Heard great things about the d-pad."

"V10 is by far the best budget, but something like the rg34xx and cube xx has high enough resolution so that shaders like LCD3X look good."

"PowKiddy V10 - Gameboy-like vertical form factor."

"I ended up recommending the TrimUI Smart Pro and the PowKiddy RGB10x."

"Former has better D-pad, removable battery cover, and a screen more suited for full-screen GBA."

"Latter has a more generic 4:3 display at a higher resolution."

"With a focus on GBA, the PowKiddy V10 would be an obvious choice."

"Powkiddy v10 is nice for GBA and you can find it on sale on aliexpress right now for around $32."

Valve

4.8

(12)

"Well if a Steam Deck appeals to you it should be good for almost every PS2 game."

"The SteamDeck used on like Facebook marketplace is the deal of deals in this space. It can play most Switch games on emulation and anything below it."

"Steam Deck if you want a jumbotron"

"If you are willing to stretch to the $500 mark, then a steam deck is probably a no brainer. Will play everything you want pretty much."

"Steam deck, Legion go or ROG Ally if you want to play Assassin’s creed. For up to PS2 you’ll want a Retroid Pocket 5."

"I love my Steam Deck."

"Steamdeck and the OLED version might even get the colors closer to CRT I bet. i have steamdeck LCD and love it"

"I'd guess a Steam Deck will be one of the best in regards of Dreamcast emulation"

"If you are an avid handheld gamer, I wouldn't waste my time on anything less than an Ally X or SteamDeck as you'll end up purchasing one of them anyway if you like those kind of devices"

"SteamDeck or Switch are the best *straight out of the box*."

Ayn

4.3

(12)

"Probably ayn odin 2 for a handheld right now"

"Ayn Odin 2"

"Right now the best handheld is the ayn Odin 2."

"Idk what he recommended, but for a switch type console the Ayn Odin is phenomenal."

"AYN Odin is has high quality devices in $300+ range"

"If you intend to play Colosseum/XD from the Gamecube library then any Odin 2 variant is great."

"If you're NOT interested in PC gaming AT ALL I'd buy the Odin 2."

"Odin 2 handles pretty much everything atm."

"For purely emulation I think right now its basically Steam deck > Odin 2."

"The AYN Odin Lite (or Pro) would be great."

Retroid Pocket 3+

4.7

(10)

"Retroid pocket 3 + or 4."

"Retroid pocket 3+ or 4."

"Retroid pocket 3+, 4, 4pro all great."

"Rp3+ goes for 150 and can run everything under gc really well."

"Retroid Pocket 3+ or Retroid Pocket Flip would be my recommendation."

"The Retroid Pocket 3+ and Flip are good options depending on your budget."

"The retroroid pocket 3+ can play a good selection of GameCube and PS2 titles with everything under playing super smooth."

"RP3+ is like $100. It can also do Saturn, dreamcast, DS, and some ps2/gamecube."

"Depending on how picky you are and what games you play the 3+ has a bigger/wider screen."

"Retroid Pocket 3+ right now."

#10

Odin 2

4.3

(10)

"Odin 2 handles pretty much everything atm."

"But if you want purely emulation, without ps3 or xbox, then Odin 2 reigns alone, thats the best (for me the rg556 is a better compromise)"

"Odin 2."

"Plain and simple the best device, best operating system, best flexibility, best value, and best performance to battery life ratio available imo."

"Yes, I got an Odin 2, I got a Steam Deck, Steam Deck shits all over the Odin 2."

"I use an Odin 2 Pro for everything else, but I still play DS and 3DS games on my New 3DS XL."

"Probably Odin 2."

"Currently I would say the next best thing to a OG 3ds is probably the odin 2 like others have recommended"

"Probably an Odin 2."

"The Ayn Odin 2 isn't much cheaper, but it is smaller with better battery life, so it's an option."

#11

Sony

4.0

(10)

"Get PS Vita"

"Ps Vita If you can find a decent one 😉"

"My recomendation is Psvita second hand."

"I still have my original PSP 1000 I got in 2005 and it runs nearly the entire PS1 and PSP library with CFW installed."

"PSP"

"PSP is great for emulating GBA and really easy to mod."

"My humble recommendation would be a PSP. Easaly moddable, very good feel of buttons and a nice bright screen"

"For less than $100 a hacked PSVita."

"Quite like the PSP for this job"

"I'd drop plans to get much from N64 emulation (even modern PCs struggle with some games), and just go with a modded PSP or Vita."

#12

3DS

4.9

(8)

"Someone already said it, but the answer is 'A 3DS'."

"The 3DS by a mile."

"No doubt here, a NN3DS."

"A modded 3ds is by far the best choice, you can still get an old 2ds for a decent price."

"Modded 3DS is your best bet."

"Softmod a 3DS. Relatively cheap to pick one up from Japan."

"A real 3DS can play GBA games 100% accurately."

"I'd recommend the 3DS in one of its iterations."

#13

Nintendo

4.4

(8)

"If you want to play 3ds games, get a 3ds."

"Get a 3ds and one of those R4 cards."

"A modded 3ds might be your best bet"

"I’d say get a DSi XL or a 3DS XL."

"DSi XL (fantastic IPS display, but many are yellowing at this point) is by far my favorite to play that gen of pokemon."

"2DS if budget is limited and as you say you only want to play the games."

"Get 2 Nintendo 2DS systems, hack them and load 'em up with emulators and ROMs."

"I’m team 3DS. Method for getting games is a tad complicated, but it’s really good."

#14

TrimUI

4.4

(7)

"My personal choice is trimui brick with the second screen overlayed in the corner. it's an amazing experience and the screen is gorgeous."

"The bricks screen is also sharper than just everything in its price class."

"Better overall device: Trimui Brick"

"Trimui brick better"

"Trimui smart pro / brick are good options, or you can look at the anbernic xx line"

"Anbernic has many good alternatives as mentioned, but I would consider Trimui as well. Both Trimui Smart Pro and Trimui Brick are great devices."

"The SP is as close to a perfect handheld as I’d expect to find in the budget realm. I miss the crispness and the saturation of the screen on the Brick, but playing that thing for more than 15 minutes was hell."

#15

Odin

4.3

(7)

"If you have the money get the Odin 2. If you don't want to spend that much the rp5 is an excellent choice."

"I have the pdin 2 mini and lemme tell you. This thing is awesome! Looks like apps vita and strong enough to play all ps2 and gc titles."

"Actually the odin 2 mini is better as you can actually get replacement batteries for it.. infinitely better"

"Odin 2 is my pick."

"Odin 2 or Steam Deck"

"Odin for a little more money."

"I'd say get an Ayn Odin."

#16

Miyoo Mini Plus

4.2

(6)

"Miyoo Mini Plus."

"There are some stores that offer a set up console such as - https://www.litnxt.com/products/litnxt-miyoo-mini-plus-portable-game-console?variant=41196307611741 - but you're paying a premium."

"Miyoo mini+ and RG35XX H Are really good"

"I like my MM+ for these."

"I like the Miyoo Mini Plus for a cheaper handheld unit."

"Miyoo mini plus has WiFi built in and isn’t as difficult to buy as the original mini."

#17

RG35XX

4.0

(6)

"Probably either the RG35XX as far as pure emulation device."

"GBA and NDS probably the RG35xx plus or H. Only reason they win out over Miyoo is a little bit more power and RTC"

"RG35XX is overall the best performance to price ratio console."

"RG35XX."

"You're probably looking at the RG35XX."

"Your best options are the rg35xx or the miyoo mini plus."

#18

Retroid Pocket 2S

4.2

(5)

"Retroid Pocket 2S it is!! Amazing device."

"With that budget I got myself a retroid pocket 2s, so I'd recommend that."

"Retroid Pocket 2S or RGB30"

"I would say Retroid Pocket 2S, it's a bit older but you get a lot for your money."

"The Retroid Pocket 2S is the cheapest, at $100 plus shipping."

#19

Asus

4.8

(4)

"I found myself upgrading until I finally reached the ROG Ally X which allows me to piay modern and retro games."

"Its the best atm but will set you back $900."

"Probably the ROG Ally X."

"I would go for a higher-end PC handheld (e.g. ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, etc.)."

#20

KeyBoy

3.0

(6)

"I recently got a R36S and it’s been a great bang for your buck."

"Maybe the r36s ? It's cheap, like $40-50, it will run some PSP but, does fine with N64 and a lot of dreamcast."

"The R36s is a good device for its price, but if one is willing to spend a little bit more to get a better quality device, I wouldn't say it's worth it."

"Probably R36S or TrimUI Smart Pro"

"Love my R36s but I don't think it's a good option when your budget is as high as 100$."

"This is an overpriced dropshipped R36s that is around $25 or less during sales on aliexpress."

#21

PS Vita

4.3

(4)

"PS vita for sure, you will get a much wider library of games with a Vita."

"Psvita is definitely a great choice and easy to setup."

"I like the PS Vita with cfw."

"A modded PS Vita seems like it's the closest option."

#22

GPD

4.3

(4)

"It's an awesome emulator machine. I would highly recommend you get one."

"Get a GPD XD Plus. Great Android device with good screen and speakers."

"Might want to look into a GPD XD Plus."

"You want the GPD XD."

#23

PSP

4.0

(4)

"PSP with custom firmware is pretty simple and effective."

"PSP or PsVita with homebrew"

"Alternatively get two homebrewed PSPs, emulates all the 16 bit platforms and also perfectly ps1."

"You could buy a used PSP and put custom firmware on it."

#24

RGB30

4.0

4.0

(1)

"If you really want N64, you need to go Retroid Pocket 2S ... or better (so Retroid Pocket 3+ / Pocket 4, RG556, RG505 / 405, etc.)."

#46

8bitdo Pro 2

4.0

(1)

"Recommend 8bitdo pro 2 ($50). They make a phone clip for around $10"

#47

Razer Kishi

4.0

(1)

"I bought a razer kishi for this purpose and am pretty happy with it."

#48

Pocketgo 2

4.0

(1)

"You want a $40-$100 gcw zero clone. (Pocketgo 2, powkiddy something, miyoo something, playgo 2, rg350, rg350p , rg350m ) . That one still is the best one to get."

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