Best handheld on Reddit

593 reviews from r/SBCGaming, r/gaming, r/Handhelds and 16 more subreddits

593 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Steam Deck

4.4

(83)

"By far the most user friendly and can play a wider variety of games, including newer titles, compared to Android handhelds."

"Steam deck is great, definitely OLED version over LCD if budget isn’t a big issue."

"Honestly I’d recommend saving up for a while and getting a refurbished steam deck."

"The OLED steam deck is the best Hardware/software integration."

"If you mean a device then a steam deck."

"Steam desk is the best in the sense that it really has a solid easy interface."

"It is the best 'Just works hand held'."

"I just recommend steam deck is easily the best handheld console."

"I adore my OLED Steam Deck. I think I've spent more time gaming on it in the last 8 months as I did the entire 6 years I owned a PS4."

"Honestly, I got a second hand 512 OLED Steam Deck... it even does emulation, I'm playing Switch games on it with better performance."

Miyoo

4.6

(40)

"Miyoo mini PLUS"

"Just get miyoo mini plus."

"MM+ is the only way."

"Miyoo Mini Plus or one of the many Anbernic "XX" series"

"Miyoo Mini Plus. Great put of box experience and IMO best build quality on the cheap end of the scale."

"I have a miyoo mini plus and it's great fun."

"The best budget friendly device is miyoo mini/plus."

"Go for miyoo mini."

"Miyoo mini plus with onion OS. The best device for kids by a long way."

"Miyoo mini or powkiddy v90. Budget, simple, awesome."

Powkiddy

4.3

(38)

"Love my Powkiddy X55. Fairly inexpensive (got mine for $68 but can possibly find cheaper now), plays up to N64, DC and PSP and love how it feels in my big hands."

"I got a Powkiddy RGB30 earlier this year and love it."

"The powkiddy x55 is a great device that’s affordable and has a large screen."

"For SNES just get the Powkiddy. It might be cheap but it's great."

"PowKiddy RGB10X - Followed the RetroGameCorps guide for setting up devices for kids."

"The Powkiddy V10 was designed SPECIFICALLY for GBA games."

"Powkiddy x55. Only around $60, and plays gba at 100%."

"Powkiddy v10. pixel perfect for gba because of the 3:2 aspect ratio screen."

"Of the ones I've owned personally, I'd give my strongest recommendation to the Powkiddy RGB30."

"You've got a couple really good options at or under $40."

Retroid

4.4

(36)

"If he likes nice things the answer is probably the Retroid Pocket 5!"

"If your willing to go a bit higher retroid pocket 5, but the 4 pro will play all the same games."

"Yep retroid pocket 4 pro for that budget all the way."

"The retroid pocket 5 is the best out there, coming in at 220 dollars"

"Retroid Pocket 2S."

"The best screen is undoubtedly going to be the Retroid Pocket Mini."

"The most balanced handheld for the price."

"I'd highly recommend going with Retroid Pocket."

"Specifically because it is amazing for PSP."

"$200-$300: Odin 2 Base."

Trimui

4.5

(33)

"Trimui brick would be an amazing gift."

"Trimui smart pro. Get him a grip too"

"Horizontal is hands down TrimUI Smart Pro."

"Trimui smart pro. Under 40 with sale"

"Trimui smart pro"

"Trimui smart pro. easily"

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

"Agreeing with the recommendations on the Trimui Smart Pro."

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

"The TrimUI Smart Pro doesn't involve any setup if you buy it with an SD-card already."

Anbernic

4.4

(30)

"Anbernic RG ARC-S Case closed"

"My vote is for the Anbernic RG40XXV. I had the exact same desire as your husband to relive the nostalgia of playing the retro Pokémon games."

"I have an Anbernic 40XXV that I'd be happy to just give you."

"Everyone is probably going to tell you something different, but my preferred for old school games has been the Anbernic 35xxsp."

"That's my recommended starter handheld these days."

"Absolutely the rgcubexx."

"The XX budget line of anbernic devices are all really good."

"Anbernic RG35xxh. Has two joysticks and great dpads."

"I got anbernic rg35xx H and I am loving it till now!"

"Best handheld made by Anbernic: anything with the T820 chip (RG556, RG Cube, RG406V)"

ROG Ally

4.2

(19)

"I enjoy my ROG ally a lot."

"Rog Ally all the way."

"I went for a Rog Ally and have had 0 issues."

"The Rog Ally."

"Amazing piece of hardware it's like having a PS4 in your hands"

"Rog Alley OG is a good option."

"But purely handheld I think Rog is awesome."

"My only factor for picking the ROG ally over the Deck was console emulation on windows."

"I'm so much happier even if the ergonomics and battery life are pretty mediocre."

"I'm much happier with the ally."

Legion Go

4.2

(18)

"You are best off with the Legion Go because it has the biggest screen."

"Legion GO is a lot nicer in just about every aspect."

"I love my Legion Go, and sold my Steam Deck OLED to get it."

"No regrets and don't miss the deck at all really."

"I really love it."

"Very happy with the Go now."

"My legion go has almost replaced my desktop pc."

"Just got the legion go myself and definitely enjoy it."

"Simple reason is that I play a lot of non steam games."

"Legion go is better but I keep my steamdeck around."

ROG Ally X

4.6

(16)

"Ally X is the best one of the bunch."

"Rog ally x is the best by far."

"I would say the Ally X takes the cake now."

"Rog ally X better."

"As of right now ally X has double the battery life of any of the handhelds."

"Ally X would be the best one"

"Rog ally x is the most powerful of them all"

"Haven't regretted it one bit."

"I went with the Rog Ally X, and I love it!"

"The best handheld right now, in terms of specs, performance and battery life, is the Ally X."

#10

Nintendo

4.5

(14)

"For a kid get a switch lite or a used Switch."

"I bought it on a work trip and have enjoyed it ever since."

"The best handheld for DS games is a DS or a 3DS."

"Just get a 3ds and put a cfw on It Bro."

"They are ridiculously easy to put custom firmware on nowadays."

"A modded 3DS is probably one of the best picks here."

"Modded Switch sounds like the best bet."

"You can get a switch oled maybe just the tablet only and buy separate controllers on a second hand website."

"I still think the N3DS is badass."

"3DS would be my choice"

#11

Steam

5.0

(11)

"A Top 5 gaming purchase."

"Steamdeck absolutely. I'm still amazed at this thing."

"I use my Steam Deck more."

"Steam Deck hands down."

"Gotta be the steamdeck currently."

"Steamdeck."

"Getting it running on Steam Deck was a breeze."

"I’d say second hand lcd steam deck."

"A Steam Deck can run the most Zelda games."

"Steam deck will allow you to play every single Zelda game made."

#12

R36S

4.3

(12)

"Cheapest, great performance, great screen, good CFW (ArkOS): R36S."

"The R36S is the ultimate when it comes to low price handhelds."

"R36S, end of debate."

"My girl just got me the r36s for Christmas."

"100% get the R36S."

"A translucent purple R36s is about $25 on Aliexpress right now."

"I would go against a lot of suggestions and say R36S."

"We gave an R36S to a neighbor kid for Christmas."

"It's really cheap and has good performance for those systems."

"R36S, best price/performance ratio on the market."

#13

Jisulife

4.1

(12)

"You could never go wrong with this Jisulife Life4."

"[jisulife life 7] no doubt!"

"I will never stop talking about the Jisulife Life 7."

"I have 4 jisulife fans of different models."

"[Jisulife portable fan gen3] ang best-seller ng jisulife."

"I can vouch for Jisulife."

"This jisulife fan pa rin talaga for me."

"Vouch for jisulife, since 2021 I've been using their products."

"Jisulife (hindi turbo fan) is good."

"Jisulife pang matagalan talaga pero quality."

#14

Ally X

4.8

(9)

"I’d recommend the Ally X as it’s the best battery performer when it comes to the PC handhelds."

"Sounds like the Ally X would be a good pick for you."

"Ally X."

"The Ally X is the best one you can buy right now."

"ALLY X ! o7"

"I'd recommend the ally x it has the best battery life."

"The Ally X is the best PC handheld on the market."

"For now is the ally X."

"Ally X is the CURRENT best."

#15

RG35XX

4.1

(10)

"RG35XX H is my go to starter handheld for pretty much everyone."

"Rg35xx+"

"The 35xx has arrived and it was easy to change the os and add games."

"RG35XX H. Solid handheld."

"The original RG35XX on sale for $25."

"RG35XX H under $40."

"RG35XX H is awesome, plays some n64, Dreamcast."

"Rg35xx or rg40xx."

"RG35XX as far as pure emulation device."

"RG35XX: great for 8 to 16-bit and even some PSX games."

#16

Rog

4.6

(9)

"ROG Ally X is the current king."

"Rog ALLY X."

"The most polished and compatible—has been the ROG Ally X."

"Rog Ally X by far."

"Ally x is great from Rog."

"Ally/Ally X."

"ROG ALLY X is the best overall."

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

"Probably the ROG Ally X."

#17

Steam Deck OLED

4.8

(8)

"The Steam Deck OLED seems to be the best mixture of price, performance, and usability among all the handhelds out there."

"Performance is honestly pretty good too."

"It’s fantastic so far."

"Steam Deck is the best purchase I have made for gaming."

"Steam Deck OLED is generally all around the best handheld."

"I would say yes, specifically the Steam Deck OLED is the best."

"Purely from a functional standpoint the Steamdeck is unreal."

"I love having it however I really don't play that many big name titles."

#18

Goojodoq

4.3

(7)

"Sobrang worth the price, i'm planning on buying another one again 😩"

"Goojodoq! Lasts me the whole day with 60% left!"

"Goojodoq! Mas malakas kaysa Jisulife."

"[Goojodoq fan] gamit namin sa office."

"Goojodoq Fan! Malakas siya kahit 40% lang."

"Di maingayyyy pero di maingay"

"Go for goojodoq turbo fan."

#19

Mobapad

5.0

(5)

"Most comfortable and you can customize everything."

"Another Mobapad vote!"

"Mobopad m6 hd is an absolutely incredible handheld controller."

"The mobapad m6 hd is probably the best joycon alternative right now."

"I really love it, and that is what I'm recommending."

#20

Iwata

4.0

(6)

"Nabili ko itong iwata 1 week ago para magamit sa cemetery."

"Go Iwata Mini Fan."

"Iwata, malakas ang hangin, not so noisy."

"I got the iwata handheld fan and malakas sya."

"Iwata tapos may powerbank pa."

#21

Odin

4.8

(5)

"Any Odin 2 (not portal) is THE absolute best!!"

"The Odin2 is great for streaming."

"Best price to get that chip."

"If you can spent the money I recommend the Odin 2 mini, since it has vita dpads and a close to 1:1 copy of ps vitas design."

"Right now an Odin 2 or Mini is probably your best bet."

#22

Ayn

4.6

(5)

"Odin 2. I can't recommend it enough, you will be able to play ps2 with HD textures at high resolutions."

"The absolute best has to be the Odin 2 and its Pro versions running on a snapdragon 8 gen 2 chip."

"Best handheld in general: Ayn Odin 2 or Steam Deck"

"I have an Ayn Odin Lite that I use for streaming Steam games."

"I was gonna suggest the Ayn Loki as an alternative, but apparently they discontinued it."

#23

Ally

4.4

(5)

"The Ally X, Ally Extreme, and Legion Go are all great systems."

"If you want high performance - Ally X."

"I’d recommend an Ally."

"If too expensive, regular Ally Z1E."

"Best value ally z1 extreme."

#24

Trimui Smart Pro

4.2

(5)

"Also going to vouch for the Trimui Smart Pro both for the screen size."

"Trimui Smart Pro and Anbernic RG35XX H can both be found for around or a bit under $50."

"Get hit trimui smart pro which I believe is the best among emulator consoles."

"Trim UI Smart Pro, Anbernic RG35xxH or 40xxH, RP2S."

"TrimUI Smart Pro seems to be great for GBA."

#25

unknown

4.5

(4)

"Try this fan"

"Odin 2"

"Steam deck rog ally or Odin 2 pro"

"It sounds like the RGB10X is a really strong choice."

#26

RP

4.0

(4)

"RP mini certainly the best but definitely not cheapest."

"I’d say RP mini."

"I'd get the RP Mini."

"The rpmini methinks."

#27

Analogue

5.0

(3)

"100 percent analogue pocket"

"Maybe the Analog Pocket, it has a screen with the exact same screen aspect ratio as the Gameboy."

"I’m gonna say Analogue Pocket…"

#28

Asus

5.0

(3)

"Hands down id go for the Asus ROG ally x."

"For me Asus Rog Ally X is the best handheld right now."

"Asus Rog Ally X."

#29

ROG

3.8

(4)

"For sure the ROG X."

"ROG Ally is a good alternative."

"The best thing about the device is Windows. The worst thing about the device is Windows."

"The ROG Ally has far better performance than the Steam Deck."

#30

3.0

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