Best retro handhelds under $100 in 2025
Every worthwhile retro handheld under $100, ranked. We tested screen quality, emulation performance, and firmware for each one.
Spending $200 on a retro handheld is overkill for most people. Everything from Game Boy to PS1 runs great on devices under $100, and some of them are genuinely impressive for the price. Here’s what’s worth buying.
Quick summary
| Rank | Device | Price | Best For | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Miyoo Mini Plus | $59 | Overall best under $100 | 9.0 |
| 🥈 | Anbernic RG35XX H | $49 | Best value with dual sticks | 8.2 |
| 🥉 | TRIMUI Smart Pro | $69 | Best screen & design | 8.0 |
| 4 | Anbernic RG28XX | $40 | Ultra-portable | 7.8 |
| 5 | Miyoo Flip | $55 | Clamshell form factor | 7.5 |
1. Miyoo Mini Plus ($59)
The Miyoo Mini Plus keeps showing up at the top of these lists, and it’s not because we’re being lazy. The 4:3 screen, OnionOS, and build quality make it the obvious pick for anyone who mainly wants to play classic consoles.
Why it’s #1:
The screen is the real story here. The 3.5” IPS panel at 640×480 means perfect 2× integer scaling for PS1 and 4× for Game Boy. No blurry upscaling, no shimmer. Other sub-$100 devices can’t match this screen-to-platform fit.
OnionOS is the other half. Stock firmware on these budget handhelds is usually painful — laggy menus, no artwork, barebones features. OnionOS gives you:
- A clean, responsive UI with themes
- RetroAchievements integration
- Wi-Fi artwork scraping
- Instant sleep/resume
- A package manager for add-ons
Pixel scaling results:
| Platform | Scale | Fill Ratio | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Boy | 4× | 67% | ✅ Integer Fit |
| GBA | 2× | 50% | ✅ Integer Fit |
| NES | 2× | 100% | 🟢 Perfect Fill |
| SNES | 2× | 89% | ✅ Integer Fit |
| PS1 | 2× | 100% | 🟢 Perfect Fill |
The catch:
- N64 performance is merely playable — not perfect
- PSP is essentially off the table
- If you need dual analog sticks, look at the RG35XX H instead
Full specs → | Pixel analysis →
2. Anbernic RG35XX H — $49
At $49, the RG35XX H is hard to argue with. Same 640×480 IPS resolution as the Miyoo Mini Plus — identical pixel scaling — but with dual analog sticks and a horizontal layout.
Key advantages:
- Dual analog sticks — the only sub-$50 device with them
- Same screen specs as the Miyoo Mini Plus (640×480 IPS, 3.5”)
- GarlicOS, muOS, and MinUI — three solid firmware options
- Comfortable PSP-style layout for longer sessions
When to pick it over the Miyoo Mini Plus:
- You want dual analog sticks for PSP-style games
- You prefer a horizontal/landscape form factor
- You want to save $10
- You prefer GarlicOS or muOS over OnionOS
For a deep dive, read our Miyoo Mini Plus vs RG35XX H comparison.
Full specs → | Pixel analysis →
3. TRIMUI Smart Pro — $69
The TRIMUI Smart Pro looks like it should cost more than $69. Translucent shell, larger 4.96” screen, and a design that actually looks intentional rather than generic.
Why it’s here:
- 4.96” IPS at 1280×720 — the biggest and sharpest screen under $100
- Translucent shell that’s genuinely nice to look at
- KNULLI firmware — growing community, regular updates
- Wider screen makes PSP games more enjoyable
Trade-offs:
- The 16:9 screen means more letterboxing for 4:3 platforms
- Firmware ecosystem isn’t as mature as OnionOS
- Build quality is good but not quite Miyoo-level
Full specs → | Pixel analysis →
4. Anbernic RG28XX — $40
The cheapest device here, and surprisingly capable for the price. Its form factor is inspired by the Game Boy Micro — it literally fits in a watch pocket.
Who it’s for:
- You want a secondary/travel device that goes anywhere
- You mostly play Game Boy, GBA, and NES
- You want the cheapest way into retro handhelds
- Portability matters more than screen size
Limitations:
- 2.83” screen — tiny by modern standards
- PS1 games work but feel cramped
- No analog sticks
- Battery life is shorter than larger devices
Full specs → | Pixel analysis →
5. Miyoo Flip — $55
GBA SP vibes. The Miyoo Flip folds shut to protect the screen, runs OnionOS, and fits in your pocket when closed. If the clamshell form factor appeals to you, this is the one.
Worth noting:
- Clamshell design — screen is always protected
- OnionOS compatible — same firmware as the Mini Plus
- Compact when folded
Consider it if:
You love the GBA SP form factor and want the nostalgia of flipping open your device to play. The folding design also makes it more practical for daily carry.
Full specs → | Pixel analysis →
Comparison table
| Miyoo Mini Plus | RG35XX H | TRIMUI Smart Pro | RG28XX | Miyoo Flip | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59 | $49 | $69 | $40 | $55 |
| Screen | 3.5” 640×480 | 3.5” 640×480 | 4.96” 1280×720 | 2.83” 640×480 | 3.5” 640×480 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS | IPS | IPS | IPS |
| SoC | A133 Plus | H700 | A133 Plus | H700 | A133 Plus |
| RAM | 1GB DDR4 | 1GB DDR3 | 1GB DDR4 | 1GB DDR3 | 1GB DDR4 |
| Sticks | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Battery | 3000mAh | 3000mAh | 3500mAh | 1800mAh | 2800mAh |
| Wi-Fi | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Firmware | OnionOS | GarlicOS/muOS | KNULLI | GarlicOS | OnionOS |
The short version
Miyoo Mini Plus at $59 for most people. RG35XX H at $49 if you want to save $10 and don’t care about OnionOS. Every device on this list is good — just match it to what you actually need.
Use our Device Finder to filter by your requirements, or the Screen Visualizer to preview how games look on each screen.
Next read: Best retro handhelds in 2025 — the full list including premium devices.