Top picks
The best handheld under $300 in our database is the Retroid Pocket Mini. It plays everything up to PS2 well and launched at about $189. The most powerful pick is the Retroid Pocket 6. The cheapest is the Retroid Pocket Classic at $120. 168 handhelds qualify; these are the top 10.
| # | Handheld | Launch price | Plays well up to | Screen | Two sticks | Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retroid Pocket MiniBest under $300 | $189 | PS2 | 3.7 inch AMOLED 4:3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2 | AYN ThorBest screen | $290 | PS2 | Two screens: 6 inch and 3.92 inch AMOLED | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3 | Retroid Pocket 5 | $200 | PS2 | 5.5 inch AMOLED 16:9 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4 | Retroid Pocket 4 Pro | $199 | PS2 | 4.7 inch IPS 16:9 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5 | AYN Odin 2Biggest battery | $299 | Switch | 6.0 inch IPS 16:9 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 6 | Retroid Pocket Flip 2 D1100 | $190 | PS2 | 5.5 inch AMOLED 16:9 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 7 | Retroid Pocket Flip 2 SD865 | $220 | PS2 | 5.5 inch AMOLED 16:9 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 8 | Retroid Pocket 6Most powerful | $240 | Switch | 5.5 inch AMOLED 16:9 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 9 | Retroid Pocket ClassicCheapest | $120 | Wii | 3.92 inch AMOLED | ✗ | ✓ |
| 10 | Anbernic RG-556 | $175 | Wii | 5.48 inch AMOLED 16:9 | ✓ | ✓ |
Every handheld here launched at $300 or less. Ranked by RETROPULSE score. Released from 2022 on; upcoming handhelds are left out.
- 1
Best under $300Retroid Pocket Mini
$189 at launch, Sep 2024, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
- Plays everything up to PS2 well.
- 3.7 inch AMOLED screen, 4:3, Android and Linux.
- 4,000 mAh battery, 215 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRetroid Pocket Mini vs Retroid Pocket 5Check prices on eBay
- 2Best screen
AYN Thor
$290 at launch, Oct 2025, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Plays everything up to PS2 well.
- 6, 3.92 inch AMOLED screen, 16:9, 31:27, Android.
- 6,000 mAh battery, 380 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesThor vs Retroid Pocket 5Check prices on eBay
- 3
Retroid Pocket 5
$200 at launch, Nov 2024, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
- Plays everything up to PS2 well.
- 5.5 inch AMOLED screen, 16:9, Android and Linux.
- 5,000 mAh battery, 280 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRetroid Pocket 5 vs Retroid Pocket MiniCheck prices on eBay
- 4
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro
$199 at launch, Jan 2024, MediaTek Dimensity 1100
- Plays everything up to PS2 well.
- 4.7 inch IPS screen, 16:9, Android.
- 5,000 mAh battery, 261 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRetroid Pocket 4 Pro vs Retroid Pocket MiniCheck prices on eBay
- 5
Biggest batteryAYN Odin 2
$299 at launch, Oct 2023, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Plays everything up to Switch well.
- 6.0 inch IPS screen, 16:9, Android.
- 8,000 mAh battery, 420 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesOdin 2 vs Retroid Pocket MiniCheck prices on eBay
- 6
Retroid Pocket Flip 2 D1100
$190 at launch, Apr 2025, MediaTek Dimensity 1100
- Plays everything up to PS2 well.
- 5.5 inch AMOLED screen, 16:9, Android.
- 5,000 mAh battery, 300 g.
- 7
Retroid Pocket Flip 2 SD865
$220 at launch, Apr 2025, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
- Plays everything up to PS2 well.
- 5.5 inch AMOLED screen, 16:9, Android and Linux.
- 5,000 mAh battery, 300 g.
- 8Most powerful
Retroid Pocket 6
$240 at launch, Jan 2026, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Plays everything up to Switch well.
- 5.5 inch AMOLED screen, 16:9, Android.
- 6,000 mAh battery, 304 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRetroid Pocket 6 vs ThorCheck prices on eBay
- 9
CheapestRetroid Pocket Classic
$120 at launch, Apr 2025, Qualcomm Snapdragon G1 Gen 2
- Plays everything up to Wii well.
- 3.92 inch AMOLED screen, 31:27, Android.
- 5,000 mAh battery, 223 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRetroid Pocket Classic vs Retroid Pocket 5Check prices on eBay
- 10
Anbernic RG-556
$175 at launch, Mar 2024, UNISOC Tiger T820
- Plays everything up to Wii well.
- 5.48 inch AMOLED screen, 16:9, Android.
- 5,500 mAh battery, 331 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRG-556 vs Retroid Pocket 5Check prices on eBay
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Questions
What is the best handheld under $300?
The best handheld under $300 in our database is the Retroid Pocket Mini. It plays everything up to PS2 well and launched at about $189. The most powerful pick is the Retroid Pocket 6. The cheapest is the Retroid Pocket Classic at $120. 168 handhelds qualify; these are the top 10.
Are these prices current?
No. They are launch prices, the one price we can check for every handheld. Prices today vary by store and on the used market.
More lists
Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database. Scores out of 10 are our own RETROPULSE score.