Top picks
The best handheld under $50 in our database is the Miyoo Mini Plus. It plays everything up to DS well and launched at about $50. The most powerful pick is the R39S. 31 handhelds qualify; these are the top 10.
| # | Handheld | Launch price | Plays well up to | Screen | Two sticks | Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miyoo Mini PlusBest under $50 | $50 | DS | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✗ | ✓ |
| 2 | Game Console R36S | $40 | DS | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✓ | ✗ |
| 3 | Game Console U8Best for GBA | $30 | DS | 4.0 inch IPS 5:3 | ✓ | ✗ |
| 4 | Game Console My MiniBiggest battery | $38 | DS | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✗ | ✗ |
| 5 | Anbernic RG-35XX | $50 | Dreamcast | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✗ | ✗ |
| 6 | Anbernic RG-28XX | $48 | Dreamcast | 2.83 inch IPS 4:3 | ✗ | ✗ |
| 7 | Dealbay G28 | $30 | PS1 | 4.3 inch IPS 16:9 | ✓ | ✗ |
| 8 | Miyoo A30Most pocketable | $49 | DS | 2.8 inch IPS 4:3 | ✗ | ✓ |
| 9 | Game Console R39SMost powerful | $40 | Dreamcast | 4.0 inch IPS 4:3 | ✓ | ✗ |
| 10 | BATLEXP G350 | $40 | DS | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✓ | ✗ |
Every handheld here launched at $50 or less. Ranked by RETROPULSE score. Released from 2022 on; upcoming handhelds are left out.
- 1
Best under $50Miyoo Mini Plus
$50 at launch, Mar 2023, SigmaStar SSD202D
- Plays everything up to DS well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 3,000 mAh battery, 162 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesMiyoo Mini Plus vs R36SCheck prices on eBay
- 2
Game Console R36S
$40 at launch, Oct 2023, RockChip RK3326
- Plays everything up to DS well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 3,500 mAh battery, 187 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesR36S vs Miyoo Mini PlusCheck prices on eBay
- 3
Best for GBAGame Console U8
$30 at launch, Mar 2025, RockChip RK3326
- Plays everything up to DS well.
- 4.0 inch IPS screen, 5:3, Linux.
- 4
Biggest batteryGame Console My Mini
$38 at launch, Mar 2025, RockChip RK3326
- Plays everything up to DS well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 5
Anbernic RG-35XX
$50 at launch, Mar 2024, Allwinner H700
- Plays everything up to Dreamcast well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 2,600 mAh battery, 175 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRG-35XX vs Miyoo Mini PlusCheck prices on eBay
- 6
Anbernic RG-28XX
$48 at launch, Apr 2024, Allwinner H700
- Plays everything up to Dreamcast well.
- 2.83 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 3,100 mAh battery, 123 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRG-28XX vs Miyoo Mini PlusCheck prices on eBay
- 7
Dealbay G28
$30 at launch, Dec 2024, RockChip RK3128
- Plays everything up to PS1 well.
- 4.3 inch IPS screen, 16:9, Linux.
- 8
Most pocketableMiyoo A30
$49 at launch, May 2024, Allwinner A33
- Plays everything up to DS well.
- 2.8 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 2,600 mAh battery, 115 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesMiyoo A30 vs Miyoo Mini PlusCheck prices on eBay
- 9
Most powerfulGame Console R39S
$40 at launch, Oct 2024, RockChip RK3326
- Plays everything up to Dreamcast well.
- 4.0 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 3,200 mAh battery, 385 g.
- 10
BATLEXP G350
$40 at launch, Feb 2025, RockChip RK3326
- Plays everything up to DS well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 3,200 mAh battery, 191 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesBATLEXP G350 vs Miyoo Mini PlusCheck prices on eBay
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Questions
What is the best handheld under $50?
The best handheld under $50 in our database is the Miyoo Mini Plus. It plays everything up to DS well and launched at about $50. The most powerful pick is the R39S. 31 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.