The handheld gaming market is starting to catch on in earnest, but what is the best handheld emulator? Why are people interested in handheld devices? The most obvious reason is that people can avoid being confined to sitting in front of a computer screen to relax.

However, finding the best handheld isn’t as easy as it once was. More companies are releasing consoles, some great to fall in love with and others not.

To help you find consoles that meet your budget and gaming needs, we’ve compiled ten choices for the best handheld emulator consoles.

AYN Odin Pro

The AYN Odin handheld is kind of a new handheld device released in early 2022 that was initially launched on Kickstarter and achieved its goal by earning over $1,000,000 in funding.

This best handheld emulator is based on the Android system. It has a Snapdragon SD845 processor, Areno 630 GPU, and 7GB of RAM. Odin is a very capable handheld that can run excellent emulators of games designed for the GameCube, PSP, Dreamcast, and even the PlayStation 2 because of its impressive hardware.

After a couple of weeks of testing, we were blown away by the sheer performance of the AYN Odin. We didn’t have to tweak any settings to get PS2 games to run on the device; just hit the “High Performance” button, and it would run at 40+ FPS.

Since it uses Android 11, it was very easy to set up. This feature helped put it at the top of our list, as traditional retro handhelds can be a pain in the ass to set up, but that’s not the case with the AYN Odin.

Simply log into your Google account, download your favorite emulator from the Play Store, install the ROM on an external SD card slot, and you’re ready to rock.

Everything from Wolf for the PS2, Zelda for the GameCube, and the finest titles for the Sega Saturn will run well on this.

It’s an absolute beast, and it costs less than $300. This handheld revolutionizes the market, and other manufacturers like ANBERNIC, Powkiddy, and GoRetroid should be worried.

Retroid Pocket 2S

The Retroid Pocket 2S came out of nowhere, but it quickly impressed me upon unboxing. It seems almost identical to its predecessor, the Retroid Pocket 2 but has undergone extensive upgrades that take it to a new level.

For starters, it now has upgraded specs with enough power to effectively emulate Gamecube, PSP, and Dreamcast games.

The DPAD has been changed to a PS Vita-like design, which is very welcome. The analog joysticks are now lobby joysticks, making them feel more premium, and the action buttons have more travel, as do the new shoulder buttons on the back.

At just $99, this best handheld emulator is very wonderful in price. It has a long battery life. And it all sits in Android 11 and has one of the easiest setup processes we’ve ever experienced on a handheld emulator.

You can install your favorite Android games as well. However, don’t expect it to be able to run Xbox Game Pass or other streaming apps, as the screen is too small for that sort of thing. We recommend paying an extra $20 to upgrade the RAM from 3GB to 4GB.

Retroid Pocket 3+

The Retroid Pocket 3+ is an update to the old Retroid Pocket 3. And the old Retroid Pocket 3 was one of our favorite retro handhelds of 2021.

This best handheld emulator is listed in the top 3 for a number of reasons, but the biggest is its low $149 price tag and the fact that it can emulate most retro games (including the Gamecube).

This time around, the GoRetroid team went for even more power, adding an octa-core T618 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a stunning 4.7-inch touchscreen display.

Easy to suggest to anyone who has never used a retro handheld before, it comes preconfigured with all the necessary emulators and can be used immediately.

RG353M

ANBERNIC is known for creating high-end affordable handhelds, and despite their struggles to launch a big hit device in 2022, their latest handheld, the RG353M, has been one of the best handhelds to date.

The metal casing is combined with the RK3566 CPU, which is a chipset that can emulate Dreamcast games.

This best handheld emulator runs Android or Linux operating systems. RG353M has 2GB of RAM, a 1.8GHZ processor, a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, and a 3500 mmH battery lasting more than 5 hours.

What impressed us even more was the incredible build quality – it’s made from a single piece of metal. It’s one of the best retro handhelds with metal-clad power, a lovely crisp screen, an easy-to-understand Linux OS, and a new lobby joystick.

This device also emulates Gameboy Advance, N64, PS1, and most PSP games. The limitation here is high-end, big PSP games, and that’s when it starts to struggle.

RG405M

The RG405M is a new handheld device from ANBERNIC that is basically an evolved version of the RG353M mentioned above. It is also a handheld device that uses a metal case instead of a plastic case, which is what ANBERNIC has been known for over the years.

This best handheld emulator is equipped with a Unisoc T618 2ghz CPU, MaliG52 GPU, 4GB of RAM, a 4-inch IPS display with a resolution of 640 x 480, a 4500mah battery, Wifi and Bluetooth 5.0.

The RG405M can act as an emulator for a wide range of game systems, such as the PlayStation Portable, Dreamcast, Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Wii, and DS.

Some PS2 and GameCube games can be emulated, but not all. We tested God of War and Kingdom Hearts on the PS2, and while the frame rate dropped, it was still enjoyable to play. But don’t expect it to play all PS2 games. It’s not that powerful.

Combine that power with the Android OS and impeccable build quality, and it really is one of the best retro handhelds on the market, and it retails for just $179.99.

I love it! It’s currently my go-to for playing big games on the go, and I highly recommend it.

Steam Deck

Many consider the Steam Deck one of the best portable gaming computers. Steam offers frequent updates, instant shipping, a large customer service team, and a near-perfect product.

At only $399, this powerful device is unique in the market, and it outperforms even $1000 gaming PC handhelds. And with a community of millions willing to help those interested in using it, it again opens it up to a wider market and audience.

Yes, this best handheld emulator is a little bit big, and the battery life …… is pretty bad, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with analog retro gaming.

Once you’ve done this, you can emulate tons of retro consoles, including the Dreamcast, Gamecube, and most PS2 games, and when you combine it with your Steam library, it becomes a full-blown gaming behemoth.

And that’s the magic. It’s an all-around perfect console. This device can play the latest AAA games and mimics retro consoles of the past in a semi-portable form factor. It’s a device that will last for years and is easy to use, thanks to the never-ending plethora of guides and community content that many people gravitate towards.

If you want a fully featured handheld, then the Steam Deck is for you. You need to consider size, weight, and battery life, as these are its only limitations.

Funkey S

For those of you who have never heard of this handheld device, the Funkey S is basically the world’s smallest flip-top handheld device. A small group of enthusiastic handheld fans designed it.

At only 65 euros, it makes a great gift or a small present for yourself this Christmas. You’re probably wondering what it can do, right?

Surprisingly, it can emulate most retro games, including PlayStation 1. This best handheld emulator allows you to play Wolverine on a keychain, which is something I’ve never said before! The team even crafted their operating system that allows you to navigate the menus easily. Saving states with a button makes it easier for you to manage.

The Funkey S certainly isn’t a device you can play for hours on end, but it’s my go-to when waiting around 20 minutes at a bus stop or train station.

It was designed with design sense and quality in mind. This handheld emulator with a super bright display helps to view the miniature 1.5-inch display.

More companies like this need to come along and start building the best mini retro handhelds. Companies passionate about handheld emulators can help their customers when needed and deliver quality products quickly.

This cute handheld comes in various colors, and I hope the Funkey team starts rolling out different consoles soon!

Evercade EXP

The Evercade EXP launches at the end of 2022, and I’m excited to see how much it has improved since the first Evercade handheld launched in early 2020.

This device uses cartridges instead of emulated apps. Evercade takes you back to the old days when you could collect games, trade with friends, and read manuals.

It has over 300 games to explore. Famous game makers like Bandai Namco, Capcom, ATARI, and Intellivision have contributed to this collection so that you may experience classic games in all their original glory.

The build quality of the Evercade EXP is so good that it even has two action buttons underneath. So you can play games in TATE mode, something you can’t do with many handhelds.

The comfortable feel of the shoulder buttons and rounded edges make this handheld a joy to play games on for long periods of time. While not all retro games are available due to license agreement denials, plenty of games still give you something to do.

EXP is a great handheld for those who want a nostalgic style. And the ability to collect and trade cartridges with friends like the good old days while supporting retro developers organically and officially.

KT-R1

The KT-R1 comes with a MediaTek G99 processor (a common CPU in high-end smartphones), up to 8GB of RAM, a 4.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1620 x 1080, and a 5000MAH battery.

On paper, it may be a beast, in hand …… it’s really a beast. This best handheld emulator is still in production, but I’m told versions range in price from $169 to $259, with the metal casing adding about $50.

As far as design goes, this handheld is a pleasant gaming experience, especially the metal version. It adds weight and durability and gives it a premium touch. The team behind the device also gives customers the option of where they prefer their DPAD to be placed, making two variants for each device, something I’ve never seen before.

It operates on Android 12, and its powerful specifications allow it to play games from various consoles, including the GameCube and PS2. God of War also performs admirably on this device. This forecast for 2023 is accurate. This is an insight into what will happen in 2023.

Yes, this handheld isn’t perfect, and I’ll probably explain that in a post since this is a pre-production sample, so I can’t properly review it.

Powkiddy Max 2

The Powkiddy Max 2 was also the surprisingly best handheld emulator for us, not only because the original “Max” came out a while ago but also because of the feeling we enjoyed playing on it …… Yes, we enjoyed playing on Powkiddy! Products.

Normally, we don’t like Powkiddy products, but this one is one of the best. It has a new ergonomic design that feels very comfortable and features a large, bright, saturated 5-inch display.

This device is powered by the RK3326 chip, which is a bit old, but it gets the job done and can emulate most retro consoles up to the PS1 and some N64 games if you want to modify the settings.

Powkiddy Max 2 feels like a Nintendo Switch Lite but can hold thousands of retro games in a clean user interface with a big screen, good battery life, and a well-designed case.

The new case makes it feel even more premium, as it features a tough plastic matte finish, perfectly placed buttons, and some of the best triggers we’ve seen on a handheld under $130.

If you’re looking for an affordable large-screen retro handheld, this is for you.