Best Retro Handhelds
18 products ranked across 115 cited reviews, videos and discussions · Updated 23 Sept 2026
On the stierproducts retro handhelds board, Retroid Pocket 5 ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Retroid Pocket 6 (#2, A tier) and AYN Odin 2 Portal (#3, A tier). The board ranks 18 retro handhelds from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 23 Sept 2026, drawing on 115 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Miyoo Mini Plus, Trimui Smart Pro S, Miyoo Mini Flip, and 3 others.
#7 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Retroid Pocket Flip 2
#8 1 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Retroid Pocket Classic
#9 AYN Thor
#10 4 of 12 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. R36S
#11 1 of 4 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Anbernic RG476H
#12 Anbernic RG Cube XX
#13 1 of 11 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Miyoo Mini Plus
#14 1 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Trimui Smart Pro S
#15 1 of 3 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Miyoo Mini Flip
#16 TRIMUI Brick
Frequently asked questions
Retroid Pocket 5 sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over 115 cited reviews, videos and discussions. The retro-first recommendation from Engadget with Retroid's best-in-class firmware longevity behind it. The safest all-round ownership in the category.
Retroid Pocket 6 ranks #2 (A tier). Newest Retroid with the brand's support reputation, ranked here only because long-term field data does not exist yet.
Our research places Miyoo Mini Plus, Trimui Smart Pro S, Miyoo Mini Flip, TRIMUI Brick, Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, AYN Odin 2 (original) in the bottom tiers (D/F). Miyoo Mini Plus: Simple, proven, and carried by a huge custom-firmware community. Little to break and easy to keep alive for a decade.
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