Best Retro Handheld Gifts Under $100 (Holiday 2026)
A retro handheld makes an easy gift, and you do not have to spend much. These five were all released in 2025 or 2026 and cost under about $100.
At a glance
- Anbernic RG SP (~$65)
- Anbernic RG-35XX Pro (~$50)
- TRIMUI Smart Pro S (~$90)
- MagicX One 35 (~$85)
- Anbernic RG 35 (~$38)
Before you wrap one
Pick up a microSD card at the same time, because most of these use one for games. Our microSD card guide has the sizes we suggest. These handhelds do not come with licensed games, so the person you are buying for will need games they already own.
| Anbernic RG SP | Anbernic RG-35XX Pro | TRIMUI Smart Pro S | MagicX One 35 | Anbernic RG 35 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$65 | ~$50 | ~$90 | ~$85 | ~$38 |
| Screen | 3.4", 3:2, 720 x 480, 60Hz, IPS | 3.5", 4:3, 640 x 480, 60Hz, IPS | 4.96", 16:9, 1280 x 720, 60Hz, IPS | 3.5", 3:2, 960 x 640, 60Hz, IPS | 3.5", 4:3, 640 x 480, 60Hz, IPS |
| Chip | Allwinner H700 | Allwinner H700 | Allwinner A523 | MediaTek Helio G85 | RockChip RK3326 |
| Battery | 3,300mAh | 3,200mAh | 5,000mAh | 4,300mAh | 3,200mAh |
| Weight | 168g | 198g | 256g | 189g | 191g |
| OS | Linux | Linux | Linux | Android 12 | Linux |
Our ranked picks
Anbernic RG SPBest Gift Under $100
A flip-style handheld with a 3.4" 3:2 IPS screen, Linux and a 3,300mAh battery for about $65. It folds shut at 168g, which makes it easy to wrap and easy to carry.
- Released: Aug 2026
- Price: ~$65
- Screen: 3.4", 3:2, 720 x 480, 60Hz, IPS
- Chip / RAM: Allwinner H700 / 1GB
- Battery: 3,300mAh
- Weight: 168g
- OS: Linux
Anbernic RG-35XX ProBest Value
About $50 for a 3.5" 640×480 IPS screen, an Allwinner H700 and dual microSD slots. It is a simple vertical handheld that is easy to set up.
- Released: Jun 2025
- Price: ~$50
- Screen: 3.5", 4:3, 640 x 480, 60Hz, IPS
- Chip / RAM: Allwinner H700 / 1 GB
- Battery: 3,200mAh
- Weight: 198g
- OS: Linux
TRIMUI Smart Pro SBiggest Screen
A 4.96" 720p IPS screen and a 5,000mAh battery for about $90, in a horizontal layout. It has only 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, so plan to add a microSD card.
- Released: Dec 2025
- Price: ~$90
- Screen: 4.96", 16:9, 1280 x 720, 60Hz, IPS
- Chip / RAM: Allwinner A523 / 1 GB
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Weight: 256g
- OS: Linux
MagicX One 35Best Android Pick
A 3.5" 960×640 IPS screen, a MediaTek Helio G85 with 4GB of RAM, a 4,300mAh battery and 64GB of storage for about $85. It is the Android option on this list.
- Released: Dec 2025
- Price: ~$85
- Screen: 3.5", 3:2, 960 x 640, 60Hz, IPS
- Chip / RAM: MediaTek Helio G85 / 4 GB
- Battery: 4,300mAh
- Weight: 189g
- OS: Android 12
Anbernic RG 35Best Stocking Stuffer
The lowest price here at about $38. It has a 3.5" 640×480 IPS screen and 1GB of RAM, which is enough for older consoles. Your link opens the Amazon page directly.
- Released: Sep 2026
- Price: ~$38
- Screen: 3.5", 4:3, 640 x 480, 60Hz, IPS
- Chip / RAM: RockChip RK3326 / 1 GB
- Battery: 3,200mAh
- Weight: 191g
- OS: Linux
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest handheld here?
The Anbernic RG 35 at about $38.
Which one has the biggest screen?
The TRIMUI Smart Pro S, with a 4.96" 720p screen.
Do I need a microSD card?
Usually yes. The Anbernic models use dual microSD slots, and the TRIMUI Smart Pro S has only 8GB of built-in storage.
More guides: Top 10 Retro Handhelds, Buying Guide by Price, Best microSD Cards, Handheld Database and the Compare Tool.
About these specs
We have not tested these handhelds ourselves. Specs and prices come from our handheld database, which collects published specifications, so they can differ from the current listing. Buttons open the Amazon listing, or an Amazon search when we do not have a direct link. Some devices are sold by third-party sellers, so check the seller and the return policy before you order.