Best Handhelds for PS1 Emulation in 2026

2026-07-29 · Buyer's guide

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PS1 is the friendliest big system in emulation. Nearly every handheld sold today runs it at full speed, including devices that cost less than a new controller. That makes this an unusual buyer's guide, because the question is not "what can run PS1" but "what do I actually gain by spending more."

The short answer: you gain screen quality, upscaling, and the ability to grow into heavier systems later. You do not gain PS1 frame rate, because a $40 handheld already has that covered.

For what to play, see our best PS1 games list. For setup and settings, see the DuckStation setup guide.

Why PS1 Is So Easy to Emulate

The PlayStation was a 1994 console with a 33 MHz CPU. Modern budget chips are thousands of times faster, and PS1 emulation has been mature for two decades. The emulators are also excellent and efficient.

• PCSX ReARMed is the standard core on budget Linux handhelds. It is fast, light, and it runs on almost nothing.
• DuckStation is the accuracy and features pick, with better upscaling, texture filtering, and widescreen support. It needs a bit more power but runs comfortably on anything mid range and up.
• SwanStation is the RetroArch core version of DuckStation and a common default.

The practical takeaway is that PS1 performance is a solved problem. Every device below plays the library at full speed.

What More Money Actually Buys

Since frame rate is not the variable, here is what changes as you spend more.

• Internal resolution. PS1 rendered at roughly 320x240. Emulators can render at 2x, 4x, or higher, which sharpens 3D geometry enormously. Budget devices run native or 2x. Stronger devices push much further.
• Screen quality. A sharper, better laminated panel makes more difference to how PS1 looks than any amount of raw power.
• Aspect ratio. PS1 is a 4:3 system. A 4:3 screen shows it edge to edge with no black bars.
• Headroom for other systems. This is the real reason to spend more. PS1 is the ceiling for cheap devices and the floor for everything else.

Tier 1: The $40 to $60 Sweet Spot

This is where most PS1 buyers should land.

Trimui Brick ($40)

The Trimui Brick is the cheapest device worth buying for PS1. It runs the library at full speed, the screen is sharp for the money, and it fits anywhere. There are no analog sticks, which matters for a handful of PS1 games that use them, so check your library.

PS1 performance: 4.5/5. Full speed, native resolution.

Anbernic RG35XX Pro ($50)

The RG35XX Pro is the value champion of the whole category. Dual analog sticks mean the stick driven PS1 games work properly, and it adds Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI out. For PS1 specifically, the sticks are the reason to pick it over the Brick.

PS1 performance: 5/5. Full speed with sticks and TV out.

Anbernic RG35XX H ($58)

The RG35XX H puts the same internals in a horizontal body that suits long sessions better. If you are playing Final Fantasy VII for forty hours, the shape matters. Same PS1 performance, more comfort.

PS1 performance: 5/5. Full speed, better ergonomics for long games.

Tier 2: Best Screens Under $100

Spending a little more here buys you a nicer panel, which is the upgrade you actually notice on PS1.

Miyoo Mini Plus ($65)

The Miyoo Mini Plus has a lovely 3.5 inch 4:3 screen, which is the native PS1 aspect ratio. Paired with Onion OS it is one of the most charming devices in the hobby. No analog sticks, so the same caveat as the Brick applies.

PS1 performance: 4.5/5. Full speed on a great 4:3 panel.

Powkiddy RGB30 ($80)

The RGB30 has a 4 inch 720x720 screen. That is a true square, 1:1 rather than 4:3, which sounds odd until you use it. A 4:3 PS1 image sits in that square with only slim bars, and it is a much larger, sharper picture than any 3.5 inch panel gives you. It also has dual analog sticks. It is a specialist device and it is superb at this job.

PS1 performance: 5/5. The biggest, sharpest budget picture for 4:3 systems.

Anbernic RG40XXV ($75)

The RG40XXV pairs a 4 inch 4:3 screen with strong battery life. It also has dual analog nubs, so the stick driven PS1 games are covered. If your sessions happen on planes and commutes, the endurance is the selling point.

PS1 performance: 5/5. Full speed with excellent battery life.

Tier 3: Clamshells for PS1

If you want a folding device that protects its own screen:

• The Anbernic RG34XX SP ($70) has dual analog sticks, which makes it the best clamshell for stick driven PS1 games. Its 3.4 inch 720x480 panel is 3:2 rather than 4:3, so PS1 sits slightly letterboxed.
• The Miyoo Flip ($75 to $90) has a 3.5 inch 640x480 4:3 screen, which fits PS1 natively, but no analog sticks. Buy the V2 revision with the metal hinge.
• The upcoming Anbernic RG SP drops sticks entirely, which makes it a 2D focused device. Great for 2D PS1, poor for the 3D half of the library.

Our best clamshell handhelds guide covers this shape in full.

Tier 4: Overkill, and Why You Might Want It

Nobody needs a $200 device for PS1. But if you want PS1 upscaled hard while also playing newer systems, the Android class delivers.

The Retroid Pocket Classic ($219) and Retroid Pocket Nova ($229) both have excellent screens, and the Nova's 4:3 AMOLED is a genuinely spectacular way to see PS1 games. DuckStation on this hardware runs PS1 at high internal resolutions with widescreen hacks and texture filtering, which transforms how the 3D games look.

Buy these because you also want PS2, GameCube, and Dreamcast. Do not buy them for PS1 alone.

Quick Comparison

Which Should You Buy?

• Cheapest that does the job: Trimui Brick at $40.
• Best overall value: Anbernic RG35XX Pro at $50, because the analog sticks matter for part of the PS1 library.
• Best screen under $100: Powkiddy RGB30 at $80.
• Best for long RPGs: Anbernic RG35XX H at $58.
• If PS1 is a bonus, not the goal: step up to the Android class and get everything else with it.

A note on analog sticks. Most PS1 games work fine on a D-pad, because the console launched before the DualShock. But Ape Escape genuinely requires two sticks, and racing and shooter fans will want analog control. If those matter to you, buy a device with sticks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest handheld that plays PS1 games?

The Trimui Brick at around $40 is the cheapest device worth buying for PS1. It runs the library at full speed. The Powkiddy V90 is cheaper still but the experience is noticeably more basic.

Do I need a BIOS file for PS1 emulation?

DuckStation strongly recommends a PS1 BIOS for best compatibility, and some cores require one. The BIOS should be dumped from a PlayStation you own. Our ROM and BIOS organization guide covers where to place it.

Which PS1 emulator is best for handhelds?

On budget Linux handhelds, PCSX ReARMed is the standard because it is fast and light. On mid range and Android devices, DuckStation is better, with superior upscaling, texture filtering, and widescreen support. See our DuckStation setup guide.

Can budget handhelds upscale PS1 games?

Only modestly. Budget Linux devices typically run PS1 at native or 2x internal resolution. Higher upscaling with widescreen hacks needs the Android class, such as the Retroid Pocket Nova or Pocket Classic.

Do PS1 games need analog sticks?

Most do not, since the PlayStation launched before the DualShock and the majority of the library was designed for a D-pad. A minority need sticks, with Ape Escape being the famous example. If you want the whole library, choose a device with analog sticks.

What screen aspect ratio is best for PS1?

4:3, which is what the PlayStation output. Devices with 4:3 panels like the Miyoo Mini Plus, Anbernic RG40XXV, and Anbernic RG35XX H show PS1 games edge to edge with no black bars. The Powkiddy RGB30 is a 1:1 square panel, which is not a native match but still gives you a bigger PS1 image than any 3.5 inch screen.

Related Guides

• 25 Best PS1 Games for Handheld Emulation
• DuckStation Setup Guide
• Which Retro Handheld Tier Is Right for You
• Best Retro Handhelds Under $100
• Best Clamshell Handhelds
• How to Organize ROMs and BIOS Files