The best portable Chinese consoles of 2023: Comparison and analysis

Beyond appearances and prejudices, a Chinese portable console can have a lot to offer. They are simple-looking and low-cost equipment that can give you hours of fun and make you relive your childhood through nostalgia. This particularity has allowed them to gain a lot of popularity when choosing the best portable console.

It is normal not to know which console to choose. There are so many models that it is a bit difficult to know which are good and which are not. If you are having trouble making a decision, here I offer you a small guide to help you choose the best Chinese portable console of 2023.

In this post, I will share with you a list of the six best Chinese consoles that you can find on Amazon. I will detail its specifications, functionality, ergonomics, and affordability. So stay with me and find out which portable Chinese console best suits you.

The best Chinese portable consoles: Comparative table

Technical specifications are always a good place to start before a purchase. Here in this comparison table, I share the main details of my selection of Chinese consoles. Take a look and join me in the next section.

Analysis of the portable Chinese consoles of 2023

Now that you know what a Chinese portable console has inside, it’s time to know if its operation is worth it. Below, I analyze the six models in my selection to see if they are worthy candidates for your entertainment.

Best quality price: Anbernic RG405V

The Anbernic RG405V is the most recent launch in the brand’s catalog. It is a device that dazzles with its wood finishes and powerful specifications. It is a vertical format console that integrates a Unisoc Tiger T618 processor and can support up to 20 different types of consoles, including the NDS, PS1, SNES, N64, GBA, and more.

Likewise, it is a console with Android 12, so you can also enjoy mobile games without problems. I find the emulation quite fluid, the gameplay is comfortable due to its design and the 4500 mAh battery has given me a decent autonomy of 7 hours. In addition, it is a very easy device to transport in any available space.

Along with the Anbernic RG405M, the RG405V model is one of the brand’s most powerful consoles. It is comfortable to handle and its wooden finish is quite attractive, although it also has other designs. In any case, the functionality of each one is equally good, so don’t lose sight of it.

The cheapest portable Chinese console: Miyoo Mini Plus

Lovers of classic consoles will surely appreciate the style of the Miyoo Mini Plus. This Chinese portable console is a compact device that you can carry in the palm of your hand without problems . Don’t be fooled, although it is small, inside it houses a massive catalog of retro games for your enjoyment.

This console offers great performance power and fairly loose gameplay. Its hardware is made up of an ARM Cortex-A7 processor and a 3.5-inch IPS panel. The console also has massive internal storage, allowing you to increase the game catalog and enjoy up to 6 hours of play from its 3000 mAh battery.

With more than 10,000 games, the Miyoo Mini Plus stands out for its power as a portable emulator console. It is a cheap Chinese console, with good performance and a classic design that makes you fall in love at first sight. Of course, its interface may be somewhat simple, but it can still offer a quite interesting gaming experience.

The best: Retroid Pocket 2 Plus

The Retroid Pocket 2 Plus is an improved version of the Retroid Pocket 2 and brings with it some performance improvements that made it the best portable Chinese console of its time. It has a Unisoc Tiger T310 processor that offers quite fluid gaming performance and adapts to different emulation platforms.

This console allows you to emulate Dreamcast titles and even the best games from the PSP or Nintendo 64. In addition, it is a device that stands out for being affordable, making the investment easier to spend. The user experience is comfortable, it has a decent autonomy and you can take it with you anywhere.

Excellent build quality and nostalgic aesthetics are just some of the Retroid Pocket 2 Plus’s strong points. This device also provides loose, entertaining, and comfortable operation to play. Furthermore, its affordable price makes it even more attractive despite its limitations. A good option as a video game console for children.

Anbernic RG353V

The RG353V model is one of the best Anbernic consoles that you can find on Amazon. The Chinese brand is the best-known company in the sector, so it is normal to see several of its devices in all the lists. Of course, you only have to look at the RG353V to understand why: multi-touch screen, great viewing angles, and extremely decent power.

The RG353V has an RK3566 processor and a 640 x 480 pixel IPS screen. The console can emulate consoles such as the PS1, NES, Nintendo 64, PSP, and many other formats. The best part is that the console offers you a help guide to accompany you in downloading the formats. Therefore, I consider it a very complete gaming tool.

The gameplay of the RG353V is one of the most fluid in the world of Chinese portable consoles. It is a modern-looking console, but with a wide variety of retro games to travel through nostalgic territories . So if it catches your eye, you can put it in your pocket and use it on your next trip or your next visit to a waiting room.

Powkiddy X18S

The PowKiddy X18S revives the aesthetics of the consoles of the 2000s, but inside it is pure modernity. To begin with, this Chinese console has a Unisoc T618 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 5.5-inch IPS screen. The result? A fluid and powerful emulation . PSP, Dreamcast and Nintendo 64 games move decently.

Likewise, it is worth noting that its construction feels somewhat poor. In addition, its Android operating system offers quite little to the user experience. Although, as a positive point, you can load a different version of Android if you need it. In any case, playing on this console is quite acceptable, so entertainment is guaranteed.

If you like retro consoles and you are indifferent to the presence of Android as an operating system, then the Powkiddy X18S may be the Chinese console you want. This equipment is powerful, comfortable to use and quite attractive . Sure, it has its design limitations, but I think they can be overlooked by the rest of its specifications.

GPD XD Plus

The GPD brand tries to stand out in the market through technological innovation. Proof of this is its portable console, the GPD XD Plus, a device that resembles the Nintendo DS in appearance. Although, of course, this equipment is capable of emulating pre-installed games from retro consoles and also games from Google Play.

The device has an ARM Cortex-A17 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. In addition, its 5-inch LCD screen has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. I consider that the gameplay meets everything promised by the company. The color range is decent and the controls are quite accurate.

The Chinese GPD XD Plus portable console is a device that goes a little beyond the conventional. It has typical limitations for its class, but it makes up for it with great autonomy and an excellent visual experience . In addition, the gameplay is quite comfortable and the mobility of the team is simply a delight. So make a space for it in your favorites list.

Chinese portable video game consoles: Buying guide

Of course, there are always aspects worth considering before purchasing a portable Chinese console. For that reason, I have created a practical buying guide so that you can better orient yourself when comparing devices. This is all you need to consider:

Size and design

Can you hold the console comfortably or do you think its design lacks ergonomics? It is important to take into account the dimensions, weight and design of the console so that it does not become tiring after a couple of hours of playing. There are horizontal models, others vertical, mini portable consoles that hide in the palm of the hand and others that are a little larger. Up to you.

Functions and features

What operating system does the console run? How many emulators can it support? There are models that offer connection to WiFi, Bluetooth or mobile networks. There are also other models with HDMI output to connect to the TV, or have a headphone port. Some even support original cartridges, so keep all this in mind before choosing.

Game catalog

Portable Chinese consoles can carry between 300 to 10,000 different games. Atari, Nintendo, Dreamcast, PlayStation, everything. Different genres and formats. In addition, some allow you to download more titles or support expansion using a memory card. So make sure that your catalog is extensive or that you can expand it.

Quality and price

Research the materials of the console, its durability and resistance. This way you will feel more confident when purchasing. Likewise, be sure to check its price. There are many models of cheap Chinese consoles on the market and most can come with defects. So don’t get carried away by economics and don’t be afraid to invest a few extra euros.

Is it worth buying a Chinese portable console?

The answer is the same as always, just as we saw with the best Chinese tablets. Whether or not to buy a Chinese portable console will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to get from that product. Although if you have doubts, here are some advantages and disadvantages.

On the one hand, Chinese portable consoles are really cheap equipment. They come with a large catalog of classic games from different consoles and have a very attractive retro design that will strongly attract the attention of any nostalgic buyer.

On the other hand, you should know that Chinese portable consoles do not have support or guarantee for the consoles they emulate. Likewise, they may present errors when trying to emulate titles from somewhat more modern consoles. Additionally, they may have compatibility issues or have fairly poor build quality.

Where to buy the best portable Chinese consoles?

The main portals where you can buy the best portable Chinese consoles are Amazon and AliExpress . Both are quite popular companies and offer features such as category filtering, pricing, ratings, shipping, and more. They also have customer service or return policies. So venture a little deeper into their shelves.

Has your opinion on portable Chinese consoles changed? Leave me in comments if you would buy one or if you have already played one. Also, if you know someone who likes these devices, then share this article on social networks. Do you want to know more about handheld consoles? So here I also leave you my entry on the best portable consoles of 2023.