I have three! But...my three aren't the typical three favs because I'm a bit weird.

First:

I love the Anbernic RG DS. This had a slightly controversial release, since when it launched all of us who review these had pre-release software issues. The main one being screen desync problems. But by the time it launched that was fixed and the public just...got a well working handheld. For me it is the nostalgia of the DSi LL shape/feel to it. But you also get 2x res DS games (all but 3, which require it to be 1x res), and there's a ton of other firmware for it. You can look into GammaOS for a de-Googled OS option, or Rocknix if you want Linux. You can also opt for Anbernic's own Linux build they were working on for a couple months and just released! Honestly, even stock does the job perfectly well.

Here's a link to my written review on it!

Second:

The TRIMUI Brick Hammer! Fully metal build, this one feels SO premium. I run NextUI on it (friends with the dev team, they do wonderful work) and use it for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and some music! I have a friend who makes Songo#5, which is a music app for Linux, which these ones run.

It is wonderfully designed and even beautifully packaged. You can switch the 'triggers' on the rear of it because TRIMUI give you two different configurations to use, which is as easy as popping them off and pushing them in/on. The screen kicks major butt for whatever you play. If you're looking for a smaller premium made Game Boy Pocket in 2026, opt for this one!

I mean, just look at it:

Here's my review of this one too, if you'd like to read more!

Third:

The recently released Anbernic RG Rotate. I LOVE how this one is just...different. So many handhelds just end up looking the same now. Slabs of glass or plastic. Even my fav horizontal handheld, the Retroid Pocket 6 looks as feels so similar to the AYN Odin 3 (which I still use off and on!). The RG Rotate just opted for a crazy hardware design. Similarly metal bodied, I use mine for music and Pico-8 games now. I stand it upright on my shelf or desk (I am right now listening to Kylie Minogue's Confide in Me on it!), then pick it up an hour or so later and flip it up for a game.

I hope this handheld's success, and it is quite successful already, prompts these manufacturers to take some chances on hardware.

Annnnnnd finally my review on this one! Which was the second-last handheld I reviewed actually!

I hope these answers your question well enough! While I have some of the crazy powerful handhelds, like the Odin 3, RG 477V, Thor etc, these just make me happy :)

My Steam Deck is still what I use for heavier PC gaming (and still to emulate as well, using my fav option - RetroDECK!), and I have a Switch OLED which is chipped too. So when it comes to retro handhelds, I like the hyper-specific (RG DS), or well made for casual games on the go (Brick Hammer), or the super unusual (RG Rotate!)

It doesn’t need to be the cheapest option, I usually aim for best bang for money. Thanks for any suggestions

Right now, in the current newish land of handhelds, the best for your money would be the Retroid Pocket 6. Here's their website link to the RP6's page if you want to check it out a bit more

It is a horizonal handheld, and honestly might be a bit of a higher price/performance than what you're looking for, but it will play PS2 uspcaled at around 3x - 3.5x resolution (that was my preferred sweet spot, and higher and there's no need for the AMOLED screen's output). It will play it at dead solid 60 FPS too.

Here's MGS3 upscaled to 3x on mine:

And GTA 4 with the same settings:

This handheld can also play...everything. All the older systems, PS2, Game Cube, some PS3 games, 3DS (if you're okay with the dual screens on one display), Switch (it is a MAGIC Switch system, with this screen it basically feels like a Switch Pro), and even some PC games with GameNative or similar. Super comfy to hold, beautifully perfect display, massive power, and with this one there's plenty of driver support too.

The only caveat is that the RAM crisis had Retroid drop it from 12GB RAM to 8GB RAM, but, I cover all of that in my review:

You can find my recent review of that one here with this link, if you're curious!

But if that is a bit more power and price than you'd like, the previous generation's Retroid Pocket 5 is still amazing today. Running the SD 865 means it has huge community support, and plays PS2 around 2x. You won't be playing any higher systems than that though!

Let me know if you have any further tweaks (would you prefer a vertical handheld? Or a certain price?)

(edit)

Retroid Pocket 6 color options:

Retroid Pocket 5 color options:

They used to be a lot more budget friendly, at least in the us before the import fees, idk if ai has made them go up since I stopped looking at them after I got a handheld, legion go s z2go which has damn near doubled in retail price since I got it.