R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus 2026: Which Budget Retro Handheld Wins?
Two of the most popular budget retro handhelds under $100. The R36S at $79.99 vs the Miyoo Mini Plus at $69.99. Both play GBA, SNES, and PS1. But which one is actually better? iGC tested both devices head-to-head.
⏱ Quick Verdict
| Spec | R36S | Miyoo Mini Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $69.99 | 💰 Miyoo ($10 cheaper) |
| Screen Size | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS | Tie |
| Analog Sticks | Dual analog ✅ | Single analog | 🏆 R36S |
| PS1 Compatibility | 97% ✅ | ~90% | 🏆 R36S |
| GBA Compatibility | 100% ✅ | 100% ✅ | Tie (both perfect) |
| SNES Compatibility | 100% ✅ | 100% ✅ | Tie (both perfect) |
| Battery Life | ~4.5h ✅ | ~3.5h | 🏆 R36S (+1h) |
| Build Quality | Good | Excellent ✅ | 💻 Miyoo |
| Community/Support | Growing | Large community ✅ | 💻 Miyoo |
| Games Pre-loaded | 15,000+ ✅ | Varies | 🏆 R36S |
| Weight | ~200g | ~210g | Tie (similar) |
| System | R36S | Miyoo Mini Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBA | 100% ✅ | 100% ✅ | Tie |
| SNES | 100% ✅ | 100% ✅ | Tie |
| NES | 100% ✅ | 100% ✅ | Tie |
| PS1 | 97% ✅ | ~90% | 🏆 R36S |
| N64 | 85–90% | ~80% | 🏆 R36S (slight edge) |
| Dual Analog Games | Full support ✅ | Limited | 🏆 R36S |
- Dual analog sticks (essential for PS1 3D)
- Better PS1 compatibility (97% vs 90%)
- Longer battery life (~4.5h vs ~3.5h)
- 15,000+ games pre-loaded
- Transparent design looks premium
- $10 cheaper ($69.99 vs $79.99)
- Better build quality and feel
- Larger community and custom firmware
- OnionOS support (excellent custom OS)
- More compact and pocketable
- You want to play PS1 games (97% vs 90%)
- You need dual analog sticks
- You want longer battery life
- You want 15,000+ games pre-loaded
- You're buying as a gift (zero setup)
- Budget is tight ($10 cheaper)
- You want the best build quality
- You want OnionOS custom firmware
- You mainly play GBA/SNES (both equal)
- You want a large community for support
🦧 R36S Wins — Dual Analog & PS1 Are the Deciding Factors
The R36S wins this comparison for most buyers. The dual analog sticks make PS1 3D games (Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro) fully playable. The Miyoo Mini Plus has only one analog stick, limiting PS1 3D game control. The R36S also has better PS1 compatibility (97% vs ~90%) and longer battery life.
The Miyoo Mini Plus wins on build quality and community. If you mainly play GBA and SNES (where both are equal), the Miyoo's $10 savings and better build quality make it a valid choice. But for PS1 gaming and dual analog support, the R36S at $79.99 is the better device. iGC verdict: R36S wins.
🦧 R36S — iGC Winner vs Miyoo Mini Plus · $79.99
Dual analog · PS1 97% · 4.5h battery · 4.70★ from 2,837 buyers
→ Shop R36S — $79.99 Full R36S Review📖 See also: R36S vs Steam Deck · Full R36S Review · Best Under $100
