Retro handhelds with HDMI out: which can connect to a TV

"Video out" in our data is the output the maker or a review lists. A dash means the data has no value. It does not mean there is no output. That matters for the Retroid Pocket 6, where the field is empty.

Mini HDMI: the Anbernic H700 family

These handhelds list HDMI. They need a mini HDMI to HDMI cable.

The Powkiddy X55 also lists HDMI. The RG34XX SP and RG SP (2026) have no video out value in the table, although the RG SP (2026) lists TV out among its pros in Held Games. Confirm on the maker or shop page.

An H700 handheld on a TV is a good fit for 8-bit to PS1 games and many N64 and Dreamcast titles, and has a 4:3 or 3:2 internal screen that you do not need to fill. It will not run PS2 or GameCube. See best retro handheld under $100.

USB-C DisplayPort: Android handhelds

USB-C video out works through the USB-C port and needs a cable or adapter that supports video. The handheld's data lists these:

This is the group to look at if you want PS2, GameCube or Switch on a TV. Emulation ratings are missing for all Retroid and AYN models in this list, so see the emulation chart for which handhelds are rated. Using one on a TV also means a cable. Our data has no verified list of cables or docks, so see the accessories guide for what to check.

No video out, or unknown

Our data records "none" for these. The Retroid Pocket Classic's no-video-out note comes from a review cited by Retro Catalog. The Retroid Pocket 6, Odin 3 Portal, Odin 2 Portal, Miyoo models and several others have no value in our data. Check the maker's specification page before you buy for TV use.

What to expect on a TV

A TV output only shows what the handheld can run, so check ratings before you plan around it. The H700 handhelds above are rated great for GB through PS1, N64 and Dreamcast, good for PSP, and no for GameCube and PS2. The USB-C group contains the handhelds with PS2 and GameCube ratings in our data:

A dash is a missing rating. The Retroid Pocket 5 and AYN Odin 3 have none in our data, so we cannot say what they run on a TV. The chip guide groups the Snapdragon 865 in the mid tier and the Dragonwing Q8 in the flagship tier, which hints at headroom but is not a rating. See which chip you need.

The internal screens also matter. The RG35XX Pro and RG40XX H have 3.5 and 4 inch screens, so a TV is a clear upgrade for long sessions. The Android handhelds have 5 to 7 inch screens, so the TV is less of a need and more of a convenience.

Handhelds that cannot output to a TV, and what to do instead

If your favorite model lists no video out, the options are limited to what the maker supports. Do not assume a generic adapter will work: a USB-C port that is only used for charging and data gives no picture. Check the maker's specification page for the words HDMI, DisplayPort or video output, and ask the seller before buying if it is not stated. Our data marks these cases as none or blank on purpose.

If TV play is the main goal, filter the handheld finder with the "Video out" requirement set and treat blank entries as unknown.

Things to check before you plan for TV

• Cable type. Mini HDMI on H700 models, USB-C video on Android models. They are not interchangeable.
• Controllers. For couch play you may want a Bluetooth controller. The data lists Bluetooth on some models only, such as the RG35XX Pro (Bluetooth 4.2) and the Smart Pro S (Bluetooth 5.4).
• Aspect ratio. 4:3 games on a 16:9 TV have bars unless the frontend stretches them.

For the Retroid Pocket and TV question, see Linux vs Android for what each platform can do.