If you have spent any time researching retro gaming handhelds, two brand names come up again and again: Anbernic and Powkiddy. Both are Chinese manufacturers, both produce a huge range of devices, and both have loyal followings. So which one should you actually buy?
We have handled and tested devices from both brands, and the honest answer is more nuanced than "brand X wins". This guide breaks down how Anbernic and Powkiddy compare on the things that matter — build quality, screens, software, value and support — so you can choose with confidence.
The Quick Answer
Anbernic is the safer, more polished choice for most buyers — better build quality, stronger software support and a more consistent experience. Powkiddy tends to compete harder on price and occasionally on unusual form factors, but quality control is less predictable.
If you want to skip the detail and just buy something good, an Anbernic device is the lower-risk pick. We stock a wide range of them — you can see the full lineup in our shop. Read on for why.
Brand Backgrounds
Anbernic has become arguably the most recognised name in the dedicated retro handheld space. Its RG-series — devices like the RG35XX, RG40XX and RG556 — are known for tidy industrial design, good screens and an active community. Anbernic releases frequently, but its lineup is fairly coherent and easy to navigate.
Powkiddy has been around just as long and is famous for aggressive pricing and a willingness to experiment with form factors — clamshells, vertical "tall boy" designs and ultra-cheap entry devices. The trade-off is that Powkiddy's catalogue can feel scattershot, and quality between models varies more.
Build Quality
This is where the two brands diverge most clearly. Anbernic generally wins on build quality. Its shells feel more solid, buttons and D-pads are more consistent unit-to-unit, and fit and finish is a step above. Premium models like the RG556 use aluminium and feel genuinely high-end.
Powkiddy devices can be perfectly fine, and some are excellent for the money, but the variance is higher. Mushy D-pads, slightly creaky shells and inconsistent button feel are more commonly reported across Powkiddy's range. If reliability and a premium feel matter to you, Anbernic is the safer bet.
Screens
Both brands have moved to IPS panels across most modern devices, so the days of awful washed-out screens are largely behind us. Anbernic's screens are reliably good — sharp, bright and colour-accurate. Powkiddy's panels are often good too, but again with more variation: some models impress, others use lower-quality panels to hit a price.
For a guaranteed good screen experience, Anbernic edges it. If you are buying a specific Powkiddy model, check that it has a confirmed IPS display before committing.
Software & Custom Firmware
This is a big one for enthusiasts. The retro handheld experience lives and dies on its software, and Anbernic has the stronger story here. Its popular devices enjoy excellent community support, with custom firmware options (such as the well-known community OSes) that dramatically improve the out-of-box experience, add features and fix quirks.
Powkiddy devices also get community attention, but coverage is patchier — some models are well-supported, others are niche enough that you are stuck with the stock firmware. If you like the idea of tinkering, flashing custom firmware and joining an active community, Anbernic's larger user base is an advantage.
Performance & Chipsets
Both brands buy from the same pool of chip suppliers, so a like-for-like comparison usually comes down to which specific chipset a model uses rather than the brand. Anbernic and Powkiddy both offer everything from cheap H700-class devices (great for up to PS1, Dreamcast and lighter PSP) to more powerful chips capable of GameCube and beyond.
The lesson: compare the chipset, not just the badge. A high-end Powkiddy can outperform a budget Anbernic and vice versa. What you are really paying the brand premium for is consistency, polish and support — not raw silicon.
Value for Money
Powkiddy often undercuts Anbernic on the headline price, which is its main appeal. If your budget is rock-bottom and you accept the quality lottery, Powkiddy can deliver a lot of gaming for very little. Anbernic costs a little more but, in our experience, that extra spend buys a noticeably more refined and dependable device that you are less likely to be disappointed by.
For most buyers, the small price difference is worth it for the lower risk. If you want true budget retro gaming with that consistency built in, it is also worth looking at our own R36S at £44.89 — pre-loaded, tested and ready to play out of the box.
Side-by-Side Summary
- Build quality: Anbernic — more consistent, more premium.
- Screens: Anbernic — reliably good; Powkiddy varies by model.
- Software/firmware: Anbernic — bigger community, better custom firmware support.
- Performance: Tie — depends on the specific chipset, not the brand.
- Price: Powkiddy — usually cheaper, but with more quality variance.
- Form-factor variety: Powkiddy — more experimental designs.
Which Should You Buy?
Choose Anbernic if you want a polished, dependable device with strong software support and you do not mind paying a little more. Devices like the RG35XX H, RG40XX H and the premium RG556 are excellent across the board. Browse our full Anbernic range to find the right one.
Choose Powkiddy if you are chasing the absolute lowest price, you want an unusual form factor it specialises in, and you are comfortable with the possibility of more variable quality control.
And if you would rather not gamble on either — a device that arrives pre-loaded with 40,000+ games, tested and ready to play — our R36S and R36S Max offer that out-of-box simplicity at a budget price.
The UK Stock Advantage
One thing the brand debate often overlooks: where you buy from matters as much as which brand you choose. Plenty of Anbernic and Powkiddy listings online ship clone or grey-import units directly from China, taking three to six weeks to arrive and frequently turning up faulty — with little recourse when they do.
Everything we sell, including our Anbernic range, is held in UK stock and dispatched with 2–3 day delivery. You are buying from a UK business with real support, not waiting a month for a parcel and hoping the buttons work. Whichever brand you land on, that is the difference between a great purchase and a frustrating one.
Ready to pick one? Explore the full GameBro shop and compare every handheld side by side — or read our complete UK buyer's guide for tailored recommendations by budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anbernic better than Powkiddy? For most buyers, yes. Anbernic offers more consistent build quality, better screens on average and stronger community software support. Powkiddy can be better value at the very bottom of the market and offers more unusual designs, but its quality control is less predictable.
Are Anbernic and Powkiddy the same company? No. They are two separate Chinese manufacturers that happen to compete in the same space and often source components from the same suppliers. That shared supply chain is why their performance is so close at any given price — the difference is in design, assembly and support.
Do Anbernic and Powkiddy come pre-loaded with games? It varies by model and by seller. Many ship with a microSD card containing games, but the contents and quality differ enormously depending on who you buy from. If you want a guaranteed, properly organised library out of the box, that comes down to the retailer as much as the brand.
Can I install custom firmware on both? Often, yes — but Anbernic's popular models have broader, more mature custom firmware support and larger communities, which makes flashing and troubleshooting easier. Always check that your exact model is supported before buying if custom firmware is important to you.
Which brand is best for a beginner? Anbernic, or a simple pre-loaded device like the R36S. Beginners benefit most from reliability and a device that works straight away, rather than the cheapest possible price with potential quality variance.
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