Budget Portable Gaming: The Cheapest Ways In (2026)
The cheapest sensible routes into portable gaming: used consoles, refurbished handhelds, and smart game choices.
By Jordan Hale
Updated: 2026-05-20
You don’t need to spend premium money to game on the move. This guide walks through the cheapest sensible routes into portable gaming: used consoles, refurbished handhelds, and smart game choices that keep the cost down. It points to the best value in the game library and where a Switch, Steam Deck, or a travel setup earns its place. Updated for 2026.
At a glance — budget options, current as of May 2026
| Option | Rough cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Used Nintendo Switch | Indicative used-market price; varies by model and condition | Cheapest route into a big casual library |
| Refurbished Steam Deck (LCD), Valve-certified | Under $300 (US) | Full one-year warranty, same as new |
| Refurbished Steam Deck OLED, Valve-certified | About $439 (512GB) / $519 (1TB) (US) | Roughly 15–20% off new |
| Mini gaming PC | Indicative; varies widely by build | Best if you already own a monitor or TV |
The refurbished Steam Deck figures are Valve’s certified-refurbished US prices and move with stock. Used-Switch and mini-PC costs vary too much by seller, condition, and region to quote as fixed numbers, so treat them as rough guides and check current listings. Only units from Valve’s certified refurbished store carry its warranty.
Option 1: A used Nintendo Switch
The cheapest way in. A used or refurbished Switch carries a huge casual and family library: Cuphead, Stardew Valley, Boomerang Fu, Cat Quest, Vampire Survivors. You get the portable design, instant couch co-op, and Nintendo Switch Online for cloud saves and online multiplayer. Now that the Switch 2 has launched, older Switch models are cheaper second-hand than they’ve ever been.
Option 2: A refurbished Steam Deck
A full PC handheld for a step up in budget. Valve’s certified refurbished store sells the LCD model for under $300 and the OLED for around $439, both with the same one-year warranty as new. You get your whole Steam library, plus mods, emulation, and docked TV play.
Option 3: A mini gaming PC
If you already have a monitor or TV, a small form-factor PC runs PC games at higher quality. It’s expandable, doubles as a work and browsing machine, and pairs easily with controllers. The cost depends entirely on the build, so shop to your budget.
Accessories that help
- Controllers: an Xbox Wireless Controller, a PS5 DualSense, or an 8BitDo Pro 2 for multi-platform use.
- Subscriptions: Xbox Game Pass or Humble Choice add a rotating library cheaply.
- Cloud saves: Steam Cloud and Nintendo Switch Online keep your progress safe.
Which to pick
Start with a used Switch if you mainly want a big casual library for the least money. Step up to a refurbished Steam Deck if you want flexibility and your wider PC catalogue on the move. Go mini-PC only if you already have a screen and want one machine for games and everything else. Any of the three gets you into portable gaming for years without paying new-hardware prices.