What each price tier actually buys you
How much do I need to spend to emulate PS2, GameCube or Dreamcast?
Two findings do most of the work here. Under $80 already covers everything through PS1 plus Dreamcast. And the over $300 tier adds no system that a cheaper device does not already reach. Above a certain point you are paying for upscaling, screens and build quality, not for new libraries.
Under $80
8 devices tested$80 to $200
3 devices testedDevices in this band
$200 to $300
6 devices testedOver $300
1 device testedWhat this tier adds
Nothing. Every system reachable here is already reachable for less.
Devices in this band
Ratings here mean a system runs. They say nothing about whether a device is pleasant to hold, how the screen looks, or how long the battery lasts, and those are usually what decides which handheld someone keeps using.