TL;DR: The best Retroid Pocket 5 upgrades start cheap: a 9H tempered glass screen protector (around $64) and a hard carrying case (around $57) protect the handheld before anything else. Add a 3D-printed ergonomic grip for long sessions and a desk dock if it lives near your setup. The 5.5-inch OLED dual screen add-on, around $335, is the big-ticket upgrade for dual-screen fans.
The Retroid Pocket 5 is the kind of handheld you end up using every day, and every day is exactly when scratches, drops and cramped hands catch up with you. These Retroid Pocket 5 upgrades are the five add-ons worth buying, listed in the order most owners should buy them: protection first, comfort next, and the dual screen last, once you know you love the thing.
Retroid Pocket 5 Upgrades, in the Order to Buy Them
Prices are starting prices at the time of writing.
- 9H tempered glass screen protector, around $64. Cut for the RP5's screen, with an anti-fingerprint, anti-glare coating, and the listing says touch response is unaffected. Pick the two-pack so you have a spare.
- Hard carrying case, around $57. A hard exterior with a soft lining, a zip closure, a carry handle, compartments inside for cables and games, and two joystick caps in the box. The one to buy if the RP5 travels in a bag.
- 3D-printed ergonomic grip, around $73. High-strength PLA, shaped to cut hand fatigue, in solid or honeycomb styles. Grip only, and no assembly needed.
- Retroid Pocket 5 docking station, around $131. A plastic-and-metal desk dock built for the RP5 and RP4 Pro, with USB listed, so the handheld has a fixed spot to stand and charge.
- Retroid Dual Screen Add-on, around $335. A 5.5-inch 1280x800 OLED touch screen on a back-clip mount, in white, pansy or black.
| Add-on | What it does | Price from | Buy it if |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9H screen protector | Guards the screen, cuts glare and smudges | Around $64 | You own an RP5, full stop |
| Hard carrying case | Hard shell, soft lining, accessory pockets | Around $57 | It travels in a bag |
| 3D-printed grip | PLA handle that reduces hand fatigue | Around $73 | You play long sessions |
| Docking station | Desk stand for RP5 and RP4 Pro, USB listed | Around $131 | It lives near your desk or TV |
| Dual Screen Add-on | 5.5-inch 1280x800 OLED touch second screen | Around $335 | You play a lot of dual-screen games |
Is the Retroid Dual Screen Add-On Worth It?
It is the most fun upgrade on this list and the easiest one to regret, so be honest about how you play. The add-on is a 5.5-inch OLED touch screen at 1280x800 in an ABS body that clips to the back of the handheld to extend its display. Its listing names the Retroid Pocket 5, RP Mini V2 and RP4 Pro as compatible.
The obvious use is games built for two screens, where each half of the action gets its own display. Before you buy, check that the emulator or app you use supports a second display, and set it up on the handheld first.
If most of your library is single-screen console games, spend the money elsewhere. At around $335 it costs more than the other four add-ons combined. For a heavy dual-screen player, though, it changes the RP5 more than any grip or case can.
Commuter, Couch or Desk: Which Add-Ons Fit How You Play?
Commuters should stop after the first two. Screen glass and a hard case cost around $121 together and cover the damage that actually happens on the move: keys in a bag, a drop on the train platform.
Couch players who sit with the RP5 for hours get the most from the grip. A deeper handle spreads the weight into your palms, which is what eases cramped hands. The grip comes in many colors and styles, so it doubles as a look change.
Desk players are the ones who will use a dock daily. If the RP5 already sits next to your monitor or TV most evenings, a dock keeps it upright and charged instead of lying flat on a cable.
Still deciding which handheld to upgrade? Our Retroid Pocket 5 vs Pocket Flip 2 comparison covers that choice first.
Retroid Pocket 5 Upgrades FAQ
Which Retroid Pocket 5 accessories are worth buying first?
The Retroid Pocket 5 accessories worth buying first are a tempered glass screen protector and a hard carrying case, because together they cost around $121 and prevent the scratches and drops that happen most. After those, add a 3D-printed grip if you play long sessions, a dock if the handheld lives on your desk, and the dual screen add-on last.
Does the Retroid Pocket 5 have a dual screen add-on?
The Retroid Pocket 5 does have a dual screen add-on: the Retroid Dual Screen Add-on, a 5.5-inch 1280x800 OLED touch screen that clips to the back of the handheld. Its listing names the Retroid Pocket 5, RP Mini V2 and RP4 Pro as compatible. It costs around $335 and comes in white, pansy or black.
Do you need a screen protector on the Retroid Pocket 5?
A screen protector is worth having on the Retroid Pocket 5 because the screen is the part you look at every second and the easiest to scratch in a pocket or bag. The 9H tempered glass protector here is cut to fit, has an anti-fingerprint and anti-glare coating, and comes as a one-pack or two-pack starting around $64.
Is a 3D-printed grip comfortable on the Retroid Pocket 5?
A 3D-printed grip makes the Retroid Pocket 5 more comfortable for long sessions because it adds deeper handles that spread the weight into your palms. This one is printed in high-strength PLA with an ergonomic shape meant to reduce hand fatigue, needs no assembly, and comes in solid and honeycomb styles. It is the grip only; the console is not included.
What is the best way to carry a Retroid Pocket 5?
The best way to carry a Retroid Pocket 5 is in a hard-shell case with a soft lining, which protects against drops and scratches in a bag. The hard carrying case in this guide adds a zip closure, a handle and inner compartments for accessories such as a cable, and it starts around $57. Pair it with screen glass for full coverage.
Start Small, Then Upgrade
If you only buy one thing today, make it the tempered glass screen protector; add the case before your first trip. The grip and dock are comfort upgrades you will know you want after a week of play, and the dual screen add-on is a treat for players who live in dual-screen games.
Shopping for a different handheld? Browse our full accessories collection for cases, grips, docks and screen protectors that fit other models, and check each listing's compatibility line before you add it to your cart.