So price isn’t an issue but the two most popular and common options are are too expensive, ha ha.
Have you looked at the used tablet/phone market? You’ll get a better picture than a new device of the same price and the older tech won’t matter for emulating old games.
Have you heard of Retroid Pocket? I’ve never used one, but they have a range of products that seem to do what you want, and for a fraction of the price of a Steam Deck.