Other game controllers we tested
There are several other mobile controllers we tested that either missed the top spot or failed to make the cut.
Photo: Simon Hill
Gamesir X3 Pro is $80: This replaces the X3 and, when unfolded, wraps around almost any Android smartphone (or iPhone 15 series) like a rubber band. The nice zip-up carry case features a customizable grip, clicky buttons, and hole-effect thumbsticks with removable caps in different sizes for comfort. The biggest feature is the huge fan on the back with powerful cooling capacity. This may come in handy since smartphones can get uncomfortably hot when gaming for long periods of time. However, I thought the sound was annoying. The X3 Pro is very good. Bulky. While the customization options are welcome, the GameSir app is a bit buggy and confusing. For more compact slide options, GameSir X2 Pro ($80) or much cheaper X2 ($40). I tested both and found them to be very good value for money.
Asus ROG Tessen for $90: My excitement at the prospect of a mobile controller from ASUS quickly waned once I started using the ROG Tessen. It features a clean folding design, responsive controls, and pass-through charging. I like the programmable back paddle. There’s also RGB lighting to spice it up. However, I found the thumbsticks to quickly become uncomfortable and the buttons to be a little noisy. This is also Android only and will not work on any iPhone (even USB-C iPhones).
Gamesir X4 Aileron for $100: This controller comes with plenty of features, including a compact design, RGB lighting, Hall effect stick, and tactile buttons. It comes in two parts, which makes it perfect for folding neatly, but it needs to be handled with care, as you have to put one side together before the other. It’s not a bad effort, but there are better options above.
CRKD Atom Controller $20: This little controller is super cute and portable, and comes with a wrist strap so you can attach it to your bag. The USB-C port for charging gives you up to 10 hours of battery life, but it sometimes turned on automatically in my pocket. It’s not big or comfortable enough to use for long periods of time, but if you want a very portable emergency controller, this might be it.
Photo: Simon Hill
Turtle Beach Atom Controller $80: This controller has a clever two-piece design that folds up nicely, but the lack of a back makes me feel uneasy. The clamps on both sides are awkward, especially on phones with large camera modules. I had connectivity issues and didn’t like that I had to turn on the right side separately (pressing the B and Menu buttons). The right side connects wirelessly (2.4 GHz), while the controller connects to your phone via Bluetooth. It worked mostly fine for me, but when I played Gigi, The movement was reversed with the left stick. Battery life is approximately 20 hours. Charging takes approximately 2 hours. If portability is your main concern, May It’s worth a look.
GameSir T4 Cyclone for $40: A relatively affordable, stable controller with a non-slip finish and Hall-effect joystick. There are some programmable buttons on the back, a rumble motor on the grip, and a handy multi-function button. It also supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz with an optional dongle, and USB-C connectivity. But the battery is only 860 mAh, the GameSir app is unstable, and the LED is annoyingly bright.
Nacon MG-X Pro $54: Nacon feels like they cut an Xbox controller in half to insert an expandable phone cradle, but if you want this style of controller, we recommend the GameSir G8 mentioned above. The MG-X Pro is slightly wider, but the G8 is better in every other way.
PowerA XP Ultra is $130: I love the idea of ​​combining a ton of options into a controller. PowerA’s crazy XP Ultra is certainly versatile. Works wirelessly with your Xbox, Windows PC, or Android smartphone and provides solid battery life (up to 40 hours via Bluetooth, 60 hours with Xbox). But for gaming on the go, the gimmicky Transformers-style sliding mini-controller is too small and difficult to hold comfortably. The buttons, triggers, and sticks are all good, and the clip works fine for holding the phone, but the D-pad is stiff. All in all, it’s an expensive mixed bag.
Razer Kiyo V2 for $100: The Razer Kiyo V2 is good, but it’s slower, bigger, and less refined than the Backbone One. An expandable mobile controller with Android and iPhone versions. Both can stream PlayStation or Xbox games and also work on Windows. But in the end, Backbone’s superior software and headphone jack make it the better choice. —Lauryn Strump
Riot PWR iOS Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller now available for $40: MFi certified controller for iPhone or iPad gaming (older Lightning port devices) with pass-through charging, direct Lightning cable connection, and 3.5mm audio port. It feels very similar to an Xbox controller, supports Xbox cloud gaming or remote play, and comes with a free month of Game Pass Ultimate. The downside is that the cables are a bit messy. of Riot PWR MFi Controller ($40) It’s pretty much the same, but without the fancy green styling and colored Xbox buttons. There’s also a USB-C option.
Turtle Beach Recon Cloud for $47: Here’s another Xbox-branded controller that supports Xbox cloud gaming and remote play and comes with a free month of Game Pass Ultimate. It feels nice in the hand, has a solid phone clip, and works with Android, Xbox, and Windows. It also has some audio enhancements (when plugged in), programmable buttons, and a handy Pro-Aim feature that reduces the sensitivity of the right stick for aiming in FPS games. This is a better upgrade option than the PowerA controller mentioned above, but only if you need additional features.
PowerA Moga XP7-X Plus $100: This controller has all the functionality of the XP-5 X, but you can also remove the central stand and plug it into your phone (my Pixel 6 Pro fits perfectly). It’s sturdy, has lots of buttons (the only one missing is the screenshot button), and can charge your phone wirelessly. But it’s expensive, has a Micro USB port when USB-C would be better, and only has a 2,000mAh battery, so unless you really want a spring-loaded cradle to fit your phone, stick with the XP-5 Please.
8BitDo SN30 Pro $45: This controller brings back memories of SNES and works with Android, Windows, MacOS, and Switch. It has built-in rumble, a stable D-pad, great battery life, and a USB-C port.
