Other Game Controllers We’ve Tested
There are a few other mobile controllers we’ve tested that just missed the top spot or failed to make the grade.
Photo: Simon Hill
Gamesir X3 Pro for $80: This replaces the X3 and opens up to hold almost any Android phone (or the iPhone 15 range) in its rubbery embrace. It sounds great, with customizable grips, clickable buttons, and Hall Effect sticks with removable caps of different sizes in a cute zip-up carrying case. The feature of the title is a large fan on the back capable of cooling great power, which may be useful because smartphones can be uncomfortably warm when you play for a long time, although I found the sound annoying, and the X3 Pro is very heavy. it’s great. The customization options are welcome, but the GameSir app is buggy and confusing. For a compact slider option, check out the GameSir X2 Pro ($80) or the cheaper X2s ($40). I tested both and found them to be good value for money.
Asus ROG Tessen for $90: My excitement at the prospect of a mobile controller from Asus quickly faded when I first used the ROG Tessen. It has a sleek design, responsive controls, and fast charging. I liked the adjustable paddles on the back, and there’s RGB lighting to top it off. But the thumbs felt uncomfortable immediately, and the buttons seemed a little noisy. This is also Android-only and doesn’t work with any iPhones (not even USB-C iPhones).
Gamesir X4 Aileron for $100: This controller has a lot going for it, including a compact design, RGB lighting, hall effect sticks, and tactile buttons. It comes in two parts, which is nice to fold it up nicely, but it means you have to pair one side, then the other, and it can be finicky. Not a bad effort, but there are better options above.
CRKD Atom Controller for $20: This mini controller is very nice and very portable, it has a wrist strap and you can attach it to your bag. Battery life goes up to ten hours with the USB-C port for recharging, though I found that it sometimes lights up in my pocket. It’s not big or comfortable enough for long-term use, but if you need a portable controller in an emergency, it might fit the bill.
Photo: Simon Hill
Turtle Beach Atom Controller for $80: With a clever two-piece design, this controller folds up nicely, but feels insecure without the back. The bezels on each side are not ideal, especially for phones that sport large camera modules. I had a connection problem, and I don’t like that the right side has to be opened separately (press B and menu keys). The right side connects wirelessly (2.4 GHz), but the controller connects to your phone via Bluetooth. It works great for me, but when I play Jydge, the movement was distorted in the left stick. You get about 20 hours of battery life. It takes about two hours to charge. If portability is your main concern, it it is possible you should be watched.
GameSir T4 Cyclone for $40: Relatively affordable, with a grippy finish and Hall Effect joysticks, this is a solid controller. There are several programmable buttons around the back, buzzing motors 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 doesn’t stick, and the LED is annoyingly bright.
Nacon MG-X Pro for $54: It feels like Nacon cut the Xbox controller in half to fit the expandable phone cradle, but if you want this style of controller the GameSir G8 listed above is the one we recommend. The MG-X Pro is a little smaller, but the G8 is superior in every other way.
PowerA XP Ultra for $130: I love the idea of ​​cramming a bunch of options into a controller, and PowerA’s crazy XP Ultra is so versatile. It works wirelessly with your Xbox, Windows PC, or Android phone, offering solid battery life (up to 40 hours via Bluetooth or 60 hours for Xbox). But the shiny little controller that slides out, Transformer-style, for on-the-go gaming is too small and awkward to hold. The buttons, buttons, and sticks are all good, and the clip works well for holding your phone, but the D-pad is stiff. All in all, it’s an expensive mixed bag.
Razer Kishi V2 for $100: The Razer Kishi V2 is good, but it’s slower, bigger, and a little cooler than the Backbone One. It is an extensible mobile controller that comes with Android and iPhone versions. Both can stream PlayStation or Xbox games and work with Windows as well. But in the end, Backbone’s superior software and headphone jack make it a better choice. –Louryn Strampe
Riot PWR iOS Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for $40: An MFi-certified game controller for iPhone or iPad (older Lightning port devices) that boasts pass-through charging, a direct Lightning cable connection, and a 3.5-mm audio port. It feels like an Xbox controller, supports Xbox Cloud Gaming or remote play, and comes with one free month of Game Pass Ultimate. Bottom line, the cable is dirty. I Riot PWR MFi Controller ($40) it’s almost the same, but without the green style and colored Xbox buttons. There is a USB-C option as well.
Turtle Beach Recon Cloud for $47: Here’s another Xbox-branded controller that supports Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play and comes with one free month of Game Pass Ultimate. It feels great in the hand, has a sturdy phone clip, and works with Android, Xbox, and Windows. It also has some sound enhancements (when plugged in), programmable buttons, and a handy Pro-Aim feature that reduces sensitivity on the right stick for aiming in FPS games. A good upgrade choice over the PowerA controller listed above, but only if you want more features.
PowerA Moga XP7-X Plus for $100: This controller offers everything the XP-5 X does but you can also remove the stand in the middle to insert your phone (my Pixel 6 Pro fits perfectly). It’s sturdy, offers plenty of buttons (only the screenshot button is missing), and can charge your phone wirelessly. But it’s expensive, has a Micro USB port when I prefer USB-C, and only has a 2,000 mAh battery, so stick with the XP-5 X unless you really want that spring-loaded case to fit your phone.
8BitDo SN30 Pro for $45: Includes SNES memories, this controller works with Android, Windows, MacOS, and Switch. It has a built-in rumble, a solid D-pad, good battery life, and a USB-C port.