Other Game Controllers We Tested

There are plenty of other mobile controllers we’ve tested that just aren’t somewhere above or fail to make the grade.

Photo: Simon Hill

Gamesir X3 Pro for $80: It replaces the X3 and unfolds wide open to cradle almost any Android phone (or the iPhone 15 range) in its rubbery embrace. It feels great, with customizable grips, clicky buttons, and Hall Effect thumbsticks with different sized removable caps in a nice zip-up carrying case. The main feature is the large fan on the back that can produce serious cooling power, which can be useful because smartphones can be uncomfortably hot when you play for a long time, although I found the sound to be annoying, and the X3 Pro is very. very big. The customization options are welcome, but the GameSir app is a bit buggy and confusing. For a more compact sliding option, see the GameSir X2 Pro ($80) or cheaper X2s ($40). I tried 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 disappeared when I started using the ROG Tessen. It has a smooth folding design, responsive controls, and pass-through charging. I love the programmable back paddles, and there’s RGB lighting to jazz it up. But the thumbsticks quickly felt uncomfortable, and the buttons proved to be a little noisy. It’s 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 halves, which is great for folding it neatly, but means you have to match one side, then the other, and it can get messy. It’s not a bad effort, but there are better options above.

CRKD Atom Controller for $20: This tiny little controller is super cute and very portable, with a wrist strap that you can connect to a bag. The battery life is up to ten hours with a USB-C port for recharging, although I found that it sometimes moved in my pocket. It’s not bulky or comfortable to use for long periods of time, but if you need a super portable emergency controller, it might fit the bill.

Photo: Simon Hill

Turtle Beach Atom Controller for $80: With a clever two-piece design, this controller folds neatly, but feels insecure without a back. The clamps on each side are awkward, especially on phones with multiple camera modules. I’m having trouble connecting, and don’t like that the right side has to be turned on separately (press B and menu buttons). The right side connects wirelessly (2.4 GHz), but the controller connects to your phone via Bluetooth. It usually works fine for me, but only when I’m playing Jydge, the movement is reversed with the left stick. You get about 20 hours of battery life. It takes about two hours to charge. If portability is your main concern, this is it CAN worth a look.

GameSir T4 Cyclone for $40: Relatively cheap, with a grippy finish and Hall Effect joysticks, this is a solid controller. There are a couple of programmable buttons on the back, rumble motors on the grips, and a handy multi-function button. It also supports Bluetooth, 2.4-GHz with an optional dongle, and USB-C connections. But the battery is only 860 mAh, the GameSir app is flaky, and the LED is annoyingly bright.

Nacon MG-X Pro for $54: It looks like Nacon cut an Xbox controller in half to insert an extendable phone cradle, but if you want this style of controller the GameSir G8 listed above is what we recommend. The MG-X Pro is less roomy, but the G8 is superior in every way.

PowerA XP Ultra for $130: I like the idea of ​​combining many options into one controller, and PowerA’s crazy XP Ultra is indeed 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 gimmicky mini controller that slides out, Transformer-style, for playing on the go is too small and hard to hold comfortably. The buttons, triggers, 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 less polished than the Backbone One. It is an extendable mobile controller that comes in 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. —Louryn Strappe

Riot PWR iOS Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for $40: An MFi-certified controller for iPhone or iPad gaming (older Lightning port devices) with 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 a free month of Game Pass Ultimate. On the downside, the cable is a bit messy. the Riot PWR MFi Controller for ($40) almost identical, but without the colorful green style and colored buttons of the Xbox. There is 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. Feels great in the hand, has a sturdy phone clip, and works on Android, Xbox, and Windows. It also features 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 great choice to upgrade to 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 place your phone (my Pixel 6 Pro fits perfectly). It’s sturdy, offers plenty of buttons (only a screenshot button is missing), and can wirelessly charge your phone. 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 want a spring-loaded cradle to fit your phone .

8BitDo SN30 Pro for $45: Reminiscent of 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.