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Other game controllers we tested
There are a few other mobile controllers we’ve tested that either missed or failed to make the top spot.
Photo: Simon Hill
Gamesir X3 Pro for $80: It replaces the X3 and is open to hug almost any Android phone (or the iPhone 15 range) like rubber. Feel good with customizable grips, clicky buttons and Hall Effect finger sticks with removable caps of various sizes in a nice zippered carrying case. The headline feature is the huge fan on the back with serious cooling power, which can come in handy as smartphones can get uncomfortably warm when gaming for long periods of time, although I found the sound annoying and the X3 Pro is pretty cool. voluminous. The customization options are nice, but the GameSir app is a bit buggy and confusing. See for a more compact scrolling option GameSir X2 Pro ($80) or cheaper X2s ($40). I tested both and found them to be pretty good value for money.
Asus ROG Tessen for $90: My excitement about the prospect of a mobile controller from Asus quickly subsided when I started using the ROG Tessen. It has a neat folding design, responsive controls and a charging pad. I liked the programmable rear paddles and there’s RGB lighting to jazz it up. But the thumbsticks got uncomfortable pretty quickly and the buttons got a little noisy. It’s also Android only and doesn’t work with any iPhone (not even a USB-C iPhone).
Gamesir X4 Aileron for $100: This controller has a lot going for it, including its compact design, RGB lighting, hall effect sticks, and tactile buttons. It comes in two pieces, which is great for folding it neatly, but means you have to pair one side and then the other, which can be tricky. It’s not a bad attempt, but there are better options above.
CRKD Atom Controller for $20: This tiny little controller is very cute and very portable, you can attach it to the bag with the wrist strap. With a USB-C port for charging, battery life extends to up to ten hours, although I occasionally found it turning itself on in my pocket. It’s not big or comfortable enough for long-term use, but if you need a super-portable emergency controller, it might fit the bill.
Photo: Simon Hill
Turtle Beach Atom Controller for $80: With its clever two-piece design, this controller folds neatly, but feels flimsy without a back. Clamps on each side are awkward, especially on phones with large camera modules. I had a hard time connecting and I didn’t like that the right side was turned on separately (press B and menu). The right one connects wirelessly (2.4GHz), but the controller connects to your phone via Bluetooth. It mostly worked fine for me, but when I was playing Jydge, the movement is reversed on the left stick. You get about 20 hours of battery life. Charging takes about two hours. If portability is your main concern, it is can worth a look.
GameSir T4 Cyclone for $40: For a relatively affordable price, this is a solid controller with a solid finish and Hall Effect joysticks. There are several programmable buttons on the back, noisy motors on the handles and a handy multi-function button. It also supports Bluetooth, 2.4GHz with an option switch, and USB-C connectivity. But the battery is only 860 mAh, the GameSir app is broken, and the LED is annoyingly bright.
Nacon MG-X Pro for $54: It feels like Nacon cut the Xbox controller in half to include an expandable phone jack, but if you want this type of controller, we recommend the GameSir G8 listed above. The MG-X Pro is slightly wider, but the G8 is superior in every way.
PowerA XP Ultra for $130: I love the idea of combining so many options into one controller, and PowerA’s crazy XP Ultra is very versatile. It works wirelessly with your Xbox, Windows PC or Android phone and offers solid battery life (up to 40 hours via Bluetooth or 60 hours for Xbox). But the sneaky Transformer-style mini controller that slides out for on-the-go gaming is too small and difficult to hold comfortably. The buttons, triggers, and sticks are all good, and the clip works well to hold your phone, but the D-pad is stiff. Overall, 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 extensible mobile controller available in Android and iPhone versions. Both can stream PlayStation or Xbox games and work with Windows as well. But ultimately, Backbone’s superior software and headphone jack make it the better choice. —Louryn Strappe
Riot PWR iOS Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for $40: It boasts an MFi-certified controller for iPhone or iPad gaming (old Lightning port devices), wireless charging, a direct Lightning cable connection, and a 3.5mm audio port. It looks 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 ($40) it’s pretty much the same, but without the colorful green styling and colored Xbox buttons. 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. It feels good in the hand, has a solid phone clip, and works with Android, Xbox, and Windows. It also has some audio enhancements (when enabled), programmable buttons, and a handy Pro-Aim feature that reduces the sensitivity of the right stick for aiming in FPS games. This is a good upgrade option over the PowerA controller listed above, but only if you want additional 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 center to accommodate your phone (my Pixel 6 Pro fits just fine). 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’d prefer USB-C, and only has a 2,000mAh battery, so if you don’t want to cram this springy cradle into your phone, stick with the XP-5 X.
8BitDo SN30 Pro for $45: Reminiscent of the SNES, this controller works with Android, Windows, MacOS and Switch. It has built-in grunt, a solid D-pad, good battery life, and a USB-C port.
