9 Best Mobile Game Controllers (2025): iPhone or Android

Other game controllers we’ve tested

There are several other mobile controls we’ve tried that just missed the top spot or failed to make the grade.

Photography: Simon Hill

Gamesir X3 Pro for $80: This replaces the X3 and stretches open to collect almost any Android phone (or the iPhone 15 range) in its rubber embrace. It feels great, with customizable grips, button clicks, and Hall Effect sticks with detachable caps of different sizes in the nice zip-up carrying case. The main feature is the huge fan on the back capable of serious cooling power, which could be useful since smartphones can get uncomfortably hot when you’re gaming for a long time, although I found the sound annoying, and the X3 Pro is a lot. voluminous The customization options are welcome, but the GameSir app is a bit buggy and confusing. For a more compact sliding option, check out the GameSir X2 Pro ($80) or much cheaper X2 ($40). I tried both and found them to be pretty good value for money.

Asus ROG Tessen for $90: My excitement at the prospect of a mobile controller from Asus waned pretty quickly when I started using the ROG Tessen. It has a neat foldable design, responsive controls and pass-through charging. I liked the programmable back paddles, and there’s RGB lighting for jazz. But the thumbsticks felt uncomfortable quite quickly, and the buttons proved a little noisy. This is also only for Android and will not work with any iPhones (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 great for folding well, 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 out there.

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

Photography: Simon Hill

Turtle Beach Atom Controller for $80: With a smart two-piece design, this regulator folds perfectly, but feels insecure without a back. The clamps on either side are unsightly, especially with phones that sport large camera modules. I had problems connecting, and I don’t like that the right side must be activated separately (press B and menu buttons). The right side connects wirelessly (2.4 GHz), but the controller connects to your phone via Bluetooth. For the most part it worked fine for me, but when I played it Jydge, the movement was reversed on the left stick. You have about 20 hours of battery life. It takes about two hours to charge. If portability is your main concern, it is May worth a look.

GameSir T4 Cyclone for $40: Relatively affordable, with a grippy finish and Hall Effect joysticks, this is a solid controller. There are a couple of programmable buttons around the back, rumble motors in the handles, and a handy multifunction 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 flaky, and the LED is annoyingly bright.

Nacon MG-X Pro for $54: Heard that 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 slightly more spacious, but the G8 is superior in every other way.

PowerA XP Ultra for $130: I like the idea of ​​combining a lot of options in one controller, and PowerA’s crazy XP Ultra is certainly 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, Transformer-style sliding mini controller for on-the-go gaming is too small and hard to get comfortable with. The buttons, triggers, and sticks are all good, and the clip works well to hold 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 fine, but it’s slower, bigger and less polished than the Backbone One. It’s an extendable mobile controller that comes in both 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 the better choice. —Louryn Strappe

Riot PWR iOS Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for $40: : An MFi-certified controller for iPhone or iPad games (older Lightning port devices) that boasts pass-through charging, a direct Lightning cable connection, and a 3.5mm audio port. It looks a lot like an Xbox controller, supports Xbox Cloud Gaming or remote play, and comes with a free month of Game Pass Ultimate. On the other hand, the cable is a bit messy. U Riot PWR MFi Controller for ($40) it’s almost identical, but without the green styling and colorful 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 features some audio enhancements (when connected), programmable buttons, and a handy Pro-Aim feature that reduces sensitivity on the right stick for aiming in FPS games. It’s a good upgrade option over the PowerA controller listed above, but only if you want the extra 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 slot in your phone (my Pixel 6 Pro fits just fine). It’s sturdy, offers plenty of buttons (only a screenshot button is left), and can wirelessly charge your phone. But it’s expensive, has a Micro USB port when I prefer USB-C, and only has a 2000 mAh battery, so stick with the XP-5 X unless you really want the spring cradle to fit your phone .

8BitDo SN30 Pro for $45: Conjuring memories of the SNES, 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.