The Best Smartphone Gaming Controllers for Console-Grade Gaming on the Go

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Smartphones have become incredibly powerful over the past few years, making high-quality mobile gameplay achievable for anyone. Whether you own an iPhone or an Android device, you can browse and enjoy games in all genres. Android users can also enjoy the latest blockbuster console and PC gaming titles via cloud-based services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Having access to console-grade titles on a smartphone is exciting. However, many of these games have been developed for hardware gaming controllers, so playing them on a touchscreen is often tricky and frustrating. After all, nothing can replace the level of control and tactile feedback that the buttons and thumbsticks of a gaming controller provide.

Thankfully, phone gaming controllers are widely available, and we highly recommend them to avid mobile gamers. Such products are great gift options, too. To determine the best worth buying, we spent weeks and hundreds of hours evaluating and gaming with gamepads from Backbone, Razer, and Turtle Beach, to name a few leading brands.

The Best Phone Gaming Controllers

What to Consider

Connectivity

You can choose between snap-on controllers that will link to your phone via a wired connection or Bluetooth. The former can be Apple Lightning or USB-C, so choose the type that suits your phone. If you are planning to gift the gaming controller, be sure to know if the recipient is rocking an iPhone or an Android.

Some Bluetooth-equipped controllers can work with iPhone and Android smartphones, though you should know that most are best suited for devices that run on Google’s mobile platform. Personally, having been a wired controller aficionado since playing on Sega Genesis in the 1990s, I recommend a hardware connection — today’s best controllers have it.

Design and Layout

We picked gaming controllers that will transform your phone into a portable gaming rig by snapping onto its sides. Such a setup is infinitely more fun than tapping and swiping on its touchscreen.

If you are protecting your phone with a case, remember that some of the best gaming controllers might be unable to accommodate it — you’ll need to remove the case from your phone before gaming sessions. Depending on the style of your case, this can be a tedious process. Still, after months of going through it, I can confirm that the effort is worth it.

Regarding layout, all controllers on this list have a full set of industry-standard ABXY buttons, thumbsticks, triggers, and bumpers. Customizable buttons are also available on some gamepads. They are handy for adjusting them to specific titles.

Additional Features

If you are an old-school gamer like me, look for a phone gaming controller with an onboard audio jack — a notably missing feature on today’s best smartphones. The feature will treat you to a proper sonic experience while gaming. After gaming sessions, it is also handy for rocking out with wired headphones and earbuds.

A companion app is a handy bit that a good controller should offer. Available on the product category’s finest, it will allow you to organize your games, customize the controller’s buttons, and even live stream your adventures.

Lastly, I have good news if you like to game on your phone using your wireless Xbox or PlayStation controllers. There are good clips that can accommodate your phone and the controller. The setup is bulkier, but also fun.

This OtterBox offering is the best Xbox option — I can personally vouch for it. On the other hand, this GameSir clip is the best for the DualSense controller of the Sony PlayStation 5.

With the basics in mind, find the best gamepad for your phone among these thoroughly tested offerings.

One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone

The Backbone One is, hands down, today’s best smartphone gaming controller, thanks to an ergonomic design, an elaborate set of convenient controls, a feature-rich companion app, and a built-in standard audio jack.

The audio jack sets the accessory apart from all rivals on this list, bringing a notably missing feature to just about any smartphone. While testing the gadget, I profoundly enjoyed linking my go-to wired headphones and earbuds.

Available with an Apple Lightning or an Android-friendly USB-C connector, the Backbone One will maintain a rock-solid connection with an iPhone or an Android phone. I tip my hat to the accessory maker for equipping the One iPhone and Android variants with Lightning and USB-C charging inputs. Believe it or not, those allow the product to double as a wired controller for iPad, Mac, and PC.

The controller’s companion app will help you organize your go-to games, connect with friends, and share your gameplay. An iPhone version of the One with a PlayStation button layout is also available.

Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone

Razer’s Kishi v2 mobile gaming controller is a sequel to an excellent product and a formidable alternative to the Backbone One at the same price point.

Compared to our top pick, the Razer gamepad offers buttons, triggers, and thumbsticks with superior tactility — hardly a surprise considering the hardware maker’s track record in making superb gaming keyboards and mice. The product is available for iPhone and Android smartphones.

I was particularly impressed by the clickiness of the buttons while gaming with the Kishi v2. However, the lack of a standard audio jack and the absence of an option to use it as a wired controller make the Kishi v2 less versatile, if nicer to interact with, than the Backbone One. That said, the Razer offering makes up for the lack of these features by rocking a duo of customizable buttons sitting next to its triggers and bumpers.

The Razer Nexus companion app has similar functionality as its backbone counterpart. It allows you to organize your games, browse for new ones, share your gameplay, and customize the controls of the Kishi v2.

X2 Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone

The GameSir X2 is an excellent option if you are looking to step up your mobile gameplay on a tighter budget. For less than $50 before factoring in additional deals and discounts, the snap-on accessory brings an eye-catching design and a dependable set of buttons, thumbsticks, and triggers. Its controls also include a programmable button.

Unlike its considerably pricier competitors, the GameSir X2 has swappable thumbsticks, allowing you to adjust it to your gameplay style or a specific title. Plus, it comes bundled with a high-quality storage case. Another cool bit about the product is that it can accommodate big phones with a (reasonably thin) case.

You can order the GameSir X2 for iPhone and Android devices, and each version rocks a Lightning or USB-C connector for passthrough charging. A Bluetooth version of the controller is also available for those who are frequently switching between an iPhone and an Android device.

Atom Mobile Gaming Controller

The Bluetooth-toting Turtle Beach Atom gaming controller is a solid option for owners of big-screen Android smartphones. Its ergonomic wireless modules have sturdy clamps which can hold just about any phone with a case on. And thanks to a reliable wireless link between them, the duo of essential components will make you stop worrying whether the Atom will work with your current or future Android.

Each ergonomic module packs a high-quality thumbstick and integrated buttons, which form a standard gaming controller layout. When not in use, the two bits magnetically snap together for easy storage in their bundled pouch and charging.

The last-mentioned setup is necessary because, even though each module has a built-in battery, only the right one has a USB-C input for charging.

Turtle Beach designed the Atom for cloud gaming, and the controller worked well with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate titles during my testing. The product is available in black with contrasting teal or yellow accents and red/black.

MOGA XP7-X Plus Mobile Gaming Controller

The MOGA XP7-X Plus by PowerA is a feature-rich Bluetooth controller Android users should have on their radar. The versatile accessory can attach to phones via a sturdy clamp or perform as a standard wireless controller. Its removable phone stand allows you to enjoy a console-like experience anywhere.

Another standout feature of the XP7-X Plus is its built-in wireless charging battery pack with a 2,000 mAh capacity. It allowed me to game without worrying about draining my phone battery while testing the MOGA controller. However, the extra functionality makes the gamepad considerably bulkier than its rivals.

MOGA equipped the XP7-X Plus with an elaborate set of controls, including mappable buttons for quickly adjusting it to your gameplay style. A robust 2-year warranty covers the product.

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