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Other Game Controllers We’ve Tried
There are also several mobile controllers we tested that either 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 iPhone 15 model) in its embrace. It’s got great sound, customizable controls, click buttons, and Hall Effect sticks with different colored caps that can be removed in a cute zip-up box. The headset has a large rear burner that can be cooled down, which can be useful as phones can get very hot when gaming for long periods of time, although I found the sound annoying, and the X3 Pro is very good. big ones. Customization options are welcome, but GameSir’s software is simple and confusing. For more information on how to slide, see GameSir X2 Pro ($80) or very cheap X2s ($40). I tried them 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 waned considerably after I started using the ROG Tessen. It has a neat curved design, audio controls, and charging. I loved the adjustable paddles, and there’s RGB lighting to boot. But the small particles are noisy. This is also Android-only and won’t work with any iPhones (not even USB-C iPhones).
Gamesir X4 Aileron for $100: This controller has a lot going for it, including custom design, RGB lighting, hall sticks, and smart buttons. It comes in two parts, which is great for folding it, but it means you have to double one side, then the other, and it can be red. It’s not a bad effort, but there are better options above.
CRKD Atom Controller for $20: This small controller is very cute and easy to carry, with a wrist strap you can connect it to a bag. Battery life goes up to ten hours with the USB-C port for recharging, though I found it sometimes lit up in my pocket. It’s not big or comfortable for long-term use, but if you need an emergency control unit, it might fit the bill.
Photo: Simon Hill
Turtle Beach Atom Controller for $80: With a clever two-piece design, this ruler folds well, but feels a bit unsafe without a back. Side controls are difficult, especially with phones that have large camera modules. I had trouble connecting, and I don’t like that the right side has to be activated separately (press B and the menu buttons). The right side connects wirelessly (2.4 GHz), but the controller connects to your phone via Bluetooth. Most of the time it worked fine for me, but when I was playing Jydge, the movement was reversed on the left stick. You get about 20 hours of battery life. It takes about two hours to destroy. If portability is your biggest problem, i perhaps be worth looking at.
GameSir T4 Cyclone for $40: Inexpensive, effective finishes and Hall Effect enhancements, this is a solid controller. There are a number of adjustable buttons on the back, hand-held speed motors, and a multi-function support 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 sloppy, and the LED is annoyingly bright.
Nacon MG-X Pro for $54: It sounds like Nacon cut the Xbox controller in half to accommodate a longer phone base, but if you want this kind of controller the aforementioned GameSir G8 is the one we recommend. The MG-X Pro is slightly smaller, but the G8 is superior in every way.
PowerA XP Ultra for $130: I like the idea of packing a lot of options into a controller, and the crazy PowerA XP Ultra is standard. 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 comes out, Transformer-style, for on-the-go games is too small and difficult to hold. The buttons, triggers, and sticks are all good, and the stylus works well for holding your phone, but the D-pad is stiff. All in all, it’s a mixed bag of great value.
Razer Kishi V2 for $100: The Razer Kishi V2 is great, but it’s slower, bigger, and more polished than the Backbone One. It is an advanced mobile controller that comes in both Android and iPhone versions. Both can play PlayStation or Xbox games and also work with Windows. But in the end, Backbone’s premium software and headphone jack make for a better choice. –Louryn Strappe
Riot PWR iOS Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for $40: An MFi compatible controller for iPhone or iPad games (old Lightning devices) that boasts a pass-through, 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. Bottom line, the cable is a mess. The Riot PWR MFi Controller ($40) it’s almost the same, but without the green Xbox buttons. There is also a USB-C option.
Turtle Beach Recon Cloud for $47: Here’s another Xbox controller that supports Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play and comes with a free month of Game Pass Ultimate. It feels great in the hand, has a solid phone, and works with Android, Xbox, and Windows. It also features audio enhancements (connected), adjustable buttons, and a Pro-Aim support feature that reduces sensitivity on the right stick for FPS games. It is recommended to choose the PowerA controller mentioned above, unless you need additional features.
The PowerA Moga XP7-X Plus is $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 picture button is missing), and can charge your phone wirelessly. But it’s expensive, has a Micro USB port instead of USB-C, and only has a 2,000 mAh battery, so stick with the XP-5 X unless you really need a spring-loaded bed to fit your phone.
8BitDo SN30 Pro for $45: Reminiscent of the SNES, this controller works with Android, Windows, MacOS, and Switch. It has rumble, a solid D-pad, good battery life, and a USB-C port.
