The best mobile controllers are getting better and better, which is a great thing now that taking our games on the go is more viable than ever. Cloud streaming has come on leaps and bounds, and playing on a mobile is not what it used to be if you're willing to invest in the right controller for you. Of course, mobile gaming is great without cloud streaming, and the controllers we've tested below will give it the feel of a full handheld platform like never before.
If cloud gaming is your thing, connecting one of the best PC controllers to your phone can be an easy solution due to their wide range of uses. Being able to use your new gadget with different devices really allows you to get the best bang for your buck so it's worth keeping other platforms in mind when you're on the hunt for a new controller. That said, it isn't the most practical way to play on a mobile, and I wouldn't blame you for wanting something designed for portability.
More and more mobile controllers are cropping up on the shelves nowadays, with some of the best brands in gaming starting to realize their value. Annoyingly, not all phones are made equal, and finding the best mobile controller for your specific device might be the trickiest part. Luckily, we've spread our testing across a wide range of Android and iPhone models, and while most will wrap around using a USB-C connection, we're currently testing a few Bluetooth options.
The Quick List
The best mobile controller overall
The GameSir G8 blends the convenience of options like the Backbone One with the great comfort and feel of today's pro controller market. There's no better option overall than this.
The best basic mobile controller
The Backbone One was arguably what started the recent wave of mobile controllers. It's now been outdone by a lot of its competitors, but it's still all you really need for a great on-the-go option.
The most comfortable mobile controller
The Razer Kishi Ultra takes one of the brand's full-sized Wolverine controllers, cuts it in half, and puts a USB connector in place for it to become the most comfortable mobile controller on the shelves today.
The best mobile controller for iPhone
The Scuf Nomad takes the design of the popular Backbone One and improves it massively. Two back buttons, symmetrical sticks, and a snappier feel make this the best iPhone controller out there.
The best gamepad mobile controller
Why compromise on the feel of a full-sized controller when gaming on the go? The SteelSeries Stratus+ lets you have the comfort and familiarity of a normal gamepad with a handy clip to play on your phone.
The most adjustable mobile controller
A lot of the time, mobile controllers lack the customization that regular pro controllers have. The GameSir X3 lets you personalize the feel of your mobile gaming experience to suit you.
The most portable mobile controller
What do lots of the options on this list forget? That mobile controllers need to be conveniently designed to take on the go. The Asus ROG Tessen isn't our favorite mobile controller, but it's uber-portable.
Best multi-platform controller
Why spend extra money on one controller for all your platforms when one can play on them all? The GameSir T4 Kaleid was originally meant to be a Switch controller, but its Bluetooth abilities make it so versatile.
The best mobile controller overall
The GameSir G8 Galileo saw the bar that Backbone had clearly set for the mobile controller market and raised it in ways I didn't know it could. This is a bigger, better mobile controller in almost every way, and its cheaper price than its rivals makes it an easy pick for the top of this list.
The G8 Galileo has chunkier, larger grips than other mobile controllers you'll find, and sports Hall Sensor thumbsticks and triggers that make you feel like you're playing on an ordinary gamepad, not a stand-in phone controller for shorter sessions. The design choices here make so much sense - even down to the pivoting USB-C connector that removes any fear your phone could snap it off during removal.
I didn't realize that I viewed mobile controllers as a means to an end - I only really tend to use them when I'm on a journey somewhere, I have a brief moment of time to kill, or I'm at a friend's house and need to take my games on the go. The G8 Galileo is so much more comfortable and so much more enjoyable to use that I now seek it out for certain games - it's an excuse for me to cloud stream games or use PlayStation Remote Play (yes, it can do both).
The catches here then? Well, unlike the Backbone One, it doesn't have official licensing on either side of the console war, which means it could run into problems further down the line if either company takes a harsher line on third-party mobile controllers. Elsewhere, even if its thumbsticks are immune to stick drift, they aren't quite perfect - they can be subject to friction with the stickgates and run a little hot in first-person shooters. These are hardly big issues though - this is by far the best mobile controller money can buy right now.
The best basic mobile controller
The Backbone One has been revolutionary when it comes to gaming on an iPhone or Android smartphone. Now with support for USB-C and Lightning connections, it's one of the best all-round options on the market if you want a mobile controller with official licensing from PlayStation or Xbox. From some hands-on time with both the normal edition for iPhone, and the PlayStation Edition for Android, it's an easy recommendation for anyone wanting to do some gaming on a mobile device.
While slightly more expensive than other options on the market, our testing revealed that this is certainly money well spent. This is more than just a responsive set of clicky buttons. Combined with the Backbone app, the Backbone One mobile controller really does turn your phone into a portable console. Add Game Pass Ultimate (you get three months free in the box if you don't grab the PlayStation edition) and your smartphone becomes unstoppable.
Mobile gamers will be incredibly impressed by the Backbone One, but even casual iPhone tappers will find extraordinary value.
Backbone One review
Compiling all your Apple Arcade, Google Play Store, Google Stadia (RIP), Game Pass, and Remote Play titles into one neat home screen and providing a place to store all your captured gameplay (a dedicated button allows you to keep videos and screenshots), this software really is the cherry on top of a particularly delicious cake.
It's the small details that truly make the Backbone One a contender among the best mobile controllers. An extra lightning port/USB-C port allows you to keep your phone charged as you play, and a 3.5mm jack allows for wired headphone use as well. Everything just works straight out of the box, and not only feels great but exceeds expectations with small bonuses that feel so intuitive it's a wonder nobody had done them before. We were jumping in and out of PS5 remote play sessions as quickly as we would on the console itself, skipping between Sony's titles and Xbox Game Pass with an ease that feels hilariously ironic as the two companies battle out legal proceedings about studio acquisitions and exclusivity.
If you're a PS5 fan, it's worth checking out the Backbone One PlayStation edition. This version has been designed with Sony to offer the ultimate Remote Play experience, in full PS5 white and black and with glass face buttons. It's also the same price as the standard model, coming in at $99.99 at Amazon.
Read more: Backbone One Review
The most comfortable mobile controller
The Razer Kishi Ultra is a shoo-in for any mobile controller buying guide. Of all the options on this list, it's the one that makes the most effort to be a fully-sized console gamepad that's sawed in half and tailored to a mobile platform. For me, while it's so close to being the best, it has a few drawbacks that ultimately hold it back from being the top dog.
If you're prone to longer mobile gaming sessions there probably isn't a better option on this list than the Kishi Ultra, and that's because it has full, chunky grips that stay comfortable to hold for ages at a time. The easiest comparison I can make with the Kishi Ultra is to the brand's Wolverine line, and its microswitch buttons really hammer that home. The thumbsticks are offset, but because the size of the controller is larger, they don't produce thumb cramps in the same way a lot of other mobile controller thumbsticks do.
Annoyingly, the Ultra doesn't feature back buttons but instead sports two additional bumper buttons on its shoulders that you can map however you'd like. Razer likes to advocate these buttons for "claw-grip" players, but in truth, I don't find them useful or as ergonomic as back buttons. There's also some smooth RGB here that gives the controller some more character, although it might not be preferred by anyone who likes the classy all-black look of the controller when it's not connected.
I found that the Kishi Ultra performed best in third-person games, although its slim triggers felt really immersive in first-person shooters. I was a bit disappointed in it when I was playing 2D platformers and Metroivanias, and I found that even the Backbone allowed for more accuracy in those types of games.
All in all, this is a great mobile controller and probably the most comfortable one you'll find. Personally, it's not my absolute favorite, and for a slightly smaller size, the GameSir G8 still offers more functionality. That rival is also far cheaper than the Kishi Ultra, which is by far the priciest option here.
The best mobile controller for iPhone
Scuf's latest attempt to capture the controller market has seen it create a Backbone competitor that sports symmetrical thumbsticks, a Bluetooth connection, and two back buttons. It's such a shame that wider support for Android devices hasn't been included, but that makes it an easy recommendation for anyone rocking an Apple phone.
The design of the Nomad is reminiscent of the popular mobile controllers of recent years. The Backbone started this current wave of options, and this feels like an evolution of it. Symmetrical sticks are the first major step up from it though, and they help your thumbs go cramp-free despite a smaller form factor. Two back buttons also help with utility, and give the Nomad a user-friendly feeling the Backbone can't match.
A Blutetooth connection may make anyone who likes to play cloud streamed games on their mobile device some worries. Fortunately, we noticed little-to-no latency, and the ability to slot an iPhone into the Scuf Nomad without worrying about what case is protecting it is a nice quality-of-life bonus. Like the Backbone, there's an app you can use to collate your mobile gaming library, but this is totally free, and won't require more money from you to gain its best parts.
The Nomad is one of the slickest feeling mobile controllers out there, and despite its very loose stick tension, it's a great controller for taking any game on the go. The two back buttons are placed with care, and although they take a bit of pressure to actuate, we actually liked this because it prevented accidental presses. Priced at the same $100 as the Backbone, this is a competitive option, and one that outshines a lot of rivals for iPhone users.
The best gamepad mobile controller
The Steel Series Stratus+ comes with some extra features which you might not find on other mobile controllers on the market - especially at the MRSP of $70. The battery life on this controller makes it really stand out against the crowd. 90 hours of gameplay in one charge is something extremely hard to find in wireless gamepads.
A great little wireless controller which still provides you with that comforting feeling of playing on console
SteelSeries Stratus+ review
The SteelSeries Stratus+ is compatible with Android but not iPhone so Apple users beware. It is also compatible with PC but has to be used wired in order to take advantage of this. This is a little disappointing considering it comes in at a higher price point than the HyperX Clutch, which can be used wirelessly both ways. This gamepad also comes with a removeable mobile clip in the box, which isn't as sturdy as the one that comes with the HyperX Clutch, but still works perfectly fine.
One of the great features on offer with this mobile controller include clickable joysticks - which are industry standard with console gamepads but much harder to find on mobile versions. Another feature is the hall-effect triggers, a new trigger design which allows for your inputs to be picked up faster and for longer periods of time until full release.
Read more: SteelSeries Stratus+ Review
The most adjustable mobile controller
The GameSir X3 is a serious piece of kit. Packed in a luxury carry case (an additional feature that many mobile controllers lack), you'll find a range of extra accessories packaged in with this Android wraparound controller that will quickly make it a must-see. You can swap the thumbsticks, D-Pad, and face buttons here, making it one of the most customizable gamepads we've had our hands on so far. While the process of actually digging those face buttons out leaves a lot to be desired, there's no denying you've got more options here than with standard stock controllers.
The X3 is a mobile controller designed for the hardcore players - that much is obvious from the massive great fan strapped to the back of it. We did find this fan to keep our Black Shark 5 Pro slightly cooler during more intense gameplay sessions, and to its credit this did make for a far better experience during at-home play. However, you'll need to plug the controller into a separate power port to be able to utilize this feature, which does significantly detract from its portability.
Of course, this is no easy backpack buddy. The GameSir X3 is one of the chunkier wraparound controllers we've had our hands on. However, there's a comforting heft to it that makes every snap of a button or flick of a thumbstick feel precise and solid. You won't find that kind of feeling with a lighter model like the Backbone One or Razer Kishi V2.
Read more: GameSir X3 review
The most portable mobile controller
As mobile controllers have become more popular in recent years, they've also been getting larger. That's a good thing for the gaming side of things - a larger form factor usually results in more comfort and functionality. But a mobile controller also needs to be able to easily fit in a backpack, or even a pocket, so that you can take it on the go as conveniently as you do your phone.
The Asus ROG Tessen is by far and away the most portable mobile controller we've tested recently thanks to its handy foldable design. It's much easier to carry around with you than 90% of the options on this list, and it bucks the trend of a lot of foldable technology because its hinge is sturdy and feels as though it's been built to last.
As a controller, it feels very similar to the Backbone One and Scuf Nomad. It's a fairly small mobile gamepad that has offset sticks and small face buttons, but the thing that really makes it stand out is its back paddles. These aren't the back buttons found on the GameSir G8, they're much more tactile and feel exactly like the back paddles found on the DualSense Edge and Xbox Elite Series 2.
Performance-wise, the rest of the controller is a tad disappointing. For a controller that came late to the party last year, it's a shame that Tessen hasn't improved on recent competitors. The Scuf Nomad uses symmetrical thumbsticks which results in fewer instances of thumb cramp. The Razer Kishi Ultra uses a bigger size to make things more comfortable. The Tessen doesn't do much to stand out besides its foldable design, and that could be a reason to avoid it.
That said, maybe the added convenience of folding up and taking on the go is enough for you. In that respect, there are few that can go toe-to-toe with the Asus ROG Tessen.
The best multi-platform controller
A transparent controller design isn't seen all too often these days, especially among the best Nintendo Switch controllers. The GameSir T4 Kaleid is the latest multi-platform controller from GameSir, and it's available for use on PC, Android devices, and Nintendo Switch. It asks an important question: how expensive should a pro controller be in this day and age? Because despite the number of features on offer here, it might be one of the cheapest controllers worth buying right now.
Unlike more of the best mobile controllers on this list, it doesn't have a lot of mobile-dedicated features like an attachment that holds the screen while you play. But arguably more important for a multiplatform controller is that, the offset or asymmetrical sticks are Hall Sensor ones, meaning you won't encounter stick drift here, despite it being much cheaper than a lot of the alternatives. On the textured grips of the T4 Kaleid, you'll find two back buttons. These are excellently placed where my middle fingers wrap around the controller and take absolutely no displacement of my hands to use.
If you're a gamer on all platforms looking for something to serve you across multiple devices, shopping can be tough. You want a cheaper brand, but you want quality, and you want something that will last you. The T4 Kaleid is that controller, and its price is insanely affordable in the current market.
Best mobile controller: FAQs
Which mobile controller is best?
We have determined after testing that the best mobile controller is the GameSir G8 Galileo as it is the best value for money and has incredible features. More than the Razer Kishi V2 and the Backbone One, it offers comfort, support for Xbox and PlayStation, and durability thanks to Hall Sensor thumbsticks and triggers.
Is Call of Duty Mobile better with a controller?
Playing Call of Duty Mobile with a mobile controller definitely gives you the advantage vs handheld players. Being able to have precise inputs makes the game significantly easier and can allow you to reach a higher skill level. Match-making doesn't match people based on whether or not they have a gamepad.
How we test mobile controllers
Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.
Which controller is best for PUBG Mobile?
We have determined the best mobile controller for playing games like PUBG is the HyperX Clutch Wireless. This would make a great controller for PUBG as it allows for precise inputs and is comfortable to hold. If you want something a bit more bespoke for your phone, you could go for the Bacbone for either Android or iPhone.
We test our mobile controllers by putting them through vigorous testing. Please be aware that we have not tested all of the controllers which have made it onto our buying guides. You can find information on reviews underneath each controller in the guide.
In brief, every controller that we have had our hands on is used in a series of different video games to accommodate most genres. This means that we'll test the responsiveness of the sticks, face buttons, bumpers, triggers, and any other additional features found on the unit. If a controller is wired or relies on rechargeable batteries, then the duration of the lifespan is tested, too. The same can be said for any specialist software, such as drivers, that may be included with the gamepad as well.
For more on how we test controllers at GamesRadar+ check out our full article, and for something more representative of our holistic approach to the latest gear, check out our Hardware Policy.
If you're on the lookout for other ways to play then you can take a look the best steering wheels for PC. And if you're looking for a chance to upgrade from mobile gaming then take a look at our best gaming laptops.
