These are this year’s top gaming controllers for mobile and cloud-based platforms.
Top Best Mobile Controller For Gaming 2024 Things are becoming even more advanced with the best Mobile Controllers. For a long, the Backbone One was the only practical choice available, but a new generation of rival products is beginning to overshadow it. Although many of us use mobile gaming as a solution when we’re on the go, it’s a really big platform when it comes to gaming. A good controller is therefore equally as essential as one for the PS5, Xbox, or PC. Fortunately, there are less tradeoffs than you may think over a specialized console gamepad because we’ve compiled a list of excellent options.
Given their many applications, pairing one of the greatest PC controllers with your phone can be a simple fix if you enjoy playing games on the cloud. When looking for a new controller, it’s important to keep various platforms in mind because being able to utilize your new device with different devices truly allows you to get the best value for your money. Nevertheless, it’s not the most sensible method to play on a mobile device, and I see why you would want something that is portable.
These days, you can find an increasing number of Mobile Controllers on the stores thanks to some of the top gaming businesses beginning to recognize their worth. Discouragingly, not every phone is created equal, and the most difficult aspect may be locating the ideal mobile controller for your particular model. Fortunately, we’ve tested a variety of Android and iPhone models. While the majority of them will work with a USB-C connection, we’re also exploring some Bluetooth choices right now.
Table of Contents
Best Mobile Controller For Gaming 2024
NO.1 : GameSir G8 Galileo
The best mobile controller overall
Pros
- Great size and comfort
- Solid back buttons
- Pivoting USB-C connector
- PS5 Remote Play and Game Pass support
Cons
- Thumbsticks aren’t perfect
- No official licensing (for any platform)
I had no idea that the GameSir G8 Galileo could lift the bar so high for the mobile controller industry, but it did. Backbone had clearly established it. This mobile controller is superior to its competitors in practically every aspect, making it the clear choice at the top of the list due to its lower price.
Compared to other mobile controllers, the G8 Galileo boasts larger, chunkier grips as well as Hall Sensor triggers and thumbsticks that give you the impression that you’re playing on a regular gamepad rather than a phone controller that you may use for shorter stints. The reversible USB-C connector, which allays worries that your phone might break off while being removed, is just one example of how well the design decisions have been made.
I never realized that I saw mobile controllers as a means to an end; I mostly only use them when I’m traveling, have a little bit of free time, or need to take my games with me to a friend’s place. I now look for the G8 Galileo while playing specific games because it’s so much more comfortable and fun to use. It gives me an excuse to use PlayStation Remote Play or cloud stream games (yes, it can do both).
So what are the catches here? It could encounter issues later on if one manufacturer adopts a more stringent stance against third-party mobile controllers, as opposed to the Backbone One, because it lacks formal licensing from either side of the console war. Its thumbsticks aren’t flawless everywhere; in first-person shooters, they can get hot and cause friction with the stickgates, even if they are resistant to stick drift. These are hardly major problems, though, as this is currently the greatest mobile controller available.
NO.2 : Backbone One
The best licensed mobile controller
Pros
- Amazing build quality
- No battery or charging required
- Comes with three months of Game Pass Ultimate (if not the PlayStation version)
Cons
- Higher price point
- USB-C connector doesn’t pivot
- Phone cases don’t fit
- Small size makes it less comfortable
When it comes to playing games on an iPhone or Android smartphone, the Backbone One has proven groundbreaking. If you want a mobile controller with official licensing from PlayStation or Xbox, this is one of the best all-around solutions available on the market, especially now that it supports USB-C and Lightning connections. After spending some time playing with both the PlayStation Edition for Android and the regular edition for iPhone, it’s clear that anyone looking to play games on a mobile device should get this one.
Our tests showed that this is definitely money well spent, even though it is a little more expensive than other solutions available on the market. There’s more to this than just a collection of responsive buttons. The Backbone One mobile controller truly transforms your phone into a portable console when used in conjunction with the Backbone app. Your smartphone becomes unstoppable when you add Game Pass Ultimate (if you don’t get the PlayStation edition, you receive three months free in the box).
This software is the icing on the cake—it brings together all of your favorite games from the Arcade, Google Play Store, Google Stadia (RIP), Game Pass, and Remote Play into a tidy home screen. It also stores all of your screenshots and videos that you’ve taken during gameplay—a dedicated button makes this possible.
The Backbone One is genuinely one of the greatest mobile controllers because of the little things. You can charge your phone while you play thanks to an additional lightning port or USB-C connector, and you can utilize wired headphones thanks to a 3.5mm jack. Everything functions flawlessly right out of the box and goes above and beyond with little extras that seem so obvious that it’s a marvel no one has done them before. We were hopping between Sony titles and Xbox Game Pass with a lighthearted irony while the two firms fight over studio acquisitions and exclusivity in court. We were joining and leaving PS5 remote play sessions as fast as we would on the console itself.
The PlayStation version of Backbone One is worth checking out if you’re a lover of the PS5. With glass face buttons and the full PS5 white and black color scheme, this version was created in collaboration with Sony to provide the best Remote Play experience possible. Also, it costs $99.99 on Amazon, the same as the regular model.
NO.3 : Razer Kishi Ultra
The most comfortable mobile controller
Pros
- Substantial, full-sized controller grips
- Tactile buttons
- Great triggers
- Versatile size
- Flashy RGB look
Cons
- Extra bumpers, no back buttons
- USB-C connector doesn’t pivot
- No PS5 remote play support
- Pricey
An essential addition to any mobile controller purchasing guide is the Razer Kishi Ultra. It’s the most attempt of all the options on our list to be a full-sized console gamepad that’s been cut in half and designed for a mobile platform. Although it’s very nearly the finest, in my opinion, it lacks a few key features that prevent it from taking the top spot.
The Kishi Ultra is undoubtedly the best choice on this list if you frequently play mobile games for extended periods of time because to its thick, full grips, which are pleasant to hold for extended periods of time. The Kishi Ultra’s microswitch buttons truly drive home the brand’s Wolverine line, which is the easiest reference I can find for it. The thumbsticks are offset, however unlike many other mobile controller thumbsticks, they don’t create thumb cramping because of the bigger size of the controller.
The Ultra has two extra bumper buttons on its shoulders that you may map whatever you’d like, in place of the annoying lack of back buttons. Although Razer loves to promote these buttons to “claw-grip” players, I don’t think they’re as practical or ergonomic as back buttons. Additionally, the controller has some smooth RGB here that adds character, though some may not like this as they like the elegant all-black appearance of the controller when it’s not in use.
Although its small triggers felt incredibly immersive in first-person shooters, I found that the Kishi Ultra functioned best in third-person games. When I was playing Metroivanias and 2D platformers, I noticed that even the Backbone made the game more accurate, thus I was a little let down by that.
Overall, this is undoubtedly the most comfortable mobile controller available and a superb one at that. Though it’s not my personal preference, the GameSir G8 still has greater capabilities despite being slightly smaller in size. Although the Kishi Ultra is by far the most expensive option here, that competitor is also much less expensive.
NO.4 : Razer Kishi V2
The best Backbone alternative
Pros
- Secure bridge design
- Satisfying face buttons and d-pad
- Additional programmable buttons
- Comfortable grip shape
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Cheaper plastic feel than competitors
- No audio port
- Nexus software is basic
The Razer Kishi V2 is a powerful upgrade over its predecessor. Although the iOS model has some functionality issues (you can’t use PlayStation Remote Play on your iPhone, for instance), the tactile experience will be enhanced by the satisfying buttons, abundance of extra features, and ergonomic grip shape.
In our testing, we found that putting your phone into the USB-C cradle never felt risky, and there’s plenty of room to maneuver to safely remove the device later on. In comparison to more robust options, the controller does seem a touch hollow, but you pay the price for a very lightweight, portable device that won’t take up much room in your backpack. Additionally, compared to the Backbone One, these grips are actually wider, which makes for a much more pleasant experience throughout extended sessions.
However, the microswitch buttons are what really make a difference. The Razer Kishi V2’s snappy, satisfying, and quick clickers are its greatest feature. These sharp shooters will feel fantastic right away, unless you don’t like the occasionally mushy sensation of a longer travel distance. Furthermore, two programmable macro options are positioned next to the shoulder buttons, and there are two more buttons at the top.
Indeed, the software on the Razer Nexus is a little dated, but it doesn’t much improve the experience. This is a basic feature that works well, providing access to all of your games in one location along with some basic configuration options.
NO.5 : GameSir X3
The best customizable mobile controller
Pros
- Extra cooling
- Satisfying low travel buttons
- Feels safe for phone corners and port
Cons
- Chunky design
- Wobbly D-Pad in 4-direction mode
The GameSir X3 is a very powerful device. This Android wraparound controller comes with a ton of extra attachments and is wrapped in a luxurious travel bag, which is a feature that many mobile controllers lack. It will become an instant favorite. Here is where you can switch out the thumbsticks, D-Pad, and face buttons, making it one of the most adjustable gamepads we’ve ever used. There’s no doubting you have more alternatives here than with conventional stock controllers, even though the actual process of actually extracting those face buttons is a little less than ideal.
The enormous big fan attached to the back of the X3 makes it clear that it is a mobile controller made for die-hard gamers. During longer, more intense gaming sessions, we did find that this fan helped to keep our Black Shark 5 Pro a little bit colder. To be fair, this did improve the experience when playing at home. To use this feature, though, you’ll need to put the controller into a different power port, which takes away a lot of its portability.
This is obviously not an easy backpack buddy. One of the thicker wraparound controllers we’ve handled is the GameSir X3. But every button click and thumbstick flick feels substantial and precise because of a reassuring weight to it. That kind of experience is unattainable with a lighter model, like as the Razer Kishi V2 or Backbone One.
How we test mobile controllers
We subject our mobile controllers to rigorous testing in order to test them. Please be advised that not every controller that has been included in our buying guidelines has been put through testing. In the guide, information about reviews is located beneath each controller.
To sum up, every controller we have ever handled has been utilized in a variety of video games across most genres. This implies that we’ll test the stick, face button, bumper, trigger, and any other extra element that comes with the device in terms of responsiveness. The longevity of a controller is also checked if it is wired or runs on rechargeable batteries. The same holds true for any specialized software that the gamepad might come with, like drivers.
See our post in its entirety for more information on how we at GamesRadar+ evaluate controllers, and see our Hardware Policy for a more comprehensive look at how we approach the newest technology.
Best mobile controller: FAQs
Q. Which mobile controller is best?
After testing, we’ve concluded that the GameSir G8 Galileo is the greatest mobile controller since it offers the most features at the best price. Thanks to Hall Sensor thumbsticks and triggers, it delivers comfort, durability, and compatibility with Xbox and PlayStation, surpassing the features of the Razer Kishi V2 and Backbone One.
Q. Which controller is best for PUBG Mobile?
We’ve found that the HyperX Clutch Wireless is the greatest mobile controller for PUBG. This is easy to handle and provides for precise inputs, making it an excellent controller for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. The Bacbone is available for both Android and iPhone, if you’d prefer something a little more customized for your phone.
Q. Is Call of Duty Mobile better with a controller?
Using a mobile controller to play Call of Duty Mobile provides you a distinct advantage over handheld players. The ability to enter data precisely simplifies the game and raises your potential for skill development. People aren’t matched in matchmaking according on whether or not they own gamepads.
