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

Other game controllers we’ve tested

There are several other mobile controllers we’ve tested that just missed a spot above or failed to make the grade.

Photo: Simon Hill

Gamesir X3 Pro for $80: This replaces the X3 and stretches to fit almost any Android phone (or the iPhone 15 range) in its rubbery embrace. It feels good, with customizable grips, click buttons and Hall-effect sticks with detachable caps of different sizes in a lovely zipped carry bag. The main feature is the huge fan on the back, capable of serious cooling power, which can be useful as smartphones can get uncomfortably warm when playing for a long time, although I found the sound annoying and the X3 Pro is very bulky. The customization options are welcome, but the GameSir app is a bit buggy and confusing. For a more compact drag option see GameSir X2 Pro ($80) or much cheaper X2s ($40). I tested 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 rear rockers and it has RGB lighting to jazz it up. But the thumbs felt uncomfortable pretty quickly, and the buttons turned out to be a bit noisy. This is also Android only and doesn’t work with any iPhones (not even USB-C iPhones).

Gamesir X4 Aileron for $100: This controller has a lot of features, including a compact design, RGB lighting, hall effect sticks and tactile buttons. It comes in two pieces, which is great for its neat folding, but means you have to pair one side, then the other, and that can be flimsy. Not a bad effort, but there are better options above.

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

Photo: Simon Hill

Turtle Beach Atom Controller for $80: With a smart two-piece design, this controller folds up neatly but feels flimsy without a back. The brackets on each side are awkward, especially on phones with large camera modules. I had trouble connecting and didn’t like that the right side had to be turned on separately (press the B and menu buttons). The right side connects wirelessly (2.4GHz), but the controller connects to your phone via Bluetooth. It worked fine for me most of the time, but when I was playing Gigi, movement was reversed on the left stick. You get about 20 hours of battery life. Charging takes about two hours. If portability is your main concern, it May worth seeing.

GameSir T4 Cyclone for $40: Relatively affordable, with a solid surface and Hall-effect joysticks, this is a solid controller. There are a few programmable buttons on the back, growling motors in the handles and a handy multi-function button. It also supports Bluetooth, 2.4-GHz with optional dongle and USB-C connections. But the battery is only 860 mAh, the GameSir app doesn’t work, and the LED is annoyingly bright.

Nacon MG-X Pro for $54: It feels like Nacon cut an Xbox controller in half to fit an extendable phone stand, but if you want that style of controller, the GameSir G8 listed above is what we recommend. The MG-X Pro is slightly roomier, but the G8 is better in every other way.

PowerA XP Ultra for $130: I like the idea of ​​combining multiple options into a 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 fancy Transformer-style slide-out mini controller for on-the-go gaming is too small and hard to hold comfortably. The buttons, triggers, and sticks are good, and the clip works well for holding your phone, but the D-pad is stiff. Overall, it’s an expensive mixed bag.

Razer Kishi V2 for $100: The Razer Kishi V2 is fine, but it’s slower, bigger, and more unrefined than the Backbone One. It’s an expandable mobile controller that comes in 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. —Lurin Strape

Riot PWR iOS Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for $40: An MFi-certified controller for iPhone or iPad games (older devices with a Lightning port) that boasts pass-through charging, a direct Lightning cable connection, and a 3.5mm audio port. It feels a lot like an Xbox controller, supports Xbox Cloud Gaming or remote play, and comes with one free month of Game Pass Ultimate. On the downside, the cable is a bit of a mess. The Riot PWR MFi Controller for ($40) is almost identical, but without the flashy green styling and colored buttons of the Xbox. There’s 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 one 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 enabled), programmable buttons, and a handy Pro-Aim feature that reduces the sensitivity of the right aim stick in FPS games. It’s a good upgrade choice 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 fit the slot into your phone (my Pixel 6 Pro fits just fine). It’s sturdy, offers plenty of buttons (only a screenshot button is missing), and can wirelessly charge your phone. But it’s expensive, has a Micro USB port when I’d prefer USB-C, and only has a 2,000mAh battery, so stick with the XP-5 X unless you really want that spring kickstand to fit your phone.

8BitDo SN30 Pro for $45: Evoking memories of the SNES, this controller works with Android, Windows, MacOS and Switch. It has built-in sound, a solid D-pad, good battery life, and a USB-C port.