Dec 12, 2021 8:00 AM

The Best Mobile Game Controllers

Touchscreens just don't suit some games. Try one of these WIRED-tested smartphone controllers for your iPhone or Android instead.

Mobile gaming has never been more popular. You can relax with a casual puzzle, indulge your tower defense addiction, or dip into some competitive shooter action—these days, there’s something for everyone. The latest phones can run demanding, graphically impressive titles, so ports of popular PC and console games are increasingly common, but they are not always fun to play with touchscreen controls. What you need is a mobile game controller.

We tested several of the top smartphone controllers by playing various games for hours at a time to find the very best performers. These are our favorites. We've marked what platform each controller officially supports, though there may be others that unofficially work. Make sure to read up on the Best iPhones, Best Android Phones, and Best Mobile Games to round out your gaming kit.

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Photograph: 8BitDo
Best Overall
8BitDo Pro 2
With a unique combination of features, a thoughtful retro design, and solid performance, all at a reasonable price, this is the best mobile controller for most people. The D-pad is all too frequently a disappointment in phone controllers, but not here. The buttons are satisfying, and the analog sticks are sensitive. I love the subtly textured back, which adds grip. There are double shoulder triggers with two clever programmable buttons around the back so you can keep your thumbs on the sticks. This Bluetooth controller can connect to four devices, so you can easily jump between a Nintendo Switch, MacBook, Android or iOS phone, and Windows PC, or you can connect with a cable using the controller’s USB-C port. Just make sure you snag an 8Bitdo Mobile Clip ($15) to go with it.
The 8BitDo Pro 2 has a rechargeable battery inside that’s good for about 20 hours, but it is removable, and you can swap in two AA batteries if you need. To sweeten the deal further, the 8BitDo Ultimate Software app for Android or iOS lets you remap buttons; tweak the stick, trigger, and vibration sensitivity; and even set up custom macros in your favorite mobile games. All this controller lacks is support for PlayStation and Xbox.
Officially works with Nintendo Switch, Windows (Steam), Mac, Android, and iOS
$50 at Amazon
$50 at Best Buy
Photograph: Backbone
For iPhone Gamers
Backbone One
The Backbone One (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a delight. Plug the Lightning connector into your iPhone, stretch the controller over it, and play. The buttons and bumpers feel nice and clicky, with super-fast response times, and there's broad support for PS Remote Play, Xbox Remote Play, and Steam Link, as well as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Google Stadia, and GeForce Now. Essentially, even if you don't love mobile gaming, this little controller can turn your phone into a console or PC. But the experience might change your mind about mobile games; I played Stardew Valley for so long I forgot I was playing on my phone. The built-in headphone jack is a nice touch.
What really sets Backbone One apart is its optional app. All of the features are free for the first year. I love the searchable catalog of controller-supported games and the automatically recorded and edited in-game highlights. There's also an interface for seamless voice chat and multiplayer lobbies, as well as one-tap Twitch streaming and support for iOS Gaming Mode. (Note: As the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max have large cameras, Backbone offers an adapter for free; check the box during checkout or order one separately.) —Louryn Strampe
Officially works with iPhone, Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox and PlayStation Remote Play, and Steam Link
$100 at Amazon
$100 at Microsoft
Photograph: SteelSeries
For PC Gamers
SteelSeries Stratus Duo
If you flick between gaming on an Android device and your PC or laptop, then the SteelSeries Stratus Duo is for you. It feels much like an Xbox Wireless Controller, with a similar button layout, although it has symmetrical thumbsticks with a disappointingly mushy D-Pad offset at the top left. The compelling trick that makes the Stratus Duo special is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity so you can move between a paired Android phone and a PC with the flick of a switch. It comes with a tiny dongle to plug into your computer for the 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi connection. Sadly, you do have to buy the SmartGrip ($10) separately, but this flexible bracket keeps your phone securely in place and is essential for mobile gamers.
The Stratus Duo worked well with games in my Steam library without the need for any configuration. It also works with Steam Link to play Steam games from your PC on your phone. It was mostly the same story with Android games, but I did have a couple of random disconnects with the Pixel 6. The rechargeable battery inside the Stratus Duo is supposed to be good for at least 20 hours, and that seems about right based on my testing. Annoyingly, it uses the dated MicroUSB port for charging.
Officially works with Android, Windows (Steam), and Chromebooks
$49 at Amazon
$49 at Best Buy

Photograph: PowerA
For Xbox Remote Play
PowerA Moga XP-5 X
Ideal for Xbox Remote Play, this controller will feel instantly familiar to Xbox owners, and it even has an Xbox button in the center, like the official model. It's much lighter, but there are solid standard Xbox buttons, grippy thumbsticks, and a couple of programmable pushers on the back. The only disappointment is the mushy D-pad and the lack of any haptics. The clip design is smart, with two adjustable joints and a cradle that expands to accommodate most phones. It even has minimal forked prongs that avoid the power or volume buttons on the side of your phone. The connection to your phone is a choice of cable or Bluetooth.
With a 3,000-mAh rechargeable battery inside, the Moga XP-5 X boasts long battery life and can even double up as a portable battery pack. It charges via a MicroUSB port in the top, and there’s a USB-A port that can be used to plug a cable into your phone’s USB-C port (the supplied cable caters to both). Weirdly, there’s no Xbox support, so you can stream Xbox games from your console to your phone with Remote Play, but you can’t play on the Xbox itself with this controller.
Officially works with Android, Xbox Remote Play, and Windows
$33 at Amazon
$48 at Best Buy
Photograph: Gamesir
For Android Gamers
GameSir X2
With a Nintendo Switch aesthetic and button layout, this controller is compact and doesn’t need much power, making it ideal for on-the-go gaming. It stretches open to cradle virtually any Android phone in its rubbery embrace, accommodating devices up to 6.8 inches long and 0.39 inches thick (it can even hold a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3). The textured sections provide great grip, and you get solid twin joysticks, a D-pad, and plenty of buttons, though the shoulder triggers are basic. It sports a USB-C connector for smooth gaming, with much lower latency compared to Bluetooth controllers.
I tested it with the Pixel 6, and it felt tailor-made for twin-stick shooters like Jydge. It worked with most of the games I tried, but not all, and if you need to map keys, you must use the buggy and confusing Gamesir app. I do worry about the long-term impact of the swiveling USB-C connector on my phone’s port, and since there’s no power off button, you won’t want to leave your phone in it all the time.
Officially works with Android, Microsoft xCloud, Google Stadia, and GeForce Now
$70 at Amazon
$60 at GameStop
Photograph: Sony
For PS5 Owners
Sony DualSense Controller
If you have a controller as good as the DualSense, you should use it every chance you get. The DualSense controller is a PlayStation 5 highlight that’s highly responsive, refined, and durable. And since it supports Bluetooth, you can pair it with your smartphone just as you would any other Bluetooth device (here’s a pairing guide). It won’t work with every game, and you won’t get the full benefit of the adaptive triggers unless you use it with the PS5, but it makes a great mobile stand-in. If you like the idea of playing PlayStation games on your phone, try the PS Remote Play app for Android or iOS.
Add an Orzly Gaming Clip ($13) to mount your phone, and you are all set. You can also use the PS4’s DualShock 4 controller with smartphones (it pairs via Bluetooth, too.)
Officially works with Android, iPhone, PlayStation, and Windows
$69 at Amazon
$69 at Walmart
$69 at GameStop

Photograph: Microsoft
For Xbox Owners
Xbox/Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (White)
If you already play on Xbox, you may as well use the Xbox Wireless Controller with your phone. We have an easy pairing guide, and it’s a cinch to pair with an iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or tablet via Bluetooth. It may require configuration for some games, and it’s not going to work with everything. If you are an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, find out how to stream Xbox and PC games on your Android phone. Add a PowerA MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip ($10) to mount your phone, and game on.
Officially works with Android, iPhone, Xbox, and Windows
$50 at Amazon
$50 at Xbox
Photograph: Nintendo
For Nintendo Owners
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
You can use a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller with Android, but sadly there’s no official iOS support. To connect to an Android device, simply hold down the sync button on the top of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller until it starts flashing. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and go to Settings, Connected devices, and choose Pair new device, then select the Pro Controller. Just like the PS and Xbox controllers, it won’t work perfectly with every game.
Officially works with Nintendo Switch and Android
$70 at Amazon
$70 at Nintendo Store
Photograph: Iogear
For Mouse and Keyboard Fans
Keymander 2 Mobile
For some of us, playing a first-person shooter just doesn’t feel right without a keyboard and mouse. This unusual niche device enables you to play on an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone with a wired or wireless keyboard and mouse, but it does so in a confusing, cobbled-together kind of way. You need either the official Sony PlayStation 4 controller or Microsoft Xbox One wireless controller with Bluetooth (specifically Model 1708), and those connect via MicroUSB cable to the Keymander 2. It's essentially using the controller support to connect the mouse and keyboard, and you configure them in the K2 Mobile Game Dock app.
The dock is a little flimsy, but it managed to hold my iPad in place, with ports in the side and back for plugging everything in. I struggled to get it all working, as the instructions are not the clearest, but once it was hooked up and configured, playing Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Minecraft was a breeze. The Keymander 2 Mobile could also work well for remote play on PlayStation or Xbox or for a streaming service like Stadia. Just be aware that only games with controller support work well, and you do need to tweak settings frequently for best results.
Officially works with iPhone, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation Remote Play, and Google Stadia
$80 at Amazon
$80 at B&H

Simon Hill has been writing about tech for more than a decade. He is a regular contributor for WIRED, but you can also find his work at Business Insider, Reviewed, TechRadar, Android Authority, USA Today, Digital Trends, and many other places. Before writing, he worked in games development. He lives... Read more

Contributor

Louryn Strampe is a product writer and reviewer at WIRED covering a little bit of everything. She especially loves discounts, video games … and discounted video games. She previously wrote for Future PLC and Rakuten. She currently resides in northern Illinois with two fluffy cats.

Writer and Reviewer