11 Greatest Cell Recreation Controllers (2025): iPhone or Android
Different Recreation Controllers We have Examined
There are a number of different cell controllers we examined that simply missed out on a spot above or did not make the grade.
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
Acer Nitro Cell Gaming Controller for £70: The compact design is nice for portability, and Acer’s controller even folds in half to slip into your pocket or bag. You may plug in units as much as 8.3 inches in dimension by way of USB-C, and the controller has normal offset joysticks, 4 normal face buttons, and 4 shoulder triggers. Every part feels a bit cramped and fundamental; the triggers are OK, however every part else feels a bit meh. There’s a USB-C port for pass-through charging, but it surely’s missing different options to justify the worth (no Corridor impact, no customization, no software program). That is solely obtainable within the UK proper now.
Gulikit Elves 2 Professional for $50: The form is harking back to previous Sega controllers, however Gulikit packed Corridor impact joysticks, 9 ranges of vibration, and six-axis gyro movement management into this Bluetooth controller. The shoulder buttons are good and clicky, and the floating 8-way D-pad is respectable for combating video games and platformers, although it and the 4 face buttons use a membrane. It’s compact, so I discovered it slightly uncomfortable to make use of for prolonged intervals, although I’ve huge palms.
GXTrust Mylox Wi-fi Cell Controller for £45: This massive cradle-style controller connects by way of Bluetooth 5.0 reasonably than USB-C. It helps fundamental haptic suggestions and has RGB LED-illuminated buttons. It’s fairly snug to make use of, but it surely feels kinda low-cost, and regardless of the massive design, the buttons and triggers are small. I’m not eager on the D-pad. Should you activate the lighting, the battery life falls properly wanting the 12 hours instructed. That is solely obtainable within the UK and Europe.
Gamesir X3 Professional for $80: This replaces the X3 and stretches open to cradle nearly any Android cellphone (or USB-C iPhones) in its rubbery embrace. It feels good, with customizable grips, clicky buttons, and Corridor impact thumbsticks with different-sized removable caps within the pretty zip-up carry case. The headline function is the big fan on the again able to critical cooling energy, which may turn out to be useful since smartphones can get uncomfortably heat once you’re gaming for a very long time, although I discovered the sound annoying, and the X3 Professional could be very cumbersome. The customization choices are welcome, however the GameSir app is a bit buggy and complicated.
Asus ROG Tessen for $104: My pleasure on the prospect of a cell controller from Asus waned fairly rapidly after I began utilizing the ROG Tessen. It has a neat folding design, responsive controls, and pass-through charging. I appreciated the programmable again paddles, and there’s RGB lighting to jazz it up. However the thumbsticks felt uncomfortable fairly rapidly, and the buttons proved slightly noisy. That is additionally Android-only and doesn’t work with any iPhones (even USB-C iPhones).
Gamesir X4 Aileron for $100: This controller has loads going for it, together with a compact design, RGB lighting, Corridor impact sticks, and tactile buttons. It is available in two components, which is nice for folding it away neatly, however means you should pair one facet, then the opposite, and it may be finicky. It’s not a nasty effort, however there are higher choices above.
CRKD Atom Controller for $20: This teeny tiny controller is tremendous cute and really transportable, with a wrist strap you possibly can hook up with a bag. Battery life goes as much as 10 hours with a USB-C port for recharging, although I discovered it generally switched itself on in my pocket. It’s not huge or snug sufficient to make use of for a very long time, however in the event you want an excellent transportable emergency controller, it may match the invoice.
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
Turtle Seaside Atom Controller for $50: With a intelligent two-piece design, this controller folds away neatly, however feels insecure and not using a again. The clamps on all sides are awkward, significantly with telephones sporting massive digicam modules. I had hassle connecting, and dislike that the fitting facet needs to be turned on individually (press the B and menu buttons). The fitting facet connects wirelessly (2.4 GHz), however the controller connects to your cellphone by way of Bluetooth. It largely labored effective for me, however after I performed Jydge, the motion was inverted on the left stick. You get round 20 hours of battery life. It takes about two hours to cost. If portability is your essential concern, it might be value a glance.
PowerA XP Extremely for $80: I really like the thought of mixing a great deal of choices right into a controller, and PowerA’s loopy XP Extremely is actually versatile. It really works wirelessly along with your Xbox, Home windows PC, or Android cellphone, providing stable battery life (as much as 40 hours by way of Bluetooth or 60 hours for Xbox). However the gimmicky mini controller that slides out, Transformer-style, for gaming on the go is just too small and exhausting to grip comfortably. The buttons, triggers, and sticks are all good, and the clip works effective for holding your cellphone, however the D-pad is stiff. All in all, it’s an expensive combined bag.
Riot PWR iOS Xbox Version Cloud Gaming Controller for $20: This can be a Made for iPhone-certified controller for Apple’s handset or iPad gaming (older Lightning port units) that boasts pass-through charging, direct Lightning cable connection, and a 3.5-mm audio port. It looks like an Xbox controller, helps Xbox Cloud Gaming or distant play, and comes with one free month of Recreation Move Final. On the draw back, the cable is a bit messy. The Riot PWR MFi Controller for ($40) is nearly equivalent, however with out the garish inexperienced styling and coloured Xbox buttons. There’s a USB-C choice too.
Turtle Seaside Recon Cloud for $40: Right here is one other Xbox-branded controller that helps Xbox Cloud Gaming and Distant Play and comes with one free month of Recreation Move Final. It feels good in-hand, has a stable cellphone clip, and works with Android, Xbox, and Home windows. It additionally options some audio enhancements (when plugged in), programmable buttons, and a useful Professional-Goal function that reduces sensitivity on the fitting stick for aiming in FPS video games. It is a good improve choose over the PowerA controller listed above, however solely if you would like the additional options.
PowerA Moga XP7-X Plus for $94: This controller provides every part the XP-5 X does, however you may also take away the stand within the middle to fit in your cellphone (my Pixel 6 Professional matches properly). It’s sturdy, provides loads of buttons (solely a screenshot button is lacking), and may wirelessly cost your cellphone. However it’s costly, has a Micro USB port after I’d choose USB-C, and has solely a 2,000 mAh battery, so keep on with the XP-5 X except you need that spring-loaded cradle to suit your cellphone in.
8BitDo SN30 Professional for $45: Conjuring recollections of the SNES, this controller works with Android, Home windows, MacOS, and Swap. It has built-in rumble, a stable D-pad, good battery life, and a USB-C port.
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