That are the finest cellphone controllers in 2024? The cellular gaming sphere has developed a lot over the previous few years, to the extent that many cellphone video games are actually in a position to rival these on consoles in relation to enjoyable and delight. It’s no marvel players are searching for devoted controllers to make use of on their cellular gadgets.
So let’s think about you’ve received the most effective gaming telephones and may play no matter you want on it, whether or not that’s the most effective Android video games, or the most effective iOS video games, we’ve received suggestions for you that may cowl all bases. These cellular sport controllers allow you to dispose of touchscreen controls (with suitable video games) and play console and PC video games in your cellphone in a approach that seems like enjoying natively.
Why you’ll be able to belief our recommendation ✔ At Pocket Techniques, our specialists spend days testing video games, telephones, tech, and companies. We all the time share sincere opinions that will help you purchase the most effective. Discover out how we take a look at.
One of the best cellphone controller
GameSir G8 Galileo specs:
Customizable buttons |
2 |
Appropriate with |
iPhone 15+, Android |
Screenshot button |
Sure |
Weight |
252g |
Causes to purchase
- Snug expertise
- Sensible Corridor Impact sticks
- Buttons really feel nice
Causes to keep away from
- Terrible software program
- Bulkier than opponents
The GameSir G8 Galileo represents the most effective gaming cellphone controller, providing a bulkier construct that feels rather more snug to make use of for lengthy play classes. Whereas that could be irritating for many who journey steadily and want a smaller controller, for everybody else, it’s completely good.
With wonderful Corridor Impact sticks, nice buttons, and the choice to make use of with both Android or iPhone 15 or above, the one factor extra spectacular concerning the GameSir G8 Galileo is the worth. The actual fact it’s cheaper than rivals just like the Razer Kishi Extremely or Spine One is shocking.
Nevertheless, it’s not all excellent news. For those who benefit from the concept of getting an awesome little bit of software program along with your cellphone controller, look elsewhere. The GameSir app is damaged, and at occasions, outdated (particularly on iPhone), however for the controller itself, the G8 Galileo is completely unimaginable.
Learn our GameSir G8 Galileo assessment for extra.
Greatest finances cellphone controller
GameSir X2 specs:
Customizable buttons |
None |
Appropriate with |
Android and iOS variants accessible |
Screenshot button |
Sure |
Weight |
328.8g |
Causes to purchase
- Variants to fulfill your wants
- Snug to carry
- Can cost whereas utilizing it
Causes to keep away from
- No audiojack passthrough
- Buttons barely stiff
- Feels barely flimsy
We reckon the GameSir X2 goes to tick all the appropriate containers for many of our readers. There are fashions for each Android and iOS gadgets, and its Change-like controller set-up is each fashionable and cozy to carry. It accommodates players with passthrough holes which make it straightforward so that you can have your charger plugged in whilst you play, though we do want that it had the identical for earphone jacks.
For those who get pleasure from taking screenshots of your video games (and as video games journalists, we do it on a regular basis), you’ll be happy to listen to that it comes with a easy display screen seize button which you can press anytime. Ultimate for sharing your in-game creations with pals, or remembering your favourite moments in the most effective cellular video games.
Admittedly, after we began utilizing it, we thought that the buttons appeared just a little stiff, which took some getting used to. However it’s one thing you may get used to fairly simply with just a little time. Finally, we predict it will get quite a lot of issues proper, and never many issues unsuitable, so we reckon that it’s going to be the most suitable choice for many cellular players.
Learn our GameSir X2 Kind-C assessment to seek out out extra.
Razer Kishi Extremely specs:
Customizable buttons |
2 |
Appropriate with |
iPhone 15+, Android, tablets (as much as 8″) |
Screenshot button |
Sure |
Weight |
266g |
Causes to purchase
- Greatest-in-class buttons
- Bigger dimension suits as much as 8″ tablets
- Glorious construct high quality
The Razer Kishi Extremely has all the parts to be the most effective cellphone controller accessible available on the market, and it’s very shut. Whereas the worth stands out as the most defeating facet, this Razer Kishi Extremely remains to be vital, particularly for these with 8″ tablets.
Utilizing the corporate’s mecha-tactile buttons, which provide wonderful efficiency and really feel, the Razer Kishi Extremely is a real gaming-first peripheral. It’s additionally extraordinarily snug to gap, which is an important facet of gaming in your cellphone.
The Razer Nexus app additionally shops your whole video games in a single good spot, making it a central spot for switching out to a special title in your library. Sadly, it’s a bit finicky – particularly on iPhone – but it surely’s a lot better than opponents.
Learn our Razer Kishi Extremely assessment for extra.
One of the best cellphone controller for iPhone
Scuf Nomad specs:
Customizable buttons |
2 |
Compatibility with |
iPhone |
Screenshot button |
Sure |
Weight |
230g |
Causes to purchase
- Sensible ergonomics
- Nice software program
- Unbelievable construct high quality
Causes to keep away from
- iPhone solely (Android deliberate)
- No passthrough charging assist
- No touchscreen mapping
Nothing hits the quote of “so shut, but thus far” greater than the SCUF Nomad. For all intents and functions, it’s the finest cellphone controller available on the market, however a few points maintain it again from greatness. Nevertheless, should you personal an iPhone, it’s simply the proper alternative.
Not solely is it supremely snug to carry, with unimaginable ergonomics, but it surely additionally has good software program assist and nice anti-drift sticks. It’s a wi-fi mannequin, which suggests it does should be charged – but it surely presents as much as 16 hours with a useful USB-C cable included within the field.
It falls quick with an absence of assist for Android (which is one thing deliberate sooner or later, thoughts you), and the very fact it’s wi-fi means there’s no assist for passthrough charging, an awesome function for lengthy cellular gaming classes. There’s additionally no touchscreen mapping, so no controller assist in a sport means you’re out of luck.
Learn our SCUF Nomad assessment for extra.
One of the best cellular controller for Nintendo followers
8Bitdo Final specs:
Customizable buttons |
13 |
Appropriate with |
iOS, Android, Home windows, Steam Deck, Nintendo Change |
Screenshot button |
No |
Weight |
607.8g |
Causes to purchase
- Snug, Nintendo-like design
- A great deal of customization choices
- Comes with a charging dock
Causes to keep away from
- On the dear aspect
- Switching between gadgets may be awkward
For those who’re a lifelong Nintendo fan, the probabilities are that there’s a sure sort of controller that you simply’ll really feel extra snug with. After all, Nintendo controllers have different rather a lot through the years, however this follows the identical kind of normal design philosophy and we reckon it’ll really feel acquainted to Nintendo followers.
It’s just a little on the dear aspect, but it surely does greater than sufficient to earn that larger price ticket. It’s broadly suitable with most platforms (therefore why it’s additionally on our greatest Nintendo Change controller record) so whilst you could purchase it to your cellphone, you would possibly discover different makes use of for it to (e.g. for PC gaming). In the meantime, it additionally comes filled with its personal charging station, which is very good when in comparison with these which don’t even offer you a charging cable.
Notably, this controller presents customers a great deal of customization choices. You possibly can basically re-map each button on the factor, so you’ll be able to tailor it to fulfill your wants precisely. You possibly can even save a number of profiles and alter them with simply the flick of a swap, which is useful should you plan on utilizing it for a variety of video games in several genres.
Learn our 8Bitdo Final Controller assessment.
Greatest cellphone controller for PlayStation followers
Spine PlayStation Version specs:
Customizable buttons |
iOS model solely |
Appropriate with |
Android, iOS (separate fashions) |
Screenshot button |
Sure |
Weight |
280.7g |
Causes to purchase
- Official PlayStation product
- Superb companion app
Causes to keep away from
- One of many costlier choices
- Some Android telephones gained’t match
If the controllers of Sony’s PlayStation are those you’re most acquainted with, then you definately’ll wish to have a look at the Spine PlayStation Version. It clamps to both aspect of your cellphone and offers you a similar kind of button format as you’d get on Sony’s household of consoles. It’s good for anybody who likes to make use of their cellphone to play Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, or certainly something on the PS Plush subscription service that may be streamed.
Although this is likely one of the most costly controllers on this record, we undoubtedly suppose it’s value it. Apart from its dazzling aesthetics, we discovered this to be very snug to carry, even throughout prolonged play classes. It’s the product of an official collaboration with Sony too, so it’s going to be a dependable product.
This controller additionally has a improbable companion app. Primarily, it acts as a hub for all of your cellular gaming wants, supplying you with a central level to seek out new video games. Whether or not a sport is free and simply ready to be downloaded, or locked behind a subscription service, the Spine app will inform you precisely the place it’s and the way to play it. It’s tremendous handy, and simply a part of the explanation we find it irresistible a lot.
Learn our Spine PlayStation Version assessment for extra data.
Greatest cellphone controller for Xbox followers
Turtle Seashore Recon Cloud Hybrid specs:
Customizable buttons |
2 absolutely customizable buttons, in any other case absolutely remappable |
Appropriate with |
Android, Home windows, Xbox |
Screenshot button |
No |
Weight |
303.3g |
Causes to purchase
- Official Xbox controller
- Ultimate for Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Snug
We’ve given an possibility for the Nintendo and PlayStation followers – now right here’s one thing for the Xbox followers. For those who wish to make the most of the streaming facet of Recreation Move Final, you’ll be able to preserve enjoying a lot of your favourite Xbox video games in your cellphone, and with the Turtle Seashore Recon Cloud Hybrid controller, it’ll really feel just about simply the identical because it does while you play on the console straight.
Much more excitingly, this might offer you a straightforward method to expertise Xbox video games with out even having the console. For those who have a look at our record of all Xbox Recreation Move video games on Xbox Cloud Gaming you’ll get an concept of what’s on there (and it’s so much). With Forza, Banjo-Kazooie, Halo, Sea of Thieves, Psychonauts, and rather more, you would flip your cellphone into an actual gaming hub, with the Turtle Seashore Recon Cloud Hybrid poised to be the proper controller for it.
After all, there’s no cause which you can’t use it for all of your different favourite cellular video games too. The one actual drawback with it’s that, because it is rather like an everyday Xbox controller, it’s not the simplest factor to move (even with the mount removable). It’s not prefer it’s unimaginable, however there are different cellular controllers which can be simpler to convey out and about with you.
Learn our Turtle Seashore Recon Cloud Hybrid assessment for extra data.
8Bitdo Zero 2
Greatest moveable cellphone controller
8Bitdo Zero 2 specs:
Customizable buttons |
None |
Appropriate with |
Android, iOS, MacOS, Home windows, Nintendo Change |
Screenshot button |
No |
Weight |
22.6 |
Causes to purchase
- Tiny, cute, and moveable
- Actually low-cost
Causes to keep away from
- Could also be too small for some players
- Battery life might be longer
Aw. Have a look at this cute little child controller. In order for you one thing which you can actually simply slip into your pocket, or perhaps even your pockets or purse, look no additional than the 8Bitdo Zero 2. This factor is so tiny, it’s truly fairly spectacular that 8Bitdo managed to make a useful gaming controller as small as this.
For those who suppose you may have an concept of how small that is, you’re in all probability unsuitable. Have you ever ever performed a Nintendo Change utilizing only one Pleasure-Con? For those who thought that was small, that is a lot smaller. In some respects, that’s actually cool, however in different methods, it’s just a little inconvenient, particularly should you’re any individual who has giant arms.
That is additionally an awesome possibility for anyone purchasing on a finances as a result of it’s fairly darn low-cost. We really feel dangerous criticizing it for being so small, as a result of that’s type of the entire level of it, and other than that, it’s a improbable controller that would do all the things you need it to.
How we selected the most effective cellphone controllers
There are a whole lot of cellphone controllers on the market, so how did we slender it all the way down to only a few suggestions? Properly, we play quite a lot of cellular video games, and so have used quite a lot of controllers, so we all know from expertise what works effectively and what doesn’t. Usually, we decide based mostly on the next standards:
- Pricing: Everybody ought to have an opportunity to play with a cellphone controller, however among the premium choices are particularly costly. We’ve included decisions to accommodate gamers on all types of various budgets.
- Button configuration: Everybody goes to have a sure sort of controller that they discover most snug – and probably that’ll be based mostly on no matter their first console was. We included choices which can be well-suited for gamers with Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo backgrounds.
- Portability: A few of the controllers (principally people who you mount your cellphone on high of, quite than slotting it in) are so much much less moveable than others. That’s nice should you get pleasure from enjoying in your cellphone at dwelling, however we wished to cowl extra compact choices for many who wish to sport on the go.
- Customization: For some players, having remappable buttons is great due to the comfort it brings. For others, it’s a matter of accessibility. So far as we’re involved, having quite a lot of choices for personalisation is an indication of a controller’s high quality.
- Compatibility: For those who solely play in your cellphone and also you get a controller that may solely work in your cellphone, then that’s nice. No drawback in any respect. However for players who sport throughout a number of platforms, it’d be good to have a controller with a broader pool of compatibility, and we’ve tried to incorporate choices that’ll work with numerous issues.
For extra about how we determine what to incorporate in our purchaser’s guides, learn our how we take a look at web page. For those who’re left with any excellent questions, learn our FAQs under:
What does a cellular controller do?
A lot the identical as some other controller. Whilst you can play cellular video games with the contact display screen, many players want the additional stage of precision {that a} devoted controller offers them – particularly in on-line video games the place they is perhaps enjoying towards folks utilizing consoles. They even the enjoying subject and assist improve your gaming expertise.
Can I play all video games with a cellphone controller?
Not all video games. Some cellular video games have been particularly designed to make use of the touchscreen interface. Nevertheless, with increasingly video games from different platforms changing into playable on smartphones, the worth of a cellphone controller will increase by the day.
Which cellular controller is finest?
We advocate that Gamesir X2 as the most effective cellular controller. Our cause for that is that it’s broadly suitable with most telephones, and it’s a snug, well-designed piece of drugs. After all, everybody may have barely totally different pursuits and desires, so if that one doesn’t do it for you, we reckon at the very least one of many others on this record will.
Cellular players can also get so much out of our record of the most effective moveable gaming consoles, and the most effective energy banks, so go give them a learn too.