The best mobile gaming controllers are excellent tools that allow you to play compatible games for hours on end. Whether you’re looking for an iPhone or Android controller, we’ve tested all the top picks (aka we’ve played a bunch of games on our phones) and have opinions on them all. Backbone makes the best mobile gaming controllers we’ve tried that’ll work for most people, but we also have solid recommendations for specific uses, like for pairing with smart glasses or a tablet.
Make sure to check out our related buying guides, including the Best Cheap Phones, Best Android Phones, Best Gaming Controllers, and Best MagSafe Accessories.
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Best Mobile Gaming Controller
The Backbone One is as easy to recommend as it is to use. Slot the connector—either USB-C or Lightning—into your phone and stretch the controller over the back. The buttons and triggers are clicky and responsive, and the controller feels comfortable for hours-long gaming sessions without being too bulky. It also has pass-through charging, a screenshot or screen recording button, a mute button, and a headphone jack.
Part of what makes all Backbone controllers so great is the manufacturer’s software and additional features. The controller supports a number of gaming apps and services, and the companion app is fantastic (though not required). My favorite bit is the list of recommended games with controller support. You can also use the app to message and party chat with your friends, stream directly to Twitch, record and edit videos in 1080p at 60 frames per second, and more. Some of these features are locked behind a Backbone+ membership, which costs $40 per year. The subscription is nice, but you don’t need it to have a great experience. The controller is also available in some limited-edition styles or platform-dedicated versions like PlayStation Edition, but the differences are cosmetic.
Officially works with iPhone, Android, Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox and PlayStation Remote Play, Amazon Luna, and Steam Link
Best Upgrade Mobile Gaming Controller
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Photograph: Louryn Strampe
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Photograph: Louryn Strampe
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The Backbone Pro expands on all of the features I loved about the Backbone One. The Pro is slightly chunkier, grippier, and more comfortable, and although my hands are small, I can imagine this is easier to hold for folks with larger hands. It has a quieter, more premium feel, and it still has the headphone port and pass-through charging capabilities of the One. The Pro feels just as ergonomic to me as a console controller, with no drawbacks or compromises. I liked the full-size joysticks, programmable back buttons, and Hall-effect rear triggers.
The Backbone Pro also has Bluetooth connectivity, which means you can use it with your phone, tablet, laptop, VR headset, and compatible smart TVs. You can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and switch between them with just a tap. If you’re serious about mobile gaming, or you want a comfortable controller that can swap between your devices seamlessly, I recommend the Backbone Pro. I think it’s worth snagging a carrying case like this one, though, to store it.
Officially works with iPhone, Android, Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox and PlayStation Remote Play, Amazon Luna, and Steam Link
Best Magnetic Mobile Gaming Controller
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Photograph: Louryn Strampe
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Photograph: Louryn Strampe
ohsnap!
Mcon Mobile Gaming Controller
The Mcon controller from Ohsnap has some quirks, but its general concept is neat. The MagSafe controller attaches to the back of your iPhone or Android phone (a magnetic ring is included for Android users, though Ohsnap recommends using a MagSafe case). Press the Eject button to pop out your phone, almost like you would with an old-school T-Mobile Sidekick, and reveal the D-pad, joystick, and buttons below. You can also pop off the entire magnetic component and use the built-in kickstand to prop up your phone while controlling it with the separate controller half of the device. There are hand grips you can pull down and out for added stability if you’d rather have a more traditional design than playing with a rectangular controller. The Mcon pairs with your phone via Bluetooth and has minimal latency, with recessed thumbsticks and buttons that feel satisfying to press.
There are myriad Mcon accessories that are neat, like the Key Cast or Dock, which can charge your controller (via USB-C) and cast your phone screen to a monitor or TV. I could see this device especially coming in handy for travel, given its compact size that you can slip it in your pocket—which is not true for many of the controllers in this guide. It’s also a great option if you’d rather play on your phone but not while you’re holding your phone.