Which mobile game controllers are worth buying? Compare five picks from PopSci and GameSpot, from grips to Bluetooth pads, with 2024 prices and fit notes.
Mobile game controllers turn a phone into something closer to a handheld console, but the choices are confusing. This guide compares five picks from PopSci's September 2024 tests, adds notes from GameSpot's 2024 roundup, and explains the two main styles, wired and Bluetooth, so you can choose a controller that fits your phone and games.
Key Takeaways
- PopSci's September 5, 2024 test splits mobile game controllers into phone-fitting grips and traditional Bluetooth pads.
- Its five picks are the Backbone One ($99.99), Razer Kishi Ultimate ($149.99), GameSir G8 Plus ($79.99), Nintendo Switch Pro Controller ($69.30) and GameSir Nova ($29.99).
- Wired grips have no latency but use your phone's port, while Bluetooth pads work with more devices and need charging.
- All prices are 2024 U.S. figures and may have changed, so check your phone's connector and case before buying.
What Types of Mobile Game Controllers Are There?
PopSci describes two styles. Phone-fitting controllers attach to both sides of the phone and turn it into a handheld, much like a Nintendo Switch. They are compact and need no stand, but they add bulk and weight, and they can feel unwieldy or work less consistently with tablets.
Traditional console-style controllers pair with a phone over Bluetooth and also work with computers and tablets. They have a familiar layout and can double as a home console controller. The cost is that you need a stand or a case with a kickstand to hold the phone, and the setup is less compact.
GameSpot sorts mobile game controllers the same way, calling the first group grip cases and the second group standard controllers. It treats grip cases as the first choice for most people because they make the phone one handheld device, and standard pads as a good option if you already own one.
Which Mobile Game Controllers Are Worth Buying?
PopSci names the Backbone One as best overall at $99.99. It is a wired, phone-fitting controller with responsive buttons, a light 0.44 lb frame and a slim shape, though the small buttons are clicky. The Razer Kishi Ultimate is the best splurge at $149.99, with a console-like feel and wide device support, but it weighs 1.34 lb.
The GameSir G8 Plus is the best Bluetooth grip at $79.99. It is easy to set up and works with any device regardless of operating system, though it is built for devices up to iPad Mini size and needs charging. The GameSir Nova is the best budget pick at $29.99, with Hall Effect sticks and easy pairing.
For a traditional pad, PopSci picks the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller at $69.30. It is comfortable, has a long battery life and works with iPhone, but you will need a way to hold your phone. Its weight of 0.55 lb is low, and the Nova weighs 0.68 lb.
How Do Wired and Bluetooth Mobile Game Controllers Compare?
Wired controllers connect through the charging port. PopSci says they need no charging of their own and have no latency, but they occupy the phone's port and can scratch the underside of the phone if the fit is poor.
Wireless controllers connect over Bluetooth. They do not drain the phone's battery and work with non-phone devices, but they add some latency and need their own charging. If you play fast action games, the delay matters more, and if you play turn-based games it matters less.
What Should You Check Before Buying Mobile Game Controllers?
Check your phone's connector and generation first. GameSpot notes that the Backbone One and the GameSir G8 Galileo depend on the iPhone model, with USB-C for the iPhone 15 and newer and Lightning for older ones. A grip that does not match your port will not connect.
Check whether the grip fits your phone with its case on, since GameSpot warns that thick cases can cause problems. Then consider hand size, budget and what you play. Cloud gaming, console Remote Play and native mobile games each favor different controllers.
If you already own a pad, a clip may be the cheapest path. GameSpot lists a phone clip for the 8BitDo controllers at $15, and says standard pads such as the Xbox Wireless Controller usually need one. Our review covers the five PopSci picks, so it is not exhaustive.
Latency is easy to overrate. For most casual games a small delay goes unnoticed, so the practical difference is convenience: a wired grip draws power from the phone, and a Bluetooth pad keeps the phone's battery to itself. Think about how long your sessions run before choosing.
Which Pick Fits Which Player?
If you want one device that feels like a handheld console, the Backbone One and Razer Kishi Ultimate are the reviewed options. The Backbone One is lighter and cheaper at $99.99, while the Kishi Ultimate costs $149.99 and weighs 1.34 lb, so it suits players who value a console-like grip over portability.
If you play on several devices, the GameSir G8 Plus is the flexible option, since it connects to any device regardless of operating system. If you already own a console, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a reasonable choice, because it works with iPhone and doubles as a home controller.
If the budget is tight, the GameSir Nova at $29.99 is the cheapest pick in PopSci's test and offers Hall Effect sticks, which PopSci lists as a plus. You will still need a stand or clip for the phone, so add that to the total before you compare it with the grips.
Where Do the Two Reviews Disagree?
Both outlets rank the Backbone One at the top, but they describe it differently. PopSci lists it as wired over USB-C and recognized immediately by iPhone, while GameSpot says it uses USB-C or Lightning depending on the iPhone model. Treat the connector as something to confirm for your own phone.
The reviews also differ in their other picks. PopSci favors the Kishi Ultimate and GameSir G8 Plus, while GameSpot highlights the PowerA Moga XP7-X Plus and GameSir G8 Galileo. Both are from 2024, and prices and availability for these mobile game controllers may have shifted since then.