One of the best mobile controllers is essential if you’re serious about mobile gaming. No matter what kind of titles you play, a capable mobile gamepad is likely going to improve your experience. For pad-friendly games like Genshin Impact or Zenless Zone Zero, a mobile controller allows for a much more console-like feel and helps you avoid those smaller touchscreen cramps.
But the best mobile controllers are great for more than just comfort. For first-person shooters like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, a mobile controller can massively improve your precision with accurate thumbsticks and therefore lead to much better performance online. Even those who play retro games using emulators can benefit from a mobile controller, as physical buttons are more faithful to the layouts and feel of old consoles.
I’m an avid mobile gamer and have tested countless mobile controllers here at TechRadar Gaming, so I’ve put together this guide to help you find the best one for your needs. In addition to evaluating the individual features and performance of each model featured, I’ve also carefully considered the price to ensure that one is truly the best value option in its class.
Before I break down my top picks, if you’re looking to really upgrade your mobile play consider grabbing some of the best gaming earbuds to enhance your phone’s audio too.
I'm a dedicated mobile gamer with almost half a decade of experience writing about games and hundreds of hours spent in Call of Duty: Mobile and Zenless Zone Zero. I've also reviewed tens of mobile controllers for TechRadar. Before joining our gaming team, I worked at the UK's biggest PlayStation magazine and have contributed to the likes of PC Gamer, SFX, and Edge.
The Quick List
Best overall
The Backbone One 2nd Gen is the best overall mobile controller at its price point thanks to its wide compatibility, iconic design, and tactile clicky buttons.
Best budget
The GameSir X2s Type-C is an incredible value mobile controller that offers a comfortable design and reliable controls with few compromises.
Best premium
Although pricey, the Razer Kishi Ultra is quite simply the ultimate mobile controller right now and worth every cent if you have the budget.
Best for Call of Duty: Mobile
Speedy thumbsticks and useful rear paddles mean that the Asus ROG Tessen excels as a controller for Call of Duty: Mobile or other fast-paced FPS titles.
Best Bluetooth
The Turtle Beach Atom is an impressively compact controller and a good choice if you want something that uses a wireless Bluetooth connection.
Best mobile controllers in 2025
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Best overall
The Backbone One 2nd Gen is the overall best mobile controller at the moment and is a fantastic all-round performer. It was the peripheral to popularize the now common extending design, which can slide open to sandwich your phone.
It boasts wide compatibility with its Type-C connector, which works readily with both Android and newer iOS devices. With some small rubber adaptors included in the box, it can fit around most phone cases too. You don’t even need to worry if you own an older iPhone, as there are also Lightning connector variants available.
When it comes to performance, there are very few areas where you can fault the Backbone One 2nd Gen. It has robust face buttons with a lovely clicky feel, reliable thumbsticks, and a top-notch d-pad that’s a brilliant fit for 2D platformers. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is perfect for a wired gaming headset, and an additional Type-C port for passthrough charging - preventing your phones from running dry while you play.
While it works out of the box in a plug-and-play capacity, the compatible Backbone app boasts plenty of great features - including plenty of customization and an in-built game launcher. Just bear in mind that some app features sadly require an additional subscription to access.
For PlayStation lovers or those most interested in PS Remote Play, check out the dedicated PlayStation Edition. This variant is the same price as the regular black version but features an all-white design with PlayStation button markings to really channel that DualSense Wireless Controller goodness. The Backbone One 2nd Gen is my go-to travel companion, as it’s small enough to cram in a bag and works wonderfully with a wide range of genres.
- Read more: Backbone One 2nd Gen review
Best budget
If you’re on a tighter budget, then I highly recommend the GameSir X2s Type-C. This pad has a unique design inspired by the look and feel of the Nintendo 2DS, with a soft and spongy D-pad that will be immediately familiar to anybody who has used that handheld. Like the 2DS, it’s a lot cheaper than the competition and is easy to find at less than half the cost of the Backbone One 2nd Gen.
In performance terms, the GameSir X2s Type-C definitely punches above its weight. Its large flat shape makes it very comfortable in the hands, even over long periods of play. It also features Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers, which should help this controller last a lot longer than others.
Every game I played, be that the native Android version of Vampire Survivors or Far Cry 5 via Amazon Luna cloud streaming, felt snappy and responsive throughout. This model also boasts a unique movable Type-C connector, which can twist and pivot slightly when plugged into your phone. In practical terms this makes it much easier to attach or remove your device, reducing the chance that you might accidentally damage its charging port.
The only major downside of the GameSir X2s Type-C, aside from the annoying lack of a headphone jack, is its build. This is a controller that certainly feels cheap when you take it out of the box, especially if you’re used to more premium peripherals. It’s very lightweight and seems almost hollow in the hands though this isn’t particularly surprising and is acceptable given the low asking price.
- Read more: GameSir X2s Type-C review
Best premium
The Razer Kishi Ultra is expensive, but it’s truly the ultimate mobile controller for those with a healthy budget. It’s hands down the best mobile gamepad that I’ve ever used, even today, and offers a simply unparalleled portable gaming experience.
It’s supremely comfortable thanks to its full-size grips (which are roughly equivalent in size to each side of the Xbox Wireless Controller) and works with a wide range of both Android and iOS devices - including small tablets like the iPad Mini 6 or iPad Mini 7.
The quality of its controls is second to none, with smooth thumbsticks and Hall effect triggers in addition to a set of lovely mechanical buttons. I played a wide range of Apple Arcade titles using an iPad Mini 6 throughout my testing of this model and in every case I was completely blown away. Playing Sonic Dream Team and Honkai: Star Rail was the closest I’ve felt to a portable console experience, beating out even the Nintendo Switch OLED when it came to performance and visual quality. On top of bright RGB lighting, you also get remappable inputs next to the shoulder buttons which are ideal if you want to tinker with different control schemes.
If all that wasn’t enough, it’s compatible with the superb Razer Nexus app, which offers a dedicated launcher. It also has a supremely useful virtual controller mode that opens the door to compatibility with software that doesn't otherwise offer dedicated mobile controller support by letting you map on-screen buttons to different inputs. This was a particular blessing in League of Legends: Wild Rift, which is otherwise exclusively playable with touch inputs.
- Read more: Razer Kishi Ultra review
Best for Call of Duty: Mobile
If you’re a dedicated Call of Duty: Mobile or Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile player, then you’re going to need a controller that’s a particularly good fit for first-person shooters. That’s exactly where the Asus ROG Tessen comes in, with quick thumbsticks and shallow triggers that ensure you won’t be let down by your controller when you’re required to react quickly in a match. You also get two durable metal rear paddles, which can be mapped to functions like throwing grenades, reloading, or sliding so you don’t ever have to take your fingers off the trigger.
Like the Razer Kishi Ultra, the Asus ROG Tessen also features some strong RGB lighting that really adds to its aesthetic. It’s also one of the most portable entries on this list thanks to its overall light weight and a unique folding mechanism which allows you to fold the controller in half for easier storage.
One thing I did notice, however, was that the controller could become uncomfortable after playing for a few hours. It has quite angular grips, which I found could dig into my palms over time, though this shouldn’t be a concern if you’re playing games that rely on short, fast-paced matches.
With that in mind, the biggest downside of the Asus ROG Tessen is by far its limited compatibility. This is a controller that is exclusively compatible with Android phones, leaving iOS users with alternatives like the Backbone One 2nd Gen.
- Read more: Asus ROG Tessen review
Best Bluetooth
Those after a Bluetooth mobile controller should look no further than the Turtle Beach Atom, which is available in both iOS and Android variants.
Unlike the other entries on this list, this gamepad relies on wireless Bluetooth rather than a physical connector. This means you don’t have to worry about whether your phone has a Type-C or Lightning connector which makes it a good choice if you’re currently on an older device that you intend to upgrade soon and don’t want to lose access to your peripherals.
It’s also super portable, as it comprises two interlocking pieces that can combine together to slip in the included carrying case. Unfortunately, as a Bluetooth device you will have to charge this up separately to your phone - so make sure that you’ve plugged it in for a while before your next big trip. Luckily, its battery life is strong, with roughly 20 hours of juice which should be enough for even the longest of journeys.
While I think the buttons and thumbsticks are good, the D-pad leaves a lot to be desired in my eyes. It’s very flat, which makes it easy to quickly hit inputs if your fingers are on the thumbsticks but makes it a bit uncomfortable to hold down for any period of time. Your mileage with it is really going to come down to what games you play: if it’s something that requires frequent D-pad inputs, then you’re better off with an alternative like the GameSir X2s Type-C.
Otherwise, with a price roughly on par with the Backbone One 2nd Gen, this is a good Bluetooth alternative.
- Read more: Turtle Beach Atom review
FAQs
What is the best controller for mobile?
The best controller for mobile is largely going to come down to your own personal needs and budget. Having tested lots of mobile controllers, I think that the Razer Kishi Ultra is the best option on the market - but it is far and away the most expensive option here. The Backbone One 2nd Gen is therefore a great all-rounder, as it comes in at a more affordable price while offering great controls and a decent set of features.
What controller can I use for mobile?
You can use lots of different controllers for mobile, including standard standard Bluetooth controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller. I prefer dedicated mobile controllers, however, as they have been designed specifically for use with a phone. Most also feature a way to hold on to the phone while it’s in use, which makes it much easier to play portably.
What controller is best for Call of Duty: Mobile?
Based on my hands-on testing, the Asus ROG Tessen is a fantastic fit for Call of Duty: Mobile. It’s fully compatible with the game and compact, making it easy to bring out and about when you’re practicing matches on the go. It also features reliable thumbsticks, quick triggers, and fast, clicky buttons on top of two remappable rear paddles made of a durable metal material. It even has a strip of RGB lighting, giving you the ability to customize its look.
How we test the best mobile controllers
I have personally evaluated each of the mobile controllers featured on this list, in addition to a wide range of others including the Scuf Nomad, original Backbone One, Turtle Beach Recon Cloud, and Mobile Controller MG-X Pro. I’m a dedicated mobile gamer, trying products with a range of different devices.
I usually play on an iPhone 15 Plus or Samsung S23 Plus, though have also tried mobile gamepads with compatible tablets such as the iPad Mini 5 and Lenovo Legion Tab 3.
In addition to writing about games and gaming products for almost half a decade, I also test a wide range of other controllers at TechRadar Gaming, so I’ve garnered plenty of knowledge on what makes a particular controller worth your time and money.
