I test mobile controllers for a living and these are the only Black Friday deals worth your time

Big savings on the Backbone One PlayStation Edition.
(Image credit: Future / Backbone)

Mobile gaming, we've all done it but if you frequently find yourself reaching for your phone to play the likes of Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, or Call of Duty Mobile then a high-quality mobile controller is a worthwhile investment. I test mobile controllers constantly and have spotted some fantastic Black Friday deals on some of my favorite models.

Leading the pack is the Backbone One 2nd Gen, which has had its price slashed to just $69.99 (was $99.99) at Best Buy. PlayStation gamers shouldn't miss the Backbone One 2nd Gen PlayStation Edition either, which is now just $69.99 (was $99.99) at Best Buy.

If you have the budget, you should absolutely splash out for the incredible Razer Kishi Ultra which is only $129.99 (was $149.99) at Best Buy. It's pricey, but it's easily my favorite mobile controller out there with great, comfortable controls.

Read on for further details about each of these offers and even more deals, plus the best prices in the UK right now.

The best Black Friday mobile controller deals today

Backbone One 2nd Gen
Backbone One 2nd Gen: was $99.99 now $69.99 at Best Buy

The Backbone One is probably the product that most would think of when they hear the words "mobile controller". It boasts clicky mechanical buttons, a compact design, and compatibility with loads of games. This is the USB-C model, but you can save on the Lightning version below.

Lightning: was $99.99 now $69.99 at Best Buy

UK price: was £99.99 now £69.99 at Argos

Backbone One PlayStation Edition 2nd Gen
Backbone One PlayStation Edition 2nd Gen: was $99.99 now $69.99 at Best Buy

PlayStation fans should consider the PlayStation Edition, which is a perfect fit for PS Remote Play. It has a white, PS5-inspired design with the familiar DualSense button markings. As above, this is the USB-C model but the Lightning version for older Apple devices is discounted too.

Lightning: was $99.99 now $69.99 at Best Buy

UK price: was £99.99 now £69.99 at Argos

Razer Kishi Ultra
Razer Kishi Ultra: was $149.99 now $129.99 at Best Buy

The Razer Kishi Ultra is a seriously high-end mobile gaming experience for those not willing to settle for anything but the best. It has incredible ergonomics, brilliant tactile buttons, and no shortage of software features.

UK price: was £179.99 now £129.99 at Currys

Asus ROG Tessen
Asus ROG Tessen: was $109.99 now $89.99 at Amazon

With it's unique folding design and focus on performance, the Asus ROG Tessen is a good option for FPS fans. I think it's a little less comfortable than the Backbone One, but it has better buttons and thumbsticks. Which is the best for you is therefore going to come down to personal preference.

UK price: was £109.99 now £89.99 at Amazon

Scuf Nomad
Scuf Nomad: was $99.99 now $59.99 at Best Buy

If you want a Bluetooth alternative to the Backbone One that actually comes in a little cheaper on sale, then the Scuf Nomad is for you. This was actually the model that impressed me the least during my testing, but for this heavily discounted price I think that it's pretty great value.

UK price: was £99.99 now £59.99 at Amazon

I have tested each of this mobile controller models extensively. In fact, all of them except the Asus ROG Tessen are sat next to me while I'm writing this.

The Backbone One 2nd Gen is, I think, the best all-round option for most players. It scored four out of five stars in my review, where I described it as a decent upgrade compared to the "already excellent original Backbone One model".

The Razer Kishi Ultra is then a seriously great high-end alternative. It scored a full five stars, as I thought that it is basically impossible to fault. The high price tag means that it's not something would recommend to more casual mobile gamers, but the die-hards will love it.

Tied with the Backbone One 2nd Gen was the Asus ROG Tessen, which scored four stars too. I was very impressed with its performance, which is elevated by excellent triggers and face buttons, but the slightly uncomfortable, almost angular grips held it back from taking a clear lead in my book.

Finally, the Scuf Nomad got a respectable three and a half stars. I branded it as "good, but not exceptional" at its retail price. It becomes a much better value buy with this current discount, however. At £10 less than the Backbone One 2nd Gen, I think it really gives that controller a run for its money.

If you happen to buy outside the US or UK and want to see some mobile controller deals in your region, you can check out the latest prices on some of these models below.

Dashiell Wood
Hardware Writer

Dash is a technology journalist who covers gaming hardware at TechRadar. Before joining the TechRadar team, he was writing gaming articles for some of the UK's biggest magazines including PLAY, Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX. Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.

Read more
A lowest-ever price on the Razer Kishi Ultra.
My favorite mobile controller has never been cheaper at Amazon
Razer Kishi Ultra Gaming Controller on cyan background with TechRadar lowest price sign
Our top-rated mobile gaming controller just dropped back to its lowest price
A lowest-ever price on the Razer Kishi Ultra.
I can't believe the best mobile controller I've ever tested is back down to its lowest-ever price
The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro on a colorful desk mat.
The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro is the most disappointing mobile controller that I’ve ever tested
Best Xbox controllers 2025
The best Xbox controllers in 2025: top gamepads from Razer, Turtle Beach, GameSir and more
Xbox Wireless Controller – Ghost Cipher Special Edition
Amazon's Xbox Wireless Controller deals are pretty stellar, but stock is selling through fast
Latest in Gaming
Lego Mario Kart – Mario & Standard Kart set on a shelf.
Lego just celebrated Mario Day in the best way possible, with an incredible Mario Kart set that's up for preorder now
Sam Porter cradles a baby
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach trailer confirms June release date and an even more harrowing post-apocalyptic world
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, March 11 (game #639)
The black Xbox Series S 1TB on a colorful desk mat alongside a matching controller.
The next Xbox could simply be a PC in a 'TV-friendly shell' per latest rumor
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows PS5 Pro details have been revealed and the biggest difference appears to be ray tracing
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 10 (game #638)
Latest in Deals
Apple Watch SE, Garmin Forerunner 55, Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
Amazon secret smartwatch sale! Grab an Apple Watch SE, Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, or Garmin Forerunner 55 for under $170
Apple MacBook Air M3 on yellow background with lowest price text overlay
Forget the MacBook Air M4: here are 9 older-model MacBook deals from $629.99
March Madness TV deals
Best Buy just launched a mega March Madness TV sale: record-low prices from $259.99
Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones in cappuccino color on cyan radar background with price cut sign
These excellent cheap Sony headphones are now just $38 at Amazon
The Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4-Series TV on a red background with text saying Big Savings.
Snag this super-cheap 43-inch Amazon Fire TV for a record-low price
The Apple AirPods 4 on a blue background with text saying Lowest Price.
Quick! The Apple AirPods 4 are back down to under $100 at Amazon