Different Recreation Controllers We have Examined
There are a number of different cellular controllers we examined that simply missed out on a spot above or did not make the grade.
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller for £70: The compact design is nice for portability, and Acer’s controller even folds in half to slip into your pocket or bag. You may plug in units as much as 8.3 inches in dimension by way of USB-C, and the controller has normal offset joysticks, 4 normal face buttons, and 4 shoulder triggers. The whole lot feels a bit cramped and fundamental; the triggers are OK, however all the things else feels a bit meh. There’s a USB-C port for pass-through charging, however it’s missing different options to justify the value (no Corridor impact, no customization, no software program). That is solely obtainable within the UK proper now.
Gulikit Elves 2 Pro for $50: The form is harking back to outdated Sega controllers, however Gulikit packed Corridor impact joysticks, 9 ranges of vibration, and six-axis gyro movement management into this Bluetooth controller. The shoulder buttons are good and clicky, and the floating 8-way D-pad is respectable for preventing video games and platformers, although it and the 4 face buttons use a membrane. It’s compact, so I discovered it slightly uncomfortable to make use of for prolonged durations, although I’ve huge arms.
GXTrust Mylox Wireless Mobile Controller for £45: This massive cradle-style controller connects by way of Bluetooth 5.0 reasonably than USB-C. It helps fundamental haptic suggestions and has RGB LED-illuminated buttons. It’s fairly comfy to make use of, however it feels kinda low cost, and regardless of the massive design, the buttons and triggers are small. I’m not eager on the D-pad. Should you activate the lighting, the battery life falls nicely in need of the 12 hours steered. That is solely obtainable within the UK and Europe.
Gamesir X3 Pro for $80: This replaces the X3 and stretches open to cradle nearly any Android telephone (or USB-C iPhones) in its rubbery embrace. It feels good, with customizable grips, clicky buttons, and Corridor impact thumbsticks with different-sized removable caps within the beautiful zip-up carry case. The headline function is the big fan on the again able to severe cooling energy, which might come in useful since smartphones can get uncomfortably heat while you’re gaming for a very long time, although I discovered the sound annoying, and the X3 Professional could be very cumbersome. The customization choices are welcome, however the GameSir app is a bit buggy and complicated.
Asus ROG Tessen for $104: My pleasure on the prospect of a cellular controller from Asus waned fairly rapidly once I began utilizing the ROG Tessen. It has a neat folding design, responsive controls, and pass-through charging. I preferred the programmable again paddles, and there’s RGB lighting to jazz it up. However the thumbsticks felt uncomfortable fairly rapidly, and the buttons proved slightly noisy. That is additionally Android-only and doesn’t work with any iPhones (even USB-C iPhones).
Gamesir X4 Aileron for $100: This controller has a lot going for it, together with a compact design, RGB lighting, Corridor impact sticks, and tactile buttons. It is available in two components, which is nice for folding it away neatly, however means you need to pair one aspect, then the opposite, and it may be finicky. It’s not a foul effort, however there are higher choices above.
CRKD Atom Controller for $20: This teeny tiny controller is tremendous cute and really moveable, with a wrist strap you possibly can connect with a bag. Battery life goes as much as 10 hours with a USB-C port for recharging, although I discovered it generally switched itself on in my pocket. It’s not huge or comfy sufficient to make use of for a very long time, however should you want a brilliant moveable emergency controller, it might match the invoice.
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
Turtle Beach Atom Controller for $50: With a intelligent two-piece design, this controller folds away neatly, however feels insecure and not using a again. The clamps on all sides are awkward, significantly with telephones sporting massive digicam modules. I had hassle connecting, and dislike that the correct aspect must be turned on individually (press the B and menu buttons). The proper aspect connects wirelessly (2.4 GHz), however the controller connects to your telephone by way of Bluetooth. It principally labored wonderful for me, however once I performed Jydge, the motion was inverted on the left stick. You get round 20 hours of battery life. It takes about two hours to cost. If portability is your predominant concern, it could be price a glance.
PowerA XP Ultra for $80: I like the concept of mixing a great deal of choices right into a controller, and PowerA’s loopy XP Extremely is actually versatile. It really works wirelessly along with your Xbox, Home windows PC, or Android telephone, providing strong battery life (as much as 40 hours by way of Bluetooth or 60 hours for Xbox). However the gimmicky mini controller that slides out, Transformer-style, for gaming on the go is just too small and onerous to grip comfortably. The buttons, triggers, and sticks are all good, and the clip works wonderful for holding your telephone, however the D-pad is stiff. All in all, it’s an expensive combined bag.
Riot PWR iOS Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for $20: It is a Made for iPhone-certified controller for Apple’s handset or iPad gaming (older Lightning port units) that boasts pass-through charging, direct Lightning cable connection, and a 3.5-mm audio port. It looks like an Xbox controller, helps Xbox Cloud Gaming or distant play, and comes with one free month of Recreation Cross Final. On the draw back, the cable is a bit messy. The Riot PWR MFi Controller for ($40) is sort of equivalent, however with out the garish inexperienced styling and coloured Xbox buttons. There’s a USB-C possibility too.
Turtle Beach Recon Cloud for $40: Right here is one other Xbox-branded controller that helps Xbox Cloud Gaming and Distant Play and comes with one free month of Recreation Cross Final. It feels good in-hand, has a strong telephone clip, and works with Android, Xbox, and Home windows. It additionally options some audio enhancements (when plugged in), programmable buttons, and a helpful Professional-Intention function that reduces sensitivity on the correct stick for aiming in FPS video games. It is a good improve decide over the PowerA controller listed above, however solely in order for you the additional options.
PowerA Moga XP7-X Plus for $94: This controller affords all the things the XP-5 X does, however you may also take away the stand within the middle to fit in your telephone (my Pixel 6 Professional matches properly). It’s sturdy, affords loads of buttons (solely a screenshot button is lacking), and may wirelessly cost your telephone. However it’s costly, has a Micro USB port once I’d want USB-C, and has solely a 2,000 mAh battery, so keep on with the XP-5 X except you need that spring-loaded cradle to suit your telephone in.
8BitDo SN30 Pro for $45: Conjuring recollections of the SNES, this controller works with Android, Home windows, MacOS, and Swap. It has built-in rumble, a strong D-pad, good battery life, and a USB-C port.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that is too necessary to disregard for simply $2.50 $1 monthly for 1 yr. Contains limitless digital entry and unique subscriber-only content material. Subscribe Today.
