Even earlier than the Xbox Sport Cross launch, having the perfect cellular gaming controller was fairly necessary for cellular avid gamers. There are a slew of nice Android video games on the market that may be enhanced with the assistance of a controller, and actually, who actually enjoys utilizing the on-screen controls? However, in the event you’re out there for a brand new controller to reinforce your cellular gaming expertise and take it to the subsequent stage, we have you coated with the perfect Android controllers.
These are the perfect Android gaming controllers
Nacon created a power to be reckoned with within the MG-X Professional cellular controller, taking the perfect points of different controllers available on the market and mixing it with the ergonomic grips of an Xbox or PlayStation console controller. As a result of why repair what is not damaged? That design’s been proved to work, and it really works splendidly with the Nacon MG-X Professional.
In our overview we famous that its weight distribution felt good, retaining it from being too heavy in a single space like different opponents available on the market, and its face button format gave the buttons room to breathe as a substitute of being smushed collectively. This all makes for a way more comfy maintain and retains your arms from cramping after lengthy intervals of use.Â
With its Bluetooth connection, the MG-X Professional may also assist a greater variety of telephones, together with foldables just like the Galaxy  Z Fold 3. This additionally permits gamers to make use of with with their telephones instances, so despite the fact that it already had a safe maintain, there’s that additional peace of thoughts with added safety. Rounding it off with 20 hours of battery life, and it is arduous to go up the MG-X Professional.Â
A significant complain that lots of people have with Android gaming is that telephones can get actually sizzling, actually quick. It is probably not that huge of a difficulty in the event you can ignore the warmth whereas utilizing a controller, however that does not resolve the issue. Enter the Gamesir X3, which incorporates a built-in cooling unit on the again that makes a noticeable distinction with minimal sound.Â
Apart from its cooling fan, it is practically an identical in design to Gamesir’s earlier X2 mannequin. What’s completely different this time round is that as a substitute of providing Bluetooth and USB-C fashions, the X3 solely comes with a USB-C connector. That makes it sport a extra dependable connection for much less enter lag. Whereas it additionally limits the quantity of telephones with instances it is appropriate with, the USB-C connector on the Gamesir X3 will be adjusted a couple of centimeter up or down, making it simpler to mount a telephone and match telephone instances.Â
Its largest downsides are that it must be plugged in for the fan to work, limiting the instances it may well truly be used successfully, and its thumbsticks are nonetheless method too small for most individuals. Fortunately, the X3 contains some thumbstick covers within the package deal, as a result of in the event that they weren’t I do not assume I might use the X3 all that a lot.Â
Many sport builders took over the Play Retailer with telephones that characteristic higher specs than many computer systems. Name of Responsibility and Fortnite are nice examples, for starters. You should not need to cope with a third-party plastic clip, although, if you wish to play your telephone like an actual controller. With the Razer Kishi, you’ll be able to flip nearly any smartphone right into a Nintendo Swap, and you do not have to fret about Bluetooth connectivity slowing you down.
In our overview of the Razer Kishi, we discovered that the Kishi hits nearly each mark you could possibly need in a sport controller for Android. With cloud gaming changing into more and more well-liked, you may be joyful to know that the Kishi is among the really helpful controllers to make use of with NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW streaming service. Maybe the perfect half is that you’re going to by no means need to cost the Kishi because it plugs proper into your smartphone. There’s even a pass-through USB-C port accessible in the event you begin operating out of juice.
Whereas there aren’t many gripes with the Kishi, Razer did miss the mark in a number of locations. Notably, you will not have the ability to use the Kishi to play video games in your pc. Plus, the USB-C pass-through port can solely be used for charging, so there is no solution to plug in some headphones until your telephone has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Razer upgraded its already superb Kishi controller with the Razer Kishi V2, taking what it realized through the years and fan suggestions under consideration to design a product that felt significantly better to make use of and maintain. Although its thumbsticks are a letdown, and its answer to suit extra telephones with rubber inserts would not all the time hit the mark, its nonetheless a notable enchancment in plenty of methods.
Throughout our hands-on time with the Kishi V2, we discovered that the buttons had been clicky and responsive, providing the kind of tactile suggestions you’d need from a premium Android controller. Likewise, the D-pad near-perfect, and textured grips alongside the again go far in making it simpler to carry. As a consequence of its spring-loaded design, mounting telephones has additionally been made a lot simpler.Â
What makes it actually fascinating is the Razer Nexus app, serving as a hub for your entire cellular gaming wants. That is the place its buttons will be remapped and gamers browse catalogs of appropriate video games. Regardless of its shortcomings, many will doubtless choose the V2 over the Kishi’s unique design.Â
When you think about every little thing that the Razer Raiju Cellular brings to the desk: twin Bluetooth and wired connections, 4 multifunction buttons which you can remap to suit your wants, a hair-trigger mode for each left and proper triggers, and a telephone mount with a 60-degree tilt for comfy viewing angles. With all these nice options, the one factor which may provide you with pause is the value.
The Razer Raiju Cellular is a professional controller that feels completely balanced in your hand, even with a telephone mounted. That makes this an incredible controller for prolonged gaming classes, along with the 20-plus hour battery life and the extra-long braided USB-A to USB-C cable that you should utilize to cost the controller as you sport. The one problem I’ve had with it’s generally the grip will block the quantity controls or, in worst instances, put strain on the ability button.
Launched as a premium accent for the Razer Cellphone 2, the Raiju Cellular additionally works with two Android telephones without delay. That is one among my favourite options about this controller. There is a bodily change that permits you to pair and join to 2 completely different telephones. It is excellent in the event you intend to share this controller with different avid gamers.
SteelSeries has been delivering the perfect Bluetooth gaming controllers for Android, and the Stratus Duo is its newest and biggest. As soon as once more, the corporate has designed a cushty controller to carry. Nevertheless, this time it is with a chargeable lithium-ion battery and a Wi-Fi dongle that lets you simply as simply join it to a PC to play your favourite Steam video games.
The Duo has changed the Stratus XL as my favourite SteelSeries controller for Android. To begin, the controller is redesigned to be extra ergonomic, particularly across the high. The shoulder buttons are comfy, and the one factor lacking is a telephone mount (offered individually). Better of all, the rechargeable lithium-ion battery means I am by no means left looking for AA batteries like I used to be with the XL.
In case your childhood concerned spending numerous hours enjoying SNES, the 8bitDo SN30 goes to offer you all of the nostalgic feels.
The long-lasting Nintendo controller design is up to date with Bluetooth connectivity that lets the 8BitDo SN30 Professional work with Android, Home windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi, and even the Nintendo Swap. Such versatility will likely be particularly helpful in the event you occur to have a set of retro video games you like to revisit. Not so good is the dearth of a devoted energy change or button for pairing — as a substitute, you employ the Begin and Choose buttons, and that can lead to unpairing accidentally.
The SN30 Professional does an incredible job delivering all the trendy options we have come to anticipate from a top quality wi-fi controller. Not solely do you get the familiarity and luxury of the beloved SNES controller, but it surely’s additionally accessible in all of the traditional colours of the GameBoy Shade. A chargeable 480mAh battery powers every little thing, and pairing and resetting are achieved utilizing the Choose button.
Microsoft and Sony’s next-gen consoles are lastly right here, and with it, Microsoft has launched a barely redesigned controller. The Xbox Sequence X controller is appropriate with your entire gadgets (minus iOS), making this the proper method so that you can leap into Xbox Sport Cross and play some video games. Or, you’ll be able to simply use this as a daily controller to play your favourite appropriate Android video games.
The set off and bumpers sport a brand new mushy and textured grip, making certain you click on the bumper when that you must and never by accident slip onto the bumper. The brand new “hybrid d-pad” seems prefer it was introduced down from the Xbox Elite Controller, however this isn’t interchangeable just like the dearer model. Even nonetheless, Microsoft has made it to be able to customise and map a couple of of the buttons to your liking, relying on which sport you might be enjoying.
Battery life is form of a moot level with the brand new Sequence X controller, nonetheless, as you will have to depend on AA batteries for energy. The older Play and Cost equipment is appropriate with this, so you’ll be able to all the time decide a kind of up after the actual fact in the event you do not have already got one. And whereas there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack on board (just like the outdated model), Microsoft nonetheless has opted to not embrace a built-in microphone, so you may want a good headset in the event you plan on leaping on-line together with your buddies.
In idea, any controller that provides bodily buttons needs to be higher than touchscreen controls, however this isn’t all the time the case. I’ve handled loads of irritating Bluetooth connectivity points or laggy inputs when all I need is a extra comfy factor to carry in my hand than my flat smartphone.
That is the place I’ve come to understand the GameSir F2 Sport Grip. You should utilize it on virtually any sized telephone to offer your palms with one thing to relaxation on. After all, it takes a short time to get used to the place your thumbs naturally fall holding the grip versus simply holding your telephone. Nevertheless it does wonders in the event you regularly cope with hand fatigue after enjoying video games for a number of hours.
It additionally features a conductive joystick that rests on the display screen and allows you to management your character’s motion with a extra tactile response. It is a easy snap to vary its orientation or take away it altogether. And the grip may also be used as a kickstand for watching media or gaming with a Bluetooth controller.
Google’s Stadia Controller had a tough begin as a result of it required you to make use of it wired at launch until enjoying with the Chromecast Extremely as a part of the Stadia Founders Version bundle. All of these points have lastly been straightened away, and up to date updates made it potential so that you can go away the wires behind. That is the one solution to play Stadia in your Chromecast, but it surely’s additionally only a nice sport controller for the service total.
Coming from Google, you knew that there could be some Assistant-centric options in-tow. There’s not solely a devoted button for accessing Assistant however one other that makes it simple to share a clip to YouTube shortly. And you do not have to fret about coping with a cool design, as Google stored issues easy, and the Stadia Controller has a well-known and cozy really feel.
Outdoors of the Google Assistant integration, the value tag might be a bit steep for some. Plus, if you wish to sport out of your telephone and never on a Chromecast, you may want a smartphone clip to finish the ensemble. Lastly, you might run into points discovering this controller, because it’s solely accessible from Google and cannot be picked up out of your native big-box retailer.
When the Galaxy Observe 20 lineup was unveiled, Microsoft and Samsung took to the stage to announce that “Venture xCloud” was graduating from beta standing. Xbox Sport Cross is now right here in all of its greatness and PowerA was one of many introduced companions to carry a brand new controller to the lots.
The PowerA Moga XP5-X was designed with Xbox Sport Cross in thoughts and was designed with Microsoft’s assist. Two buttons will be personalized and reassigned, together with sporting a devoted energy financial institution to assist hold your smartphone chugging alongside for these longer gaming classes. And if you’re nervous about having the ability even to make use of your smartphone with the XP5-X, you’ll be able to throw these issues apart, as PowerA contains the finest sport controller telephone mount, which options as much as 220-degrees of articulation, offering the perfect angles potential on your cellular gaming session.
Whereas the XP5-X is designed for use together with your smartphone, they’re additionally appropriate together with your PC. Nevertheless, be sure to have a cable that is lengthy sufficient, as you could use a wired connection to make use of the XP5-X together with your pc. We might have preferred to see USB-C as a substitute of microUSB, as the previous has turn out to be the de-facto alternative for charging for a lot of equipment and smartphones. Lastly, in the event you plan on utilizing some wired headphones, you are going to have to plug them straight into your telephone, as there isn’t any 3.5mm headphone jack to be discovered on the controller itself.
This subsequent controller could look a bit acquainted, and that is as a result of it is nothing greater than a redesigned model of the SN30 Professional from 8BitDo. Nevertheless, this one is particular; 8Bitdo labored intently with Microsoft to create a brand new controller designed for Xbox Sport Cross (previously Venture xCloud).Â
This partnership with Microsoft is clear by the acquainted Xbox button positioned proper in the course of the controller. Nevertheless, in contrast to the usual SN30 Professional, this new model is a little more customizable. You can reassign the buttons, together with customizing the thumbtacks for higher precision and the triggers to react to how far you might be pushing them.
Whereas 16 hours of battery isn’t horrible, it’s kind of lower than we might have preferred to see. In case you are used to enjoying cellular video games with an even bigger controller just like the Xbox One possibility, then 8Bitdo’s controller might also be too small.
Take one have a look at this record, and you may see a few completely different 8Bitdo controllers that make nice Android controllers. Nevertheless, the 2 choices you see are extra like these traditional SNES controllers and are not precisely essentially the most ergonomic controllers. Nevertheless, 8Bitdo has up to date its lineup with the brand new 8Bitdo Professional 2, which has changed the 8Bitdo SN30 Professional+ that was accessible till earlier this 12 months.
With the Professional 2, you are getting a chargeable and replaceable 1,000mAh battery, which is rated for as much as 20 hours of battery life. The controller can also be designed like one thing you’d anticipate to see in 2021, falling in line extra with one thing just like the Xbox Core Controller or the Sony’s PS5 DualSense for higher comfortability. There is a four-way toggle to change between profiles and gadgets simpler than earlier than, together with the flexibility to make use of this on virtually any system save for an iPhone or iPad.
With the accompanying 8Bitdo app, you’ll be able to map any button on the controller to one thing else, offering much more controls over the way you play your video games. This contains the 2 new again paddle buttons that may be remapped, which is helpful for some, however the placement might find yourself in the best way in the event you by no means plan on utilizing them. And similar to a lot of the different controllers on this record, you may have to select up 8Bitdo’s telephone holder if you wish to sport on the go with out utilizing a stand.
The issue with a number of the finest sport controllers for Android is that they do not provide a one-size-fits-all strategy. Certain, they will work with most conventional sweet bar smartphones, just like the Galaxy S21 Extremely or OnePlus 9 Professional, however what about the perfect foldable telephones? Even the Razer Kishi works with the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, leaving choices just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Microsoft Floor Duo.
Enter the GameSir X2 Bluetooth. There are a number of variants of the GameSir X2, however this providing brings Bluetooth connectivity for this telescopic controller. The buttons had been improved to supply conventional AXYB placement and supply as much as 20 hours of battery life. The triggers are actually extra delicate than ever, offering you somewhat extra sensitivity when attempting to outduel an opponent in one thing like Name of Responsibility: Cellular.
With the brand new button format and high-sensitivity triggers, the GameSir X2 Bluetooth is a unbelievable companion for all cloud sport streaming companies like Google Stadia and Xbox Sport Streaming. Nevertheless, there are a few potential frustrations, as you will not have the ability to use wired headphones and as a substitute need to depend on the perfect Bluetooth headsets for Xbox Sport Cross. Moreover, some house owners of the GameSir X2 Bluetooth have reported some hiccups in relation to updating the software program, however this isn’t extraordinarily widespread, so your mileage could differ.
The Nintendo Swap Professional Controller is not the primary controller that involves thoughts when somebody thinks of enjoying video games on their Android gadgets, but it surely does work. Bluetooth connectivity means you should utilize Nintendo’s premium controller the identical method you’d any of the opposite myriad controllers round.
When you’re somebody who enjoys enjoying video games in your Nintendo Swap, Nintendo Swap OLED, or in the event you simply get pleasure from this specific controller and discover it comfy, seize one to reinforce all of your favourite Android cellular video games.
The battery could be very sturdy, lasting upwards of 40 hours on one cost. The controller makes use of asymmetrical sticks like an Xbox controller, so in the event you’re used to Microsoft’s controllers, you may discover this moderately related.
What are the perfect Android controllers?
The worth of a Bluetooth controller for gaming will proceed to develop with sport streaming companies like Google’s Stadia and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming, letting us do extra gaming on the go. To not point out, the rise of giant premium cellular video games like Genshin Impression and a number of the finest Android video games on the market. When you do not have already got a premium Bluetooth controller, it’s best to have a look at one thing just like the Razer Kishi, which is a part of Razer’s huge push into the cellular gaming scene.
The Kishi slides out and matches nearly each Android smartphone you could possibly consider with out worrying about Bluetooth. The built-in USB-C port ensures that you just will not find yourself lagging in the course of an intense gaming session when your teammates want you essentially the most. Razer even included a built-in USB-C port, which you should utilize for passthrough charging in your smartphone.
There are just a few minor qualms with the Kishi, with smaller smartphones probably affected by wobbling. Plus, you will not have the ability to take this controller to your PC or Xbox, as there isn’t any Bluetooth connectivity onboard. Nevertheless it’s our favourite sport controller for Android, and for good purpose.
