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Best Android Smartphone Controller Geeking Out 2025
As smartphone processors have grown more and more powerful so has the potential for gaming on your Android smartphone.
Whether you're just using your device's beautiful, high refresh rate display, to stream titles from the cloud or your console, or you're downloading games right to your phone, the mobile gaming experience can be so much fun...if you choose the right controller.
Top Pick For Android
Razer Kishi Ultra
Geeking Out Shop
Our top choice for a controller for Android phones is the Razer Kishi Ultra. The software is fantastic (our favourite for organizing your game library of all the devices we tested). It securely holds your Android phone while feeling solid in your hands. We've done a deep dive into all the reasons why the Kishi Ultra is a great choice as an iPad Mini mobile controller and most of those points are applicable to Android phones as well.
Geeking Out Shop
ELO Vagabond
Best Kishi Ultra Alternative
ELO Gaming is a Canadian company and they make excellent hardware. It seems like they tried every mobile controller on the market. Took note of what was wrong. And then build their own based on all the good stuff. The software experience is a little weak, but the hardware is amazing. Hall effect joystick and triggers as well as customizable button assignments make this a precise gaming tool. If you don't like the Kishi Ultra, then we whole-heartedly recommend the Vagabond from ELO.
Razer's best smartphone model
Razer Kishi (V2)
Best for Portability
If you're looking for something small to tuck into your work bag, or something collapsible for travel, then the Kishi V2 is a fantastic choice. When folded up, it is less than six inches long. But opens to support large screen phones like the Galaxy S23 at 6.1 inches.
The big drawback is device compatibility. While the website says it's a "universal fit" many newer Android phones just don't fit. I tried mine with the Pixel 9 (all models) and the OnePlus 12 and 13 (and R) models and the camera modules of these phones didn't allow the controller to properly hold the phone. Check the full list of compatible devices before you buy.
Best Known
Backbone One (Gen 2)
Geeking Out Shop
Backbone was one of the early embraces of gaming on smartphones. In fact, they were there before smartphone gaming was even good. Because of this, they had a head start on everyone else in terms of figuring out how to translate a smartphone gaming experience into something that felt like a console experience. And they do it very well.
The biggest downside with this controller is paying for the software which organizes your game library (among other things). If you're okay with adding another subscription to your credit card, their software is excellent at aggregating your on device games with those from services like Game Pass, Steam, Luna, and more.
Geeking Out Shop
GameSir G8 Plus
Most Versatile
This one is different than all the other controllers we recommended, because it relies on a Bluetooth connection rather than a USB C. By doing this, it gives you ultimately flexibility in how you place your device in the controller cradle which is perfect for Android phones that are particularly large or have oddly shaped camera modules. Based on [our full review[(https://www.geekingout.ca/gamesir-g8-review-good-android-and-iphone-best-nintendo-switch) of this device, it's a great pick for Android gaming. It's also amazing with the Nintendo Switch. It's chronologically at the bottom of our list, but truly is a top pick (and with foldables, the only pick in our opinion) for a quality smartphone gaming experience.
We are in a golden era right now of gaming on the go! And if you choose the right controller for your smartphone, you'll be able to tap into the fun!
After testing about a dozen different mobile controller options in the last year, we are ready to share our top picks for Android users.
We've narrowed down our list to our top five options. All of these are great, but you'll definitely want to think about how often you're going to use this. What features are most important. And what device you have as your daily driver (and any additional devices you might want to use with your controller). Hopefully this list provides some guidance on your gaming journey!
BEST OVERALL: Razer Kishi Ultra
After testing nearly a dozen different controllers and considering things like feel, functionality, portability, software experience, durability, and overall value, it truly was a close race. But overall, our top pick for the best android smartphone gaming controller is the Razer Kishi Ultra.
This is a premium feeling controller that provides a solid connection between your phone and the grip, making it feel like one complete unit. You can read our full review right here. Beyond the basics, there's additional buttons that are assignable for various games. A dedicated capture button for sharing your video clips. And a one-touch button to organize your library in their beautiful (and free) Nexus software (which actually works properly…more than we can say for some of their closest competition). Plus the haptics feel great during gaming sessions!
This is priced on the higher end of mobile gaming controllers and it's a little less portable than another favourite of ours (the Razer Kishi V2). It also supports small tablets with a USB C connection. It's not recommended for foldables (here's a better option if you have a folding phone), but for basically every Android phone we tried with it, the experience was premium.
Top Pick For Android
Razer Kishi Ultra
Geeking Out Shop
Our top choice for a controller for Android phones is the Razer Kishi Ultra. The software is fantastic (our favourite for organizing your game library of all the devices we tested). It securely holds your Android phone while feeling solid in your hands. We've done a deep dive into all the reasons why the Kishi Ultra is a great choice as an iPad Mini mobile controller and most of those points are applicable to Android phones as well.
If you're looking to spend your hard-earned money on a controller you'll enjoy without regrets, the Kishi Ultra is our top pick.
Additional Options
If for whatever reason you're not feeling the Razer Kishi Ultra, that's cool. We got you covered with some additional options that may better suit your needs.
Geeking Out Shop
ELO Vagabond
Best Kishi Ultra Alternative
ELO Gaming is a Canadian company and they make excellent hardware. It seems like they tried every mobile controller on the market. Took note of what was wrong. And then build their own based on all the good stuff. The software experience is a little weak, but the hardware is amazing. Hall effect joystick and triggers as well as customizable button assignments make this a precise gaming tool. If you don't like the Kishi Ultra, then we whole-heartedly recommend the Vagabond from ELO.
Razer's best smartphone model
Razer Kishi (V2)
Best for Portability
If you're looking for something small to tuck into your work bag, or something collapsible for travel, then the Kishi V2 is a fantastic choice. When folded up, it is less than six inches long. But opens to support large screen phones like the Galaxy S23 at 6.1 inches.
The big drawback is device compatibility. While the website says it's a "universal fit" many newer Android phones just don't fit. I tried mine with the Pixel 9 (all models) and the OnePlus 12 and 13 (and R) models and the camera modules of these phones didn't allow the controller to properly hold the phone. Check the full list of compatible devices before you buy.
Best Known
Backbone One (Gen 2)
Geeking Out Shop
Backbone was one of the early embraces of gaming on smartphones. In fact, they were there before smartphone gaming was even good. Because of this, they had a head start on everyone else in terms of figuring out how to translate a smartphone gaming experience into something that felt like a console experience. And they do it very well.
The biggest downside with this controller is paying for the software which organizes your game library (among other things). If you're okay with adding another subscription to your credit card, their software is excellent at aggregating your on device games with those from services like Game Pass, Steam, Luna, and more.
Geeking Out Shop
GameSir G8 Plus
Most Versatile
This one is different than all the other controllers we recommended, because it relies on a Bluetooth connection rather than a USB C. By doing this, it gives you ultimately flexibility in how you place your device in the controller cradle which is perfect for Android phones that are particularly large or have oddly shaped camera modules. Based on [our full review[(https://www.geekingout.ca/gamesir-g8-review-good-android-and-iphone-best-nintendo-switch) of this device, it's a great pick for Android gaming. It's also amazing with the Nintendo Switch. It's chronologically at the bottom of our list, but truly is a top pick (and with foldables, the only pick in our opinion) for a quality smartphone gaming experience.
Hopefully this guide has helped you get a better sense of what's out there if you're looking to level up your mobile gaming experience.
It might sound funny to call this out, but many sites don't actually test the products they recommend. In the case of every single controller we mentioned, we have tried them all with many, many Android smartphones (as well as a few Apple devices, tablets, and in the case of GameSir Nintendo Switch)
If you have any questions at all about the controllers, this is something I love to talk about so hit me up on Instagram and send me a DM if you want to discuss further!
Read more
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