Playing on an Android phone or tablet is far better with a proper controller, and there are more good ones than ever. This guide covers seven standalone pads that connect to your phone, from budget options to the new Xbox Nano, while clip-on controllers that grip the phone itself get their own guide. Here’s what to buy.
Before you buy
Check how each pad connects to a phone. Bluetooth works on Android straight away, while 2.4GHz models need a dongle and many are wired or PC-first, so confirm Android support before you buy. Also check the game: most Android games need controller support built in, and cloud gaming apps work best with an Xbox or PlayStation pad.
8BitDo Pro 3: The best all-round pick
8BitDo’s Pro 3 is the safest all-rounder here, with a $69.99 RRP and more than 1,700 reviews at 4.5 stars. The listing names Switch, Windows, Apple and Android support, and 8BitDo says it has TMR joysticks, swappable magnetic ABXY buttons and a built-in charging dock.
It’s a Bluetooth controller with two back buttons and three custom profiles, according to 8BitDo.
Key specs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth (the listing names Android)
- Controls: TMR joysticks, linear Hall effect or tactile triggers, two back buttons, extra R4/L4 bumpers
- Extras: swappable magnetic ABXY buttons, integrated charging dock, 3 custom profiles
- RRP: $69.99
Xbox Core Wireless Controller: The one everyone knows
Microsoft’s Core controller is the familiar Xbox pad, with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips. It has more than 28,000 reviews at 4.6 stars and costs $46.70 on Amazon at the time of writing. Microsoft says you can connect over Xbox Wireless or Bluetooth.
It has a 3.5mm headset jack and takes AA batteries, so it works well for long cloud gaming sessions.
Key specs
- Connectivity: Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth
- Power: AA batteries (included on the rear)
- Controls: hybrid D-pad, textured grips, 3.5mm headset jack, Share button
- Price: $46.70 on Amazon at the time of writing
PlayStation DualSense: The PlayStation pick
Sony’s DualSense is the pad to buy if you stream from a PS5 or PS4, with more than 50,000 reviews at 4.7 stars. Sony says its dual actuators replace traditional rumble and it has a built-in microphone, and it has an RRP of $79.00.
The listing describes Bluetooth pairing and USB-C, and Sony says it works with PS Remote Play.
Key specs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth and USB-C
- Features: dual actuators, built-in microphone, 3.5mm jack, touch pad
- Works with: PS5 and PS4 via PS Remote Play
- RRP: $79.00
GameSir Cyclone 2: The fully loaded one
GameSir’s Cyclone 2 packs the most features on the list, with 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth and USB-C wired modes, and GameSir says it keeps a 1,000Hz polling rate wired or wireless. It costs $55.99 on Amazon at the time of writing.
It has TMR joysticks, Hall effect triggers and a 6-axis gyroscope, plus a charging dock that stores the dongle. The listing says it isn’t compatible with Xbox consoles.
Key specs
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth and USB-C wired
- Controls: TMR joysticks, Hall effect triggers with a micro mode, microswitch ABXY, 6-axis gyroscope
- Dock: aluminum dock that stores the 2.4GHz dongle
- Price: $55.99 on Amazon at the time of writing
abxylute C6: The budget Bluetooth pick
abxylute’s C6 is a cheap controller with Hall effect joysticks and triggers, and the listing names Android 8.0 or later. It costs $27.99 on Amazon at the time of writing, with more than 700 reviews at 4.3 stars.
abxylute says it polls at 1,000Hz in wired and dongle modes, and it has a 600mAh battery.
Key specs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, dongle and USB-C wired (the listing names Android 8.0+)
- Controls: Hall effect joysticks and triggers, turbo modes
- Battery: 600mAh
- Price: $27.99 on Amazon at the time of writing
8BitDo Ultimate 2C: The cheap wired-or-wireless option
8BitDo’s Ultimate 2C is the budget buy, at an RRP of $29.99 with nearly 8,000 reviews at 4.4 stars. It has Hall effect joysticks and triggers and remappable L4 and R4 bumpers, and the listing names Windows and Android.
8BitDo lists 1,000Hz polling over 2.4GHz and wired connections.
Key specs
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz and USB-C wired (the listing names Android and Windows)
- Controls: Hall effect joysticks and triggers, remappable L4/R4 bumpers, turbo
- RRP: $29.99
Xbox Nano: The pocket-sized newcomer
Microsoft’s Nano is its entry-level, pocketable controller, designed for smaller hands, at $49.99, and it arrives on November 4. According to Microsoft, it connects to Xbox consoles over Xbox Wireless and to Windows PCs, tablets, iOS, Android and compatible smart TVs over Bluetooth.
Its battery is rechargeable and internal, and Microsoft says the USB-C charging cable is sold separately. Battery life isn’t given, and Microsoft says it varies significantly.
Key specs
- Connectivity: Xbox Wireless for consoles, Bluetooth for Windows, tablets, iOS, Android and smart TVs
- Battery: internal, rechargeable (USB-C charging cable sold separately)
- Design: entry-level and pocketable, built for smaller hands
- Price: $49.99
Verdict
For most Android players, 8BitDo’s Pro 3 is the one to buy, and Microsoft’s Xbox Core is the safe pick if you play Xbox Cloud Gaming. Sony’s DualSense is for PlayStation Remote Play, GameSir’s Cyclone 2 is the feature-packed option, and abxylute’s C6 and 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2C cover the budget end. The Nano is the one to pick if size matters most.
It’ll be worth seeing how the Nano behaves with Android phones once it’s in reviewers’ hands, since Microsoft hasn’t spelled out every detail. Prices and availability can change, so keep an eye out for promotions.
