Which gamepad to choose to turn your smartphone into a full-fledged gaming console. Sharing my experience

The world of portable gaming is all about accessibility. Especially now, when in order to play classic Zelda on the GBA, God of War on the PSP, and after spending an hour or two in Genshin Impact, you need one device – a smartphone.

But there is one factor that discourages those who want to have fun with mobile gaming: the lack of physical control functions. Therefore, over the past 10 years, a huge number of gamepads have appeared on the market, including for smartphones.

I myself have tried many different accessories and want to share my experience so that you do not waste your money. So what awaits you below advice list gamepads for comfortable use with a smartphone can be found on any wallet.

The global range of gamepads can be divided into two form factors: classical And pen-keys. One and two have their own outstanding representatives. There are pros and cons too, so let’s get into order.

1. Classic gamepads

My personal mobile installation

The main advantage of this form factor is that it is universal. The same device can be used with both a PC, a console, and a smartphone/tablet.

And if you already own a PlayStation 4/5 or Xbox Series, the basic gamepads from these consoles are ideal for working with a smartphone via Bluetooth. The only additional accessory you will need is a special mount for your smartphone.

In addition to official gamepad kits, of course, there are simply a huge number of component manufacturers. Among all, two names can be distinguished – GameSir and 8bitDO. It is this couple that maintains the perfect balance between price, functionality and quality.

Here are some of the most convenient and popular models from these brands:

Compact 8bitDO SN30 Pro

This is a small gamepad with a full set of buttons, vibration, a gyroscope and a 480 mAh battery. The average price is 2,500 rubles in retail and a little cheaper on AliExpress. If you need an inexpensive, but convenient and compact gamepad for your smartphone and PC, this is a great choice.

Featured wireless controller 8bitDO Ultimate 2.4G

A full-fledged controller with a comfortable grip, vibration both in the handles and in the jackets. In addition to the standard control buttons, there are additional “petals” on the back.

8bitDO has also developed excellent software for fine-tuning its gamers, including for iOS and Android. The price tag varies from 3 to 6 thousand rubles depending on the configuration.

The richest one will cost 6 thousand, but there will be a gamepad in an exclusive color, and it will also come with a beautiful charging station.

Convenient GameSir T4 Pro and GameSir T3s

These are two excellent gamepads in slightly different designs: the GameSir T4 PRO has an Xbox stick layout and RGB lighting, and you can also find an additional one on the back side. petals.

The T3s has symmetrical sticks, like a PlayStation, and no buttons on the back. Both multi-platform controllers work on both iOS/Android and PC. Software for home living.

The prices are extremely affordable. From 1100 to 1700 rubles on average for the T3 model and about 2500 rubles for the T4 model. As in the case of 8bitDO, you can find it both in our retail/marketplaces and on AliExpress.

Topic: Review of the popular gamepad GameSir T4 Pro. It is suitable for iPhone, Mac, Windows and even Nintendo Switch.

But what if you don’t want to keep your phone in a clip or need more portability? This is where gamepads of a different form factor come to the rescue.

2. Gamepads in the form of a grip case

One of the most ergonomic representatives of such gamepads is GameSir X3 Cooler.

This is currently the most form factor for a true portable gamepad, which practically turns it into a portable console.

There aren’t many of them on the market, but there are plenty to choose from.

Handy coolers GameSir X2 Type C and GameSir X3

Reversible devices from Gamesir. The first is notable for the fact that it connects directly to the smartphone via the Type-C connector. This will completely eliminate input delay and not occupy the Bluetooth channel.

However, there is an obvious caveat here: the accessory only works with Android devices.

The GameSir X3 cooler is primarily distinguished by a full-fledged cooling system located on the back of the device. At first it may seem that this is just a feature for beauty, but no. The smartphone actually heats up noticeably less.

This is what the GameSir X3 cooler looks like from the back. A cooler with a panel is a thing.

True, the cooler will not work if it is not connected with a wire to a power source.

GameSir X3 Cooler also has quite a serious package: there are additional sticks and buttons for replacement. Everything is magnetic and easy to customize.

The price for the set is around 9 thousand rubles and it is better to look directly on AliExpress. The younger version of the X2 Type C costs approximately 5 to 6 thousand rubles.

Grip case with Backbone One lightning

If you have an iPhone with Lightning, this will be your choice of accessory. The Backbone One gamepad can be found in two versions: regular and PlayStation edition. There are few differences between them; for example, the placement of the stickers is exactly the same. The difference is that in the PS version, instead of the usual letters, the creators added branded icons to the buttons, like on the bundled Sony PlayStation gamepad.

Backbone One has excellent compatibility with cloud gaming applications.

This is what the Backbone One application looks like. Very convenient and clear.

Along with this accessory, you can use special software from the App Store. This is not only a configuration tool, but also a kind of “shell” where all your games on the device are collected.

The use of excellent but with this very important disadvantage is that it is paid and uses a subscription method. However, the gamepad works fine without it, so it’s worth taking this into account.

Topic: The world’s first gamepad with a paid monthly subscription has appeared. This is the Mainline

For iPhone owners with Lightning, this is the best device. By the way, it already has a version with USB-s. It’s better to buy only on AliExpress, the average price is 13 thousand rubles.

These are the best gamepads I’ve tried. think and play with pleasure

To summarize, all that remains to be said is that mobile games are alive and beautiful in their flexibility. The abundance of various services and applications allows you to use your smartphone both for PlayStation 2 emulation and for playing Tower of Fantasy-level Action-RPGs.

From classic NES/SEGA/SNES games to late nights of mobile Call of Duty, there’s something for everyone. I hope that you will choose the most convenient namepad for your hands from those presented above, which will allow you to comfortably turn into exciting adventures on the small screen at any time.