Mobile gaming has taken off in the last five to ten years, with games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG and more taking us out of the age of point-and-click games into one that is a bit more demanding. With that new age comes a need for mobile controllers, and we have tested a bunch at CGM this year, so we bring you our Best Mobile Controllers 2025 to get your game on this year.
The best mobile controllers bring versatility, compact design, wide compatibility and even style. This year, we have looked at mobile controllers from a variety of companies, but a few really stood out to us. Whether you choose ASUS, Razer or GameSir, these controllers have won our seal of approval, giving you our Best Mobile Controllers 2025.
ASUS ROG Tessen Mobile Controller
Weighing 136g, the ROG Tessen is an incredibly light controller. Its unique folding design allows it to compress down to a mere 94mm L x 92mm W x 85mm thick, making it ideal for small bags, purses, or, dare I say, even fanny packs (not an endorsement).
The controller is comprised of hardened plastic and aluminum. The result is an impressively sturdy, lightweight controller. This helps it stand out from many of the mobile controllers I’ve tested. Most opt for less expensive, thinner plastic designs, which, while lightweight, do tend to feel flimsy. The Tessen, by contrast, feels rugged and sturdy while still managing the aforementioned lightweight.
Thankfully, the Tessen does offer 18W fast charge passthrough. The USB Type-C port is strategically placed as well, making it easy to charge and play simultaneously. Again, ASUS has worked hard to design the ideal controller for longer mobile play sessions, and port placement on the bottom of the grip is one way they achieved this.
The ASUS ROG Tessen Mobile Controller for Android is a step above most mobile controllers on the market, offering a premium controller for mobile gamers.
- Portable design: Foldable design enables ultimate portability, easily slipping into any bag
- One size fits all: Includes support pads of varying thickness to accommodate phones and cases of all sizes
Gamesir G8 Galileo Mobile Controller
Crucially, the G8 Galileo also features three modes, which, outside of Android, include an iOS mode for iPhone use and a PlayStation mode, granting the ability to function with Sony’s official remote play app. Mobile games that only have touchscreen input can also be mapped to work with the G8 Galileo using Gamesir’s official app, which can be found on the Google Play Store.
Now, I’m not the biggest mobile game enthusiast, so the Gamesir G8 Galileo truly shined for me when I played some games over Steam Link and Remote Play. Starting with Remote Play on the PlayStation 5, typically, I use a third-party remote play app that allows the use of third-party controllers, but thanks to the G8 Galileo featuring a dedicated PlayStation mode, I could use Sony’s official app without any issues.
What makes the Gamesir G8 Galileo great is that it doesn’t feel like a mobile controller. Instead, both the left and right halves of the telescopic gamepad feel hefty, particularly the triggers and sticks, which feel like they belong on a console. If, for whatever reason, you do prefer the feel of a smaller stick, something reminiscent of a Switch Joy-Con, then Gamesir has your back, as the G8 Galileo ships with additional sticks, including an OEM-feeling Joy-Con styled stick and a larger Nintendo Gamecube-styled offering.
The Gamesir G8 Galileo bridges the gap between console controller and mobile gamepad, making it the best of both worlds for those who like to stream or emulate games.
- 🎮 Compatibility: Compatible with most Android devices and iPhone 15 series, and we recommended to use G8 without a case or use the case within 1mm. *Attention: When use the GameSir App, please use the firmware version 129.55-1.4, and the GameSir App is only for Android system, not for iOS.
- 🎮 Hall Effect Joysticks/Hall Trigger: GameSir Hall Effect sensing sticks deliver 360° seamless pinpoint control, provide the precision and durability that mobile gamers demand. And the Hall Effect analog triggers offer unparalleled smoothness and responsiveness, giving you a competitive advantage in any game.
GameSir G8+ Galileo Wireless Controller
The GameSir G8+ Galileo Wireless, as the name suggests, is a wireless controller that connects over Bluetooth, so the lack of USB-C makes sense. The only real tradeoff is not being able to charge your phone or tablet via passthrough and of course, no built-in DAC for plugging in wired headphones.
With Bluetooth, however, comes a snappier connection, free of the hassle of having to squeeze your phone into the tight grip or worrying about fiddling about in the Gameir app. Instead, simply pair the phone to the G8+ in accordance with the mode you want to use, which includes modes for native Android, PlayStation, Switch and a GameSir mode.
New features in the G8+ model include force feedback through the inclusion of dual motors, Gyro-aiming (particularly useful for Switch players) and my favourite addition, the option to swap the orientation of the face buttons, something that GameSir included in some of their previous offerings, but not on the original GameSir G8 Galileo controller.
Despite the GameSir G8+ Galileo Wireless essentially being a wireless variant of its older sibling, thanks to a more mature GameSir app, an easier and robust connection over Bluetooth, the inclusion of gyro and rumble, the GameSir G8+ Wireless Controller is easily one of the best mobile game controllers you can buy on the market.
The GameSir G8+ Galileo Wireless Controller is a nearly perfect iteration of GameSir’s earlier offering from earlier in the year.
- 🎮 Precision and Durability: Hall Effect sensing sticks and triggers offer precise, smooth, and durable control for competitive gaming.
- 🎮 Universal Compatibility: Fits a wide range of devices, including phones, Switch, and tablets, thanks to its extendable design.
Razer Kishi Ultra
The Razer Kishi Ultra escalates the product line’s form factor with proper controller handles and a sturdy spine—a huge improvement over the original iteration. Pairs of specialized rubber grips can be inserted into both ends to help support your particular phone model. With the right fit, the phone feels totally secure unless you separate the controller’s halves.
In this department, there’s a nice bonus: many models of phones will be able to fit in the controller without being removed from their original cases. It depends on the phone and the case, but I was able to use the controller with an iPhone 15 Pro, which is still in the standard silicone case from Apple, after fiddling with the foam inserts again.
This additional size enables one of the most ergonomically comfortable experiences I’ve had with a controller to-date. The Razer Kishi Ultra feels like a true console-quality gamepad, not just because of its paddles but because of its responsive inputs. All of the face buttons and various triggers and bumpers, even down to the joysticks’ clickable L3/R3 buttons, offer the sort of tactile feedback that helps you know you’re hitting your inputs right. My only sore spot in this regard is that the D-pad’s clicks are louder than I’d like, with a palpable clicking.
The Razer Kishi Ultra checks all the right boxes for a mobile controller, propelling the Kishi line to the top of the class.
- PC REMOTE PLAY — The power of a gaming rig now fits the size of a pocket; stream games using a PC and launch them directly from mobile devices for an immersive experience with sharp, smooth visuals
- FULL-SIZED FORM FACTOR FOR PHONES AND IPAD MINI — Game directly on a phone or unlock new levels of mobile gaming with tablets up to 8 inches for a view worthy of the best AAA games
