The best Android gaming controllers in 2022

The Steelseries Stratus Duo is an extremely capable product for an everyday device. You can connect it to Android over Bluetooth as well as micro-USB whether you prefer to play cordless or with the least amount of delay possible. It feels weighty in the hand, bordering on a premium feel, with thumbsticks that are side by side, just like a Playstation controller.

You can also use the included wireless USB adapter to connect the controller over Wi-Fi to a PC, which means you don’t have to use this controller with Android exclusively. Between the affordable price, the versatility of its connections, and the fact it feels great in hand, is precisely why the Steelseries Stratus Duo is my Editor’s Choice. It’s a sturdy and reliable controller that won’t break the bank, and you can even use it to play Stadia, perfect for the Android ecosystem.

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The Razer Kishi has been a fan-favorite controller for phones since its release. It offers a standard console-like layout, with all the triggers and buttons needed to play modern games. The beauty is that the controller folds out to fit plenty of different phones, though you will be limited to devices that contain a centered USB-C port. Like a Nintendo Switch, this controller sits on each side of your phone in landscape, offering all the controls you would expect for modern gaming. The buttons are responsive, though if you have a large phone, your hands will be spread far apart. That can be uncomfortable if you don’t enjoy holding wide devices. Best of all, no setup is needed; just pop your phone in there, and it’s time to game.

The USB-C port is precisely how the controller offers low latency controls, as the controller is wired to your device. The good news is that you aren’t locked out of charging your phone since there is a pass-through USB-C port on the bottom of the controller. This means you can charge and play simultaneously. The controller is very lightweight, and since it folds, it’s easily carried around. More or less, Razer’s Kishi is an excellent controller that’s responsive and extremely portable, making it an outstanding choice for on-the-go-play.

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Rotor Riot may not be a household name, but if you’re looking for a wired controller, the RiotPWR ESL is a capable device. It’s all plastic, and it’s light in hand for those long gaming sessions. Plus, a phone clip is included, and the lightweight offers a counterbalance to a heavy phones. The lighter the controller, the better! What’s nice about the clip is that it’s easy to use, thanks to the inbuilt slot to attach it to the controller.

You don’t have to use the clip, but it sure is handy since the controller is corded. Even better, the built-in USB-C cord is bent at 90 degrees. So, you won’t have a cord sticking too far out as you play. If latency is a concern, say if you’re playing on Stadia a lot, then the RiotPWR ESL is a solid choice.

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The PB Tails CHOC is a stunning device, no doubt about that. Its sharp edges and clean lines make for something that looks pretty modern, and thankfully the sharp edges are more comfortable than you would think. Sure, this isn’t an ergonomic device, no doubt about that, but it is highly portable, and it comes with its own cute little shiny carrying case, so you can easily throw the controller in a bag. You can connect the device over bluetooth as well as USB-C, and even though it doesn’t look like it, all four shoulder buttons are available, but only on a single row. For a controller that started as a Kickstarter project, not only has it successfully come to fruition, it’s a capable little input device that you can tote around with ease that offers all of the buttons required for modern console games as well as mobile offerings. Plus, the controller works on Windows as well as the Nintendo Switch, along with Android, so it’s pretty versatile, too, if you happen to game on multiple systems.

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GameSir offers many controllers, but the F7 Claw is easily one of the weirdest. This controller is designed for tablets, and it’s advertised as a controller for FPS fans, though it’s also handy for tons of other games where you wish you had a few physical buttons at your disposal. You can use your thumbs on the screen like any touchscreen game since there are no thumbsticks, and this controller offers handy grips with a few extra buttons on the rear. Each side of the controllers’ handles helps to displace the tablet’s weight for comfy gaming. They attach with suction cups anywhere on the back, so the size of the tablet doesn’t even matter.

Of course, the star of the show is the L2 and R2 buttons on the rear of each grip, which you can easily hit with your middle fingers. There are also two turbo triggers available, out of the way but easily tapped with your index fingers, on the rear of each grip. You can program L2 and R2 buttons, and set them up to control needed moves, like a reload button or a button for switching weapons. So yes, the F7 Claw is fairly purpose-built. It won’t be for everyone since it doesn’t offer any thumbsticks, but it’s definitely a handy controller if you play a lot of games on tablets, especially if they’re competitive.

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A few controllers out there offer similar candybar clamp designs, including devices from Gamevice and Razer, and the GameSir X2 also fills this niche. What sets it above the competition is the fact that its clamps can fit anything that’s 167 mm wide, and since this particular X2 is the USB-C version, the USB-C is port adjustable up to a 51-degree angle, which means you can easily insert or remove a phone without risking scratches as you clamp and de-clamp. Oh, and since the device connects over USB-C, latency isn’t a concern, making it a prime candidate for cloud gaming. All of the required buttons for console ports and cloud gaming are included, and even though this controller can be wide (when playing on a large phone), it’s incredibly ergonomic, which is why it feels great in hand.

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When it comes to premium controllers, there aren’t many options out there. Microsoft has taken the lead in this niche with its Xbox Elite line, with the second generation as the latest option. Not only did Microsoft fix a few issues with the old Elite (like the pealing rubber), the company also added an internal battery while shifting to a darker metal for its shoulder buttons, sticks, and d-pad. Overall, it’s a sleek-looking controller that looks premium, and better yet, feels premium. Of course, Android support is why we are here, and the controller will work over bluetooth as well as USB-C. There’s a headphone jack built-in, which is great if your Android device does not contain one, and the controller comes with its own case to easily tote the controller around. So even though this is the most expensive controller in today’s buyer’s guide, you often get what you pay for, and frankly, if you require the cream of the crop, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 should be at the top of your list.

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The KeyMander 2 Mobile isn’t a controller, but it is a handy device for connecting PC peripherals to your Android phone or tablet. Essentially, the KeyMander 2 Mobile exists so that you can play mobile games with a mouse and keyboard, much like you would play games on a PC. Not only does mouse input in a game allow for greater accuracy, but the KeyMander 2 Mobile also offers custom key mapping and mouse sensitivity settings to dial in your preferred controls. There’s even macro support. Of course, this all adds up to a clear advantage for those using the Keymander, which may border on cheating, but there’s no denying the ability to use a mouse and keyboard with Android games is a novelty in and of itself.

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