Our Experts
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET’s Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He’s also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
- Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
Best controller for iPhones as well as iPads with USB-C ports
RiotPWR RP1950
View details
Gaming on the go is easier than ever now, thanks to portable gaming options like Xbox Cloud Gaming. This means players can take any of their Xbox Game Pass games with them wherever. To make playing a little more comfortable, you’ll want to get the best Xbox Cloud gaming controllers and accessories.
First, a little background. Xbox Cloud Gaming, formerly Project xCloud, lets you play a subset of Xbox Game Pass games on a device other than a console by streaming them from the internet. It’s similar to Google Stadia (RIP) and Nvidia GeForce Now. To use it, you need to be an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, which costs $15 a month or $180 annually (with four three-month membership codes). For Windows PCs, it lets you play games your system might not otherwise have the power or space to run locally via Game Pass for PC. Navigate to Xbox Game Pass games on your console and look for games with a cloud icon, then click the “play” button.
Xbox Cloud Gaming requires a fast internet connection for smooth game streaming. I’m not reviewing it here, but I’m highlighting the best controllers and accessories to use with supported devices. As you might expect, the various Xbox controllers are the main options, but there are plenty of other controllers and accessories to choose from. Some are designed exclusively for Android phones, Windows PC and iOS devices.
Microsoft maintains a list of supported controllers, but you’ll find others that work. Initially, Microsoft said that if you’re using a web browser to play cloud games, the Xbox Wireless Controller was the only “officially supported controller.” However, most controllers I’ve tried — and every controller on this list — works for cloud gaming on a browser.
If you’re an Apple user, go to the Xbox website and sign in to the Microsoft account linked to your Xbox Game Pass, then tap the share button at the bottom of the screen and select Add to Home Screen. Android users can download the Xbox Game Pass app from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store (Samsung devices only).
Below, you’ll find my picks for the best Xbox Cloud gaming controller options currently out there. And I’ll update this list as more Xbox Cloud Gaming controllers and accessories are released, and we test additional products.
Best Xbox Cloud controllers for Apple devices
The Backbone One game pad uses a layout similar, though not identical, to that of Microsoft’s own Xbox controllers. But Backbone’s software is one of the keys to its success, and makes the controller an easy update for current owners wanting to get the new features. It’s compatible with all iPhones running iOS 13 or later.
For instance, it already has a dedicated gameplay capture button, it can tag gameplay and share as a link, it incorporates a dynamic feed and, because it’s designed for use with all mobile games, it can serve as a central hub for those titles.
” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”889dfa9e-da58-4c40-a3d0-c1ad31e2f107″,”slug”:”backbone-one-mobile-gaming-controller-for-iphone-turn-your-iphone-into-a-gaming-console-play-xbox-playstation-steam”,”name”:”Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone – Turn Your iPhone into a Gaming Console – Play Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, Fortnite, Apex, Diablo Immortal & More [FREE 1 Month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Included]”,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1710373291152}” overridecredit=”Backbone” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”86e67bde-cd5c-401f-ab3c-0d3e1f59dbaf”,”alt”:”backbone-one-xbox.png”,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”Backbone One”,”imageData”:{“id”:”86e67bde-cd5c-401f-ab3c-0d3e1f59dbaf”,”filename”:”backbone-one-xbox.png”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/8c71b306a3fbcd40476570ef48a25aa659cc3a2b/hub/2022/10/13/86e67bde-cd5c-401f-ab3c-0d3e1f59dbaf/backbone-one-xbox.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-10-13 18:40:56.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/8c71b306a3fbcd40476570ef48a25aa659cc3a2b/hub/2022/10/13/86e67bde-cd5c-401f-ab3c-0d3e1f59dbaf/backbone-one-xbox.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”Backbone One”,”imageAltText”:”backbone-one-xbox.png”,”imageFilename”:”backbone-one-xbox.png”,”imageWidth”:1600,”imageHeight”:900,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-10-13″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”b623w9hjurqyonz”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__aa656095-4717-4a31-bc6a-960fdb445bae” index=”1″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”hv14″ isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Backbone”>
The Backbone One is my favorite of the iPhone controllers that mimic the physical experience of the Nintendo Switch, although Razer’s improved second-generation Kishi V2 controller is a close second. As part of the Designed for Xbox program, it also has specific features designed to make you feel more like you’re playing on an Xbox or stand-alone device. The Backbone One is compatible with the Xbox app as well as the PlayStation Remote Play app. (And Backbone now makes a white PlayStation Edition of this controller.)
The Backbone One game pad uses a layout similar, though not identical, to that of Microsoft’s own Xbox controllers. But Backbone’s software is one of the keys to its success, and makes the controller an easy update for current owners wanting to get the new features. It’s compatible with all iPhones running iOS 13 or later.
For instance, it already has a dedicated gameplay capture button, it can tag gameplay and share as a link, it incorporates a dynamic feed and, because it’s designed for use with all mobile games, it can serve as a central hub for those titles.
Photo Gallery 1/1
Like RiotPWR’s earlier iOS controller, which is white, the black RP1950 is a more traditionally shaped Xbox-like controller that includes a mount for your phone. While there’s no built-in battery that keeps your phone charged while playing, like the Backbone and Razer Kishi V2, this model has a pass-through charging option if you want to hook up a separate Lightning cable to a battery pack or wall charger.
The controller is nicely designed and doesn’t feel cheap (the dock can accommodate a variety of iPhones, including larger iPhone Max models). Remove the dock and you can use this with any iPad that has a Lightning or USB-C port. To swap cables, you have to stick a paper clip in a hole in the bottom of the controller, which releases the cable module. It’s a little tricky the first time you do it, but once you figure out how it’s done, it’s pretty straightforward.
It’s also worth noting that even though this is called an “iOS controller,” it will work with Android smartphones and tablets that have USB-C ports.
” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo overridecredit=”RiotPWR” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”b38805a4-b24b-43fb-8c79-58231e0c5301″,”alt”:”The RiotPWR RP1950 cloud controller works with iPhone and iPads”,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”RiotPWR”,”imageData”:{“id”:”b38805a4-b24b-43fb-8c79-58231e0c5301″,”filename”:”riotpwr-rp1950.png”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/608cf0714405e882d28458517b729570aa4b7b0b/hub/2023/04/11/b38805a4-b24b-43fb-8c79-58231e0c5301/riotpwr-rp1950.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2023-04-11 19:29:20.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/608cf0714405e882d28458517b729570aa4b7b0b/hub/2023/04/11/b38805a4-b24b-43fb-8c79-58231e0c5301/riotpwr-rp1950.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”RiotPWR”,”imageAltText”:”The RiotPWR RP1950 cloud controller works with iPhone and iPads”,”imageFilename”:”riotpwr-rp1950.png”,”imageWidth”:830,”imageHeight”:523,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2023-04-11″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”wfkcjc1x11r5xm8″,”type”:”cross-content-listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cross_content_listicle__463d5a18-3d92-433e-8b24-8c6172e737e7″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”hv14″ isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”RiotPWR”>
I previously had the
Like RiotPWR’s earlier iOS controller, which is white, the black RP1950 is a more traditionally shaped Xbox-like controller that includes a mount for your phone. While there’s no built-in battery that keeps your phone charged while playing, like the Backbone and Razer Kishi V2, this model has a pass-through charging option if you want to hook up a separate Lightning cable to a battery pack or wall charger.
The controller is nicely designed and doesn’t feel cheap (the dock can accommodate a variety of iPhones, including larger iPhone Max models). Remove the dock and you can use this with any iPad that has a Lightning or USB-C port. To swap cables, you have to stick a paper clip in a hole in the bottom of the controller, which releases the cable module. It’s a little tricky the first time you do it, but once you figure out how it’s done, it’s pretty straightforward.
It’s also worth noting that even though this is called an “iOS controller,” it will work with Android smartphones and tablets that have USB-C ports.
The Xbox Core controller lists for $60 but sometimes sells for $50 or less. The Xbox Elite Series controller lists for $180, but can sometimes be found for closer to $150. While the Elite Series controller includes a rechargeable battery, the Core controller does not, which is the one irritating thing about it. You can find a full assortment of Xbox controllers on Microsoft’s Xbox accessories page.
Microsoft says that iOS 14.5 or higher is required for play on all Apple devices.
” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”3a45652e-23dc-46af-9bde-fd4a064fe4af”,”slug”:”microsoft-xbox-wireless-controller-gamepad-wireless-bluetooth-qat00001″,”name”:”Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller – gamepad – wireless – Bluetooth”,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1710373292994}” overridecredit=”Microsoft” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”13094f9e-5893-4d3e-a609-90b1bf6e8eb2″,”alt”:”Xbox Wireless Controller”,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”13094f9e-5893-4d3e-a609-90b1bf6e8eb2″,”filename”:”xbox-controller-for-xbox-series-x-s-one.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/0e769f374fe8bb3b718f2f4cb0cb75fd8b9627ec/hub/2020/12/18/13094f9e-5893-4d3e-a609-90b1bf6e8eb2/xbox-controller-for-xbox-series-x-s-one.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2020-12-18 17:27:29.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/0e769f374fe8bb3b718f2f4cb0cb75fd8b9627ec/hub/2020/12/18/13094f9e-5893-4d3e-a609-90b1bf6e8eb2/xbox-controller-for-xbox-series-x-s-one.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”Xbox Wireless Controller”,”imageFilename”:”xbox-controller-for-xbox-series-x-s-one.jpg”,”imageWidth”:4608,”imageHeight”:2592,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2020-12-18″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”ttiihw262y7w6nr”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__ec3c714c-63a7-4444-8ccf-0e8e2b23dc78″ index=”3″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”hv14″ isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Microsoft”>
If you have access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, you probably have an Xbox system, which means you already have an Xbox controller. Any Version 2 Xbox Wireless Controller with Bluetooth will pair wirelessly with everything from iPhones to iPads to Macs. You could also go the wired route with a Mac by plugging the controller into a USB port. Microsoft does sell a controller with a USB-C cable, so you can connect to the USB-C port on various devices, including USB-C-equipped Macs. (Make sure to update to the latest firmware on your Xbox controller.) This Bluetooth controller helps you stay on target with the new hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, and easily pair and switch between devices.
The
Microsoft says that iOS 14.5 or higher is required for play on all Apple devices.
” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”db2cce23-f411-4e58-b783-a8db4a7b993d”,”slug”:”sony-dualshock-4-gamepad-wireless-bluetooth-3001538″,”name”:”Sony DualShock 4 – gamepad – wireless – Bluetooth”,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”AUTOPID”,”mod”:1710373295446}” overridecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” overridecaption=”
You get one controller in the box, the DualShock 4. It’s pretty similar to the controller included with the PS3, but there’s a new Share button and a touch-sensitive pad along the top.
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”0fd54900-4b43-11e3-b8a9-14feb5ca9861″,”alt”:”Sony DualShock 4″,”caption”:”
You get one controller in the box, the DualShock 4. It’s pretty similar to the controller included with the PS3, but there’s a new Share button and a touch-sensitive pad along the top.
“,”credits”:”Sarah Tew/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”0fd54900-4b43-11e3-b8a9-14feb5ca9861″,”filename”:”Sony_PS4_35618167_09.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/6575dd10b95a2876a13a497f4f05ed54e0bb7f4c/hub/2013/11/11/0fd54900-4b43-11e3-b8a9-14feb5ca9861/Sony_PS4_35618167_09.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2013-11-11 13:07:09.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/6575dd10b95a2876a13a497f4f05ed54e0bb7f4c/hub/2013/11/11/0fd54900-4b43-11e3-b8a9-14feb5ca9861/Sony_PS4_35618167_09.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
You get one controller in the box, the DualShock 4. It’s pretty similar to the controller included with the PS3, but there’s a new Share button and a touch-sensitive pad along the top.
“,”imageCredit”:”Sarah Tew/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”Sony DualShock 4″,”imageFilename”:”Sony_PS4_35618167_09.jpg”,”imageWidth”:2818,”imageHeight”:2013,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2013-11-11″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”jbeusqa34z4wqyb”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__6ee95887-9683-4471-a713-da6089e3620c” index=”4″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”hv14″ isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET”>
While you’re probably better off using an Xbox controller if you have one, the PlayStation DualShock 4 Wireless Controller is compatible with Apple devices, including Macs, via Bluetooth. And what’s nice about the DualShock 4 is that unlike the Xbox Wireless controller it has a built-in rechargeable battery.
It’s on Microsoft’s list of supported cloud controllers but note that Microsoft says that if you’re using a web browser to play cloud games, the Xbox Wireless Controller “is currently the only officially supported controller” and, “Other controllers may or may not work for cloud gaming on a browser.” The DualShock 4 PlayStation Controller worked fine for me, though I did experience a touch of lag.
Note that the buttons are labeled differently from an Xbox controller’s, so you’ll want to check how they match up before playing.
” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”aeea65a7-9092-44b3-b951-9d8351289aac”,”slug”:”sony-dualsense-gamepad-wireless-bluetooth”,”name”:”Sony DualSense – gamepad – wireless – Bluetooth”,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1710373292656}” overridecredit=”Chris Parker/CNET” overridecaption=”
The DualSense 5 got hands-on treatment on Friday.
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”8e069068-1ac9-4fa4-9c76-cdf65d33fee8″,”alt”:”Sony DualSense Controller”,”caption”:”
Press and hold the PlayStation Button and the Share button to enter Discovery Mode.
“,”credits”:”Chris Parker/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”8e069068-1ac9-4fa4-9c76-cdf65d33fee8″,”filename”:”dualsenseconnect.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/4c59929e41b3ff870746525fd7efb7d55580daf3/hub/2021/05/06/8e069068-1ac9-4fa4-9c76-cdf65d33fee8/dualsenseconnect.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2021-05-06 21:25:08.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/4c59929e41b3ff870746525fd7efb7d55580daf3/hub/2021/05/06/8e069068-1ac9-4fa4-9c76-cdf65d33fee8/dualsenseconnect.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
Press and hold the PlayStation Button and the Share button to enter Discovery Mode.
“,”imageCredit”:”Chris Parker/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”Sony DualSense Controller”,”imageFilename”:”dualsenseconnect.jpg”,”imageWidth”:3840,”imageHeight”:2160,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2021-05-06″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”bpw4madbs2fny71″,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__68bddd23-43b9-4552-b882-8ffdf4382a67″ index=”5″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”hv14″ isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Chris Parker/CNET”>
If you own a Sony PlayStation 5, Sony’s new DualSense controllers do pair via Bluetooth with iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple TV, so long as they’re running iOS 14.5, iPad OS 14.5, MacOS Big Sur 11.3, TVOS 14.5 or higher. It’s an expensive controller if you don’t own a PS5, but it worked fine for me using an iPad. Again, the buttons are labeled differently from on an Xbox controller so just note how they match up.
Like its predecessor the DualShock 4, the DualSense controller has a built-in rechargeable battery. Here’s how to pair the DualSense controller.
