Xbox’s xCloud project has been completed to make way for the official launch on September 15th. From then on, anyone with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription can play Xbox games on their Android smartphone as a tablet. However, you will need a controller if you want to experience gaming over the cloud, and there are many different choices to consider, from official pads that require mobile controller clips to third parties that do not.
Fortunately, many of these options are pretty good, and provide unique but great experiences between each other. If you are looking for something similar to console and PC gaming, then there are a number of pads that provide that experience. However, there are also a few that can turn your Android smartphone into a handheld like the Nintendo Switch, making portability easy and fun. That’s why we’ve tested and identified the best controllers for use with xCloud on our Android phones.
We will keep this article updated as we test more controllers, clips, and devices, but in the meantime read on for our current review of the best xCloud controllers out there. Please note that the prices below indicate the regular price and do not reflect current discounts or fluctuations. Amazon tends to discount products on a regular basis so you can snag one of these controllers for a great price if you are patient.
Quick view: The best Project xCloud controller
Xbox One controller
The Good
- All xCloud games are designed with this controller in mind
- Reasonable price
- Long battery life powered by two AAs
The bad
- Requires a controller clip
The Xbox One controller is probably the most obvious choice for Project xCloud, though you may need a controller clip for the best experience. All xCloud games were designed with the Xbox One controller in mind, which means it will work perfectly with any title, including those using analog triggers such as racing games. A big bonus is that if you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you probably already have an Xbox One controller and are good to go.
Xbox One Elite Series 2 controller
The Good
- Premium build quality
- Comfortable handles
- Remappable rear paddles
- Interchangeable thumbsticks
- Adjustable analog stick voltage
- Up to 40 hours of battery life
The bad
- Expensive
- Interchangeable parts can be easily lost
The Xbox One Elite Series 2 controller has the most premium feel of any controller out there with its incredible build quality, clicky home button, and excellent hand and trigger grips. It has two different trigger stop positions, a number of interchangeable rear paddles and parts, and adjustable analog stick voltage – perhaps my favorite aspect of the controller is the included thumbsticks of Xbox 360. The Elite Series 2 pad also has three profiles that allow you to can store mappings of your back paddle, making it easy to change as you switch between games.
Unfortunately, it can be easy to lose the interchangeable thumbsticks, making it a risky option to take with you on the go. Despite this, the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller is one of the best controllers I have ever used, and thanks to its Xbox Series X compatibility, it is one that is worth buying. You just may not want to bring it on your shuttle.
Razer Raiju Mobile
The Good
- Full size controller that works great with all games
- Remappable buttons for back and shoulder
- Built-in adjustable phone clip
- Satisfied, tactile buttons
- Also works with PC
- Up to 23 hours of battery life
The bad
- Expensive
- Incompatible with Xbox consoles
Razer’s Raiju Mobile is an Elite-style controller that has a phone clip built into its chassis. The clip is adjustable and holds your phone in place while the Raiju Mobile connects via Bluetooth. This is an excellent all-in-one option that feels solid enough to survive commutes and road trips. The controller works well on PC, and it’s just as fun when you connect it to a mobile device.
In addition to the base, you can adjust the included back blades and extra shoulder buttons. You can remap any function on the controller to these buttons, allowing you to easily keep your thumbs on the sticks when you need to redo or perform another action. You can also activate the trigger stops to shorten the throwing of the Raiju Mobile triggers.
Razer Junglecat
The Good
- Attractive Nintendo Switch-like design
- Very portable
- Satisfied, clickable buttons
- Quick and easy Bluetooth connection
- 100+ hours of battery life
The bad
- Phone cases only compatible with a limited number of phones
- Digital trigger buttons are not great for some games
- Small size may take a while
- Incompatible with Xbox consoles
The Razer Junglecat is the closest thing you can get to the Nintendo Switch with your Android phone. The Junglecat controllers climb into the side of their phone case – like the Switch’s Joy-Cons – then connect via Bluetooth. And after the first time you connect them to your phone, it’s quick and easy to reconnect them.
The controllers also feel very similar to Joy-Cons, especially the analog sticks that look like what we see on the Switch. The D-pad is more similar to the DualShock in shape, although it is divided into four different buttons. These buttons are satisfactorily clickable, as are the bumpers and triggers. They’re a little tricky to get used to when playing Xbox One games – and unfortunately the triggers aren’t analog – but once you get used to the smaller size, they are an incredibly portable controller option.
While the Junglecat controller can connect to any compatible device, they only come with cases that fit a limited number of phones. Currently selling Razer Junglecat cases for the Razer Phone 2, Huawei P30 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S10 +, and Galaxy Note 9.
Razer Kishi
The Good
- Great feeling analog sticks
- Analog triggers work great with any game
- USB-C connection enables low latency play
- Compatible with most Android phones
- Does not require charge
- Includes a USB-C port for charging phones
The bad
- USB-C port does not work with USB-C headphones
- Mushy buttons make it feel less premium than other Razer controllers
- Incompatible with Xbox consoles
Razer’s latest mobile controller is similar to the Junglecat in that it turns your phone into something more like a Nintendo Switch. However, it is compatible with a larger number of phones, making it much easier to recommend. While Razer’s other two mobile controllers connect via Bluetooth, the Razer Kishi plugs directly into your phone’s USB-C port. All you have to do is adjust the belt, plug your phone into the Kishi and start playing. The Kishi does not need a charge and runs out of battery from your phone. Fortunately, it has its own USB-C port that allows you to charge your phone while playing.
As a controller, the Kishi has the same capabilities of a regular Xbox One controller, including analog triggers. The buttons and D-pad are not as satisfying to press as the Junglecat, and feel a bit mousey, but they still work well with every game. The analog sticks also feel more like a standard Xbox One controller than the Junglecat, making them a bit more accurate and comfortable. By all accounts, the Razer Kishi does not feel as premium as the other Razer controller, but it is still a great pad for xCloud gaming.
8Bitdo SN30 Pro
The Good
- SNES design is a classic for a reason
- Great feeling analog sticks and shoulder buttons
- Up to 16 hours of battery life
- Features remapping and customization via software
- Comes with controller clip
The bad
- Incompatible with Xbox consoles
8Bitdo makes excellent pads, including some of our favorite controllers. All of their Bluetooth controllers are compatible with Android phones and will work with xCloud, but the retro controller company plans to release a controller specifically designed for the Xbox streaming service.
The special Xbox SN30 Pro has the same design as 8Bitdo’s standard SN30 Pro, which resembles a SNES controller. Adding to the classic layout of the SNES, it has triggers, analog sticks and the menu buttons of the Xbox One. It also comes with a controller clip that makes using this controller with your phone much easier. If you are a fan of the iconic shape of the SNES controller, then the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro will certainly not disappoint. The Xbox version releases September 21st.
