Best controllers for Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) 2023

Cloud Gaming has taken the world by storm, and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming (opens in new tab) (xCloud) service is at the forefront of it all. Xbox Cloud Gaming brings the fun and excitement of Xbox console games out of the home, allowing gamers to play on their personal tablets and mobile phones. On top of that, with the power of Xbox’s premium Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (opens in new tab) subscription, you can access hundreds upon hundreds of Xbox titles and play them wherever you are.

While some Xbox Cloud Gaming titles offer touch-screen controls, gamepad controllers are still vastly superior as they are more accurate and comfortable to handle. The coming of Cloud Gaming has brought about a never-ending wave of third-party controllers and gadgets that can transform your phone into a full-blown Xbox handheld console. Standard Xbox gamepads are still viable, but gamepads modeled after the Nintendo Switch (opens in new tab) and mobile-friendly mounts are a much better alternative for gaming on the go.

As there are so many controllers to choose from, we have compiled a list of the best Xbox Cloud Gaming controllers on the market to help you achieve the best possible Cloud Gaming experience.

Windows Central Best Award

Razer Kishi V2 (Image credit: Jez Corden | Windows Central )

Razer Kishi V2 Controller

The best overall controller for Xbox Cloud Gaming

Reasons to buy

+

Superb ergonomics.

+

Great joysticks and buttons.

+

Compatible with nearly every USB-C Android phone.

+

Elevates mobile and cloud gaming.

Reasons to avoid

The Razer Nexus app isn’t the best.

Recording and screen capture features could be improved.

The clamp doesn’t feel very sturdy.

The possibilities of cloud-streaming are immense – allowing fully-fledged Xbox games to be played on all types of mobile devices being chief among them. However, the harsh reality is that many of these Xbox console titles were never designed with phones and touchscreen controls in mind. Investing in an xCloud-compatible controller is the optimum way to go for the best Cloud Gaming experience, and our Razer Kishi V2 review shows it as one

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Best Xbox Cloud Gaming Controllers and Accessories in 2023

$70 at Apple

RiotPWR RP1950

Best controller for iPhones and iPads with USB-C ports

$44 at Walmart
Xbox Wireless Controller

Xbox Wireless Controller

Best universal controller for Macs and iPads

$16 at Amazon
OtterBox Mobile MagSafe Gaming Clip

OtterBox Mobile MagSafe Gaming Clip

Best MagSafe accessory

$12 at Walmart
PowerA Moga gaming clip

PowerA MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip 2.0

Best value gaming clip

$99 at Walmart
razer-kishi-v2-galaxy-s22-ultra-xbox-game-pass-dsc0834-closer-crop

Razer Kishi V2 for Xbox Android

Best integrated Android controller

$46 at Walmart
SteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming Controller

SteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming Controller

Wireless controller with rechargeable battery

$12 at Walmart
PowerA MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip 2.0

PowerA MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip 2.0

Value gaming clip for Android phones

No longer do you need to be tethered to your television, console or PC to play video games. Cloud gaming is a very real thing these days, and it’s actually a great way to play all of your favourites and the latest releases. Xbox Game Pass offers Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing you to access the entire Game Pass library on the go.

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 cloud. 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 $160 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

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