Turn Your Phone Into a Gaming Console With This $90 Snap-On Controller

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Mobile gaming has come a long way from endless swipes on Fruit Ninja. With today’s games offering open worlds, complex combat systems, and even the option to stream full console titles, the weak link is usually the controls. Touch screens get frustrating fast. That’s where a snap-on controller makes all the difference, and the Razer Kishi Ultra is one of the more serious options out there. At $89.99 on Woot (for the next three weeks or until it sells out), it’s a notable deal compared to Amazon’s $132 listing (down from $149.99), and even undercuts the lowest price it has ever hit ($99.99), according to price-trackers. Prime members get free standard shipping, while others will need to pay $6, though shipping isn’t available to Alaska, Hawaii, or P.O. boxes.

The Kishi Ultra feels less like a mobile add-on and more like a split Xbox controller. It’s bigger than most competitors, with proper grips and full-sized controls that make longer sessions less of a hand-cramp gamble. The triggers use Hall Effect sensors, so they’re smoother and more precise than the typical mushy plastic triggers you’d find elsewhere, and the mechanical face buttons click in with satisfying feedback. There’s also a proper 8-way D-pad for fighting games or retro titles, plus a couple of extra bumper buttons you can map however you like. Razer even added its signature Chroma RGB lighting around the edges if you want a little flair. And unlike other handheld controllers, this one doesn’t just fit phones; it can stretch wide enough to hold an iPad Mini, which makes it feel more versatile.

That said, you’ll need a USB-C device to use it, so anything older than an iPhone 15 is out. The upside is that the same port lets you double this as a wired PC controller, which extends its usefulness beyond mobile. Also, on iOS, cloud streaming support can be a little clunky with services like Xbox Game Pass, and there’s no virtual gamepad option, but for Android users or those who stream via Razer’s own Remote Play service, it works well, notes this PCMag review.