ELO Vagabond Mobile Gaming Controller - iPhone 15/16, iPad Mini & Android Phone Controller (USBC) - Call of Duty Mobile, PS Remote Play, Xbox Cloud Gaming & More - MFI Certified Phone Game Controller

I’ve used the Backbone and thought it was decent...until I got the Vagabond. This controller is on another level. The first thing I noticed was how much more comfortable it is. The joystick placement feels natural, not cramped like the Backbone, and the overall larger size actually makes it easier to hold for extended gaming sessions without hand fatigue.As for the features, everything advertised is spot on. It works seamlessly with iPhone without a single issue. The telescopic design feels sturdy and expands smoothly without any wobble. Gameplay is tight and responsive, with no noticeable input delay or lag whatsoever.One of the best parts is the ability to charge your phone while playing, (pass-through charging feature) and the port is at the bottom where you'd want it. My hands don't interfere with the charging at all, plus there's a 3.5 audio jack down there.Despite being lightweight, the build quality is solid. The buttons, triggers, and joysticks all feel premium and responsive.In terms of comfort and layout, it genuinely feels more like a console controller than anything else I’ve used for mobile gaming. It connects USB-C so you never have to worry about fiddling with bluetooth settings or drop outs.If you’re looking for a mobile controller that actually lives up to the hype, the Vagabond is it. It’s well-designed, comfortable, responsive, and just plain better than the competition.Oh and if you have dry hands like me...invest in a decent cleaning solution for the joysticks. They have GRIP.

I’ve put in 3.5 hours straight on this controller, and I’m not looking back. This thing crushes every other controller I’ve tried. The grip? Perfect – even with a chunky case, it fits like a glove, no adjustments needed. Controls are buttery smooth and precise, like console-level. Triggers and sticks are next level; they respond instantly, making those crucial moves feel natural.And the buttons? Satisfying clicks all around – none of that mushy, second-guessing nonsense. Bonus points for the back button lock, which keeps accidental presses out of the picture. Add in pass-through charging and a well-placed audio port, and you’re set for hours without skipping a beat. No exaggeration, this is the real deal for anyone serious about mobile gaming – blows all the other controllers out of the water.

When I first unboxed the ELO Vagabond I thought to myself "Wow they spent a good amount of their budget in designing the box and making it look good... they must be compensating for the actual performance of the device." But man was I wrong. The ELO Vagabond looks premium and most importantly FEELS premium. I have used the controller with PS5 Remote Play and it connects and works seamlessly. The hall sensor joysticks move so smooth but yet still allows total control when making precise movements. The controller also ergonomically fits my hands perfectly and totally resembles a more traditional console controller shape which to me was a big deal because I need comfort when gaming for a couple hours. Overall, I couldn’t be happier with the ELO Vagabond. It has defiantly exceeded my expectations. If you are on the fence, I really recommend you give it a try. This company seems really passionate in trying to create a gaming experience like no other and really want to deliver a premium experience.

Plug 'n' play worked right away. The construction of this controller does not feel as solid as the GameSir G8+, which is unfortunate when it's double the price. The controller body feels like cheap plastic, and the left side creaks when squeezing. It does not come with magnetic plates or include extra analogs like the G8+ either. It does come with a bunch of rubber adapters to help fit different phones. Even with these, it doesn't seem to fit the Pixel phones quite as well as I'd like, but I might just have to try different adapters.The LEDs are nice and just so happen to be my favorite color. The analog sticks feel good, however the grip material is too rough to the point that it begins to hurt to use after a while. The triggers feel slightly more responsive than the G8+ which is good. The back paddles have locking switches in case you don't want to accidentally press them. The d-pad is nicer than the G8+ as well, though still not perfect. It's a little too small and feels like it might be a bit too easy to accidentally press diagonals (actually you can see this yourself if you test the calibration: pressing very firmly on the down input will also press left, though you have to press pretty hard).I really wish the construction was better, but I'll probably stick with it since it works fine all things considered.