I test mobile controllers for a living and these are the only Black Friday deals worth your time

Big savings on the Backbone One PlayStation Edition.

(Image credit: Future / Backbone)

Mobile gaming, we've all done it but if you frequently find yourself reaching for your phone to play the likes of Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, or Call of Duty Mobile then a high-quality mobile controller is a worthwhile investment. I test mobile controllers constantly and have spotted some fantastic Black Friday deals on some of my favorite models.

Leading the pack is the Backbone One 2nd Gen, which has had its price slashed to just $69.99 (was $99.99) at Best Buy. PlayStation gamers shouldn't miss the Backbone One 2nd Gen PlayStation Edition either, which is now just $69.99 (was $99.99) at Best Buy.

The best Black Friday mobile controller deals today

The Backbone One is probably the product that most would think of when they hear the words "mobile controller". It boasts clicky mechanical buttons, a compact design, and compatibility with loads of games. This is the USB-C model, but you can save on the Lightning version below.

Lightning: <a href="https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1943169/614286/10014?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fbackbone-one-lightning-mobile-gaming-controller-for-iphone-2nd-gen-black%2F6572162.p%3FskuId%3D6572162">was $99.99 now $69.99 at Best BuyUK price: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15618761?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3425424?clickSR=slp:term:backbone%20one:4:10000:1">was £99.99 now £69.99 at Argos

PlayStation fans should consider the PlayStation Edition, which is a perfect fit for PS Remote Play. It has a white, PS5-inspired design with the familiar DualSense button markings. As above, this is the USB-C model but the Lightning version for older Apple devices is discounted too.

Lightning: <a href="https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1943169/614286/10014?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fbackbone-one-playstation-edition-lightning-mobile-gaming-controller-for-iphone-2nd-gen-white%2F6572089.p%3FskuId%3D6572089">was $99.99 now $69.99 at Best BuyUK price: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15618761?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3425417?clickSR=slp:term:backbone%20one:3:10000:1">was £99.99 now £69.99 at Argos

With it's unique folding design and focus on performance, the Asus ROG Tessen is a good option for FPS fans. I think it's a little less comfortable than the Backbone One, but it has better buttons and thumbsticks. Which is the best for you is therefore going to come down to personal preference.

UK price: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FASUS-Controller-programmable-console-grade-passthrough-Black%2Fdp%2FB0BRYX6RQR%2Fref%3Dasc_df_B0BRYX6RQR%3Fmcid%3Dbd472ca3a2ce301bac7c4f91cd79b3b2%26th%3D1%26psc%3D1%26tag%3Dhawk-future-21%26linkCode%3Ddf0%26hvadid%3D710793696901%26hvpos%3D%26hvnetw%3Dg%26hvrand%3D7816799948164898921%26hvpone%3D%26hvptwo%3D%26hvqmt%3D%26hvdev%3Dc%26hvdvcmdl%3D%26hvlocint%3D%26hvlocphy%3D9045988%26hvtargid%3Dpla-2320098766798%26gad_source%3D1%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21">was £109.99 now £89.99 at Amazon

If you want a Bluetooth alternative to the Backbone One that actually comes in a little cheaper on sale, then the Scuf Nomad is for you. This was actually the model that impressed me the least during my testing, but for this heavily discounted price I think that it's pretty great value.

UK price: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FSCUF-Wireless-iPhone-Mobile-Controller-Black%2Fdp%2FB0D7D83HBN%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21">was £99.99 now £59.99 at Amazon

I have tested each of this mobile controller models extensively. In fact, all of them except the Asus ROG Tessen are sat next to me while I'm writing this.

The Backbone One 2nd Gen is, I think, the best all-round option for most players. It scored four out of five stars in my review, where I described it as a decent upgrade compared to the "already excellent original Backbone One model".

The Razer Kishi Ultra is then a seriously great high-end alternative. It scored a full five stars, as I thought that it is basically impossible to fault. The high price tag means that it's not something would recommend to more casual mobile gamers, but the die-hards will love it.

Tied with the Backbone One 2nd Gen was the Asus ROG Tessen, which scored four stars too. I was very impressed with its performance, which is elevated by excellent triggers and face buttons, but the slightly uncomfortable, almost angular grips held it back from taking a clear lead in my book.

Finally, the Scuf Nomad got a respectable three and a half stars. I branded it as "good, but not exceptional" at its retail price. It becomes a much better value buy with this current discount, however. At £10 less than the Backbone One 2nd Gen, I think it really gives that controller a run for its money.

If you happen to buy outside the US or UK and want to see some mobile controller deals in your region, you can check out the latest prices on some of these models below.

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Dash is an experienced tech journalist who currently serves as the Gaming Editor at TechRadar, where he helps oversee coverage of video games and related products.

Before joining the team, he was Contributing Writer at PLAY (formerly Official PlayStation Magazine) and has also written articles for many of the UK's biggest gaming magazines including Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX.

Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.