Mobile gaming has become a rapidly growing market and more and more are looking to get an advantage over their opponents by using a controller. Check out the best Bluetooth mobile gaming controller for games such as Fortnite Battle Royale and Pubg.
We tried out multiple Bluetooth controllers and made a list of the ones that impressed us the most. Here is a quick rundown of our top recommendations:
- SteelSeries Nimbus
- SteelSeries Stratus XL
- Gamesir G3S
- Moga Hero Power
- 8Bitdo N30 Pro
- Razer Raiju Mobile
- Xbox One Controller
You’re probably wondering about how each of these mobile controllers made it to the top of our list of recommendations. To find out the answer, we have to take a look at what it takes to be one of the best Bluetooth controllers for Fortnite Battle Royale mobile.
Characteristics of a Good Bluetooth Controller
Just having any Bluetooth controller paired with your mobile phone is not good enough to give you a great Fortnite Battle Royale experience. Here’s what we were after every time we checked out a possible entry into our list.
Ergonomics
Being a fast-paced game, Fortnite Battle Royale is one of the most mechanically-intensive titles on both Console and PCs. Epic Games bringing Fortnite to the mobile platform further magnified that intensity, especially when compared to other mobile games. You should make sure that you’re picking a controller with good button positioning and a comfortable grip. Otherwise, you get very little benefits compared to when playing with your phone’s touchscreen.
Compatibility
Contrary to popular belief, not all Bluetooth controllers will work with your smartphone, let alone Fortnite Battle Royale. Android may not recognize the controller in the first place, and iOS devices usually support only MFi-certified options. Some controllers will even require you to modify your device (jailbreaking), which could cause you to get banned from playing the game. Other controllers that do work without jailbreaking may have other issues that could prevent you from playing in a matter of moments. We limited our choice to controllers that you can just connect to your mobile phone and get to playing ASAP.
Longevity
It’s not unusual for gamers to end up playing Fortnite Battle Royal for extended periods of time, even on mobile. That being said, get controllers that you know will not suddenly “die out” in the middle of a high-stakes build-off. A good Bluetooth controller has the battery life needed for hours of playing.
Our Recommendations
With these three factors in mind, let’s take a look at our list of the best Bluetooth controllers for Fortnite Battle Royale’s mobile version.
1. SteelSeries Nimbus
Works with – iOS
SteelSeries has always been a popular brand in the gaming industry thanks to their high-quality PC peripherals, but the Nimbus is specially designed for iOS devices. It’s a full-sized controller, so you won’t have to worry about making your hand cramp up just so you can press all the buttons properly.
The nimbus uses Bluetooth 4.1 to connect not just to iOS devices, and setting it up is a breeze. Last but not least, the Nimbus has an impressive battery life of 40 hours in a single charge, and because it’s compatible with your iPhone’s lightning charger, you don’t even need to worry about having to carry around too many cables for you to manage.
2. SteelSeries Stratus XL
Works with – Android
If the Nimbus is the go-to option for iPhone users, the Stratus XL is the SteelSeries pick for Android users. Don’t let the “XL” suffix and the beefy profile fool you; this full-sized controller is anything but cumbersome. The palm grips are wider compared to that of the Nimbus and they fit naturally in your palms even with a relaxed grip; you can hold the thing for hours without feeling any discomfort.
The Stratus XL uses AA batteries as its main power source, but you can always use rechargeable batteries if you don’t want to keep buying new ones every time the power runs out. There’s a clicker on the front part of the controller that shows you an estimate of how much juice is left in your battery so you can have replacement batteries on hand well before you have to worry about your current ones running dry.
3. GameSir G3s
Works with – Android and iOS
If you want a good all-around controller, you can’t go wrong with GameSir’s tried and tested powerhouse. The palm grips are a bit on the thinner side which works for small hands while still being comfy enough for large-handed users. The rubberized analog sticks and buttons feel just as solid (and well-placed) as that of any other full-sized controller.
While the G3s uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to your smartphone, it also comes with a detachable mount that you can use so you don’t even have to keep your phone propped up on a surface to start playing Fortnite Battle Royale. While the G3s is marketed as a controller for Android, PC, and PS3, you can pair it with an iPhone without any problem. Battery life is rated around 18 hours on a full charge, which takes a little over two hours. Sure, GameSir has released newer Bluetooth controllers since the G3s, but this one’s already a solid pick as it is.
4. MOGA Hero Power
Works with – Android, iOS
We were looking for a controller that will really complement gamers playing Fortnite Battle Royale on the go. We think few can come close to what MOGA accomplished with the Hero Power. Sporting an Xbox 360 button layout, the Hero Power is an improved version of MOGA’s Hero Pocket. This is the first mobile-exclusive controller on the list, and it shows. The controller is light and compact. It easy to carry with you and it has a built-in flip-up bracket where you can attach your phone.
The Hero Power works on either mobile platform, so compatibility is not an issue. The rechargeable built-in battery has enough juice so you can play out there for hours on end. What makes the Hero Power stand out is its ability to charge your phone. With Fortnite Battle Royal using up a lot of battery power, having a controller that doubles as a power bank is always a good thing.
5. 8Bitdo N30 Pro
Works with – Android and iOS
8Bitdo specializes in modern retro-styled game controllers. Their N30 pro is an attempt to bring the classic form to a functional Bluetooth controller. Inspired by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), it’s the smallest controller we currently have on this list. While this does compromise a bit of the ergonomics especially for large-handed players, you won’t have to worry about lugging a full-sized controller every time you feel like playing Fortnite Battle Royale on the go. You will have to get used to bumper and trigger buttons sitting side-by-side instead of front and back, which may take some getting used to.
The N30 Pro uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to both Android and, as an MFI device, iPhones. It’s also compatible with PC and even Nintendo Switch, so it’s also a great option to have around as a backup controller for your main gaming devices. With a rated battery life of 18 hours, this is one controller you can easily take on long road trips.
6. Razer Raiju Mobile
Works with – Android and iOS
Razer has been a mainstay brand for gaming peripherals for the PC gaming crowd. However, their shot at the mobile Bluetooth controller market proves that they can also do well on this platform. Although the original Raiju is a PS4 controller, we were surprised that Razer decided to have an Xbox controller layout for its mobile version. The Raiju Mobile also got a bracket for holding your phone which is always a plus for mobile gaming controllers.
The Raiju Mobile will let you play Fortnite Battle Royale on both Android and iPhone without any issues and even works if paired with a Windows 10 PC. Its built-in battery is rated at 23 hours on a full charge, which is one of the longest for a Bluetooth controller for mobile. Last but not least, you can always use a USB-C cord to switch the controller into a wired mode for even longer Fortnite sessions. We really consider this one of the best mobile controller for Fortnite.
7. Xbox One Controller
Works with – Android and iOS
Gamers playing Fortnite Battle Royale on Xbox One can now use their console’s controller to play the mobile version. The Xbox One Controller is considered the gold standard when it comes to wireless controllers together with its PS4 counterpart. However, getting the PS4 controller to work for Fortnite Battle Royale requires using 3rd party apps. On the other hand, the Xbox One controller is readily compatible with both android and iOS so it wins out in terms of versatility.
The Xbox One controller is mainly designed for hours of console gaming, so having a rated battery life of 30 hours on a full, 4-hour charge is definitely a major plus for playing Fortnite on the go. In fact, this controller works so well with the game that Epic games even lists it as one of the recommended options if you want to use a Bluetooth gaming controller.
Picking a Bluetooth Mobile Controller Based on Your Specific Needs
Our list of the best Bluetooth controllers for playing Fortnite Battle Royale Mobile gives you plenty of options. However, you still need to know which of these controllers will suit your mobile gaming needs the best. Since trying out every single controller is difficult (if not impossible), we came up with a quick guide to picking the best option for you.
- Start with how you plan to use the controller. Do you want something that can work on as many devices as possible or will you use it exclusively for playing Fortnite Battle Royale on a single device? Cross out any option that’s not readily compatible with your chosen platform.
- Do you mind carrying around full-sized Bluetooth controllers, or are you looking for something easier to carry around? You may have to get a dedicated carrying pouch for a bigger controller. On the other hand, smaller controllers are more portable but tend to compromise comfort and ergonomics.
- Do you prefer playing Fortnite Battle Royale with your phone on a surface? If not, then limit your choices to Bluetooth controllers with a phone mount or bracket.
- How often do you see yourself playing Fornite Battle Royale on Mobile? If you play almost exclusively on mobile, pick a controller with long battery life or something that can switch to a wired mode.
- Once you’ve narrowed down your list, check out which options will best fit your budget. Our recommendations vary greatly in terms of price but they’re all guaranteed to perform well considering their individual costs.
- We don’t recommend picking a controller solely based on brand or personal looks. The function should always be prioritized over form.
That’s it!
That wraps up this article on the best Bluetooth controllers for playing Fortnite Battle Royale on mobile. We hope this has helped you pick an option that will let you bring your A-game on your future drops. Got anything to say about our recommended controllers? Feel free to leave a comment below and keep an eye out for future Fortnite-related content!
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