Mobile gaming has, by now, phased out as a simple way to kill boredom on the go. In the meantime, full-fledged shooters, MOBAs, RPGs, and even smartphone strategy games are now possible where fast, responsive, and controlled inputs are necessary.
While mobile gaming isn’t necessarily bad, it also doesn’t run perfectly. Touch controls can be inconvenient, the sound on most smartphones and tablets is bad, and the battery routinely drains at an unpleasant time.
Smartphone Controllers
If you have ever played shooters or action games on a touch screen, you must have encountered the irritating situation of difficulties in aiming accurately or pressing the right buttons at the appropriate time.
However, this is a common issue, not only in action-packed games but also in strategic and slow-paced games like poker or other mobile gambling apps.
For example, you might accidentally make the wrong move when you play mobile poker and the stakes are high. This could be a result of pressing the wrong button on the smaller screen, such as a fold instead of a call, or even going all-in by mistake. Moreover, when we think of the casino, we see that the perfection of strategies and timing work hand in hand.
This is the same place where gaming accessories are trying to bring a little heaven to mobile players. Tools like joysticks for gaming and touch-sensitive screen pads boost your technological capabilities and improve your error-free gaming experience. In contrast, a mouse magnifier or a solid stand help you to stay detailed and protect your eyes.
The solution is simple – get a mobile controller. There are several types of controllers available for mobile devices:
Full-size controllers – these are essentially the same gamepads from consoles but with mounts for smartphones (Razer Kishi or Backbone One). They offer maximum control but are bulky and heavy, so carrying them around might not be very convenient;
Compact screen overlays – small triggers or sticks that attach to the smartphone. They are cheap and compact but may not be suitable for all games.
After testing a few options, we settled on the NYXI Master P1 Controlle. It's lightweight and compact, very tactile, and perfect for games like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact.
Gaming Headphones
Good sound in mobile games is a nice bonus and a real advantage. In shooters like Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG Mobile, it's essential to hear enemy footsteps, and in MOBAs, distinguishing team signals is crucial.
But most smartphones and tablets have subpar speakers, and playing on speakerphones isn't always convenient. That's why gaming headphones for mobile gaming were the next on our test list. You can choose between two options:
Wired headphones – minimal sound delay, no need for charging, but they can get in the way during active gaming;
Wireless headphones (TWS) – freedom of movement, but sometimes there’s a slight sound delay, especially if you're playing without aptX support.
We tested two models – Beyerdynamic MMX 330 PRO and Razer Hammerhead True Wireless (2nd Gen). The first headphones stand out for minimal delay and excellent microphone quality, perfect for team-based games. The second is a more compact option, convenient for carrying around. There's a slight delay in sound, but it's minimal.
Coolers and Cooling Fans
If you prefer playing heavy games like Genshin Impact, Fortnite, or Diablo Immortal, you've probably noticed that your smartphone can heat up to extreme temperatures over time. This makes the phone uncomfortable to hold and leads to throttling when the processor suddenly reduces its clock speed. Cooling devices like coolers and cooling systems handle this best, and you can find the following types:
Passive coolers – basic heat sinks or thermal pads that simply dissipate heat. They work weakly but do have a minimal effect;
Active coolers – real mini fans that attach to your smartphone and cool it down. These provide the best performance;
Liquid cooling – rare and expensive equipment, more suited for professional mobile gamers.
After testing, we found the Razer Phone Cooler Chroma to be effective. It’s an active cooler with a fan that genuinely helps lower temperature. It also has cool RGB lighting, which doesn't impact performance but looks great. If you want to save a little, the Black Shark FunCooler 3 Pro is a budget-friendly option without lighting but with excellent cooling.
Portable Power Banks
What could be worse than being in the middle of a match and seeing your phone battery drop to 5%? Modern games like Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, and Honkai: Star Rail drain your battery insanely fast, especially when played at maximum settings. That's why it's always a good idea to have a portable power bank with you – a must-have for mobile gaming. When choosing a power bank, pay attention to the following parameters:
Capacity – the larger, the better. For mobile gaming, an ideal option is 10,000 mAh, but if you play for long sessions, go for 20,000 mAh;
Charging power – if you have a phone with fast charging (Xiaomi, Samsung, or iPhone), choose a power bank that supports PD (Power Delivery) or Quick Charge. This allows you to charge your phone while playing without losing speed;
Number of ports – if you need to charge multiple devices at once, look for models with several USB-C and USB-A ports.
After testing several models, we recommend the Anker PowerCore 20,000 PD. It supports fast charging, provides up to 4-5 full charges, and has an optimal weight, making it easy to carry around.
