Backbone One (USB-C, 2nd Gen)
Our verdict · Turns a phone into a proper handheld for mobile, cloud and remote-play gamers.
Buy it if
They game on their phone, or use cloud and remote play (Xbox Cloud, GeForce Now, PS Remote Play), and want real controls instead of touchscreen.
Skip it if
They only game on a console, PC or dedicated handheld and rarely play on their phone.
Where to get it
Backbone One (USB-C, 2nd Gen)
From £80 (indicative; RRP around £100)
Indicative price at the time of review.
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The Backbone One is the pick for the mobile-first gamer, and it ranks fifth mainly because its usefulness depends on how much the recipient actually plays on their phone. It clamps around a handset to add real sticks, a d-pad, face buttons and triggers, with pass-through charging and a companion app that pulls games together and hooks into cloud services. The USB-C second-generation version fits recent Android phones and USB-C iPhones, so matching the connector matters. Compared with a full controller, the trade-off is context: it is only as good as their appetite for mobile, cloud or remote-play gaming, which is why its value score trails the picks above. Indicative pricing is around £80-100 (RRP roughly £100), with periodic sales lower.
The good & the bad
Pros
- Adds physical controls to a phone for mobile, cloud and remote play
- Pass-through charging and a companion app that ties services together
- Compact and portable, easy to slip in a bag
Cons
- Only worthwhile for people who game on their phone
- You must match the connector (USB-C) and check phone-case compatibility
How it compares
| Pick | WATTB Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless (Gen 2) | 92/100 | From £150 (indicative; RRP £179.99) | overall gaming gift |
| 2.Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 | 91/100 | From £145 (full edition, indicative; RRP £159.99; Core version around £105) | premium gift for console gamers |
| 3.8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller | 89/100 | From £45 (indicative) | value gift |
| 4.Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 | 87/100 | From £120 (indicative) | gift for streamers and creators |
| 5.Backbone One (USB-C, 2nd Gen)This pick | 84/100 | From £80 (indicative; RRP around £100) | gift for mobile gamers |
Key facts
- Best for
- gift for mobile gamers
- Typical cost
- From £80 (indicative; RRP around £100)
- Type
- Clamp-style mobile controller
- Connector
- USB-C (Android and USB-C iPhone)
- Charging
- Pass-through while playing
- Works with
- Native mobile, Xbox Cloud, GeForce Now, remote play
Insider tip · Confirm their phone has USB-C, not Lightning, and check whether their case needs removing, as a mismatched connector makes it unusable.
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 13 September 2026
- Updated
- 13 September 2026
- Last verified
- 13 September 2026
- Sources
- 8 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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