Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
One-minute review
If you’re searching for a no-nonsense gamepad to use with your phone, then the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller is a solid choice. It’s light on features compared to some of the best mobile controllers out there, but it delivers good performance where it counts.
It’s only available with a USB Type-C connector, but is fully compatible with both iOS and Android out of the box. It can fit a wide range of devices too, ranging all the way from the iPhone 15 or most small Android phones to bigger options like the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It even comfortably fits an iPad mini or a small Android gaming tablet like the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3.
This is a huge advantage given its compact size, as tablet compatibility is normally reserved for larger models like the Razer Kishi Ultra.
Its thumbsticks are on the smaller side, but they’re perfectly smooth and responsive. The face buttons are a little mushy, especially when compared to the mechanical ones found on the competing Backbone One 2nd Gen, but thankfully never impacted in-game performance in my testing.
Aesthetically, the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller is on the basic side but elevated by small decals and red highlights. Its plastic and rubber construction is also nothing special, but it keeps the weight down and feels suitably robust for the price.
Although it lacks a headphone jack, which is a shame, the inclusion of pass-through charging is a win. It supports 18W fast charging when you’re using a compatible plug, too, which makes keeping your device topped up while you play a breeze.
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller: Price and availability
- Only available in the UK
- RRP of £79.99
- Easy to find for less than £70
The Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller is currently available in the UK with no official word on a US release quite yet. It is available via the Acer website for £79.99 (around $100 / AU$165), but can easily be found cheaper.
At Very, for example, it costs just £69.99 (around $90 / AU$145), which is a very competitive price and comfortably undercuts the £99.99 Backbone One 2nd Gen (when that latter controller is not on sale).
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller: Specs
|
Price |
£79.99 (around $100 / AU$165) |
|
Dimensions |
2.5 x 4.4 x 6.2in / 64 x 112 x 157mm |
|
Weight |
0.4lbs / 195.6g |
|
Connection type |
Wired (Type-C) |
|
Compatibility |
iPhone 15 Series, Android |
|
Software |
N/A |
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller: Design and features
- Folding design
- Compact and light
- Fits a lot of devices
The Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller clearly takes a lot of inspiration from the successful Backbone One, with a similar overall form factor and design. It’s two halves of a small controller separated by an extending mechanism that holds your phone.
Unlike the Backbone One, however, the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller can fold in at two points, making it easier to store and transport. This folding mechanism also has the benefit of increasing device compatibility, as it allows you to more easily fit it around larger phones or small tablets.
All the expected buttons are present, with a soft, rounded D-pad and conventional face buttons. The face buttons are on the spongy side, which is a shame, but by no means a dealbreaker. The start, select, home, and capture (that’s the little red one on the right-hand side) buttons, in contrast, are much more tactile and responsive and feel better to press.
The only other notable element on the front is a small indicator LED, which illuminates when your phone is connected. On the bottom of the right-hand grip, you will also find a Type-C connector that is used for pass-through charging. The controller supports 18W fast charging, making it very easy to keep your phone full of juice as you play.
At just 0.4lbs / 195.6g, it feels very light, but importantly, not cheap or poorly made. The plastic and rubber here isn’t quite as premium as that found on the Backbone One, but this seems fair given the difference in price.
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller: Performance
- No software required
- Small but comfortable
- Easy to transport
The Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller does not require any software. Simply plug in your phone or tablet and you’re ready to go. On one hand, I appreciate the simplicity of this. Sometimes, you really do just want something that will work perfectly out of the box without the need for any fiddling.
On the other hand, I do miss the many customization options offered by competitors. If you crave the ability to remap buttons or tweak the dead zones of the thumbsticks, for example, this is decidedly not the controller for you.
That aside, performance is good. The controller is small, but still suitably comfortable in the hands. Its analog triggers respond well in fast-paced games like Zenless Zone Zero or Call of Duty Mobile, and the mushy face buttons never falter under even the most rapid inputs. Alternatives like the Asus ROG Tessen perform noticeably better thanks to their more tactile buttons, but come in at a higher price.
The thumbsticks, while small, have a decent range of motion similar to those found on the original Joy-Con Controllers and are therefore a decent fit for most games. They do not seem to be using Hall effect sensors, though, which is unfortunate and seems like a missed opportunity for an easy win.
When the controller is not in use, its folding design and light weight make it easy to transport. I’ve been taking it around in my bag for weeks and have honestly sometimes even forgotten that it’s in there. It can even comfortably fit into the large front pockets of my coat, though your mileage in this regard may vary.
Should I buy the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
These two alternatives are slightly pricier than the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller, but offer greater functionality.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller |
Asus ROG Tessen |
Backbone One 2nd Gen |
|
Price |
£79.99 (around $100 / AU$165) |
$109.99 / £109.99 / AU$179 |
$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99 |
|
Dimensions |
2.5 x 4.4 x 6.2in / 64 x 112 x 157mm |
7.5 x 3.6 x 1.5in / 191.5 x 92 x 40mm |
6.93 x 3.70 x 1.34in / 176 x 94 x 34mm |
|
Weight |
0.4lbs / 195.6g |
0.29 lbs / 136g |
0.30 lbs / 138g |
|
Connection type |
Wired (Type-C) |
Wired (Type-C) |
Wired (Type-C / Lightning) |
|
Compatibility |
iPhone 15 Series, Android |
Android |
iPhone 15 Series, Android / iPhone 14 series, and earlier |
|
Software |
N/A |
Armoury Crate (Android) |
Backbone App |
How I tested the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller
- Tested for multiple weeks
- Tried with both Android and iOS
- Used in a range of games
I tested the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller over multiple months, using it as my primary mobile gaming controller. During that time, I tried it with both Android and iOS devices, mainly my iPhone 15 Plus and Porsche Design Honor Magic 7 RSR. I also tried the controller with my compact Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 gaming tablet.
I used the controller to play a wide range of games, including Call of Duty Mobile and Zenless Zone Zero, in addition to the likes of Hitman: Blood Money Reprisal, and more. Throughout my time with the controller, I compared its performance to my hands-on testing of many other mobile controllers, such as the Backbone One 2nd Gen, Turtle Beach Atom, Scuf Nomad, and Razer Kishi Ultra.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed July 2025
Read the full article here
