Owning one of the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessories is the perfect way to enhance your experience. Microsoft’s premiere cloud gaming option works seamlessly on iOS and Android devices, so if you want to get the most out of your gaming headset, investing in some of the best gaming accessories is the best way to enhance your experience.
Whether you’re using one of the best gaming phones, or one of the best phones in general, you’re sure to be pleased with our top picks for the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessories.
There are more options than ever when it comes to gamepads and grips for more traditional controllers. If you’re someone who wants the best of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate wherever you go, these budget and premium deals will make you feel right at home.
We rate the Xbox Series X highly, and if you want to know how to maximize your Microsoft gaming setup, we’re here to help. We also round up the best Xbox Series X accessories for the best Xbox Game Pass games.
The best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessories in 2023
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The Backbone One iOS easily ranks among the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessories if you have an iPhone handy. In our testing, we couldn’t fault this mobile controller much as we found its overall design to be superior to many other offerings in this price range.
The Backbone One iOS retails for $99.99 / £99.99 which means it’s not the cheapest deal you can find to get access to Xbox Game Pass, but we think it justifies the reasonable price with great quality performance and functions. The chopsticks and buttons here are on par with the latest console controllers, and during our testing, we found that select iPhones were held securely, but not too tight either.
The best way to play games on iPhone
Backbone One iOS review
The only downside to the Backbone One is that you won’t be able to use multiple iPhone cases with it due to the tight fit. This is probably fine if you have a thinner cover, but there’s a good chance you’ll have to put your Apple device in without this layer of protection.
There’s also intuitive software here that you won’t find on some of its similarly priced competitors. This includes button mapping as well as screen capture and social overlays, meaning it’s really easy to get creative if you’re someone who wants to record or take snapshots while playing Xbox Game Pass streaming games. Nothing really compares if you are truly an iOS user for the money.
We think the Razer Kishi is the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessory if you have an Android phone. Even though it has been replaced by the V2 model, the original still has a lot to offer. Probably the most compelling reason to go for the first generation is the price, as it’s now totally possible to get this Junglecat successor for just $39.99/£64 in the US and UK respectively.
Notwithstanding such a substantial discount, you’re probably always guaranteed to find it much cheaper than the original MSRP of $79.99 / £79.99 depending on where you are in the world. In our testing, we found the Razer Kishi to be an extremely built and tactile mobile controller that benefited beautifully from its sleek and small form factor.
Kishi is a great buy as it elevates the gaming experience when you use it.
Razer Kishi review
We found that many different sizes of Android phones fit well with the Razer Kishi thanks to its expandable nature, but some of the largest on the market may struggle. In our opinion, this gamepad is as durable and ergonomic as the current Xbox Wireless Controller and DualSense models in terms of buttons and sticks. If you’re gaming on the go and using an Android phone, you can’t do better in this price range.
The PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus looks like an Xbox Series X controller, but it’s a 100% on-the-go streaming pad. It’s a Bluetooth controller with a clip-on phone holder that allows it to rotate 220 degrees. This effectively means you can position the screen at any angle thanks to the dual-hinge mechanism in the phone’s stand.
The PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus Bluetooth Controller does a fantastic job with excellent inputs, a flexible removable clip and an integrated backup battery
PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus review
With a reasonable asking price of around $55 / £51 depending on the color scheme, the PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus is the full package as you actually pay less for the dedicated controller and clip than you would for both together in most cases.
Holds phones up to 79mm wide, which covers most, including some placed in a case. So why choose the Mega XP5-X when you can get the official Xbox console and clip-on accessory for less? Because it comes with a 3000 mAh power bank so you can play without destroying your phone’s battery.
When it comes to the best cheap Xbox Game Pass streaming accessory, the PowerA MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip 2.0 is a proposition that’s hard to argue with. Priced at $14.99 / £9.99, this revised addition to the existing Xbox gamepad clips onto the top and keeps your phone in place, ready to game on the go.
As the name might suggest, this is the second edition of what we consider to be the best clip of its kind, thanks to its durability and ergonomic fit with the latest Microsoft controllers on the market today. If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful that gets the job done from a reliable brand, we can wholeheartedly endorse it for what it is.
8Bitdo is a provider of great third-party gamepads for many platforms that resemble SNES controllers. They all use the same basic hardware, but are looking for a specific “for Xbox Cloud Gaming” unit to pair with Xbox Game Pass. It features the iconic Xbox button, (almost) all-black paint, and comes with a 2-axis clip that connects the pad to your phone.
Aside from some remnants of retro charm, its size is a key advantage: the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro For Xbox Cloud Gaming is smaller than an Xbox pad. This makes it handy for portable use. In addition, it weighs just 111g, which is less than half the weight of an Xbox One controller without batteries, and the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro for Xbox Cloud Gaming has a built-in 18-hour lithium battery.
Again, it’s great for keeping in a bag, but not ideal for balancing a larger phone that could easily weigh 200g on its own. Despite its compact size, the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro For Xbox Cloud Gaming provides space for all the essential Xbox pad buttons, including double drains on each side.
Best Xbox Game Pass Streaming Accessories FAQ
What devices support Game Pass streaming?
Game Pass streaming works on almost any display device that can run over a solid internet connection. For many, it may be a smartphone in your pocket, but since it doesn’t require computing power, you can also use a laptop for work or a Chromebook.
Can I play Game Pass without an Xbox?
You don’t necessarily need an Xbox Series X or Series S to use Game Pass, as any device capable of streaming the service gives you access to over 300 titles. You can have the best reception and gaming experience if you’re also a console gamer, but it’s not strictly necessary here.
How fast does my internet need to be to stream Game Pass?
Microsoft recommends (opens in a new tab) a high-speed internet connection of at least 10Mbps on mobile and 20Mbps on console, which is pretty average and less demanding as rates go up. Of course, a faster connection will mean a smoother, higher resolution experience, so if you have much higher rates, you’ll be fine.