ELO Vagabond Mobile Gaming Controller, Made for iPhone, USB-C, Android

I'm very happy I got this. It works with my case, Pixel 9 with Otterbox Commuter. I had to cut off the USB-C dust cover flap though. So far, all the games I care about just work with this controller. I'm pleasantly surprised how well it works. I downloaded the unleashed app and let it update, no issues there. The app is somewhat weird. It shows a bunch of games on there but I don't own it. I don't really use the app. I weighed the controller on a postal scale just all by itself, mine weighs right at 0.5 lbs. This is good for me, it feels nice and lightweight. I plan to bring this controller along with me backpacking and weight was important to me. The buttons, triggers, sticks all feel premium to me. I had no issue calibrating the sticks with the app. All I can say is, I hope this controller lasts. I really like it! I suppose if it starts to fail, I'll come back and update this review some day but for right now, I'm am very happy with it! Thank you ELO!

I’ve used the Backbone and thought it was decent...until I got the Vagabond. This controller is on another level. The first thing I noticed was how much more comfortable it is. The joystick placement feels natural, not cramped like the Backbone, and the overall larger size actually makes it easier to hold for extended gaming sessions without hand fatigue. As for the features, everything advertised is spot on. It works seamlessly with iPhone without a single issue. The telescopic design feels sturdy and expands smoothly without any wobble. Gameplay is tight and responsive, with no noticeable input delay or lag whatsoever. One of the best parts is the ability to charge your phone while playing, (pass-through charging feature) and the port is at the bottom where you'd want it. My hands don't interfere with the charging at all, plus there's a 3.5 audio jack down there. Despite being lightweight, the build quality is solid. The buttons, triggers, and joysticks all feel premium and responsive. In terms of comfort and layout, it genuinely feels more like a console controller than anything else I’ve used for mobile gaming. It connects USB-C so you never have to worry about fiddling with bluetooth settings or drop outs. If you’re looking for a mobile controller that actually lives up to the hype, the Vagabond is it. It’s well-designed, comfortable, responsive, and just plain better than the competition. Oh and if you have dry hands like me...invest in a decent cleaning solution for the joysticks. They have GRIP.

Okay guys, I bought one here is my honest opinion of it. Truth is, it's actually not a bad controller at all. It gives you the full size / regular gaming controller feel and vibe, plus it's built to take your phone, with the case on! I have a OnePlus 12 phone with a camera bump and an aftermarket kickstand on my Spigen case and after I removed the swappable adaptive rubber/silicone pads that hold the phone in place, it held my phone perfectly fine. I've played the following games without any issues ..... Call of duty mobile Farlight84 Star Wars Hunters Blood Strike Rally Horizon Metal Storm Asphalt 8 Shadow Gun Legends PPSS22 Emulator (PS2 emulator) Star Wars Jedi Star Fighter and other PS2 games. Today I'm going to try it out on Battle Prime, Genshin Impact, Modern Strike Online, Nova Space Armada & MWT Tank Battles. *Edit- Battle Prime didn't work, Nova Space Armada didn't work, MWT tanks Battles didn't work, Modern Strike didn't work. Now I know people might feel some type of way about the usb-C connector and maybe a slight fear that it will come off or break off into the phone. I had that same fear but after repeatedly connecting my phone on and off several times I can comfortably say it's well built. The passthrough charging is not as fast as I would have hoped, and I'm using the correct quick charger and wire. I've tried several different chargers and wires and no change. If you game on high settings, the pass through charging will take forever to charge your phone back up. It kept my phones battery life from losing more power and in 40 minutes of Call Of Duty Mobile, I gained maybe 4 percent power. This is where I was slightly disappointed but it's not a big deal and they can fix it with the next controller. Actually, they can fix all my critiques with the next controller and they will instantly be #1 ! The controller does look premium but doesn't feel very premium. I say that because I also tested the Gamesir G8 Plus and in my opinion the Elo Vagabond and GameSir G8 Plus both have distinguishable traits that put them at the top of the list for amazing controllers. To be honest I think they are both the best! I ended up returning my GameSir G8 Plus and I've decided to keep my Elo Vagabond controller. Also, please reconsider the android apps design. Please focus on end-user visual aesthetics and please stop forcing landscape mode with the app. That's it, that's all, and I look forward to my mobile gaming a lot more than normal now with the Elo Vagabond Controller.

This controller has completely transformed my gaming experience with mobile games. As an avid gamer who’s always playing games at home and on my phone, the Vagabond has given me the edge to game competitively and comfortable on my phone and iPad. Gaming on the go has never been so fun. The design of the controller is sleek and very lightweight so I don’t get tired holding it. I absolutely love the look of it. It feels great in my hands due to the ergonomic build and I couldn’t be happier.It really makes me feel like I’m gaming on a console. The response time of the controller to game is really accurate. And although I’m button mashing some games, the controller feels built to last. The design team definitely invested time and thought into this controller and I applaud them. It’s awesome, that they included little alterations for whatever device youre using and they also included this measuring card to help navigate the adjustments. Final Thoughts: This controller is definitely the best one on the market and it’s not even close. If you’ve used the backbone, you know of the problems that come with it and the Vagabond has completely improved on all of the critiques the backbone faces. The Vagabond was built with gamers in mind- combining top-tier performance, unbeatable comfort, and customizable features. Whether you’re a causal or hardcore gamer, this controller is the way to go if you want to elevate your experience on mobile gaming. This controller delivers both style and substance and is an absolute must have.

Thought was a great controller. Been using it for 3 months now and it just won’t work anymore. I have taking really good care but unfortunately I guess they didn’t build these to last. I figure a 100 dollars it would last atleast a year. Negative!!!! Very disappointed!!!!

I recently sold all of my handheld devices and traded in for an iPad mini on cellular so that I can game on any platform. This controller allows me to use my phone or my iPad mini with a USB-C connection to play all of my games via streaming services. This works for PS remote play Nvidia G force Xbox cloud, gaming, and Xbox console streaming also mobile games. I will say that the bill quality is great. It is a little flimsy once it is expanded, but that is to be expected. I can’t wait for a V2. Also I’d love to see a case produced to be able to transport my ELO safely. Totally worth every single penny I paid I use it daily. There has been several software updates since I have owned this device. I can’t wait to see what this company produces in the future. I am very pleased with my purchase!!! Until a travel case is produced, I 3-D printed joystick clips to keep the joysticks from being pressed or moved during transport. Again, I am thrilled to death with this purchase. *Update Alert* After one month with this product, I am still absolutely blown away. It has received numerous updates for the hardware. This device is still working as if I took it directly out of the box today. It is very simple to fix stick drift by recalibrating the joystick which I’ve had to do one time. Also, after searching Amazon, far and wide, I found a case for my iPad mini that fits in this controller and fills all gaps for a secure fit. I will be posting a link to this case. This thing is save me from so much boredom!! Again, thank you for both companies for making these devices and this case!! Soke for New iPad Mini 7th (A17... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BFNMMWZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

TL;DR: the box is the best part of this controller, controller itself is fine but $100 still feels steep for the build quality I’ve been trying a few mobile controllers I’ve seen recommended the most, and was instantly drawn to the design of the Vagabond and was convinced it would be the one (for reference, I’ve also tried the Razer Kishi V3 XL, Razer Kishi Ultra, GameSir G8 and G8+, and Backbone Pro). The box it came in was so quality and extravagant even! Lovely box, a beautiful box. Ultimately, the Vagabond itself just doesn’t feel anywhere near its $100 price tag in build quality or functionality. My phone feels rickety and unstable in it, and it feels like it could easily enough break with minimal pressure. The buttons feel good, the joysticks are good, and I do love the overall design of this pad. The LEDs behind the joysticks are a nice flashy but not over the top touch, and everything is well placed. The app is also… useless? I didn’t spend a lot of time in it, but it was just meh and one of my least favorites amongst the competition.

I’ve been using the Vagabond Mobile Gaming Controller with my Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and it has completely elevated my gaming experience. I primarily use it to play Black Ops 6, Smite, and Fortnite on NVIDIA GeForce cloud gaming, as well as games on Xbox Game Pass, and it delivers a seamless, console-like performance. The controller is very comfortable to hold, even for extended gaming sessions, and the hall sensor joysticks are precise and responsive, making gameplay feel smooth and intuitive. Pairing it with my phone via USB-C was quick and hassle-free, and the fit with my device feels secure and well-balanced. The build quality is excellent, and the buttons and triggers have a satisfying, tactile feel that enhances the overall experience. Using this controller with my Note 20 Ultra has truly turned it into a portable gaming console. As a bonus, I’ve been using the Foluck 3-in-1 Accessories Set Compatible with PlayStation Portal as a case for my controller and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Since my Galaxy is an extra phone dedicated to cloud gaming (my main phone is the iPhone 15 Pro Max), the case has been super handy for storing and protecting the controller and phone together. If you’re into cloud gaming on platforms like GeForce or Xbox Game Pass and looking for a high-quality controller for your mobile device, I’d highly recommend the Vagabond Mobile Gaming Controller.