Mobile games have come a long way and there are now many substantial games available on our phones, from competitive shooters to grand story-based experiences---especially with the recent wave of game streaming platforms. But if you want to fully take advantage of modern mobile games, these accessories can turn your phone into a proper gaming machine.

UPDATE: 12/20/21

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A Quality Controller: Rotor Riot Controller (iOS) and SteelSeries Stratus Duo (Android)

Every gamer needs a good controller handy, so we found one for both the iOS and Android camps.

The Rotor Riot is what you would expect out of a normal console controller. Xbox or Switch owners will be familiar with the layout, and it allows you to click in the left and right joysticks as an input, which is a surprisingly rare feature in the world of iOS controllers---although those inputs only work in certain games. Currently, there are over 1,000 supported apps, and you'll need the companion app, Ludu Mapp, to get the joysticks working properly.

You can get 20+ hours of life out of its rechargeable battery and, thanks to the wired nature of the controller, you'll experience zero latency issues. The controller also comes with a phone dock that can easily fit any iPhone.

SteelSeries is pretty well-known for its gaming peripherals, so it makes sense that its Stratus Duo controller is top-notch. It's a solid controller that's comfortable to hold and lasts 20+ hours on its rechargeable battery. While it doesn't have any mind-blowing features up its sleeve, if you're on Android, this is the best controller to buy. You can also purchase SteelSeries' SmartGrip attachment for $10 to dock your phone on the controller as well (supports phones 4 to 6.5 inches tall).

Get a Grip: SVIOOG Mobile Game Controller

But what if you prefer your phone to be the controller? This grip from SVIOOG will allow that. The ergonomic shape makes it more comfortable to hold your phone for long sessions, and the added triggers and bumpers add in some needed functionality. It even has a modest 2,000 mAh battery pack built-in if things get really dire. This grip supports any phone 4 to 6.5 inches tall, which should cover the vast majority of phones today.

Keep Going: Anker PowerCore 20,000mAh Battery Bank

This compact battery pack from Anker packs in an impressive 20,000mAh charge. With dual USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a micro-USB port, you'll be able to charge your smartphone and just about anything else. And, you can fully recharge this pack in about 10 hours. Not much more you can ask for out of a battery pack than that.

A Long Cord: Anker Powerline III

This one's pretty self-explanatory, but having a good charging cable around is just plain useful (especially if you're relying on the aforementioned battery pack). Anker makes some of the best cables on the market, and you can get with either USB-A to USB-C ($12.99), USB-C to USB-C ($17.99), or USB-C to lightning ($29.99) to match any device. The length depends on the model, but they all fall in the range of 1 to 10 feet.

Bang for Your Buck Audio: OnePlus Type-C Bullets

If you're playing around others or just want better audio than your phone's speakers can muster, you're going to want some good headphones. Without a doubt, the OnePlus Bullets offer some of the best bang-for-your-buck audio in the USB-C earbuds market. Despite being relatively cheap, the Bullets have solid construction, are comfortable to wear, and deliver on solid audio quality.

Besides that, the Bullets also feature an in-line three-button controller, which should prove useful for quickly adjusting audio levels.

Full-On Headset: SteelSeries Arctis 3

If you take your mobile gaming very seriously, you need more than just good audio---you also want your headphones to pack some gaming-focused features. Detailed directional sound and a built-in microphone can give you an edge in the middle of a match and are exactly what the Arctis 3 delivers.

This is a full-on gaming headset, except it can connect to your phone via Bluetooth (or with the 3.5-mm jack if you don't mind dongles). The audio quality won't blow you away for media consumption, but it is tailored towards gaming. And, the microphone is more than enough for voice chat mid-match.

Versatile Dock: Lamicall Adjustable Phone Stand

Holding your phone for long periods of time can get uncomfortable, so take a rest and set it down on this dock from Lamicall. This dock will fit any phone four to eight inches tall, can have its height adjusted to your liking, and folds up into a compact form factor for portability. The rubber padding helps ensure that your phone doesn't get scratched---or slip out---and you can get it in black or grey.