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Customer Ratings & Reviews

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Customer reviews

Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars with 119 reviews

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Rating by feature

  • Value

    Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars

  • Quality

    Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars

  • Ease of Use

    Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars

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92%would recommend to a friend

Customers are saying

Customers often highlight the Backbone One's suitability for cloud gaming, with many expressing satisfaction with its seamless connectivity and responsiveness. The easy setup process and comfortable grip are also well-received, making it a popular choice for extended gaming sessions. However, some users have concerns about subscription requirements and compatibility issues with certain phone cases.

This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.

The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 119 reviews
  • Pros mentioned:
    Overall performance
    Best Buy Employee

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best handheld product for gaming!

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    Best Buy Employee
    Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Really amazing product! I’ve been using it for gaming took it recently on a trip this past week, and it literally does the job better then any other handheld gaming device, from switching your phone into a literal gaming device and it also even sets it up with the BackBone app, lets you play amazing titles such as Fortnite, Minecraft, Call Of Duty Mobile and so so much more! Even DS games if you know what I mean hehe. Highly recommend this device for anyone who’s looking into a handheld and wants to play great titles anywhere you go! By the way, it feels really premium and outstanding from the triggers to the buttons and movement on the joysticks.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Overall performance

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Backbone

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    Posted . Owned for 11 months when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The Backbone is very good bc it helps me game better than before I brought it and I have had my backbone for over 2 years now

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Good for on the go gaming

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    Posted . Owned for 1 year when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    It is well worth the cash just need to revisit the port and how it secures to a device and make it universally for ALL gaming platforms all on its app

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Backbone gaming

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    Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Change my whole experience at gaming on my phone..

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Portability

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Good buy

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Great product good for long road trips or just a break at work

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Backbone

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    Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I love this product I get to play my games from Xbox and PS5 by connecting to my cloud.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Overall performance

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best investment

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Simple responsive and great quality best investment for mobile gaming on the go or on the couch smooth controls comfortable grip compatibility with App Store games and streaming service is instant no lag the gen 2 version in particular having the ability to use with your phone case is a big game changer and makes for more streamlined approach to gaming on mobile devices

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Overall performance, Portability

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Backbone friendly

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    Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Works perfect with the iPhone i boughg it for. Easy to install. Easy to use. Keeps fingers away from blocking screen.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Great Controller!

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The Backbone app is beautiful! It feels like it turns your phone into an actual console or handheld gaming device. However, the controller itself was a bit small for my hands mind you I have large hands, but the overall quality of the controller and the buttons are a 10 out of 10! Would recommend to anybody!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Portability

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Easy and fun !

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    Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The Backbone was extremely fast and easy set up. I was able to get right to the fun and play all the games I wanted right at my fingertips. The compact style of the Backbone made it very convenient since i do alot of traveling for work.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Super snappy!

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    Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I travel a lot and I’ve seen several people using these on the plane. I finally had to cave and grab one whenever I saw it on sale. I only game on Xbox, so going through the browser to get to the cloud gaming beta was pretty easy and I was amazed at how seamless the process was and how responsive the controller was. My only regret is that I just bought the iPhone 16 Pro and now I’ve got to go get the USB-C version since the lightning one is obsolete for me.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Overall performance

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    iPhone pro max 16

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Comfortable, no lag. Perfect for my iPhone 16 pro max.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Overall performance
    Cons mentioned:
    Compatibility

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Good controller

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    Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I have just started using the backbone and it works great. It has its own app, which you pay to use, and I have tried it with XBOX cloud without any problems. It seems to be a pretty solid controller. I just couldn’t get it to work with my phone case on.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    The best thing since sliced bread?

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    Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    For a long time since the initial smart phones were getting games on them I was hoping that a controller would initially get designed for them. Fast forward to the here and now. We finally got it! Back bone. Being a long die hard Iphone user I have to say dreams come true. My second dream eventually got answered when Iphone went from lightning to USB C. But back to the review. I remember the days of the PSP, and the PSVITA. Oh, the joys of mobile gaming. But that meant I had multiple devices to carry. Now the best of both. Pop your phone in your back bone. Whether you have lightning or USB C you're good 2 go. You also get your mobile data! Even better. A device made better. Phones able to order pizza, watch youtube, tv, movies, and now play games. We are definitely heading in my childhoods mind of the right direction. Great job. Great design. One couldn't be happier with the purchase!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Connectivity, Overall performance

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Cool device

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    Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This device works flawlessly, there is no lag and the analog thumb sticks are high quality. It’s truly just plug and play.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best controller for iPhone gaming

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    Posted . Owned for 4 months when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I absolutely love using the Backbone gaming controller for my iPhone — it makes playing mobile games feel so much smoother and fun, as if I’m using a console controller. The buttons are responsive and comfortable, and the whole setup feels super sturdy whenever I’m gaming on the go. Even quick sessions or long marathons feel better and more immersive with it.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Overall performance, Portability

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Backbone

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    Posted . Owned for 4 months when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Love the backbone. It’s awesome to be able to use it anywhere and so much fun

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Great handheld option

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    If you’re looking for the fastest and most comfortable way to turn your iPhone into a legit handheld gaming device, the Backbone One is honestly your best bet. It feels great to use and works perfectly with cloud gaming, emulators, and pretty much any mobile game that supports a controller.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Connectivity

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Works perectly!

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    Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I honestly didn’t think this was going to work as well as it does. The direct connection makes it a perfect accessory and it works flawlessly on my PPSSPP emulator for Crisis Core, SSX and MediEvil. Even better when I Airplay to my Apple TV. Totally worth it!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Overall performance

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Awesome product

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    Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Hands down one of my favorite purchases in a long time. Not usually one to game when I’m out running around, but it makes it so compelling. It definitely works best with WiFi but if you have a good signal depending on the games you play it’s not too bad especially if playing games meant for phones. However it does connect to the Xbox and you can stream a lot of different games. It’s a great deal when compared to other handheld gaming option's. Do note that you do have to get a backbone subscription but it’s not a bad price and you still come out better price wise compared to other handheld gaming options. Also I’ve had two the first generation and second generation. The newer one is definitely faster and feels sturdier.

    I would recommend this to a friend
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