Everyone's favorite battle royale finally supports Bluetooth controllers on mobile. This has been a long time coming for Fortnite, and you'll likely want the best possible controller to get your game on. You shouldn't look any further than the SteelSeries Stratus XL.
Who should buy this
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If you already spend a lot of time on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, this controller should feel right at home in your grasp. It takes a bit of the form factor from each of the aforementioned consoles' controllers, with a similar frame to the Xbox One controller and a stick layout more akin to that of the DualShock 4. Those looking to game on the go will find its solid battery life (up to 40 hours) appealing. In relation to Fortnite, it's got every button you need to keep you at the top of your game.
Is it a good time to buy this?
Absolutely. This controller may not be the most recent to grace the market, but it still beats out the competition in terms of price, quality, and best of all it was designed specifically for compatibility with Android devices and Windows PC.
You deserve your mobile battle royale experience to be as good as it gets
Not only is SteelSeries a trusted and reliable brand, but the Stratus XL also has designated home and back buttons for "seamless gaming on Android devices." Thanks to its relatively familiar form factor, it should feel comfortable in your hands during long gaming sessions, which is made better with its 40-hour battery life. You're not getting a dinky little plastic controller that looks like you could easily crush it if you lose that coveted Victory Royale.
With the SteelSeries Engine 3 software program, you can even customize the Stratus XL to best suit your needs, whether that means opting for hair triggers or changing the sensitivity of your thumbsticks.
Alternatives to the SteelSeries Stratus XL
It's nearly impossible to list every Bluetooth controller out there, but most designed for mobile tend to be too small and not worth the cost or effort put into buying one. Because of this, your best alternative is actually the Xbox One wireless controller. Despite it initially not working correctly on most Android games due to incorrect button mapping, a fix was implemented in August 2018 by Google to get it up and running exactly as it should.
The Xbox One controller is highly versatile thanks to its Bluetooth technology, but it is slightly more expensive than a lot of other controllers built for mobile gaming. Still, this is a great alternative for those that play Fortnite on Xbox in addition to Android mobile devices. You won't be needing to swap controllers constantly whenever you switch platforms.
Bottom line
The SteelSeries Stratus XL may not have the ubiquitous popularity that the Xbox One controller is afforded, but it offers key advantages with its Android-designated buttons and customization software that players should take advantage of.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Jennifer Locke has been playing video games nearly her entire life, and is always on the lookout for new tech to make those experiences even better, whether they be on consoles or mobile.
