ELO Vagabond mobile controller review - "One size fits all if you can get the adapters to fit"

• The ELO Vagabond mobile controller features universal compatibility with a wide range of devices
• It features a sleek aesthetic with full-sized Hall Effect joysticks and mechanical buttons
• The adapters need a bit of wrestling into place, and there's a risk of them snapping off due to regular wear and tear

There are phones, there are tablets, and there are phones that unfold into tablets - mobile gaming has never been this versatile when it comes to where to get your game on. More than the USB-C compatibility of the latest iPhone models, it's now easier than ever to switch from one gadget to another. But with that freedom comes the same amount of overwhelming options where controllers are concerned - thankfully, the ELO Vagabond aims to change all that with a one-size-fits-all solution.

Built to hold mobile devices of all shapes and sizes - with your phone case included at that - this bold new peripheral wants to be the multi-gadgeted player's best friend. But is this mobile controller well-equipped to fill that gap in the market, or is it just another gimmick?

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Table of contents:

• ELO Vagabond mobile controller design
• Gaming experience and performance
• What's the verdict?

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ELO Vagabond Mobile Controller Design

Unboxing the ELO Vagabond almost feels like unearthing a treasure chest in an old-school RPG. The box tilts up at an angle as if offering the controller to you, and rightly so - the controller itself is a thing of beauty with its sleek curves and badass edges in all the right places.

And it's not all skin-deep either, as holding it in my hands was a delight - it fit nice and snug into my smaller-than-average hands, which was a surprise given I didn't think there would be anything more comfortable to hold than the GameSir G8 Galileo controller.

The pass-through USB-C port and the 3.5mm jack (say goodbye to laggy sounds!) are perfectly positioned at the bottom, making sure the cables don't get in the way of your fingers when gaming. There's a grippy feel to it too, with grooves on the shoulder buttons and the sticks themselves for sweatier palms. The mechanical buttons are satisfyingly clicky, with full-sized Hall Effect joysticks and a handy weight of only 198g.

But perhaps what makes the Vagabond stand out from the other controllers I've reviewed is its flexibility. It can (or claims to) fit all kinds of gadgets thanks to its rubber adapters.

There are six sizes in total on top of not using one at all, and you'll have to snap each one onto the controller's designated spots depending on your phone's thickness. This means you can nestle your gadget nicely without having to take the case off - something I've always lamented especially when on the go.

Gaming Experience And Performance

I do have some issues with the adapters themselves, which I'll get to in a minute. Once you've found the right size for you though - which you can check using the included sizing guide - gaming on the ELO Vagabond is a breeze. While it's similar in size to the Redmagic Shadow Blade Gamepad 2, it doesn't look as chunky, but it still has that same comfort factor that's hard to find in mobile controllers.

From simple controls as in Sonic Mania Plus to more complicated button-mashing as in Zenless Zone Zero, I didn't encounter any issues while playing (although the pass-through charging only went as high as 13w for me). 

Like most mobile peripherals, there's a companion app that lets you tinker around with the calibration, button mapping, and lights for the controller. There's a no-frills library that suggests a quick lineup of games you can play your Vagabond with, but it's nothing too mind-blowing. I'd say the app is only useful for firmware updates at the moment, but I suppose we'll just have to see if they'll add anything other features down the road.

As for more heated gaming sessions, whether or not the Vagabond holds up when it comes to stability really depends on the adapter and your device - which is where my biggest gripe with the controller comes in.

What's The Verdict?

Now, while the six adapter sizes might make it seem like it can fit pretty much any device you throw at it, it's not exactly as universal as it seems. I had to take the case off my old Samsung Galaxy S21 for it to fit, for instance, but my iPad Mini could fit both with or without a case. The iPhone 15 and the Redmagic 9 Pro fit great either way too, but for my Honor Magic V2, it could only fit while folded and without a case (albeit with an unstable gap because of the camera position). 

The thing is, it could have fit while unfolded if only the last two adapters worked. Alas, the rubbers were too thick to fit the controller despite me trying to wrestle them in place, so they're pretty much useless at this point.

I also have this fear of accidentally breaking off the rubber tips with repeated use, especially in a tropical country where the relentless heat index can easily make rubberised materials disintegrate into brittle little pieces over time.

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If the prongs happen to snap off while fitted inside the controller, then you'll be stuck with one sizing forever, effectively chucking the Vagabond's USP out the window.

While I do appreciate having the option to use the controller with different devices, it doesn't make it all too portable especially if you'll need to lug around all the other adapters with you. The sizing guide, by the way, is simply a small piece of cardboard that doesn't inspire much confidence when it comes to water or a forgetful friend.

Overall, I still think the ELO Vagabond is a great mobile controller to use even without its universal compatibility, but as for how it compares to others in the market, the price and the aesthetics will end up making that decision for you.

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