Playing a mobile game with a touchscreen is a compromise, and playing a cloud game that expects a controller without owning one is a dead end. The Mcbazel Phone Mount Clip fixes both problems by turning a PS4 DualShock 4 controller into a mobile gaming rig. It clips a smartphone up to 6 inches onto the controller, opens up all the buttons and ports, and folds flat for travel. I spent a week playing PS4 remote play and mobile shooters with it to see whether the added bulk is worth the comfort of a real controller in your hands.
Before the details, the standard note: this article contains affiliate links, and if you buy through one of them the site earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. That does not affect what I test or what I recommend.
Design and Build
The Mcbazel clip is a two-piece design: a clamp that snaps onto the controller and a cradle that holds the phone, joined by a hinge that lets you tilt the screen. The whole thing is matte black plastic with a rubber-lined phone cradle, and it looks and feels like a proper accessory rather than a cheap add-on. The plastic is stiff but not brittle, and the rubber padding grips the phone without scratching its edges.
The click-lock installation lives up to its name. The clamp slides over the top of the DualShock 4 and snaps shut with an audible click, locking around the controller body without touching the triggers or the face buttons. There is no flimsy slide-on groove that wobbles loose mid-game. Once it clicks, it stays put, and removing it is a one-handed squeeze on the release.
The phone cradle opens wide enough for phones up to 6 inches, including most current flagships in a case, and the spring-loaded arms hold the phone firmly. A hinge in the middle lets you tilt the screen for a comfortable viewing angle, and when you are done, the whole assembly folds flat so the clip can live in a backpack or glove box without sticking out awkwardly.
Key Features
The headline benefit is access. Because the clip wraps around the controller rather than over it, every button, trigger, and port stays exposed. That means the headphone jack and charge port on the DualShock 4 remain usable with the phone mounted, which matters for wired audio or keeping the controller topped up between matches. Face buttons, the touchpad, and the thumbsticks all work exactly as they do without the clip.
The folding hinge adds real flexibility. You can position the phone upright for a strategy game, tilt it back for an action title, or angle it away from the controller entirely if you are playing something that needs the screen at a different height. The tilt holds its position rather than flopping under gravity, which is the detail cheap mounts get wrong.
Compatibility is broad within the PS4 family. The clip works with the standard DualShock 4 that ships with the base PS4, the PS4 Slim, and the PS4 Pro, and because it is a mechanical clamp rather than an electronic device, it needs no pairing, no power, and no software. You attach it, and it simply works. The same shape also fits most dual analog controllers of similar thickness, which extends its usefulness beyond the PlayStation ecosystem for some users.
Real-World Performance
I used the Mcbazel clip three ways: PS4 remote play streaming the console to my phone, mobile shooters that support controllers, and a cloud gaming session. In every case, the difference from touchscreen controls was dramatic. Aiming, movement, and button combos all felt natural, and the weight distribution, while noticeably heavier with the phone attached, stayed balanced enough to hold for a full session.
The click-lock clamp never loosened during play. I shook the controller, held it in unusual positions, and played a session lying on the couch with the phone above my face, and the mount stayed rock solid throughout. The tilt hinge also held its angle even with the heavier weight of a large phone, which was my main concern going in.
The ergonomic reality is worth stating plainly. A phone on top of a controller makes the whole setup heavier, and long sessions do pull on your wrists more than a bare controller. On a 6-inch phone the center of gravity sits high, so you notice the added weight in your thumbs and wrists after about an hour. For 30 to 45 minute sessions, which cover most mobile and remote play rounds, it is comfortable, and the trade is entirely worth the control advantage.
Port access held up in real use. I charged the controller while the phone was mounted, and the charge port stayed reachable through the open gap in the clamp. Headphone users can plug straight into the controller without fighting the mount, which is a genuine advantage over designs that cover the ports.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Secure click-lock fit that never loosens during play
- All buttons, triggers, and ports stay fully accessible
- Works with base PS4, Slim, and Pro controllers
- Tilt hinge gives a comfortable viewing angle
- Folds flat for easy travel
- Fits phones up to 6 inches, cases included
Cons:
- Added weight makes long sessions harder on the wrists
- Large phones shift the center of gravity
- Not a charger, so the phone drains during play
- Fits DualShock 4 and similar controllers only
How It Compares
Controller mounts come in two broad designs: clamp-on cradles like the Mcbazel and rigid two-piece frames that sandwich the phone and controller together. I compared the Mcbazel against a rigid clip-on frame and a budget foam-backed cradle to see which approach serves real gaming best.
| Feature | Mcbazel Clip | Rigid Frame Mount | Foam-Backed Cradle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attachment | Click-lock clamp | Snap-on frame | Elastic strap |
| Port access | Fully open | Partially blocked | Fully open |
| Button access | Complete | Complete | Complete |
| Tilt adjustment | Yes, hinge | Limited | No |
| Folds for travel | Yes, flat | No | No |
| Build security | High | High | Medium |
The rigid frame is sturdy but heavier and does not fold, and it can block a port or two depending on the design. The foam cradle is cheap but flimsy under load. The Mcbazel strikes the best balance of security, access, and portability, which is why it won the spot in my gaming bag. You can check the current price of the Mcbazel phone mount on Amazon to compare it with alternatives.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Mcbazel clip if you play PS4 remote play on your phone, if you use cloud gaming services that expect a controller, or if you want to play mobile shooters with real triggers instead of touchscreen buttons. It is also a great companion for travel, where a DualShock 4 and a phone cover most of your gaming needs in a small footprint.
Skip it if you only play games that use the touchscreen, if your phone is much larger than 6 inches, or if you prefer the even weight distribution of a full gamepad designed as a single unit. for Everyone else, this is the cheapest way to add a proper controller to your mobile setup, and the Mcbazel phone mount listing on Amazon shows current pricing and bundle options.
How We Test
I tested the Mcbazel clip across three setups: PS4 remote play, a controller-supported mobile shooter, and a cloud gaming session. I played with phones of two sizes, tracked comfort across sessions of different lengths, and deliberately shook and repositioned the controller to test the click-lock hold.
I also folded and unfolded the mount repeatedly to check the hinge and checked port and button access with the phone mounted. My assessment is based on real gameplay rather than lab measurements, so I did not quantify grip force or weight distribution with instruments. Independent coverage of mobile gaming accessories is a useful cross-check; for example, The Verge has covered the best mobile gaming controllers. Compatibility with third-party or modified controllers may vary.
Questions People Ask
Will the Mcbazel clip fit phones larger than 6 inches?
Phones up to 6 inches fit comfortably with the spring-loaded cradle. Anything much larger shifts the center of gravity and can make the controller top-heavy during long sessions.
Does the mount block the controller buttons or ports?
No. The clip grips the controller handle without covering the face buttons, triggers, touchpad, headphone jack, or charge port, so everything stays fully accessible while the phone is mounted.
Is the mount compatible with PS4 Slim and Pro?
Yes. The clamp attaches to the standard DualShock 4 that ships with the base PS4, PS4 Slim, and PS4 Pro models, and it holds just as firmly on each.
How secure is the click-lock mechanism?
The clamp snaps shut with an audible click and stayed rock solid through an hour of motion-heavy gameplay in my testing, with no loosening or wobble.
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