Backbone’s 2023 holiday lineup includes updated controllers for the iPhone 15 series and the first-ever Backbone One carrying case. Jared and I have been using Backbone One controllers for a while. I usually use both the Razer Kishi and the Backbone One for game testing, but lately I’ve been mainly using the Backbone One for PlayStation Remote Play around the house and around the house. I was curious about the Baekbone One carrying case, so I ordered one a while ago. Jared’s praise for it piqued my curiosity and intrigued me enough to do a brief review to help Backbone One controller owners decide if it’s worth buying. This review is based on the Backbone One Carrying Case PlayStation Edition, but applies to the regular version as well.
The Backbone One carrying case may look classy and flashy, but it may actually be accentuating that aspect. This is why I ordered the PlayStation version. I was curious how the outer material would feel, whether it would fit well in my backpack, and how it would feel when dropped or put in a bag. Everything has been fine so far, except for one drawback mentioned below. The white felt finish feels nice in the hand, and somehow it didn’t get dirty even though I dropped it a few times and kept it in my bag when I went out for over a month.
The inner lining is also soft, reminiscent of a good quality iPhone case. There isn’t much room inside the Backbone One carrying case for anything other than earphones or a small charging cable. You can put the adapter that comes with the Backbone One controller inside the case if you want, but there’s no dedicated storage. It would be nice to have something like a pouch at the top.
Now the main issue with the Backbone One carrying case is the zippers. Backbone calls this a low-profile zipper that’s waterproof and easy to open and close. In fact, I worry that the zipper will get stuck every time I use it. That hasn’t happened yet, but it doesn’t feel good to use. The material is good and the zipper itself is good to grip, but I think this area needs to be improved in the new model. I ended up checking with a few friends who had this case and they were all experiencing the same problem. None of us have ever had a problem with a zipper getting stuck, but we don’t find them to be very nice or easy to use.
Is the Backbone One carrying case overkill for the controller most people throw in their backpack when they go out? I think I’ll do it. Is it worth $24.99? So far so. The Backbone One controller normally costs $99.99, so it may seem expensive for a quarter of the price, but other than the zipper feel not so great, I’m happy with it. I also like how the Backbone One Carrying Case PlayStation Edition looks and feels in the hand compared to other controller cases. However, it is yet to be seen how this will hold up after several months of use.
Backbone One Carrying Case Review Score: 4/5
You can purchase the Backbone One Carrying Case here and the Backbone One Carrying Case PlayStation Edition from Amazon for $24.99.
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