5 hours ago
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With the most stressful travel season around the corner, it's important to stay entertained on a flight (or during an airline delay). For gamers like me, there are loads of ways to keep your games within reach.
In the past, I had to carry a gaming laptop and a Nintendo Switch to game on the go. These days, with a couple of handheld consoles, I have access to all my favorite games, no matter where my travels take me.
Whether you're killing time at the airport or settling in at a relative's house, having a personalized on-the-go gaming kit can turn downtime into playtime. I've built my own travel-ready gaming setup, complete with a reliable travel bag, a portable console, a power bank and an electronics case.
Here's how to stay immersed, comfortable and fully charged with the right gear during your next trip.
Travel bags for gaming
If you're traveling with a lot of electronics, you'll want to keep them with you, so having a large backpack is helpful. In my case, I use the Sole Premise commuter bag.
I initially bought this bag to carry around multiple pairs of sneakers with me on trips, but this year, I'm sacrificing sneakers for gaming. Thanks to its solid construction, I can fill the bag with my laptop, devices, one pair of sneakers, toiletries and more -- without worrying about it bursting open. This backpack has multiple pouches to keep things organized and ample padding to protect all your electronics.
If I need a smaller option that still fits most of my gamer setup, I bring along my Osprey Daylite shoulder sling bag. This bag can be rolled up to save space in my carry-on when traveling for a few days. It's also the perfect size for day trips. It's big enough to pack at least one handheld console and still carry all the other important items I need, such as a bottle of water, my wallet, phone, snacks and more. It's versatile, and I can slide it from my back to my chest for quick access.
For those times when I know I'll be using my Switch 2 exclusively, I have the Belkin charging case. The case is designed to fit the Switch 2 as well as some games, and it comes with its own 10,000-mAh power bank to keep the console going without access to an outlet. It's not the most compact and is on the heavier side, but it's all about function.
Portable consoles for gaming on the go
My Steam Deck remains my go-to device for gaming while traveling. It's powerful enough to play most of my PC library across Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG. It also handles the various game streaming services I have access to, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now and PS5 Remote Play (if the Wi-Fi wherever I'm going is fast enough). For those days when I want to go a bit retro, my Steam Deck has its share of emulators to play some games from the past.
Most played game on Steam Deck: Baldur's Gate 3
The Switch Lite was my preferred choice for Switch games, but that's changed since the launch of the Switch 2, which is now my dedicated Nintendo gaming device on the go. Its upgraded screen and performance can play AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 just as well as the Steam Deck. The major issue with the Switch 2 is its limited battery life. It's just as bad, if not a little worse, than the Steam Deck. That's why it helps to bring a power bank with you for those longer sessions away from a power outlet.
Most played game on Switch 2: Mario Kart World Tour
An even lighter alternative to the other consoles is the iPad Mini with a Backbone Pro controller ($170, sold separately). Yes, there is Apple Arcade, which now offers a better selection of games, including Balatro, Stardew Valley and Ridiculous Fishing EX, but it excels in streaming. I'm not sure why, but the apps for Xbox Cloud Gaming, PS5 Remote Play and GeForce Now seem to work better on iPad. Combine that with the Backbone Pro controller and some fast Wi-Fi, and I'm playing almost all the AAA games I have for hours.
Most played game on iPad Mini: Balatro
Everything else for the perfect gaming setup
It's important to have some extra power for gaming, so I bring the Anker 737 24,000-mAh power bank with me. With 140-watt output, it's powerful enough to charge my Steam Deck and other devices quickly. It can also charge up my laptop if my travels require some time for work. What I like most about this particular power bank is its display. It lets you know how much battery you have left, how fast the device is being charged and how long it'll take to recharge. Another advantage is its compact size, which doesn't take up much space in a bag.
I've come to realize that I can't depend on having enough outlets for all my electronics while traveling. That's why I have the Anker 6-in-1 charging station. It's compact, has multiple USB ports and can charge everything from my laptop to my iPhone without needing extra bricks. Like the Anker power bank, it also has a smart display, which confirms that my devices are being charged with just a USB-C cable, and without the adapter block. The 5-foot cable is also a nice extra to have when traveling, in case an outlet is too far away from a bed or desk.
If there's one thing I dislike about traveling, it's not having the right cable. That's why I carry around a small bag full of them. While not every portable device requires its own cable, as most use USB-C for charging, I still need cables for my iPhone, Apple Watch and MacBook Air. Instead of having all the cables scattered around my bag, a designated cable case saves me the frustration of trying to find the right ones. I also have cables of different lengths to accommodate where I need to be plugged in on a bed or at a desk, which can change how far I am away from the power strip.
