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
Sole Premise Sole Premise commuter bag 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. $175 at Amazon
Amazon Alternate bag: Osprey Daylite shoulder sling bag 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. $50 at Amazon
Belkin Belkin charging case for Nintendo Switch 2 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. $70 at Amazon
Portable consoles for gaming on the go
Dan Ackerman/CNET Steam Deck 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 $399 at Valve
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