I’m convinced that all frequent travelers are good at Tetris; traveling gamers are doubly so. (Not as good as Willis Gibson, but no one is.) It takes skill to expertly pack a set of items into a container of limited dimensions. When traveling, I keep all my gaming gear in a backpack, which limits the size and number of items I can carry. Over the years, my packing techniques have evolved based on the gear I have and the restrictions imposed by airlines. These are my personal travel gaming essentials, along with some tips on how to pack everything.
Travel Gaming Essentials
The gear I never leave home without
Laptop
My laptop is an indispensable part of my travel gaming setup. I use it for work, video editing, and (of course) gaming. I have a 13.3” Lenovo Yoga 6. It has 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SDD hard drive, and an AMD Ryzen 5500 processor with an onboard graphics card.
It’s a few years old, so the current model has slightly better specs. This is not a powerhouse gaming laptop, but it’s a great all-purpose machine.
When picking out a travel gaming laptop, it’s a balance between power and size. I personally prefer a 13 to 14-inch laptop. Anything larger than 14 inches won’t fit in my backpack, and smaller laptops generally don’t have enough ports to plug in multiple peripherals.
Since I don’t have a dedicated workspace, I also have a collapsible laptop stand that I use to make working and gaming more ergonomic. Before I got the stand, I was suffering from neck pain and headaches almost every day. The stand has eliminated those problems and helped my posture since I’m not constantly looking down at my laptop.
Monitor
A new addition to my setup is the Azorpa 14-inch portable monitor. Most of the time, I use this with my laptop to extend my working area. A second screen has increased my productivity and made it much easier to record gaming sessions.
All Azorpa monitors are also compatible with consoles, making it a great travel gaming essential. You can use it with PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, Steam Deck, and more. It really comes in handy when your Airbnb doesn’t have a television, and all you want to do after a long day of travel is unwind with a game.
The model I ordered came with a built-in cover/stand, but the manufacturer has recently replaced this with a separate stand (no cover). I recommend getting a sleeve to protect your monitor while traveling.
Keyboard
I found out that trying to type on my laptop while it’s on a stand results in T-rex arms. Unsurprisingly, typing that way is uncomfortable, so I added a separate keyboard to my setup. I recently upgraded to an anti-ghosting gaming keyboard from TMKB. It is a wired keyboard, but the USB-C cord is detachable for easier packing.
My favorite thing about this keyboard is the separate arrow keys, which are not always a feature on gaming keyboards. It also has a nice blue backlight that isn’t too bright. (By the way, there are 19 different light modes to choose from depending on your mood.) This model is available in black or white, and you can choose red, blue, or brown switches.
Mouse
My mouse is what prompted me to upgrade some of my travel gaming gear. I’d been using cheap mouse and keyboard combo sets for a while, and they were affecting my gaming and video editing. After a lot of research, I settled on the Razer Orochi V2. My main concerns when selecting a mouse were size and weight.
This mouse is great for my small hands and only weighs 58 grams (without a battery). The shape is ideal for people who prefer a fingertip or palm grip. I also opted to get myself a mousepad. Since this is easily the nicest mouse I’ve ever owned, I want to keep it in good condition.
The most important feature when selecting a mousepad was washability. I often work in public places during my travels, and wanted something as a barrier between questionable surfaces and my mouse. When the mousepad gets dirty, I can just throw it in the washing machine!
Switch
The Nintendo Switch is my ‘must-have’ travel gaming essential. It has always been marketed as a travel-friendly device, with the original commercial showing it being used in an airport and on a plane. The console itself doesn’t disappoint, and I always pack mine no matter how long the trip.
While the Switch console is great for traveling gamers, the dock leaves something to be desired. It’s bulky and fragile, not the ideal combination for a frequent traveler. I used to have a dedicated hard case just for my dock, but it took up a lot of space. Now, I use a portable dock that fits in my Switch case instead of the standard dock.
Backpack
Arguably, the most important item in a travel gamer’s set-up is their backpack. A good backpack is essential for keeping everything organized and safe during travel. If you’re going on a road trip or taking a train, the size of your bag doesn’t matter.
If you’re flying, it’s a different story. Airlines are notoriously strict about their luggage sizing requirements. There isn’t a standard size across airlines, so I use a backpack that’s guaranteed to fit within even the smallest dimensions. (I’m looking at you, Ryanair.)
My backpack has a separate laptop compartment and opens like a suitcase, so I’m able to pack more efficiently. I can easily fit all of the gaming gear listed above, plus several outfits, toiletries, and a few other items. It also has a luggage strap to hold it on top of a rolling suitcase.
I will note that this backpack is not my only travel bag, unless I’m taking a weekend trip. For longer trips, I travel with a suitcase in addition to my backpack. The suitcase holds more clothes and my Ring Fit Adventure accessories.
Packing Tips
Keep your travel gaming essentials organized and safe
- Pack all your gaming gear in your backpack (or other under-seat bag). This reduces the risk of items being damaged, lost, or stolen.
- Don’t pack gaming gear (or other valuable items) in your checked baggage or carry-on suitcase when flying. There is always the chance that you might be forced to check your carry-on if the flight is full.
- Cushion and protect your gaming gear while traveling. If you travel with a laptop, make sure your backpack has a padded laptop compartment. Invest in protective cases for other items, like portable monitors. You can also wrap clothes around your gear to act as makeshift protection in a pinch.
- Save space in your bag by utilizing exterior pockets and gear loops for durable items. If your gaming handheld has a hard case, attach it to the outside of your bag for easy access.
- Wind cables and chargers before packing to avoid tangles. If you have a lot of cables, a dedicated cable management bag can help keep everything organized.
If you’re interested in seeing exactly how I pack all my travel gaming essentials into a RyanAir-approved backpack, check out the video on my YouTube channel. Happy gaming!
Please note that many of the items featured in this article were purchased in different countries over the course of my travels. If the exact item isn’t available, I’ve included a link to a comparable product.
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