Videogame consoles are meant to be played at home, but sometimes we might need to take a system with us to a hotel, event, or elsewhere. If you're going to take your Xbox One on the go, you'll have a better time with the right accessories. Here are the best cases and monitors for your Xbox One travel needs!
Transporting an Xbox One safely from one place to another involves packing it up in something that will protect it. Sure, you could use the box it came in if you saved it – but you'd be advertising to the world that you're carrying a highly steal-able game console around, and cardboard boxes don't last forever anyway.
The best way to keep your Xbox One safe on the go is with a specialized carrying case of some sort. Ideally, the case would hold both the console and any important accessories while also providing sufficient protection from bumps and scratches. And if it doesn't shout "game system inside," all the better.
Here are our carrying case and monitor suggestions, from cheapest to most expensive.
CTA Digital Multi-Function Case for Xbox One
On the affordable end of the spectrum is New York-based accessory manufacturer CTA Digital's Multi-Function Carrying Case. This one is a black messenger-style bag that can hold an Xbox One, a Kinect, and a few accessories.
The front side of the CTA Digital Carrying Case contains two external pockets. The outermost zippered pocket is well-suited for HDMI cables and other tiny accessories. Beneath that pocket lies a much larger pocket protected by a plastic clasp. This one can hold at least three Xbox One controllers comfortably, or the Xbox One power supply and one controller.
Unzip the main bag along its body and you'll find two sides: one for the console and one for accessories. The Xbox One system fits snuggly within its compartment, held in place by four Velcro straps. The accessory side of the interior includes a separate long bag for the Kinect. This side can also hold 1-2 controllers and/or an external hard drive, should you opt not to store the Kinect in the main bag.
CTA Digital's case sells for around $25, so it won't break the bank. But you can't expect the most durable bag for that price – two of the zipper pulls have broken off of mine after a year of admittedly heavy use. Check out our review for more pros, cons, and photos.
USA Gear S13 Travel Case for consoles
The USA Gear S13 comes from Accessory Power, a company that specializes in carrying cases. Like the CTA Digital Case, this one is a large black messenger bag that can carry an Xbox One console and most of its accessories.
The front side has two external pockets. The thinner one seems suited for cables and closes by Velcro. Behind it is a larger zippered pocket that is too thin for controllers but can hold a few game cases or magazines. The heavy-duty zipper pulls should last longer than those of the CTA Digital case.
The interior of the bag features two compartments, plus a soft divider wall in the middle. The console side holds the Xbox One in via a single Velcro strap. An extra divider will allow the case to hold an Xbox One S in place without it bouncing around.
On the opposite side, the case has one large area with several adjustable dividers. These allow you to create compartments for controllers, the power supply, and a headset or external hard drive. Between the console and accessory sides, the divider wall keeps everything in place and protects the system itself.
The USA Gear S13's external pockets aren't large enough to be especially useful, but the roomy interior accessory section still allows users to carry around a fair assortment of peripherals. This one sells for ~$45 and hits a good sweet spot between price and durability.
CTA Digital Backpack for consoles
If you don't want to carry a messenger bag around on your shoulder or in-hand, a backpack might do the trick. They distribute weight more evenly and are certainly harder to grab away from someone. The CTA Digital Backpack also has a neutral appearance that doesn't advertise itself as a gaming case.
The main compartment can hold an Xbox One well enough, albeit extremely snugly. Forget about storing a Kinect in the same compartment as shown in the product photos and video. Several Amazon users find it too difficult to get the bag closed after inserting the console, which is a bit worrisome. But the smaller Xbox One S will go in much easier, as would a PlayStation 4.
The backpack has two additional pockets. The central one is thinner and suitable for holding a game case or two. The outer pocket will hold a power supply and one controller (possibly two if transporting a smaller console than the original Xbox One). Two pockets on either side of the backpack will hold drink bottles or accessories.
The CTA Digital Backpack sells for around $60. It's a tough recommendation for full-sized Xbox Ones, but you might want to give it a look for your Xbox One S travel needs.
GAEMS Universal M155 Console Backpack
GAEMS is a manufacturer that specializes in taking gaming equipment on the go. The GAEMS Backpack is designed to transport a console *and* a GAEMS M155 portable monitor or laptop, making it quite a versatile accessory.
This backpack features a rather unique design in which a single outer cover protects all interior pockets and is held in place by two clasps. Open the cover and you'll find two sizable pockets. One can hold the Xbox One or other consoles, whereas the other can hold a 15-inch GAEMS monitor or the same size notebook computer.
A zippered pocket holds cables, power supply, and one controller. If you're not using the monitor/laptop pocket, you could probably fit additional controllers in there.
The downside to the GAEMS Backpack is its unusually rectangular shape, which could draw unwanted attention – as might the large GAEMS logos on both the backpack and one of the chest straps. But if you're looking to transport both a console and portable monitor or laptop, you can't beat this backpack's $60 price.
SLAPPA M.A.S.K. Laptop Backpack
My backpack of choice for Xbox One and notebook computer transportation is unquestionably the SLAPPA M.A.S.K. The family-owned SLAPPA brand is known for its distinctive designs (which always include a cushioned version of the company's hand logo) and quality. The M.A.S.K. is SLAPPA's signature backpack.
The M.A.S.K.'s zippered laptop compartment will hold a 17-inch notebook, power supply, mouse, and mousepad – everything you need for mobile computing. The middle of the backpack hosts a very large main compartment that can comfortably hold an Xbox One and its power supply. Alternately, you can buy a divider set for this compartment and use it for storing DSLR lenses or other knickknacks.
SLAPPA's M.A.S.K. has one very unique feature: swappable faces. The maker offers four different face designs (plus two color variants) that serve difference aesthetic and functional purposes. The DSLR face has an exterior compartment for easy access to a camera or even a couple of game controllers. The interior side of the face has several pockets too.
The M.A.S.K. is a large backpack, though it looks smaller than the GAEMS backpack thanks to its rounded shape. Some overhead airplane storage compartments are too small to fit the M.A.S.K. in its complete state. But unzip and remove the face and it will go in fine.
You get what you pay for with SLAPPA. The M.A.S.K. is a stylish and durable backpack, so it doesn't come cheap. Most styles cost $129, with the DSLR variant selling for $10 more. Your notebook and consoles are sizable investments, so why not spend a bit more to carry them around in style?
GAEMS M155 Portable Gaming Monitor
Traveling with your Xbox One is all well and good, but you'll also need a television or monitor if you hope to actually play it when you get there. An extra monitor comes in handy in LAN settings, not to mention when staying at an evil hotel whose TVs don't allow HDMI access.
Some portable computer monitors exist that connect via USB 3.0. But they don't support HDMI and thus won't work with consoles. Only one company makes portable gaming monitors with HDMI support, and that's GAEMS. They have two sizes to choose from: 15.5-inch and 24-inch.
The GAEMS M155 is a 15.5-inch monitor with a 720p resolution. The monitor includes a protective cover that acts as a stand during use, not unlike some tablet covers. The M155 comes bundled with the GAEMS backpack mentioned earlier, so it has certainly has both portability and protection covered.
15.5 inches isn't all that large for a console gaming display, but it should be sufficient when sitting at close range. The M155 reportedly has a poor viewing angle compared to normal monitors though, so you'll really need to sit in the right spot to enjoy it. And it lacks speakers -- sure, you can plug in headphones or portable speakers, but that's just one more thing to carry around.
GAEMS M240 Professional Gaming Monitor
The M240 Professional Gaming Monitor suffers from none of the M155's weaknesses. At 24 inches and 1080p, it basically provides the same quality and viewing experience you'd get from a standard computer monitor.
It has built-in speakers, headphone and subwoofer output, two HDMI inputs, and one HDMI output. The extra input means you can have both an Xbox One and a second console like the PlayStation 4 connected at once. And the HDMI output lets you send video directly to a capture device without the need for HDMI splitters, which is helpful for streaming.
The M240's built-in stand also functions as a carrying handle. A protective cover slides over the front of the monitor to shield it during travel. The cover is not built in, so you'll need to set it aside or place it under the monitor like a mat while playing.
As portable monitors go, you won't do any better than the GAEMS M240.
GAEMS Vanguard Personal Gaming Environment
If you don't want to deal with carrying both a case and a monitor around, the GAEMS Vanguard might be just the thing for you. GAEMS' flagship product is a hard plastic carrying case with a 19-inch 720p monitor and speakers built inside.
A single interior compartment holds the console itself, with Velcro straps holding it tightly in place. The console and monitor's power supplies and cables fit inside a coupon of padded bags that sit on either side of the console during use. When you're ready to play, just unpack the cables, hook it up, and play the system directly from within the case.
The Vanguard's monitor would benefit from a slightly wider viewing angle. But during a company event, four of us at Mobile Nations had no problem seeing the screen while gaming together. It's certainly good enough for local multiplayer.
One downside when using the Vanguard to transport an original Xbox One is the beefy console leaves precious little room for the accessories on the side. It's a tight fit, and you might need to carry extra controllers and such in a separate bag. The Xbox One S will fit like a charm though, as do other consoles.
The GAEMS Vanguard sells for around $350. Having used it regularly for over half a year, I find the Vanguard worth the price of admission. Read our detailed review for more info!