Can You Bring Gaming Consoles on Planes?

Generally, all types of gaming consoles are allowed on planes in the United States, including all PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo models. TSA allows both small and large gaming consoles in hand and checked baggage without any restrictions. When going through airport security, you must take the game console out of its bag and you must place it in an individual bin to go through x-ray screening.

Portable gaming consoles that have lithium batteries should travel in carry-on baggage if possible. They’re also allowed in checked baggage, but they must be switched off and protected from accidental activation. Furthermore, portable gaming devices must be charged and in working condition, because airport security prohibits faulty devices with lithium batteries, as they may cause a fire risk.

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Overall, it’s best to pack your Xbox in hand luggage. This will prevent your game console from getting damaged or stolen from checked baggage. Although TSA allows game consoles like Xbox in hand luggage, you should make sure their weight and size comply with the standards of the airline you’re traveling with. Also remember to pack your Xbox in a way that is easily accessible in your carry-on, as you will have to take it out when going through airport security. 

Pack your PS5 in its own backpack when traveling in the United States. You can use a regular backpack, but it’s recommended to use a specialized gaming console backpack with padded foam and multiple pockets to carry your console and other equipment. Another way to travel with your PS5 is to pack it in your carry-on surrounded by clothing to keep it protected. Yet, this might be impractical, as you will need to take it out of the bag while going through security. As a last resort, you can also travel with the PS5 in its original box. But, in this case, it’s recommended to have evidence of purchase to prove you owned the game console before traveling to avoid paying import taxes.

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Yes, you need to take out your PS5 when going through security in the United States. TSA allows passengers to travel with game consoles in carry-on without any exceptions. However, they ask for these consoles, including the PS5, to be taken out of their bag when going through airport security. You need to place your PS5 in an individual bin without anything on top for the screening process. So when packing your PS5 in luggage, remember to pack it in a way that allows you to easily retrieve it from your bag.

The best travel bag for your PS5 is the USA Gear PS5 case. This travel bag’s interior is customizable so you can change the compartments depending on which equipment you’re carrying. It has multiple pockets for storing items, and different handles so you can change the way you carry it. However, this bag is more similar in style to a laptop bag. Another option for storing your PS5 is the Trunab gaming console backpack. It features multiple pockets, a large compartment to store the console, and padded shoulders.

In general, PS5, PS4, and Xbox gaming consoles fit in common carry-on bags. Although it varies per airline, the usual measurements for carry-on baggage are 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm).

The measurements for most common gaming consoles are as follows:
– PS5: 15.4 x 10.2 x 4.1 inches (39 x 26 x 10 cm)
– PS4: 12 x 10.8 x 2.1 inches (30 x 27 x 5 cm)
– Fourth generation Xbox Series X: 11.8 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches (30 x 15 x 15 cm)
– Fourth generation Xbox Series S: 10.8 x 5.9 x 2.5 inches (27 x 15 x 6 cm)

So as you can see, even the largest popular gaming console – the PS5 – still easily fits within the strictest carry-on restrictions. In fact, it’s even small enough to be used as a personal item with most airlines.

However, if you’re carrying a gaming console bag with other gaming equipment in it, you’ll have to see it complies with the weight limits established by the airline. The average weight limit is usually between 15-45 lbs (7-20 kg).

The PS5, PS4, and Xbox consoles don’t have lithium batteries themselves. They must be directly connected to a power supply to work and aren’t rechargeable. This means you can also pack these game consoles in checked baggage without worrying about the batteries causing a problem with security.

Yet, the controllers for most gaming consoles do have lithium batteries and you should pack them in carry-on baggage whenever possible. Smaller gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch have lithium batteries and therefore should travel in hand baggage too. They’re also allowed in checked baggage, but they must be switched off and protected from accidentally turning on.

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Generally, gaming controllers are allowed on planes. You can pack your gaming controllers together in the same bag as your gaming console, cables, video games, and headsets. Gaming controllers with lithium batteries should be packed in hand baggage whenever possible, but they’re also allowed in checked baggage.

Smaller gaming consoles, like Nintendo Switch, are generally allowed on planes. But, contrary to other gaming consoles, Nintendo Switch, PSP, and Nintendo DS have lithium batteries and should be packed in hand baggage. When going through security, you must remove small gaming consoles from your hand baggage and you must place them in an individual bin for screening. You can also pack them in checked baggage, but they must be switched off and protected from accidental activation.

Yes, you can bring VR headsets on planes in the United States. TSA allows headsets to travel in hand and cargo baggage. But it’s recommended to keep such valuable things in hand baggage. You’ll have to take out the VR from your bag when going through airport security and place it in a bin for x-ray screening. Although there aren’t any rules against using your VR onboard a plane, some airlines might not allow it during take-off and landing, as it might impair your ability to react in a critical situation.
Also check out: Airplane electronics rules