Best PS5 Carry Cases, and Exactly What to Pack to Take Your Console to a Mate's
By Jordan Hale
A PS5 is a brilliant console and a genuinely annoying thing to carry. It’s big, oddly shaped, and the bits you need most (the power cable, the stand) are the ones you’ll leave on the TV unit. A proper carry case turns the whole production into a grab-and-go, and a two-minute packing check stops you arriving at game night with a console you can’t actually plug in.
Here’s the case to get, and the list to pack.
The case
You want a hard EVA shell sized for the console, with cut-outs for the controllers and a pocket for cables. Two things to know going in:
- There’s no official Sony carry case to speak of, so this is a third-party market. That’s fine; a reputable third-party case doesn’t affect your warranty as long as you’re not modifying the console.
- Get one that fits your model. Many cases are adjustable for both the original PS5 and the PS5 Slim, which is what you want if you’re not sure or might upgrade. USA Gear and Syntech both make adjustable cases in this mould; there are plenty of solid options in the same shape PS5 and PS5 Slim carry case.
What separates a good one from a cheap one is the inside: dedicated, padded slots that stop two DualSense controllers knocking into each other, and a real cable pocket rather than a loose flap. If it’s got a shoulder strap or a handle and a luggage pass-through, even better for actual travel.
What to pack (the two-minute check)
Lay it out before you zip the case. In order of how badly you’ll regret forgetting it:
- The power cable. The single most-forgotten item. The PS5’s lead is detachable and lives behind the TV unit, so it’s the first thing to grab. No power cable, no game night.
- The stand or base. The PS5 needs its base to sit safely, vertically or flat. It’s small and it’s easy to leave behind.
- Two controllers and their charging cables. One for you, one for the host or player two. Charge them before you leave, and bring the USB-C cables so a flat pad isn’t a dead night PS5 DualSense controller.
- An HDMI cable. Their TV will have one in use, but you don’t want to be unplugging the host’s setup and hunting for a spare. Bring your own.
- A headset. A wired 3.5mm set plugs straight into the controller for comms, no pairing or charging wired 3.5mm gaming headset.
Your games are the one thing you don’t need to think about: they’re already on the console you’re carrying. Just don’t let the box arrive without its power lead.
A note on getting wired
If the night involves any online play, the host’s Wi-Fi will be the bottleneck. Bringing a way to go wired is the upgrade most people skip; it’s the whole point of our bring-your-kit guide, and a pocket travel router or even a long Ethernet cable rides in the same case. Once you’re set up, the couch co-op games worth bringing sort out what to actually play.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official PlayStation 5 carry case? There’s no widely available official Sony carry case, so PS5 travel cases are a third-party market. A reputable third-party case is fine and doesn’t affect your console warranty, as long as you don’t modify the console itself. Choose a hard EVA case sized for your model.
Will one case fit both the PS5 and the PS5 Slim? Many do. Several third-party cases (from makers like USA Gear and Syntech) have an adjustable interior that fits both the original PS5 and the smaller PS5 Slim. If you might upgrade, an adjustable case is the safer buy than one moulded for a single model.
What do I need to take my PS5 to a friend’s house? The console, its power cable, its stand or base, two controllers with charging cables, an HDMI cable, and a headset. The power cable and the stand are the two most commonly forgotten items. Your games are already on the console, so the hardware is all you need to plan for.
Does taking my PS5 out of the house risk damaging it? The main risks are the disc drive and connectors getting knocked in transit. A hard EVA case with padded slots protects against that far better than a bag, and keeps the controllers from rattling against the console. Let the console cool before packing it, and don’t transport it switched on.