travel consol reviews

Article updated on January 1, 2024 at 3:00 AM PST

Best Handheld Game Consoles of 2024

Take your gaming on the go with the best handheld game consoles, from the Nintendo Switch to Valve's Steam Deck.

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Over the last few years, we've witnessed the revival of handheld game consoles -- thanks to the convenience of on-the-go gaming and streaming technology. Additionally, there's no doubt that the 2017 success of the Nintendo Switch  also contributed to the shift. These days, there are even more options: Steam Deck , indie and retro consoles like the  Panic Playdate , Analogue Pocket and Evercade EXP , and mobile streaming devices like the  Razer Edge  and  Logitech G Cloud . Here are the best dedicated handheld game console options and why they're worth considering.

Phones and tablets already do a fine job of playing tons of great games and streaming games from consoles or the cloud. Dedicated devices can provide unique features, exclusive games or extra power to do things your phone can't. It almost feels like a return to the mid-2010s era of the  Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita .

The Nintendo Switch has been the best and most affordable portable game system for years and continues to be CNET's clear top pick. At $300 (or $350 for our favorite model), it can play a huge variety of Nintendo games and indie games, it can dock with a TV and can even play some fitness games. Valve's Steam Deck offers a unique proposition for those with deeper pockets: It's large, and it can double as a full gaming PC. A year later , it's still great (and arguably even better than before).

For those who miss retro game handhelds like the Game Boy , you might consider putting yourself on the waiting list to order the Analogue Pocket or Panic Playdate too, but both of those systems are more niche -- and more indie- or retro-targeted -- than the Switch and Steam Deck.

We'll explain below.

Best handheld, but which one to choose?

Nintendo switch.

The Nintendo Switch is over five years old now, but Nintendo has indicated that no true successor is coming right now. A Pro model has been rumored for a while, but in the meantime the existing Switch remains extremely capable, full of great games (including lots of indie offerings), and pretty affordable considering its handheld/TV-connected dual function. The Switch has also become a fantastic source of retro games (Game Boy, NES, SNES, Genesis, N64 and more) via the subscription-based Switch Online service.

The OLED-screened Switch , which was released in October 2021, is the best Switch and our recommended pick. The more vivid and larger display looks fantastic, its rear kickstand works better for tabletop gaming, and both of these upgrades are worth the extra $50. The original Switch (or the V2 version ), at $300, works similarly and is also still fine, and occasionally comes in special editions and holiday game bundles. The smaller, handheld-only Switch Lite is a great value pick at $200 for anyone who just wants a basic portable game system, but it lacks any ability to connect to a TV, and its controllers don't detach. This makes it less versatile for families, and means you can't replace the controllers if they break.

Best PC handheld

Valve's big and powerful Steam Deck is a marvel. It can play a wide variety of PC games surprisingly well, and is the dream portable for any hardcore Steam fan, or anyone who has a big library of PC games. The Steam Deck can get expensive for the larger storage tiers, but for what it's capable of, it's not a bad deal. The ability to play PC games or stream cloud-based games, and to connect to a monitor, keyboard or other accessories, puts the Steam Deck in a class of its own. A year later, it's still fantastic and worth getting right now (we don't know when a second-gen Steam Deck will be announced, though).

Best handheld for collectors of old games

Analogue pocket.

The Pocket looks like a totally remade Game Boy, and it is, in a sense. Analogue's gorgeous handheld can play original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges perfectly, and can even play Sega Game Gear games using an adapter (Atari Lynx, Neo Geo Pocket and Turbografx-16 adapters are supposed to be coming soon). It has a high-res color screen and USB-C charging, and there's a separately sold dock for TV play. One of the most exciting updates to the Pocket is its support for FPGA cores that can replicate classic game hardware  and play ROMs. There's no game store for buying games: Pocket is a system to play classic cartridges or other games in amazing quality, if you want to tinker around with FPGA. There's also a growing library of Pocket-compatible software in indie gaming channels like  itch.io that can be sideloaded to a microSD card, too.

Best super-small indie novelty system

Panic playdate.

The tiny, yellow, black-and-white-screened Panic Playdate looks like a weird Game Boy with a mechanical crank sprouting from its side. But this system, made by the indie game company that developed Untitled Goose Game, plays its own tiny season of 24 indie-developed games, which come included with the purchase and appear over time like weekly presents. The Playdate has Wi-Fi and can download games or sideload other indie-developed titles from sites like itch.io, but you'll have to learn to love the experiences you discover. We've loved playing on it so far, but alas, the Playdate doesn't have any backlighting -- you'll have to find a lamp instead. A recent update has added a new on-device app catalog where games can be purchased separately, but the price of the Playdate is also going up to $199: for the same price, you can also get a Switch Lite.

A retro compilation consideration

Evercade exp.

The Evercade EXP only plays its own dedicated collection of game cartridges. The cartridges include a mix of retro console or arcade games from some niche players, such as Irem, Toaplan and Jaleco, as well as Capcom, Atari and Namco. There are even platform-focused collections like Intellivision, Commodore 64 and the Atari Lynx. 

The Evercade EXP comes with Capcom games preinstalled, plus an Irem cartridge (remember R-Type?). The handheld can flip to vertical mode with a press of a button for vertical TATE arcade games, a clever touch. You can also plug this into a TV (Mini HDMI cable required) and play games on a bigger screen, too.

An Android gaming handheld

Razer's Android mini-tablet handheld (don't call it a phone) has a crisp, high-res 6.8-inch AMOLED display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon G3X gaming-dedicated mobile chip, and can play a wide variety of Android games. At $400 for the Wi-Fi version, it's less expensive than many phones and comes with its own snap-on game controller that normally costs about $100. 

It can stream Xbox and PC games with Android apps, too, just like your phone can. But this handheld doesn't do enough unique things well enough to merit a true reason to get one. A Verizon-exclusive 5G-enabled version isn't likely worth the monthly subscription cost for cellular, either.

If you just want a novelty option

Legend of zelda game and watch.

Nintendo's teeny-tiny Game and Watch reboots, which have either a mini compilation of Super Mario or Legend of Zelda classic games on them, are still around. At $50 (or even less), they're considerably less expensive than other handheld options. Sure, they only play a couple of games. But they're portable, and for kids or collectors they could be a perfect little travel toy.

Should I just use my phone or iPad instead?

Tablets and phones are extremely valid game consoles: The iPad has tons of games on the App Store, and hundreds more on Apple's subscription-based Apple Arcade . The iPad can pair with Bluetooth game controllers, too. iPhones and Android phones have tons of games as well, obviously, and a number of great game controller cases are available, including the Backbone and the  Razer Kishi .

Phones and tablets also offer other advantages, including an ability to cloud-stream games on a growing number of services including Microsoft Game Pass Ultimate and PlayStation Plus .

The handhelds listed above have other advantages: unique game libraries, a chance to connect to a TV and play with others, and the capability to play higher-end PC games or classic game cartridges.

Should I wait for something else?

The Nintendo Switch Pro, a long-rumored upgrade to the Switch, could eventually offer 4K gaming and perhaps upgraded controllers, although the existence of such a device is entirely speculative. Odds are that Nintendo will instead just keep slightly improving the Switch via new models every couple of years, similar to how it kept upgrading its Nintendo DS and 3DS line over time.

The Steam Deck has been on the market for just over a year, but it's unclear when and if Valve will ever choose to upgrade it with better processors or newer features. And right now, Microsoft and Sony have stayed out of the handheld gaming picture.

Razer's Android-based gaming tablet, the Razer Edge , shows where a wave of new gaming tablets could emerge to become the Steam Decks of the mobile world. The Edge is more Android device with controller attached, however, and isn't much better right now than a controller you could just buy for your phone.

Logitech's streaming-only G Cloud handheld is a similar proposition, but with its controls attached to the device. These handhelds could be pointing to how more console/PC accessories could pop up as home handhelds to stream games away from a TV, but right now you're probably better off using your phone or tablet and a game controller to do pretty much the same thing.

What's best for kids?

My kids alternate between iPad gaming and the Nintendo Switch. The Switch is without a doubt the best kid console, with the most family-friendly game library and best parental control settings. Still, be prepared to get annoyed at buying multiple copies of games and trudging through the process of creating multiple Switch family accounts.

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Suggested companies

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Reviews 3.8.

Most relevant

Very helpful and understanding

Came into fareham studio today at lunchtime to be met by a lovely lady, she helped me sort out worries I had about using sunbeds. Unfortunately I didn't have my ID so will be back to sort out an account

Date of experience : May 06, 2024

I came into Bognor tanning studio…

I came into Bognor tanning studio today, and a lovely polite very very helpful girl called Steph made me feel very welcome, I will definitely be going back

Amazing service

Amazing g service, always clean, welcoming staff. Steph is brilliant in Bognor store.

What a great shop

What a great shop, well run always clean and Steph is always happy and helpful a real asset to the company

Date of experience : April 30, 2024

Consol Bognor Regis is always amazing 🤩…

Consol Bognor Regis is always amazing 🤩 clean and fresh cabins, immaculate sunbeds, bins always emptied beautiful little bows on the blue roll and best of all the wonderful Steph who makes our day always so friendly and welcoming, just a really truly lovely lady! 🤩

Date of experience : May 01, 2024

Camborne studio

Always greeted by the lovely staff who are more than happy to help. The store itself is very clean along with the cabins that are spotless. Welcoming studio, don’t have a bad word to say about it!

Date of experience : April 10, 2024

Staff are lovely

Staff are lovely, always helpful! Beds and cabins are always well cleaned and overall great service! Wouldn't go anywhere else other then Camborne Consol

Date of experience : March 24, 2024

Camborne Consol

Camborne Consol is always clean and the staff are very friendly and welcoming

Date of experience : April 17, 2024

Camborne store is amazing

Camborne store is amazing, very helpful staff and great beds, the shop is always gleaming!

Date of experience : March 02, 2024

Trying to get an issue sorted has left…

Trying to get an issue sorted has left me banging my head against the wall, they have completely messed up my account/email address change,long story but I just want my credit moved from an old account to another but they can’t source it on the system, was promised the issue would be sent to the IT department to look into, I can see another persons transactions on my app (she has the same name) have sent screenshots of everything possible but still it’s not sorted. Not happy. Update, after a lot of stress things are now sorted and I am happy with the outcome, many thanks

Date of experience : February 26, 2024

Reply from Consol

Hi Sharon, Thank you so much for very kindly amending your review once our team had resolved your issue for you. We look forward to seeing you in one of our studios soon! :) Consol x

Lovely staff

Very clean and fresh cabins and beds are great,staffs are impeccable Jen is amazing total asset to the company went through every cream and let me try them on my skin and smell them your spoilt for choice, felt very looked after, very highly recommend don’t think now I will be going anywhere else ❤️

Date of experience : April 02, 2024

Another price hike

Another price hike, the second one in two months!! This is putting me off going for my sunbeds, as this is a treat for me. Time to find another studio I think.

Date of experience : April 08, 2024

Dirty sunbeds

Dirty sunbeds, rude staff. Used Weston Super mare Consol today. Avoid! I went in, the person working was no where to be seen, then I saw they were sat on their phone not interested in serving me. I used a lie down bed and dirty is an understatement, the person working is obviously too busy on the phone to bother cleaning the sunbeds. I had to spend 5 minutes of my bed time cleaning it before I felt comfortable getting on there. When I was finished I intended on telling the person working but again they were no where to be seen so has resulted in my review. I'd recommend using Gloden which is just down the road, the staff are lovely and welcoming and they make a point of cleaning the beds before you use them and its cheaper. Win win. Will never be using Consol Weston again! Disgusting, unclean and rude people working.

Date of experience : February 09, 2024

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

I have gone to various consol locations in and around Bristol multiple times, and each time has been horrible! Last time I went to a consol location, I had to leave because the tanning bed was completely filthy - greasy, covered in small curly hairs and the room in general had a weird, unpleasant smell. It was too dirty for me to clean it with a paper towel. In my experience, bad hygiene is a general trend across all consol locations I’ve been to. I have also experienced the tanning bed turning off midway through my tanning session, with no way for me to turn it back on and get what I paid for. I have tried consol multiple times (although I find that Gloden is much better quality), but will not be giving it another chance. I would avoid if I was you.

Date of experience : January 14, 2024

Also very clean and smelling fresh the…

Also very clean and smelling fresh the staff very friendly and very attentive to helping with any concerns or questions you have and advice on creams etc can't beat the cambore shop highly recommend to anyone wanting to use a sunbed

Date of experience : March 14, 2024

I've been using consol salons at…

I've been using consol salons at various locations in Bristol for quite some time and the staff have always been very helpful and friendly, but I feel compelled to write a quick review about one employee in particular called Ella who works at the Knowle branch, she is the warmest, friendliest, funniest member of staff I think I've met not just at any of the consol salons but anywhere! Thanks very much for making me and many more customers (im sure) smile if you are reading this Ella! The world could do with many more like you in it, you are an asset to your company.

Date of experience : December 05, 2023

Hey Andrea, Thank you so much for your lovely review about our staff & studios! We will pass your message onto our staff at our Knowle studio :) We hope to see you again soon! Consol x

AVOID!!!!!!

AVOID!!!!!!! I have used consol Weston super mare for years and I have always found this one woman who is very rude and this time it just made me feel so uncomfortable I will never be using consol again. I went for a sunbed recently and there was a foreign woman with dark hair she was so rude to me and made me feel so uncomfortable as soon as I walked in I could feel her staring me up and down like almost judging me? I said oh im just going to use the toilet quickly before using the sunbed, she said to me “okay but leave it clean as I have just cleaned it” she said this infront of two other people which made me feel so embarrassed, she was acting like I was unhygienic. I had never felt so belittled i asked for her name I’m sure she said dean or dee? I will never be using them beds again and trying elsewhere!!

Date of experience : December 29, 2023

Massive Price Increase

Massive price increase. Used to pay £4.50 for 15 minutes which I used to go 2 times a week now it's gone up to just over £10 for 15 minutes. Wasn't made aware of price increase at all. So disappointing, for this reason I've stopped going.

Date of experience : March 05, 2024

Consol in Woking closed in March…

Consol in Woking closed in March stating they were moving to another location and would be open in weeks. They constantly promote offers to buy credit but tucked in their small print it says that credit cannot be transferred back into cash. So guess what, they close the Woking branch and their website still says the new location will open Spring 2023 and here we are in July. I contacted customer service asking for my money back but was referred to their terms and conditions saying you couldn’t convert back to cash, despite Consol being the ones who closed the branch with an indefinite opening time for the new one. Again, they happily take your money then shut the shop. Utter and obvious thieves and crooks. Find yourself another tanning company

Date of experience : July 12, 2023

Hi Jason, I am very sorry that this studio took a little longer to re-open than originally planned; unfortunately there were a number of issues that were totally out of our control however, our brand new Woking studio is back (bigger & better than ever!). We have an exclusive offer on at the moment for this studio so don't miss out. We hope that we have restored your faith in Consol & look forward to seeing you soon. Consol x

Shirley and Eastleigh branches - Great…

I usually go to a couple of Consol salons in the Southampton area and they are both brilliant. Workers are friendly and helpful. Sunbeds well cleaned as well as the toilets.

Date of experience : January 25, 2024

Thank you so much for your lovely review about our staff & studios! We will pass your message onto our Southhampton studios :) We hope to see you again soon! Consol x

Best travel cases for PS5 in 2024

Moving the monolith.

It's no secret that the PS5 is one of, if not the biggest consoles to have ever released. Unfortunately, WIth its bulky and honestly weird shape, the system isn't the easiest to move around or fit in an entertainment center. However, if you happen to travel a lot or are simply going on vacation and want to take your console with you so you don't miss out on any of the best PS5 games, finding an excellent way to transport it while keeping the system safe might leave you scratching your head.

Thankfully, there are already a handful of great options available for finding the best travel cases for PS5 in 2022. These are our picks for the best around.

The best travel cases for PS5

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

King of the hill

The Case Club PS5 Portable Gaming Station does it all when it comes to travel management. It can carry your console, hold remotes, store games, cables, and headsets, and even sports a full HD monitor for you to play the games on, should you choose to do so. Of course, this is a higher-end option and only reserved for those looking to play straight out of a case.

Handy and spacious

A more traditional case, USA Gear's travel case offers water and scratch resistance and a sturdy handle for you to take your console wherever you are. There're also plenty of compartments included, so you'll be able to take some extra items, including a controller, headset, or some games.

A hardshell case

Casematix aims to give players a much more sturdy option, as its travel case for the PS5 sports a hard shell and customized foam inserts for either the Standard or Digital Editions of the PS5. The case fits the console, sports a "crushproof" hard shell, and, thanks to its foam inserts, is shock absorbent as well. The downsides to this case are its price and lack of compartments for anything outside of the console, its stand, and two controllers, but it's hard to argue that this isn't the most protective case available.

Sleek and stylish

If you want a sleeker, more minimalist case to carry around your PS5, then Partage has the bag for you. With a simple white front sporting just the brand's logo, this case comes with enough room to store your console, two controllers, and even a stack of games if you'd like. The bag also features a shoulder strap so you can keep your highly coveted system close to your chest at all times.

Free accessories

G-Story's bag features many standard travel case requirements, including a non-slip mat, high-quality waterproof nylon finish, and a leather carrying handle. Unlike other brands, though, G-Story also includes some free accessories for your DualSense controller, with a silicone protective cover and analog stick caps included with the purchase of the case.

Ztotop's PS5 case is probably the most nondescript of the cases available for the console, and that isn't a bad thing. If you prefer not to advertise that you're carrying around a next-gen console with you for one reason or another, then this is for you. Ztotop's bag has enough room for the console, two controllers, the PS5 Media Remote, and any cords you might need. 

• Back to the top ^

Tons of great PS5 travel case options

It might be hard to believe, but the PS5 already came out over a year ago. In that time, a surprising amount of travel cases have popped up across digital storefronts that help make playing the best PS5 games on the road easier. If you're looking for something that does everything, including play games, then the Case Club Portable Gaming Station is going to be for you. But, of course, this does much more than simply store your console, so it might not be for everyone.

If you're looking for something that offers some serious protection, then Casematix's hardshell offering may be for you. Not only does it have waterproof features, but its rugged case and foam inserts also make it crush and shockproof as well. Ztotop's travel case is also a great choice if you're looking to stay lowkey in your travels, but still want to take some gaming gear with you.

It's hard to go wrong with any of the options on this list. But, unfortunately, when it comes to taking your PS5 on the go, it's not exactly the easiest to do on your own. The system doesn't make for the best travel partner, thanks to its bulky design. However, with some careful planning and the proper case, you'll be able to protect your console and ensure that you'll have one of the best gaming machines in the world with you wherever you go.

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Anthony Nash has been writing about games and the gaming industry for nearly a decade. When he’s not writing about games, he’s usually playing them. You can find him on Twitter talking about games or sports at @_anthonynash .

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Travel Consol

Travel agency in Ealing

Address: 126 Broadway, London W13 0SY, United Kingdom

Phone: 442088100707

Region: Ealing

Nearest station: West Ealing (0.31 miles)

Rated: 4.1/5 on Google.

Opening Times

About travel consol.

• 👏 Excellent service, always used Suraj ji and Prabhakar ji for tickets.
• 📅 In 2021 had to cancel a flight due to Covid documents and asked for refund, still waiting.
• ✨ Recent ticket purchase through Travelconsol was satisfying with easy navigation and seamless booking process.
• 💌 Confirmation email was clear and detailed.
• ❓Customer service team was helpful with ticket questions.
• ⭐️ Brilliant experience overall, great customer service and thorough support. Highly recommended!
• ⏰ Prompt and reasonable service received so far. Thanks to the team!
• 🎉 Fabulous holiday organized from start to finish. Would definitely go back again and recommend TC 100%.
• 💼 Professional travel advice to alleviate booking anxiety. Friendly staff with great overall service.
• Please note that there is mixed feedback regarding the refund process for a cancelled flight in 2021.

Options: Travel agency

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Locations nearby, travel time global 16 broadway, london w13 0sr, united kingdom, worldstrides craven house, 40-44 uxbridge rd, london w5 2bs, united kingdom, flightspro flightspro ltd, ealing aurora, 71-75 uxbridge rd, london w5 5sl.

The best handheld gaming consoles in 2024

The best handheld gaming consoles let you enjoy games on the go

• Best overall
• Best for PC gamers
• Best for iOS gaming
• Best for Windows
• Best Steam Deck alternative
• Best gaming phone
• How to choose
• How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best for PC users 4. Best for iOS gaming 5. Best for Windows gaming 6. Best value 7. Best Steam Deck alternative 8. Best gaming phone 9. How to pick the best for you 10. How we test

Gaming on the go was once the domain of smartphones and Nintendo consoles. While that's still somewhat true, the rise of handheld PCs means there's more variety than ever when choosing the best handheld gaming consoles.

Devices like the Steam Deck , Asus ROG Ally , and Lenovo Legion Go let you play a huge library of games once consigned to Windows 11 PCs, while gaming-centric smartphones can let you run impressive mobile games. And of course, Nintendo still offers some great devices for gaming on the go.

2024 should be another banner year for handhelds. After all, the MSI Claw is now available and Acer is reportedly working on a PC gaming handheld . Though not confirmed, we might even hear official word about the Steam Deck 2 .

With that in mind read on to see our picks for the best handheld gaming consoles and which ones might be most suited for you.

The quick list

Here are the best handheld gaming consoles you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews.

The best handheld console overall

The Switch OLED is the best version of Nintendo's hybrid handheld console. Its beautiful display and quality-of-life upgrades make it a must-have.

Read more below

The best handheld gaming console for PC users

The original Steam Deck was excellent but the OLED model is even better thanks to the OLED display, faster Wi-Fi, improved battery life and additional storage. This is the absolute best way to play PC games on the go. Read more below

The best handheld console for iOS gaming

With a powerful M1 chip and access to Apple Arcade, the iPad Air is a great gaming device hidden in an attractive tablet shell, with the option to add a keyboard.

The best handheld for Windows gaming

The Lenovo Legion Go is arguably the best Windows 11 handheld thanks to its large 8.8-inch 144Hz display, detachable controllers and intuitive launcher. It doesn't offer the same seamless experience as the Steam Deck but its virtues make it a winner for Windows gaming.

The best value handheld

If you want access to the  best Nintendo Switch games  and don’t mind being limited to handheld mode, the Switch Lite is a no-brainer. But some of the magic of the standard $299 Switch gets sacrificed in favor of the Lite’s smaller size. 

The best Steam Deck alternative

With more powerful specs, a lightweight design, and a great d120Hz display, the ROG Ally is a solid alternative to the Steam Deck. Just be prepared to deal with Windows 11. 

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The best gaming phone

The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the best version of the company's gaming smartphone line thanks to its excellent performance and long-lasting battery. More than ever, this phone offers a more complete premium Android experience.

The best handheld gaming consoles you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

1. Nintendo Switch OLED

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Where once the original Nintendo Switch topped this list, it's been pretty much completely replaced by the Nintendo Switch OLED. As the name would suggest, this Switch offers an OLED display that's not only larger than that of the standard Switch but also brighter and more colorful really making some of the best Nintendo Switch games really pop. 

Other improvements like a sturdy kickstand, better speakers and an Ethernet port, make the Switch OLED the handheld games console to get today. The only caveat is that if you have an original Nintendo Switch you might not see the biggest of upgrades moving from it to the Switch OLED.

Read our full Nintendo Switch OLED review .

2. Steam Deck OLED

The Steam Deck OLED is the real deal. While it’s not a revolutionary upgrade over the original  Steam Deck , new features like an OLED HDR-capable display, Wi-Fi 6, and improved cooling make a huge difference. Like its predecessor, this handheld is an engineering  marvel .

If you already own a Steam Deck and only play it occasionally, you probably don’t need to upgrade. However, purchasing it is a no-brainer if you’re new to Steam Deck or if the original is your primary gaming platform. The original model was great, but this latest iteration demonstrates that Valve can improve on perfection. The Steam Deck OLED has set a new standard for competitors to follow.

Read our full Steam Deck OLED review .

3. Apple iPad Air

The Apple iPad Air is one of the best tablets on the market, so it stands to reason that it’s also one of the best handheld gaming consoles. The Apple App Store has some of the best smartphone games on the market, and it usually gets the best titles months before Android does. In addition to perennial favorites like Fortnite , Hearthstone and Minecraft, you can also play indie darlings like Monument Valley, Florence and Threes.

What really sets the iPad apart from Android tablets, though, is Apple Arcade. This subscription service gives you access to more than 100 games for $5 per month. Some of the games are exclusive to the Apple Arcade service; others, you can get on a Switch or PC, but not an Android device. Sayonara Wild Hearts was an early contender for the best Apple Arcade game, but What the Golf, Dear Reader and Lifelike are also ingenious experiences that you generally won’t find elsewhere.

Read our full Apple iPad Air review .

The best handheld console for Windows gaming

4. Lenovo Legion Go

The Lenovo Legion Go is the latest gaming handheld looking to topple the mighty Steam Deck. With its large 8.8-inch 144Hz display, powerful AMD Ryzen 1 Extreme processor and detachable controllers, this Windows 11-powered portable gaming system has a lot going for it.

Lenovo makes some of the  best gaming laptops  and  best gaming PCs  out there, so it’s not surprising that the company’s gaming handheld looks and feels like a premium product. Despite its virtues, the Legion Go's greatest strength is also its biggest weakness — namely, Windows 11. While the ubiquitous operating system allows for a great degree of customization via apps and programs, it also prevents Lenovo’s machine from being an easy-to-use gaming handheld.

While the Lenovo Legion Go isn’t perfect, its extra features arguably make it better than the Asus ROG Ally.

Read our full Lenovo Legion Go review.

5. Nintendo Switch Lite

The Nintendo Switch Lite is about two-thirds the size of the regular Switch, and delivers two-thirds of what we love about the full-size model. Like its bigger cousin, the Switch Lite has access to Nintendo’s incredible library of first- and third-party games, as well as a comfortable control scheme and a big, colorful screen. Whether you want to play your fill of Zelda, Mario and Animal Crossing, or Doom, Bayonetta and Assassin’s Creed, the Switch Lite can deliver the same excellent games in a profile that’s easy to stash in a backpack or purse.

There are some drawbacks, though. Due to its smaller size, the Switch Lite has a smaller battery, meaning less playtime overall. The Switch Lite also doesn’t have detachable Joy-Cons, meaning that impromptu multiplayer sessions are much harder to facilitate. You also can’t transfer save data easily between a Switch Lite and a regular Switch, so consider carefully which one you want.

Read our full Nintendo Switch Lite review .

6. Asus ROG Ally

The Asus ROG Ally might not be the Steam Deck killer we expected but it's currently the best Windows handheld on the market.

This 7-inch handheld boasts a 120Hz display and a powerful new Zen 4-based AMD APU. Toss in official support from Xbox and the ability to play any Windows-compatible game out of the box, and the ROG Ally should theoretically decimate Valve’s portable gaming device. However, better specs on paper don’t always make for a better gaming experience.

The 1080p display delivers sharp visuals and a smooth refresh rate. Games can also run at 60 frames per second and above thanks to the new Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor. On top of that, the handheld’s ergonomic design makes it a pleasure to hold — not to mention comfortable to use for long stretches of time. There’s a lot to like about the ROG Ally.

Despite its virtues, the Asus ROG Ally isn’t toppling the Steam Deck. Yes, it has a sharper display and a faster processor, but the gains from these are arguably negligible — especially when you have to run games at 720p to get nominally better performance. Worst of all is the lack of a dedicated user interface like SteamOS. The Asus Armoury Crate app does a decent enough job of gathering games in one spot, but it’s nowhere near as intuitive or functional as Valve’s operating system.

Read our full Asus ROG Ally review.

The best gaming smartphone

7. Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

The Asus ROG Phone 8 is not only a fantastic gaming device but it's also a solid smartphone for everyday use. Its rivals no longer include just the Nintendo Switch but also the  Backbone One ,  PlayStation Portal ,  Steam Deck  and even Asus' own  ROG Ally .

Its upgraded cameras and more user-friendly design revisions join the ROG Phone’s typically great performance, power efficiency and ample selection of game-enhancing features. It's the most balanced ROG Phone yet, and Asus' best effort to sway the average phone buyer to its side.

People who want an Android phone with exceptional battery life and will make use of the Armory Crate's bountiful contents as much as or more than their phone's cameras could find the ROG Phone 8 Pro bridges the gap between gaming and premium phone experiences in a way that no other handset can.

Read our full Asus ROG Phone 8 review .

How to choose the best handheld gaming console for you

The best handheld gaming console for your needs depends on where you want to use it. If you need something that you can stash in your pocket and play absolutely anywhere, the ROG Phone 5 is the smallest, most versatile device on the list. If you want to split your game time equally between home and traveling, the Nintendo Switch is probably the best option, since you can hook it up to a TV.

Price is also a consideration. The iPad Air and ROG phone are much more expensive than the dedicated gaming handhelds on this list, but they’re also more versatile devices. It’s probably not a great idea to buy them exclusively for gaming, but if you happen to already own one, you may want to see what kind of games you can get before you complement it with a dedicated Nintendo device. Likewise, the Switch Lite is cheaper than the full-fledged Switch, but it also has fewer features.

How we test handheld gaming consoles

Since the best handheld gaming consoles comprise both dedicated gaming hardware and versatile mobile devices, we don’t have a standardized procedure to test them. Instead, we draw from our experiences with these devices after we give them full reviews. A Nintendo Switch and an Apple iPad Air, for example, fill very different roles in the tech world, so devising apples-to-apples tests for them is nearly impossible.

Instead, we evaluate each system’s game library, as well as how well it plays games relative to its hardware. An ROG Phone 5 is more powerful than a Switch Lite, but the Switch Lite can play much deeper, more involved games, thanks to its built-in controllers and Nintendo pedigree.

To earn a spot on this list, a system simply has to play excellent games, and be small enough to transport easily. For anything beyond that, we rely on our qualitative judgment.

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Marshall Honorof is a senior editor for Tom's Guide, overseeing the site's coverage of gaming hardware and software. He comes from a science writing background, having studied paleomammalogy, biological anthropology, and the history of science and technology. After hours, you can find him practicing taekwondo or doing deep dives on classic sci-fi. 

• Tony Polanco Computing Writer
• Roland Moore-Colyer

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Gemma is brilliant!

We booked our dream honeymoon in South Africa and Mauritius through Gemma Pauley, and the whole process was smooth and excellent! Gemma was available at any time via email or WhatsApp to answer any questions, even when she was on holiday herself! Our trip was perfect and the booking process and user friendly app couldn’t have been easier. Thoroughly recommend using travel counsellors and especially Gemma! Thanks Gemma!

Date of experience : 13 May 2024

Rome - Jane Sheffield

I was recomended Jane, and recently returned from a trip to Rome. I would highly recommend using Jane, she was informative and took the hassle away of booking a trip away. We had a wonderful time away and we will certainly be using Jane again and recommending to friends and family. Thank you 😊

Date of experience : 03 June 2024

Lake Como beautiful

Just got back from a fantastic week in Lake Como with Newmarket Holidays. Thanks Lindsey.for making the trip totally stress free even checking us in on both flights . Even going the extra mile by informing the hotel it was our wedding anniversary whilst we where away, bottle of fizz and chocolates left in the room. Such a wonderful holiday. THANK YOU 😊

Date of experience : 29 May 2024

Amazing Trip & Service!

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Michelle Hyland, we had the honeymoon of our dreams - if not better!! From start to finish she was amazing. We really appreciated her spending time with us initially talking through different location options and her knowledge of each place was really helpful in enabling us to make a decision on exactly where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do. Prior to trip and throughout the trip she was always in communication, checking in and there to help if we needed anything. We felt totally at ease all holiday knowing everything was taken care of! Just again, a massive thank you, and we would love to use TC again and will definitely be recommending Michelle to our friends & family!

Date of experience : 23 April 2024

Mediterranean Adventure.

We had a wonderful 10 day cruise on Siren, one of Oceania’s fleet of ships, organised by our travel councellor Dean Wilson. We visited cities in Italy, France, Spain & Morocco The accomadation was excellent very comfortable and spacious. The food on board the ship was exceptionally good, varied and invariably cooked to a high standard. We went on 5 shore excursions which were well organised and informative & educational. It’s really difficult to find fault with the whole experience and that had to be down in no small way to Deans organisational prowess. We shall certainly be using Deans services again in the future.

Date of experience : 06 June 2024

We booked through Cara Micallef

We booked through Cara Micallef. Group booking for a party of 8. Cara advised us on the best hotels and flight times & transfers. Everything was perfect. We had peace of mind knowing if we had any issues Cara was only a phone call away. We will be continuing to use Cara for future holidays and would recommend unreservedly.

Date of experience : 02 May 2024

Travel Counsellors, Caroline Howden

Caroline Howden has been our preferred travel agent for many years now. We usually book cruises through Caroline but have lately also booked flights, hotels and package holidays. Caroline has always been amazingly helpful, she always makes absolutely sure we have the best holiday experience. She is always on hand whether we are at home or away and adjusts arrangements whenever requested. Recently we were trying to arrange a cruise while we were in America. Caroline very kindly agreed to take our call out of normal working hours in order to help. Always friendly, reassuring and incredibly helpful. I would highly recommend using Caroline at Travel Counsellors.

Date of experience : 15 May 2024

Gennadi Grand Resort, Rhodes 5 Stars

We booked via Debbie at Travel Counsellors after she forwarded us a selection of hotels suiting our requirements, We decided we wanted an all inclusive hotel and a room with its own pool, quite a request we thought but no trouble to Debbie, she found us a hotel in Rhodes, the Gennadi Grand Resort and what a perfect find. We only booked for a week, so from leaving the UK all we wanted was to maximise our time at the hotel in the sun, all our paperwork and itinerary was perfectly presented, our flight (Jet2), private taxi transfer (to save time) and checking in at the Gennadi reception went like clockwork, the hotel, its facilities staff, food in fact everything were absolutely 5 star and more. We can’t sing our praises enough about the whole experience and we put this firstly down to Debbie at Travel Counsellors for their professionalism in sorting out the whole holiday, but we can’t forget the staff and management of the Gennadi Grand Resort for making our holiday so relaxing. Giving a 5 star rating doesn’t seem enough. Thanks to all

Date of experience : 01 June 2024

Summer holiday 2024

Booked our summer holiday via Dean McMackin and he did not fail to meet our requirements. We gave Dean all our preferences and he found us the perfect holiday. Dean is always available to answer questions and made everything so seamless we had nothing to worry about he checked in with us whilst we were away to make sure all was ok and even made sure we arrived home safe and sound. Top notch service!! We have just come back from a 7 night holiday to Lanzarote and We have already sent our requirements for next years holiday.

Date of experience : 31 May 2024

Catherine gets it all sorted!!

Catherine Mackey Catherine made our dream holiday happen. I would not have had the confidence to book our trip to the Dolomites. We are not adventurous travellers and didn’t really know how to go about planning and booking. Catherine takes all the stress out of travel everything was arranged perfectly for us . Any worries she was always available to help. We had a wonderful holiday thanks Catherine!!

Date of experience : 18 May 2024

Biggest thank you to Caroline H!

Caroline H was fantastic! She organised our honeymoon to Bali and planned it to perfection. She listened to exactly what we were hoping for and helped us shape our dream honeymoon. We would not hesitate to use her again and have been telling our friends and family about her! Thanks so much again Caroline!

Date of experience : 11 May 2024

Caribbean 2025

Having used Uli Williams at Travel Counsellors before for an extended family trip to Rome, we had no hesitation in returning to Uli for her help in planning our 2025 holiday to the Caribbean. Having never travelled to this part of the world, Uli's local knowledge (being a St Lucia specialist!) was invaluable in helping us decided which island would be best suited to our needs! She was able to provide us with all the information we could possibly need, not only on St Lucia, but many of the other islands. Nothing was ever to much for Uli and she was an absolutely pleasure to deal with. We are very much looking forward to our trip and can't thank her enough for all her help. Thanks Uli!!

Date of experience : 23 May 2024

Thank you Robbie for booking are stress…

Thank you Robbie for booking are stress free holiday yet again you always go the Xtra mile travel councilors

Date of experience : 08 June 2024

7 days in New York

Another great job by Danielle Lilley at Travel Councillors. She arranged our trip to New York, which was a totally hassle free experience. We were given numerous different flight and hotel options to choose from on the app and Danielle dealt with everything from start to finish and kept us up to date with any issues that arose. Would highly recommend 5*

Jane is the most helpful travel agent

Jane is the most helpful travel agent. She knows what we like and goes above and beyond every time. I recommend her to everyone when we talk holidays!

Disney Dream

Joanne Harrison helped us book our holiday on disney dream she was so helpful and professional. From start to finish the cruise the flights and transfers all booked by Joanne were absolutely perfect. Thank you so much.

Date of experience : 25 May 2024

Recommend Jen Crowe for honeymoon destinations

We would happily recommend Jen Crowe to any travellers. She made the experience very easy from discussing potential locations, timelines and activities. We felt assured to take her advice and suggestions which meant we had a mix of relaxation, luxury and activity throughout the trip. It was stress free between our transfers for each location and we felt safe that we were with reputable organisations. We would definitely ask Jen to organise future trips for us!

Date of experience : 20 May 2024

Trip of lifetime

Thank you to Grant Bowles for understanding the brief, being super quick and efficient and always on hand to answer any questions I had. He made sure the hotels knew I was celebrating a special birthday and my flight times were great. Singapore, Australia and New Zealand - what a trip.

I would happily recommend Travel Counsellors

I would happily recommend Travel Counsellors to anybody who wants a hassle-free holiday experience. Liz Standley was recommended to me and I am so happy to have worked with her. She made the whole experience easy and smooth. I felt safe and supported for my first holiday since Covid and since my husband's stroke. To know Liz was there made the booking process, the travel and duration of holiday a relaxed affair. She is worth her weight in gold.

We just wouldn’t go to anyone else for our trips

We have just returned from our third trip that Katharine Totoni has organised for us and she is already working on our next one in addition to another one for my in-laws. We just would not go anywhere else! From start to finish Katherine makes the process of planning and going on a trip such a pleasure . The most recent trip was quite complicated with many opportunities for things to go wrong but everything went perfectly and knowing Katherine is there on the background keeping all the balls in the air means we could just relax and thoroughly enjoy our trip. I have and will continue to recommend Katharine to friends and family and of course ask her to keep organising our trips.

Date of experience : 14 March 2024

Playdate review: all it’s cranked up to be

Little, yellow, different.

By Andrew Webster , an entertainment editor covering streaming, virtual worlds, and every single Pokémon video game. Andrew joined The Verge in 2012, writing over 4,000 stories.

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Portable gaming has always been a little, let’s say, different. While there have been some attempts at shrinking console gaming down into something that will fit in your hands, many of the best handheld experiences have been downright weird . Think of the Nintendo DS with its dual screens that helped inspire memorable games about walking dogs, doing surgery, and, well, whatever is going on in Electroplankton . There’s something about the smaller scale of these games that often invites creativity from developers.

The Playdate, from first-time hardware maker Panic — best known for its Mac software and publishing games like Firewatch and Untitled Goose Game — takes this idea to the extreme. It’s a tiny yellow square, not much bigger than a credit card, with a black-and-white screen and a crank that juts out of its side. It looks like a Game Boy from a parallel world . And, much like with the DS and its contemporaries, those limitations and distinct features have inspired a library of games unlike anything I’ve ever played: everything from a strategy game about cryptid photography and a turn-based samurai adventure to a role-playing game where all you do is manage inventory.

And, just like with the DS, the best games are ones I couldn’t imagine existing anywhere else.

First, the basics. The Playdate measures in at a scant 76 × 74 × 9mm, a square about the size of a modern smartphone cut in half. It’s probably the cutest dedicated handheld since the Game Boy Micro . About half of that space is taken up by a 400 x 240, 1-bit display capable of outputting visuals in glorious black and white. There is no backlight. Below the screen are a nice, clicky D-pad and two face buttons; a home button rests beside the display. Along the top edge is a sleep button, and the bottom has a USB-C port and headphone jack. The body is a bright yellow plastic with a nice matte texture. Inside, there’s a battery that, in my experience, gets about eight hours of playtime on a single charge. (The Playdate comes with a USB-C cable, but you have to provide your own wall charger.)

Oh yeah, and then there’s a crank on the side of it. It’s a little silver protrusion, about an inch long, that folds into the device when not in use. Basically, it’s another control option that can be used for, well, a variety of things depending on the game. Some use it to scroll through text; others make it a way to control things like spaceships or surfboards. One game utilizes the crank so you can stir up magical potions. It’s not a requirement for Playdate games, which is nice, but it does add something distinct to those that use it.

Overall, aside from the slightly flimsy handle on the crank, it’s a solid, well-made device. (For those curious, the hardware remains the same as it was when I previewed the Playdate last year .) My only real complaint is the lack of a backlight. While it’s nowhere near as bad as, say, the original Game Boy Advance, the Playdate does require decent lighting to play games comfortably. There are a handful of titles that I would’ve loved to play before bed, but it just doesn’t work with the dim display.

The flip side is that, unlike many modern devices, the Playdate works extremely well in bright sunlight. Despite the seemingly low-fi nature of the device, games look crisp and clean, and developers have managed to cram some beautiful visuals onto it — from big, detailed character portraits to dense-but-readable interfaces.

A note on shipping and availability

Panic says that, for those who pre-ordered and are in “group one,” units will start shipping on April 18th. Units for those customers will begin shipping “gradually today and in the coming weeks,” the company says. If you didn’t pre-oder early, the company says that “we’ve already filled our production capacity for 2022, but we’re ramping up to make even more Playdate systems for 2023.” Currently, Panic only has plans to ship units to the US, Canada, Japan, and a number of countries in Europe. Malaysia, where the handheld is manufactured, is not currently on the list of launch countries. You can check out the complete list here .

When it’s asleep, the Playdate displays a simple clock, and you wake it up by pressing the top button twice. The handheld’s interface is simple — it’s mostly just a list of your games along with a settings option — but there’s a certain playfulness to it. You can scroll through a list of big, animated icons using the crank or D-pad, and adjusting the volume sounds like playing a xylophone. The wake-up animation looks like two eyes opening as you press the unlock button. It’s straightforward, which makes sense because this thing is designed to do one thing: play games. And finding what you want to play is incredibly fast and simple.

Outside of its unique look and crank, the Playdate is also notable for how you get access to games. Everyone who buys the handheld will automatically get a season of games, which release over time. (Right now it’s not clear if subsequent seasons will happen.) As soon as you boot up your device and connect it to Wi-Fi, season 1 will begin, and you’ll have two games automatically downloaded to the device every week for 12 weeks.

That’s a total of 24 games, and Panic has pulled in some notable developers to craft the initial batch, including Katamari creator Keita Takahashi and Bennett Foddy, the mind behind the infamous QWOP . When new games are delivered, a white light flashes on the top of the Playdate, and you have to virtually unwrap the icon before you play it. (It’s a bit like digital games on the 3DS but more extravagant). It should also be noted that the games are tiny. The biggest one I have installed right now is just under 160MB, so it’ll likely be a long time before the handheld’s 4GB of storage is anywhere near full.

For the purposes of this review, I wasn’t able to experience the prolonged 12-week rollout. Instead, I had two games delivered every day. This meant that I haven’t been able to spend as much time with these games as I would’ve liked. But even still, I’ve been impressed by the breadth of experiences available. Here, in no particular order, are the 10 games that have stuck with me the most so far.

Inventory Hero

By james moore, neven mrgan, steven frank, jesus diaz, and aaron bell.

Inventory Hero is a bit like an idle RPG, the kind where your character acts on their own. But it’s a lot more frantic. Your hero character runs through the fantasy world of their own accord, slicing up foes, and your only job is managing their inventory as loot comes flying out of bad guys. It sounds simple but there are limited slots and items are tossed at you constantly. You’ll need to keep the hero’s health topped up with potions, constantly replace their damaged armor and weapons, and toss out junk to keep slots open for good gear and items. (Sometimes a bunny will show up in your inventory and just keep breeding until all the slots are full.) It’s a fun twist on a well-worn genre and an ideal portable game for when you only have a few minutes to play.

Sasquatchers

By chuck jordan and jared emerson-johnson.

Imagine Advance Wars , only instead of an army, you’re controlling a squad of monster-hunting influencers. Sasquatchers is a turn-based game where the goal isn’t to defeat the cryptids lurking around but instead take the perfect photo or video of them. There are units with different skills — the host who can take great selfies, the wrangler who can calm down Bigfoot, and more — and you have to manage your health and battery life while exploring dark, dangerous forests. The goal is to take photos that get lots of likes and views, which earn you money, opening up new units and maps. My favorite part is how Sasquatchers uses the crank: it serves as your camera, so you have to turn it around to nail the picture or video you’re attempting. It’s very satisfying.

By Zach Gage and Neven Mrgan

Zach Gage is best known for reinventing classic games ranging from chess to sudoku . On the Playdate, he does the same for Snake . It works a lot like it did on your old Nokia: you control a snake as it twists around a rectangular level, trying not to crash into a wall or your own overlong body. But there are a few twists. In Snak you can jump over your own body, and you earn points by eating apples that float into the level. It’s familiar but just different enough to feel fresh, and there are multiple difficulty levels that increase the speed dramatically for an extra challenge. Snak doesn’t use the crank at all, but it fits the Playdate’s retro aesthetic very well.

Saturday Edition

By chris makris, gord mcgladdery, and alfonso salinas.

Saturday Edition is, essentially, a tiny LucasArts adventure game crammed onto the Playdate’s miniature screen. You play as a man roped into a strange mystery involving dozens of missing people, and, just like in classic point-and-click adventure games, you do that by talking to lots of characters and collecting items to solve puzzles. It’s all fairly straightforward here — don’t expect any of the obscure, frustrating logic puzzles the genre is known for — but I’ve mostly been surprised by how comfortable it’s been to sit back and enjoy a game that’s almost entirely reading on such a small screen.

Questy Chess

This is a game about exploring strange places while (mostly) following the rules of chess. You start as a pawn, moving through a grid-based world that’s like a chessboard that’s been hacked. Initially, you can move one space forward at a time and only diagonally to knock enemies off the board, just like a pawn. From there, there are interesting twists, like treasure chests to refill your health or unlock new pieces (e.g., the knight) to play as for new movement options. On occasion, you’ll need to use the crank to move tiles around in order to proceed. Each level is a short, self-contained puzzle, and the game is rendered with a cryptic tone that makes it feel like you’re inside an old, broken computer.

By Gregory Kogos

If you ever played the excellent and stylish Bit Generations line of games from Nintendo, Omaze will feel familiar. It’s a seemingly basic puzzle game where you rotate a dot around the inside of a maze made up of connected spheres. It makes great use of the crank, which you use to control the dot, and it steadily throws in new concepts — like enemy dots and reversed movement — to keep things interesting. Like the best puzzle games, Omaze is a straightforward concept executed extremely well. And its minimalist visuals mean that it not only looks great but also is always clear about what you need to do.

By Bennett Foddy

Zipper combines the challenge of a turn-based strategy game with the tone of a classic samurai film. You control a samurai fighting their way through a series of rooms and gardens filled with guards. The title comes from how you move; your little samurai can zip across a grid, slashing any enemies it passes along the way. After you move, the guards act, and the challenge lies in strategically planning your movements so that you can eliminate your enemies without giving them the opportunity to strike. It’s also extremely hard thanks to its one-hit deaths: a single mistake and you have to restart the entire game.

Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure

By keita takahashi, ryan mohler, matthew grimm, and shaun inman.

Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure is probably the closest the Playdate has to a showcase game. It’s created by a big name — Keita Takahashi is best known for the seminal Katamari Damacy — and it’s a game built entirely around the crank. The premise is simple: Crankin is late for a date, and he keeps running into obstacles on his way there. These range from surprisingly strong butterflies to hordes of rushing pigs. In order to avoid these, you utilize the crank to control time, fast-forwarding or reversing to move Crankin away from danger. For instance, he always stops to smell flowers, so you can avoid flying enemies by moving him to a flower bed. It’s quirky and fun, and a game that definitely wouldn’t exist on any other platform.

Casual Birder

By diego garcia and max coburn.

Casual Birder is kind of like Pokémon meets… Pokémon Snap . It looks like a 16-bit RPG, but there are no battles or epic quests. Instead, you’re the new resident in a small town obsessed with birding, and your goal is to snap a photo of every kind of bird around. You do this by collecting info from local haunts like the café and pool hall, gathering useful items like worms, and listening for the screech or song of nearby creatures. Once you find a bird, you pull out your camera and utilize the crank to focus the picture for the perfect shot. It’s a breezy little adventure, with some Earthbound -esque silly writing and a copious amount of bird puns.

By Greg Maletic, Jesus Diaz, and Aaron Bell

My favorite use of the crank might just be Star Sled , an arcade-style, top-down spaceship game. Instead of shooting swarms of aliens, your goal is to lasso stars by quickly flying around them. It took some getting used to. (I probably played through the tutorial level a dozen times.) But once I got the handle on using the crank to pilot the ship, it felt incredible. It’s really satisfying making a daring hairpin turn while a drone tries to attack you and you narrowly avoid a dangerous cluster of floating space wreckage. It’s all the more gratifying because one hit — whether you crash into a star, enemy, or some space junk — means instant death.

What’s on offer in the initial batch of games is great, aside from a few clunkers. (There’s a surfing game that I just can’t seem to figure out the controls for.) And even if Panic doesn’t end up commissioning a second season, there’s still a chance the device will have a decently long life through sideloading. Panic has made it fairly easy for developers to make their own games through its Pulp tool and SDK, and getting those games onto your device is similarly straightforward. You can either log on to the Playdate website and upload the file to your device wirelessly or transfer the game via USB after connecting the Playdate to your computer.

I used the wireless method to add Bloom — a charming flower shop simulator developed by RNG Party Games that’s launching alongside the Playdate for $10 — and it only took a few minutes before I was playing. Panic also announced an upcoming app called Catalog where users can buy new games for the device. I’m really excited to see what happens when the Playdate is out in the wild and more people are making games for it, though it’s unclear now what the future will hold in terms of new releases.

We’re in something of a golden age for video game handhelds. The Nintendo Switch is a runaway success , Valve is off to a messy-but-interesting start with the Steam Deck , and Analogue has made classic portable games look better than they ever have . Even mobile gaming is in a good place, thanks to services like Apple Arcade and Xbox Cloud Gaming , along with add-ons like Backbone’s smartphone controllers . There probably has never been a better time to play games on the go.

But even in this crowded landscape, Playdate offers something entirely unique. It’s not a necessary device, one that will transform gaming in the long run, and I don’t expect the next Switch or iPhone will come with a crank for playing games. Instead, it’s more like a strange evolution, a handheld left in the gaming version of the Galápagos Islands to develop in its own way, apart from industry trends. If you want to get away from live service games and microtransactions and the never-ending graphical arms race, the Playdate is the place to do it. Its games are as weird as its design — and that’s what makes them so interesting.

Correction April 18th, 3:30PM ET: An earlier version of this story listed the incorrect developers for Saturday Edition .

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Travel insurance

Best travel insurance companies of June 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 2:16 p.m. UTC June 7, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024 , based on our in-depth analysis of travel insurance policies. Its Atlas Journey Elevate plan gets the top score in our rating because of the extensive coverage it provides for the price. It offers best-in-class emergency medical and evacuation benefits, as well as high limits for baggage insurance.

Best travel insurance of 2024

• WorldTrips : Best travel insurance.
• Travel Insured International : Best for emergency evacuation.
• TravelSafe : Best for missed connections.
• Aegis : Cheapest travel insurance.
• Travelex : Best for families.
• AIG : Best for add-on coverage options.
• Nationwide : Best for cruise itinerary changes.

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our travel insurance experts evaluate hundreds of insurance products and analyze thousands of data points to help you find the best trip insurance for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Travel insurance quotes comparison

Best travel insurance companies, best travel insurance.

Top travel insurance plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, why it’s the best.

If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel , WorldTrips’ Atlas Journey Elevate plan gives you $250,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage. This plan is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority. It also has $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage. 

See our full WorldTrips travel insurance review .

Pros and cons

• $250,000 in primary medical coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Primary damage or loss baggage coverage of $500 per item, up to $2,500.
• 5 optional upgrades, including pet care, adventure sports and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Customer reviews

WorldTrips has a rating of 4.27 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 428 reviews of policies purchased through the travel insurance comparison site since 2008. 

Heidi’s expert take:   “WorldTrips offers primary coverage for emergency medical expense and for baggage damage or loss. This means the insurer will pay for your claim first and then seek recovery from any responsible third party, such as your health insurer, airline or homeowners insurer (if your belongings are stolen). Travel insurance with secondary medical coverage might be cheaper, but then you’d have to file claims with third parties yourself, before you could turn to your travel insurance for help.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for emergency evacuation

Travel insured international.

Top travel insurance plan

If you’re traveling to a remote area, consider Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector. It has the best travel insurance for emergency evacuation of travel insurance policies in our rating. This top travel insurance plan provides up to $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits.

• Only plan in our rating that offers $150,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person is only available for cruises and tours.

Travel Insured International has a rating of 4.39 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 3,402 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   The Worldwide Trip Protector plan provides rare non-medical evacuation benefits of up to $150,000. If you’re traveling to an area at risk of a political, security or national disaster, this emergency evacuation coverage could help get you back to safety. Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe offers good travel insurance for missed connections , with $2,500 in missed connection coverage for each person on the plan.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of our best-rated travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage option.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

TravelSafe has a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,506 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you miss out on prepaid vacation plans because you didn’t make a connecting flight, you’ll be glad for the $2,500 missed connection coverage. Some policies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe Classic doesn’t impose that restriction.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Cheapest travel insurance

Go Ready Choice by Aegis has the most affordable travel insurance of the best-rated travel insurance companies in our rating. This is based on the average cost of seven international trips of varying lengths and values for travelers of different ages.

See our full Aegis travel insurance review .

• Cheapest of our best trip insurance plans.
• Pet care benefit of $500 under travel delay benefits.
• Low emergency medical and evacuation limits.
• Low missed connection benefit of $500 per person for cruises and tours only.
• Low baggage and personal items loss benefit of $500 per person.

Aegis has a rating of 4.06 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,111 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2013.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you’re looking for a  budget travel insurance policy , Go Ready Choice may fit the bill. It has comparably low coverage limits, but if you have health insurance that will cover you on your trip, its $50,000 in secondary medical coverage may be sufficient.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for families

Top-scoring plan

Travelex Insurance Services has the best travel insurance for families because you can add kids aged 17 and younger to your Travel Select plan at no additional charge.

See our full Travelex travel insurance review .

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• Robust travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person.
• Non-medical evacuation is not included.
• Low baggage delay coverage of $200 requires a 12-hour delay.

Travelex has a rating of 4.43 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 2,048 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you’re traveling with kids, a Travelex policy will cover them, too. The number of children you can add to your policy is unlimited and they’ll get travel protection at no additional cost.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for add-on coverage options

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of available upgrades, making it the best traveler insurance for add-on options . These include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings.

There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million. This is a good option if you’re looking for foreign travel health insurance.

See our full AIG travel insurance review .

• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Heidi’s expert take: “You can add riders to your AIG travel insurance policy to maximize your coverage. Choose from these bundles: adventure sports, medical, pet, quarantine, security and wedding. You may also want to add “cancel for any reason” coverage and rental vehicle damage coverage.”  Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for cruise itinerary changes

Nationwide’s Choice Cruise is good travel insurance for cruises . It has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion.

Choice Cruise also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay when you’re taking a cruise or tour. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.

See our full Nationwide travel insurance review .

• Benefits for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” upgrade available.

Nationwide has a rating of 4.02 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 570 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2018.

  Heidi’s expert take: “This plan has protections for cruisers when it comes to prepaid expenses. But its emergency medical coverage is secondary, which means you’d have to file medical claims with your health insurance first. Since U.S. health insurance won’t help you at sea, you may want to look for cruise travel insurance with primary medical coverage instead.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Compare the best travel insurance plans

Via Compare Coverage’s website

Heidi’s expert take: “Here are my tips on how to buy travel insurance that gets you the most coverage for the lowest price: Buy early . Getting travel insurance within two weeks of making your first trip deposit may qualify you for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions, and it won’t cost you any extra.  Look for primary emergency medical coverage . If you buy a plan with secondary coverage, you’ll have to file a claim with your health insurance first, even if you know it will be denied.  Don’t overinsure . Calculate the value of only your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses that are not already covered by other insurance (like credit card travel insurance or health insurance, if your coverage extends to where you are traveling). Even if this value is $0, you can still buy travel insurance for the travel medical insurance benefits, and you’ll only be paying for the insurance you need.  Understand exclusions . If you are planning to go scuba diving, for instance, make sure this adventure activity is not excluded from a policy’s coverage. If so, you may need to pay for a rider or shop for another plan that offers the coverage you need.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

What is the best travel insurance?

The best travel insurance for international travel is sold by WorldTrips, according to our in-depth trip insurance comparison.

The best travel insurance plan for you will depend on the trip you are planning and the coverage areas that are most important to you.

• Best cruise travel insurance
• Best COVID travel insurance
• Best “cancel for any reason” travel insurance
• Best senior travel insurance

Best travel insurance for cruises

The best cruise travel insurance is Atlas Journey Preferred sold by WorldTrips . This plan offers solid travel insurance for cruises for a low rate.

Best travel insurance for COVID-19

The best COVID travel insurance is the Trip Protection Basic plan sold by Seven Corners . It is a relatively low cost travel insurance plan with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Best travel insurance for “cancel for any reason” 

The best “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance is Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Basic. Adding CFAR coverage to a RoundTrip Basic plan only increases the cost by about 40%, which is lower than other plans we analyzed. For the extra cost, you get coverage of 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Best travel insurance for seniors

The best senior travel insurance is the Gold plan sold by Tin Leg . It is an affordable travel insurance plan with travel medical primary coverage of $500,000 and a pre-existing conditions waiver if you insure the full amount of your trip within 14 days of your first trip deposit.

How much is travel insurance?

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs . 

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on:

• The cost of your trip.
• Your destination.
• The length of your trip. 
• The ages of travelers being insured.
• Your state of residence.
• The travel insurance policy you choose.
• The total coverage amounts in your policy.
• Any travel insurance add-ons you select. 

Here are average travel insurance rates for a 30-year-old female who is insuring a 14-day trip to Mexico.

Looking to save? Discover cheap travel insurance options.

How much travel insurance should I buy?

Travel insurance companies typically offer several plans with varying maximum limits. The higher the coverage limits, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. 

Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends the following coverage limits for international travel: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $50,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $100,000. 

If you’re going on a cruise, or to a remote location, Squaremouth recommends: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $100,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $250,000.

When evaluating travel insurance plans, our team of insurance analysts considered the best medical travel insurance policies to have at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage. 

When should I buy travel insurance?

The best time to buy travel insurance is within two weeks of making your first nonrefundable travel payment, whether it’s for a plane ticket, hotel stay, cruise or excursion. 

Travel insurance costs the same whether you buy it early or last minute, and buying it early has added benefits: 

• You may be able to add on “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , an upgrade that is typically only available for a limited time after you’ve started paying for your trip. 
• You may qualify for a pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver, meaning your pre-existing conditions will be covered by travel insurance. This waiver is generally added to your policy automatically, provided you buy the travel insurance within a certain window after your first trip deposit.
• You will be covered over a longer period of time for unforeseen events that could cause you to cancel your trip, such as medical emergencies, inclement weather and natural disasters. 

Expert tip: You can buy travel insurance up to the day before you leave on your trip, but waiting may cost you the opportunity to qualify for a pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver or to buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Where can I buy travel insurance?

You can buy a travel insurance plan:

• Online. Visit a travel insurance company’s website to buy a policy directly or use a comparison website like Squaremouth or Travelinsurance.com to see your options and compare plans. You may also be able to purchase travel insurance online through an airline, cruise, hotel, rental car company or other provider you book a ticket with.
• In person. A travel agent or insurance agent may be able to assist you in buying travel insurance.

Travel insurance trends in 2024

Americans are changing the way they travel and this includes buying travel insurance when they might have skipped it in the past. As spending on trips continues to rise , travelers have more to lose if their plans are disrupted. 

Based on travel insurance quote requests on the Squaremouth website last month, these are the main benefits travelers are looking for in a travel insurance policy.

*Source: Squaremouth.com. Travel insurance quote filter usage from April 28 to May 28, 2024.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance of 2024. For companies with more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 30.
• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 70.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 40.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 65.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to Italy for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to France for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to the U.K. for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Best travel insurance FAQs

According to our analysis, WorldTrips has the best trip insurance. Two of its plans — Atlas Journey Explore and Atlas Journey Elevate — get 5 stars in our rating.

The best travel insurance policy for you will depend on what type of coverage you need. With so many different policies and carriers, the policy that was best for your friend’s trip to California might not be ideal for your trip to Japan. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, you may be willing to pay more for higher coverage levels.

A comprehensive travel insurance plan bundles several types of travel insurance coverage, each with its own limits. To ensure you have adequate financial protection for your trip, your travel insurance policy should include the following travel insurance coverages:

• Trip cancellation . With trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy, such as unexpected illness, injury or death of you, a family member or a travel companion, severe weather, jury duty and your travel supplier going out of business. 
• Travel delay. Once your trip has started, travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a minimum delay, such as five hours. It can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation. 
• Trip interruption. If you need to cut your trip early for a reason listed in your policy, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for any prepaid, nonrefundable payments you’ll lose by leaving early. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home. 
• Travel medical . Emergency medical benefits are especially important if you need international health insurance for travel outside of the country. Your domestic health insurance may provide limited coverage once you leave the U.S. The best travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, doctor visits, hospital stays, X-rays, lab work and prescription medication you may require while traveling. 
• Emergency medical evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote area, or planning excursions such as boating to an island, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a good idea. This coverage pays to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility if you are injured or sick while traveling. 
• Baggage delay. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you need to buy to tide you over while you wait for your bag to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200. 
• Baggage loss. Baggage insurance can reimburse you if your bag never arrives, or if your personal belongings are stolen during your travels. Coverage limits apply here, as well as exclusions for certain items such as electronics.  

“Typically, travelers are expected to pay their expenses out of pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement,” said James Clark, spokesperson for Squaremouth. “However, there are medical situations in which a provider may be required to pre-authorize payment to make sure the policyholder receives the treatment they need.”

According to Clark, “Providers can pre-authorize payment for medical care and emergency evacuations. With that said, every circumstance is unique, and providers will handle each situation on a case-by-case basis.”

Travel insurance covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs — as well as extra money you may need to spend due to unforeseen circumstances and emergencies — both before and during your trip.

Travel insurance coverage varies by plan, but in general travel insurance covers costs associated with these problems: 

• Bankruptcy of a travel insurance company, such as your airline or tour operator. 
• Dangerous weather conditions.
• Delayed and lost luggage.
• Illness or death in your family that requires you to stay home or cut your trip short.
• Illness that needs medical attention.
• Injury requiring medical evacuation.
• Jury duty. 
• Travel delays and missed connections.
• Theft of your personal belongings while traveling.
• Unexpected job loss. 

Travel insurance policies often exclude or limit “foreseeable” losses. Typical travel insurance exclusions include:

• Accidents or injuries caused by drinking or drug use.
• Canceling your trip because you changed your mind.
• Ending your trip early because you changed your mind.
• Losses caused by intentional self harm, including suicide.
• Losses due to war, civil disorder or riots.
• Medical tourism.
• Medical treatment for pre-existing conditions.
• Mental health care.
• Natural disasters that begin before you buy travel insurance.
• Non-medical evacuation.
• Normal pregnancy. 
• Medical treatment related to high-risk activities.
• Routine medical care, such as physicals or dental care.
• Search and rescue.

Your U.S. health insurance may provide little or no coverage in foreign countries. Check with your health insurance company to see if you have any global benefits and ask how they work. If your health care does extend across the border, the benefits it provides abroad may not be the same benefits it provides domestically. 

Medicare usually won’t pay for health care outside of the United States and its territories, so older travelers planning an international trip should look into the best senior travel insurance with robust medical benefits. 

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip and making a nonrefundable payment — in other words, as soon as you’re at risk of losing money. This way, you’ll know the total cost that you need to insure and you’ll have the longest window to take advantage of your policy’s benefits if something goes wrong.

You can’t wait until something goes wrong and then buy travel insurance to get reimbursed for your loss. Travel insurance only covers unexpected losses.

Travel insurance companies can decline to cover travel to certain countries. For example, you may find that some trip insurance companies don’t offer coverage to countries with a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. 

Travel insurance policies also frequently exclude certain risks that you’re more likely to encounter in Level 4 or Level 3 countries. For example, your policy may not cover losses related to declared or undeclared wars or acts of war or losses related to known or foreseeable conditions or events. 

Some credit cards , such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , offer benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement when you use your card to pay for your trip.

Ask your credit card issuer for your card’s benefits guide to see what coverage you may have. Keep in mind that it may not cover all the risks you want to protect against, such as the cost of international health care or emergency medical evacuation .

Business travel insurance makes sense if you are self-employed and paying for your own travel expenses, or if you are traveling internationally and want medical coverage abroad.

You might also consider buying travel insurance for a business trip if your company won’t cover extra expenses if your flight is delayed or you need to head home early.

Cruise travel insurance can help protect you financially if you need emergency medical care in a remote location, or if a delayed flight causes you to miss embarkation and you need to pay extra to catch up to your cruise.

Experts caution that travel insurance you buy through a cruise line may not be as comprehensive as plans you can buy directly from travel insurance companies.

Some travel insurance plans cover rental cars as an optional upgrade, for an additional cost. The 5-star rated travel insurance companies in our rating offer these optional rental car benefits:

• Travel Insured International — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000.
• WorldTrips — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000 with a $250 deductible. 

Travel insurance typically only covers a single trip, although your insured trip can have multiple destinations. 

If you’re looking to insure several trips in the same year, annual travel insurance may be a good option for you.

Travel insurance may be required, depending on the country you plan to visit. But it’s smart to consider buying a travel insurance policy for international travel, even when it is not required. A good travel insurance policy can protect you financially if you need emergency medical assistance when traveling, or if you need to cut your trip short and buy a last-minute plane ticket home because an immediate family member is ill. 

Wondering if travel insurance is worth it? What travel insurance covers

Editor’s Note: This article contains updated information from previously published stories:

• Spirit Airlines scrubs 60% of its Wednesday flights, says cancellations will drop ‘in the days to come.’
• ‘Just a parade of incompetency’: Spirit Airlines passengers with ‘nightmare’ stories want more than apology, $50 vouchers
• ‘This is not our proudest moment’: Spirit Airlines CEO says more flight cancellations expected this weekend
• Hurricane Irma: Flight cancellations top 12,500; even more expected
• Is an annual travel insurance policy right for you?
• How 2020 and COVID-19 changed travel forever – and what that means for you
• COVID-19 or delta variant have you ready to scrap your trip? Here’s how to cancel like a pro
• Sunday: Snow is over, but flight cancellations top 12,000
• After nearly 13,000 Harvey cancellations, Irma is new threat to airline flights
• What’s the difference between travel insurance and trip ‘protection’?
• How to choose the right travel insurance for your next vacation
• Travel insurance can save the day
• Angry passengers brawl after Spirit cancels flights
• What to do when travel insurance doesn’t work
• How lockdowns, quarantines and COVID-19 testing will change summer travel in 2021
• Travelers will pay and worry more on summer vacation this year. But they won’t cancel
• How to find a hotel with COVID testing and quarantine facilities wherever you travel
• Yearning to travel in 2022? First, figure out your budget – then pick a destination
• Pro tips for surviving a long flight during a pandemic: Get the right mask, bring a pillow
• Want to steer clear of contracting COVID-19 on your next vacation? Follow these guidelines
• Post-pandemic travel: Is it OK to ask another passenger’s vaccine status or request they mask up?
• These days, forgetting these important travel items could cost you thousands of dollars
• International travel hacks: When to book flights and hotels, how to deal with COVID-19 rules
• Traveling post-coronavirus: How do you book your next trip when so much remains uncertain?
• The COVID-19 guide to holiday travel – and the case for why you shouldn’t go this year
• Should you travel during the holidays? Americans struggle with their decision
• ‘There’s still pent-up demand’: What you should know about fall travel
• Planning for life after coronavirus: When will we know it’s safe to travel again?
• ‘Busiest camping season’: Travelers choose outdoor recreation close to home amid COVID-19 pandemic
• Considering a camping trip this summer? Tips to make sure your gear is good to go
• RVing for the first time? 8 tips for newbies I wish I’d known during my first trip
• Five myths about travel agents
• Should I buy travel insurance?
• Is travel insurance stacked against you?
• Five myths about travel insurance and terrorism
• These eight things could get your travel insurance claims rejected
• There’s a good chance that your credit card already gives you some kind of travel insurance coverage
• How to avoid a hotel cancellation penalty
• Change fees and travel insurance continue to rise

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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• Electronics

The Best Game Consoles

By Arthur Gies and Haley Perry

If you’re looking for a new game console, narrowing down which one to buy can be challenging. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S have very similar features and game libraries, and then there’s the Nintendo Switch , which is more family-friendly (but far more portable and endlessly fun).

The Nintendo Switch is the most popular console. It’s got plenty of fun games and few downsides, and it’s a favorite among Wirecutter staffers—both the casual players and the video game pros. You can read more about the Switch and why it appeals to so many people in the Switch section below .

But if you’re ready to jump into the current generation of video games with more realistic graphics and more sophisticated multiplayer, we’ve been testing the PlayStation 5 Slim ( disc or digital ) and with the Xbox Series X or Series S since their release in late 2020, and we can help guide you through the differences. If you already know which platform you’ll choose, we also have separate guides dedicated to Xbox Series X|S options and PlayStation 5 options.

The research

Sony playstation 5, microsoft xbox series x and xbox series s, most flexible console: nintendo switch, switch oled model, or switch lite, what about the steam deck and other pc gaming handhelds.

With the PlayStation and Xbox platforms offering similar graphics capabilities (at least on paper) at similar prices, the reasons to choose a PlayStation 5 Slim  over an Xbox Series X or S revolve mostly around which games you want to play and how you want to play them.

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

The best ps5.

This version of the PS5 has a disc drive, so you can watch UHD Blu-ray movies, as well as play new or used PS5 and PS4 game discs. The rest of the features and hardware are the same.

Buying Options

If you have a big collection of physical PlayStation 4 games, if you want to watch 4K Blu-ray discs on your console, or if you’re a deal hunter looking for discounted new and used games on disc, you should get the standard PlayStation 5 Slim so you can use its UHD Blu-ray drive.

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition

Same, but no disc drive.

The PS5 Slim Digital Edition doesn’t include a disc drive, so you can’t watch Blu-rays or take advantage of new or used games or old PS4 discs. But if you’re comfortable going all digital, it has the same graphics, CPU, memory, and storage hardware as the standard PS5.

The PlayStation Slim 5 Digital Edition usually costs $50 less than the version with a UHD Blu-ray drive, and it does everything the standard version does except for play discs. If you don’t want to spend $500 on a new console, if you don’t buy or watch movies on UHD Blu-ray, or if you don’t care about disc-based games, the Digital Edition might make more sense, especially for anyone who takes advantage of a PlayStation Plus game subscription. You can also add a disc drive later —but it’ll cost you.

The PlayStation 4 had more top-rated exclusive titles than the Xbox One. Previously, most of them were available only on the PS4, while the Xbox One’s exclusives were often available on the PC, too. However, PlayStation has expanded its PC release strategy, and by September of 2024, almost all of PlayStation’s biggest exclusives will be available for PC. Some, like Marvel’s Spider-man 2 and Gran Turismo 7 are still only available on the PlayStation 5 first , but the release cadence of PS5 exclusives has slowed recently. However, the PS5 also plays virtually all of the PS4’s enormous library of games, and many of them run better on Sony’s newer hardware.

Both console platforms will continue to get some of the same major titles, as well, including installments from franchises such as Call of Duty  and Madden. Since Microsoft purchased the makers behind major series like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Doom in the fall of 2020, it’s unclear if future titles in those series will appear on PlayStation platforms. This may tip the balance in Xbox’s favor when it comes to exclusives—or games available in its subscription offerings—in the future. In 2023, Microsoft also completed its acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, makers of Warcraft , Overwatch , Call of Duty , and more, and while Xbox has committed to keeping Call of Duty on PlayStation until at least 2033, it’s hard to say how this will affect availability of Activision-Blizzard’s other titles on PlayStation.

While some games still lock you into playing games with players on the same platform, cross-platform multiplayer allowing interaction among players on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC is now fairly common, so this is less of a concern than it’s been in the past. Both the PlayStation and Xbox platforms require subscriptions for access to even basic online functions. For PlayStation, this subscription is called PlayStation Plus ; for Xbox, it’s called Xbox Game Pass Core .

The PS Plus subscription service has three tiers of membership: PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium. The baseline subscription, PS Plus Essential, starts at $80 per year, with annual prices rising to $135 and $160 respectively for Extra and Premium. Members of any tier gain access to online play, special discounts on some titles during sales, and two free games a month (of varying quality). You keep the free games as long as you have a PS Plus subscription, but you lose access to them if you cancel, even if you’ve already downloaded them. Those who subscribe to the more expensive PS Plus tiers, Extra and Premium, gain access to additional game catalogs .

You do not have to pay for PS Plus to use streaming video services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. You don’t need PS Plus to use the PlayStation 5’s party voice chat system to voice-chat with friends (Xbox Live doesn’t have this restriction, either).

The PS5 has its own native VR headset, called the PlayStation VR2 . It’s a great device that’s comfortable to wear and easy to set up, but most people shouldn’t buy it because it requires the PS5 console to function, and there aren’t many available games to play. Most of the games you can play on the PS VR2 are also playable elsewhere, including on cheaper all-in-one headsets like the Meta Quest 2 . If you’ve previously bought into the PlayStation VR ecosystem, note that the PS5 is mostly backward-compatible, so you can play the same games on it. But to do so, you need to use all the same accessories—including the camera, which needs a special adapter to connect to the PS5 —from your PS4.

The PS5 Slim and the Xbox Series X are similarly competent media centers for a living room. Both output 4K video and have Blu-ray UHD disc drives, so you can watch digital movies or discs that you already own. The PS5 does not support Dolby Vision or or DTS:X, though—if you don’t know what those things are, don’t worry about it, but if you want to take advantage of either standard, the Xbox may be a better choice. If you’re considering either of the cheaper versions, the $400 PS5 Slim Digital Edition or the $300 Xbox Series S, you’ll have to be comfortable with giving up a disc drive completely. Those models still support 4K video, but you’ll have to stream or own digital films.

If you’re ready for a PlayStation 5, there’s one last thing to keep in mind: its size. PS5 is a huge console—yes, even the current, revised “slim” model—and it won’t fit well in a lot of media centers, vertically or horizontally. If you really want a PlayStation, we don’t think its size is a reason to skip it. But measure your space to make sure you know where it will fit.

Microsoft Xbox Series X

The best xbox.

Get the Series X if you’ll use it with a 4K TV (now or eventually), want the absolute best in graphics like raytraced lighting effects, or if you want a disc drive for games and movies.

Microsoft Xbox Series S (512GB)

Less for less.

The Series S doesn’t take full advantage of TVs with 4K resolution, and it lacks a disc drive, which is a downside if you own a lot of physical games or movies or like to buy them used. But it still lets you play the new generation of games, and it’s a great value paired with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

With the Xbox and PlayStation platforms offering similar graphics capabilities (at least on paper) at similar prices, the reasons to get an Xbox instead of a PlayStation revolve mostly around which games you want to play and how—that, and Xbox Game Pass .

Last generation, the Xbox One didn’t have as many critically acclaimed exclusive games as the PS4 did, but it still had a solid library of titles you couldn’t get on PlayStation. The Series X and Series S will continue many of those franchises, including Halo , Gears of War , Doom , Wolfenstein , The Elder Scrolls , Fallout , and more, and many of their subsequent titles will also launch on Game Pass on day one. Microsoft has also acquired Activision Blizzard, the company behind franchises like Diablo , Overwatch , World of Warcraft , and Call of Duty , but Overwatch 2 and Diablo IV launched on multiple platforms, and upcoming games will follow suit for some time. Microsoft has also confirmed that future Call of Duty installments will not be exclusive to Xbox consoles . Additionally, Xbox has begun to experiment with putting some of its games on the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, though many of its games will continue to be exclusive to Xbox hardware and Windows PCs.

Game Pass is a major reason to consider an Xbox over a PlayStation. For $17 a month, Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to more than 400 games across Xbox consoles, PC, and streaming, plus online multiplayer. The subscription service offers access to major titles—every Forza title, every Gears of War game, every Halo title, most of Bethesda’s game library, and more. Xbox recently confirmed that the latest Call of Duty game, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 , will be available on Game Pass on day one for the first time, and earlier this year Blizzard games like Diablo 4 became available on the service. The number of titles, along with Microsoft’s commitment to put the games it makes (or funds) on the service the same day they launch, sets Game Pass apart from the closest equivalent on a PlayStation (PS Plus.)

As media centers, the Xbox and the PS5 are similarly competent and capable of serving as the brain of your living room. Both can output 4K video from digital collections or streaming services. And the Xbox Series X and the standard PS5, each costing $500, both have a UHD Blu-ray drive if you want to watch 4K movies on disc. Unlike the PS5, both versions of the new Xbox support Dolby Vision video from streaming services, so if you’ve built a home theater setup around that (or, say, DTS:X surround sound), choosing one of the Xbox consoles makes sense.

The Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S play the same games, but they’ll look and perform a little differently from one another. The Series X is more powerful, and will play games at higher resolutions and often higher framerates, with more visual details and bells and whistles, than the Series S. But for gamers on a budget, for kids, or for a bedroom or office, the Series S is a great option.

The Xbox Series S is available in two configurations: a white, 512GB version at $300, and a black 1TB version at $350. The cheaper version is often discounted by $50 or more, so unless you plan on storing a lot of large games on your console all the time, we think the cheaper option is a better way to go.

Nintendo Switch

For people who like to play games everywhere.

If you want a console that you can disconnect from the TV and take with you, or if you just prefer Nintendo’s games, the Switch is for you.

Nintendo Switch OLED Model

The most premium switch experience.

The Switch OLED Model has a beautiful screen and other improvements that make it worth the extra money, but it’s probably not the best option for younger kids.

Nintendo Switch Lite

A lighter, handheld-only version.

The Switch Lite is smaller and lighter, but its lack of TV support means you can’t play multiplayer games with family or friends on the couch.

There’s a new Nintendo console on the horizon, which we expect to see sometime in 2025, but for now, you can’t beat the Nintendo Switch’s line-up of games if you’ve got players of all ages in the house. The Switch’s library is mostly missing big franchises like Call of Duty , in part because it’s not as powerful as a PlayStation, an Xbox, or a modern PC. And the Nintendo Switch isn’t trying to be the center of your entire TV setup—it can’t do anything in 4K, and it doesn’t offer many streaming video apps. But it continues to do the thing that Nintendo consoles do best: play excellent, family-friendly, genre-defining Nintendo games from classic franchises like Mario , Zelda , and Pokémon . Better yet, it acts as both a home console and a portable device.

There are three versions of the Switch , all of which share the same basic design and run the same software and games. The original base model has a 6.2-inch LCD screen, detachable controllers, a kickstand that might let you prop it up on a table if you cross your fingers and wish really hard, and a dock that connects the Switch to your TV. The Switch OLED is similarly configured, but it features a 7-inch screen with a small bezel that makes its viewable screen appear even larger compared with that of the base model. The titular OLED technology behind that screen lends it “perfectly” dark blacks and vibrant colors, and it also features improved speakers, more internal storage, and a built-in stand that’s actually useful.

Both the original and OLED versions of the Switch can be played in handheld mode or on your TV, and their detachable Joy-Cons can be split as individual controllers for multiplayer games, or combined to make one gamepad. In contrast, the handheld-only Switch Lite has built-in controls that can’t be detached, a 5.5-inch screen, no kickstand, and no TV output—but it’s also cheaper.

We recommend the full-size Switch to almost everyone, especially if you’re buying your household’s first Switch or if you want to play multiplayer games like Mario Kart or Smash Bros . on your couch. The Switch Lite is best for someone who doesn’t care about connecting the console to a TV, or as a second Switch for a family member with smaller hands.

The Switch’s portability and its detachable Joy-Con motion controllers allow it to do some oddball things. A few of the Switch’s multiplayer games, such as  Nintendo Switch Sports ,   Super Mario Party , and Snipperclips , make use of the motion controllers, for fans of Wii-style party games. For action-heavy single-player games, Nintendo also offers the more traditional (and excellent) Switch Pro Controller .

Nintendo charges you to play multiplayer games online , and it costs $20 a year. This membership also grants access to discounts from the Nintendo eShop, downloadable content for some games, and a library of more than 100 classic titles from the Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and Game Boy eras. And for $50 per year, you can tack on the Online Expansion Pass , which expands this catalog with over 80 titles from the Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, and Game Boy Advance.

Samsung Pro Plus microSD Card (512 GB)

Space for more games.

The 512 GB Switch card will give you plenty of room for screenshots and games once you fill up the Switch’s 32 GB of storage.

The base-model Switch has only 32 GB of internal storage—the OLED model has 64—and it fills up fast. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom , for example, devours 16.3 GB all by itself, and many of the Switch’s best third-party games are available only via download. However, you can expand the console’s storage with a microSD card —128 GB to 512 GB of space will be plenty for most people.

You might find yourself spending cash on other accessories for your Switch , too. The Joy-Con controllers are tiny and can be hard to hold, even with the included comfort grip, so the Switch Pro Controller is a great option if you plan on playing with the Switch docked to a TV. And if you plan on traveling with your Switch, you may want a protective carrying case, or a more compact replacement for Nintendo’s bulky charger.

If you want a game console that combines the portability of the Nintendo Switch with the deep customizability of a PC, portable PC handhelds like Asus’s ROG Ally Extreme and the Steam Deck are great options. These aren’t consoles, exactly, but they do support Steam’s gigantic library of games . But while the Steam Deck only officially supports Steam, the Ally Extreme is a Windows 11 device, meaning it supports every PC gaming storefront, including the Epic Games launcher and Fortnite , as well as Xbox’s Game Pass PC app, which offers hundreds of games (including frequent brand new releases) for a monthly subscription fee. Neither device is as beginner-friendly as a console, and you’ll often have to tweak settings, install third-party software, and more. But that’s part of what many people like about PC gaming in the first place.

The ROG Ally is currently available in two models: the base model at $599 with 512 GB of storage, and the Extreme version, which sells for $699 with 512 GB of storage (though we’ve seen it as low as $619). We recommend the Extreme model, as the non-Extreme version’s performance is significantly worse. Meanwhile, the Steam Deck is available in three different configurations: A $399 256 GB version with an LCD screen, and a new OLED model with a larger battery available for $549 with 512 GB of storage, and $649 for 1TB of storage. You might also be able to find the older 64 GB version for $349, which you can upgrade with a large storage microSD card . Lenovo has a similar gaming handheld, the Legion Go , though in its current state we wouldn’t recommend it—its fans are incredibly loud, and its performance just isn’t as consistent as the Ally Extreme (and it’s much more expensive than the Steam Deck).

This article was edited by Caitlin McGarry.

Meet your guides

Arthur Gies

Arthur Gies is a supervising editor for tech at Wirecutter. He has covered video games and hardware since 2008, has consulted on a number of popular (and not popular) video games, and wrote a book about the Gears of War franchise. He also has a BFA and MFA in drawing and painting, which comes in handy when he reviews drawing tablets and styluses.

Haley Perry

Haley Perry is an associate staff writer at Wirecutter covering video games and technology. She used to review video games full-time, and she’s also a big fan of mezcal. If you get enough in her, she may just admit that she still plays The Sims ... a lot.

Further reading

13 Spooky Video Games We Love for Halloween

by Wirecutter Staff

Spooky season is in full swing, and we have video game recommendations that are perfect for the occasion.

The Best Gaming Headsets

by Haley Perry

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers better sound than many more-expensive gaming headsets, has an excellent onboard microphone, and is comfortable enough to wear for hours.

Video Games to Ride Out the End of Winter

Winter isn’t done yet, but there’s good news: These video games are ready to hang out with you inside until it warms up out there.

The 5 Best Video Games of 2023

Wirecutter’s favorite games of 2023 include family favorites and new adventures.

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I am in the middle of booking an itinerary for a work trip:

LHR-ORD-SDF-CLT-MCO-LGW

I normally do these bookings myself on BA/AA, but the work travel agent can book it for around £800 cheaper (CW for TATLs and coach for internals).

The agent said that this was a consol fare and not available online.

Can anyone shed any light on what they mean? My company has been using this agent for a while and no one seems to have any problems.

Yes, I am aware that they are a third party and the general rule is to book direct with BA, but I may not have a choice in the matter.

Consolidation fares. I'm not sure of the ins and outs but it's to do with fares booked through a third party. If it's booked through a Travel Agents your company uses I'm sure there will be no problems. One of my ex companies I used to work for used to book Consol fares often.

Beware of Consol fares.Not all of them earn FF miles/Avios.If you are expecting to earn from this trip check with your TA.

Not too much of a problem I have 90 point left to retain gold. Was hoping to do it with this trip, but can easily score 90 with a few sale price Club Europe returns!

It would be hard to convince work to part with another £800 just for a few points (given that they've effectively paid for my status anyway!)

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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The 10 Best Travel Umbrellas of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Trust us: getting stuck in a downpour will not have you singing in the rain.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure/Elena Garcia

Today’s forecast calls for never getting caught in the rain. Whether you’re exploring bustling city streets, trekking through scenic landscapes, or simply commuting to work, having the right travel umbrella can make all the difference in staying dry and comfortable. From lightweight and compact options ideal for keeping in a bag at all times to larger umbrellas that can cover both you and your travel partner, we've rounded up the best umbrellas to suit every traveler's needs. 

Our Travel + Leisure team tested 18 travel umbrellas to assess ease of use, protection, durability, portability, and value. We evaluated and compared each option based on overall construction, packability, performance in wet weather and windy conditions, coverage, drying time, and sturdiness. (Read more about our comprehensive testing process below). We will continue testing our picks for six more months to ensure each option’s reliability and durability, and we will update this article if anything should change. Scroll down below to find your next travel umbrella guaranteed to make sure you never get caught in the rain.

Best Overallf

Weatherman travel umbrella.

We were impressed by this umbrella’s performance and sturdiness.

The price tag is worth it — but not if you’re prone to losing umbrellas.

There’s nothing quite as humbling as an umbrella that flips inside out at the slight whisper of wind, leaving you awkwardly trying to flip it back as you stand in the rain, but this Weatherman umbrella proved its worth during testing. Our team member took this product out during an intense storm in San Francisco akin to a hurricane complete with “purple winds,” and this umbrella stepped up to the challenge like a true hero. It made it through strong winds and rough handling like a champ without popping inside out. Our tester reported back, “It felt like the wind was going to pick me off the ground and the umbrella survived that!”

It also dried quickly and showed no signs of wear. The grip was comfortable, and the umbrella provided ample protection from the rain. Weighing under a pound and just shy of a foot long when unopened, it’s the perfect size to throw into a bag or backpack without feeling like it’s even there. The color options are impressive with 11 styles to choose from, ranging from classic black to fluorescent pink. When it comes to weathering storms with style and reliability, this umbrella takes the cake, leaving flimsy alternatives in the dust. It’s a worthwhile investment, but if you’re notorious for misplacing umbrellas, then you may want to think twice — or at least be extra careful.

The Details: 11.8 inches (closed) | 38-inch diameter (open) | 14 ounces | Fiberglass frame | Auto-open

Travel + Leisure / Elena Garcia

Best Compact

Davek mini umbrella.

This is the smallest, most lightweight option on our list.

This umbrella is not suitable for more than one person.

Compact and lightweight, the Davek Mini Umbrella is the perfect choice to bring anywhere with you as an “emergency” umbrella, slipping effortlessly into coat pockets or fanny packs without weighing you down. We were impressed that this option is only seven inches long when not in use (for reference, that’s as tall as an iPhone 13 Pro Max). Despite its smaller size, its robust mechanics, sturdiness, quality, and forecasted longevity make it a worthy investment at $60.  Plus, with a range of 10 vibrant colors to choose from, it adds a touch of fun to rainy days. This umbrella is perfect for solo strolls but not ideal for sharing with a friend — unless you're comfortable with a little cozy closeness.

The Details: 7 inches (closed) | 34-inch diameter (open) | 8 ounces | Fiberglass frame | Manual

Travel + Leisure / Maddy Baker

Best for Two People

Shedrain jumbo compact umbrella.

This umbrella provides more than ample coverage for two people.

We wish the handle was longer, although that’s not a deal breaker.

Bigger isn’t always better, but in this case, it might very well be. Despite its jumbo size, this umbrella is easy to handle and comfortably fits two individuals. With a spacious canopy and sturdy construction, it's a reliable shield against the elements, even boasting windproof capabilities up to 75 mph. It is on the longer side at 15 inches when closed, but it’s still compact enough to fit in a small carry-on suitcase . We love that it comes with a rubber wristlet so you can easily throw it on your wrist or hook it onto the outside of your bag when not in use. Bonus points: it only takes this umbrella about 10 minutes to fully air dry. 

The Details: 15 inches (closed) | 54-inch diameter (open) | 1.35 pounds | Steel frame | Auto-open

Travel + Leisure / Alicia Dolieslager

Best Quick-Dry

Totes titan umbrella.

Overall, we recommend this umbrella for its portability, durability, and ease of use, in addition to standing out as a top choice for water repellency and fast drying.

We would suggest improving the closing mechanics for a smoother operation.

Say goodbye to leaving your soaking wet umbrella out to dry overnight. The standout feature of this umbrella is how quick it dries after use, only needing minutes to fully dry. Despite facing moderate rain and strong winds of 25-28 mph, this umbrella held its ground admirably. Its one-handed, button-operated opening proved to be smooth, though closing required a bit more force. With a generous 43-inch canopy, it provided ample coverage for one person. The sturdy frame and solid mechanics withstood the wind during testing, offering a secure grip with its textured handle. Compact and lightweight at just 11 inches when folded, it's easily portable for on-the-go use. 

The Details: 11 inches (closed) | 43-inch diameter (open) | Aluminum frame | Auto-open

Travel + Leisure / Gemma Scott

Most Affordable

Sy compact travel umbrella.

For how compact it is, we were impressed at how wide the canopy was when open, providing great coverage from getting wet.

Minor improvements could include enlarging the closure loop for easier fastening.

If you’re searching for affordability, durability, and style, then look no further. As the most budget-friendly option on this list, this umbrella impressed with its user-friendly design and effectiveness in repelling water. Its easy one-button opening and closing mechanism, though requiring a bit of muscle to fully close, was easy to operate. The comfortable handle added to its appeal, enhancing grip and comfort. Portable and lightweight, it easily fits into various bags without adding bulk. There are multiple colors and prints to choose from, providing an option for every taste. 

The Details: 10.8 inches (closed) | 37.5-inch diameter (open) | 12.2 ounces | Aluminum frame | Auto-open

Travel + Leisure / Cara Milhaven

Best Inverted Design

Siepasa inverted reverse upside down umbrella.

This umbrella is lightweight, sturdy, and reliable when it’s windy.

Given the inverted design, it is too large to fit into an average backpack, tote, or carry-on suitcase.

There are a whopping 44 design options to choose from with this stylish umbrella, featuring a solid color, print, or pattern on the inside of the canopy. We thought it was too large to carry in most day-to-day bags, but it would make a great option to keep in a car. In fact, its inverted design makes it especially easy to close when entering a car, while the button-operated opening mechanism provides smooth and hassle-free operation.

It does also offer hands-free carrying options, such as an oval handle for convenient wrist or bag strap attachment. Some users may find the smooth plastic handle difficult to grip for extended periods. However, the umbrella's ability to stand on its own was a standout feature, adding convenience when setting it down. Despite its lightweight and slim profile, it offered ample coverage for one or even two people, with sturdy construction that held up well against gusts of wind during testing. For what you pay, you get a lightweight, incredibly sturdy umbrella that is easy to use and reliable in the wind.

The Details: 31 inches (closed) | 49-inch diameter (open) | Fiberglass frame | Auto-open

Travel + Leisure / Elise Wang

Most Stylish

Gustbuster automatic umbrella.

You can add a custom metal engraving on The Metro’s hardwood handle for a stylish detail.

This umbrella is better suited to fit in a backpack or tote than a smaller purse or pocket.

Have you ever considered adding a personal touch to your umbrella? Well, now you can with the option to engrave on this Gustbuster option. While it is considered a splurge, the ability to customize your umbrella adds a unique flair to an everyday item and also makes a great gift option. We love this umbrella for its ease of use and impressive water repellency. With a simple button operation and secure Velcro closure, it offers convenience and security, although its slightly larger size may make it bulkier to carry compared to smaller travel-size umbrellas. Despite its larger dimensions, it provides ample coverage for one person and possibly two, thanks to its durable construction and sturdy materials.

The Details: 16 inches (closed) | 43-inch diameter (open) | 1.1 pounds | Alloy steel frame | Auto-open

Travel + Leisure / Sophie Mendel

Best Prints

Shedrain compact umbrella.

Lightweight and compact, it fits easily into various bags, making it a versatile choice.

This umbrella is best for one person.

Pick up this ShedRain umbrella if you want to brighten up a sad, rainy day. This travel umbrella comes in a variety of punchy prints, from colorful florals to bold patterns. In terms of performance, the umbrella excelled in repelling rainwater, offering sufficient coverage for one adult and possibly two, although they would need to be close together. While not tested in extremely windy conditions, it still proved sturdy and durable, drying off quickly after we used it, with no signs of wear. Lightweight and compact, it fits easily into various bags, making it versatile for different situations. Priced at under $20, we’d say it’s an affordable option to add to your inventory of travel accessories.

The Details: 12 inches (closed) | 42-inch diameter (open) | 13.6 ounces | Fiberglass frame | Auto-open

Travel + Leisure / Anna Mejorada

EEZ-Y Compact Travel Umbrella

This umbrella offers excellent value for its quality and design, outperforming some more expensive brands.

While the umbrella's compact size is convenient for portability, it does not provide sufficient coverage for multiple people during heavy rainfall.

Four words: ballin’ on a budget. With its simple yet functional build and impressive performance compared to pricier alternatives, this travel umbrella earned our praise and recommendation as a budget-friendly, reliable choice for rainy days. Its automatic push-button opening mechanism, ergonomic handle, and compact size made it easy and comfortable to use during testing. Despite its small size when closed, it provides surprisingly ample coverage when open, suitable for one person. The umbrella's quality surpasses typical travel-size umbrellas, with sturdy construction and wind-resistant design. We found that it effectively repelled water and dried quickly after use, maintaining its functionality and appearance after we used it during light rainstorms. Highly portable and lightweight, it fits easily into various bags without taking up much space.

The Details: 11 inches (closed) | 42-inch diameter (open) | 14.4 ounces | Fiberglass frame | Auto-open

Travel + Leisure / Henry Yung

Best for Sun Protection

Sport-brella versa-brella.

This umbrella’s best feature is its versatility, making it a highly adaptable option for providing shade in various outdoor settings.

It's a clamp-on model, so it's not intended to be used as a handheld umbrella.

Did somebody say beach day? This umbrella is best to take on the go to the beach, pool, park, or anywhere you think you’ll need some extra shade. This umbrella has a 1.5-inch clamp that will hold onto anything, making it versatile for any outdoor situation. While primarily designed for sun protection, it proved durable and provided satisfactory rain coverage for one person, although the lopsided design (one half of the umbrella is longer than the other) required adjustments in windy conditions. The material is durable, but we found that the frame can be flimsy depending on what it's attached to.

The Details: 36 inches (closed) | 42-inch diameter (open) | 1.8 pounds | Aluminum frame | Auto-open

Travel + Leisure / Kimberly Souza

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Other Travel Umbrellas We Liked

Three additional travel umbrellas we tested couldn’t quite earn a spot on our list due to minor issues but still had notable features that may meet the needs of some travelers.

Blunt Metro Umbrella : It’s clear that this umbrella’s structure provides durability, but despite its quality build, we found it to be too large for daily commuting and travel. However, this could be an excellent option to keep at home.

Samsonite Windguard Auto Umbrella : The umbrella's durability and quality materials make it feel sturdy and capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions, providing reliable protection. However, it requires significant force to close, which could be challenging for individuals with limited hand or arm strength. It also only comes in one color option: black.

EuroSchirm Swing Liteflex Ultra-light Weight Trekking Umbrella : This umbrella has a lightweight design and spacious canopy that accommodates two people comfortably, but the high price point and elongated size of the collapsed umbrella limits its portability and affordability compared to other travel umbrellas on the market.

Our T+L team tested 18 travel umbrellas in everyday scenarios to assess ease of use, protection, durability, portability, and value. We followed a comprehensive examination to evaluate each option, including overall construction, packability, performance in wet weather and windy conditions, coverage, drying time, and sturdiness. We used the umbrellas in a variety of practical scenarios, including rainy and windy days, and tested them while commuting to and from work to determine functionality, versatility, and durability. 

We took notes on how easy it was to open and close the umbrellas and their portability in different sized bags. Special attention was paid to the durability and quality of the umbrellas’ materials, including the fabric, wire structure, handle, and pole, to assess long-term resilience. In wet weather conditions, the umbrellas’ performance was evaluated in terms of its coverage, sturdiness, and comfort. Assessments include whether the umbrella adequately protects from rain, its size when fully open, the comfort of the handle, and stability in windy conditions. If exposed to rain, we also took notes on the time it took for the umbrella to dry completely and any signs of wear and tear. Some options did not make this list due to low-quality materials that blew inside out too easily and didn’t offer adequate coverage in the rain.

Our long-term plan includes testing these umbrellas for an additional six months to monitor each umbrella’s performance and durability in different travel scenarios and weather conditions. As we continue to test the umbrellas in various real-world settings, we will take notes on portability, practicality, and durability, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each travel umbrella’s reliability. We will update these results if our findings should change and as we test new umbrellas.

Tips for Buying Travel Umbrellas

Think about how compact you need it to be.

Before purchasing the travel umbrella that is best for you, take a moment and think about your intended use. Determine whether you need the umbrella for occasional travel or everyday use, as this will influence factors like durability and portability. Assess whether the dimensions — especially the length of it when not in use — and weight of the umbrella suit your preferred method of carrying it, whether in a pocket, purse, backpack, or by its strap/handle.

We recommend opting for umbrellas that are specifically designed for travel since they are often more compact and lightweight compared to regular umbrellas. Additionally, pay attention to the dimensions of the umbrella when it’s fully open. Some travel umbrellas are designed for one person, while others are larger and suitable for two. Choose the size that best fits your needs, whether you prefer individual coverage or sharing with a travel companion.

Prioritize durable materials

When you're on the hunt for a travel umbrella, don't forget about durability. Look out for ones that have durable materials to ensure longevity and reliable performance, including fiberglass, aluminum, or sturdy steel for the frame and ribs. (Pro tip: all of our recommendations on this list are made from one of these three materials.) A strong canopy fabric, preferably with water-repellent coatings, adds to the umbrella's durability and weather resistance.

And, don’t overlook the quality of the handle and grip, as this will make or break your rainy day travels. Choose options with handles made from comfortable, non-slip materials like rubber or foam, ensuring a secure hold even in wet conditions. Ergonomic designs further enhance comfort during prolonged use.

Look for useful features

When purchasing a travel umbrella, look for useful features that enhance convenience and functionality. Consider umbrellas with a carrying strap that allows you to loop it around your wrist while walking, keeping your hands free for other tasks. A rubberized handle provides a secure grip, especially in rainy conditions, reducing the risk of slippage.

Opt for umbrellas with alternate designs such as inverted umbrellas or those made from Teflon-coated materials. Inverted umbrellas fold inward, trapping water inside and preventing drips when closed, while Teflon-coated fabrics repel water and facilitate quicker drying, ideal for on-the-go use.

Additionally, consider other features like automatic open and close mechanisms for effortless operation, windproof designs with reinforced frames and vents to withstand strong winds, and UV protection for added sun safety during outdoor activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ideal diameter for a travel umbrella depends on personal preference and intended use, but a common diameter range for travel umbrellas is between 36 to 42 inches when fully opened. This size provides a balance between compactness for portability and sufficient coverage to protect against rain. 

If you plan on using the umbrella for two people, a diameter closer to 48 inches or more would provide sufficient coverage for both individuals. Ultimately, the best diameter for a travel umbrella is one that suits your specific needs and preferences while offering adequate protection from the elements.

An umbrella is considered windproof when it's designed and constructed to withstand strong wind gusts without flipping inside out or breaking. Several key features contribute to making an umbrella windproof, including a sturdy frame and a flexible and durable canopy material that can withstand wind pressure without tearing or collapsing. Even automatic open and close mechanisms ensure quick deployment and retraction, enabling the umbrella to be easily deployed even in sudden gusts of wind.

Yes, you can bring an umbrella on a plane. According to the TSA , umbrellas are allowed for both carry-on and checked baggage, as long as you adhere to size and weight restrictions. In this case, we recommend packing a portable, compact umbrella to avoid any potential hold ups during a security screening.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

An expert on shopping trends and a frequent traveler, Maddie Michalik has been professionally reviewing products since 2014. For this story, she combed through T+L’s detailed testing insights for various travel umbrellas, reading through testing feedback for each umbrella, then referenced product descriptions and additional research to create a comprehensive roundup of the best travel umbrellas today.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

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Xbox Series S review

The xbox series s is a cheaper yet powerful alternative.

TechRadar Verdict

The Xbox Series S is a great entry point into new-gen gaming for those who have no qualms about buying games digitally or subscribing to Xbox Game Pass. It's a great option if you want to avoid the sizable financial outlay required to own a full-blown new-gen console, but there are some drawbacks. It has significantly less storage, prioritizes 1440p resolution for gaming, and does without the 4K HD Blu-Ray drive of the Xbox Series X.

The smallest Xbox ever made

Compact design, powerful specs

Completely silent in operation

Faster load times

Targets 1440p resolution when gaming

512GB SSD fills up fast

No disc drive

UI can be overwhelming at first

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

• Price and release date
• Performance
• Game library

Should I buy the Xbox Series S?

Xbox series s two-minute review.

The Xbox Series S is a more affordable alternative to the Series X, and despite the smaller size, it's still got some incredibly impressive capabilities that won't cause you to break the bank. Because of this, it's a fantastic gateway into current-gen gaming without setting you back as much as you might expect. 

The Xbox Series S is designed to take the same generational leaps as the Series X, such as being capable of ray tracing, sporting lightning-fast load times, and showcasing higher frame rates, yet it remains to be significantly cheaper than its competitor, but there's certainly a hit to overall power and features.

The Xbox Series S is praised for its digital-only build, but surprisingly there is significantly less storage than the Xbox Series X . The console also targets a 1440p resolution rather than 4K , with the opportunity to upscale when connected to an Ultra HD display. But the console is designed to run optimally at lower resolutions. So you should take your display setup into account when thinking of purchasing the Series S.

Microsoft 's more affordable Xbox also does away with the 4K HD Blu-Ray drive of the Xbox Series X, making this a digital-only affair. If you've amassed a large library of the best Xbox Series X games over the years, this alone could be a deal-breaker and means you're at the mercy of Microsoft's store pricing when it comes to buying new titles.

We've updated our Xbox Series S review to reflect our impressions after using the console for close to three years. Microsoft has rolled out a few welcome improvements to the Series S, and we now finally have exclusive titles that take full advantage of the hardware's power like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5.

These cutbacks might be too much for some users, then, but it makes the Xbox Series S a much cheaper and less hefty device as a result. Crucially, it's still capable of playing new-gen games, making this a great entry point into the Xbox ecosystem.

During our time with the Xbox Series S, we tested dozens of games – from last-gen Xbox Series X/S optimized hits including Halo: The Master Chief Collection , Forza Horizon 4 , Doom Eternal , and Gears 5, to launch titles like Yakuza: Like a Dragon .

Each one impressed us, with smoother frame rates, increased resolutions (when compared to Xbox One , and Xbox One S ), and faster load times, even if the games didn't look quite as pretty as they did running on the Xbox Series X. But that's mostly due to Xbox Series S targeting a lower resolution.

That said, for gamers who have no qualms about buying games digitally, or subscribing to Xbox Game Pass , you’re getting the full suite of next-gen features on Microsoft's cheaper console: Quick Resume, Auto HDR , 120Hz, you name it. The Xbox Series S is a great option for those wanting to experience new-gen gaming, without the sizable financial outlay required to own a full-blown console.

As we've alluded to already, there are drawbacks to consider. If you prefer to purchase games physically, or have amassed a large collection of Xbox One games over the years, the Xbox Series S's lack of disc drive may put you off. 

You only get a 512GB SSD, too, as there's no higher-capacity option. And while the console's SSD is dramatically faster than the old mechanical drives in the Xbox One X and Xbox One S, it can fill up fast. The five games we mentioned above almost took up the entire 512GB SSD on our review unit (you only get 364GB of usable space), leaving us with just 30GB of storage to play with. 

That means if we wanted to install a game of that size to the system's internal drive, we'd likely have to delete something first (or additionally purchase the Seagate Xbox storage expansion card , which costs nearly as much as the Xbox Series S itself).

The Xbox Series X utilizes its powerful specs to significantly reduce load times and increase overall game performance and visual fidelity. But, while features such as Quick Resume, Smart Delivery, and backward compatibility give it that extra boost, it's hard to deny that it’s lacking in key areas, notably significant UI improvements and captivating exclusive launch titles. Read our Xbox Series X review

What may deter people from buying Microsoft's more affordable Xbox is the fact that it outputs at 1440p for gaming. This lower resolution is a firm favourite in the PC gaming space due to the superior image quality it provides over 1080p, and the lower amount of graphical grunt it requires from developers to achieve. This has allowed Microsoft to create a lower-spec machine that still boasts next-gen features. 

If you own an Xbox One X , the drop to 1440p from native 4K can be noticeable. The Xbox One X could deliver games like Forza Motorsport 7 at 4K/60fps and is still capable of some sumptuous visuals. It's easy, then, to think that the Xbox Series S is a step back – however, it's capable of a lot more than Microsoft's aging Xbox One X, even if it doesn't always beat it in terms of resolution. 

Looking at the system internals, the Xbox Series S separates itself from the One X with its vastly more powerful CPU and more technically capable GPU, courtesy of AMD 's RDNA 2 architecture which enables cutting-edge features like ray tracing. Yes, the Series S has fewer teraflops than the Xbox One X (four compared to six), but teraflops are no longer the defining factor in how GPU power is determined. 

For Xbox One owners looking to upgrade without breaking the bank, the Xbox Series S is a great option, if you can accept what it's been designed to achieve. If you've already got the Xbox One X and a 4K display at home, however, we suggest considering the Xbox Series X instead. Read on for our full Xbox Series S review.

Considering the bigger sibling? Check out our Xbox Series X video review below.

Xbox Series S: price and release date

• Xbox Series S release date: Out now (released November 10, 2020)
• Xbox Series S price: $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499
• Can be bundled with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $24.99 / £20.99 / AU$33 a month

The Xbox Series S is available now for $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499 and was released on November 10, 2020. That's the same release date as the Xbox Series X, though the price is significantly cheaper than the Series X's price of $499 / £499 / AU$749. Thankfully, Xbox won't follow PlayStation with price hikes , so while Xbox doesn't rule out future price hikes just yet, this isn't changing anytime soon. 

Keep in mind however that, without a disc drive, you won't be able to buy used games or trade games with your friends: you're dependent on the Xbox Store for any purchases, which means you won't always get the best deal. 

That issue is negated somewhat if you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass (a separate expense, but exceptional value nonetheless), or if you only buy the occasional game at full price around launch. Still, it's not ideal for those who rely on physical game sales or trade-ins to fund their favorite pastime.

Xbox Series S is also available on Microsoft's Xbox All Access subscription service in select regions, including the US, UK, and Australia. Xbox All Access bundles the console with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on a 24-month plan (giving you access to the latter for the duration) for $24.99 / £20.99 / AU$33 a month, with no upfront costs – that's a good deal which proves cheaper than buying the console and 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate separately.

Of course, Microsoft isn't the only one with newer hardware out. Sony released the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition soon after the Xbox Series S and Series X dropped, so if you're still on the fence then it's worth checking out our PS5 review before committing.

Xbox Series S review: design

• Looks great when placed horizontally or vertically
• Can comfortably fit into any setup
• The console and controller look great in white

While the hardware powering the Xbox Series S is brand-new, the Xbox Series S design is reminiscent of the now-discontinued Xbox One S All-Digital Edition .

The Xbox Series S has a distinctive black fan vent, almost like a speaker grille, on the top that breaks up the swathe of white which encases the rest of the console, and it's where the majority of heat is exhausted. It's the smallest Xbox that Microsoft has ever made, with a plain front face that sports a single USB port and a power button. It's a clean, understated, and functional design.

For ports, you’ll find an HDMI 2.1 output, two USB 3.2 ports, an Ethernet port, a storage expansion slot, and an AC input. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Xbox Series S doesn't have a port for Kinect , Microsoft's now-defunct motion-sensing camera, or a HDMI input for cable boxes. However, that the Xbox Series S only ships with a High-Speed HDMI cable, not an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable.

With weight and size, the Xbox Series S measures in at 6.5 x 15.1 x 27.5cm and 4.25 pounds (around 2kg). Its size should ensure it easily fits into most entertainment center cabinets and on TV stands, and it's light enough to pack up and bring to a friend's house or take with you on vacation.

As we mentioned above, the Xbox Series S is smaller than the Xbox One S. That's an impressive feat considering that it’s packing a 4 TFLOP GPU and an octa-core Custom Zen 2 CPU that needs to be cooled.

While some might not like the way Microsoft has aped its own design from the last generation, we're okay with it. It's nice to have some continuity, especially in products that are advertised as a family of devices, although it is fairly straightforward and industrial-like in its appearance. 

Xbox Series S review: performance

• Upscaled 4K looks great, and native 1440p is a nice compromise
• Offers smooth and fluid 120fps gameplay
• Xbox Velocity Architecture is fast… but not instantaneous

The Xbox Series S's strong suit is its value proposition – it's a compact powerhouse. It can offer either upscaled 4K gaming, native 1440p resolution, or a 1080p picture. 

Its GPU, while not as powerful as the one in the Xbox Series X, can upscale games to 4K (in a similar way to the Xbox One S) and still run games at 120fps at 1440p, but you'll need a HDMI 2.1-compliant TV if you want to keep the resolution at 1440p. It's also capable of ray tracing, and loads games faster than ever, thanks to Microsoft's Xbox Velocity Architecture. 

Combine Velocity Architecture with the 10GB of GDDR6 memory and built-in SSD, and you’ve got all the makings of a powerful console. Better still, Microsoft recently gave a performance boost for Xbox Series S games , which frees up hundreds of additional megabytes of memory. Crucially, this should help improve graphics performance.

CPU: 8-core 3.6GHz (3.4GHz with SMT) custom AMD 7nm GPU: 4 teraflops at 1.565GHz RAM: 10GB GDDR6 Frame rate: Up to 120fps Resolution: 1440p with 4K upscaling Optical: No disk drive Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD Usable storage space: 364GB

But do you actually need a 4K TV? And furthermore, do you need one that supports HDMI 2.1 for its 120Hz refresh rate? Let’s walk through all the scenarios.

If you're using a 1080p TV, the Xbox Series S uses a technique called supersampling to create better-looking images, even on less-capable displays. Supersampling is a complex process, but the basic idea is that the game is rendered at a higher resolution, and then the console downscales the image to match the output of your TV. 

The end result is a noticeable boost in image clarity and anti-aliasing (the removal of jaggies and pixelated edges) and means that gamers who aren't using a 4K or 1440p -capable screen will still benefit from improved image quality from the Xbox Series S. 

Most folks though, we expect, will be pairing the Xbox Series S with a 4K HDR TV – potentially one with a 120Hz native refresh rate, although the majority of displays sold over the last few years are likely to only support 60Hz at 4K and 1440p. If you do have a capable display, here's how to enable 120Hz on Xbox Series S .

Hook the Xbox Series S up to a 4K panel, and the console uses a technique called upscaling to convert a non-native 4K signal to 4K. While there's a stark difference between rendering in 4K, and rendering in 1440p and then upscaling to 4K – especially if you've got a keen eye for detail – it still makes games on the Xbox Series S look better than if the console was locked to a 1440p output. 

It's worth noting that the Xbox Series S can render some games in native 4K if a developer chooses to enable that option. Just be aware it's done on a game-by-game basis, and isn't something you’re going to see on every game on the system.

The upshot here is that the console can utilize HDR (high dynamic range), which enables a wider color palette, higher peak brightness, and better contrast levels. Skies look bluer, the grass looks greener and colors pop in every scene. If you haven't had the opportunity to game in HDR yet, you're in for a treat.

If you are fortunate enough to have a display that's compliant with HDMI 2.1, you can enable 120fps at 1440p without having to drop down to 1080p resolution. To enable 120fps, simply pop into the console's audio and visual settings, where you can choose from various frame rate and resolution options. 

It's pretty straightforward, but it's worth noting that not all games can hit 120fps, though Microsoft has amassed a handsome collection of titles since launch including Halo Infinite , Gears 5's multiplayer, and Call of Duty : Vanguard. Check out the full list of Xbox Series S games with 120fps support . 

Even if you don't invest in a new TV, you're still going to see the benefits of the new SSD and Microsoft's Xbox Velocity Architecture. The latter is a multi-step solution that combines the Series S's custom NVMe SSD, hardware-accelerated decompression blocks, a brand-new DirectStorage API layer, and Sampler Feedback Streaming (SFS).

That's a lot to parse, but the gist of it is that data is stored in a more efficient way, and can be loaded into memory faster thanks to both the physical storage medium and the software algorithms that Microsoft has implemented to load the data. 

The result is significantly faster load times compared to Xbox One X – we're talking about games that now load in a matter of seconds. The SSD also enables features like Quick Resume, which we’ll get to shortly.  Of course, the one area that's less impressive here is the meager 512GB of storage capacity, which most people will fill up fast. 

While 500GB was sufficient early on during the last console generation, game file sizes have expanded exponentially in the years since, making anything less than 1TB of storage seem like a raw deal. It gets worse when you realise that you can't access the full 512GB of storage. The system OS takes up 148GB of space, meaning you've only got 364GB of usable storage to play with from the outset. 

By the time you've installed four or five games, you'll need to start thinking about what to uninstall, which is never a fun experience. While Microsoft claims that games on Xbox Series S will be up to 30% smaller due to not having 4K texture files, this won’t stop the system's internal drive from rapidly filling up.

The good news is that Microsoft has released an add-on storage solution at launch, in partnership with Seagate , that can add 2TB, 1TB or 500GB of extra storage if you run out of room. The bad news? The 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card costs $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$359 – money that could be spent on buying an Xbox Series X instead, which has 1TB built-in storage and better 4K support.

Xbox Series S review: controller

• More tactile than before thanks to careful refinement
• Triggers are shorter, controller is easier to grip thanks to new textured finish 
• Share button is a welcome addition, and the 360-degree D-pad feels great
• Still uses AA batteries, unfortunately

Coming from the Xbox One Controller , you'd be forgiven for thinking that the Xbox Wireless Controller for Series X/S isn't that different. However, it's now more comfortable and easier to use than ever before, due to subtle changes in the controller's ergonomics. 

Its overall dimensions have been tweaked ever so slightly, reducing the size of the controller as a whole, but not to the point where it's noticeable to the average user. It means more hand sizes can use the new Xbox pad comfortably. Other changes include a textured and matte finish on the handles, triggers, and bumpers, that help you get more purchase on the controller during tense gaming sessions.

Probably the biggest change for the controller itself, though, is the new D-pad, which has been revised to be a full 360-degree pad that feels great on the thumb. Each direction clicks with a satisfying sound and tactile feedback (though some might find it noisier than they'd like). Its smooth finish makes pulling off half-circle sweeps in fighting games a real pleasure.

Another minor change is that the triggers have been shortened to make them more accommodating for smaller hands. These triggers still have haptic feedback in the form of rumble motors, but it's not the same as the adaptive triggers in the PS5 DualSense controller , which can change resistance on the fly.

The new Share button does exactly what you'd expect – it captures and shares moments in your game for posting in your Xbox Feed or on social media. One click takes a snapshot, while holding the button down longer captures a 15-second video (you can adjust the duration in the Capture settings). 

It's much easier than on the Xbox One, where you had to press the home button twice and then X or Y, but it takes some getting used to if you’re accustomed to the old way. 

Overall though, it's mostly what you remember, with two asymmetrical analog sticks, the menu and view buttons that fill in for start and select, and the four face buttons (A, B, X, Y).

The Xbox Series S controller keeps its 3.5mm audio jack and expansion port at the bottom, but it now uses a USB Type-C charging port instead of microUSB. You'll also find the pairing button at the top, which you use to sync the controller to the console, or for pairing when using Bluetooth.

The new Xbox pad is still a comfortable controller to play with, but its biggest weakness is the fact that it still uses AA batteries. That's instead of a rechargeable lithium-ion cell like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 houses. We found a pair of AA batteries lasted for around 10 days or so of heavy gaming.

If you're appalled by the idea of a controller using AA batteries in 2020, you can also pick up Microsoft's play-and-charge kit, which comprises a rechargeable battery and USB-C cable, for $24.99 (£20.99 / AU$29.95 ) to save you money in the long term (you can also use rechargeable AAs).

While the kit is obviously an extra expense that may irk some, there's an element of flexibility at least – and you're also not at the mercy of a lithium-ion cell battery, which can degrade over time, and which is more costly to replace should anything go awry.

Our advice? Pick up rechargeable batteries, or Microsoft's play-and-charge kit, if you plan on doing more than 40 hours of gaming a week.

Xbox Series S review: features

• User interface feels a bit overcrowded and, in some places, slow
• Quick Resume feels really cutting-edge
• Smart Delivery ensures you get the best possible version of a game
• Good selection of streaming apps, plus Dolby Vision and Atmos support

If it's been a few years since you bought an Xbox console, and you're worried that the process of setting it up might be confusing, don't be. Setting up the Xbox Series S proved to be a streamlined process, thanks in no small part to the new-and-improved Xbox app for Android and iOS. We've even seen Discord become available for all Xbox Series S players .

You’ll need to download the Xbox app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play Store on Android devices, and log in to your Microsoft account. Once you're in, power on the console and type in the code you see in the app, which appears on your TV screen – this pulls in all your data without you having to type it all in. You'll still need to enter a few details via the console, like Wi-Fi password, but then you're off to the races after waiting for an update to land.

The UI that greets you when you’ve finished setting up the Xbox Series S will be instantly familiar to anyone who's used an Xbox One in the last three months. The 'new' Xbox Dashboard rolled out in August 2020, and is the same across both Xbox Series X and S and the older hardware. It isn’t the most intuitive of interfaces, though. 

There's a lot of information on display at once, and it's fair to say there's a small learning curve when it comes to figuring out how to navigate the UI effectively.  The downside to the new consoles having the same user interface as the One series is that the Xbox Series S doesn't feel any different right away. It doesn't feel that new, even if navigating the dashboard feels snappier than before thanks to the extra power underneath the hood. 

Moreover, the new UI still presents some of the same problems we've noticed in the past with Xbox One's interface: some images on the screen take a few seconds to load as content is pulled from the internet, and it's generally a bit too busy for most tastes, with far more information on the screen than you actually need at one time. Look past the UI, however, and you'll begin to see some areas where the Xbox Series S really innovates, though they're admittedly more subtle. 

We can expect further changes to come for the UI, too. If you're an Xbox Insider, Microsoft recently rolled new Xbox Series X homepage layouts but fans aren't happy. While this introduces some quality of life changes, some players weren't so keen on the "tile clutter" this introduced, while others aren't fond of ads still taking up homepage space. As a feature currently in beta testing, this could change, so we'll keep this updated as we learn more.

Smart Delivery from the Xbox Store means you'll always get the best possible version of a game when you download it, or if it's upgraded in the future. Your save data also carries over seamlessly, even if you jump back and forth between your old Xbox One / One X / One S and new Xbox Series S. It's simultaneously backward and forward compatibility, which is reassuring.

Jumping between multiple games is now possible thanks to Quick Resume, a new feature that allows the Xbox Series S to hold multiple game states in the memory at one time, so you can jump back and forth between games without having to reload them. 

The number of games that can be suspended varies – we had as many as eight in rotation at one point – and it won't work with every title, especially those with ever-changing online worlds, like Sea of Thieves. It's a handy, time-saving feature that's only possible thanks to the console's SSD, and game states are preserved even if the console is completely powered down. 

Lastly, we have to talk about the console's multimedia capabilities. As a streaming device, the Xbox Series S carries most major services. That goes between Netflix , Amazon Prime Video , Disney Plus , and others that are available on existing Xbox One consoles, plus some that are new to the platform, including Apple TV Plus . There's also region-specific apps such as Hulu in the US, and Sky Go in the UK. 

Accessing these requires navigating to the Apps section of your library. Or, if you frequently use particular apps you can pin them to the home screen or create a specific group that can be accessed from the Xbox guide. We noticed that, like games, apps stayed in a suspended state when we flicked between them.

It's important to note that while the Xbox Series S only outputs at 1440p resolution when you're gaming, the console is capable of displaying streaming apps in 4K HDR. That means the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus will output in 4K if you're using a compatible display.

As on the Xbox One X, some of these services are available in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos , giving you access to advanced HDR and 3D surround sound respectively, but you may have to pay for a higher subscription tier in order to access those formats.

Xbox Series S review: game library

• Scarce launch lineup with few exclusives
• Backwards compatibility with three generations of Xbox consoles
• Xbox Game Pass is a great way to instantly build up your library

We won't mince words here: the Xbox Series S's game library got off to a bad start. With the delay of Halo Infinite, there weren't any first-party exclusives available at launch on the Xbox Series S, other than titles that have previously been available on Xbox. 

More third-party and first-party exclusives have since arrived like The Medium and Microsoft Flight Simulator , but Microsoft's first-party output is slowly catching up. Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Psychonauts 2 , Grounded, and As Dusk Falls are all now available.

Instead of releasing new experiences on day one, Microsoft mainly opted to improve the existing library of games via Xbox Series S optimizations. Games like Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Sea of Thieves have all been optimized to either increase their base resolution or frame rates or to offer greater visual fidelity. 

If you want to quickly see which games have been optimized for the Xbox Series S, head to 'My Games & App' > 'Games' > and then select 'Group by console type'. You can then see all the games optimized for Xbox Series X/S at a glance.

If you're someone who loves having access to the entire library of Xbox games past and present, the Xbox Series S will be appealing because it supports four generations of Xbox titles, stretching all the way back to the original Xbox. Being able to jump back and forth between Xbox 360 classics like Viva Piñata and Red Dead Redemption to more modern-day blockbusters is comforting.

It's nice not having to break out the old hardware or track down an old CRT TV but the caveat here is big. Because the Xbox Series S doesn't have a disc drive, you'll need digital versions of those older games in order to play them – and for that reason alone, Xbox Game Pass is great. 

On it, you'll find over 100 games available to download on the Xbox Series S, with a mix of new first-party titles like Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Gears 5, and Forza 7, and some indie gems from the Xbox 360 era. If you're someone who loves the Xbox Games with Gold program but wished you had a few more options to download, Game Pass is really satisfying.

While Game Pass can't make up for that lack of exclusives, it does enable you to pad out your library and gives you a chance to see some of the best previous-gen games in a new light. You also get access to all of Microsoft's first-party games the day they release, which represents a huge long-term saving in itself.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can also stream games via Xbox Cloud Gaming . It means that rather than take up storage space, you can play games instantly without having to wait. This is a great option if you simply want to try something out, but we still prefer gaming natively as opposed to via the cloud due to increased input latency and some image issues that can occur.

If you're hoping to get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for an even cheaper price, we've got good news. While this is currently being trialled in just the Republic of Ireland and Colombia, Microsoft is looking to launch an Xbox Game Pass family plan , allowing you and four players to jump in for a monthly cost of €21.99 – which comes to around $21.99 / £19.99 / AU$32.99

Buy it if...

You're on a budget, but still want to experience next-gen gaming For original Xbox One owners, the Xbox Series S is an easy recommendation. It offers native 1440p gaming with up to 120 frames-per-second support. It's not the best console on the market, of course, but it's a massive upgrade over its predecessors.

You plan on mostly getting games from Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold Because you'll be getting all of your games digitally on the Xbox Series S, we recommend tacking an Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold subscription onto your purchase. You get access to the latest first-party games as soon as they come out, and online play – and you'll also get two free games every month with Xbox Live Gold.

You're tired of sitting through long loading screens The marquee features of the Xbox Series S are the SSD and Microsoft's Xbox Velocity Architecture. Being able to jump between games with Quick Resume means you won't have to waste time waiting for games to boot up, while the SSD ensures that load times are half of what you’re used to seeing on the previous generation.

Don't buy it if...

You love keeping a library of games installed at all times The SSD is certainly fast enough, but it comes at the expense of total storage space. After you account for the operating system, the Xbox Series S only has about 364GB of usable space, which fills up fast. If you like to keep games installed on your console, you’ll need to either step up to the Xbox Series X or invest in an external storage solution.

You have a large physical game or Blu-ray library The other big drawback to the Xbox Series S is that it doesn’t have a disc drive. That means you won’t be able to use your old Xbox 360 or Xbox One games with the new console, nor will you be able to use it as a 4K UHD Blu-ray player, as you can the Series X, One X and One S.

You demand a next-gen experience with no compromises With Quick Resume, ray tracing and 120fps gameplay support, the Xbox Series S does much of what Microsoft’s flagship console can do. However, the lack of native 4K resolution in the majority of games and a disc drive, along with a meager amount of SSD storage, means the Series S just doesn’t truly shine as a paradigm of the next-gen console.

Also consider

Xbox Series X The next step up from Microsoft's Xbox Series S console is the similarly named Xbox Series X. It's capable of true 4K gaming and includes a 4K HD Blu-Ray drive.

PS5 If you're interested in playing all of Sony's fantastic exclusives, you'll need a PS5 to do so. We're a big fan of the PlayStation 5, especially its clever controller, the DualSense. 

Nintendo Switch OLED Sometimes gaming's just better on the go, and the Nintendo Switch OLED is the best version of the Japanese company's hybrid handheld to date. An incredible library of games and a gorgeous screen makes the Switch OLED well worth considering.

First reviewed: November 2020.

• Is the Xbox Series S worth it in 2022?

Adam was formerly TRG's Hardware Editor. A law graduate with an exceptional track record in content creation and online engagement, Adam has penned scintillating copy for various technology sites and also established his very own award-nominated video games website. He’s previously worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor and once played Halo 5: Guardians for over 51 hours for charity. He is now an editor at The Shortcut.

• Henry Stockdale
• Rhys Wood Hardware Editor
• Kara Phillips Evergreen Writer

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Most Popular

10 Best Car Organizers to Keep Your Clutter Under Control

From the front seat to the trunk, these top-rated organizers will help maintain order.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Car Organizer

High road carhop car seat organizer.

Best Car Trash Can and Organizer

High road car trash can.

Best Hanging Car Organizer

Wellkool backseat hanging car organizer.

Best Car Organizer for Kids

Diono stow 'n go car back seat organizer.

Best Front Seat Organizer

High road front-seat car organizer.

Best Trunk Organizer

Drive car trunk organizer.

Best Car Organizer for Small Accessories

Cocoon sun visor organizer.

Best Car Organizer for Groceries

Lotus trolley bags.

Best for Filling the Seat Gap

Drop stop car seat gap filler kit.

Best Center Console Organizer

Vehicle ocd center console organizer.

When it comes to keeping your car clean and organized, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute vet and review everything from the best rooftop cargo carriers to the best car cleaning products , because we know how important it is to maintain a tidy space when driving. To find the best car organizers , we spent hours researching the top brands, scouring online reviews and testing the most popular products. From hanging organizers that are great for storing kids' toys to trunk organizers that can keep your groceries nice and cool on the ride home, we evaluated materials, ease of use, functionality, cost and more when putting together our list of recommendations.

Check out our top picks, then head to the end of this guide to learn more about what to consider when shopping for a car organizer and why your can trust our recommendations. Don't forget to check out our round-up of the best car accessories for our recommendations on the best car covers and more.

With cup holders, an insulated interior space and a removable shoulder strap that makes it easy to tote to and from your car, this portable pick is especially great for families. We love the variety of roomy storage spaces available, including a cooler bin for snacks and drinks, zippered pouches to contain small items and mesh pockets for easy access to toys and more.

GH Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman found this organizer to be good quality compared to some other off-brand options that she's tried, and she appreciated just how much was able to be stashed away in it. Also great: It can be easily moved around your car, from the front seat to the back seat to the trunk, depending on how many passengers you need to make room for.

Rather than toss empty coffee cups, snack wrappers and tissues in a random plastic bag — or worse, shove into your cupholders — opt for this trash can that also has three pockets to store items. We appreciate that it's designed to resists leaks and includes a lid with a hole so you can easily push items through and into the can. Choose from two neutral colors or two fun patterns.

You can buckle the straps to hang the trash can from your headrest or attach the can to your center console via the included wrap-locking cord. Five-star customer reviews call this car organizer "totally practical" and "just as described," loving how easy it is to clean out and its sturdy construction. However, some online shoppers note that it is on the smaller side.

Need a place to store sports equipment, car tools, emergency equipment and other items you use less frequently? This hanging organizer slips over the back seat to hang in the trunk and it's ideal for storing everything from frisbees to first aid kits to jumper cables.

It features four mesh pockets, two sealable pockets and two water bottle holders, and we love that it's a lightweight option that can be easily folded and tucked away when not in use. However, if you have kids or you frequently lower and lift your back row, this might not be the best pick for you, since it will have to be adjusted or removed each time you install a car seat or adjust the seat back.

Road trips can be hard, especially when you have a little one perpetually asking, "Are we there yet?" Keep them entertained with this over-the-seat organizer that handily stores all their favorite toys, books and snack essentials . Plus, it also protects seat backs from muddy little feet.

Our testers found this organizer to be of good quality and useful in storing a wide variety of items, thanks to its plethora of pockets. They also appreciated that it's made of water-resistant fabric (take that upside-down sippy cups!) and features adjustable straps that make it easy to fit in cars of all sizes. It also folds up for simple storage when not in use.

If you find yourself regularly driving with an empty front passenger seat, you'll appreciate stashing your everyday items in this hanging organizer. It easily slides over the front headrest to hold everything from your phone to your sunglasses, meaning you'll no longer have to dangerously twist around in your seat to grab an item you threw in the back seat or watch as your stuff slides off the passenger seat when you hit the brakes. With a cup holder, card pockets, a tablet compartment and a variety of other storage pouches, it'll only take you a few seconds to find exactly what you need when you need it.

Invest in this popular organizer and you can finally stop worrying about loose objects rolling around and making noise in your trunk. With over 54,000 5-star reviews on Amazon , this pick is a favorite amongst online reviewers who appreciate that it can keep all kinds of items, both large and small, organized thanks to adjustable compartment sizes.

But while it's big enough to store bulkier items, reviewers also say they love that it doesn't take up too much trunk space — there should still be plenty of room to store items like strollers and groceries alongside it. Finally, we like that it includes strap latches that allow you to tie this organizer down — while the straps don't keep it perfectly immobile, they will prevent it from sliding all over the place while you drive.

Do you have a million bits and bobs floating around your car that always seem to get lost? This handy visor organizer is the solution to that problem. We love that its flexible open grid system means you can configure this visor to hold any type of small item you need it to , from sunglasses to headphones, without ever having to worry that something won't fit. Plus, with all your essentials at your fingertips, you'll be able to stay focused on the road.

The perfect way to transport groceries in the back of your car does exist, and it comes in the form of these reusable trolley bags that make it easy to sort while you shop. The set of four bags fits most standard shopping carts (just note you'll have to buy the larger versions if you regularly shop stores with larger carts, like Costco) and comes with wine and egg pockets, plus a dedicated cooler bag. Especially great for families, these bags make the loading and unloading process extremely easy , according to our testers. They're also versatile — you can use them for just about any occasion, from beach days to sports practice.

There's nothing more annoying than accidentally dropping your keys or your phone into the black hole that is the gap between your car seats. While the Drop Stop isn't an organizer in that sense that you can store things inside of it, it will definitely help keep your car more organized by preventing items from crumbs to earrings from slipping into the cracks . We especially appreciate that the stoppers will fit into most cars, so there's no need to worry about choosing the right size, and it can easily be transferred between vehicles without having to deal with a difficult installation process. Each set comes with two gap fillers, a slide-free pad and a wallet-size LED light.

The idea of cleaning up your messy console may sound daunting, but this genius organizer can help keep everything stored away in an easy-to-reach manner.

By splitting a large, open space into distinct compartments, this simple plastic divider helps you create designated sections for certain items, ultimately making it easier to find your keys or a pack of gum. It's also great for storing taller items that need to be upright, like hand sanitizer. The model pictured here is designed specifically to fit in certain types of Honda vehicles, but you can browse the brand's selection of over 70 different console and glove box organizers on Amazon to find the one that's compatible with your specific make and model.

How we chose the best car organizers

In addition to testing the best organization products on the market, the Good Housekeeping Institute evaluates all kinds of products designed to make your family car as safe and as comfortable as possible, from the best car waxes to the best winter tires .

To find the best car organizers, we spent hours researching popular products from trusted brands, then putting the most promising options to the test in the real world when possible. Across the past year alone, our analysts have driven over 2,000 miles in a variety of cars while testing many of our car organizer recommendations. To make our picks, we consider a variety of factors, including ease of cleaning, materials, durability, functionality, price and more.

What to consider when shopping for a car organizer

✔️ Type : First, consider what you want to store and where you want to keep your organizer. Front-seat organizers are best for those who spend most of their time driving solo, while organizers that hang around seat backs are great for storing kids' toys. Trunk organizers are a good idea for those who need to keep a lot of stuff in their car, or who are looking for a way to stop groceries from rolling around in the back.

✔️ Size: While looking at pictures is helpful, don't forget to double-check the dimensions of each organizer before purchasing. Some will take up more space than you think, while others are better for small odds and ends.

✔️ Car compatibility: Some car organizers are one-size-fits-all, while others are designed for specific vehicles. Make sure to read the product description to make sure you're not buying something that's only going to work with a specific make or model.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Every year, our auto experts test-drive dozens of new vehicles. In fact, our lead tester, Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman , has test-driven over 200 cars in the last five years. During all that test driving, we're also evaluating all types of car accessories , from car vacuums to car phone holders .

To write this guide, GH Institute analyst Jamie Spain worked with Rachel to research and vet the best car organizers on the market. Jamie tests and reviews a variety of auto products for GH, from car harnesses for dogs to the booster seats .

Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People , covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.

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