Updated: July 19, 2026 · AceGamer Editorial

The short version — Both the Switch 2 and Steam Deck have built-in controls, so a travel controller matters most for tabletop, docked, TV-out and local multiplayer play rather than handheld mode. The Switch 2 is lighter and more pocketable; the Steam Deck is heavier but has richer controls. Since these two systems have almost no game overlap, many people travel with both - and a single multi-device pad like the AceGamer T50 works with both, plus your phone, at $29.99. Here's how to think about travel controllers for each.

Do you need a travel controller?

The first honest question is whether you even need a separate controller for travel, given that both the Switch 2 and Steam Deck have built-in controls. For pure handheld mode — holding the device and playing — you do not need an external controller, since the device's own controls do the job. Where a travel controller earns its place is the other ways you play on a trip. Tabletop or propped play: when you stand the Switch 2 on its kickstand or prop a Steam Deck, holding a separate pad is far more comfortable than reaching for the device's controls. Docked or TV-out play: if you dock the Switch 2 to a hotel TV, or connect a Steam Deck to a screen, you need an external controller. Local multiplayer: a second, third or fourth controller lets you play co-op or versus games with travel companions. And comfort: for long sessions, a fuller external pad can be more comfortable than small detached Joy-Con or reaching around a propped device. So the answer is that a travel controller is not for handheld mode but for the tabletop, docked and shared play that travel often involves — which is common enough on trips to make a compact travel pad worth packing. This guide looks at how that plays out for each system. A broader checklist is in the travel-friendly controller checklist.

It is worth being honest that for a lot of solo travellers, handheld mode is most of how they play — on a plane, a train or in a hotel bed, holding the device and playing directly. If that describes your travel gaming entirely, you may not need a separate controller at all, and there is no shame in travelling light without one. The travel controller becomes worthwhile specifically when your trips include the social or stationary moments: playing with family or friends who join in, propping the device on a tray table for a more relaxed session, or connecting to a hotel TV for a big-screen evening. Recognising which kind of traveller you are helps you decide whether to pack a pad — and if your trips involve any shared or tabletop play, a compact controller is a small, high-value addition. Because a foldable pad takes so little space, some travellers pack one just in case, knowing it costs almost nothing in the bag and unlocks those moments when they arise. So the decision is less about the device and more about how you expect to play on a given trip, which is a useful lens for the rest of this guide.

Switch 2 vs Steam Deck as travel systems

The two systems take opposite approaches to portable gaming, so it helps to compare them as travel machines, crediting each for what it does well. The Switch 2 is the more travel-friendly in pure portability terms — at roughly 400 grams with its Joy-Con 2 attached, it is lighter and easier to move around, slipping into a bag readily, with detachable controllers and a kickstand for instant tabletop play. It is the grab-and-go choice. The Steam Deck is heavier and bulkier — closer to 640 grams for the OLED model — and as reviewers put it, it is portable but not pocketable, trading travel ease for serious comfort and control, ideal for long hauls rather than quick breaks. Its larger grips, back paddles and trackpads give richer control for a wider range of games. Crucially, the two barely overlap in games — the Switch 2 plays Nintendo's library, the Steam Deck plays PC games — which is why many enthusiasts own both devices. So as travel systems, the Switch 2 wins portability and simplicity, the Steam Deck wins control depth and library flexibility, and plenty of people carry both. This matters for controllers because whichever you travel with — or both — a travel pad that works across them is the efficient choice, rather than a separate controller for each. It also reframes the "versus" question: for a traveller, the two systems are often not rivals to choose between but companions to carry together, each covering games the other cannot, which makes a controller spanning both all the more sensible.

Traveling with a Switch 2

Traveling with a Switch 2, the built-in Joy-Con 2 handle handheld mode, but a travel controller helps for the system's signature tabletop and shared play. The Switch 2's kickstand invites tabletop play — propping the screen and playing with a controller — and while the Joy-Con 2 can detach for this, a fuller pad is more comfortable for longer sessions, and gives each player a proper controller for local multiplayer. If you dock the Switch 2 to a hotel or friend's TV, you need an external controller entirely. A compact travel pad like the AceGamer T50 fits these uses: it works with the Switch 2 over Bluetooth, giving a comfortable full-layout controller for tabletop, docked and co-op play, while folding small enough to pack easily. One honest caveat specific to the Switch 2: the T50 does not wake the Switch 2 from sleep, so you use the console or a Joy-Con to wake it, then the T50 to play — a minor step covered in why some controllers don't wake the Switch 2. Beyond that, the T50 serves as a tidy travel controller for Switch 2 tabletop and docked gaming, and being multi-device, the same pad also works with your phone and other systems on the trip. Its Switch 2 compatibility is detailed in the T50 Switch 2 compatibility guide.

Traveling with a Steam Deck

Traveling with a Steam Deck, the rich built-in controls cover handheld mode well, but a travel controller helps for docked, TV-out and multiplayer play. The Steam Deck is often docked or connected to a screen — in a hotel, at a friend's, or via a portable dock — and for that you need an external controller, since you are no longer holding the device. A compact pad like the T50 works with the Steam Deck over Bluetooth, providing a controller for big-screen or propped play. The Steam Deck is also a natural local multiplayer machine when connected to a TV, where extra controllers let travel companions join in, and the T50's low cost makes carrying a spare or two affordable. Because the Steam Deck runs SteamOS with broad controller support, a standard Bluetooth pad like the T50 works smoothly once paired. So while you will play the Steam Deck mostly in handheld mode on a trip, a travel controller unlocks its docked and shared potential, turning a hotel room into a living-room gaming setup. The T50 suits this as a foldable, affordable pad that pairs easily with the Deck and also covers your other devices. The full setup is in connect the T50 to a Steam Deck. Unlike the Switch 2, there is no wake caveat here — the Deck handles external controllers straightforwardly.

Why one controller for both makes sense

Here is the key insight for anyone who travels with a Switch 2, a Steam Deck, or both: one multi-device controller covers them all, which is far more efficient than a separate pad per system. Because the Switch 2 and Steam Deck have almost no game overlap, many people carry both on longer trips — and buying a dedicated controller for each doubles the cost and bag space. A pad like the AceGamer T50 works with the Switch 2, the Steam Deck, and your phone, PC and tablet, all over Bluetooth, so a single controller handles tabletop Switch 2 play, docked Steam Deck play, and phone gaming on the same trip. This is the efficient travel approach: one compact, foldable pad, packed once, that covers every device you brought. It saves money, since one affordable controller replaces several, and space, since you pack one pad instead of two or three. For a traveller juggling multiple gaming devices, this multi-device flexibility is truly useful, turning a drawer of system-specific controllers into a single travel companion. So rather than asking "which controller for the Switch 2" and "which for the Steam Deck" separately, the smarter question for travel is "which one controller covers both" — and a multi-device pad like the T50 answers it. The broader multi-device comparison is in the best portable controllers compared.

The T50 as a travel controller

Pulling the T50's travel case together: it is a compact, foldable, multi-device pad at $29.99 that suits travel with either or both handhelds. Its foldable design and roughly 94-gram weight make it easy to pack — it folds down to slip into a bag pocket alongside your Switch 2 or Steam Deck without adding meaningful bulk. Its multi-device Bluetooth support means it works with the Switch 2, Steam Deck, phone, PC and tablet, covering every device a traveller is likely to bring. It includes a gyro, macros, Turbo and switchable ABXY, useful features for varied travel gaming. And its low price makes it easy to justify as a travel-specific pad, or to buy a spare for multiplayer. To be clear about what it is: the T50 is a tabletop, docked and co-op companion, not a replacement for the handhelds' built-in controls in pure handheld mode — you hold the device for handheld play and bring out the T50 when propping, docking or playing together. It also uses standard sticks rather than Hall Effect, and does not wake the Switch 2. But for its role — a foldable, affordable, multi-device travel pad — it fits travel gaming with the Switch 2 and Steam Deck well. Its full details are in T50 specs and price.

View the AceGamer T50 →

What to look for in a travel controller

Whatever controller you choose for travel, a few qualities matter more on the road than at home, so it is worth knowing what to prioritise. Portability is first — a foldable or compact, light pad packs easily and does not weigh down a bag, which matters when every gram and centimetre counts in luggage. Multi-device support is especially valuable for travel, since a pad that works across your Switch 2, Steam Deck, phone and more means packing one controller instead of several. Battery life matters when charging opportunities are limited, so a pad with decent battery and USB-C charging from the same cables you already carry is convenient. Durability counts too — a travel pad gets knocked around in bags, so a robust design or one that folds to protect itself is preferable. And value is worth considering, since a travel controller may see rougher use, making an affordable pad a sensible choice over an expensive one you would worry about. Measured against these, a compact multi-device pad scores well for travel specifically, which is why the category suits trips. The T50 hits these travel priorities — foldable, multi-device, USB-C charged, affordable — which is what makes it a natural travel controller rather than a compromise. Matching these qualities to your trip helps you pack the right pad, and weighting them by how you travel — light and solo, or shared and stationary — points you to the pad that fits your style.

Battery and charging on the road

Travel adds a practical dimension that home gaming rarely worries about: charging, since power outlets and time are limited on a trip. Both the Switch 2 and Steam Deck have their own battery concerns — the Switch 2 lasts roughly a few hours depending on the game, and the Steam Deck's endurance varies with its per-game power settings — so serious travellers often carry a power bank. A travel controller adds one more thing to charge, which is where a pad's battery and charging method matter. The T50 charges over USB-C, the same connector the Switch 2, Steam Deck and most modern phones use, so you can top it up from the cables and power bank you already carry rather than packing a dedicated charger. Its battery covers typical travel sessions, and because you mainly use it for tabletop, docked and co-op play rather than constantly, it does not drain as fast as a device you hold all day. A useful travel habit is to charge the controller overnight alongside your other devices, so it is ready each day. The convenience point is that a controller sharing your existing USB-C charging keeps your travel kit simple — one cable type, one power bank, everything topped up together. So when choosing a travel pad, USB-C charging is a small but real advantage, avoiding an extra proprietary cable in your bag. This shared-charging simplicity is part of what makes a modern USB-C pad like the T50 travel-friendly.

Packing a travel gaming setup

Thinking about the whole travel gaming kit helps put the controller in context, since it travels alongside other gear. A tidy setup for someone bringing a Switch 2, a Steam Deck, or both might include: the handheld itself, a protective case, a USB-C cable and power bank, a foldable controller, and perhaps a small stand for tabletop play. The controller's job in this kit is to unlock tabletop, docked and shared play without adding bulk, which a foldable pad does well by tucking into a case pocket or bag corner. Packing the T50 is easy — it folds down, weighs little, and shares your USB-C charging — so it slots into a travel kit without demanding space or a separate charger. If you travel with both handhelds, the single multi-device pad replaces what would otherwise be two controllers, keeping the kit lean. A small folding stand pairs well for propping either handheld at a comfortable angle in a hotel or on a tray table. The principle is to pack light but capable: the fewer, more versatile items you carry, the smoother travel gaming is, and a multi-device foldable controller embodies that by covering several devices in one small package. So when assembling a travel gaming setup, a compact multi-device pad like the T50 is the controller that fits the pack-light philosophy, letting you play properly across your devices without a bag full of accessories. A fuller checklist is in the travel-friendly controller checklist.

Other options

The T50 is not the only travel controller worth considering, and honesty means noting the alternatives and who they suit. For Switch 2 owners who want first-party integration, the official Switch 2 Pro Controller offers full features including wake and the best Nintendo compatibility, though it is larger, pricier and Switch-focused. The detached Joy-Con 2 themselves are the most packable option for Switch 2 tabletop co-op, if small. For Steam Deck or PC-focused travel, a full-size pad like an 8BitDo or GuliKit controller gives Hall Effect sticks and richer features, at more size and cost. For phone-focused travel, a phone-clip like a Backbone or Razer Kishi turns the phone into a handheld, though it is phone-only and pricier. Each of these leads for a specific case: first-party integration, premium sticks, or a clamped phone experience. The T50's niche among them is being the compact, foldable, multi-device, affordable option that spans the Switch 2, Steam Deck and phone together — the efficient single-pad travel choice rather than the best at any one system. So if your travel gaming centres on one system and one priority, a specialised pad may suit; if it spans several devices and values packability and value, the T50 fits. The full field is compared in the best portable controllers compared.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a controller to travel with a Switch 2 or Steam Deck?
Not for handheld mode - both have built-in controls. A travel controller helps for tabletop or propped play, docked or TV-out gaming, local multiplayer, and comfort during long sessions. So it is worth packing if you play in those ways on trips, but not needed for holding the device and playing directly.

Does the AceGamer T50 work with both the Switch 2 and Steam Deck?
Yes. The T50 works with both over Bluetooth, plus your phone, PC and tablet, so a single pad covers both handhelds and your other devices on a trip. This multi-device support is what makes it an efficient travel controller when you carry a Switch 2, a Steam Deck, or both.

Is the Switch 2 or Steam Deck better for travel?
The Switch 2 is lighter and more pocketable, ideal for grab-and-go and quick sessions. The Steam Deck is heavier but offers richer controls and PC-library flexibility, better for long hauls. They barely overlap in games, so many people travel with both. Neither is universally better - it depends on your library and how you pack.

Why won't the T50 wake my Switch 2?
The T50 does not include the wake function for the Switch 2, so you wake the console with its own button or a Joy-Con, then use the T50 to play. This is a specific Switch 2 behaviour rather than a fault, and does not affect actual gameplay once the console is awake.

Can I use the T50 for local multiplayer on a trip?
Yes. Because the T50 is affordable, carrying two or more for co-op or versus play on a Switch 2 or docked Steam Deck is practical. Pair each to the system, and travel companions can join in. Its low cost and foldable form make a multi-pad travel setup easy to pack and justify.

What should I look for in a travel controller?
Prioritise portability (foldable or compact and light), multi-device support so one pad covers your systems, decent battery with USB-C charging, durability for bag knocks, and value since travel use is rougher. A compact multi-device pad scores well on all of these, which is why the category suits trips.

Do I need a separate controller for each handheld?
No, if you choose a multi-device pad. A controller like the T50 works with the Switch 2, Steam Deck and phone together, so one pad covers all of them - saving cost and bag space versus a dedicated controller per system. This is the efficient approach for travelling with multiple gaming devices.

How does the T50 charge when travelling?
Over USB-C, the same connector the Switch 2, Steam Deck and most phones use, so you can top it up from the cables and power bank you already carry rather than a separate charger. Charging it overnight alongside your other devices keeps it ready, and since you use it mainly for tabletop and docked play, it does not drain constantly.

Is a foldable controller better for travel?
Generally yes. A foldable pad packs smaller and can protect itself when folded, slotting into a case pocket or bag corner without bulk. For travel, where space and weight matter, foldability is a real advantage over a rigid full-size pad, which is why a foldable design like the T50's suits trips well.

Can the T50 connect a Steam Deck to a TV for travel?
The T50 acts as the controller when you connect a Steam Deck to a screen via a dock or cable - it pairs over Bluetooth and controls the Deck for big-screen play. You supply the dock or adapter for the video output; the T50 provides the controls, turning a hotel TV into a gaming display with the Deck.

Sources & methodology

This guide reflects the Switch 2 and Steam Deck as travel systems as documented in mid-2026, plus AceGamer's finalized specifications for the T50. Devices and their features change over time, so verify current details for your specific hardware.

• Switch 2 vs Steam Deck hands-on — PC Gamer.
• Handheld travel comparison — GameRant.
• The T50 and Steam Deck — connect the T50 to a Steam Deck.
• AceGamer T50 details — T50 specs & price.