NO matter how much you love gaming, you’re going to have to go outside at some point. Whether it’s heading up to the shops for groceries, visiting friends and family, or going on a holiday, there’s gaming-related tech that is designed for portability and outdoor use, covering a wide range of uses and functions.
We’ve put together a few suggestions for some of the best of that tech to take with you when you’re out and about – read on and find out more!
BOSE FRAMES TEMPO
Sunglasses and headphones in one? It sounds like a gimmick but it really isn’t – the Bose Frames Tempo are an outstanding product which provides excellent audio quality and protection and sunglare in the process.
The speakers are built into the sunglass arms and aren’t audible to other people – so whether you’re playing a game or listening to music or watching a TV show on a smart device, you won’t be disturbing anyone else either.
The ability to have audio on and still be aware of your surroundings cannot be overstated enough, and the fact these are comfortable and stylish only adds to the appeal.
RRP: AUD$299.95
BELKIN SCREENFORCE PROTECTOR AND BUMPER FOR APPLE WATCH
If you’ve got an Apple Watch, the Belkin ScreenForce TemperedCurve 2-in-1 Treated Screen Protector + Bumper for Apple Watch might be just the thing to protect it from the rigours of an active lifestyle.
The protector and bumper does exactly what it says on the tin – fits over the watch screen so it doesn’t get scratched and cracked, yet still lets you use all the touchscreen controls (and see the watch, obviously). If you’re going somewhere that there’s a risk of your Apple Watch getting knocked about, this is well worth considering.
RRP: AUD$39.95
SANDISK EXTREME PRO PORTABLE SSD V2 1TB
When you’re out away from home, you want to make sure your accompanying digital data can handle the knocks and bumps that being on the road inevitably brings – and the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 is just the thing.
It’s a 1TB (there other sizes available) SSD with 2m drop protection and IPX5 rating, also featuring an aluminium chassis and silicon shell – in other words it’s durable, rugged and secure
Connection is via USB-A or USB-C (included in the box) and the design even helpfully incorporates a loop to connect a carabiner or lanyard to, just to make sure it’s always where you need it (say, attached to a hiking backpack),
Whether you’re carting about saved game files, work documents, or video/audio you’ve been filming for content creation purposes and want to make sure the storage device can handle the expedition, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD will serve you well.
RRP: AUD$350
BELKIN BOOSTCHARGE MAGNETIC PORTABLE WIRELESS CHARGER
There are few things worse when gaming or using tech away from home than discovering its battery has gone flat and the nearest powerpoint requires driving there.
A powerbank is absolutely essential in this scenario, and if you’ve got an iPhone it’s hard to go past the Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Portable Wireless Charger.
It’s a 10,000mAh powerbank which is MagSafe compatible, meaning you can just clip an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 onto it and it will charge. As a bonus, you’ve also got a USB-C and USB-A connection for plugging in other stuff. It’s well-priced, works very well (and on a variety of devices), and is highly recommended if you’ve got an iPhone.
RRP: AUD$79.95
BOSE QUIETCOMFORT EARBUDS
When it comes to earbuds, there’s a wide range on the market but the Bose QuietComfort model have really stood out for me with their combination of audio quality, effective noise cancelling, and long battery life on standby.
Audio quality is excellent across the board, and the noise cancelling is nicely effective – particularly with its ability to adjust between user-made presets. I’ve got one set up for “walking” which means I can still hear oncoming vehicles etc, while still having enough noise cancelling for ensuring I can hear music etc clearly.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are IPX4 rated, charge wirelessly, and have firmly established themselves as my daily use earbuds for all things gaming, music and streaming video content when I’m out and about. They’re pricey, but worth it if you’re a fairly active person.
RRP: AUD$399.95
MOPHIE POWERSTATION GO RUGGED WITH AIR COMPRESSOR
The Mophie PowerStation Go Rugged With Air Compressor is a is a combination 55,500mWh powerpack, air compressor, vehicle jumpstarter and worklight – and is well placed to keep you gaming away from civilisation.
Whether it’s keeping your smart device charged, ensuring you can game longer on a Nintendo Switch, providing some light for a TTRPG session, reinflating a flat tyre, or jump-starting a flat battery in a car or smallish 4WD, this packs a lot of functionality in – and it’s just useful to keep in the car anyway.
RRP: AUD$279
