Gaming Controller
Standalone game controllers are allowed in carry-on and checked bags, with no special screening needed.
Carry-on
Allowed
Checked
Allowed
Carry-on details
Allowed. A controller like an Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch Pro Controller screens like any small accessory — it can stay in your bag and doesn't need its own bin the way a console or laptop does.
Checked-bag details
Allowed. Most controllers use a small built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is permitted in checked bags. If yours instead takes disposable AA/AAA batteries, those are fine too and don't need to be removed.
Special instructions
If your controller has a removable battery pack, leaving it installed is fine — TSA's spare-battery packaging rules only apply to loose batteries carried separately.
Related rules
FAQ
- Do I need to take my game controller out of my bag at security?
- No. Unlike a console, laptop, or tablet, a standalone controller is small enough to stay in your carry-on bag through the X-ray.
- Can I pack a game controller in checked luggage?
- Yes. Whether it has a built-in rechargeable battery or takes disposable batteries, a controller is allowed in checked bags.
Related items
Sources: TSA — What Can I Bring?, FAA — PackSafe (Hazardous Materials) · Last verified: 2026-08-01
Final decision rests with the security officer at the checkpoint.