I’m a pretty big gaming handheld enthusiast, so it’s no surprise that I always pack at least one of my portable gaming devices when I go on a trip. A couple of months ago, I got the ROG Ally X, but up until recently, I didn’t like traveling with this expensive device because I was worried about damaging the screen and buttons. Alternatively, putting it in a carrying case can take up a lot of room in my luggage. However, I was recently sent the JSAUX ModCase bundle for the ROG Ally X, which includes a form-fitting handheld casing and a 65W portable battery, and this has changed everything.
Last week, I traveled to Seattle, Washington, for a work trip, and I entertained myself on my flights by using my ROG Ally X while it was encased in the JSAUX ModCase and attached to the JSAUX battery pack. This helped create one of the most convenient handheld experiences I’ve had to date. Here’s what’s so great about this accessory.
This review was made possible thanks to a review unit provided by JSAUX. The company did not see the contents of this review before publishing.
JSAUX ModCase for ROG Ally X bundle: Price and availability
JSAUX is a well-known brand among Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion Go owners, considering that the company offers several highly-rated gaming handheld accessories at Amazon and its own website.
The JSAUX ModCase is a protective casing that makes your handheld easy to travel with without needing a bulky carrying case. The main casing is form-fitting and squeezes over the device in a snug manner. Meanwhile, the protective hard shell cover can be slipped on and off when desired to effectively protect your screen, buttons, and joysticks. I was pleased to find that there is a soft foam padding on the interior side of the cover, which prevents the Ally X screen from getting scratched in transit.
JSAUX typically sells many of its gaming handheld accessories at Amazon, but at the time of writing, this particular peripheral wasn’t sold there. As of right now, the JSAUX ModCase Power Bank Kit for ROG Ally X can only be purchased for $79.99 at JSAUX. However, if you just want the casing and don’t need the power bank, the price is only $29.99 at JSAUX. It’s also worth noting that these options are also available for the original ROG Ally (non-X) model, but in white. You can also purchase the 65W Power Bank on its on for $59.99 at Amazon.
JSAUX ModCase for ROG Ally X – What’s in the box?
If you purchase the ModCase for ROG Ally X, you receive the form-fitting case, a few installation stickers, a hard shell front cover, a removable kickstand, a removable battery pack strap, and the manual. If you purchase the ModCase Power Bank Kit bundle, then you get all of this as well as the 20,000mAh 65W fast charging battery pack, which comes shipped in a different box.
JSAUX ModCase for ROG Ally X bundle: What I like
There’s a lot to like with this simple yet effective casing. For one thing, installation only took a few seconds. I merely had to place the bottom of the ROG Ally X into the ModCase and then use the blue stickers wrapped around the top of the casing to pull the form-fitting material over my handheld. I have previously done something similar for my original ROG Ally with a dBrand Killswitch case, and I can say the process took a lot less effort with this JSAUX accessory.
There are holes and vent openings along the top and back of the ModCase, which allows my Ally X to breathe while also giving me easy access to all of the buttons and ports. Some of these holes didn’t line up perfectly symmetrically, but this was really just a visual problem, as everything works very well. The ModCase itself is textured, making the device easier to grip and lessening my fear that it will slip from my hands.
I’ve tried a few of these close-fitting cases on various gaming handhelds over the years, but something I really like about the JSAUX ModCase is the attachment area on the backside. I simply have to slide the ModCase’s two included attachments onto or off of this slightly protruding area when wanted. This connection area feels secure and sturdy, so I don’t have to worry about breaking it when swapping attachments.
When I was simply playing my Ally X around the house, I put the small metal kickstand in place. This kickstand attachment holds my Ally X up at various angles without falling under the pressure of the handheld. Additionally, the kickstand can be folded up when I don’t want to use it. Because of this design, it stays out of my way better than some other built-in kickstands out there. I also like that it is centered on the back of the ModCase rather than on one side, as is common in competitor offerings.
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Before boarding my plane for my work trip, I swapped the kickstand attachment for the battery pack strap. Then during the course of the flight when my Ally X’s battery grew low, I attached the JSAUX 65W fast charging battery pack to the ModCase and plugged the built-in USB-C into my Ally X. The battery pack cable easily fits into place without straining as long as I have the ports facing the right way. As a bonus perk, the battery pack also acts like a kickstand and holds my handheld upright without me having to support it.
With this setup, I was able to place my ROG Ally X on the tray table in front of me and enjoy playing Ghost of Tsushima without straining my arms. Whenever I was curious about how much battery life was left in the power bank, all I had to do was flip the handheld around and look at the percentage displaying on the battery pack’s screen.
What’s more, when I decided I was done playing but still wanted my handheld to charge, I slipped the hard shell front cover into place and was still able to plug the USB-C cable into the Ally X’s port to charge. Oddly enough, only one of the Ally X’s two USB-C ports is accessible with the front cover on, but It’s still a very convenient and protective accessory.
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The 20,000mAh battery pack itself is a good shape and easily tucks behind the handheld. It features two USB-A out ports as well as a USB-C in/out port. There is technically another USB-C port, but this neither receives nor gives a charge; it is simply a place to tuck the built-in USB-C connection into for safer travel. As with most battery packs, this one requires that you push the button on the side in order to activate charging.
Thanks to the fact that it offers a 65W power flow, this battery pack can recharge my ROG Ally X even when I’m playing in Turbo mode. That said, you could easily just get the base ModCase package and supply your own 65W+ battery pack instead of getting the Power Bank Kit. But the convenience of JSAUX offering this bundle as an option is nice. If you’re interested, you might want to check out our list of the best ROG Ally battery packs.
JSAUX ModCase for ROG Ally X bundle: What I don’t like
There aren’t any surprising downsides to the JSAUX ModCase — everything feels sturdy and well-built. However, as is common with this kind of gaming handheld accessory, installation is easy, but removing the casing can be difficult. As such, it might not be a good fit for anyone who regularly will want to pull their ROG Ally X out of the casing. This is what the extra blue stickers are for in the box. You will need to wrap these stickers around the slim bit of material that goes over the bumpers at the top, and then pull the form-fitting casing off. Since it is such a snug fit, it can be tricky to do.
Aside from that, using the Portable Charging Kit obviously adds more weight to the handheld. The 65W power bank weighs roughly 0.96 pounds (436g), which adds to the ROG Ally X’s 1.5 pounds (678g) to equal a total weight of roughly 2.46 pounds (1,114g). It’s not the worst, but that can feel hefty and straining for some. Of course, if you simply play the handheld while it’s on a table, like I did during my flight, then you won’t feel this added weight.
JSAUX ModCase for ROG Ally X bundle: Competition
I previously tested dBrand’s handheld case as seen in my Killswitch case for ROG Ally review. Since then, the company has gone on to release a Killswitch for ROG Ally X as well, which I’m planning on reviewing sometime soon. But from the original Ally experience, I can say that this protective casing is a great choice for anyone who wants a slimmer travel case than a bulky carrying case.
Top ROG Ally recommendations
Unlike the JSAUX ModCase, the Killswitch has a built-in kickstand that cannot be removed, and there is no battery pack attachment bundle option. However, you can choose cool skins when purchasing the Killswitch for ROG Ally X. The base Essential Kit sells for $59.95 at dBrand while the Travel Kit sells for $74.95 at dBrand.
If you decide you’d rather just use a bag or carrying case rather than a snug casing, then you might want to consider checking out my TomToc Arccos-G47 review. This over-the-shoulder bag is easy to tote around and has plenty of space to carry various accessories in addition to the gaming handheld. What’s more, the interior is padded to protect the ROG Ally or ROG Ally X while you’re on the move. It sells for $49.99 at Amazon.
JSAUX ModCase for ROG Ally X bundle: Should you buy it?
✅ You should buy this if…
- You want a slim protective ROG Ally or ROG Ally X casing for travel.
- You’d like a handheld casing with a removable kickstand and battery pack strap.
- You’re looking for a form-fitting casing that provides better textured grips for your Ally.
❌ You should not buy this if…
- You will regularly want to remove the handheld from the protective case.
- You don’t see yourself needing a protective front cover for your Ally.
If you tend to travel with your ROG Ally or ROG Ally X, then I highly recommend getting the JSAUX ModCase. It takes up a lot less room than a bulky carrying case while still protecting the buttons and joysticks, as well as that expensive 7-inch screen. I love the texture of the grips, which help me hold my handheld more securely during gaming sessions. Of course, being able to add or remove both an adjustable kickstand and a power bank strap also adds another level of convenience to the ModCase that many rival products don’t offer.
The optional Power Bank Kit bundle came in handy during my own airplane trips, allowing me to provide more power to my handheld even when I was playing in Turbo mode. Since the battery pack also props the Ally X up when attached, I was able to play games without fully needing to support the device. It’s a very handy accessory bundle that is useful for anyone who doesn’t already have their own compatible PC gaming handheld power bank.
JSAUX ModCase for ROG Ally X bundle
The JSAUX ModCase makes for a fantastic ROG Ally or ROG Ally X accessory. You can travel with your gaming handheld in a slimmer protective casing while also supplying a removable kickstand and battery pack strap. If you are willing to pay more, you can pay for the Battery Pack Kit and get a power bank in addition to the base ModCase.
