I’ve tried hundreds of travel gadgets throughout the years, some were amazing, and some went straight into the trash can or to my garage sale box.
Here are 15+ must-have travel gadgets for your next trip.
Essential Travel Gadgets
Anker Portable Charger
My anxious mind starts to panic when my phone battery is less than 10%. I’m sure most of you have experienced that before. I always have my portable charger with me whenever I’m traveling or even on days when I know I’ll be outside all day. This Anker Portable Charger is one of my favorites because it’s sleek, lightweight, and easily fits into any bag or pocket.
EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
Make sure to bring a travel adapter when traveling overseas. The EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter is just the perfect travel plug because of its versatility and ease of use!
If you’re planning on using your own hair iron, curling iron, or hair dryer, please make sure that the hair appliance supports dual voltage! When I traveled to Europe, I didn’t think much and plugged in my hairdryer… Yep both the travel adapter and hairdryer stopped working.)
Belkin Power Strip
Ever had to go on a scavenger hunt to find an open wall plug? You might not have problems with newer hotels, but it’s convenient to have a power strip to charge all your electronics.
I love the Belkin Power Strip because it has a surge protector, and it’s so compact. The only downside is that I’m unable to plug in larger adapters like my MacBook power adapter. The whole unit falls down because it’s too heavy. Other than that, it works perfectly fine! If you have a larger family or use a lot of electronics, consider buying 2.
Hydro Flask
Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! It’s easy to forget about drinking fluids when you’re traveling. The Hydro Flask is a great water bottle for traveling (and for every day) because it has a handle, doesn’t sweat, and you’re able to pop in ice without any trouble to keep your drinks cold. Plus, there are so many colors to choose from!
Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Backpack
Nothing is worse than getting pick-pocketed or having your bag stolen during travel. I remember having my wallet stolen from my bag in London years ago. After that incident, I bought the Anti-Theft Classic Backpack from Travelon and have not encountered any pick-pocketing since. The backpack is slash-resistant, blocks RFID (prevents hackers from hacking into your credit card or passports), and has locking zippers. Travelon has fashionable bags in different shapes and sizes, so I’m sure you’ll find a style that you’ll love.
Organization Travel Gadgets
Stow-N-Go
Wish there was an easy way to pack and unpack your clothes? The stow-n-go luggage organizer is such a time saver. Pack your clothes and shoes on the shelf, put them in your suitcase, take them out, and voila, you’re done! I love how I could just hang it in a closet and not have to use the hotel room drawers, especially with COVID-19.
Aceton Compression Packing Cubes
I like to pack my clothes in Aceton compression packing cubes whenever I go on a weekend trip where I don’t need as many clothes. They take up less space than the stow-n-go and can easily fit inside my backpack. Plus, you can separate your clean and dirty clothes because they have two sides!
Tech Travel Gadgets
iPad
You can do anything with an iPad: use it as an e-book reader, use it as a computer with a keyboard attachment, watch a movie, and so on. I love how I could just pack my iPad and don’t need to take my laptop and gigantic adapter with me when traveling.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones
I always travel with my Bose QuietComfort 35 II. These noise-canceling headphones make long-distance flight trips bearable. Yes, some airlines hand out headphones, but they’re just so uncomfortable, and the noise cancelation function just doesn’t even come close to these headphones.
Bose recently released a newer headphone, Bose QuietComfort 45. The new headphone added an ambient aware mode (similar to transparency mode) to hear noises from your surroundings while listening to music. You won’t have to take off your headphones whenever the flight attendant comes down the aisle with the trolley cart.
Photos and Video Travel Gadgets
DJI Osmo Mobile 3 Gimbal
Ever take videos on your trip and find out that your video is all shaky? The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 helps stabilize your videos and photos big time. I also love using the ActiveTrack feature, which follows objects or people by itself. Cool right? Be sure to get the combo set if you want the tripod accessory.
*DJI is no longer producing Osmo Mobile 3, so buy one on Amazon before it sells out! Also, DJI announced a new gimbal, DJI OM5, which has a built-in extension rod, so make sure to check that one and the older version DJI OM4!
(For those traveling to Disneyland or Disney World, DJI OM5 is prohibited as it has a built-in extension rod, so be sure to buy the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 or DJI OM4!)
Action Camera (GoPro HERO9 or Insta360 One X2)
Going to snorkel? Ski? Bike? Hike? You’ll get fantastic footage with a GoPro HERO9! The GoPro is durable for any kind of trip. I personally like how small and light it is. I could just put this in my pocket and get it right out whenever I want to take a video.
*GoPro recently announced a new GoPro HERO10, so if you are willing to invest, go for it! But the GoPro Hero 9 is still a fantastic action camera (in my opinion) so choose whichever fits your needs best.
Another action camera to consider is the Insta360 One X2. I love the invisible stick feature where it’ll automatically hide the selfie stick, so it doesn’t appear in your photos or videos. If you want 360 degrees shots or amazing bullet-time shots, I would definitely consider this one as well.
Hygiene and Health Travel Gadgets
GENIANI Portable Small Cool Mist Humidifier
I have terrible allergies all year long, and a humidifier is a must-have for me. This portable humidifier by Geniani is compact and so quiet that you won’t even notice that it’s there. I would recommend those with bad allergies or dry skin pack a portable humidifier.
Cadence Travel Containers
These travel containers from cadence are just superb. Yes, I’ve tried those 4-in-1 travel bottles and silicone travel bottles before, but they just didn’t work out for me (pump breaks or lotion dries up). They’re made from recycled plastic, and the magnets help keep the containers organized together. I know they are pricey, but they last forever. I am still hesitant to put my toothpaste inside these bottles. Other than that, I put all my skincare, haircare, and pills inside these containers. Plus, you can put labels on the containers so you don’t mix them up.
Comfort Travel Gadgets
Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow
I’ve tried multiple travel pillows and finally found the perfect travel pillow for flights, the Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow. You can actually get some sleep on the plane with these on! What sets this apart from other pillows is that it helps keep your neck in place by attaching the straps to the airplane seat, ensuring that your head doesn’t roll forward or to the side.
Sleep Headphones
I can’t fall asleep unless it’s quiet. This is definitely not a problem when traveling alone, but when I travel with others… that snore? Yep, that’s when the trouble arises. These sleep headphones are so comfortable to sleep with, unlike traditional ones, especially for side sleepers. You’re able to wash the fabric headband, and you can use them as an eye mask as well! I don’t know if I’d be able to sleep without these when traveling.
What Next?
So that’s a list of 15+ best must-have travel gadgets. These travel gadgets can also be a great Christmas gift for friends that love to travel. For more travel articles, check the related posts below!
