If you’re like many modern travelers aiming to simplify your packing and travel with just a carry-on, selecting the right items becomes crucial. Beyond the essential comfortable walking shoes for city exploration and a stylish swimsuit for poolside relaxation, smart travelers understand the value of packing innovative travel gadgets. These aren’t just about tech for tech’s sake; they’re about enhancing your travel experience, making every phase of your journey smoother and more enjoyable. From ensuring you remain entertained and powered up on a long-haul flight to lightweight solutions for airport navigation and clever devices that boost comfort in unfamiliar environments, the right gadgets are indispensable. Think in-flight phone mounts for easy viewing, portable sound machines for restful sleep, and luggage scales to avoid surprise fees – these are the tools that seasoned travelers rely on. The Traveler team has rigorously tested a wide array of products to pinpoint the great travel gadgets that truly deliver value and convenience.
Below, we present a curated list of top travel gadgets designed to be your perfect companions on your next adventure. The best part? These editor-approved essentials are conveniently available on Amazon, with many offering Prime shipping, ensuring you can get them quickly before your upcoming travels.
Perilogics Universal in-flight airplane phone mount attached to a tray table, holding a smartphone displaying a video, with a blurred airplane seat and window in the background, suggesting in-flight entertainment.
Perilogics Universal In-Flight Airplane Phone Mount
This incredibly affordable find on Amazon, priced under $20, has revolutionized in-flight entertainment for many. For travelers who prefer to watch movies or downloaded videos on their smartphones during flights, often paired with noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones, this gadget is a game-changer. Say goodbye to awkwardly holding your phone or struggling to prop it up on the often-unstable tray table. This pocket-sized phone mount effortlessly clips onto the top of your seat tray table, securely holding your phone in place for comfortable, hands-free viewing of movies, TV shows, or even podcast videos. Its ingenious 360-degree rotation feature allows for both vertical and horizontal screen orientations, catering to different content formats and viewing preferences. Beyond airplanes, its versatile 1.5-inch clamp is designed to attach to a variety of surfaces, including tables, desks, and even gym equipment. Originally intended for air travel, users have found it equally useful attached to luggage handles while waiting in boarding queues or during train journeys. It’s a truly versatile travel companion.
Etekcity luggage scale weighing a black suitcase, displaying a digital weight reading, with a focus on travel convenience and avoiding overweight baggage fees.
Etekcity Luggage Scale
For those who, like many, tend to push baggage weight limits, an electric handheld luggage scale is an absolute essential travel gadget. Especially if you frequently travel with a checked bag, this device can save you from unexpected overweight baggage fees at the airport. The Etekcity handheld scale is designed for ease of use: simply attach its durable strap to your suitcase handle, lift using both hands with even force, and the scale will display the precise weight of your luggage. This simple process allows you to proactively manage your baggage weight before arriving at the airport check-in, helping you avoid the stress and embarrassment of repacking at the airport or paying extra fees. It’s a small investment that provides significant peace of mind and financial savings for frequent travelers.
Bril UV-C Toothbrush Sanitizer
Maintaining hygiene while traveling, especially oral hygiene, is paramount. We’ve all encountered situations where brushing our teeth in less-than-pristine environments like airplane lavatories or airport lounges becomes necessary. The Bril UV-C toothbrush sanitizer addresses these concerns effectively. This compact device, roughly the size of an AirPods case, utilizes UV light technology to sanitize your toothbrush, both before and after use. Its convenience extends to storage as well; the magnetic back allows it to be easily mounted on bathroom mirrors, a particularly useful feature in hotels, eliminating the need to place your toothbrush in a potentially unhygienic cup or directly on the counter. Moreover, its long-lasting battery life is impressive – a single charge can power it for up to a month, making it reliable even for extended vacations. It’s a small, yet powerful gadget for health-conscious travelers.
MEE Audio Connect Air in-flight Bluetooth audio transmitter plugged into an airplane entertainment system, pairing with wireless headphones, enhancing in-flight audio experience.
MEE Audio Connect Air In-Flight Bluetooth Audio Transmitter
A common frustration for travelers using wireless headphones is the incompatibility with airplane seatback entertainment systems. The MEE Audio Connect Air in-flight Bluetooth audio transmitter provides a seamless solution to this problem. This small, ingenious device bridges the gap by pairing with your Bluetooth headphones and then plugging directly into the airplane’s audio jack. This ensures you can enjoy in-flight entertainment without sacrificing the comfort and quality of your personal wireless headphones, particularly valuable on long-haul flights. Its compact size makes it an ideal addition to a pre-packed travel bag. For optimal readiness, charging it the night before a flight ensures it’s fully powered up before you even leave for the airport. An added bonus is its ability to pair with two sets of headphones simultaneously, perfect for couples or travel partners wanting to share a movie or show during their flight.
$50 $40 at Amazon
$50 at Best Buy
JBL Go 4 Waterproof Speaker
Whether you’re gathering in an Airbnb, relaxing by a private pool at a resort, or enjoying the outdoors at a campsite, a portable Bluetooth speaker is a must-have travel gadget for setting the mood. The JBL Go 4 stands out for its exceptional blend of portability and performance. At just three inches in length, it’s incredibly compact, yet it delivers up to seven hours of playtime on a single charge and boasts complete waterproof capabilities, making it perfect for poolside or beachside use. Adding to its travel-friendly design, the speaker includes a convenient loop on the corner, allowing it to be easily attached to a beach bag or keyring for secure and accessible transport while on the move. It’s the perfect audio companion for any travel scenario.
$50 at Amazon
$50 $45 at Best Buy
Airplane Pockets Tray Table Cover
One of the most inconvenient aspects of air travel is the limited personal space and the often-questionable cleanliness of airplane tray tables and seat pockets. The Airplane Pockets tray table cover ingeniously addresses both of these issues. This FAA-approved polyester cover easily slips over your tray table, instantly providing a clean surface and additional, readily accessible storage. It features four expandable pockets, perfect for keeping your in-flight essentials – such as phones, headphones, snacks, and reading material – secure and within easy reach, effectively supplementing the standard seat pocket. A particularly thoughtful design element is that it allows you to use the tray table as intended for meals or work; simply lower the covered tray when needed without disturbing your organized items. It’s a simple yet highly effective way to enhance comfort and organization during flights.
Read a full review of this product here.
Xcool USB-C Cable
For travelers focused on minimizing luggage bulk and maximizing utility, the Xcool USB-C cable is an indispensable gadget. This four-in-one cable is designed to handle the charging needs of virtually all your devices, eliminating the clutter of multiple cords. Each end of the six-foot-long cable offers two different port styles: traditional USB-C, USB-A, and a Lightning connector, ensuring compatibility with a wide array of electronics. Whether you need to charge your phone, iPad, laptop, or other devices, this single, easy-to-pack cable has you covered. It’s an excellent solution for streamlining your tech accessories and saving valuable space in your backpack or tote, making it a smart choice for efficient travelers.
Macally Cup Holder Tray
Road trips continue to be a popular way to travel, and enjoying snacks along the way is often a highlight. The Macally cup holder tray elevates the road trip experience by providing a stable surface for snacks, meals from drive-thrus, or even just keeping essentials organized. This car tray table is designed to securely fit into a standard cup holder, and its adjustable swivel arm allows you to position it for optimal convenience. It even includes a dedicated phone slot, enabling passengers to easily assist with navigation using Google Maps or simply keep their phone within reach. It’s a practical addition for any road trip, enhancing both meal times and general organization within the car.
Cozy Essentials Vacuum Storage Bags and Pump
For travelers looking to maximize luggage space, especially when visiting destinations with colder climates, vacuum storage bags are invaluable. The Cozy Essentials vacuum storage bags set, complete with an electric pump, takes space-saving to the next level. While traditional vacuum bags are effective at home, finding a vacuum cleaner while traveling to remove air is often impractical. This set solves that problem with an included electric pump that efficiently removes air from the bags, compressing clothes, jackets, and even souvenirs to a fraction of their original size. The 26-pack offers a range of sizes, including jumbo bags ideal for bulky jackets and smaller bags for items like t-shirts, providing versatile packing solutions for all types of clothing and travel needs. It’s a particularly useful gadget for carry-on only travelers needing to pack efficiently.
Riemot Travel Luggage Cup Holder
Navigating airport terminals often involves juggling multiple items – coffee, phone, and luggage – especially after those inevitable long lines at airport cafes. The Riemot Travel Luggage Cup Holder is designed to liberate your hands and streamline this common travel hassle. This clever hands-free pocket easily slips over the handle of your luggage, providing secure holders for up to two drinks and a phone. The adjustable cup holders feature a Velcro opening, which can be tightened or loosened to snugly fit different suitcase handle sizes, ensuring stability as you move through the airport. Its convenience is such that many travelers find it indispensable, keeping it permanently in their personal item for easy access before every airport visit. Practicality extends to maintenance as well – the cup holder is machine washable, making cleanup easy in case of spills, and can be conveniently washed with items like towels.
Hatch Rest Go Portable Sound Machine
Achieving restful sleep in unfamiliar environments, like hotel rooms, can be challenging due to noise disturbances from neighbors or city sounds. The Hatch Rest Go portable sound machine is specifically designed to combat this issue, creating a soothing sleep environment anywhere you go. Originally intended for soothing babies on the go, its effectiveness extends to adults seeking better sleep while traveling. It offers ten different sound options, including white noise, ocean waves, rain, and nature sounds, allowing users to find the perfect soundscape to drown out disruptive noises and promote relaxation. Its incredibly compact and lightweight design – weighing just four ounces and about the size of a tennis ball – makes it effortlessly portable, easily fitting into any backpack or tote. It’s an essential gadget for ensuring quality sleep, no matter where your travels take you.
Read a full review of this product.
VersionTech Mini Handheld Fan
For journeys to warmer climates, whether it’s a theme park or Europe in the summer, a mini handheld fan is an indispensable travel gadget for personal comfort. The VersionTech handheld fan is particularly favored for its performance and convenience. It features rapid charging via an included USB charger (compatible with standard micro-USB cords), and offers three adjustable speed settings to provide customized airflow and keep you feeling refreshed in hot conditions. Its handle is designed to fold back, allowing the fan to stand on a table, which is especially useful during meals, coffee breaks, or when on a crowded, warm bus or train. Its compact size makes it a perfect fit for a backpack or fanny pack, ensuring you can easily access a cooling breeze anytime, anywhere, often eliciting envy from travel companions who didn’t pack one.
Read a full review of this product.
Conair Handheld Travel Garment Steamer
Maintaining wrinkle-free clothing while traveling can be a challenge, no matter how carefully you pack. The Conair handheld travel garment steamer offers a simple and effective solution to this common problem. This lightweight electronic device, weighing just under two pounds, adds minimal weight to your luggage but delivers significant wrinkle-removing power. It heats up in a mere 35 seconds and features a removable, easy-to-fill water tank, along with an adjustable steam head to accommodate various garment types and hanging situations. It’s perfect for quickly refreshing clothes upon arrival at your destination, ensuring you always look your best. However, it’s worth noting that portable steamers like this are typically not permitted on cruise lines, so consider this when packing for a cruise vacation.
Find more portable steamer recommendations.
Apple AirTag
For enhanced security and peace of mind while traveling, the Apple AirTag is an invaluable gadget. These small, puck-like devices pair seamlessly with your iPhone or iPad, utilizing geolocation technology to keep you informed of the whereabouts of your belongings. Using Apple’s Find My app, you can easily monitor the location of your luggage, purse, or any item you’ve attached an AirTag to. This is particularly reassuring after flights, allowing you to quickly verify that your luggage has arrived at your destination and providing an extra layer of security against loss or theft throughout your journey. It’s a small investment for significant reassurance.
$29 $23 at Amazon
$29 at Apple
Cincha Travel Belt
While many modern totes, backpacks, and small duffels are equipped with trolley sleeves for securing them to suitcase handles, using a bag without this feature can lead to a precarious balancing act. The Cincha travel belt offers a practical workaround. Designed to slip over your suitcase handle and then wrap around virtually any bag, much like a seatbelt, it uses adjustable straps to tighten or loosen as needed, ensuring your personal bag stays securely attached to your rolling luggage. It’s an excellent solution for keeping your belongings together, upright, and easily maneuverable, particularly useful when navigating busy airports or train stations.
Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier
For frequent travelers, especially to drier climates or during colder months, the Hey Dewy wireless facial humidifier is a game-changer for skincare on the go. This mini humidifier, praised for its effectiveness and durability over nearly two years of use, weighs less than a pound and is exceptionally travel-friendly. Its wireless design means no fussing with cords, simply charge it and pack it in your carry-on. Setting it up on a hotel or Airbnb nightstand is effortless, providing a personal oasis of humidity in often-dry environments. It effectively combats the dehydrating effects of air travel and dry hotel rooms, helping to maintain skin hydration and comfort throughout your trip. For those prioritizing skincare while traveling, this humidifier is a must-have.
Read a full review of this product.
$60 at Amazon
$60 $48 at Hey Dewy
$60 at Revolve
Slim Mint Ultra-Thin RFID-Blocking Wallet
In today’s world, safeguarding personal information is as crucial as protecting physical belongings. The Slim Mint ultra-thin RFID-blocking wallet offers an added layer of security for travelers concerned about digital theft. This compact case is designed to hold essential items like cash, credit cards, hotel room keys, and metro cards, keeping them organized and easily accessible while providing RFID protection against electronic skimming. Its ultra-slim profile and lightweight design – weighing just 3.2 ounces when empty – make it an unobtrusive addition to your travel gear. For those mindful of both physical and digital security, the Slim Mint wallet is a smart and practical travel gadget.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Madison Flager and Meaghan Kenny.
