The 35 Best Travel Gadgets, Tested by Gear Editors

With the prevalence of Bluetooth earbuds and headphones, it’s always frustrating trying to watch a movie on the plane seatback and having to get a cheap wired pair from a flight attendant. The AirFly removes that need as it allows your AirPods or Bluetooth headphones to connect to your plane’s seat-back audio. Specifically, we like the Pro version of the AirFly, as it allows up to two people to connect to the same in-flight screen and watch simultaneously.

Plug the adaptor into the headphone jack next to the screen in front of you, fire up your Bluetooth headphones, and you’re ready to go. We’ve enjoyed this little gadget on many flights, comfortably keeping noise cancellation. But they’re not just for the plane—if you’re watching something with a friend on your laptop, you can use them that way as well. Goodbye crappy wired earbuds we throw in our suitcase to never use again.

The Tile Pro is a clever little device that will keep tabs on your stuff. It uses Bluetooth and the vast network of Life360 app users to track your gear’s location and get you reacquainted as soon as possible. They’re great for golf bags, cameras, luggage, bikes, keys, or just about anything else you’re prone to lose on a trip.

One of the great things about Tiles is that they can also be used in reverse, so if you lose your phone somewhere, any Tile paired to that phone can make your phone ring (even if the phone is on silent). Tiles are waterproof up to 5 feet and have a built-in SOS mode you can use to alert loved ones in case of danger.

While a premium membership ($29.99+/yr) is required for some of the features like smart alerts and a 30-day location history, we didn’t find those entirely necessary. The biggest convenience is that unlike using an Android device with AirTags, you do get the same functionality and native tracking experience with the Tile Pro (since it’s compatible with both Android and iOS).

Don’t overlook the value of a quality carabiner. They’ll keep your keys secure, are easy to latch onto a bag or a belt loop, and provide a bit of extra utility that could come in handy at any moment.

The lightweight, titanium Holcombe from the James Brand is a great pick, thanks to a high-quality spring closure and a multi-tool that functions as a scraper, pry bar, and screwdriver. We’ve used this one for a bit, and it’s elongated, slender shape is ergonomic unlike some bulkier options. And the clasping mechanism is sturdy, requiring a tiny bit of force to open—that means whatever is hooked to it isn’t going anywhere.

When you’re looking for some peace in a loud airport, on an airplane, on a train platform, or anywhere else with an obnoxious amount of noise, nothing is better than a pair of high-quality noise-canceling headphones.

We’ve been testing these earbuds from Bose for awhile now and they’ve really been ones we find ourselves consistently grabbing for during commutes, long trips, or even for focused work in the office. They boast superior sound quality and industry-leading noise cancelation, and a helpful Bluetooth multipoint that allows you to switch between devices seamlessly. The fit can be worn comfortably for hours, and if you need to be more aware of your surroundings you can switch into Aware Mode. While they’re the same price as the Ultra Opens (which are great for open-ear headphones), if that’s not your fit then these will find you that zen you need in the sea of noise.

Read More: Best Workout Headphones

The LifeStraw Go is like any other refillable water bottle, except for the fact it’s got a near-perfect filter built into (you guessed it) the straw. The LifeStraw’s two-stage filtration system can protect against a whopping 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites, making it a safe option for drinking water that comes from sinks and water foundations, and even some outdoor streams and rivers.

We think that really qualifies it as a smart water bottle, and as such we previously named it the best budget filter bottle. It’s lightweight, the carrying handle is very comfortable to carry, and the straw cap ensures you won’t have any splashback if you’re taking a sip during turbulence or a bump in the road.

Undoubtedly, having a razor on your travels is essential; preferably, that razor would be an electric one. However, many electric razors can be cumbersome and difficult to pack. This is where the Panasonic ARC5 comes in. It fits in the palm of your hand and boasts five hypoallergenic Japanese stainless-steel blades, providing you with a close, gentle shave.

The powerful 14,000 CPM linear motor and adaptive beard sensor work together to keep your scruff at bay and a quick 2-hour charge gives you 50 minutes of shave time—plenty to spruce yourself up before a big work meeting or anniversary dinner. We’ve even tried this out for a quick shave in an airplane bathroom and even one at the airport. It’s simple to use and gets the job done for getting rid of that 5 o’clock shadow after a redeye flight.

Read More: Best Electric Razors

Even if you’re not hitting the gym or working out with a TRX system (like we suggest below), travel can take a huge toll on your body. Keeping things limber and loose with a massage gun is a little trade secret our Men’s Health editors consistently employ.

The Theragun Mini, our pick for the best travel massage gun, still packs a punch in its super compact frame, allowing you to work those achy muscles and knots from prolonged sitting. It weighs less than 2 pounds and won’t take up a ton of space in your luggage. Despite that, it isn’t as quiet as you’d expect. But even with that little downside, this is many MH editors’ favorite massage gun.

Read More: Best Massage Guns

We’ve spoken about the importance of keeping your devices charged while traveling, but we haven’t addressed what to do if you don’t have access to a plug. This is where a portable powerbank comes into play.

The Anker Powerbank is a budget-friendly option that can keep your phone or headphones charged up and ready to go at a moment’s notice. It comes with a plug so you can use it for two-way fast charging (30W charger output and 22.5W powerbank output). The integrated lightning cable is a huge bonus; no digging around in your bag to find that pesky charger you can never keep tabs on and it doubles as a carry handle since it’s looped into a metal bracket. But you’ve also got a port for USB-C, meaning you can charge two devices at once.

Pros

• Stretch allows for freedom of movement while still holding your pants up
• Packs down super small
• Tough-wearing polyester webbing will last

A travel belt is probably not the first thing you think of when you’re packing, but having a versatile belt that works in the office and in the field will make a huge difference.

The Arcade Atlas belt is a simple, stretchy, secure belt that will take the guesswork out of packing. The stretch is great for airplanes or road trips, providing just enough flex to keep you comfortable when you’re sitting for long periods. The secure buckle is simple and avoids the rote belt holes process—just buckle and go. The recycled polyester webbing is sleek and easy to glide through belt loops, something that’s crucial if you’re running late to catch a flight.

Peak Design’s packing cubes are durable, lightweight, and even pack into themselves when not in use. They’re excellent for carrying chargers and other small gadgets (including some of the very gadgets on this list). Plus, the cubes come in several different sizes for optimized configuration inside a piece of luggage or backpack.

Our favorite thing to do is to grab this 3-Pack of the Ultralight that includes the XXS, XS, and S cubes. The fabric material is durable enough to hold up to years of traveling, and the zippers are sturdy. When looking to organize your luggage, as well as save on space, packing cubes are an easy go-to.

Oofos slides are some of the most comfortable recovery shoes on the market, but wearing an open-toe shoe on the plane isn’t always the best move. For a cushioned, closed-toe footwear option to pop on for long flights, look to the packable OOmg Low Shoe. The support is excellent, and the upper is made with breathable mesh that has a 4-way stretch.

Read more: Best Travel Shoes

There are a zillion travel adapters out there. Our favorite is this three-in-one device that operates as a an outlet adapter, USB-C adapter, and a surge protector.

It works in the UK, the EU, and Australia, so you’ve got most of the world covered with one gadget. Plus, you can charge with USB or USB-C cables while also using the adapter, giving you freedom to power up multiple devices at once. If you’re traveling internationally, don’t forget one of these.

For the ol’ fashioned travel writer (or really anyone just needing to jot things down on-the-go), a pack of weatherproof notebooks is an easy add to the bag. This three-pack from Field Notes is printed with waterproof and tearproof Yupo synthetic paper, so you won’t have to worry about a little rain ruining your travel log.

The bright orange cover will keep it from getting lost, and the pack of three gives you enough notebooks to keep things organized just how you like them.

A crossbody bag (or sling bag) is a must-have when traveling. It keeps everything you need right at your fingertips (and in your line of sight), can be worn in multiple ways to keep you from getting uncomfortable throughout the day, and is definitely more fashionable than a backpack.

The Lululemon Everywhere bag is a staple in the crossbody genre, but we especially like the 2L version for travel—having a little extra room to store your gear is always welcome. You can throw it over your shoulder or around your waist, the main pouch opens 3/4 of the way to give visibility to its contents, and the strap is one of the most comfortable we’ve tested to date.

Read More: Best Sling Bags

One of the most stressful parts of traveling is keeping track of your passport, cash, and cards. If you’re always pulling one out and stuffing it back in your bag willy-nilly, you need to upgrade to a travel wallet.

This one from Bellroy holds your passport and credit cards, has a secure cash compartment, and even a place to store an extra sim card when you travel abroad. Plus, it comes with a pen and has RFID protection to keep your info from being swiped when you’re not looking. It’s about as compact of a purpose-built passport wallet we’ve tried out.

Read More: Best Wallets

If you’re going to pick out some sunglasses for your travels, why not get a pair inspired by the Tuscan countryside? The Terra di Siena from Persol is a pair that’ll last a lifetime (and beyond).

They come in two different sizes, so they’ll fit nearly all face shapes, and the classic tortoise frame and black lens combo goes with any outfit you throw together, from a breezy summer getup to your go-to après-ski sweatsuit. Sure they’ll cost you, but one of the oldest eyewear brands in the world is still around because it knows how to make darn good sunglasses.

Some of your best memories are made when traveling, so make sure you have something better than your iPhone camera to capture each and every moment.

The GR III from Ricoh is a tried-and-true compact digital camera that is loved by professionals and enthusiasts, alike. It shoots in JPEG and RAW formats, has a 3-inch touch screen, and can pair with your phone to send photos to your device in real time. It might not be the newest Fujifilm, but if you’re not a huge photography buff and just need something simple and trustworthy, the GR III is an admirable travel camera.

Just because you’re globetrotting (or traveling for work), doesn’t mean you have to let your workouts go by the wayside. Unless you’re staying at the Ritz, your hotel gym is probably a bit on the barebones side. That’s where this TRX suspension system can come in.

The GO Suspension Trainer System includes the suspension training strap, indoor and outdoor anchors (one of which is for a door, so hello hotel room workout), and a mesh travel bag to make packing simple. Instead of traditional workouts that utilize weights as resistance, you’ll use gravity and your own bodyweight to make balanced adjustments to perform many traditional training moves. The best part? You can also use it at home while not traveling.

Read More: Best TRX Exercises

Nothing is more important than keeping your devices charged when you’re on the go, whether that’s your phone, headphones, tablet, or laptop. A quality charger is the best way to keep every device topped up.

The Anker Prime 100W charger can charge multiple devices at once and is 43% smaller than the original 96W MacBook charger, making it a breeze to pack away in your carry-on or personal item when space is at a minimum.