Your phone battery is drained. Your laptop charger is lost. Your luggage was sent to the wrong airport and now your next flight is delayed. Traveling mishaps like these happen sometimes, but you can stay calm and prepared with the help of these tech gadgets.
Whether you’re traveling a few hours away or across the globe, there are travel gadgets that can help make your trip easier, safer and (mostly) headache-free. We spoke to a travel expert, tried a few products ourselves and sorted through hundreds of top-rated products on Amazon to find the best tech to pack for your next trip.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best travel tech essentials | The best travel tech gadgets on Amazon | Why trust NBC Select?
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How we picked the best travel tech essentials
To figure out what types of travel tech are worth bringing along on your next trip — and which gadgets to skip — I spoke to several experts who have spent years traveling all around the world. Here’s what they recommended keeping in mind:
- Size: As you consider travel gadgets, it’s important to evaluate their size and weight, especially if you have limited space in your carry-on or suitcase. If you’re planning to bring something oversized, be sure it’s worth the real estate in your bag. For instance, cameras are a popular item to bring while traveling, but many experts suggest leaving them behind because they’re bulky: “Cell phone cameras are so advanced now that you can take phenomenal photos on your mobile,” says Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato.
- Convenience: Whether you’re taking a car, plane, train or bus, the best travel tech gadgets provide convenience when you’re on the road, ensuring you’re comfortable and prepared for common travel issues. Almost all of the experts I spoke to recommended a power bank as their top travel accessory. Marchant explains that these devices are a convenient way to charge electronics in airports, on airplanes (or other modes of transportation) and while exploring your destination.
- Peace of mind: The right technology can also help reduce stress while you travel, allowing you to make the most of the experience. For this reason, our experts highly recommend devices like Bluetooth trackers, personal safety devices and noise-canceling headphones. “I always put AirTags in every piece of checked luggage, especially if making multiple transfers, as it can greatly save headaches and stress,” explains Marchant.
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The best travel tech gadgets on Amazon
Using the guidance of travel experts, I sorted through hundreds of popular travel tech gadgets on Amazon. The following are best-selling devices that are highly rated by thousands of shoppers, and you may want to grab a few of them for your next trip.
Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter
4.4-star average rating from over 15,070 reviews
This wireless audio transmitter plugs into the in-flight entertainment system on airplanes and sends the audio directly to wireless Bluetooth headphones. This allows you to listen to movies or other content without being tethered to the seat by a cord. The transmitter can also be used on gym equipment, televisions or gaming devices, and it lasts for up to 20 hours per charge, according to the brand.
Apple AirTag
4.7-star average rating from over 126,700 reviews
For iPhone users, AirTags are an inexpensive way to keep tabs on your luggage, keys or other belongings while traveling. The location of these Bluetooth-powered trackers can be monitored through the Find My app. If the AirTag is within Bluetooth range of your phone, its Precision Finding feature will point you toward it, or you can see its location on a map if you’re further away.
Fyy Travel Cable Organizer
4.5-star average rating from over 13,100 reviews
You can keep electronics and all their accessories neatly organized with this travel pouch. It comes in 11 colors, and there are two compartments inside with various pockets to store charging cables, power banks and more. The cable organizer is compact enough to put in a carry-on or handbag, and the exterior is water-resistant to protect its contents, according to the brand.
Conair Handheld Travel Garment Steamer
4.3-star average rating from over 19,000 reviews
It’s inevitable that your clothing will get a bit wrinkly while traveling, but you can remove creases with this top-rated travel garment steamer. It heats up in less than a minute, and its high-velocity steam will help smooth wrinkles on shirts, dresses, and other clothing — important if you’re traveling for work. It has an adjustable steam head that lets you hold it at any angle, and the device is even dual-voltage for international trips.
Kindle Paperwhite
4.7-star average rating from over 34,000 reviews
If you like to read while traveling, this popular e-reader is a worthwhile investment. It has a 16GB storage capacity, allowing you to download dozens of books, and the glare-free display is comfortable to read even in direct sunlight. It’s lightweight and more compact than your average paperback novel, and it can last for weeks on a single charge, so you don’t have to bring a charger with you, according to the brand.
Tile Mate
4.5-star average rating from over 22,525 reviews
Android owners can attach these Bluetooth trackers to anything they want the exact location of: think keys, luggage or throw it inside of carry-on luggage. Using the Tile app, you can pinpoint the location of the tile from up to 250 feet away using the Tile app. You can also ping the tile, it will ring audible to help you locate it. The app will give a more approximate location on a map using the Tile Network. Like the Apple AirTag, the battery lasts up to a year, and is easily replaceable.
Philips One by Sonicare
4.5-star average rating from over 15,909 reviews
This electric toothbrush is designed specifically for traveling. According to the brand, the toothbrush can last for up to three months on a single AAA battery, and it comes with a case that protects the brush head. The brush uses micro-vibrations to help clean your teeth, and it has a built-in two-minute timer that vibrates at 30-second intervals to let you know when to move to a different area of your mouth.


