Travel gear goes viral for a reason, when something actually makes your trip easier, word spreads fast. But not every trending gadget lives up to the buzz, which is why we’ve rounded up the devices that truly earn their spot in your carry-on. From tracking lost luggage to staying connected in foreign hotels, these tools solve real problems travelers face every day.
1. Apple AirTag
Lost luggage nightmares became a thing of the past once travelers discovered this tiny tracker. Apple AirTag slips into your suitcase and taps into millions of Apple devices worldwide to pinpoint your bag’s exact location.
The new Share Item Location feature is a game-changer—some airlines can now temporarily access your tag’s location to reunite you with missing bags faster. Setup takes seconds through the Find My app, and the battery lasts about a year.
Whether your bag ends up in the wrong city or just takes a detour through baggage claim, you’ll know exactly where it is. Peace of mind costs less than thirty bucks.
2. Anker 737 Power Bank
Running out of battery mid-flight used to mean scrambling for outlet seats or paying for overpriced airport charging stations. This powerhouse packs 24,000 mAh—enough juice to charge most phones five times over and even power up laptops.
What sets it apart is the 140W fast-charging capability across two USB-C ports and one USB-A, plus a live digital display that shows exactly how much power remains. No more guessing games about whether you have enough charge left for that long layover.
Frequent flyers love that it handles multiple devices simultaneously without slowing down. Heavy? Sure, but worth every ounce when your entire tech arsenal stays powered.
3. Ceptics 70W Universal Travel Adapter
Packing a different adapter for every country feels like solving a puzzle nobody asked for. Ceptics solved it by cramming plugs A, C, G, and I into one compact unit that works in over 150 countries.
The built-in USB-C Power Delivery goes up to 70W, meaning you can ditch your laptop’s bulky charger entirely. Safety shutters and a replaceable fuse add protection for your expensive electronics, which matters when you’re dealing with unpredictable foreign outlets.
Travel experts consistently rank this in their top picks for 2024 and 2025. One adapter, endless destinations—finally, simplicity wins.
4. GL.iNet Slate AX Travel Router
Hotel Wi-Fi is notoriously sketchy—slow speeds, weird login pages, and zero privacy protection. This pocket-sized router creates your own secure network wherever you go, handling those annoying captive portals automatically.
Privacy-minded travelers swear by its OpenVPN and WireGuard support, with speeds hitting around 550 Mbps on WireGuard. That means you can stream, video call, and work remotely without worrying about hackers snooping on your connection.
Setup is surprisingly simple even for non-techies. Just plug it into the hotel ethernet port or connect to their Wi-Fi, and boom—you’ve got your own protected hotspot for all your devices.
5. Twelve South AirFly Pro
Airplane entertainment systems still use those ancient headphone jacks, but your wireless earbuds don’t. AirFly bridges that gap brilliantly, turning any wired audio source into a Bluetooth transmitter.
Share a movie with your travel buddy by pairing two sets of wireless headphones simultaneously—perfect for couples or parents entertaining kids. The 2025 Pro 2 version ups the ante with built-in volume controls and a newer Qualcomm chip that cuts audio lag noticeably.
Battery lasts over 20 hours, easily covering even ultra-long-haul flights. Forget fumbling with tangled cords or using those uncomfortable airline headphones ever again.
6. Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds
Crying babies, chatty seatmates, roaring engines—flights assault your ears from every angle. Sony’s flagship earbuds create an almost eerie silence bubble with industry-leading active noise cancellation packed into surprisingly tiny shells.
Recent firmware updates added Auracast audio sharing and other smart features that keep these buds ahead of competitors. Sound quality is phenomenal whether you’re listening to podcasts or music, and the fit stays comfortable even on 12-hour flights.
They’re pricey, but travelers who’ve tried cheaper alternatives always come back. When silence and sound quality matter this much, cutting corners just isn’t worth it.
7. Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale
Overweight baggage fees are highway robbery—sometimes costing more than the flight itself. This tiny scale prevents that wallet punch by letting you weigh bags at home before leaving.
Hook it to your suitcase handle, lift, and get an accurate reading within 0.1 pounds or 50 grams. The design is brilliantly simple with no confusing buttons or settings to fumble through when you’re rushing.
At under ten bucks, it pays for itself the first time it saves you from a $100 overweight charge at the airport. Toss it in your bag and reweigh after souvenir shopping too. Smart travelers never leave home without it.
8. Yogasleep Rohm White-Noise Machine
Hotel walls are paper-thin, and street noise doesn’t care that you have an early flight. This USB-rechargeable puck weighs just 3.8 ounces but drowns out everything from hallway chatter to traffic rumble.
Three sound profiles let you pick what works best—some prefer the deeper tones, others like the classic white noise. Battery life lasts multiple nights between charges, and it’s small enough to vanish in your toiletry bag.
Light sleepers call it essential, not optional. Quality sleep in unfamiliar places is tough enough without fighting ambient noise all night. This little device earns its spot in every travel kit.
9. HydraPak Stow Collapsible Bottle
Rigid water bottles hog precious luggage space even when empty, which is most of the time. HydraPak Stow rolls down to pocket size when you’re not using it, then expands to hold a full liter when you need hydration.
The leakproof cap actually lives up to its name—no surprise wet backpack disasters. It’s BPA and PVC-free, plus compatible with popular squeeze water filters if you’re hiking or traveling to places with sketchy tap water.
Pack small, drink big is the motto here. After you finish your water, just roll it up and reclaim that bag space for snacks or souvenirs instead.
10. TUSHY Travel Portable Bidet
Toilet paper doesn’t cut it once you’ve experienced the clean feeling of a bidet, but most travel bathrooms don’t have them. TUSHY Travel is a lightweight collapsible bottle with a hinged nozzle that brings that freshness anywhere you go.
Fill it with water, aim, squeeze—way more hygienic than wiping alone, especially in countries where TP quality is questionable. The bottle collapses flat when empty, taking up almost no room in your bag.
Recent travel gear tests consistently highlight it as a game-changer for comfort and cleanliness on the road. Once you try it, regular travel feels downright primitive.
