Looking back on my travels last year, I’ve been thinking a lot about the gadgets and gear that truly made my trips smoother—and the ones that ended up being more hassle than help.
Yes, travel can be chaotic, but the right tools can turn a stressful journey into a seamless adventure. From life-saving tech to clever organizational hacks, these travel gadgets have been game-changers for me, and they might just be the upgrade your travel routine needs.
But not all travel products are created equal. Some are total lifesavers, while others… well, let’s just say they’re better off left in 2024. In the spirit of “out with the old, in with the new,” I’ve rounded up the travel essentials I’m declaring these as my travel must-haves.
Ready to up your travel game? Check out my list of the best travel gadgets to make your future adventures the smoothest yet.
This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!
Table of Contents
Flight Flap
Ever been on a flight, trying to balance your phone or tablet on the tiny tray table, only to have it slide off every time there’s turbulence? Or worse, stuck holding your device for hours because there’s no good way to prop it up?
Enter The Flight Flap, your ultimate travel companion that solves all those in-flight annoyances. This clever gadget offers hands-free convenience, no matter where you’re flying. It adjusts to fit any aircraft seat or tray table and folds flat for easy storage when you’re ready to land.
Whether you’re binge-watching your favorite show or catching up on work, the Flight Flap works with almost any phone or tablet, no matter what case or cover you’ve got. Plus, it lets you position your device at eye level for comfortable, ergonomic viewing at virtually any angle.
Choose from three sizes: the Original Flight Flap for phones, the Pro for frequent flyers, and the XL for your larger devices.
Twelve South AirFly: Wireless Transmitter For Headphones
If you bought headphones at any point in the last few years, chances are they were wireless. But most seatback entertainment screens require that you plug in headphones that connect via cord/wire. How old-school.
Luckily, Twelve South’s AirFly wireless transmitter is here to bridge the gap. It’s essentially a tiny Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into any standard headphone jack (like the one on your seatback screen, or to the treadmill at the gym, even on the back of a TV and on gaming devices), and pairs with any pair of Bluetooth headphones to deliver wireless audio.
- AirFly Classic – connects to one pair of headphones at a time.
- AirFly Duo – connects to two pairs of headphones at once, perfect for you and your travel buddy.
I’d recommend the Airfly Duo– it’s only slightly pricier than the Classic and lets you share the audio from a single screen with two different people.
Cadence Travel Capsules
Using single-use plastic bottles for your toiletries is so last year. If you’re a travel girlie who’s all about sustainability without sacrificing style, meet your new must-have: Cadence Travel Capsules.
These sleek, magnetic containers are the eco-friendly answer to your packing woes, designed to store everything from skincare to supplements in one compact, customizable system.
Not only do Cadence Capsules help you cut down on plastic waste, but they also come in a rainbow of colors and customizable labels, so you can organize your essentials in a way that’s as unique as you are. These capsules are leak-proof, TSA-friendly, and built to last!
Starting at $15 per capsule, Cadence is the perfect way to show the planet some love while keeping your travel game on point.
OYO Full Body Portable Gym Equipment Set
Calling all diehard fitness lovers who refuse to let travel derail their gains! If you’ve ever stayed at a boutique hotel or budget spot with a “gym” that’s basically a dusty treadmill in a closet, you’ll want to meet your new travel BFF: the OYO Personal Gym.
This portable powerhouse is like having a full gym in your hands, offering up to 25 lbs. of resistance in each hand—yet it weighs just 2 lbs. and folds up to fit in your carry-on. How? We’re talking about NASA-level innovation here!
The OYO Personal Gym’s SpiraFlex resistance technology has been used for over 10 years on the International Space Station to keep astronauts fit. The SpiraFlex resistance feels just like free weights, with snap-on 5 and 10 lb. FlexPacks that let you customize your workout up to 25 lbs. per hand.
And if you need inspiration, OYO Fitness Director Nick Bolton has created over 100 free workout videos, from strength training and HIIT to yoga and Pilates.
Scrubba Portable Wash Bag
Have you ever wanted to wash clothes on vacation? Yes, of course you have.
Enter one of my favorite travel must-haves for adventure travel: the Scrubba.
This is the modern take on the old-fashioned washboard: hundreds of internal Scrubba nodules efficiently clean clothes in minutes. This apparatus produces a machine quality wash whenever and wherever you want.
Where was this when I was inefficiently washing each article of clothing by hand? This is one of the best travel gadgets for campers, backpackers, and adventurers.
Portable Espresso Machine
Tired of overpriced coffee shops or that complimentary watered-down coffee when you’re traveling?
The Wacaco Minipresso GR is a small, portable and versatile handheld espresso machine that’s powerful enough to make a rich and bold espresso… wherever you are in the world.
It comes equipped with a built-in espresso cup and scoop for extra convenience. Perfect for those who like a strong cup of espresso as opposed to that mediocre coffee most hotels offer.
Anker MagGo Power Bank
Stay powered up in style with the Anker MagGo Power Bank. Featuring ultra-fast 15W Qi2 wireless charging, this sleek, MagSafe-compatible charger juices up your mobile phone in no time.
With a 10,000mAh battery, it delivers up to 1.8 charges for your device and boasts a smart display to track your progress. Plus, it’s available in five cute pastel colors to match your vibe!
Out of all the external batteries out there, we like this the most because it comes with a built-in stand and peace of mind with a 24-month warranty.
trtl Travel Pillow
If you’re tired of awkward naps on long-haul flights, the Trtl Pillow is a game-changer. I first discovered it in 2018 and have been using it on every flight since.
Whether you’re stuck in a middle seat or trying to catch some sleep in an aisle seat (hello, standby life!), the Trtl Pillow keeps your neck supported so you can sleep without ending up on your neighbor’s shoulder.
Really, it has so much support, almost like a neck brace (there’s a chunk of flexible plastic in there to prop your head up). Its compact, lightweight design makes it super easy to carry, and it’s still my go-to travel accessory for comfort in the air.
trtl Pillow Plus Travel Pillow
Okay, I lied when I said the trtl pillow was the only one you’ll ever need, because they just came out with an even better version.
The trtl Pillow Plus (the better and pricier version of the trtl pillow) is scientifically engineered with ergonomic design, height adjustability and in-built breathability. Everything here has been upgraded–the fabric is softer and more breathable, the additional padding makes it way more comfortable, and dual velcro clasps make it less likely to slip off while you’re asleep.
Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow
If the Trtl Pillow isn’t quite your style, the Ostrichpillow Go is a plush, memory foam alternative designed for 360º ergonomic support. With its high-density memory foam and asymmetrical design, it molds perfectly to your neck while giving you the flexibility to rest in different positions.
Unlike structured neck wraps, this one offers a more traditional pillow feel with a Velcro closure to keep your head in place—no more waking up with neck pain. It compresses to 60% of its size for easy packing and comes with a soft, washable modal cover.
If you prefer a classic travel pillow with premium support, this might be the one for you!
Ostrichpillow Eye Mask
Eye masks are amazing for airplane rides or shared rooms where the beds aren’t separated by curtains, or if you’re sharing your hotel room with an early riser.
There are crappy eye masks that push into your eyeballs (not good), and then REALLY good eye masks. I’m on the really good eye mask train. The 100% blackout + no eye pressure eye mask by Ostrichpillow is amazing.
Plus, it has velcro on the back for an adjustable fit, meaning it’ll fit around everyone’s head! I’ll never go back to a lame eye mask ever again.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
If you travel a lot, you know that between cosmetics, makeup, toiletries, and personal hygiene products, it can get pretty chaotic.
If you’ve got a lot of toiletries and plan to be moving around a lot, we recommend keeping everything organized in a hanging toiletry bag. These things are so darn convenient, and they’ll save you a ton of space–especially if you’re rooming with others or are dealing with a tight bathroom.
You can see the bag in action here.
Sleepy Ride Airplane Footrest
Ever landed after a long flight feeling like your legs are stiff, your back is aching, and your feet are swollen? You’re not alone. Sitting in those cramped airplane seats for hours can wreak havoc on your body, leaving you feeling more like a pretzel than a person. But here’s the solution: the airplane footrest.
Made with premium memory foam, this genius gadget is designed to elevate your feet, improving circulation and reducing swelling, stiffness, and lower back pain. It’s like giving your body a mini reset mid-flight, so you can arrive feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to hit the ground running—not hobbling to baggage claim.
Whether you’re on a cross-country red-eye or a long-haul international flight, this footrest is your ticket to comfort in the sky.
Compressible Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are amazing. If you don’t already own some, they will be the most useful thing you have in your packing artillery.
Regular packing cubes though? Forget them. Compressible packing cubes are the real game-changer, and my tried-and-true favorite is Monos Travel’s Compressible Packing Cubes.
Yes, they’re an investment, but trust me—they’re thick, luxurious, and all-around amazing. Whether you organize your clothes by day, outfit, or type, these cubes keep everything in its place while saving serious space in your suitcase. No more digging around for that one thing—you’ll know exactly where everything is. Once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever packed without them.
A High-Quality Weekender Bag
Not all weekender bags are created equal. You don’t want one giant black hole where everything gets lost—you need smart organization. We are personally obsessed with the Monos Metro Weekender and the Bellroy Classic Weekender 45L—two stylish, well-made options that don’t skimp on functionality.
With dedicated compartments for shoes, tech, and toiletries, plus durable, high-quality materials, these bags are built to last.
Flight Compression Socks
When you’re thousands of feet in the air, the pressure affects your legs and can increase the chance of swelling or even blood clots. Regular socks won’t do.
Travel compression socks are designed to hug your legs tightly, they help your veins and muscles circulate blood more effectively. These travel compression socks by Wanderlust Travel are perfect for long flights and drives.
Travel Jewelry Storage Case
I don’t know about you, but every time I travel with jewelry, something is bound to get tangled.
This travel-sized jewelry organizer with different compartments is so clutch. Its design ensures that your pieces of jewelry don’t end up in a tangled mess. Goodbye, ziplock bags!
Ultra Compact Outdoor Blanket
This multi-purpose outdoor blanket is useful for your outdoor adventures – traveling, hiking, camping, backpacking, festivals, picnics, or just a lazy day at the beach or park! The uses are really endless, ranging from a beach mat to an improvised rain shelter. No matter what, you can travel in peace knowing you have this in your bag.
Jetlag Prevention
Stop jetlag before it starts with a simple solution — 1Above Anti Jetlag Drink Tablets. The key active ingredient Pycnogenol, a natural bark extract, is proven to reduce the length of jet lag by 53.8% and the severity by 61.5%. It’s also noted to support circulation and reduce ankle swelling.
Mini Travel Steam Iron
This mini travel steam iron is the smallest of its kind in the world. Ultra-convenient when you’re in need of smoothed out clothing. The compact device is about the size of a computer mouse and can be extremely useful for anyone who needs to remove the wrinkles from packed clothing in a flash.
Read More:
- Travel Essentials: High-Quality Products and Brands We Love
- SCOTTeVEST Best Travel Vest Review: Is It Worth The Money?
- Get These 25 Best Free Travel Apps For Your Next Trip
- 50 Unique Travel Gifts For Every Type Of Traveler
- 45 Best Travel Gifts For Men (Jetsetters, Campers And Road Trippers)
- The Ultimate Packing Checklist For 3 Months Of Travel
1 thought on “20 Travel Gadgets That Will Make Your Next Trip SO Much Better”