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 the past. 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.
Note: See them visually all in one place (plus all my other recommended products) here!
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Table of Contents
1. 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 (neck craning down and all) 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.
2. Counterpart Charger
Finally, a charger that looks good enough to leave out. The Counterpart Charger has a design-forward aesthetic that actually belongs on your kitchen counter, nightstand, or desk (especially if you’re the type of minimalist who would rather hide every ugly cord in your house).
It delivers 35W GaN charging for USB-C devices and has a retractable 4-foot cord that disappears inside when you’re not using it. We love how we can just toss it in our bags without dealing with tangled cables, or leave it plugged in at home without adding another eyesore to the space.
Just plug in, charge, retract, and done!
3. 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.
4. 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 beautifully muted 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.
5. Quince Nappa Leather Passport Holder
A polished and sophisticated passport holder that organizes and protects your cards from RFID skimmers? Yes, please.
The Quince Nappa Leather Passport Holder is made from 100% top-grain leather and has an interior passport pocket, three card slots, and two extra pockets for cash or travel documents. At around $30, it looks much more bougie than it is.
6. Airplane Phone Holder
As you can see, we really appreciate a hands-free experience when flying. If the Phone Flap isn’t your style, the LISEN Airplane Phone Holder is another clever option: clamp it onto the seatback tray-table latch/slot and position your phone at the perfect viewing angle.
The military-grade dual-spring grip is designed to keep your phone secure during turbulence and has been vibration-tested for 8+ hours.
But don’t think it’s just for the plane—you can also clamp it onto your luggage trolley handle while you’re waiting to board, a desk, chair, shelf, or even your bed. It folds up small, rotates 360°, and gives you a hands-free screen pretty much anywhere you need one.
7. Lululemon Water Bottle Crossbody
This is a mini sling bag for travelers who squeeze hiking into their itineraries. We love adding hikes to our trips, but we’re not serious enough these days to dedicate precious luggage space to a full CamelBak backpack and hydration reservoir.
This Lululemon Water Bottle Crossbody solves the problem: it holds up to a 40-ounce water bottle without making you carry it in your hand or strap on an annoying backpack, plus there’s room for your wallet, keys, snacks, and earbuds.
The interior is even insulated for keeping drinks or snacks cold. It’s also perfect for those quick jaunts around town when you want water with you but don’t need a full daypack.
8. 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.
9. Portable Espresso Machine
Tired of overpriced coffee shops or that sad, watered-down hotel coffee? You need to get yourself a travel-friendly espresso maker.
The Wacaco Minipresso GR is a small, handheld espresso maker that lets you make a legit cup pretty much anywhere.
A worthy contender in the portable espresso machine game is OutIn (they have a Nano and a Mino model), which takes things a step further by heating the water for you.
The Nano is the more powerful and all-around travel option with its built-in heating system, while the Mino is smaller and lighter, making more sense for carry-on only, backpacking, and bike trips where every ounce matters.
If you have access to hot water, even better—the machine uses significantly less battery when it’s only brewing rather than heating up water. You can use straight espresso grounds or even pods; the choice is yours.
For camping, road trips, and anywhere decent coffee is questionable, this is one of those gadgets you’ll wonder how you traveled without.
10. 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.
11. 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.
I love me a window seat for sleep, but if you find yourself stuck in a middle seat or trying to catch some sleep in an aisle seat, 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, it’s 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 the OG model still works perfectly fine for me.
But there’s now a Trtl Pillow 2.0 if you want the latest version, with dual hook-and-loop closures for more customizable support without feeling as restrictive around your neck. Along with a few new colors/trims, it’s also available in small and regular sizes to better fit different neck lengths and head sizes.
After all these years, it’s still my go-to travel accessory for sleeping on planes.
12. 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. It has a patented design, so you know it’s good stuff.
You’re able to rotate it to find your ideal resting position: the patented asymmetrical design uses varying thicknesses and heights for multiple levels of support.
Its structure delivers optimal lateral and chin support, promoting neutral spinal alignment and preventing the involuntary head bobbing that leads to neck pain when you sleep upright.
Unlike structured neck wraps, this one offers a more traditional pillow feel with a Velcro closure to keep your head in place. It also 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!
13. Ostrichpillow Eye Mask
As you can tell, we are huge fans of Ostrichpillow products. Their designs are so intentionally made. Everything they make just works.
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 feature + 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.
14. 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.
15. Hanging Toiletry Bag
If you travel a lot, you know that between cosmetics, makeup, toiletries, and personal hygiene products, the bathroom counter can get pretty chaotic once you unload everything. Even more so if you’re sharing a hotel room with friends/family!
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 with very little counter space.
16. 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 you can usually time your purchase with one of Monos’ sale events (where we’ve seen them listed for 15-20% off) for extra savings.
They’re thick yet lightweight, 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.
17. 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.
18. Flight Compression Socks
Flight compression socks are one of those things you don’t think you need… until one day you do.
When I was younger, I didn’t understand the point either. Then I started noticing my best friend would come home from our out-of-state hiking trips with seriously swollen ankles after the flight home. Looking back, I think compression socks would have been a very smart addition to her travel repertoire.
Compression socks apply graduated pressure to your lower legs, which can help improve blood flow and reduce the swelling, heaviness, and achiness that can come from sitting for hours on a plane or in a car. They’re especially nice when you’ve spent a trip hiking all over the place and then have to sit in the sky for five hours getting home.
If you’re going to buy them, don’t cheap out on something that feels like it’s cutting off your circulation. We like Ostrichpillow’s bamboo compression socks, which are designed specifically for travel and long periods of sitting.
For something more affordable, the compression socks by Wanderlust Travel are a great option.
19. Quip Water Flosser
Oh yeah, the travel water flosser we never leave home without. If you use a water flosser at home, you know exactly how much stuff comes out after a meal (and sometimes even after you’ve already flossed by hand, eek).
Our nightly routine includes flossing with a water flosser plus our trusty Cocofloss expanding dental floss (aka the ONLY floss we’ve used in the last 5 years), so there’s no way we’re leaving either behind when we travel.
The Quip Water Flosser is handheld and compact enough to throw in your toiletry bag, but powerful enough to give your teeth that just-cleaned feeling—especially important when you know you’re probably going to be eating your way through your entire trip.
Our favorite part? Charge it once before you leave and it’ll easily last us 10–12 days before we start thinking about plugging it back in.
20. Travel Jewelry Storage Case
I don’t know about you, but every time I travel with jewelry, something gets tangled.
This travel-sized jewelry organizer (it’s also one of Oprah’s Favorite Things!) has a bunch of different compartments, which makes it so clutch. Its design keeps your jewelry organized and prevents it from ending up in a tangled mess.
Goodbye, you useless ziplock bags!
Honorable Mentions
MOFT Tripod Phone Wallet: This is one of those products where you look at it and think, “oh damn, OKAY, now that’s clever”. MOFT’s design combines a phone wallet, stand, and tripod into one ridiculously slim accessory, so you can prop up your phone for watching videos or take hands-free photos/videos. It’s one of my favorite examples of good design doing more with less.
Portable Bag Hanger: Simply put, the Clipa Bag Hanger is the best $20 I’ve ever spent. This little circular clip lets you hang your purse or bag from tables, bathroom counters, restaurant chairs, and pretty much anywhere you’d otherwise have to put your bag on a questionable floor.
Apple AirTag: I never thought much about AirTags—until I dealt with lost luggage myself. Everyone I told about my missing bag asked me the exact same question: “Did you have an AirTag in it?” There’s a reason these have become almost standard gear for people who travel with checked luggage.
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%.
Travel Steam Iron: This mini travel steam iron is the smallest of its kind in the world (about the size of a computer mouse)! Ultra-convenient when you need smoothed-out clothing in a jiffy.
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