Sure, everyone probably travels with a smartphone and smartwatch. But when it’s time to hit the road, there’s a lot more technology that can help make the trip so much easier. Here are some of the best gadgets I take with me when I travel.

9

Noise-Canceling Headphones

The world around us, especially when we travel, is loud and distracting. Whether it’s the hum of an airplane engine or the couple sitting next to you on a crowded flight, it can be hard to just sit back and relax.

That’s where noise-canceling headphones come in. The technology listens for sounds around you and then cancels it out. If you’ve never used a pair, you’re in for a treat. You can turn on the feature and sit back in near silence, no matter the world around you. I always make sure to have mine fully charged whether I’m on a long flight or car trip with kids who can’t seem to stop fighting with each other. Many models have additional features like a transparency mode, so you can actually hear what’s around you and still enjoy great audio quality.

There are tons of different options and price ranges to explore, and here’s our look at the best noise-canceling headphones on the market

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8

Bluetooth Audio Transmitter

It’s a wireless world—except for many airplane entertainment systems. Especially if you’re headed over an ocean, airplane Wi-Fi won’t work. And many flights don’t provide wired headphones, making it difficult to stay entertained. A Bluetooth audio transmitter is a simple device that can turn anything into a Bluetooth friend.

One of my favorites is the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2. This little gadget plugs into the 3.5mm port and then provides more than 25 hours of audio on a single charge to any Bluetooth headphones you’ve got, anything from AirPods to a high-end noise-canceling model. The adapter has saved my sanity more than once, and I always make sure to pack it.

Color

White

Type

Transmitter and receiver

The Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 is a next-generation wireless audio adapter that lets you connect your Bluetooth headphones to in-flight entertainment systems, gym equipment, gaming consoles, and more. With upgraded Qualcomm tech, dual headphone support, and 25+ hours of battery life, it delivers seamless, high-quality audio for travelers and audiophiles alike.

7

eReader

When I travel, I want to truly leave the world of work behind. Even though I still have to carry my smartphone, I make sure to leave my iPad and MacBook Air at home and instead bring an eReader. Instead of scrolling through emails and stressing about scheduling, I can pick any book I like and dive into relaxation.

My current favorite eReader is the current-generation Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. Even though Amazon has a wealth of e-book options, the Paperwhite provides a great middle ground between features and price. The device is completely waterproof, so you can read by the pool without any worries. And a single charge provides up to 12 weeks of use. The 7-inch screen’s light can be adjusted from amber to white depending on the lighting conditions. I’ve read hundreds of books with my Paperwhite, and I’ve enjoyed leaving the world of traditional books behind.

Screen

7-inch, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale

Storage

32GB

With a 7-inch display, high contrast, and sharp image quality, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite will help you fall in love with eReaders. It even supports Bluetooth devices for setting aside the eReader and enjoying audiobooks through headphones or earbuds.

6

Universal Travel Adapter

If you’re looking to do any type of international travel, a travel adapter is a must, so you’ll always be able to charge your devices, no matter what country you are in.

There are a wide variety of different options, but we’ve always enjoyed the Epicka GaN 75W Travel Adapter.

It’s compatible with outlets in more than 200 countries and includes a 75W charger with four USB ports, so you’ll always be ready to go. It’s perfect for a trip from Armenia to Zimbabwe. And the charger is also perfect to take with you on domestic flights, too.

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5

Item Finder

If you’re a bit forgetful, an item tracker is a must-have when traveling. When you need to find the lost item, just head to your smartphone and then see the last place of the tracker.

While there were item trackers before Apple’s AirTag, the popular device still rules the roost more than four years after its original introduction. It’s perfect for anyone entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. The real power comes from the Find My network. It uses billions of Apple devices to privately and securely see where the AirTag is located. It’s so good that I’ve even used it to see when my luggage has been loaded onto a plane, which is good to know!

4

Portable Power Bank

A traveler’s worst nightmare is a smartphone with no charge and no nearby electrical outlet. But there are tons of different ways to charge while on the go, from small to huge and everything in between. One of my favorites is the Anker 25K Power Bank. While it’s not small and svelte like some chargers, it can juice up pretty much any device in my repertoire.

My favorite feature is the retractable 2.3-foot USB-C cable. Just pull it out when you need to charge, and it will go back in when you’re done. There’s also another built-in USB-C cord that also doubles as a carrier. On the side, there’s also a USB-C and USB-A port to charge other devices as long as you have additional cables. There’s also a display screen that shows battery percentage, input/output, how much power each port is using, battery health, and more.

The 25,000mAH capacity can charge a completely dead iPhone to 100 percent more than four times. With up to 165W output, I can easily charge my iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac at the same time. For more about how the charger works, make sure to take a look at our review.

Output Power

165W Max

Color

Silver or space gray

Never run out of power, whether you’re charging smartphones, tablets, or other USB-enabled devices. Connect up to four at once thanks to dual USB-C Cables, a USB-A port, and a USB-C port.

3

Charging Station

If I’m not traveling outside the United States, I always make sure to take a regular charging station. Instead of charging on the go, this allows me to always charge my devices at night when I’m back at a hotel or elsewhere. The best charging stations offer a wide variety of ports, a slim profile, and a high-output capability.

One of my favorites is the UGREEN Nexode 200W 4-Port Charger. Sporting three USB-C ports and a single USB-A port, you can easily juice up all of your electronics from a single electrical outlet. While it has an output of up to 200W, a single port can also provide up to 140W, more than enough to charge a powerful laptop at full speed.

2

Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Instead of enjoying audio solo, there are times when it’s fun to listen to the latest song, podcast, or audiobook with someone else. That’s why I always make sure to take a portable Bluetooth speaker with me while traveling.

Take a look at some of the best Bluetooth speakers to find the best option for you. Since I always take one with me while I travel, I gravitate towards something small and lightweight, with a great battery life, and waterproof. I also make sure to find something with great sound quality.

Check out some of the best Bluetooth speakers.

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1

Car Charging Mount

Car rental can be a significant part of travel. While most modern vehicles have car entertainment systems compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, sometimes those don’t work correctly. In the last few years, I’ve had two issues with CarPlay compatible systems just not working or working inconsistently. That’s not exactly something you want to worry about when traveling down the freeway, juggling a phone and looking for the next exit.

I always make sure to carry a car charging mount with me while traveling. You can usually attach them to an air vent or other part of the car to keep an eye on the screen with both hands on the wheel. Many will also charge your phone at the same time.

Here’s a look at some of the best car chargers you can buy.

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Technology can’t stop lost luggage, a late plane, or other catastrophes when on the road. But these gadgets can help make your trip a little smoother.