The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip
We've tested hundreds of gadgets, packed (and overpacked) for dozens of trips, flown hundreds of thousands of miles, and worked remotely from all over the world. But you don't have to be a digital nomad or a tech expert to travel like one. Here are a few gadgets and accessories to make travel as painless as possible via plane, train, or automobile, as well as at your destination.
Essentials
Packing well means bringing only what you need. Pick things that are light, durable, and versatile.
Multiport USB wall charger
If you’re packing multiple chargers, it’s time to get something better. A single multiport USB charger can quickly charge all your devices at the same time and is barely bigger than the one that comes with a tablet. Some can even charge a laptop.
Affordable, fast, and compact, this four-port 40-watt USB-A charger is great for use at home or on the road.
The Best USB Phone Charger
Affordable, fast, and compact, this four-port 40-watt USB-A charger is great for use at home or on the road.
This compact charger can power almost any USB-C laptop at top speed, and it works great for lower-powered devices, too.
The Best USB-C Laptop and Tablet Chargers
This compact charger can power almost any USB-C laptop at top speed, and it works great for lower-powered devices, too.
Portable power strip
Packing a power strip that turns a single available outlet into three is an easy way to make quick friends out of potential enemies at airports, hostels, or anywhere outlets are at a premium.
This compact strip gives you three AC outlets and two USB power ports but doesn’t take up much space in a bag or weigh you down.
This compact strip gives you three AC outlets and two USB power ports but doesn’t take up much space in a bag or weigh you down.
With 3 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 1 USB-C, this compact little cube has 5 feet of extension cord and will easily charge even power-hungry MacBooks. About the size of a tennis ball, it packs up easily into your carry-on and comes with an 18-month warranty.
With 3 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 1 USB-C, this compact little cube has 5 feet of extension cord and will easily charge even power-hungry MacBooks. About the size of a tennis ball, it packs up easily into your carry-on and comes with an 18-month warranty.
USB power bank
A power bank ensures that your phone never runs out of battery when you need it.
This power bank is small and light, and it has enough capacity to charge most smartphones up to three times.
This power bank is small and light, and it has enough capacity to charge most smartphones up to three times.
Cables and adapters for your devices
Your devices won't do you much good if you don't have the right cables to charge them. We suggest packing a spare for any mission-critical gear (in a separate bag if possible) just in case you lose one.
Anker’s PowerLine Lightning cables are fast, sturdy, and inexpensive, plus they come with a lifetime warranty. The 6-foot version is great for travel, when conveniently placed outlets are in short supply.
The Best Lightning Cable for iPhone and iPad
Anker’s PowerLine Lightning cables are fast, sturdy, and inexpensive, plus they come with a lifetime warranty. The 6-foot version is great for travel, when conveniently placed outlets are in short supply.
This cable is MFi-certified, sturdily built, and comfortable to grip, and it has a lifetime warranty. The 6-foot version is long enough to reach from a wall outlet to a nightstand or desk.
The Best Lightning Cable for iPhone and iPad
This cable is MFi-certified, sturdily built, and comfortable to grip, and it has a lifetime warranty. The 6-foot version is long enough to reach from a wall outlet to a nightstand or desk.
Anker’s PowerLine cables are fast, sturdy, and inexpensive, plus they come with a great warranty. The 6-foot version is great for travel.
The Best Micro-USB Cable
Anker’s PowerLine cables are fast, sturdy, and inexpensive, plus they come with a great warranty. The 6-foot version is great for travel.
This 240 W cable can fast-charge even the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the flexible, woven cord works just as well with phones.
The Best USB-C Cables and Adapters
This 240 W cable can fast-charge even the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the flexible, woven cord works just as well with phones.
This durable cable offers 10 Gbps transfer speeds and 4K video-output support for a great price.
The Best USB-C Cables and Adapters
This durable cable offers 10 Gbps transfer speeds and 4K video-output support for a great price.
Noise-cancelling headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones make it easier to hear music or movies over whatever cacophony is playing out around you. Or just wear them without sound to luxuriate in your private sanctuary.
The ideal travel companion, this pair of earbuds offers excellent noise cancellation, great sound, and long battery life.
The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
The ideal travel companion, this pair of earbuds offers excellent noise cancellation, great sound, and long battery life.
The Bose 700 headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation in a comfortable, lightweight design that’s traveler friendly.
The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
The Bose 700 headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation in a comfortable, lightweight design that’s traveler friendly.
Virtual private network subscription
A VPN can keep your phone, laptop, or tablet secure when you’re logging in from public Wi-Fi; it can also help you get around regional censors and access the US version of sites while you’re abroad.
Mullvad is transparent about its security and privacy practices. The VPN offers reliable connections and is easy to use on laptops, phones, and tablets.
The Best VPN Service
Mullvad is transparent about its security and privacy practices. The VPN offers reliable connections and is easy to use on laptops, phones, and tablets.
Proton VPN’s subscription shines because it has an excellent free version and is one of the few that don’t limit your data.
The Best Free VPN
Proton VPN’s subscription shines because it has an excellent free version and is one of the few that don’t limit your data.
Two-factor authenticator app
Two-factor authentication gives you an extra layer of security for your important accounts. An app is more secure than SMS verification and works without a cell or data connection.
Duo Mobile is free, available on both Android and iPhone, and easy to use, and its security features are better than those of other two-factor authentication apps.
The Best Two-Factor Authentication App
Duo Mobile is free, available on both Android and iPhone, and easy to use, and its security features are better than those of other two-factor authentication apps.
Password manager
A password manager is essential all the time, but it’s especially important when you’re traveling, so your passwords stay strong, secure, and accessible wherever you are in the world.
1Password now offers its extensive set of bells and whistles across all major platforms, including Windows and Chrome OS. With excellent security and a clear user interface, it’s the password manager to beat.
The Best Password Managers
1Password now offers its extensive set of bells and whistles across all major platforms, including Windows and Chrome OS. With excellent security and a clear user interface, it’s the password manager to beat.
The free version of Bitwarden covers all the basics of a good password manager and doesn’t cost anything. But it lacks a feature that checks password strength and doesn’t have encrypted file storage.
The Best Password Managers
The free version of Bitwarden covers all the basics of a good password manager and doesn’t cost anything. But it lacks a feature that checks password strength and doesn’t have encrypted file storage.
Nice-to-haves
For long trips and international journeys, here are some optional items to keep you connected, organized, and entertained.
Bluetooth tracker
If you want to locate your luggage in case an airline loses your bag or you accidentally leave it somewhere, a Bluetooth tracker can help you keep tabs on your items.
AirTags use Apple’s huge network of devices to track down lost items, and they’re impressively accurate in pinpointing an item’s precise location.
Apple AirTags Are the Best Luggage Trackers
AirTags use Apple’s huge network of devices to track down lost items, and they’re impressively accurate in pinpointing an item’s precise location.
The Tile Mate has a long range and takes up virtually no space in a suitcase. Its network isn’t as extensive as Apple’s, but it’s the best Android-compatible tracker we’ve tested.
The Best Bluetooth Tracker
The Tile Mate has a long range and takes up virtually no space in a suitcase. Its network isn’t as extensive as Apple’s, but it’s the best Android-compatible tracker we’ve tested.
Cable organizer bag
A bag can keep your cables, adapters, dongles, and small electronics stowed neatly and easily accessible.
The fine mesh makes it easy to see what these zip-top bags contain (though isn't water resistant), and the bags come in two sizes and colors so you can create a modular system for your cables, cosmetics, or whatever else you need.
The Best Bag and Cable Organizers
The fine mesh makes it easy to see what these zip-top bags contain (though isn't water resistant), and the bags come in two sizes and colors so you can create a modular system for your cables, cosmetics, or whatever else you need.
Laptop backpack
A good backpack will protect your laptop from damage, and keep all your stuff organized and easy to find.
Refined details—including leather accents and gunmetal hardware—elevate this travel-friendly pack’s simple silhouette.
The Best Laptop Backpacks
Refined details—including leather accents and gunmetal hardware—elevate this travel-friendly pack’s simple silhouette.
Travel plug adapter
Most modern electronic power supplies can work with voltages from 100 to 250 V, but you still need an adapter for the wall socket if you're traveling internationally.
Small, simple, and cheap, this set is perfect for someone who wants to carry only the adapter they’ll need and who already has a multiport USB wall charger they like.
The Best Gear for Travel
Small, simple, and cheap, this set is perfect for someone who wants to carry only the adapter they’ll need and who already has a multiport USB wall charger they like.
With four plugs that will work in most countries, plus built-in faster-charging USB ports, this adapter has more features for a little more money.
The Best Gear for Travel
With four plugs that will work in most countries, plus built-in faster-charging USB ports, this adapter has more features for a little more money.
Portable AC battery pack
If you have a laptop that doesn't charge via USB, an AC battery pack will charge it (and all your USB devices too).
This portable charger has an AC outlet, two fast-charging USB-C ports, and a USB-A port, and it can charge even the most power-hungry laptops while they’re in use. But you need to provide your own wall charger.
The Best Portable Laptop Charger
This portable charger has an AC outlet, two fast-charging USB-C ports, and a USB-A port, and it can charge even the most power-hungry laptops while they’re in use. But you need to provide your own wall charger.
Ebook reader or tablet
With an e-reader or tablet, you can enjoy endless entertainment—whether it's books, comics, movies, or games—in a slim package.
This Kindle’s features and price, coupled with Amazon’s vast collection of reading material, make it the best device dedicated to reading.
The Best E-Reader
This Kindle’s features and price, coupled with Amazon’s vast collection of reading material, make it the best device dedicated to reading.
The cheapest iPad that Apple sells has a large screen, fast performance, a USB-C port, and plenty of color options to suit the needs of most people.
The Best Tablets
The cheapest iPad that Apple sells has a large screen, fast performance, a USB-C port, and plenty of color options to suit the needs of most people.
International phone plan
Most phones now work worldwide, but international roaming can be nearly free or outrageously expensive. We’ve researched the best mobile phone services for the majority of frequent international travelers.
With coverage in more than 210 countries and no international data roaming fees, T-Mobile Magenta is the best plan for most people who travel frequently and already own their phone.
The Best Cell Phone Plan for Frequent International Travel
With coverage in more than 210 countries and no international data roaming fees, T-Mobile Magenta is the best plan for most people who travel frequently and already own their phone.
Streaming stick
A portable media streamer can make a hotel room TV feel like your TV at home.
Easy to set up, the Roku stick supports huge numbers of streaming channels, works with hotel Wi-Fi portals, and gets all the power it needs from the TV's USB port. And its smartphone app lets you leave the remote at home.
The Best Media Streaming Devices
Easy to set up, the Roku stick supports huge numbers of streaming channels, works with hotel Wi-Fi portals, and gets all the power it needs from the TV's USB port. And its smartphone app lets you leave the remote at home.
USB data blocker
USB data blockers let you charge your devices from other peoples' USB ports (including charging kiosks) without the risk of their accessing your phone's data or infecting it with malware. It's unlikely you'll ever encounter an attack like this, and most mobile OSes limit USB data connections, but if it's a concern for you then the data blocker can be a good choice. That, or simply using a normal power outlet.
The PortaPow lets you charge your phone or other USB device from a USB port without worrying about accidental data transfer or malware infection, and unlike some others, it won't limit your charging speed.
The PortaPow lets you charge your phone or other USB device from a USB port without worrying about accidental data transfer or malware infection, and unlike some others, it won't limit your charging speed.
Nintendo Switch
The Switch is a great home game console but also a great portable console for travel.
If you want a console you can disconnect from the TV and take with you, or if you just prefer Nintendo’s games, the Switch is for you.
The Best Game Consoles
If you want a console you can disconnect from the TV and take with you, or if you just prefer Nintendo’s games, the Switch is for you.
Chromebook
If you don't want to risk your laptop or the data on it, a Chromebook is inexpensive, secure, and ideal for international travel. You can even wipe it before you travel and set it up when you get to your destination.
Reliable performance, a spacious touch display, and long-enough battery life for a full workday make this model the best Chromebook for the price.
The Best Chromebook
Reliable performance, a spacious touch display, and long-enough battery life for a full workday make this model the best Chromebook for the price.
This Asus model is a less expensive option that doesn’t sacrifice performance, but its non-touch display isn’t as tall, vibrant, or convenient as that of our top pick.
The Best Chromebook
This Asus model is a less expensive option that doesn’t sacrifice performance, but its non-touch display isn’t as tall, vibrant, or convenient as that of our top pick.
