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Reviewers Are Singing The Praises Of These 28 Travel Gadgets
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More Give yourself a single vacation with these guys, and you’ll be back to leave your own ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. I'm a seasoned Shopping Editor with more than 10 years of experience covering travel (my favorite), home decor, fashion, and pet products. Whether you're jetting off to Europe, heading to the beach, pitching a tent at your favorite campsite, or setting out on a weekend road trip, the right travel gear can make all the difference. Below, we've rounded up a bunch of products reviewers can't rate highly enough, from portable chargers and handheld fans to universal travel adapters and pocket-sized white noise machines. If your packing list could use an upgrade, these picks are a great place to start. This lil' guy has a 10,000-mAh battery, a built-in USB-C cable, and 30W fast charging that can boost your iPhone from 0% to 50% in just 30 minutes. Reviewers love the digital display that provides real-time info on remaining battery percentage and charging time. Plus, the cable also doubles as a wrist strap, so you can charge on the go without juggling a bunch of devices in your one free hand (I'm assuming your other hand has an iced coffee). Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say: "I've owned this charger for more than a year and love the built-in cord. It just simplifies everything! I often throw it into my bag on regular days because sometimes I end up spending the whole day out and about (New York City is just like that) and need a charge without monopolizing an outlet in a coffee shop. It's a little heavier than other portable chargers I've used in the past, but I still adore it over all other chargers I've used. Oh, and the percentage indicator for how much juice it has is incredibly convenient and has probably ruined all other portable chargers for me." Promising review: "An absolute must-have for anyone looking to eliminate cable clutter while keeping their devices charged at high speeds. The standout feature is the integrated USB-C cable, which is incredibly sturdy and doubles as a convenient carrying handle. With 30W bi-directional fast charging, it can power an iPhone 16 or 15 to 50% in just 30 minutes, and it recharges itself just as quickly. The vibrant smart display provides real-time information on remaining battery percentage and charging time, taking all the guesswork out of your power levels. Compact enough to fit in a small bag or even a pocket, it’s the perfect balance of 10,000-mAh capacity and portability for travel or daily commutes." —Chris Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in five colors). If you're worried about misplacing the above, let me present this option! It wirelessly secures to your phone so you can get a quick boost on the go. The 10,000-mAh battery pack can charge an iPhone 13 up to 1.8 times (keep in mind it's compatible with various models — this is just an example to give you an idea of its power!), and it features a convenient kickstand so you can prop it up while in use. Promising review: "It’s reliable, convenient, and a good-quality charger. The MagSafe feature is especially nice because it makes charging simple and hassle-free, and the magnet strength is strong enough to hold securely. I also really like the kickstand. It feels sturdy, adjusts well, and makes it easy to prop up my phone while it charges. That turned out to be a feature I use more than expected. It’s not too heavy, which makes it easy to carry. I like that it also has a cable option if I want faster charging, although I mostly use it magnetically because that’s more convenient for me. I bought a second one for my husband. Definitely recommend." —maggie Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in three colors). If there's one thing I'm gonna do on a long flight, it's find myself watching the screen of a person a few rows over and then decide I need to watch whatever they have on, even if I've literally never considered watching it before. (Question for therapists — do you think that's some form of FOMO?) With this gadget, I can connect my Bluetooth headphones in seconds. A couple of years ago, I splurged on some AirPod Maxes, and for the amount of money I threw down on them, I was determined to get as much use out of them as possible, and that included on plane rides. With the AirFly Pro, I can connect my headphones via Bluetooth and use the seat-back screen without having to fiddle with the free wired headphones they hand out that 1.) have horrible sound quality and 2.) don't fit my ears in the slightest (I swear my ear canals are tiny or something??). Promising review: "If you have a wireless earpiece and fly frequently, this is a must-have. Most newer planes have a monitor on the seatback that lets you watch movies, etc. This unit enables you to do it using your wireless earpiece. Connection is simple and automatic once you have initially paired your device or devices. It's convenient. I'm happy with the purchase." —JCE Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three configurations). Sorry, paperbacks, but you're staying at home because this can hold thousands of books and lasts for six weeks on a single charge!!! That way, you don't have to worry about it dying RIGHT when you get to the good part of your novel. Check out a TikTok of the mini Kindle in action. Promising review: "This is such a great Kindle! It’s lightweight, the perfect size for going in a purse or bag, and the matcha is SUCH a great color. I already have a Paperwhite SE that I love, so I decided to get this Kindle for travel purposes. The battery life isn’t as good as my Paperwhite's, but it still lasts me a while for daily reading! It fits perfectly in my hands and makes reading very comfortable. The only thing it is missing is the warm-light option, but that is not a deal-breaker for me. If you are looking for a lightweight and comfortable Kindle, this is the one for you." —Christine Heath Get it from Amazon for $109.99 (available in black and matcha, and with or without an ad lock screen). This was MADE for days on the boat and at the beach — it's IP67 waterproof and dustproof and provides up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge. It also comes with a built-in metal carabiner so you can hook it to anything, too. Promising review: "For a small speaker, the JBL Clip 4 delivers excellent sound even at high volume. This speaker is very durable. Mine has survived several drops, including a short dive into a river. It holds its charge well for hours. I have only wonderful things to say about this mighty lil' speaker... except for... it is prone to being stolen!" —Preston Mitchell Get it from Amazon for $63.94+ (available in 13 colors). You're human, and you sweat. That's it. That's the selling point. Plus, it weighs basically nothing, so throwing it in your purse or tote bag isn't a big deal. Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say: "I own this and use it ALL the time. It comes in handy in a variety of situations at home *and* while traveling — especially when you're sitting in a stuffy plane in Miami in July with the doors open, waiting for the pilot to board and take off. I def got some jealous side-eyes from other passengers as I kept myself cool with this." Promising review: "This great little fan is saving me this summer! I use it when I commute, at my nephews’ swim meets, and whenever the heat is overwhelming. You can use it many times on one charge. Great little fan!" —AMH Get it from Amazon for $15.29+ (available in three colors). If your pit stains laughed in the face of that last device, maybe this is more up your alley. This portable neck fan offers three speed settings that are so powerful, you almost won't miss your central air. Depending on your setting, the fan can last four to sixteen hours. Once it needs to be recharged, just connect it to any USB cable. Promising review: "Used this on my hike up Half Dome. I used it for 6 hours on the 1–2 speed setting, and on the second day, it lasted about two hours on setting 1 before dying. Charged it for 45 minutes, and it lasted the rest of the four-hour hike down. I don’t think I would have been about to hike Half Dome without this. Kept my face and neck cool and didn’t break one sweat on my face." —Hayley Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in five colors). This nifty new device not only operates like a typical handheld fan (with 10 speeds, btw), but it also has a cryo plate for contact-based relief that can drop skin temperature by up to 16 degrees! Promising review: "Very strong. At first, I was like, yeah, the chill plate only feels super cold for a few seconds, then just cold, but…When I took it off my neck, my neck felt cold for a good amount of time after. It was strange, like it pulled the heat out of me. Very strong fan. I get hot flashes and panic attacks, and this is going to help a lot...also, it’s cute. ☺️" —Rebekah Bluhm Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in three colors) This is a no-brainer, dudes. It offers one regular outlet, two USB outlets, and two USB-C outlets, so you can charge all of your electronics at once. Let's be real, you're lost at home without access to Google Maps, nvm in a foreign country. Promising reviews: "I went to Portugal and Ireland, and this little guy worked perfectly, and even though it's a small brick, it's lightweight, and since the prongs slide in, I could store it just about anywhere. Well worth the cost." —Kris "I've tried a lot of these travel chargers, and a problem I've had is that they often sag from the outlet and disconnect. This design locks into place and is rock solid. Charges well, too. Highly recommended." —Turner This is just the ticket to knowing where your bag is at all times — especially if you have tight connections to make or are on a trip that involves planes, trains, and automobiles (aka Ubers, Lyfts, and taxis). Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly says: "Storytime: After traveling summer 2022 carry-on only, and being a person who tries to carry-on whenever possible, I finally bought a couple of Apple AirTags during the 2022 Black Friday sales. And I am SO grateful I did. My normal carry-on bag was too big to fit the Lufthansa luggage requirements (and BOY, do they check that!), so I had to check my bags for a December 2022 trip to Vienna and back from Prague (with a layover in Frankfurt). My bag didn't make it onto the plane in Frankfurt, and once I landed in Newark, New Jersey, I pulled up the app on my phone and saw that yes, my backpack AirTag was indeed with me, but my suitcase AirTag was still in Germany. (The screen grab is from an Amazon review, but you get the gist.) The AirTag also helped me track FedEx's delivery of the suitcase to my parents' house, where I was spending the holidays immediately after my Europe trip ended. I was even able to see it on a highway less than an hour's drive from my parents' house. TL;DR: I think AirTags are very much a worthwhile investment if you travel a few times a year. And I'm not the only one who thinks so." Promising review: "I put an AirTag in my suitcase before flying to Long Beach, CA, to get on a cruise ship to Mexico. My bag did not arrive, and the AirTag allowed me to immediately see that it was still at my departure airport. My cruise was due to leave late that day, and although the baggage claim rep assured me that my suitcase would arrive before the last flight of the day, I would have been in a panic by that time if I did not have an AirTag informing me that the bag was indeed on the last flight of the day. I was able to track and recover it from baggage claim with just enough time to board the ship. The AirTag performed exactly as needed!" —Nevada Guy Not only does this heat up in 3 minutes, but it can easily remove wrinkles from both sides of the fabric, getting the job done twice as fast as usual. Just FYI: Some cruises don't allow steamers and will confiscate them, so if that's your mode of transportation, make sure you check out their stipulations ahead of time! Promising review: "Ordered this to bring to a wedding this past weekend, and it was a total hit. Perfect for getting last-minute wrinkles out of bridesmaid dresses! And will definitely be using it for touch-ups before work instead of lugging out my massive ironing board. Great purchase!" —Carolyn Toll Get it from Amazon for $119.99 (available in five colors). If you've ever dealt with the mega-embrassing spectacle that is having to transfer items from your checked bag to your carry-on at the check-in desk, you'll know this is worth its weight in gold. It can measure up to 110 pounds, and reviewers agree it's accurate, so you don't have to worry about incurring any extra airline fees for overweight baggage. Promising review: "We use this in every trip to avoid paying for extra weight as we travel internationally quite often. I have tested in several ways and also always note the weight number at the airport. After several trips, I can say that the accuracy of it is right within 2 lbs. I have had it for almost two years, and I am still using the same batteries." —Cass Young Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in six colors, a pack of two, and another style). With this, you can be lulled to sleep by the calming sounds of deep white noise or gentle surf, rather than the cacophony of car horns, fireworks, and live concerts that seem to be going on outside your Airbnb. If you have trouble sleeping anywhere that isn't your own bed, it's a worthwhile investment. Promising review: "I purchased this for my trip to Europe as I sleep with white noise every night. The Rohm scores extra points for volume control, and it can get quite loud. It’s also lightweight and charges easily with a USB." —Jessie W. Get a pack of two from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two styles and with or without a travel case). Wrap this around an umbrella, picnic table leg, or chair, and you can stow away your phone, keys, wallet, and other small valuables without worrying about them being lost or stolen. Reviewers use this guy at water parks, the beach, all-inclusive resorts, and even in Airbnbs. Promising review: "Bought it for an overseas trip, and it worked great. We used it both in a hotel room when the room safe was out of order and on the beach. I look forward to using it on outings this summer, and I think it will be a very useful addition to my travel staples. I packed in my luggage full of toiletries and sunscreen, so it didn't feel like it took up a ton of space, and I could carry it in my purse/tote without it feeling too bulky. That said, you can fit a lot into it." —laurel Get it from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in five colors). You can always drink bottled water, of course, but if you like carrying your own and happen to be visiting a destination where drinking tap water isn't advised, this dude makes it safe to drink by filtering out chlorine, bacteria (including E. coli and Salmonella), parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), microplastics, dirt, and more. If you’re immunocompromised, just be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you. Promising review: "I bought the LifeStraw Go series for a trip I planned for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. It worked perfectly — I filled it up with water I got from sinks and fountains. The filter removes all the bad stuff. I never got sick. And you can use it for a long time for several trips. I strongly recommend the LifeStraw Go series for traveling to places with unsafe water." —Jeff M. Get it from Amazon for $32.48+ (available in five colors). With this, you can pass your high-altitude hours *finally* catching up on the latest season of The Ultimatum. Your budget seat might not have come with its own built-in screen, but this works just as well. PS: You can also clamp it onto your suitcase to watch stuff while you wait to board. Promising review: "I bought this gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel, too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well-built and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far, it still feels solid, and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" —Earendil Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in seven colors). If you've ever had to decide between juicing up your AirPods, Apple Watch, or phone because your hotel room only has one outlet to work with, you'll understand why this comes in handy. It also folds down into a small brick, so it takes up less space in your bag. Promising review: "I finally gave up and bought a charging station for several devices. I travel a lot, and taking turns charging my iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch was annoying, especially if the room had a limited number of outlets and I was not the only one who needed to charge all of them ASAP — plus, hauling all of the cords. Ugh. Hooray, I'm hustle-free now. It comes with one fold-up station, one cord, and one nob for three devices that charge simultaneously. It works with my iPhone 12 Pro Max from 2020, Apple Watch Series 6 from 2020, and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) from 2022 without issues. I am more than satisfied with the purchase." —Sneaky Pete Get it from Amazon for $26.55+ (available in six colors). Stick this to the side of any prescription you regularly forget to take and there'll be noooo question as to whether that headache you have is from existing solely on iced coffee or the fact that you've gone three days without your Prozac. The nifty gadget comes from small biz Take-n-Slide. They're also great for using on pet meds, vitamins, and anything else you routinely forget to take/give. Promising review: "Where has this been all my life? I love it. This is a lifesaver! I’ve been looking for something like this for years. I always forget 10 minutes later if I actually took my medicine or just put it down. I’ve tried so many different ways, making marks on the bottle, making stickers, and using other pill containers. None ever works. And pill containers are so bulky when I only need one pill." —Niki Get a pack of five from Amazon for $21.50. These are waterproof, feature touch-control sensors, and offer 14 hours of playback time (60 hours total with the charging case), plus reviewers love the bass, and many agree that they're a better value than AirPods. If you know yourself and you're prone to misplacing your things, your pockets won't hurt quite as much when you replace these compared to other name brands. Promising review: "These earbuds are fantastic! I have purchased them about four or five times. Every time I lose one, I buy another set. The sound quality is great, and the noise cancellation works really well, which is perfect for my commute. I love that they're waterproof too. The battery life is amazing, and the charging case is super convenient. It fits perfectly in my ear; the size is not too big or small." —Marouka Get them from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in seven colors). If you're prone to packing everything but the kitchen sink, this bb is sure to be your best friend — especially on the last day of your trip when it's time to pack and your belongings have seemingly doubled (despite v careful souvenir consideration). Use it alongside vacuum storage bags, and you'll free up a whole bunch of extra space. Promising review: "I am absolutely thrilled with this vacuum pump! It is incredibly compact and lightweight, making it convenient to take along on trips; it takes up practically no space in a suitcase. And don't let its small size fool you, it is very powerful. The pump extracts all the air from storage bags surprisingly fast, compressing everything perfectly. Another huge plus is the battery life; the device holds a charge exceptionally well. It is a compact, lightweight, and highly efficient helper. I highly recommend it!" —Teti Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three colors). A vacation well spent is one where you indulge in local cuisines and a whole lot of dessert (in my book, anyway). This will simply help you keep your dental hygiene game on point, even when you're far from home. The ergonomic water flosser comes with one precision tip for everyday use, one tongue-cleaning tip, and a rechargeable battery, plus it's waterproof — so you can use it in the shower and make less of a mess if you haven't quite mastered the whole keeping the water *in* your mouth thing. Promising review: "I’ve really enjoyed using the Waterpik Cordless Pulse. It’s easy to use, portable, and leaves my teeth feeling much cleaner than brushing alone. The rechargeable design is convenient for everyday use and travel. I noticed a big improvement in my oral hygiene routine and would definitely recommend it to others." —Muharram Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in three colors). Because "roughing it" on that camping trip you promised your friends may mean sleeping in a tent and using an outhouse, but it will NOT mean going caffeine-free. Just fill with ground coffee and hot water, pump, and pour! Promising review: "This works so well for camping for a quick coffee craving! Took this camping over the weekend and used it a few times at the office. Depending on the grinds you use, it's good for a light single espresso shot, or if you reuse the same grinds and purge three capfuls of water through the filter, you'll get a full cup of coffee. Works great without lugging a glass press around in your backpacking or camping gear! Easy to clean and store away with the retractable priming handle." —WallyMonkey Get it from Amazon for $46.90+ (available in four colors). This folds down to the size of a hockey puck and features multiple light modes and up to 10 hours of battery life, so when you have to pee in the middle of the night, you won't have to waste your phone's battery looking for a safe spot to pop a squat. It's rechargeable via solar energy and USB, and it has a handle so you can hang it in your tent or on a tree near your campsite. Promising review: "I’ve had this one lantern for five years. We’ve taken it car camping, and it’s a crucial part of our backpacking kit. It’s never lost its charge, continues to work after many hours of use, and is still very bright. We use it at full size and in a collapsed state. It’s very handy." —3_cats Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes). Because it's this or scratching at your war wounds until they bleed, and that is not the way, my friends. Don't let the lil' suckers get in the way of your late-night beach runs or bonfires! The Bug Bite Thing (of Shark Tank fame) works on bites from mosquitoes, bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, and more. Basically, the gadget sucks out insect venom and saliva — two things that lead to itchiness and irritation. With that out, your skin should stop swelling and return to normal in no time! Promising reviews: "My husband and I moved into a new home next to a nature preserve a few years ago. We did not learn of the mosquito issues in our neighborhood until my husband's first mow of the season, when we promptly ordered this little tool. It is used frequently in our house, and if used right after a mosquito bite, it does make it feel 10x better. I am unsure how you can tell if it is sucking anything out of them, but somehow this little guy does the trick! A must-have in the summer, especially if you have kids!" —Jordyn Peters "This is such a magical tool to stop stinging and itching. Everyone in our family has one now, and I will be packing this for my international travel!" —Tracicha Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in six colors). This nifty gadget functions as a compass, thermometer, LED signal light, magnifying glass, reflector, and sealed receptacle (so you can store personal information that would help in a rescue situation). PS: The whistle can reach volumes of 135 dB, which, for comparison, is the same as a jackhammer, military jet takeoff, or loud siren. Promising review: "LOUD! Great size, but lightweight. The color is bold. Easy to use. This is a great value for the price." —Barbra Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 9 colors, and packs of 1 or 2). With a LOUD 130-decibel siren and flashing strobe light, this personal alarm will give you a little peace of mind whether you're on a hike with your dog or catching the subway in a foreign country. Promising review: "I moved to the city a few months ago and have since had some uncomfortable encounters with men. I didn't want to carry any self-defense that could get me kicked out of somewhere (like if they did a bag search at a museum and found my pepper spray), so I now carry my Birdie on my keychain all the time. I feel so much safer and more comfortable walking on my own. This thing is LOUD and would definitely draw tons of attention. It doesn't come out super easily (I was worried about it accidentally going off in my purse), but it is easy enough to use. I 100% recommend!!!" —Heidi Wilson Get it from Amazon for $23.96+ (available in 14 colors). If I've learned anything from Naked and Afraid (and I've watched more than 10 seasons), it's that just because water *looks* clean, that doesn't mean it is! This comes with a screw-on water filter, two 32-ounce collapsible pouches, one replaceable pop-up drinking spout, and a syringe filter cleaner. It removes bacteria such as Salmonella, cholera, and E. coli, as well as protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, so you can avoid GI distress at all costs. Note: if you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you! Here's what BuzzFeed contributor Rachel Dunkel has to say: "I adore this water filter for its ease of use, adaptability, small size, and zero wait time. Just fill the bag, screw on the filter, and roll the bag to squeeze the filtered water into your bottle. You don't need to wait for it to be done like with water treatment pills or gravity systems, and there's no funky taste — just fresh, clean, crisp water. If even the bag-filling situation sounds like it would take too much time, you can also screw the filter DIRECTLY ONTO A WATER BOTTLE and drink straight from it. Game-changing. Either way, it's a quick, lightweight system that I completely recommend." Promising review: "Excellent product and a must-have while going hiking or camping where there's no clean water available. Because you can squeeze water through the filter, it takes no time for you to get drinkable water. Back flushing helps extend the filter's lifespan and comes with a syringe for back flushing." —Harlie Get it from Amazon for $45.95 (available in four configurations). If you're camping or spending any time in the great outdoors, this is sure to come in clutch. E.g., when there's a bump in the night, and you poke your head out of your tent and make sure everything looks kosher. Of course, it's also great as a hands-free lighting source when you're prepping dinner, setting up your tent, or navigating to your makeshift loo. Promising review: "I recently purchased a rechargeable headlamp for camping and outdoor activities, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The headlamp is comfortable to wear and provides a bright, adjustable light that is perfect for nighttime hikes and setting up camp. The rechargeable battery is convenient and long-lasting, and I appreciate not having to constantly buy and replace batteries. The overall build quality is impressive, and the headlamp feels sturdy and well-made. I would highly recommend this rechargeable headlamp to anyone in need of reliable hands-free lighting for their outdoor adventures." —Laurel Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three colors). * If You’re A Frequent Flier, You Should Have These 35 Clever Travel Products On Your Radar * These 31 Products Are So Good For Travel That Reviewers Refuse To Go On A Trip Without 'Em * Products To Solve Those Mundane, Boring Travel Issues So You Can Simply Enjoy Your Trip * Feel Like A Pro Traveler With These 40 Reviewer-Loved Things * Just About Every Product Your Car Could Need If You Practically Live On The Road In The Summertime Plus, finds from Amazon, Target, and Walmart. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.