15 Simple Travel Gadgets That’ll Take the Stress Out of Your Next In-Transit Day

A portable luggage scale is definitely one of the best travel gadgets, especially if you’re prone to overpacking and always have to check a bag at the airport like me. The handheld scale uses a strap to attach to the outside handles of your suitcase. Then you simply pull up with both hands using even force for the scale to display how much your luggage weighs. This is my easy way to avoid overweight fees or having to open my luggage on the airport floor to take things out and squish items into my backpack before racing off to my gate.

There is nothing worse than arriving at an international destination and realizing you’ve got the wrong power adapter. That’s where the Ceptics international power adapter comes in. The accessory has one universal input that can be used at major destinations around the world, including Europe, Asia, and South America. It also has two USB ports and one USB-C port to make charging small devices like smartphones and e-readers easy. I keep my power adapter in the tech organizer I bring on every trip—just in case.

With an Apple AirTag, you can have constant eyes on your belongings, even if they aren’t technically with you. The tiny puck-like devices pair with your iPhone or iPad and use geolocation to let you know where your belongings are. I like that I can check on the location of my luggage, purse, or whatever else I’ve dropped an AirTag into with the Find My app. This is especially helpful after a plane lands and I want to be sure my luggage made it to my destination.

Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, it’s always a good idea to keep personal safety top of mind, even if you’re going somewhere you’re very familiar with. That’s why I love the She’s Birdie, a simple, portable safety alarm that’s designed for women (though any traveler can of course use it too). The alarm has a loud siren and flashing strobe light to draw attention if you feel like you’re in danger. To use the alarm, simply remove the top pin; to turn it off, put the top pin back in place. The battery-powered alarm can operate for 40 minutes continuously and is small enough to fit on a keychain in your purse.

Printing photos of your favorite travel memories just got easier with the Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer. After you take photos on your phone, you can upload them to the free Insta Mini Link app and print individual images or collages that look like the ones from a classic photo booth. The printer connects to your phone via Bluetooth, so you don’t need to worry about carrying around extra cords. When the battery runs out, you can recharge the printer with a USB-C cord so it’s ready for your next adventure.

There’s nothing worse than getting onto an airplane and your wireless headphones not connecting to the seatback entertainment system. That issue is easily averted with this wireless audio transmitter and adapter. The small device pairs to your headphones via Bluetooth and then plugs into the tiny TV on the airplane so you’re never without entertainment on long-haul flights. Even better is that the device can pair with two sets of headphones, so if I’m traveling with someone we can both watch the same movie simultaneously.

I always try to travel with as few cords as possible—that’s where the STM ChargeTree Go comes in handy. The small three-in-one portable wireless charging station is ideal for travelers with a lot of devices. The portable charger can accommodate Apple, Samsung, and Android phones, plus AirPods and Apple Watches. I particularly love that the Apple Watch charger can slip into the larger phone charger when it’s not in use. It’s perfect for compact spaces like hotel bedside tables and cruise ship cabins.

Forget lugging around heavy books on vacation when you can carry an entire library of over 15 million titles in the palm of your hand with the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. The popular e-reader has a 7″ glare-free display and up to 12 weeks’ worth of battery life, meaning it can survive an entire vacation without needing to be recharged. Even better, you can adjust the backlight from white to amber, so no matter where you’re reading, the page is always displayed to its best ability. Unlike some e-readers, we love that the Paperwhite doesn’t offer access to social media or texts, so you can really immerse yourself in your latest read without feeling like you have to answer a friend’s message.

If you’re headed somewhere warm, be it a theme park or a sun-soaked beach, one of the best travel gadgets to bring along is a mini handheld fan. This VersionTech handheld fan charges quickly with an included USB charger (you can also use any micro-USB cords you’re already packing), and has three speeds to keep air moving. The handle of the fan can be folded back to allow it to sit on a table if you stop for a meal or find yourself on a hot bus or train. I always have this in my backpack or fanny pack in the summer (my travel buddies are instantly jealous that they don’t have one too.)

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Is there anything worse than checking into a hotel room and tossing and turning all night because of loud noises from neighbors or city streets? With this portable sound machine, you can drown out the noise of people, cars, or snoring companions. It was designed for parents to help soothe their babies on the go with any of its 10 sounds (white noise, ocean, rain, water, wind, dryer, fan, rock-a-bye, heartbeat, and hush), but works just as well for adults who could use a little help falling and staying asleep. It weighs just four ounces and fits in the palm of your hand; at around the size of a tennis ball, it’s easy to stash into any backpack or tote.

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If you’ve ever tried to work from a hotel room, coffee shop, or an airport lounge, you know that Wi-Fi can be spotty. So if having a strong connection to the digital world is important to you while you’re on the go, this portable travel router is a must. It promises fast speeds of up to 2,882 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and up to 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. The router also offers multiple modes, including Hotspot Mode, Router Mode for Ethernet or USB connections, and Client Mode to extend Wi-Fi connections. Everything is controlled via the Tether app, so it’s easy to customize your experience and ensure that your network is working properly when you need it.

“This under-$20 Amazon find has completely upgraded my in-flight entertainment experience,” says commerce editor Meaghan Kenny. “When I fly, I usually watch movies or downloaded videos on my iPhone so I can continue to use my noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones. This means I’m usually rotating between holding my phone in my hand and (unsuccessfully) propping it up on the tray table.” This pocket-size phone mount clips onto the top of your seat tray table and perfectly holds your phone in place so you can watch movies, TV shows, or podcast videos hands-free. It features 360-degree rotation, allowing travelers to view their screen vertically or horizontally. The 1.5-inch clamp can be attached to tables, desks, gym equipment, and a variety of other surfaces. “While I originally purchased this carry-on essential to use on airplanes, I’ve also attached it to my luggage handle while waiting to board a flight and on a train ride from Lucca to Florence,” says Kenny.

We’ve all been there: brushing our teeth in the airplane lavatory or an airport lounge—neither of which are the cleanest places in the world. Before and after you pop your toothbrush into your mouth, consider sanitizing it with this portable cleaner. The tiny device is about the size of an AirPods case and uses UV light technology to clean your toothbrush. Its magnetic back allows it to be mounted on a bathroom mirror, which is great for hotel stays instead of putting your toothbrush in a cup or on the counter. Bonus: One charge can last for a full month, so you’re even covered on long vacations.

If you’re worried about keeping your cash and cards safe, consider traveling with the Slim Mint ultra-thin RFID-blocking wallet. The compact case can hold cash and whatever essential cards you need on you—credit cards, hotel room keys, metro cards—so that they are easily accessible. When empty, it weighs just 3.2 ounces.

Loop’s earplugs help block out noise on planes, airports, crowded coffee shops, and just about anywhere else. They’re lightweight, comfortable to wear for hours, and actually do the trick at quieting things down.

Save on your order with Loop discount codes.