15 Travel Tech Gadgets You Need for the Best Trip Possible

Travel is one of life’s great pleasures, but it can cause its fair share of headaches. Fortunately, many of the stresses we typically associate with traveling are easily prevented. The solution: traveling with the right technology accessories. Be sure to pack these helpful tech accessories on your next trip.

Travel Adapters

If you are traveling overseas, you will likely need to bring a versatile travel adapter. As you may know, different countries have different outlet configurations, and they don’t always fit American appliances. Travel unprepared, and you will have no way of charging your computer or phone (which is crucial for posting all those amazing travel photos!).  This is where travel adapters come in handy.

An adapter allows you to plug your electronic devices into outlets they weren’t designed to plug into. This makes it one of the most essential travel tech gadgets for overseas travelers. If you plan on going out of the U.S. a lot, I recommend a universal adapter designed to work in many different countries.

Portable Phone Battery Charger

If you’re like me, you charge your phone in your hotel room whenever you get the chance. If you’re also like me, you hardly ever get this chance! When you’ve got a busy day of sightseeing ahead of you – and of taking pictures and videos of all those beautiful sights – your phone will run out of battery long before you get back to the hotel. This is why a portable phone battery charger is a must. This convenient, inexpensive device will give your phone the juice it needs to get through an action-packed day.

Digital Camera

Another way to save your phone’s battery while you’re traveling is to bring a digital travel camera. With a digital camera, you can unleash your inner Ansel Adams without having to worry about your phone’s battery. Also, while phone cameras have come a long way in recent years, many travel photographers prefer the convenience and pixel quality of digital cameras. My Fujifilm x100v has served me well – and people even stop me on the street to tell me how beautiful it is!

Waterproof Camera

If you do decide to bring a camera along on a beach trip, I recommend bringing a waterproof camera. Yes, these travel tech gadgets are necessary for snapping those beautiful underwater shots on your tropical vacation. But you will likely find a waterproof camera to be quite handy, even if you don’t plan on snorkeling or scuba diving. With a waterproof camera, you won’t have to worry about rain or seaspray ruining your device.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Let’s face it: much of the stress we associate with traveling would disappear if we could simply get more sleep. When you’re on the road, every hour of sleep is precious. This is why you shouldn’t leave home without a good pair of noise-canceling headphones. These handy travel tech gadgets will help you grab some shuteye, no matter where you are. This means no more rude awakenings in crowded airplanes or noisy hotel rooms.

Portable Speakers

Of course, sometimes we wish our trips were a bit noisier! This is true when you’re video chatting with friends and family back home, or playing that great travel footage you took, or just jamming to some tunes with your favorite glass of wine in hand (I’m not here to judge). This is why I recommend bringing along some waterproof portable speakers the next time you travel. Bluetooth speakers are especially useful, as they can easily connect to your mobile device. 

Portable Wifi Device

When you’re on the road, a reliable internet connection is your lifeline: you need it to book tours, check and manage reservations, change plans, and – of course – stay in touch with everyone back home. Unfortunately, depending on where you’re traveling, a reliable internet connection may not be easy to come by. This is a major source of stress for many travelers.

Don’t let a bad internet connection (or no internet at all) slow you down while you’re on the go – invest in a portable WiFi, or “MiFi” device. These essential travel tech gadgets provide a mobile hotspot that can connect you to the wider world, no matter where you are. Incidentally, these devices can come in handy even when you’re not traveling great distances. 

“Smart” Suitcase

Perhaps it goes without saying that a suitcase is an essential item for any traveler. Tech-savvy travelers choose to kick their suitcases up a notch with one of the coolest travel tech gadgets around: the smart suitcase. As with a regular suitcase, this sleek luggage will hold your clothes and travel accessories, but it does so much more than that.

Smart suitcases can include built-in LED lights, and built-in phone charging stations, and can even serve as portable working stations. Best of all, many smart suitcases are carry-on-sized and do not need to be stored with your checked baggage.

Smartwatch

Speaking of “smart,” it makes a lot of sense to invest in a smartwatch as well. These travel tech gadgets will make your trips so much less stressful. For one thing, because you can use a smartwatch to send and receive text messages, you won’t be taking your phone out of your pocket or handbag nearly as much. This means that your phone will be much less likely to get lost or stolen.

Most smartwatches come with several key safety features, including GPS tracking, emergency (SOS) signaling, and navigation assistance. These features will help you tackle uncharted terrain with confidence.

Finally, if you’re like me, you walk a lot when you’re on vacation. A smartwatch will help you track all those extra steps you take while traveling.

Portable Hard Drive

Do you find that you lack the digital storage space you need when you’re on the road? If so, consider investing in a portable hard drive like the LaCie hard drive with built-in protection. This is an affordable way to get some much-needed extra space for photos, movies, and documents.

This is one of those travel tech gadgets that most people don’t realize they need until it’s too late. Trust me, you don’t want to have to delete that breathtaking travel footage because you don’t have enough storage space on your laptop.

Luggage Scale

Never worry about your luggage being overweight again with this best-selling luggage scale. It can weigh luggage up to 110lbs! Over 50,000 people recommend it so it must be good!

Apple AirTags

If you often lose things, then Apple AirTags are a must when traveling. These little devices utilize Apple’s extensive network of iPhones to locate any object that you place them in. Just check the “Find My” app on your phone to see where they are at any time. You can stick one in your suitcase before checking it in so you can see where it is in the event the airline loses it.

Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphone

If you love recording videos while on vacation, then upgrade your footage by using a gimbal stabilizer for smartphones. This will help you steady the camera and get even better shots!

Travel Clothes Steamer

After being stuffed in a tight suitcase for hours, most clothing comes out super wrinkled. Carrying a portable, foldable clothing steamer with you ensures you can always iron or steam out the wrinkles in your clothes. Not all hotels provide irons, so this is a great way to travel if you like looking presentable!

Portable Washing Machine

The reviews on these gadgets are mixed but if you often find yourself needing to wash clothes quickly while on the go, then consider buying a Portable Washing Machine. These devices can wash small loads of clothing in a flash.

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What did you think about our list of essential travel tech gear?