17 travel gadgets you need for your next trip or vacation

It’s never easy to decide what to pack for a trip. Whether you’re packing light for a quick business trip or heading out on the next big family vacation, it’s important to bring the right tech. Here at PCWorld we’re continually testing the latest gadgets to sort the good from the bad. This means we’ve had the opportunity to find the best tech gear and accessories specifically for travel.

From voltage converters to nose-cancelling headphones, we’ve curated a list of the very best gear to optimize your next travel experience. The items below are worthy of any packing list and will help you prepare for anything you may encounter on the road—or in the sky.

Manage electrical needs with a voltage converter

SOKOO 230-Watt Step Down 100-220V to 110V Voltage Converter

Something that’s easy to forget when traveling to other countries is that their electrical outlets may not support your devices. This is either because of a different outlet orientation or different voltage rating. To make sure you’re always prepared no matter where you travel, grab a converter such as the SOKOO Step Down Voltage Converter. Not only does it come with a variety of plug orientations and voltage conversion, but it also has ports for USB and USB-C.

Get the SOKOO Voltage Converter for $39.98 at Amazon

Take control of tangled cords

Rolling Square inCharge 6 Portable Keychain Charger Cable

If you’re like most travelers, you bring multiple electronics to make the most of your experience—we’re talking cameras, phones, laptops, headphones, etc. But along with all of these items, you’ll need to carry all of their charging cables. That can take up space and lead to a tangled web of cables in your bag if you’re not careful. With the Rolling Square inCharge 6 Portable Charger Cable, you have the option of USB-C or USB-A inputs and Micro USB or USB-C outputs all in a cable that is small enough for your keychain.

Get the Rolling Square Portable Charger Cable for $19.90 at Amazon

Keep your devices charged with a portable power bank

Anker Powercore Fusion 5000 2-in-1 Portable Charger and Wall Charger

While traveling you may not always have access to an outlet to charge up your gear. With a portable power bank such as the Anker Powercore Fusion 5000, you won’t have to worry about your devices running out of juice in the middle of nowhere. This handy power bank/wall charger combo won’t take up much room in your bag and is exceedingly convenient.

Get the Anker Powercore Fusion 5000 for $29.99 at Amazon

Never lose your valuables again

Apple AirTag or Tile Pro

We’ve all been there. You arrive at your destination and you’re waiting for your checked bag to show up on the carousel, but it never does. Baggage handling is at it again. With a Bluetooth tracker you can easily keep tabs on where your bag is and maybe even help TSA locate it, should it be lost. The two best Bluetooth trackers on the market are the Apple AirTag or the Tile Pro. Go with the Apple AirTag if you have an iPhone or the Tile Pro if you have an Android device.

Get the Apple AirTag for $28.50 at Amazon

Get the Tile Pro for $31.54 at Amazon

Enjoy an in-flight movie without annoying headphone cables

Twelve South AirFly Pro

Twelve South’s AirFly Pro Bluetooth wireless audio transmitter allows you to turn any audio jack into a wireless Bluetooth transmitter. Simply plug in the device to the headphone jack on the back of the airplane seat and connect your wireless headphones. Then sit back and relax while you enjoy the in-flight entertainment on your sweet noise canceling headphones.

Get the Twelve South AirFly Pro for $54.99 at Amazon

Drown out noise with noise-canceling headphones

AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

Flying on an airplane is loud. Engines roar, babies cry, passengers snore. That’s why you need noise canceling headphones, which have become essential tools in making your flight as easy as possible. And because you’re traveling and bag space is a premium, your headphones need to be small. Not just for iPhone users, but for anyone who needs good headphones, the AirPods Pro continue to be the best choice due to their convenient size and noise canceling capability.

Get the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) for $225.00 at Amazon

Capture and print your favorite memories

Fuji Instax Mini 12 instant camera

Sure, you could bring a giant SLR camera with multiple lenses and an extra special carry-on bag to store everything. Or for those who aren’t professionals, you can opt for a small, retro instant camera such as the Fuji Instax Mini 12. Just like an old-school Polaroid, you can take a picture and instantly print it out to capture the moment. Just be aware that you’ll need to purchase and carry the film separately.

Get the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 for $143.95 at Amazon

Keep your wires from getting crossed

Bellroy Tech Kit

Bellroy is known for making great tech cases and kits, and the Bellroy Tech Kit is our favorite. This well designed, travel-friendly bag allows you to keep all of your cables and small peripherals stored and organized with ease. The folio style means that you can open the entire kit out flat for easy access to everything stored inside. Plus, the fabric is waterproof so you shouldn’t have to worry about a little liquid spilling on your precious gear.

Get the Bellroy Tech Kit for $59.00 at Amazon

Game in-route to your destination

Steam Deck

The Steam Deck is a great handheld gaming system that allows you to play your favorite PC games on the go. It wasn’t so long ago that the Steam Deck was sold out everywhere and people were clamoring to get one. Thankfully, Valve has increased its supply and it’s easier than ever to get your hands on this excellent gaming portable. Play games from your Steam library on the go or load up on new titles for your next vacation. Gaming makes those long-haul flights a breeze.

When you get your Steam Deck be sure to check out our 22 tips and tricks to master your Steam Deck.

Get the Steam Deck for $399.00 at the Steam store

Keep your hands and wrists happy while typing

Logitech MX Keys Mini

Laptop keyboards are cramped and can lead to some serious wrist pain if you type on them for long enough. Save yourself the carpal tunnel and grab a wireless keyboard like the Logitech MX Keys Mini. This compact keyboard is not only easy to travel with, but offers convenient features such as a semi-customizable layout, multi-device switching, and more. And the most important part is that it offers a great typing experience with comfortable and quiet keys that won’t bother your fellow travelers.

Get the Logitech MX Keys Mini for $99.99 at Amazon

Carry a library everywhere you go

Kindle Paperwhite

Books are a great thing to have around on vacation, but they’re heavy and they take up precious space in your luggage. Instead opt for an e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite and bring an entire library worth of books in this lightweight tablet. Plus the Paperwhite version comes with an anti-glare screen and adjustable brightness settings making it perfect for a bright beach or dark airplane.

Not sure which Kindle to buy? Check out our handy Kindle buying guide to help you make the right choice.

Get the Kindle Paperwhite for $139.99 at Amazon

Grab a mobile hotspot to stay in range of WiFi range

Solis Lite 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot

Those who travel a lot know WiFi is essential. From being able to work online while on the road or just looking up restaurant recommendations in another country, it’s an invaluable tool to get the most out of your travel experience. There are quite a few services nowadays offering pocket WiFi for travelers, but Solis is one of the best with reliable global coverage across 135 countries. Plus, it has flexible plans depending upon your needs. You’ll need to purchase the Solis Lite Mobile Hotspot before registering for a WiFi plan, but it’s only a one time fee and you can then use it on all of your future trips.

Get the Solis Lite Mobile Hotspot for $139.99 at Amazon

Never worry about safe tap water again

CrazyCap self-cleaning water bottle

Whether you’re traveling to a new country for the first time or just out camping, you should always have access to clean, potable water. You might not know if the tap water in the country you’re in is safe to drink or not. So instead of trying to figure out the answer, or worse just drinking it anyways, take a self-cleaning water bottle like CrazyCap with you and never bother again. In just 60 seconds, or 2 minutes for full purification, the CrazyCap uses UV rays in the cap to purify your water to 99.9996%. Plus, it’s double-wall vacuum