My 9 Favorite Tech Gadgets For Travel

Interesting article Lucky, I also recently stopped bringing my Bose headphones in lieu of my airpods pro..
FYI, you can connect two pairs of Airpod's to one iPad to listen/watch something together so no need for the Airfly.

For me, other than spare USB C to C cables the best things are
- USB C to A adaptors
- The Wicked Chilli phone holder which gives you a screen in front of you on almost any train or plane (with your phone of course )

For laptops I am a big fan of the Samsung Galaxy Book - just so light yet strong and powerful

Ordered the adaptor through Amazon via your Link. I hope you get a Hefty comission! lol!

How's the latency with the AirFly devices?

My essentials are just the Android/Windows equivalents of yours. I envy the interconnectedness of Apple products, but I just can't stand with the iPhone controls (I'm a Gen Z, btw).

Feel free to call me poor for being an Android/Windows user.

Another use for the AirFly is if you happen to do any audioguide/tour, you could opt out of using the disposable wired earphones they give you and save the world from a bit more plastic waste. A bonus is any companion that wants to share an audioguide with you can do so, and wirelessly too!

I would add a door stop alarm to the list, a great device that will alert you if anyone opens your hotel room door.

I would recommend a 2nd smartphone. Or if you normally carry 2, then a 3rd phone.

Swore by the Anker "cube" power strip for years. That said, one has to be very careful purchasing the newer models like the one in your photo.

The old USB-A-only version would provide fast charging to multiple items plugged in. The newer ones that include the one USB-C port severely throttle down charging speed when multiple items are connected. It's so bad that I switched back to the old one and bring the AC "block" to charge my iPad via one of the 3 AC outlets.

You should do a post sometime on how to download TV shows to an iPad. I truly have no clue.

I noticed that I would have some pairing issues between my phone and AirPods after using the AirFly. However, it's been a while since I used the AirFly (haven't been traveling much) and perhaps there have been some software updates that have fixed it.

Another gadget I love (kinda related to tech since it's for the phone) is a wallet phone case for my iPhone. I can store 4-5 card in a slide out slot in the back of the case and use this instead of carrying a seperate wallet. Less to worry about losing or keep track of.

I'm curious about which paid services you use. Entertainment, data storage, etc.

Great Post. I’m commenting only because I literally threw away my old Bose Overear phones a couple hours ago. Ha! Still interested in your iPods or the Bose wireless, I’m still using wired Bose NC buds. Will check into AirFly.
Since retirement don’t need a lap top. iPad iPhone with your adapter/charger.
Stop on!

Agreed on many of these, but for the universal travel adapter I've gone back to buying individual plug adapters. I used to always bring it, but the size and weight of it would often cause it to pull out of outlets. I got tired of trying to prop it up. My current travel adapters have two outlets per plug to it's like a mini power strip and they fit snugger in outlets. I bring two so I can set up different devices in different places, like a laptop on a desk and a phone by the bed.

I don't know how they compare to Apple's but Bose does offer earbuds. I switched to them for their size and find them pretty good, not as good as the over-the-ear ones, but good given how much smaller they are.

Sounds crazy but I never travel without my Apple TV, remote, power cord and HDMI cord.

Oh and I have just ordered one of these Bagel power strips:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B01NH0B0X3/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A3DHIDKFMBHW4K&psc=1

Love the AirFly, it's been a game changer for me. I pair it to my Bose noise cancelling ear buds.

Does anyone know if there is a 2- or 3-pronged adapter for the AirFly? My only complaint is sometimes there is static when using the single prong on a multi-pronged plugin!

Same here, but with Google. It came in really handy for 2 of us to watch "home" TV on our 4-month RTW trip (with NordVPN, of course).

I bought the Anker but switched back to my old solution because the Anker cord was too thick and heavy. Old solution was a 4-plug power strip with a short cord that wrapped around (I think Ben recommended it years ago) along with a good old-fashioned 8-ft extension cord, with 3 plug spots. The only thing I sacrifice is the extra USB-C and A ports, but I have those on my travel plug adapter.

One more to add: 3-in-one Wireless phone charger/Apple Watch charger/earbuds charger. Search "Yoxinta wireless 3 in 1 charging station" on Amazon, but there are others. One plug with USB-C charges 3 devices, and it makes a nice bedside night stand for your iPhone in standby mode. Just make sure you get one that doesn't require you to also bring your Apple Watch charger.

Pixelbook Go, two Pixel phones, two pair of UGREEN HiTune T2 earbuds
Apple dual USB-C power block, Apple international adapter kit, Belkin USB-C/USB-A 10k battery
Native Union 8-foot USB-C to USB-C cable, 6-foot USB-C to USB-C
Native Union 6-foot USB-A to USB-C, plus A to C male/female and female/male adapters

Apple Vision Pro! I bought one the day it came out and it has completely changed my travel experience, it offers the same viewing experience as being front and center in a theatre, totally removes you from the feeling of being on a plane, unbelievable tech leap.

A travel with a wireless HDMI connector. Not all televisions on my travels have screencasting, so being able to plug an HDMI dongle to the back of the TV and then the transmitter to my tablet, phone or laptop works great. I also bring along a Bluetooth mouse and mini keyboard to hook up to my tablet when I don't bring my laptop. Finally, an LED rechargeable reading light that clips onto my books.

Agree on mostly a good llst. For the majority of the world that is using a Samsung phone (67 percent world wide vs 31 percent iPhone), their Smart Tag (in full and pocket size) is just as good a performer as Apple Air Tags, with more nearby users abroad to help locate a lost item. On smart phones more generally, I recommend either a second phone or one with dual-sim capacity (or purchasing an e-sim) to ensure local connectivity and avoid roaming charges.

I would add a portable battery powered fan. It’s great to have when a plane doesn’t have air gaspers or in a hotel with mediocre AC

I always carry a very simple light cheap extension cord because sometimes there is no outlet near you at an airport or even some hotels. Just happened at the Westin in New Orleans. Not a single outlet by the desk if you can believe it. I have used it in multiple airports and hotels. Also convenient bc you can plug in multiple items. Also if there is only 1 outlet in a public space and one person is already using it they are usually more than happy to plug into the ext cord. That said always travel with 2 adaptors for each country - not only in case one stops working but also if you want to share an outlet with someone (i.e. they would need to be able to plug into your ext cord and if they are not from the US then you'd need that adaptor)

No one needs 3 phones, let's be real here.

Basically your apple products and everything you need to make sure they stay charged. Lol

I have also recently purchased a Mogics Bagel universal power strip. This looks a little more travel ready than the one Ben has.

This is my latest must have gadget for travel. It can charge both your Iphone and your new iPad and Mac with the 2 different connections . Buy in a pack of 4 to save. No cables needed but to charge it also has 2 types of usb connections
https://www.pulsecharge.com.au/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwupGyBhBBEiwA0UcqaIZsjj71U2WhbuF-WP_6hmIAdFR7J3DBD5vQ_nvcDrqiFA2ShHpBvBoCvN4QAvD_BwE

I have everyone of those in my bag. I also have AirPod max.

Seems like a promotion Apple products. You also incorrectly use the word adaptor. An adaptor does not convert the current and just changes the type of plug. Converters are usually larger because they convert the current voltage too.

This is wrong.
Samsung doesn't have 67% of the market, nor does only 2% belongs to non Samsung or iPhones.

Google just opened Android's crowd source network so it should significantly be better than Samsung and iPhone tracking combined.

Any VR headset can do that at a fraction of the price.

Nor does the headset makes your 30" pitch feel bigger.

Let's be real here.

640K ought to be enough for anybody.

Cellular phones will absolutely not replace local wire systems.

There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.

The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty.

How, sir, would you make a ship sail against the wind and currents by lighting a bonfire under her deck?

A history of middle fingers to Mark Christopher.

I like posts like these cuz you do travel a bunch so your viewpoints on these things are nice.

This is the last trip these Bose are coming on. First trip without my MacBook - phone and iPad only. And first trip w/ the air fly!

While I love my AirPods Pro for everyday use, I never board an airplane without a wired set of earphones with passive NC. I have a set of Sennheiser MM 30i, which have been going strong for about 10 years. Wireless headphones will not last the duration of a long flight, and it gets worse as they age and battery life goes down. More concerning is they consume way more battery power from your phone/tablet, and it’s no fun landing and wondering if you’ll have enough juice to order an Uber. Sure, you can charge on the plane most of the time, but plenty of times the in seat power is either not there or not working. A good set of wired buds is not expensive yet very small and light.

The travel power adapter is something I swear by but I think that it's wiser to purchase one that uses GaN as the power conduit. GaN has superior thermal properties and better power switching to multiple devices. It's better positioned to be a safer and more reliable power adapter.

I’d like to support Pez member post.
The Anker portable power strip is not portable at all. On the snapshot it looks like portable, but it’s quite bulky and the extension cable is rather short. I use a 15 feet extension cord (no power cube, just a power outlet) that is very compact when folded.

A travel adapter is just impractical, too large and bulky, often don't fit in the outlets. Conference rooms where the outlets are integrated in to the tables, hotel rooms with semi hidden outlets in the desk it night stand. Much easier to have the appropriate chargers for the country you go to. I have 5 different comfort kits packed with the cables I would need to various destinations. Just bring what I need for my trips.

A travel columnist doss not need 3 phones.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned a travel router. Personally I bring a GL-iNET AR750 (older model, the newer is much larger). This easily permits one to share a wired or wireless connections but more importantly if you pair it with another router at home you can easily set up a private VPN (works great with Netflix).
I connect to the hotel wifi and can connect all of my devices without having to reenter passwords and they all end up with my home IP address. The slate also has a physical switch that allows you to turn off the vpn without needing to go into the configuration page

This is really interesting, never thought about getting one. 100% should get a write up on OMAT of how to use this.

Clearly there are some who choose to write a comment without actually reading the article.
The author made it clear at the outset that the items mentioned are his personal choice of travel accessories.
As an Apple technology user it makes perfect sense to choose compatible devices.
Other devices are available from alternative manufacturers, however, if one wants the best then ….

Surely only organised crime team members need more than one mobile telephone to avoid arrest and carry out illegal activities?
How many chargers, mains and other connection cable, emergency power packs, etc, would one need to carry?
The experienced traveler is well aware that arriving in numerous countries with three mobile telephones, etc, is bound to alert the authorities to the extravagance.

Not sure if it qualifies as tech but i dont leave the country without a Portable Carbon Monoxide alarm. Its the size of an ipod and $10. So simple and potentially life saving.

Steve, I have one I use for our motorhome. I never thought of bringing on regular travel though — what specifically are you concerned about and where do you put it (we don’t use AirBNB’s or anything like that, but hotels, cruise ships, etc are all places we might stay). Happy to bring it, but I want to make sure I am using effectively. Thanks!

He probably has the Hotel Rancho Pescadero in his mind. Can't say it's a bad idea.

I know I mentioned my usb powered fan earlier but I forgot to add my Firewalla purple in case a hotel only supports a single internet connection for a fee, then I can share across all my devices. I can also use it to sign into my network at home as I have a Firewalla gold as well. Lot less likely to get filtered due to an IP block in cases of streaming

I found the airfly pro kept disconnecting from my shokz headphones. Couldn’t use it with them. Am going to test it with other Bluetooth headphones.

Use your iPhone or iPad for the remote…1 less thing to carry

Great write up. I’d be concerned about the weight including the Samsung galaxy notebook although I’ve nearly given away trying to do carry on only.

I’ll never give up taking my Bose noise cancelling headphones. So handy when sitting near noisy adjacent passengers, kids especially…

I do carry a temperature/humidity gadget for hotel rooms as I always like to know the room temperature for a good night's sleep.

Sorry meant apple laptop. I was thinking of the Samsung Galaxy notebook someone mentioned in the comments.

You do know what those earpods are doing to your brain. Simple magnetics. Wire is better despite being considered old fashioned.

…. Thereby lies your problem Eskimo, size anxiety, alternatively, could it be a funding challenge?
Clearly you responded with destine to those of us who choose Apple products over the alternatives. There is an old English saying …. “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it darlink”, you may even like Apple products once you have tried them Eskimo.

AirPod style earbuds are not my preference because they're way too easy to lose if you fall asleep.

I use a neckband set of wireless headphones from 1more which keeps them attached to my body and provides a much better battery life as well as great sound quality and very good active noise cancelation.

The ANC isn't quite as powerful as my full size Bose or Sony headsets, but it's still great for travel at a fraction of the bulk.

If the battery does run down, a quick 10 minute charge will bring them back to life for hours. I've had mine for 3 years and they still pack about 10 hours of use. I carry a battery pack with me to charge my phone, so even if they're aren't power outlets at the seat, I can recharge them when needed.

https://global.1more.com/products/dual-driver-anc-pro-wireless-in-ear-headphones-ehd9001ba

After suffering through a 12 hour Asiana flight where the cabin was kept at 85°, I never fly without my $12 AOCOOL fan. It's a life saver.