Headphones, portable chargers, and more

Adam Molina / Android Authority

Travel is coming back into the global picture, at least once we all get our vaccinations. If you’ve already scheduled your next trip, you might be looking for a few accessories to top off your luggage. Here are a few of the best travel gadgets you can get right now. From headphones and gaming systems to cables and storage, we’ve done our best to cover just about everything you could want.

The best travel gadgets

Editor’s note: We will update our list of the best travel gadgets as new products launch.

AmazonBasics Luggage

Even if you’re visiting a location for only a few days, durable luggage is vital. You certainly won’t fit all the clothing, toiletries, small possessions, and souvenirs you buy into a simple backpack. To that end, we recommend the AmazonBasics Luggage three-pack.

It’s not that we aren’t fans of smart luggage around here. The problem is that airlines aren’t big fans of smart luggage due to their batteries. For example, Delta Airlines forces you to remove the batteries in all instances. That means carry-on and checked smart luggage can’t have batteries in them before you board the plane. We have a list of options if you still want smart luggage, though.

See also: The best smart luggage products for traveling in comfort

Keeping these restrictions in mind, it makes more sense and is cheaper to get regular luggage. The AmazonBasics Luggage three-piece set comprises 21-, 26-, and 30-inch cases. Each case features four spinner wheels and a rugged exterior.

Sony WH-1000XM4

Adam Molina / Android Authority

There are plenty of fabulous headphones out there, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 remains our top pair of over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones when it comes to travel gadgets. The touch-sensitive earcups let you skip and pause your music, change the volume, and bring up your phone’s personal assistant.

More: The best Bluetooth headphones you can find right now

More importantly, the Sony WH-1000XM4 sounds great and exhibited the best noise-cancelling in the business in our testing. This means you can easily block out sound in airplanes or other noisy travel places. And you can hear what’s around you if you cup your hand over the right earcup. The headphones also use Sony’s own LDAC Bluetooth codec for improved data streaming rates. Even the microphone quality was impressive and flat.

Nintendo Switch Lite

The Nintendo Switch OLED is currently the best the company offers, but it’s not exactly the most portable system. Also, the price tag puts it out of range for those whose wallets don’t stretch that far or those with several Nintendo fans at home. Enter the Nintendo Switch Lite.

The weight difference between it and the regular Switches isn’t much on paper, but you’ll notice it in real life. Plus, the smaller size means you can stuff the Switch Lite in places you couldn’t fit the regular bigger devices. You get access to the Switch’s impressive catalog of games, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Doom, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Other options: The best gaming consoles you can get

However, you can’t dock the Switch Lite. There’s also no rumble support, auto-brightness, or removable Joy-Cons. Finally, we don’t yet have an official tally on how many people are affected by the stick drift issue. There’s a class-action lawsuit against Nintendo over the issue, though most people should be fine.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

The Kindle Paperwhite’s 17 display LEDs let you adjust the brightness and allow for uniform backlighting. The e-reader also features an IPX8 rating for water protection, Bluetooth, Amazon’s Audible service support, and weeks of battery life.

If you’re looking for something smaller or more affordable, you should also consider the regular Kindle. It lacks some fancier features, but it takes things to the basics and does so amazingly.

Ravpower Pioneer 65W 4-Port GaN Tech USB-C Desktop Charger

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

If you’re going to take all of these devices when you travel, you’re going to need a powerful wall charger to keep them all energized. Even the largest power banks run out of battery eventually. That’s where the Ravpower Pioneer 65W 4-Port GaN Tech USB-C Desktop Charger comes in — fully loaded with two smart USB-A ports and two Power Delivery USB-C options.

Other options: The best wall chargers

You can take advantage of fast 65W speeds if you charge one device at a time or plug in your entire collection, and the wall charger will manage the speed automatically. The charger itself is pretty small. And while it was designed to be used on desks, it also works as an excellent all-in-one charger for your traveling needs.

Otterbox Fast Charge Qi Wireless Power Bank

You can’t always plug into the wall when traveling. Sometimes you’ll be hard-pressed even to find an outlet! That’s when a good portable battery comes in handy, and the Otterbox Qi Wireless Power Bank is one of our favorites.

Also: The best portable chargers

This unit comes with a 15,000mAh battery, which isn’t amazing, but it’s a pretty sizeable capacity. What makes this option special is its other features. For starters, it comes with 10W wireless charging, which will make it easier to charge your devices anywhere. Both the USB-A and USB-C ports also support 18W charging. Like other Otterbox products, this power bank is also rugged, can survive a fall, and is waterproof.

Tile Pro

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Assuming you took our advice and opted for regular luggage, you might want a clever way to keep track of it. Heck, you’ll want to keep track of everything you have when traveling. That’s where the Tile Pro with a 400-foot range comes in. It’s also the loudest Tile Bluetooth tracker available and has an IP67 rating, making it water and dust-resistant.

This version is slightly bigger than previous iterations, but it’s small enough to fit on your key ring, bag, and everything in between. The Tile app lets you keep track of the Tile Pro and sends you location updates for your stuff. Better yet, you can anonymously recruit other Tile users within the app if you misplace your stuff.

Alternatives: The best Bluetooth trackers you can find

Tile trackers are among the best travel gadgets because they work with both Apple and Android devices. Other worthy options are exclusive to their manufacturers, such as Apple AirTags and Samsung SmartTags.

Peak Design Everyday Sling

If you’re bringing several devices with you, that means you’re bringing cables. Even if you don’t have many cables, you might have other small accessories, such as pens, a notepad, or chargers. The Peak Design Everyday Sling is a great accessory if you want to remain organized.

Featuring a 10-liter capacity, the Everyday Sling isn’t lacking in storage. You can store pens and SD cards in elastic accessory loops near the top, while the large pockets are perfect for smaller laptops, chargers, game consoles, and even some drones. There’s even an external zip pocket with a cable pass-through for simpler charging.

Amazon Basics Double Braided Nylon cable

You have to have a charging cable you can trust when you’re on the go. If you’re on a plane, you probably don’t want too much extra length that can get tangled either. This Amazon Basics USB-C cable offers a combination of portability and durability without breaking the bank. Available in one-foot and three-foot lengths, it’s a handy option just about anywhere.

Also read: The best USB-C cables

The total length of the cable is double braided and available in red, gold, silver, and dark gray. No matter which color you pick, the Amazon Basics USB-C cable should last a while, and it delivers a power output of up to 5V and 10Gbps data transfer. It can also charge up to 60W.

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

One of the most crucial travel gadgets is an adapter to ensure that your devices never run out of charge. This international travel adapter should do the trick with an all-in-one design covering 150 countries. The adapter opens so you can choose from US, European, Australian, and British-type prongs, while the input port features a unique universal design.

You can also plug four USB-A cables and one USB-C option to save space. The convenient design stores all of your adapter connections with compact sliding controls. Epicka doesn’t recommend using high-voltage appliances like coffee makers or hairdryers, but as long as you stay below 6.3A, you should be good to go.

Omoton portable laptop stand

Even on vacation, you might find that you need to whip out your laptop and get a bit of work done. Whether you’re a travel blogger or you need to send one last work email, a portable stand can be one of the most convenient travel gadgets. Omoton has a convenient folding option that adjusts to six comfortable heights.

See also: The best laptop stands you can buy

Another perk that comes with a laptop stand is improved heat dissipation. After all, when your laptop is lifted, it offers more space for the fans to do their thing. The Omoton portable stand is just 1.75 inches wide and 9.4 inches long when folded.

Apple iPad Mini

Nick Fernandez / Android Authority

You likely already have a smartphone, but we would advise you also consider a tablet. Tablets are great secondary devices to take on your travel adventures, not to mention they can often replace laptops or even e-readers. Apple continues to make some of the best tablets around, and the iPad Mini (2021) finds an outstanding balance between portability and quality.

Do you prefer Android?: These are the best Android tablets still available

Of course, you get a gorgeous and solidly-built design. Performance is excellent, thanks to the A15 Bionic chipset. The screen is lovely, and general specs are high-end.

Do you need more help taking care of your travel plans and activities? Check out our list of the best travel apps you can use when away from home.

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