If you want to stay powered up, tuned in, hydrated, organized and in possession of your luggage while traveling, heed the recommendations from these high-flying experts. (Getty)
Delayed flights, dying phone batteries and lousy in-flight meals — seasoned travelers know the struggle all too well. But the right gear can take your trip from barely tolerable to downright enjoyable. With a few smart upgrades, you can sidestep the usual travel headaches and actually look forward to the journey.
From noise-canceling earbuds that block out unhappy kids to a portable charger that keeps your phone alive mid-layover, we’ve rounded up the travel tech that makes a real difference. These are the gadgets flight crews swear by — and if anyone knows how to travel well, it’s the people who do it for a living. We spoke with a flight attendant and combed through expert picks to find the best-of-the-best travel essentials. Here’s what made the cut.
For more travel recommendations, check out our frequent flyer-approved list of the best luggage.
Update, Apr. 13, 2025: We checked all prices and availability.
Traveling abroad? Keep in mind that outlets vary by country. This gadget will keep you plugged in from Stockholm to Shanghai and in all points in between. This all-in-one model includes four USB-A connectors and a USB-C.
"Bought this for our nephew who is prepping for his first trip to Europe!" said one travel pro. "This travel adapter is all in one piece and very sturdy; I am getting a couple for my husband and I, as we are flight attendants! Not having to worry about missing pieces is great!"
While most frequent travelers will tell you that the easiest way to prevent lost luggage is not to check any, that just isn't realistic for everyone. And while Apple AirTags are great for keeping track of your keys and wallet, let's think a little bigger: You can also use them to keep tabs on your luggage.
"I put one in my flight attendant bag whenever I have to check it," said one five-star reviewer. "These are super easy to use and definitely worth the money."
Tired of arriving at your destination with parched, papery skin? Here's a fix. This compact humidifier operates via USB, comes with two spray modes and has a convenient LED night light — an especially nice touch in an unfamiliar hotel room.
Simon Wu, a flight attendant for Cathay Pacific, told Yahoo that this is a must, thanks to dry cabin air. "I absolutely need a humidifier for my skin after a long plane ride," he says. "This small one makes it very easy to pack."
While Apple AirPods are popular, Wu prefers Google Pixel Buds Pro. These noise-cancelling earbuds can go for up to 31 hours with the charging case. "The Pixel Buds are a must-have when I'm taking a nap during my shift break," he says. Plus, you can ask Google for directions or use it to answer calls and control your music, keeping everything hands-free.
You'll be using your phone a lot on your trip — not just for staying in touch with folks back home, but for directions, activity recommendations, maybe even to download or scan tickets. All that will certainly drain the battery, and a power bank is a must.
"As a flight attendant, I use this pretty much every day!" exclaimed one travel pro. "This is the best portable charger I have had! I never write reviews, but this one definitely deserves 6 stars."
This universal travel adapter comes with a 110-volt to 220-volt converter, which is a must for using appliances such as curling irons and fans abroad.
"We do a lot of traveling and these have been great," said this travel pro. "Much more than an adapter, we were able to use all of our electronics abroad. I got one for myself and one for my wife. We've used them on cruise ships for extra outlets and hotels as well. I won't go anywhere without these again."
Not every hotel room has a microwave, which is a pain if you want to heat up leftovers or breakfast. A solution? This electric food-warming tote that has become something of a cult hit among flight crews.
"I absolutely love my Hot Logic," said this five-star reviewer. "I've been a flight attendant for a really long time and this is my second one. ... I mostly do turns (day trips), but even on those, I take this with me just in case we don't make it home and have to stay overnight somewhere. ... Outside of North America, microwaves in hotels are almost impossible to find. The Hot Logic works great with converters as well. Just keep an eye on how hot it may get when using a converter."
Errant cables and plugs can make an already chaotic experience (travel, of course) even nuttier, but corraling your accessories like this makes at least packing a breeze. And it's waterproof!
"I'm a corporate trainer and I travel a lot for work," said one. "I use any number of different cords and attachments, and this thing fits them all. There's room for my jet pack, laser pointer, and dongles, there's a zippered pocket for small things like flash drives, and there's a larger pocket with Velcro closure that holds a twelve-foot HDMI cord. I legitimately bought them in every color available for the other trainers on my team and they love them, too"
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
