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Travel has shaped a lot of who I am — not in a "find yourself" kind of way, but in a "this is how I stay sane" kind of way. I love heading out solo, sharing new places with my wife or my friends or revisiting my favorite places through my daughter's eyes. It's how I reset, get inspired and yeah, occasionally convince myself that $20 airport hummus and kombucha is "self-care".
That said, travel isn't always glamorous. There are delays, middle seats and the ongoing overhead bin showdown — and I've been through all of it more times than I can count. Still, after enough miles and enough mistakes, I've figured out which gear actually helps. A few key essentials have taken my travel days from barely tolerable to surprisingly enjoyable — even when I'm stuck in the back row.
Some of these picks are small luxuries that add a touch of comfort, while others, like a solid pair of noise-cancelling headphones or an e-reader, are now a non-negotiable in my book (pun intended). Whether you're looking to upgrade your in-flight setup, streamline your packing or just avoid some common travel pitfalls, here are deals on gear that can make your next trip smoother.
Over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones
One of the best flights I've ever taken was a 13-hour jaunt from Detroit to Japan. Sounds awful, right? Not for me. I fell asleep before we took off, woke up for a bit when the cabin crew came by with the in-flight meal, and fell asleep again until we landed in Tokyo. It was the first time I'd used active noise-cancelling headphones, and while I can't say that they were the sole reason I was able to relax and fall asleep, I haven't taken a flight without them since.
If you're all in on Apple and want something better than the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods Max deliver in a big way. These over-ear headphones pack a serious punch with spatial audio, giving listeners a fully immersive sound that makes them feel like they're right in the middle of the action.
Active noise cancellation keeps out distractions, but when you need to stay aware, just switch to Transparency mode. With up to 20 hours of battery life and plush memory foam ear cushions, these are built for comfort and long listening sessions, buyers say. And, just like with the AirPods, switching between devices is smooth and seamless.
These Sony headphones aren't just any old pair of cans. With top-tier noise-cancelling tech, they let you block out the world and dive into your music, podcasts or calls with clarity.
They boast a solid 30 hours of battery life as well as quick charging (a 10-minute charge will get you five hours of playback), so you won't be hunting for an outlet mid-flight. And with touch-sensor controls, adjusting volume or skipping tracks is as easy as a tap.
If you don't want to spend hundreds on a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, I get it. While I would love to throw on a pair of AirPods Pros the next time I get on a flight, $500 for most people is a lot. These Edifier headphones aren't going to beat the AirPods in any comparison tests, but at $59 they're less than one-eighth the price and the noise-cancelling is still quite impressive and the 49 hour battery life will keep your tunes playing whether you're on a puddle jumper or flying across the world.
Noise-cancelling earbuds
One of the first things I like to do when I land in a new place (after checking into my hotel or Airbnb) is go for a run, and I never run without my earbuds. They're also my go-to for long flights when my over-the-ear headphones start to feel uncomfortable, but I still want noise-cancelling.
If you love all things Apple, these are the earbuds you want. The AirPods Pro 2 take everything great about the originals and add improved sound quality, active noise cancellation and a more comfortable fit. They're perfect for staying immersed in music or taking calls on the go, with a battery that gives you up to six hours of listening time per charge — and up to 30 hours with the charging case.
Plus, they're dust-, sweat- and water-resistant, so no worries about getting caught in a downpour during your morning run. Seamless connection with all your Apple devices makes switching between your iPhone, iPad and Mac a breeze.
Want noise cancellation but don't like the feeling of those silicone tips in your ears? We don't blame you. For the first time, this generation of AirPods has this feature, as well as adaptive audio and personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking.
"The basic AirPod version 1 that started it all used to be my favorite," said this repeat buyer. "They were light, comfortable, and did not fall out somehow. Every other version has had issues. These are the first to improve in all aspects since the beginning. They are not as rooted in my ear, but only slightly. However, in every other way, especially sound, they are a vast improvement. Also, noise-cancelling without a form-fitting earpiece is incredible."
E-reader
I used to bring at least a few paperbacks with me on every business trip. As a serial book collector, my bookshelves (and luggage) started to fill up, fast. Not wanting to subject my back to moving boxes full of books after buying my house a few years ago, I finally joined the 21st century and bought a Kindle. I don't know why I waited so long. Now I can take my entire library with me whenever I travel without having to worry about carrying all that extra weight through the airport.
I love the feel of paperbacks, but I don't love the space they take up in my carry-on or the weight they add to my already heavy (I'm not a light packer) personal item. This Kindle will easily disappear into your luggage until you want to use it, and the battery will easily last a whole weeklong (or two) vacation.
While the Kindle is full price currently, it does go on sale quite frequently, so keep an eye on it.
Tablet
While my Kindle is great for reading books, when it comes to magazines, I prefer to read in color. Also, I usually fly on United these days, and while I can't complain (too much) about their service, the one thing they tend to lack in comparison with my Delta flying days is in-flight entertainment. No sweat: It just means I have to fill up my tablet with episodes of The West Wing before takeoff. Easy.
The newest iPad is an ultra-light, thin tablet that's powerful enough to replace your laptop for most tasks but slips into your bag with room to spare. With a spacious 11-inch Liquid Retina display, you're swiping and scrolling in vibrant color and sharpness that makes any screen that came before it feel like an old tube TV.
If you've got a habit of toggling among a dozen apps, streaming videos and replying to messages simultaneously, you're in for a treat. This iPad is ready to keep up with whatever you throw its way. And if you're into gaming, the graphics capabilities mean you can play even demanding games without dropping a frame.
Save $50 | Lowest price ever
Only bringing a personal item with you? Forget the full-size iPad, the mini is your new best-friend. This new generation of the compact tablet features Apple Intelligence, an A17 Pro chip and 128GB memory, double the usual base standard.
"There are many iPad sizes and models, but this one is the best for me. I use it almost exclusively for entertainment," said this buyer. "With all of its RAM and a powerful processor, it makes quick work of complicated web pages that used to slow (or crash) my older iPad that this one replaces. The size and weight make it easy to take when traveling. My only real quibble: I wish there was a headphone jack, but that ship sailed a while ago for iPads."
Save $100 | Lowest price ever
Smartwatch
Unless you hit the ground running, literally, when you land, it can sometimes be a chore to get all of your steps in when on a long, international flight. Luckily, my watch reminds me to get up out of my seat every couple of hours and go for a walk, even if it is just up and down the aisle. That keeps my legs, and the rest of my body, fresh and energized until we land.
With a larger crystal-clear display, features like Fall and Crash Detection and the powerful S10 chip driving it all, this is one of the most powerful Apple Watches yet.
"This is my first Apple Watch purchase after owning several versions of the Fitbit," said this new-to-the-club fan. "I've found this watch to be one of those devices you never knew you needed until you bought one. It's a great extension of my iPhone and I don't regret skipping the cellular option (I'm used to carrying my phone with me all the time). I'm glad I waited for the model 10 because it fits on my hand much better than some of the thicker earlier models."
Save $100 | Lowest ever price
If you've been eyeing an Apple Watch but need to stick to a budget, this deal is tailor-made for you. The 2023-released SE packs everything you need — from heart rate and step tracking to crash detection — and it's now at its most affordable price yet.
"The durability is outstanding," said one five-star reviewer. "I was a bit careless and forgot the watch in my pants when I was doing laundry. Luckily, after a 40-minute wash and a 50-minute dry on high heat, the watch worked perfectly fine."
Item tracker
Before we had kids and far, far more luggage, my wife and I used to fly Frontier frequently. Not needing to pay extra to choose a seat or bring along a carry-on made for an insanely cheap flying experience. Once, though, we did check a bag — and while we ended up in Michigan for a wedding, our luggage took a vacation down to Orlando. Luckily, I was able to find the bags, thanks to having an AirTag in all of our luggage.
If it's within 30 feet, your iPhone will locate it, right down to the centimeter. If it's farther afield, Apple's Find My network should help you pinpoint it. Just be prepared to buy some cases so you can clip these gizmos to your keychains and other valuables.
Portable Power Bank
Long international trips can be stressful. Making sure you make your connections, that all of your luggage is with you, going through customs ... all of that can be aggravated by a low phone battery, especially if your phone is also your ticket. That's why I never travel without a power bank. If my phone is getting low, I plug it in and it can go for days.
The bonus of this charger is that it doesn't need a cable; it's already built in. I have a little packing cube specifically for all of my plugs and cables, and it's a pain to sort through that bird's nest of wires in an attempt to find the right one. With the Anker power bank, that problem is gone. Now if I could only I could get rid of the cables for my phone, computer, iPad, Kindle and Garmin. Maybe one day...
With a 10,000-mAh capacity, this is one powerful charger — and it's only a half-inch thick.
"I use this when I travel, it works wonderfully," a shopper said. "I love the blue paw print that shows exactly how much charge you have left. I also love the feel of it — the texture is not slippery which makes it easy to hold. It is lightweight and about the size of a deck of cards. Battery life is great. I have left it for days and it retains its charge."
Multi-port USB charger
Micro-USB, Mini-USB, Lightning, USB-C — charging cables (and voltages) are all over the place these days. If you're traveling in North America, this three-port charger can power most of your devices at once, saving you from hunting down multiple charging blocks. And if you're into photography like me, you probably have more than three devices to charge — luckily, it's cheap enough to grab two.
If you're tired of searching for your devices' charging adapters, this one covers all the bases.
"I've found that Anker consistently makes great products, including chargers, power packs, and other things," wrote this devotee. "I use this charger daily to charge or power-up multiple devices. iPad? No problem. Steam Deck? No problem. Heck, I even charge a cat toy with this thing! A great feature of this particular charger is that it 'intelligently' provides power to each of its three ports based on what's plugged-in."
If all you're worried about is charging your phone or tablet, there's no need to go overboard on a charger than can power a Hollywood editing suite. This two-pack from Anker features four ports — two USB-A and two USB-C — as well as twi included USB-C cables.
International travel adapter
In a previous career, I was a professional photographer, a job that took me all over the world. On my first trip overseas, I quickly realized that a single travel adapter wasn’t going to cut it — not with my phone, camera gear, laptop and iPad all needing to stay juiced up. When I walked into a local shop, I was stunned by the price of an adapter. But with no other choice, I sighed and shelled out way too much money for a quick fix.
Don't be like me — be prepared. This bad boy can charge up to six devices at once and works in over 150 countries, saving you from overpriced last-minute buys. This doodad features four types of plugs as well as several USB ports and an AC socket.
Bags to keep it all organized
Okay, technically, bags aren't tech, but keeping everything organized is a must if you want a headache-free flight. I've been flying frequently since 2008, and the bags and packing cubes I bring along have changed a few times, but the past few years, I've settled on these options. The best luggage can vary from person to person based on a variety of factors: Are you a heavy or light packer? How long of a trip do you normally go on? Are you packing for just you or also a kid? I tend to pack slightly heavier and bring a bit of tech and camera gear along, so your (airline) mileage may vary.
When it comes to fitting all of your stuff in a backpack that'll slide easily under the seat in front of you, the Mini MLC is my go-to. In fact, both my wife and I have one for exactly that purpose. It can easily hold enough clothes for a week's worth of travel and has a bunch of pockets to organize all of the tech you bring along.
Forget the rat's nest of cables and pile of chargers at the bottom of your carry-on. This pouch keeps everything organized, so you know exactly where it is when you need it. I keep mine packed and ready to go at all times, so I can throw it in my backpack and know I have everything I need with me.
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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