27 best Amazon travel tech gadgets

Your phone is dead. Your luggage was sent to the wrong airport. These sound like nightmares, but they can be a reality when you’re traveling. These mishaps are simply a part of the adventure, but you can be prepared with the help of travel tech gadgets. 

Whether you’re traveling a few hours away or across the globe, there are travel gadgets that can help make your trip easier, safer and (mostly) headache-free. We spoke to a travel expert, tried a few products ourselves and sorted through hundreds of top-rated products on Amazon to find the best tech to pack for your next trip. 

SKIP AHEAD The best travel tech

Our top picks

How we picked the best travel tech essentials

To figure out what types of travel tech are worth bringing along on your next trip — and which gadgets to skip — we spoke to several experts who have spent years traveling all around the world. Here’s what they recommended keeping in mind: 

  • Size: As you consider travel gadgets, it’s important to evaluate their size and weight, especially if you have limited space in your carry-on or suitcase. If you’re planning to bring something oversized, be sure it’s worth the real estate in your bag. For instance, cameras are a popular item to bring while traveling, but many experts suggest leaving them behind because they’re bulky: “Cell phone cameras are so advanced now that you can take phenomenal photos on your mobile,” says Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato.
  • Convenience: Whether you’re taking a car, plane, train or bus, the best travel tech gadgets provide convenience when you’re on the road, ensuring you’re comfortable and prepared for common travel issues. Almost all of the experts we spoke to recommended a power bank as their top travel accessory. Marchant explains that these devices are a convenient way to charge electronics in airports, on airplanes (or other modes of transportation) and while exploring your destination. 
  • Peace of mind: The right technology can also help reduce stress while you travel, allowing you to make the most of the experience. For this reason, our experts highly recommend devices like Bluetooth trackers, personal safety devices and noise-canceling headphones. “I always put AirTags in every piece of checked luggage, especially if making multiple transfers, as it can greatly save headaches and stress,” explains Marchant. 

The best travel tech gadgets on Amazon to buy

Using the guidance of travel experts, we sorted through hundreds of popular travel tech gadgets on Amazon. The following are best-selling devices that are highly rated by thousands of shoppers, and you may want to grab a few of them for your next trip. 

Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter

4.4-star average rating from over 8,300 reviews

This wireless audio transmitter plugs into the in-flight entertainment system on airplanes and sends the audio directly to wireless Bluetooth headphones. This allows you to listen to movies or other content without being tethered to the seat by a cord. The transmitter can also be used on gym equipment, televisions or gaming devices, and it lasts for up to 20 hours per charge, according to the brand. 

Apple AirTag 

4.7-star average rating from over 126,700 reviews

For iPhone users, AirTags are an inexpensive way to keep tabs on your luggage, keys or other belongings while traveling. The location of these Bluetooth-powered trackers can be monitored through the Find My app. If the AirTag is within Bluetooth range of your phone, its Precision Finding feature will point you toward it, or you can see its location on a map if you’re further away.

Fyy Travel Cable Organizer

4.5-star average rating from over 13,100 reviews

You can keep electronics and all their accessories neatly organized with this travel pouch. It comes in 11 colors, and there are two compartments inside with various pockets to store charging cables, power banks and more. The cable organizer is compact enough to put in a carry-on or handbag, and the exterior is water-resistant to protect its contents, according to the brand. 

Conair Handheld Travel Garment Steamer

4.3-star average rating from over 19,000 reviews

It’s inevitable that your clothing will get a bit wrinkly while traveling, but you can remove creases with this top-rated travel garment steamer. It heats up in less than a minute, and its high-velocity steam will help smooth wrinkles on shirts, dresses, and other clothing — important if you’re traveling for work. It has an adjustable steam head that lets you hold it at any angle, and the device is even dual-voltage for international trips. 

Kindle Paperwhite

4.7-star average rating from over 34,000 reviews

If you like to read while traveling, this popular e-reader is a worthwhile investment. It has an 8GB storage capacity, allowing you to download dozens of books, and the glare-free display is comfortable to read even in direct sunlight. It’s lightweight and more compact than your average paperback novel, and it can last for weeks on a single charge, so you don’t have to bring a charger with you, according to the brand.

Tile Pro 

4.5-star average rating from over 10,800 reviews

Apple AirTags only work for iPhone users, so if you have an Android phone, you may want the Tile Pro instead. These trackers work similarly to AirTags, using Bluetooth to collect location data. You can make the Tile ding if you’re within Bluetooth range, or its last location will be displayed within the Tile app if the tracker is farther away. It also works in reverse — you can make your phone ding using the Tile, which can be helpful if you misplace it. 

Philips One by Sonicare

4.5-star average rating from over 23,700 reviews

This electric toothbrush is designed specifically for traveling. According to the brand, the toothbrush can last for up to three months on a single AAA battery, and it comes with a case that protects the brush head. The brush uses micro-vibrations to help clean your teeth, and it has a built-in two-minute timer that vibrates at 30-second intervals to let you know when to move to a different area of your mouth. 

iWalk Mini Portable Charger

4.3-star average rating from over 22,400 reviews

Our experts highly recommend portable chargers for traveling, and this popular model is roughly the size of a tube of lipstick, making it compact enough to fit in a carry-on, purse or your pocket. It has a built-in lightning connector for iPhones, eliminating the need for a charging cable, and its 3350mAh capacity can charge most iPhone models one full time. However, it can’t be used with Android phones. 

Yogasleep Rohm Portable White Noise Sound Machine

4.3-star average rating from over 12,600 reviews

If you have trouble sleeping in noisy hotels, this portable sound machine has three white noise audios to drown out background noise. The gadget is 3.5 inches in diameter and weighs a few ounces, allowing you to tuck it in your suitcase or backpack, and the brand says that it can be used overnight on a single charge. It charges via USB cable, and you will generally need to bring along the charger on multi-night trips. 

GL.iNet Mango Mini Pocket VPN Router

4.2-star average rating from over 10,100 reviews

This pocket VPN router can convert any public Wi-Fi network into a private network for more secure browsing. The device needs to be plugged into your laptop or a charging bank for power, and it supports more than 30 popular OpenVPN service providers, as well as Wireguard. The router is small enough to tuck in a carry-on bag or suitcase, and it’s designed to provide an extra layer of security if you’re working on the go. 

Brita Insulated Filtered Water Bottle

4.6-star average rating from over 13,200 reviews

This reusable water bottle has a filter built into the straw, and it’s designed to reduce the taste of chlorine if you fill it up at a public water fountain, according to the brand. The stainless steel bottle holds 32 ounces of water, and the brand claims it can keep your beverage cold for up to a full day.

Hicober 3-in-1 Charging Station

4.6-star average rating from over 3,000 reviews

If you travel with your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, this 3-in-1 station is a convenient option for keeping your electronics charged. Instead of bringing individual chargers for each device, you can use this all-in-one station, which has designated spots for all three products. It also folds up into a compact flat form for easy storage. 

Lightimetunnel Sleep Headphones

4.2-star average rating from over 17,700 reviews

You can block out the world around you while traveling with these Bluetooth-enabled sleep headphones. They’re shaped like a sleep mask, with light-blocking eye covers and the headband strap has comfortable flat speakers that will play audio for just you to hear. You can connect the device to your phone to play podcasts, music or just white noise, and the brand says that the headphones offer up to 12 hours of playtime per charge. 

Etekcity Luggage Scale

4.7-star average rating from over 57,000 reviews

There are hefty fees for overweight luggage, so it’s always a good idea to weigh your baggage before you head to the airport. This luggage scale has a maximum capacity of 110 pounds, and you simply hook your bag onto the braided belt to check its weight. The digital scale is compact and lightweight, so you can tuck it into the pocket of your suitcase to take along on your trip.

MiiKare Airplane Phone Holder

4.5-star average rating from over 3,000 reviews

You’ll be able to watch movies or play games comfortably on long flights with this airplane phone holder. It can be slotted into the back of an airplane seat or clamped to a tray table, and it’s compatible with most iPhone and Android phones. You can even rotate your phone 360 degrees while it’s in the stand for the optimal viewing angle. 

Miroposs Rechargeable Travel Makeup Mirror

4.7-star average rating from over 2,300 reviews

This lighted makeup mirror can help you get ready in dark hotel rooms. According to the brand, its rechargeable battery offers around 180 minutes of use per charge, and you can choose from three light settings with adjustable brightness levels. The mirror’s cover doubles as a stand, and you can adjust its angle to suit your needs. It also comes with a removable 10x magnifying mirror for more detailed tasks. 

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

4.7-star average rating from over 10,600 reviews

Travel adapters are essential when you’re going to a different country, and this universal model includes four plugs — types A, C, G, and I — that can be used in more than 150 countries. The adapter has four USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and one AC socket, supporting up to six devices at once. Just keep in mind that it’s not a voltage adapter, so AC-powered devices need to support dual-voltage operation to work in certain locations. 

Airglo Flex Flap Cell Phone Holder

4.5-star average rating from over 3,700 reviews

This cell phone holder has a metal core that’s wrapped in a faux leather cover, and you can bend it into any shape to hold up your phone or tablet. It can be used on tabletops, airplanes or even in the car, and the flat design will take up minimal space in your luggage. 

Ntonpower Travel Power Strip

4.8-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews

This power strip will give you more outlets to charge your electronics while on the road — it’s especially useful on cruise ships where outlets are limited. It has a 4-foot extension cord that wraps around the plug for compact storage, and the strip has two three-prong outlets, two two-prong outlets and three USB-A ports. There’s also extra space between the outlets to accommodate larger plugs, such as camera or laptop chargers. 

Pocketalk Classic Language Translator Device

4.0-star average rating from over 1,100 reviews

This translation device can be used to translate 82 languages, helping you to communicate in foreign countries. It has a built-in two-year mobile data plan with a global SIM card that can be used in 133 countries, and the brand says its average translation time is only 0.6 seconds, allowing you to keep up with conversations in real-time. The translator lasts for up to 240 hours per charge, and it has a simple touchscreen for operation.

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 

4.7-star average rating from over 77,000 reviews

You’ll be able to recharge electronics several times using this large-capacity power bank. Its 20,000mAh cell capacity can charge an iPhone 11 more than four times, and the brand says it charges iPhones 20% faster than other models. It has two USB ports to charge multiple devices at once, and there’s also a trickle charging mode for low-power gadgets. 

Beats Studio Buds

4.4-star average rating from over 71,400 reviews

Noise-canceling headphones are useful in loud environments if you’re trying to relax or focus on work. These wireless earbuds have active noise cancellation technology that helps to block out background noise, as well as built-in microphones that eliminate wind and other sounds when you’re on the phone. 

Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

4.5-star average rating from over 9,500 reviews

If you’re traveling alone, this personal safety alarm can provide peace of mind. It’s activated by pulling the top out of the base, and the device emits a loud siren and flashing strobe light to attract attention. It has a loop that can easily be attached to a keychain, and the alarm is reusable — just reinsert the top pin to turn it off.  

Jisulife Portable Handheld Fan

4.6-star average rating from over 11,500 reviews

This portable fan is a useful accessory if you’re traveling during the summer. It folds up into a small form that can be tucked into any bag, and the brand says that it can run for up to 21 hours per charge, depending on the setting. It has two speeds, as well as a small built-in flashlight and it can also be used as a power bank to charge electronics in a pinch. 

Braun MobileShave Electric Razor

4.2-star average rating from over 6,800 reviews

If you don’t want to take your everyday electric razor on a trip, this small model is designed for traveling. It has a swiveling cover to protect the blade in your bag and it’s powered by two AA batteries. The razor has a slide-out precision trimmer on one side, and you can wash it under running water for easy maintenance on the go. 

Lewis N Clark Travel Door Alarm

4.3-star average rating from over 2,300 reviews

This travel alarm can provide peace of mind in your hotel room or rental. The alarm is designed to hang on the doorknob, and its sensor has two metal prongs that you slide between the door and door frame. If the door is opened, the brand says that the device will sound a 91-decibel alarm to alert you. The device can also be used on your windows if needed. 

JBL Clip 4

4.8-star average rating from over 23,100 reviews

If you’re planning a hiking or camping trip, this Bluetooth speaker will provide entertainment without taking up too much space. It’s designed to clip onto a bag using its integrated carabiner, and it’s water- and dust-resistant. The speaker can play audio from your phone for up to 10 hours on a single charge, according to the brand, and it has a simple control panel that lets you start or stop the music or adjust the volume. 

Meet our experts

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

  • Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato.

Why trust Select?

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and editor who has previously covered travel lifestyle stories, along with reviewing tech gadgets like the Apple AirTags.

Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

The best tech gifts and gadgets of 2023

If you couldn’t tell, we’re unabashedly nerdy about tech here at Engadget. While our jobs revolve around testing and reviewing gadgets and reporting on technological breakthroughs and social media controversies, our staff is composed of people who genuinely love technology and everything that goes into making cool gadgets. If you have someone in your life who shares the same passion, it might be difficult to find a piece of tech that you think they’d appreciate (and one they don’t already own). Here, we’ve gathered some of our favorite gear that we’ve tested and used and think would make great gifts for the tech nerd in your life — and no, they all don’t cost a fortune.

Marshall Emberton II

Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Any tech lover will appreciate the Marshall Emberton II speaker, and not just for its good looks. The latest version of the compact, rectangular speaker has 10-watt full-range drivers and passive radiators that help deliver the balanced sound that’s signature to the brand. Its 360-degree sound makes it a great choice for small get-togethers as well as tiny desk concerts while they’re working from home. Marshall improved the battery life on this model too, bumping it up from 20 hours to 30, and it has a more durable IP67 rating as well. And if your giftee ever decides they want to expand their sound system, Stacked Mode will let them pair multiple Emberton II speakers together. – Valentina Palladino, Senior Commerce Editor

$120 at Amazon

Amazon Echo Show 15

Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

If the tech geek in your life is into smart home automation, this gift might help bring it all together. The Echo Show 15 serves at least five different purposes: a display for video doorbell feeds, smart home control deck, widget-driven bulletin board, compact smart TV and home for Alexa’s soon-to-be-chattier assistance. The 15-inch screen is big enough to accommodate all of the above and can be wall-mounted in portrait or landscape orientations. And, while it comes with a remote, it can also be operated via touchscreen or just by talking. — Amy Skorheim, Commerce Writer

$280 at Amazon

Sonos Ray

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Giving the tech-lover on your list a way to get better sound out of their TV will be a welcome treat. While soundbars can be unwieldy and expensive, the Sonos Ray is neither. The compact gadget earned a spot on our list of best soundbars thanks to its relatively small size, which will fit nicely into most living room setups. It will also provide a noticeable bump in audio quality, whether they’re watching action movies, suspenseful dramas or live sports. The Ray also supports AirPlay 2 and can be used to stream music, audiobooks and other content from various services even when the TV is off. And if your giftee decides to expand upon their audio system over time, the Ray will pair seamlessly with other Sonos gear. – VP

$279 at Sonos

DJI Mini 3

DJI

If you want to gift a true tech toy to the gadget lover in your life, you can’t go wrong with a drone. DJI’s Mini 3 is very similar to the Pro model in that it sits above it in the lineup, sans forward and rear obstacle detection and ActiveTrack. It also weighs only 249 grams, so most countries do not require users to have a special permit to fly it. The DJI Mini 3 can shoot 4K 30fps video and take 12-megapixel photos, and its camera can flip 90-degrees to offer vertical photos and video as well. DJI’s QuickShots are also supported here, which makes it easy to take short, social media-friendly videos without much human intervention — the drone does most of the work on its own. We recommend springing for the package that includes DJI’s RC controller; your giftee will thank you – it’s a lot easier to use than their smartphone. – VP

$609 at eBay

Audeze Maxwell

Audeze

The Audeze Maxwell is the best wireless gaming headset we’ve tested for those who spend lots of time gaming with friends online. First and foremost, it sounds great, with impactful but not overblown bass and a generally high level of detail that should keep your loved one enveloped in a multiplayer battle in Hello Infinite or a tense stealth scene in The Last of Us.. The detachable mic sounds clear and does a superb job of subduing background noise. It’s definitely on the bulky side, but the cushy design looks far less obnoxious than most gaming headsets. Battery life is good at roughly 80 hours, plus there are models for both PlayStation and Xbox (or PC). — Jeff Dunn, Senior Commerce Writer

$299 at Amazon

Anker Prime 20,000mAh Power Bank

Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Chances are, the person who’s into all things tech already has a spare battery pack or two, but Anker’s Prime bank is a little different. First, the 20,000 mAh size is big enough and the 100W ports are powerful enough to juice up even a laptop. There’s a display that tells you how much charge the battery has left, as well as how much it’s pumping out per port. But the best part is the recharging base. Instead of the (admittedly minor) hassle of plugging the power bank in to recharge, just set it on the base and it’ll always be ready to go. Unfortunately, the base is a separate and not inexpensive purchase, but it makes for a haute portable charging experience. — US.

$130 at Amazon

Peak Design Tech Pouch

Engadget

There’s a good chance that, when your tech-loving companion travels, they bring along the gear that means the most to them. Peak Design’s Tech Pouch will give them a way to organize all of their small gadgets and keep everything neatly in one place. The origami-style pockets can accommodate things like phones, wireless chargers, power banks, adapters, cables and more. Plus the outside shell is water resistant. The bag can stand upright even when open, which will make it easier to find what they need in a pinch, and the exterior pocket has a passthrough opening that will allow them to connect to a power source and charge up items still inside the bag. The Tech Pouch is roomy without being too big or cumbersome, making it an easy gift for anyone who’s constantly on the go. – VP

$60 at Peak Design

Logitech G PowerPlay Wireless Charging Mouse Pad

Logitech

The Logitech PowerPlay is a mouse pad that wirelessly charges a mouse as you use it. It only works with a handful of Logitech mice (we recommend the G Pro Physically charging a mouse that much of a hassle, but once your loved one no longer has to worry about cables or charging, it may be hard for them to go back. The mat also comes in both cloth and hard plastic surfaces; the former is softer and quieter, while the latter is a little slicker for fast movements in games. — J.D

$100 at Amazon

Govee M1 RGBIC LED Light Strips

Govee

Smart lights are a great way to add personality to any room, and Govee’s M1 RGBIC smart light strip will make a great gift for any tech lover who wants to match their home’s vibe to their mood. This model has an upgraded chipset, higher brightness and richer color performance than previous Govee light strips, and the entire thing can be controlled via the company’s companion app. Your giftee can customize their lights by segment, giving each a different color if they wish, and control the whole thing with Alexa or Google Assistant commands. Govee’s app has an impressive number of preset light effects and customizations, but users can create and save their own to use whenever they want. They’re sure to get regular use, whether to set the mood for their next game stream, or on movie night. – VP

$70 at Amazon

Tidbyt

Tidbyt

The Tidbyt is a small LED light board that can display the time, weather, sports scores, calendar and transit alerts, news headlines or that floating DVD logo that never hits the corner of the screen, all in stylish chunky pixels. Its walnut hardwood case is about eight inches long and doesn’t include any mics or cameras. It’s a piece of nerdy decor that, at $199, is probably overpriced. But hey, this is a gift guide, and it looks nice on a bedside table or kitchen counter. — J.D

$199 at Tidbyt

Boox Page

Boox

When testing Boox ereaders for our guide, I didn’t get them at first; the library is just open domain stuff and the proprietary reader app doesn’t support rights-managed titles. When I realized that this was simply a compact tablet based on Android with a (rather crisp) E Ink screen, it finally made sense. It can run just about any app on the Google Play store; it can be a Kindle, a Kobo, a Libby library book reader and many things in between. The Page has a premium feel with a soft front light and snappy page turn buttons. Those buttons, and just about every other feature of the Page, are customizable and there are plenty of ways to tailor the device even further. In short, it’s an impressively built ereader that the tech-obsessed will get a lot of use out of, while giving their eyes a break from the bright LED screen. — US.

$250 at Boox

LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System

Engadget

Every person I know who’s deep into tech started their journey with LEGOs, video games or both. This delightfully retro and incredibly detailed TV and original NES LEGO set will warm the heart of anyone who’s ever held a controller in their hands. The finished set stands about ten inches tall and with 2,600+ pieces, it’ll take many hours to build. Afterwards, it’ll look excellent on a shelf and strike joy in everyone who sees it. If anyone I know is reading this, please make this my gift this year. — US.

$286 at Amazon

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard

Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

If you’re shopping for someone who spends most of the day typing and likes to unwind with a good game, the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless should be a treat. Horrendous name aside, this is a premium wireless mechanical gaming keyboard, with a sturdy aluminum frame and crisp keys that are delightfully smooth to press and relatively quiet in action. Its 90-hour battery life (with RGB lighting on) is solid, it comes with a detachable wrist rest and it has a clever multi-function key that puts all its volume, media and backlighting controls in one spot. It should make any PC gamer’s work or play time more comfortable. — J.D

$160 at Amazon

XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080P

XGIMI

Even the person who has everything may not have one of these yet. XGIMI’s MoGo 2 Pro is one of our recommended projectors because it’s small enough to fit in a backpack and delivers a detailed image that’s relatively accurate. There are HDMI, USB-A and USB-C ports, but it also supports Chromecast and has AndroidTV built-in. To play it outdoors, you’ll need either a long cord or a battery pack as this doesn’t have an internal one. But at under $600, it’s pretty affordable for a quality projector. — US

$448 at Amazon