The Best Tech Travel Gadgets of 2025

There’s no shortage of travel tech out there, but much of it is either unnecessary, overpriced, or takes up too much space. Here are some gadgets that we think actually deserve a spot in your bag.

However, you can also buy tech gadgets to replace heavy and bulky non-tech items. For example, what’s the point in cramming in piles of novels when a Kindle Paperwhite can replace all of those and takes up less space than a single magazine?

You also need to consider battery life. This one is obvious, but it’s one all too many people still ignore. If your gear dies halfway through a travel day or needs to be plugged in constantly, it’s going to be more hassle than it’s worth. Look for tech items that charge fast, have a long battery life, or can be topped up by a power bank or even the sun when they need some juice.

Your travel gadgets need to be able to take the occasional bump and scrape, as well as rain, dust, sweat, and so on. If something is not built to handle the rigors it could be exposed to, leave it at home. A GoPro, for example, is so durable that it can be taken scuba diving or strapped to a motorbike, while an Olympus Tough TG-7 is a camera built to handle the extremes. Even most flagship smartphones can go snorkeling with you for a limited time these days. So, if it’s fragile gear you have, better forget it and choose more rugged gadgets.

In essence, there’s little point in carrying something that is ultimately useless, and that goes for gadgets that look clever but will actually sit at the bottom of your bag for the whole trip. Think of that espresso machine you were considering—come on, there are cafés everywhere! If your travel gadget doesn’t solve a real problem, it’s not worth packing and probably not worth buying at all.

At just 0.65 pounds in weight and 7.69 inches in height, the iPad Mini 7 is among the best tablets for travel. It’s easy to slip into a daypack or carry-on bag, and you’ll barely notice it’s there when you do. But its size and weight are not the only things that appeal to travelers—far from it.

That portability is paired with a sturdy aluminum body that can take a bit of knocking around, although it is still highly advisable to get a protective iPad Mini case. Furthermore, the vibrant 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is ideal for those who love to read on the road. It’s much better than squinting at a phone, and it’s easier to hold for long stretches than a full-size tablet, even for one-handed readers. You won’t get that wrist fatigue associated with heavier tablets, plus, it’s versatile.

You can easily switch between Kobo and Kindle apps and browser-based articles, and you can even annotate travel guides. Apple Pencil Pro support also means it doubles as a powerful note-taking device, which travelers will find handy for journaling, planning, or marking up PDFs. Additionally, the text is razor-sharp, and features like True Tone and its ultralow reflectivity make it easy on the eyes.

The device runs on Apple’s A17 Pro chip, the same silicon found in the iPhone 15 Pro. So, performance is snappy no matter what you do. You could be reading eBooks, sketching in Procreate, browsing maps, or editing photos, and it won’t break a sweat.

Battery life holds up well, too. You can expect over 10 hours when running basic tasks like reading, browsing, or watching videos, and it charges quickly when you need it most.

The 128 GB base storage is generous, but larger capacities are also available, and Wi-Fi 6E keeps downloads and video calls smooth even on congested hotel networks if there is support for it.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a package vacationer or a seasoned backpacker; most travelers now hit the road with multiple devices and gadgets in tow. And that means a constant need for power. A power bank is one of those tech gadgets frequent travelers can’t do without, and the more devices you have, the more capacity you need.

That’s when a device like the Anker 20,000 mAh Power Bank comes into its own. It deserves a place in your carry-on bag because it gets the basics right and then goes the extra mile.

You get two ports, one USB-A output and one USB-C input/output, and a built-in USB-C cable for another charging option that ensures there’s always a wire on hand. It tucks away neatly and is rated to survive over 10,000 bends. This means you can take it with you on lengthy trips without worry, even if you’re a gap-year traveler around the world on a big adventure. And yes, the power bank is airline-approved, so there’s no drama at security.

The 87 W total output (65 W max via a single USB-C) is enough to charge a 14-inch MacBook Air to over 50 percent in under 40 minutes. You can also quick-charge flagship phones to almost 70 percent in around half an hour. At 20,000 mAh, you’re looking at several full phone charges or enough juice to top up your tablet, Nintendo Switch 2, and earbuds with power to spare.

The bank itself recharges in about 90 minutes with a 65 W wall charger, which means you can recharge it during breakfast if you forgot to do it the night before your big day trip.

So, if you’re bouncing between cities, working remotely, or you just want to keep everything running without hunting for wall outlets, this is a solid option. It does its job efficiently, which is exactly what travelers need when on the move.

So you want great sound and outstanding noise cancellation, but you don’t want to be carrying around space-consuming headphones in your bag when you’re traveling. If this is you, then the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are your perfect choice. They have excellent audio and ANC and are compact and discreet, a design that makes travel much easier, whether you’re jammed on a chicken bus in Guatemala or up in the air, relaxing in business class.

The XM5 earbuds are 25 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than the previous model, making them one of the most comfortable earbuds you’ll find for long-haul travel. They also don’t stick out from your ears, making them comfortable for sleeping, and the redesigned polyurethane tips actually stay where they’re supposed to.

The case is smaller, too, and it supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging. A full battery gives you eight hours of listening, while there are a further 16 hours in the case, ensuring you have more than enough for even the longest flight.

The ANC is among the best in the business. It cuts out a huge chunk of low frequencies without that sucked-into-a-vacuum feeling you get with some rivals. If you switch to ANC only, you’ll be able to catch some Z’s even on the liveliest of flights or train journeys, and your listening pleasure will be uninterrupted when tuning out or watching a movie.

The sound is best-in-class, too. It’s punchy, detailed, and rich in clarity. Even better if you’re listening to hi-res tracks. LDAC support allows for higher-quality audio streaming over Bluetooth, while you can also tweak the EQ in the app, as well as touch controls or even head tracking.

The buds are IPX4 rated, which means they will survive sweat or light rain when hiking. You shouldn’t take them swimming, and if a tropical storm hits when you’re in the Caribbean, you should get them somewhere dry.

However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with over-ear headphones if you prefer that style. In fact, the Sony WH-1000XM5s give a more immersive listening experience, with better battery performance to boot. The ANC is also first-rate, and they look fantastic. But for minimalists and light packers, the WF-1000XM5 earbuds do the job without the bulk.

If you are integrated into the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 may be the better choice. They offer deep integration with Apple devices by switching between them automatically, activating Siri hands-free, and showing up in Find My if they go missing. Audio quality is excellent, battery life and ANC are similar to the XM5s, and wireless charging includes MagSafe.

If you’re a bit of a globetrotter, you might already carry an international adapter. You might carry the type that covers the area you usually travel to, or you might have several that cover different regions. If you don’t have one already, you should consider the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter, especially if you’re a frequent traveler to multiple regions.

It has all four major plug types built in, covering more than 200 countries. So, it’s the ideal gadget for anyone bouncing between Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia. It’s also surprisingly compact despite everything that’s crammed in. You can easily keep it in your carry-on, and unlike some cheaper models, it doesn’t feel flimsy or overloaded with gimmicks.

There’s an AC socket, four USB-A ports, and a single USB-C port, and you can use them all at the same time. You can simultaneously charge your phone, tablet, power bank, headphones, and watch, which is a serious convenience when you’re in a hotel or airport with limited outlets.

The USB-C output is rated at 3A. While it won’t fast-charge your laptop, it’s ideal for those smaller gadgets and accessories, and it charges them faster than most competing adapters. And considering its compact size and price, the total output across all ports is also pretty impressive.

It has a simple, foolproof design. You just slide out the regional plug you need, lock it in with the switch, and you’re good to go. Safety features include a built-in 10A fuse, safety shutters, and full CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications. There’s even a spare fuse in case something blows. Just keep in mind: this is not a voltage converter, so check if your devices support 100–240V before using them.

Going through security checks at airports can be a stressful experience, especially when traveling with families. Loading belongings onto trays, going through metal detectors, and repacking everything can be confusing enough just for a single traveler, especially when you throw jet lag and everything else into the mix. It’s so easy to forget a wallet or a keychain while you make sure everyone else is organized.

A Bluetooth tracker like the Tile by Life360 Mate will take the edge off things. It’s small, light, and designed to help you find whatever you’ve attached it to, whether you use it as a key ring, clip it to a backpack, or slip it inside your purse. You can buy these trackers individually or in two- and four-pack sets if you’re thinking about more than one and want to make some savings.

It’s easy to set up, and you don’t need to mess around with batteries; the internal one lasts for up to three years. It has a 350-foot Bluetooth range, a louder chime than ever, and the ring works both ways; you can use your phone to ring the tracker when you misplace something or use the tracker to ring your phone if you’ve misplaced it, even if it’s silent.

The tracker is durable, too. It’s IP68 rated, which makes it dustproof and waterproof to the point that you can drop it in water. Then there’s the added feature of the SOS alert—if you find yourself in a precarious situation, press the button on the tracker three times, and it will send a discreet alert to selected contacts via the Life360 app.

This latest version of the Tile by Life360 Mate is compatible with both Android and iOS. And now that it’s under the Life360 umbrella, it’s tied into one of the largest tracking networks outside of Apple and Samsung, giving you even better odds of locating missing belongings.

However, iPhone users should know that Tile trackers don’t work with Apple’s Find My network. This means you don’t get the ultra-precise location data or deep system integration you would with an AirTag. If you’re an iOS user and deep into the Apple ecosystem, AirTags are still the better tracking choice for you.

If you’re the type of traveler to spend more time on the trails than in taxis, the Garmin fēnix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar is the kind of GPS watch you’ll want on your wrist. It’s built for anyone with a love for the Great Outdoors, and no matter the activities you pursue, there’s something in this watch for everyone.

It’s tough, accurate, and packed with the sort of features that really matter when you’re in the middle of nowhere. The Pro Sapphire Solar model gives you a scratch-resistant Power Sapphire lens and solar charging that keeps the watch going for up to 22 days in smartwatch mode or 73 hours in GPS—ideal if you’re off-grid for long stretches.

The built-in flashlight could be mistaken for a gimmick, but it is actually useful. Campers can use it to light their tent or find gear in the dark, while hikers can avoid rolling an ankle during an after-dusk descent. It comes preloaded with full-color maps, and the multi-band GPS gets your location spot on, even when you’re deep in a forest or hiking through a steep valley.

You can easily navigate the menus and maps either by touchscreen or physical buttons, and there’s also real-time stamina tracking to manage your exertions. ClimbPro is there to pace your ascents, and the UpAhead feature helps you find trail markers and points of interest, while weather alerts are built in to keep you informed.

If all that seems like overkill to you, there are several watches in the fēnix 7 range in numerous sizes and weights and with different features. It can get complex choosing the best one for your needs, but it is absolutely worth comparing them all to get the right one, which you can do on the Garmin website here.

The Garmin fēnix 8 Sapphire Solar is also available now for travelers who want dive-rated durability, a more powerful built-in flashlight, voice calls, and up to 28 days of solar-boosted battery life. However, this option can be considerably more expensive.