Useful travel gadgets: what we use in 2022

Useful travel gadgets: what we use in 2022

From practical solutions to everyday problems to sophisticated electronics for on-the-go luxury, here are our favorite useful travel gadgets of 2020

The modern traveler rarely leaves home without an array of gadgets and accessories. Despite years of traveling and optimizing my gear, I still pack a healthy number of gadgets.

Unless I'm completely off-grid, there are certain (usually electronic) luxuries that I don't want to be without. I want to take thousands of photos, listen to music, watch a movie, stay in touch with my family and, most of all, follow England's recent stroke collapse (a form of self-harm, I'm sure).

Therefore, the following useful travel gadgets are a mix of what I definitely won't travel with and what is on my wish list for 2020.

1. World Travel Adapter Kit

Almost everything on this list of useful travel gadgets requires a power source, be it mains or USB. The Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit is the perfect solution to the problem of packing a seemingly unlimited number of cables and adapters.

The kit works in over 200 countries and territories and can charge up to five devices using just one outlet. It is surge protected and includes two US plugs, two USB ports, a solid USB cable and six country-specific ports.

The kit also features a smart LED voltage display that shows whether it is 110V or 220V. This way you know which devices are compatible and can be connected securely.

2. Noise canceling headphones

These are ideal for long journeys where other passengers are not always as considerate as you would hope. I'm not the most tolerant person (I prefer animals), so these Bose QuietComfort 20 acoustic noise canceling headphones sound ideal.

alt="The Most Useful Headphones for Travel Gadgets">EvilGreat for long trips

You can turn the noise cancellation feature up or down as you wish, or activate a mode at the touch of a button to hear what's going on around you.

The headphones feature an in-line microphone and a remote control to switch to calls and control other functions and are available in two versions: Apple or Samsung/Android.

3. Power bank + solar charger

I carry a lot of electronics with me on hikes and climbs, including two cameras and a smartphone. All of this needs juice, so a reliable power bank and solar charger make life easier. I use a Powergorilla charger and a PowerTraveller Falcon 21 foldable solar charger.

• alt=“Aconcagua Gear List Powerbank“>
• alt=“Aconcagua Ausrüstungsliste Solarladegerät“>

I used my POWERTRAVELLER kit on a recent climb in Argentina

Both still work in cold temperatures. The Powergorilla can charge devices with up to 24 volts (e.g. a laptop). The solar charger is also reliable enough to charge smaller devices.

4. SteriPEN Ultra Water Purifier

I have been careless (or foolhardy) in the past and drank the local ice water in India. Even on camping trips in Romania and Serbia, I didn't hesitate to drink from dubious water sources such as barely flowing streams. And I almost always regretted it.

alt="useful-travel-gadgets-steripen">SteriPENThe SteriPEN Ultra eliminates over 99.9% of bacteria

The SteriPEN Ultra eliminates over 99.9% of bacteria in up to one liter of water in just 90 seconds, can be used up to 8,000 times and is easily rechargeable. It can treat up to 50 liters of water on one charge.

We bought one in 2014 and have used it on almost every trip since then. Now I try as much local puddle water as I want.

5. Portable WiFi Hub

As travel writers, having unlimited global Wi-Fi has made our lives so much easier considering how many hours we've wasted watching progress bars advance at an unbearable pace over slow connections.

alt=“keepgo data sim against beautiful beach and sky”>One of our most useful travel gadgets

KeepGo offers a number of different data options for its portable Wi-Fi hotspots and world SIM cards. We use Keepgo's international WiFi hotspot so we can get online while traveling. The device generates a secure WiFi connection over local 4G mobile networks in over 120 countries.

Use this referral link to get 10% off any Keepgo product.

6. JBL Charge Bluetooth Speaker

Kia and I enjoy watching a good movie at the end of the day, but listening through tinny laptop speakers or, worse, a muffled smartphone isn't ideal - after all, we're not teenagers on a London bus.

alt="useful travel gadgets jbl speakers">JBLGreat sound, lightweight and can charge other devices

This JBL wireless Bluetooth speaker was a parting gift from colleagues when we went on our round-the-world trip in 2014, and it's top notch. It is fairly light and can also serve as a charging station for other mobile devices.

For 2020 there is a newly redesigned version of the JBL Charge 4 as well as a larger JBL Xtreme 2 that comes with integrated hanging hooks, a carrying strap and a built-in bottle opener! We have both.

7. Sand-free multi-mat

It doesn't solve the world's biggest problem, but it does make a day at the beach a little more comfortable. CGear's sand-free multi-mat uses "sand-free technology" along with a soft but durable material to provide the ultimate beach mat.

alt="The Most Useful Travel Gadgets Sand">CGearSand can only go in one direction

The mat uses engineered layers of high-density fabric that allows sand, dirt and dust particles to fall through the fabric. Because the layers are staggered, sand can only go in one direction (down), not back.

8. Luggage scales

Excess baggage fees are a pain to say the least. It's frustrating to repack luggage when you realize your bags are too heavy. And it's incredibly annoying to wait in line while the customers in front of you do the same.

alt="The most useful travel gadgets scales">DuronicOne of the most useful travel gadgets every traveler should own

This digital luggage scale from Duronic is lightweight, easy to use and does exactly what it promises. Honestly, every traveler should own one. For the good of all of us.

9. Satellite phone

Kia recently asked six experts to share their solo hiking tips for women. While many of the tips are particularly relevant for women, they are also relevant for anyone who enjoys hiking or escaping the grid.

alt="Useful travel gadgets satellite phone">iridiumConsider a satellite phone when hiking alone in remote areas

If you regularly hike in remote areas like us, you may want to purchase a satellite phone for your safety equipment. Iridium phones have global coverage, built-in GPS, an SOS button and push-to-talk functionality. For once-in-a-lifetime adventures, you can rent a satellite phone instead.

10. Portable espresso machine

Okay, maybe this isn't one of the most useful travel gadgets, but I still want one. I may not take it with me on all of our trips, but I can see myself packing it on one of my more luxurious camping trips if I have the car and access to campground facilities (but maybe not if I'm climbing one of the seven peaks).

alt="The most useful travel gadgets coffee">WacacoFresh coffee while camping sounds like happiness

Small enough to fit in a bag, the Wacaco Minipresso means you can enjoy a single, double or capsule espresso on the go - as long as you have access to hot water.

A semi-automatic piston injects small amounts of water into the coffee attachment and after a few strokes you can enjoy a “rich and powerful” espresso. Sounds like bliss on a cool morning.

Mission statement: Stock-Asso/Shutterstock

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