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Going somewhere? Don’t forget these 15 travel essentials

By Monique Crawford, Komando.com
•
March 17, 2022

When you go on a trip, it’s essential to be comfortable. With some help from a few travel gadgets, you’re guaranteed to have precisely what you need for the best trip possible.

The best part? Some of these items do more than remind you to bring things — they make traveling a lot more comfortable. Tap or click for 10 amazing travel apps.

The next time you start preparing for a trip, don’t forget these 15 travel essentials.

1. For road trips

SMART KUP Car Cup Holder

SMART KUP Car Cup Holder

You stop for water, soda, energy drinks, and more when you're on the road. The problem? Each of these things comes in an entirely different-sized container. The standard cup holder in most vehicles can't handle every size and shape of road trip drink, but you know what can? This SMART KUP car cup holder expander. Hold bottles up to 3.8-inches wide with this simple expander for your regular cup holder.

Promising review: "Oh heck yeah, I can finally have my 40oz Hydro flask or 32oz Bubba locked and loaded! ... The handle cutout is perfect."
Buy Now
$14.95 on Amazon.com

2. For the navigator

LISEN Car Phone Holder Mount

LISEN Car Phone Holder Mount

This magnetic phone holder is the ideal travel companion if you're on the road often. Keep your smartphone docked, so you or your navigator can easily access the GPS feature. Listen to your favorite travel playlist saved on your smartphone or answer incoming calls with help from this fun little car mount.

Promising review: "Install took 5 seconds — very easy. Works with any magnet so you don’t have to ruin your phone case if you have a different kind of magnet on there! It also comes with magnets so you have extra just in case..."
Buy Now
$12.99 on Amazon.com

3. For teens

Matein Electronics Travel Organizer

Matein Electronics Travel Organizer

If you have a teenager, you know their electronics mean more to them than anything else. No one is as devastated by a lost or forgotten charger as an angst-filled teen, so turn to this Matein electronics organizer. There is cable storage, drive storage, device storage and more. There are three removable padded dividers for perfect device and charger storage, plus it's waterproof and shockproof.

Promising review: "We use it as part of our bug out/ emergency kit for electronic cables, cubes, battery packs, and even a small folding solar panel. Took it on our month-long camping trip and glad we did. Made life much easier and organized."
Buy Now
$17.99 on Amazon.com

4. For the frequent flyer

Flight Flap Phone & Tablet Holder

Flight Flap Phone & Tablet Holder

If you fly often, you likely bring a tablet or smartphone to stream your favorite movies and TV shows. But why hold your device in your lap when you can use this simple holder instead? It secures to the folded or unfolded table tray attached to the seat in front of you so you can enjoy your favorites at eye level or down by your lap.

Promising review: "I bought this for an upcoming trip. I opened it up, and I’ve been using it ever since. No more tech neck holding my phone on my lap!"
Buy Now
$11.95 on Amazon.com

5. For the camper

StarBright Cooler LED Light

StarBright Cooler LED Light

Whether you're hosting a party at home or relying on your cooler in the great outdoors, this StarBright rechargeable LED light is the perfect lighting solution. Simply place it within or on top of the ice in your cooler, and enjoy. Choose between red or white light. The red is perfect for fishing, hunting, or other outdoor activities that require good night vision.

Promising review: "Love this light! It’s bright, waterproof, and rechargeable! I love putting it in the bottom of my cooler and I don’t have anything strings attached! Awesome!"
Buy Now
$24.99 on Amazon.com

6. For the driver

SAILEAD Sun Visor Sunshade Extender

SAILEAD Sun Visor Sunshade Extender

Don't you hate it when the sun is in your eyes and your sun visor isn't big enough to help? Get this SAILEAD visor extender. Just snap it over your existing sun visor and extend it either to the side or down to get more shade. It comes with non-slip elastic straps, so you never have to worry about it sliding off and impairing your view of the road.

Promising review: "I recently purchased a pair of these sunshades and installed them in a Subaru Outback. They work so well we just bought this second pair to install in our other Outback. Cannot recommend this product enough. Well worth the price."
Buy Now
$18.89 on Amazon.com

7. For the tech guru

Anker Portable Charger

Anker Portable Charger

Sometimes you're on the road or in the air for hours and hours at a time. When one full charge for your device doesn't cut it, you need a portable power bank. This Anker portable charger is available in black or white and contains enough power to completely recharge an iPhone 12 2.25 times, a Galaxy S20 1.6 times or an iPad mini 5 1.2 times.

Promising review: "Charges phone quickly and very east to use. Carries easy in pockets and does not get hot. Would recommend for having that piece of mind with an emergency phone charger."
Buy Now
$21.99 on Amazon.com

8. For the pet owner

MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle

MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle

Longer trips with pets mean you need to stop to feed your fluffy friends and give them water as often as you need to drink. But pets aren't able to drink very much from water bottles, and bowls take up a lot of storage space. When you want a simple water solution, turn to this MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle. Fill it up with water, press the water release button and tilt it so your pet can drink from the bowl section. Simple, right?

Promising review: "Item was just as described. It’s perfect for a pet on-the-go. It eliminates the need for a water bottle and separate bowl since it is built in. It is also mess-free because of the design that allows the excess water to go back in to the bottle. The lock button prevents drips as well."
Buy Now
$17.98 on Amazon.com

9. For parents

Car Air Vent Storage Bag Organizer

Car Air Vent Storage Bag Organizer

Parents know that kids require tons of accessories, toys, tech and more. Some things are best left in the car 100% of the time to avoid forgetting them during road trips, even if they are just to the grocery store and back. This car air vent organizer is the perfect solution for those smaller accessories. Carry sunglasses, a small snack pack, small toy or hair clips and rubber bands for quick and easy hair fixes.

Promising review: "This works fine. It stays put. It isn't very big, but large enough for my glasses, a couple pens and some paper. I also put my garage remote in there."
Buy Now
$12.99 on Amazon.com

10. For the heavy packer

Etekcity Luggage Scale

Etekcity Luggage Scale

Did you know airlines can tell you to remove items from your carry-on bag? If your bag weighs too much, you have to move things around, pay a fee to check your luggage or even throw items away. Don't let that happen to you! Use this luggage scale to tell you exactly how heavy your suitcase and carry-on are. It goes up to 110 pounds and works with a CR2032 battery.

Promising review: "We use this in every trip to avoid paying for extra weight as we travel internationally quite often. I have tested in several ways and also always note the weigh number in the airport. After several trips, I can say that the accuracy of it is right within 2 lbs. I have [had] it for almost two years and still using the same batteries."
Buy Now
$10.99 on Amazon.com

11. For the sleepyhead

Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow

If you're constantly traveling for work or pleasure, you might feel the need to nap on the plane or in the car. This twist memory foam travel pillow is the perfect way to catch some zzzs. Get comfortable by bending or twisting this pillow into the best position for a cozy sleep. It's available in gray, black, blue, light blue or dark gray, though this one is not available with a bendable core.

Promising review: "This pillow is awesome! It's super soft and squishy not like the other typical pillows. It molds to any shape needed which is nice if you're sitting window seat and want to rest your head against the wall. It really molds to you neck. Good stuff for long flights."
Buy Now
$24.99 on Amazon.com

12. For the RV road warrior

Ampper Blind Spot Mirror

Ampper Blind Spot Mirror

The bigger your vehicle, the less likely your side-view mirrors can reveal the entire picture. For added safety, use this Ampper Blind Spot Mirror. It is a two-inch round with HD glass and comes in a two-pack. Stick it to your side mirrors and manually rotate them until you have a visual in those blind spots.

Promising review: "I purchased this one because there is no bezel that takes up space when the rear view mirror is already so small and you'll need whatever space you can get. The angle is also adjustable. Of all the ones I've purchased, this seemed to fit and look the best."
Buy Now
$5.99 on Amazon.com

13. For doggy road trips

Active Pets Car Seat Cover for Dogs

Active Pets Car Seat Cover for Dogs

If you love taking Fido with you on road trips, this back seat cover is a necessity. No matter how well-groomed your dog is, there's always a chance their claws can damage your seats. Plus, if you have to pull over in a dirty area to let them "go," you'll be grateful for this protector. Use it in the back seat or in the very back of your SUV to keep your car clean and your seats safe.

Promising review: "This fit perfectly in my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Got it to keep my back seats safe from my toddler. Material is super durable and easy to clean. Has Velcro holes for Anchor latches for my daughters car seat. Easy to install!"
Buy Now
$23.07 on Amazon.com

14. For the kids

IPELY Universal Car Back Seat Headrest Hanger

IPELY Universal Car Back Seat Headrest Hanger

Any parent can tell you kids require tons of entertainment — especially when on the road all day. These car hooks come in handy if you need extra storage for little Kimmy's electronics, color books and more. Clip these hooks to the back of your headrest and you can hang bags full of toys and other goodies for your kids. They can easily reach their bags without creating a mess all over the floor.

Promising review: "I have been trying to find something for years to keep the kids' car headphones off the floor after having to buy multiple pairs because they kept stepping on them — these hooks were the perfect solution."
Buy Now
$7.95 on Amazon.com
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