Best travel gadgets for any trip

May 17, 2025

By Kim Komando

You rolled into your “deluxe” hotel room only to be stuck with dim lighting, mystery smells and Wi-Fi that makes you nostalgic for dial-up. Having fun yet?

Seasoned travelers know this secret: Pack smart. I tracked down the best gadgets on Amazon that are worth your carry-on space. Let’s check in.

🔌 Outlets where you need them: YISHU’s 6-foot power strip ($9.99, 17% off) actually reaches the nightstand. Plus, eight outlets and four USB ports charge everything at once.

New country, new plugs: Don’t be that person scrambling for a loaner adapter. TESSAN’s universal travel adapter ($19.99, 11% off) works in 150+ countries and protects against voltage issues.

🪫 You forgot your charger (again): For iPhone and Android, VRURC’s portable charger ($19.99, 33% off) has five ports, three built-in cables and an LED display that shows how much juice is left.

Stone age Wi-Fi: A travel router ($34.90, 30% off) is a must if you work remotely. It boosts connection speeds and adds extra security. Plus, you can share a room’s internet connection.

🏨 What’s that smell? Drop a little essential oil in a portable diffuser ($20.99). Boom, your room feels more like a spa than a stranger’s den.

The A/C barely works: Quiet but powerful, SweetFull’s portable fan ($12.99, 24% off) is a lifesaver in stuffy rooms.

💡 Bad lighting = bad vibes: Evershop’s ring light ($24.99) is perfect for Zoom calls, reading and even doing your makeup. You’ll look fab.

Feel safer at night: This travel security kit ($11.42, 11% off) has a portable door lock and a doorstop with an alarm to scare away bad guys.

☕ Hotel coffee tastes like regret: No more watered-down sludge. OutIn’s portable espresso machine ($149.99) makes café-worthy coffee wherever you are.

Can’t sleep with thin walls? Grab a pair of comfy reusable earplugs ($18.99) to block out the world.

🔊 You want white noise: Yogasleep’s USB-powered sound machine ($19.99, 33% off) drowns out that hallway chatter with ease.

Are those sheets really clean? Pack some pillow protectors ($9.99) so you’re not at the mercy of the hotel washing machine.

👕 Laundry piles up fast: Toss your dirty clothes into these laundry bags ($8.99). Sharing space? They’ve got name tags.

Overpacked and overweight: Etekcity’s luggage scale ($8.87, 19% off) will save you from repacking at the check-in counter.

📱 Don’t leave anything behind: Stick an Apple AirTag ($24.95, 14% off) or Tile tracker ($24.98) in your suitcase or purse. Your future self will thank you.

“Kim, what do you pack?” Glad you asked; click here for more of my travel essentials that I know you’ll love, too. 

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