8 Essential Travel Accessories to Bring on Your Next Getaway
Packing light is fine and dandy, but you’d be wise to make space in your luggage for these eight essential travel accessories. From universal chargers and top-of-the-line travel pillows to the only Bluetooth speaker you’ll ever need, these gadgets are all 2018 must-haves.
1. STASH: It's one of our least favorite things about hopping on a plane: forgetting that water bottle in your backpack and having to toss it before you hit security. For thirsty travelers, HydraPak's ingenious Stash is invaluable. This durable bottle is fully collapsible and lightweight, so you can slide it in your carry-on bag and then fill it up right before you board your flight.
Image courtesy of HydraPak
2. DUBS: Whether it's the roar of a jet engine, the clacking of a train, or simply the chatter of other passengers, travel can be a pretty loud experience. For those times when you're hoping to catch a few z's on the road (or just some peace of mind), DUBS acoustic filters can assist. These essential travel accessories don't muffle all sound: Instead, they've been pre-tuned to block out specific, irritating frequencies, while still letting you converse. Science or sorcery? Honestly, it's hard to be sure.
Image courtesy of Dubs
3. SCRUBBA AIR SLEEVE: It isn't wise to haul around an expensive laptop without stashing it somewhere safe. Luckily, Scrubba's Air Sleeve ensures your tech stays well protected. The laptop case inflates to cushion your computer in a gentle pocket of air, so it remains in one piece even when dropped or manhandled. Even better: This 'airbag for your tech' also over-inflates, so you can use it as a travel pillow (even when your laptop's inside).
Image courtesy of Scrubba
4. TWIST+: Hey, globetrotting types: Stop packing a whole sack full of various and sundry converters and chargers when you travel internationally. These days, you only need one gadget to juice up your electronics, no matter where in the world you venture. Meet OneAdaptr's Twist+ World Charging Station, which attaches to any MacBook power adapter and can charge your computer anywhere. Better yet, it's got four USB ports, so you can power up to five devices from a single socket.
Image courtesy of OneAdaptr
5. SPARKR: If you're setting off on an intrepid adventure, the Sparkr is one essential travel accessory to have on hand. Call it Prometheus, 'cause this savvy gadget comes bearing fire and light: It's an LED flashlight and also a plasma lighter, which uses an electrical arc instead of gas. Three-click activation means it won't turn on when you don't want it to, while that electrical current lets you get a campfire going even when the wind's blowing something fierce.
Image courtesy of Power Practical
6. EVOLUTION PILLOW: Travel pillow technology must've been overdue an upgrade, because Cabeau's Evolution Pillow is the second groundbreaking example we're adding to our list. Designed for optimum neck support, this cushion is made from memory foam, which means you might actually stand a chance of sleeping through the night in economy. It compresses small enough to be zipped away when you're done, and it even comes with a cell phone pocket and foam earplugs. Lights out in 3, 2...
Image courtesy of Cabeau
7. UE WONDERBOOM: Having music on the go might not be absolutely essential, but if you ask us, it definitely makes the travel experience more fun. Liven up the mood in your Airbnb, give your campground a soundtrack, or even throw an impromptu dance party on the beach courtesy of the UE Wonderboom. This palm-sized Bluetooth speaker offers killer sound, 10-hour battery life, and next-level functionality (it doesn't just claim to be waterproof: The Wonderboom straight-up floats).
Image courtesy of Ultimate Ears
8. GOTENNA MESH: Sometimes it's nice to get away from it all...and sometimes there's comfort in knowing you can hit up a buddy, even when you're miles away from the nearest town. The goTenna Mesh makes off-the-grid communications possible when you don't have any signal. Pair your phone with the Mesh to send encrypted texts and map your GPS coordinates, and link with other users nearby. It's like a super-powered, super-smart walkie talkie.
Image courtesy of goTenna
1. STASH: It's one of our least favorite things about hopping on a plane: forgetting that water bottle in your backpack and having to toss it before you hit security. For thirsty travelers, HydraPak's ingenious Stash is invaluable. This durable bottle is fully collapsible and lightweight, so you can slide it in your carry-on bag and then fill it up right before you board your flight.
Image courtesy of HydraPak
2. DUBS: Whether it's the roar of a jet engine, the clacking of a train, or simply the chatter of other passengers, travel can be a pretty loud experience. For those times when you're hoping to catch a few z's on the road (or just some peace of mind), DUBS acoustic filters can assist. These essential travel accessories don't muffle all sound: Instead, they've been pre-tuned to block out specific, irritating frequencies, while still letting you converse. Science or sorcery? Honestly, it's hard to be sure.
Image courtesy of Dubs
3. SCRUBBA AIR SLEEVE: It isn't wise to haul around an expensive laptop without stashing it somewhere safe. Luckily, Scrubba's Air Sleeve ensures your tech stays well protected. The laptop case inflates to cushion your computer in a gentle pocket of air, so it remains in one piece even when dropped or manhandled. Even better: This 'airbag for your tech' also over-inflates, so you can use it as a travel pillow (even when your laptop's inside).
Image courtesy of Scrubba
4. TWIST+: Hey, globetrotting types: Stop packing a whole sack full of various and sundry converters and chargers when you travel internationally. These days, you only need one gadget to juice up your electronics, no matter where in the world you venture. Meet OneAdaptr's Twist+ World Charging Station, which attaches to any MacBook power adapter and can charge your computer anywhere. Better yet, it's got four USB ports, so you can power up to five devices from a single socket.
Image courtesy of OneAdaptr
5. SPARKR: If you're setting off on an intrepid adventure, the Sparkr is one essential travel accessory to have on hand. Call it Prometheus, 'cause this savvy gadget comes bearing fire and light: It's an LED flashlight and also a plasma lighter, which uses an electrical arc instead of gas. Three-click activation means it won't turn on when you don't want it to, while that electrical current lets you get a campfire going even when the wind's blowing something fierce.
Image courtesy of Power Practical
6. EVOLUTION PILLOW: Travel pillow technology must've been overdue an upgrade, because Cabeau's Evolution Pillow is the second groundbreaking example we're adding to our list. Designed for optimum neck support, this cushion is made from memory foam, which means you might actually stand a chance of sleeping through the night in economy. It compresses small enough to be zipped away when you're done, and it even comes with a cell phone pocket and foam earplugs. Lights out in 3, 2...
Image courtesy of Cabeau
7. UE WONDERBOOM: Having music on the go might not be absolutely essential, but if you ask us, it definitely makes the travel experience more fun. Liven up the mood in your Airbnb, give your campground a soundtrack, or even throw an impromptu dance party on the beach courtesy of the UE Wonderboom. This palm-sized Bluetooth speaker offers killer sound, 10-hour battery life, and next-level functionality (it doesn't just claim to be waterproof: The Wonderboom straight-up floats).
Image courtesy of Ultimate Ears
8. GOTENNA MESH: Sometimes it's nice to get away from it all...and sometimes there's comfort in knowing you can hit up a buddy, even when you're miles away from the nearest town. The goTenna Mesh makes off-the-grid communications possible when you don't have any signal. Pair your phone with the Mesh to send encrypted texts and map your GPS coordinates, and link with other users nearby. It's like a super-powered, super-smart walkie talkie.
Image courtesy of goTenna
