Must have travel accessories

MUST HAVE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Traveling is about to become a much safer proposition. The pandemic has started to recede, with the viral count dropping steadily around the world. It's time to get out there and explore the world. Your next adventure could be a few clicks away.

When you're on the go, it's important to pack your essentials. And while some of us prefer carrying around a bulky purse or backpack filled with our belongings, others prefer to keep things light and simple. If that sounds like you, then these top-rated gadgets are excellent additions to your travel equipment. They're lightweight, easy to carry around and can help you stay organized while you're on the road.

1. PowerCore 20100 Power Bank

PowerCore 20100 Power Bank is the perfect solution for keeping your devices powered up and ready to go. This lightweight and compact portable charger has enough juice to fully charge an iPhone 6s four times or take a Galaxy S6 from 0-100%. It's got two USB ports that can power two devices at the same time, with one high-speed USB port that works with all those Lightning cables, Android smartphones and other mobile devices that support fast charging. Plus, it features a built-in LED flashlight.

2. Lightning to USB A Cable

You never know what you're going to get stuck in the rain without an umbrella, or having your phone run out of juice just when you needed to Google how far it is to walk to the nearest coffee shop. These 4-inch charging cords are small and light enough that you can keep one on hand at all times. Plus, they are way easier to carry around than those 3-foot-long cables that always get tangled in your bag.

3. Osmo Mobile 2 Handheld Smartphone Gimbal

Everybody knows that the best part of taking a trip is reliving it through photos and videos — but often that's impossible because you can't get the shot right, or the camera is shaky and your videos look amateurish. With Osmo Mobile 2 Handheld Smartphone Gimbal, your problem will be solved. This gadget can be used by itself or with compatible mobile devices, to capture smooth stabilized footage in any orientation.

4. Jetpack MiFi 8800L

The Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L is the best solution for staying connected when you travel in places where Wi-Fi is spotty or unreliable. This mobile hotspot allows up to 15 devices to connect at once and has excellent battery life so that you don’t have to worry about charging it every day. It’s a must-have gadget for vacationers, campers, business travelers, and anyone who needs internet connectivity regardless of location.

5. Digital Burrito Pouch

Keep your important items safe and organized with the Digital Burrito. This clever pouch safely stores all of your chargers, cables, pens, and headphones, and then rolls up to easily fit in your backpack or other luggage. you no loner need to worry. The Digital Burrito comes in a variety of colors so it's easy to find when your phone dies at a concert or during an interview for that dream job!

6. Pack-it Specter Compression Cube Set

When it comes to keeping your bag tidy, packing cubes are a lifesaver. These Eagle Creek Specter Compression cubes are lightweight and thin (so you won't lose any precious room), and our experts enjoy how sturdy they are. They come in various sizes to fit all of your clothing, pillows, and undergarments while also beautifully compressing the contents, making it simpler to locate anything in the back of your baggage. When sorting through them at the baggage claim, a mesh top panel lets you see what's within each cube. Additionally, an exterior zipper pocket that is featured offers additional space for things like toiletries or invoices.

7. Tile Mate with Replaceable Battery

Tile Mate is one of Tile's two-piece accessories that make a ring to attach to your key ring, purse, or anything else you're likely to lose! The Tile app works with the Ring to locate lost items and help you find new ones. The replaceable battery lasts 1 year and is interchangeable with any other Tile accessory. No worries if your phone doesn't have Bluetooth capability; these little guys are great backup.

8. Women's Bomber 2.0

For anyone who travels, backpacks, spends time outside, and is looking for an everyday jacket that can easily be packed in a bag or carried on your person, the Women's Bomber 2.0 is a must-have. This backpackable jacket has a ton of pockets - making it easy to stay organized. Along with other accessories, it includes detachable gloves, an inflatable neck pillow, an eye mask, a keychain with a bottle opener, and more!

9. SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker

This durable, water-resistant Bluetooth speaker puts out premium sound with a strong bass to fill your room. On-board controls allow users to play, pause and skip beats without needing a phone. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 8 hours when fully charged and it's lightweight, so you can take it anywhere — from your backyard BBQ to the next family get-together.

10. Evolution S3 Travel Pillow

Get some shuteye on the plane with the Evolution S3. This travel pillow has straps that connect to your airplane seat in order to prevent your head from falling to one side or the other while you rest. It also has a button that inflates it instantly and allows you to adjust the firmness, as well as memory foam padding that conforms to any body type. The Evolution S3 is recommended by Lexie Sachs, textiles director at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

11. Fire HD 8 Tablet

This Fire HD 8 Tablet is compact, easy to hold, and weighs less than a pound. It’s the perfect size for reading and watching videos, with a battery life that lasts throughout 10 hours of reading books or watching videos. The quad-core processor enables quick app launches, smooth games and videos, plus great overall performance. You’ll also get a year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited included so you can give your kids access to age-appropriate content like they’re back in kindergarten—for free!

12. OVO Travel-Size Iron and Steamer

This innovative device is a dual-purpose iron and steamer. The water tank can hold approximately half a gallon of water, and the heating element heats up in less than a minute. Its sleek design and non-slip handle make this appliance easy to use, even when it’s time to de-wrinkle your full-length dress. While we loved the results, it did take some extra time to get rid of wrinkles on that full garment.

13. Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones

If you are the kind of traveler who likes to relax with in-flight entertainment, these noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones are just what you need. Comfortable and lightweight, they offer excellent noise cancellation that makes tuning in to that in-flight movie much more enjoyable than with any pair you can buy on the plane. Plus, they come with a cable so you can use the plane's audio jack as well. Their battery lasts longer than most other brands' models, too.

14. 40W 4-Port USB Wall Charger

If you love charging your devices but hate having to fight for a limited number of inputs, then this is the wall charger for you. With four USB ports, you'll be able to charge anything with a USB output, whether it be your phone or a smartwatch. Each port delivers 2.4 amps of power, which means that all four can deliver 10 watts simultaneously. The charger is also black in color and comes with a 5ft detachable power cable.

15. Wireless Flat Bluetooth Earbuds

Don't let the price of these wireless earbuds fool you — this set is more than just a beginner faux-leather look-a-like. These Bluetooth earbuds have comfortable silicone sleeves for all ear shapes and sizes, sound great even outside a quiet environment, have clear noise cancelling capabilities and can hold up to 6 hours of playback time on a single charge. The mic is also great for taking calls from your friends and family back home.

16. Popular luggages: The Carry-On

The future of suitcases is here. These trendy, colorful carry-ons are a top-tested pick by our Textiles Lab. They use lithium ion batteries so you can easily charge your phone on the go and it's super lightweight thanks to its polycarbonate shell. This airline compliant suitcase has built in wheels and a retractable pull handle so you can easily maneuver it through various modes of transportation, and it features an LED light for night time flights as well as four locking points for added security

17. Rohm Portable White Noise Sound Machine

This white noise sound machine will help ensure peaceful slumber for all. The three different soothing sounds and 30 levels of volume control allow you to find the right combination for your situation. It's also small enough that it can fit in your luggage or handbag to take on the road with you, so even if you're staying at a hotel that isn't equipped with an in-room sound system, you can finally get some long awaited sleep.

Travel can be an enriching experience, and one that gets better with every trip you take. When you plan your next trip, let this checklist be a guide for the little things you might otherwise forget. Each item may not seem like a big deal on its own, but all of them combined can make a big difference in your overall enjoyment of the trip. That's our list of travel essentials. If you've got any items to add, I'd love to hear about them in the comments section below. Thanks for reading and safe travels! Have fun and be safe out there! And as always, happy planning!