I love traveling! And although I may not be able to do much of it during this pandemic (although travel is opening up slowly), that doesn’t stop me from daydreaming about it or planning my next vacation in my head. My travel bucket list is brimming to the top with exotic holiday destinations. And, as any experienced traveler (not that I am one…YET) will tell you, having a set of handy and trusty travel accessories is essential! These are the nifty little products that can help you out in the most impromptu and sudden of situations, and you’ll never regret having packed them in your suitcase. So, we’ve curated a bunch of travel-friendly designs that we think you will absolutely need in your travel kit when you’re jet-setting across the globe next! From an incredibly rugged 8TB SSD that can travel to remote locations to a wearable for travelers that doubles as a health monitor – these handy products are sure to make your next vacation much more comfortable and easier.
1. The Zendure Passport III
With a GaN semiconductor on the inside that gives the adapter a power output of 65W, the Zendure Passport III is compact, versatile, and can simultaneously charge 6 gadgets at the same time. Designed to work in 200 countries, the travel adapter can plug into virtually any socket across the globe, and comes with not 1, not 2, but 4 USB-C ports to fast-charge all your devices, along with a USB-A port as well as a traditional universal socket to plug gadgets and appliances in.
Why is it noteworthy?
Touted by Zendure as the most powerful travel adapter on the market today, the Passport III is possibly one of the only few travel adapters built on a Gallium Nitride internal architecture. Thanks to this very feature, the Passport III manages to have a power delivery capacity of a whopping 65W, and an ability to concurrently charge 6 gadgets together, while being about as compact as the adapter brick you get with most smartphones.
What we like
- Designed to work in 200 countries
- A GaN semiconductor on the inside
What we dislike
- 65W may still be low if you charge 5 devices simultaneously
2. Cue
Smart wristwatches are found dime a dozen. But to everyone’s surprise, smart pocket watches are a thing and the smart version of these timepieces for the pocket has gained a foothold in the niche market. A charm for collectors, these intricate devices have always left me fascinated. No wonder, when I came across the Cue – a concept for a smart pocket watch – I couldn’t help but share the idea.
Why is it noteworthy?
Tapping into that market with a touch of modern-day gimmickry; Indian designer Rahul has conceived the idea of a feature-rich pocket watch every adventurer would want to have handy when venturing into the wild. Designed with features to allow travelers to navigate better, track their daily activities, and keep tabs on their health, the minimalistic yet powerful Cue can send out emergency SOS alerts and even remind the user of medication time when traveling.
What we like
- Can be mounted to your bike or backpack or carried in your pocket for convenience
- Can send out emergency SOS alerts and even remind the user of medication time when traveling
What we dislike
- A seven-second long press opens the menu, while a long press of 15 seconds opens up the SOS slider
3. The C3PO canteen and the R2D2 stainless steel travel cup
The year 2022 marks 45 years since Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope appeared on the silver screen, and nearly half a century since George Lucas introduced us to two of the most beloved robots to ever grace pop culture. To celebrate that momentous occasion (along with the 40th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back), Corkcicle debuted an entire collection of Star Wars-inspired barware that’s sure to geek up your kitchen! While the collection spans all of Star Wars’ memorable characters, our eyes instantly fell in love with the C3PO canteen and the R2D2 stainless steel travel cup – two pieces of drinkware that don’t just go together functionally, but they even honor their references in size and proportion!
Why is it noteworthy?
Both the 16oz canteen and 12oz travel mug come with caps that seal your drink shut, keeping them warm or cold for hours at an end. They’re BPA-free, and even sport silicone-lined bases to ensure they don’t slip around or scratch tabletop surfaces by accident. As for the drinkware themselves, they’re made from durable stainless steel with shatterproof lids and finishes/paint-coatings that are scratch-resistant and dishwasher safe.
What we like
- An insulated design that lets you comfortably hold onto the outer surface without the internal heat or coldness radiating to your skin
- Star Wars-inspired design
What we dislike
- Not lightsaber-proof
4. The Eclipse
Meet the ECLIPSE, a portable tea brewing station that isn’t as limiting or as archaic as the teabag. It combines a travel thermos and a french-press-style brewing system in one easy-to-use, easy-to-carry design, and lets you brew two cups (or one large mug) of the tea of your choice.
Why is it noteworthy?
In all fairness, I’m not surprised that a device like the ECLIPSE hasn’t become ubiquitous all this while. Tea is the second-most consumed beverage in the world, and as far as tea cultures go, its brewing methods are still deeply rooted in tradition. What ECLIPSE does is simply modernize it, by providing the same steps you’d expect in regular tea brewing. The multi-part travel press comes with a measuring cup, a brewing teapot, a plunger (that acts as a strainer), and a drinking vessel.
What we like
- Double-wall vacuum ensures consistent temperature
- Can be easily cleaned
What we dislike
No complaints
5. The GreaterGoods Digital Luggage Scale
The GreaterGoods Digital Luggage Scale is a nifty little gadget that lets you weigh luggage up to 110 lbs. It features a sturdy nylon strap which allows it to easily get hooked around your baggage. It then accurately displays the weight on the screen – pounds or kilogram (depending upon your preference).
Why is it noteworthy?
The digital scale ensures you don’t encounter any nasty surprises at the airport! It enables you to be prepared in advance and lets you pack smartly and efficiently. Not to mention, its sleek and compact form, allows you to slip it into your suitcase once you’re done weighing it!
What we like:
- Compact and portable form
- Perfectly placed scale grips to ensure your bag doesn’t fall down
What we dislike
- Only weighs up to 110lbs
6. The PROJECTKIN KIN CARRY-ON hard suitcase
The PROJECTKIN KIN CARRY-ON hard suitcase is a sustainable and sturdy suitcase that features 360-degree spinner wheels to ensure low noise and minimum disruptions when you’re carrying it at the airport. The suitcase features an 8mm zipper for heightened security, as well as a TSA-approved 3-dial combination lock.
Why is it noteworthy?
Not only is the suitcase hard and sturdy, but it also boasts a pure flax linen lining, which is a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to cotton and nylon. At the same time, the lining also protects any electronics that are stored within the suitcase.
What we like
- Water and heat resistant
- Sustainable lining
What we dislike
- Could rate higher on aesthetics
7. The CLIPIT 2.0
The CLIPIT 2.0 is a simple clip-shaped device that functions as a uniquely versatile multitool. It works as a hands-free device, letting you magnetically or elastically suspend items to it, and at its very base, its clip-shaped design lets it mount itself anywhere.
Why is it noteworthy?
Designed to be minimal in form yet maximal in function, the CLIPIT 2.0 is a clip-shaped device that can hold onto a range of objects. The clip itself can be attached anywhere, from your pocket lining to your backpack strap, and it comes with an elastic band that lets you tuck a range of devices into it, from sunglasses to stationery, and tech accessories to other EDC gadgets.
What we like
- The elastic band comes with a non-slip pattern for added friction, so items that are tucked in don’t slip out
- 2 CLIPITs give you the ability to carry more than one bag on your shoulders without having the straps rub against each other or slide off
What we dislike
- The add-on accessories have to be purchased separately
8. LAMBOGO
Designed for the great outdoors, this rugged, waterproof, wireless SSD comes with up to 8TB of storage, has an internal fan to keep the drive and circuitry cool when you’re not in the cushy environment of an air-conditioned office, and lets you wirelessly preview and share files between your devices.
Why is it noteworthy?
LAMBOGO comes with a card slot and a single button interface for quickly dumping data from your DSLR and Drone, and lets you easily preview your files on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or even desktop and edit them on third-party apps… without connecting wires. If you’re a shutterbug who travels to the wilderness or someone who needs to quickly backup their heavy RAW footage without any wires, cables, or cloud subscriptions, the LAMBOGO couldn’t be more of a perfect fit in your tech arsenal.
What we like
- 8TB of storage, letting you easily dump 4K or even 8K footage onto it
- The internal cooling system goes a long way in protecting your data and increasing the lifespan of your SSD by preventing heating
What we dislike
- Not sure how well the SSD’s ruggedness will last in the outdoors
9. The Loop Pillow
Most accurately described as a flexible neck-noodle, the Loop Pillow redefines the archetype of a U-shaped neck pillow. Its infinitely adjustable loop design lets you tightly or loosely wind it around your neck, and gives you the right amount of lift near your shoulder to rest your head. The pillow’s innovation lies in the fact that it isn’t designed like a pillow… if you personally ask me, it reminds me of the neck rings worn by the Ndebele tribal folk in Africa, albeit MUCH more comfortable.
Why is it noteworthy?
The pillow’s flexible design lets you adjust it in a way that’s useful for all sorts of sleeping positions, be it with your head resting forwards, on the sides, or even the back. The Loop Pillow comes made from a thermo-sensitive memory foam that molds perfectly to the contours of your neck, and a moisture-wicking, breathable outer cover that keeps your neck and head dry. The cover comes with two colors, corresponding to the pillow’s warm side and cool side, letting you effectively choose what gives you more comfort.
What we like
- Made from a thermo-sensitive memory foam that molds perfectly to the contours of your neck
What we dislike
No complaints
10. The RAYCONO
Relying on Hydroxyl and Plasma purification technology, the ridiculously tiny RAYCONO gives you fresh deodorized air that’s been purged of bacteria, VOCs, and other stuff you don’t want in the air… and unlike your bulky, boxy air-purifier or expensive HVAC system, the RAYCONO is about the shape and size of a power bank.
Why is it noteworthy?
The air purifier + deodorizer was originally envisioned for pet-owners, although it works just as easily in regular homes, kitchens, offices, basements, smoking rooms – basically anywhere plagued by strong odors and bad air quality. Designed to be tiny yet efficient, the RAYCONO relies on two cutting-edge technologies to help improve air quality and freshness – Hydroxyl technology, and Plasma purification.
What we like
- Relies on two cutting-edge technologies to help improve air quality and freshness
What we dislike
- The use of plasma filtration raises some concerns