We may earn a commission from links on this page.
I saw a thread on X the other day that explained how the design of airports—in terms of function, aesthetics, and general vibes—destabilizes travelers and makes them behave worse than they might otherwise. The airport really is kind of hell all the time, but especially around the holidays. This year, over 7.5 million people are expected fly over the next few days (that a 4.7% bump from last year), making it the busiest year for air travel on record. Whenever you travel, you need all the help you can get to make the experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible—but you especially need it now.
The best gadgets for traveling
First, you need a really good carry-on: No more hauling around a big duffel bag stuffed with your essentials. Upgrade to the Gymax carry on, a 20-inch hardshell carry-on with wheels, a lock, a convenient front pocket for your laptop, an expandable tabletop, and a built-in USB port to charge your phone, headphones, or the other gadgets on this list. It’s $79.99 well spent.
Not everything fits in a carry-on all the time, though, and it’s really uncomfortable to arrive to the airport only to learn your baggage is overweight and you’ll have to pay some of your trip money toward a fee. Avoid that by spending $10.99 one time on a portable luggage scale, which features a simple, digital display that tells you what your bag weighs before the airline associates ever get a chance.
Sometimes, you need to charge more than one item. Long layovers are the worst, since you’re scrambling to even find an outlet, then making the impossible decision about which device needs to be charged the most. Pick up this folding three-in-one charger ($29.39)to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods and eliminate all that stress.
Finally, consider a phone-charging passport holder, like this one from Lovie Style ($43.99). There’s no tech-based replacement for your real-life passport (yet), but you can at least make the most of having to tote it around with this zippered container, which not only charges your phone, but has little pockets and holders for your cards, wires, and cash.
The best gadgets for the plane itself
Airplanes are dry. Everyone knows that. You’ll get off at your destination with chapped lips and a stuffy nose if you’re not careful. Pick up the Hey Dewey wireless, rechargeable facial mister ($59.95) to solve the issue. It’s little, lightweight, and quiet, so you can pop it on when you arrive at your hotel to freshen up. And maybe if you’re traveling with family, you could even use it at your seat during the flight—as long as no one around you minds, of course.
There are a lot of phone mounts available out there, but you should try the PROFezzion magnetic one ($18.99)—you can attach your phone to the seat in front of you and (before and after boarding) the handle of your pull-along luggage.
Watching a movie on your phone isn’t that comfortable; it’s better to watch on the screen on the seat in front of you. If you don’t have headphones with a 3.5mm jack, though, good luck. Actually, you don’t need luck. What you need is the Lavales Bluetooth adapter ($29.99), which plugs into the audio jack and connects to your Bluetooth headphones, letting you listen to what you’re watching in peace without having to get (or buy!) those wack little headphones from the flight attendant.
Or just sleep. Sleep peacefully, in fact. Try the Muciozy sleep headphones ($23.49), which are not only Bluetooth headphones, but an eye mask, so you can listen to white noise, music, or whatever else while blocking out the light from the doofus in the window seat who decided to throw the shade wide open at 7 in the morning.
