This Gadget Will Prevent You From Melting Down On Your Summer Vacation

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Packing for travel can be pretty difficult. Personally, I’m always trying to pack my luggage lightly, but still taking everything I need, including the best travel gadgets to make the trip easier.

If you’re not super travel-savvy, you might not be familiar with the different travel items out there designed to make your trip more efficient, allowing you to enjoy it more. If that’s the case, let me introduce you to some of the best buys when it comes to travel gadgets. One of my personal faves is this money belt to keep your cash ~safe~, but there’s also the inflatable travel pillow that you, like me, might have seen on TikTok. I’d also check out this editor-approved neck fan to keep you cool if you're jetting to someplace hot.

Shop some of the best travel gadgets here:

Since traveling—especially taking fam vacations—can get pricey, I’ve kept this list down to the most affordable travel items, spanning technology to skincare innovations even if you aren’t flying on a budget. Ahead, check out the best travel gadgets for every kind of trip in 2023. Bon voyage!

Recommended by frequent flier and WH senior deputy digital editor Maridel Reyes, this portable neck fan is key if you're heading someplace hot. "I bought this on a trip all over Southeast Asia last year, and it saved my life when the real feel was 104 degrees with humidity," she says. "Plus, they look like headphones." I personally love that they're hands-free, plus, reviewers say it has a long battery life and has a great air flow throughout the whole device.

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Portable Neck Fan

$30.94

amazon.com

It seems like most people use wireless headphones these days, but airplanes still have a good old-fashioned headphone jack. Never fear, this little device plugs into the spot near the plane screen where the headphones would plug in, and then you can listen wire-free!

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AirFly Pro Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter/Receiver

$54.99

amazon.com

When traveling internationally, you'll need some kind of adapter for plugging your tech into the different wall outlets. This one is awesome because it has different plug-ins for more than 150 countries throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

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International Adapter

$14.99

amazon.com

Are you always losing stuff? (Same.) If so, these AirTags might come in handy. All you have to do is place them on your belongings, like keys or a suitcase, and you'll be able to locate them easily in the Find My app.

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AirTag

$84.99

amazon.com

Luggage locks can be *extremely* helpful for any travel that might involve someone else handling your baggage, especially if you're taking multiple flights to a different country. With these, you can stop worrying about the safety of the belongings in your suitcases, and instead, enjoy the process of your travel.

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Cable Luggage Locks

$13.95

amazon.com

It's no secret that tourists stand out easily and are put in certain ~dangers~ if they look lost on the street, so it's always a good idea to keep your money and valuable belongings v hidden. With this money belt, you can easily put cash and credit cards in this zipper pockets, and fasten it under your shirt. That way, you can walk around and feel just a bit safer.

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Money Belt

$24.95

amazon.com

I recently bought a luggage scale, and not to be dramatic, but it changed my life. Since checked bags often have to weigh 50 pounds or less, this scale can be used during the packing process so you don't have to reorganize your bag at the airport. Just hook it around the handle of your suitcase, lift it up, and see how heavy it is.

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Luggage Scale

$10.99

amazon.com

These cute little refillable bottles are amazing for filling up with shampoo, conditioner, a facial cleanser, or any other product with which you may be flying. I found them on Amazon back in 2022, and they're been such a solid purchase. These four bottles are soft, so you can squish the products out easily, and their capacity is three ounces.

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Refillable Bottles

$10.39

amazon.com

This portable charger is small but powerful—it charges quickly and won't take up a ton of space in your purse if you're charging your phone on the go. Plus, it can charge your AirPods or other apple products besides just your phone!

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Portable iPhone Charger

$29.99

amazon.com

If you love to stream movies and television shows but can never get your phone in the right position to watch on the plane, this stand is a great option. It's flexible, bending in all directions, so you can really get your phone or tablet into any angle that's best for you.

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Cell Phone And Tablet Stand

$14.99

amazon.com

POV: You're staying in an Airbnb with...no safe. You never know who could be entering your room when you're on vacay, and without a safe, you might feel a bit uneasy. This safe is portable and available in three sizes, plus, its interior is padded.

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Portable Lock Box Safe

$23.41

amazon.com

Packing is difficult, to say the least. Fortunately, these compressible packing cubes are here to save the day. They will help you get the job done and let you organize by outfits, type of clothing, or any other way you want to pack.

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Compressible Packing Cubes

$90.00

monos.com

Consider this your sign to snatch up a pair of AirPods if you haven't already. (I didn't get a pair for the longest time, but I recently caved, and they're *so* worth it.) This pair is particularly effective for travel because it has solid noise cancellation, so if you're on an airplane and that white noise sound is really getting to you, it won't be an issue anymore with these.

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AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

$199.00

amazon.com

So, this travel pillow is one of those products I saw on TikTok, but it's one I think is actually useful. If you like to lean forward and be in your own world while you sleep on a plane, this inflatable pillow might be a good investment. It allows you to lean on it at a 45-degree angle. You can even weave your hands through the sides and play on your phone, pretending you're alone, if you want.

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Inflatable Pillow

$22.89

amazon.com

It's really important to stay safe when you travel, so it's a good idea to take a carbon monoxide detector, which will set off its alarm when it detects CO gas in your area, and use it when you go to sleep. I have this one, and I feel one hundred times safer going to sleep at night knowing it's there!

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Carbon Monoxide Detector

$19.97

amazon.com

Unfortunately, I am *so* prone to motion sickness, especially on boats. If that sounds like you, you might want to grab some patches. Reviewers say they work well and stay in place, lasting for three days.

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Motion Sickness Patches

$14.99

amazon.com

This cute little white noise sound machine made WH's first-ever travel awards, so it's totally worth a buy. Not only does it play white noise, but also nature sounds, such as running water and wind. (So soothing!) It's easy to control with your phone and easy to pack and take with you everywhere.

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Mini White Noise Smart Sound Machine

$39.99

sleeping.com

Health and fitness trackers can be so fun to take on trips if you don't already have them because they're a lot better at tracking your steps and movement than your phone! The Oura ring gives you daily readiness, activity, and sleep scores, so it can help you organize your trip day by day and tell you when you should sleep in, versus go skydiving. I personally adore mine and totally recommend it to anyone who wants to get into tracking.

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Ring Gen3

$299.00

ouraring.com

WFH is becoming more and more normalized these days, but what about WFV (working from vacation)? This gadget serves as a hotspot, so you can connect to wifi from literally anywhere. Want to work on a road trip or in the middle of a remote destination? No problem.

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Mobile Hotspot Router

$159.99

amazon.com

If you find yourself always getting sunburnt no matter what, you might want to pay attention here. These UV detection stickers go on clear, but turn purple when they're exposed to UV light. When enough sunscreen is applied, it turns clear again, then changes back to purple when you should apply more sunscreen.

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Detection Stickers For Sunscreen

$15.99

amazon.com

In case your clothes get wrinkled in your suitcase, it's never a bad idea to take a handheld steamer. It has a stainless steel head, a four-ounce water tank, and heats up water in just 25 seconds. Reviewers say it's an amazing addition for traveling.

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Portable Garment Steamer

$39.99

amazon.com

Again, if you think you're going somewhere you'll be sweating a lot, it's not a bad idea to bring a small handheld fan. And this one doubles as a flashlight and portable phone charger. As an Amazon bestseller, people seem to think it's worth the purchase.

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Handheld Mini Fan

$17.99

amazon.com

You truly never know when you might get caught in the rain, and if you happen to be visiting a larger city or somewhere where you'll get drenched if you happen to forget an umbrella, you'll want to have this hat handy. It's comfy and has a see-through visor so you'll still be able to see where you're going.

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Waterproof Rain Hat

$34.99

amazon.com

Rather than getting a bunch of different adapters for separate countries—or charging your tech devices one-by-one—just use this power strip. If you're traveling internationally, it'll be easy to use this in conjunction with the NEWVANGA international travel adapter, and you can then charge all of your belongings at the same time.

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Power Strip

$18.99

amazon.com

If you ~tend~ to overpack, it might be a good idea to order some compression bags, which will help save space in a suitcase. These ones are great because you don't need a vacuum or pump to get the air out—you manually push it out with your hands.

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Compression Bags

$12.72

amazon.com

I'm someone who straight-up packs their toiletries in plastic bags, so I could probably use some of these TSA-approved quart-size reusable containers. These bags are perfect for taking your liquids through security, but they also make a great bag to store in your seat back pocket to access necessities on the plane.

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Clear Toiletry Bags

$9.99

amazon.com

For one week, Women’s Health editors, including our editorial assistant Addison Aloian, researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated travel gadgets. Our team evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best 26 items for a wide range of needs and preferences.

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