Planning a trip soon? You’ve probably already double-checked that you have your passport, clothes, and toiletries on hand. So you have everything you need for a great trip anywhere in the world, right? Not really. For a truly comfortable and stress-free journey, we highly recommend investing in some top-notch travel tech. Whether you’re flying or traveling by car, these items are highly recommended by experienced travelers and travel industry insiders.
Whether it’s noise-canceling headphones or a battery pack to charge your phone, it’s always a good idea to bring a few problem-solving tech accessories on board. And who better to recommend travel tech than flight attendants, whose profession involves frequent travel? We spoke to flight attendants and scoured the internet for products they recommend, and present our findings here.
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Apple AirTags are great for keeping track of your keys and wallet, as well as making sure your luggage doesn’t get lost.
Most frequent travelers will tell you that the easiest way to prevent lost luggage is to bring it on as a carry-on, but this isn’t practical for everyone. To prevent lost luggage, try using Apple AirTags. “I keep one in my flight attendant bag whenever I need to check a bag,” says one five-star reviewer. “It’s super easy to use and definitely worth the money.”
$79 on Amazon
Amazon
Tired of arriving at your destination with dry, papery skin? Here’s the solution.
Simon Wu, a flight attendant with Cathay Pacific for six years, told Yahoo Life that a humidifier is a must-have after a long flight. “After a long flight, you definitely need a humidifier for your skin,” he said. He recommends this brand and model for its size: “This little humidifier is super portable.” It operates via USB, has two spray modes, and even has an LED light for nighttime use.
$9 on Amazon
Amazon
An alternative to Apple’s AirPods, these noise-canceling earphones offer up to 31 hours of battery life when used with the charging case.
While Apple AirPods are popular, Wu prefers the Google Pixel Buds Pro. “Pixel Buds are a must-have when I want to take a nap during my shift break,” he says. The Pixel Buds are compact, have a long battery life, and have active noise cancellation that significantly reduces outside noise. Plus, you can ask Google for directions, answer calls, and control your music, all hands-free.
$140 on Amazon
Amazon
With this convenient Anker portable charger, you’ll never have to worry about your phone running out of battery again.
You’ll likely be using your phone a lot while traveling, which is bound to drain your battery. A power bank is a must-have. It’s popular with Amazon reviews, including from flight attendants. “As a flight attendant, I always need power when I’m on the go,” one reviewer said. “I bought this to replace my old Anker power bank that I left on the plane, and it works great for me… This battery charges my phone incredibly fast, fully charging my iPhone X 4 times. My only complaint is the shape – I wish it was a bit slimmer… It sticks out on the side when you hold it up against your phone, making it hard to hold. Other than that it’s a great, fast battery pack and easy to store when traveling!”
$34 on Amazon
Amazon
Travelling internationally? Remember that electrical outlets vary from country to country, so with this you’ll have power from Stockholm to Shanghai and all points in between.
The universal travel adapter helps keep your electronics, like your phone, tablet, or laptop, charged continuously. This all-in-one model includes four USB-A connectors and one USB-C connector. “I bought this for my nephew who is preparing for his first trip to Europe!” says one travel pro. “This travel adapter is one piece and very sturdy. I’m buying two for my husband and I, as we’re flight attendants! It’s great not to have to worry about missing parts!”
$23 on Amazon
Amazon
Need more power for your electronics? This universal travel adapter comes with a 110 to 220V converter, handy for appliances like hair straighteners and fans.
If you plan on bringing electrical appliances like a hair dryer or electric toothbrush, it’s a good idea to buy a universal travel adapter with a voltage converter. “As a retired international flight attendant, I’ve brought all kinds of converters for international travel,” this reviewer says. “The Bestek converter was the best one I’ve ever purchased. I can charge my phone, iPad, curling iron, computer, and more all at the same time as long as I have a converter. I had a mini curling iron that I didn’t think would work with the converter, but it heated up perfectly. I love it!”
$38 on Amazon
Amazon
Not all hotel rooms have microwaves, making it inconvenient for heating up leftovers or breakfast, so Hot Logic’s Mini Portable Oven is an electric food-warming tote that’s become a cult favorite among airline crew.
One five-star reviewer said it’s a must-have for flight crew: “I love my Hot Logic. I’ve been a flight attendant for a long time and this is my second one…. I mostly do turns (day trips) but even then I bring this with me in case I can’t get home and have to stay overnight somewhere…. Hotel microwaves are almost impossible to find outside of North America. The Hot Logic works fine with a converter. Just be careful how hot it gets when you use the converter.”
$35 on Amazon
Amazon
A mess of cables and plugs can make an already chaotic travel experience even more confusing, so keeping your accessories together like this at least makes packing easier. And it’s waterproof!
Though not exactly tech, this electronics organizer from Bubm is a travel essential because it helps keep all your cables and plugs in one place. “I love this bag,” one flight crew member wrote in a review. “I’m a flight attendant and I carry three iDevices, two chargers (both cylindrical), and wireless headphones. Naturally, I need a lot of cables and plugs to charge and recharge, and this bag keeps everything neatly organized with room for spares.”
$11 on Amazon
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The above review reflects the most current version at the time of publication.
