Sometimes the difference between a good trip and bad trip depends entirely on what travel accessories you bring with you. Crying baby on your flight? Earplugs to the rescue! Lost luggage? Find it with your Bluetooth tracker! See? You get the idea.
Sure, traveling can be unpredictable at times. It’s impossible to be prepared for everything and you shouldn’t try to be. There definitely isn’t enough space in your suitcase for you to do that.
Your suitcase probably does have space for some of the useful travel accessories on this list, however. Seriously, these are some of the best travel accessories out there. Even if you can’t fit them in your suitcase, you’ll definitely want to consider making some room since they’re the solution to so many common travel-related problems. After using these travel accessories once, you’ll wonder how you ever went anywhere without them.
Verizon Jetpack AC791L
Forget food or water; if there’s one thing we all can’t live without, it’s Wi-Fi. How else could we watch funny cat videos or tap away at our favorite app games?
If you’re someone who travels often, you know just how much of an ordeal finding a serviceable Wi-Fi signal can be. Make this annoying problem a thing of the past with a mobile hotspot. With so many on the market however, it can be difficult choosing the right one.
While you should still consider your options thoroughly since hotspots don’t come cheap, one of the best is the Verizon Jetpack AC791L. This impressive hotspot uses Verizon Wireless’s 4G LTE network to provide up to 15 devices with dependable coverage in the U.S. and over 200 other countries.
Need a charge too? No problem! The Verizon Jetpack can even be used as a backup battery pack for your other electronic travel accessories when they’re low on juice. Simply plug in your dead device using the included USB attachment and watch as the Verizon Jetpack brings it back to life.
Buy it: verizonwireless.com
Anker PowerCore 20100
If the Verizon Jetpack’s ability to charge your phone while you’re on the go sounds useful but its mobile hotspot capability isn’t something you need, the Anker PowerCore 20100 is the gadget for you.
Packing a lot of power into a small, sleek package, the Anker PowerCore features dual USB ports and has enough battery life to charge most smartphones approximately seven to eight times.
Stop living your life outlet to outlet and pick up this nifty little device before your next trip. When the battery icon on your phone turns bright red and you’ve got no other way to charge it, you’ll be glad you did.
Buy it: amazon.com
BUBM DIP-DXL Digital Accessories Storage Bag
If you’ll be adding the Verizon Jetpack or Anker PowerCore to your collection of electronic travel accessories, it’s probably time to invest in something that can hold them all.
The BUBM DIP-DXL Digital Accessories Storage Bag does just that and more. It also keeps your electronics safe and secure while you’re on the go with its well-padded, semi-flexible, and waterproof exterior. Additional features include a double layered design for increased storage space along with 19 elastic loops and zippered mesh pockets to keep your travel accessories neat and tidy.
Buy it: amazon.com
If 19 loops isn’t enough, maybe the GRID-IT! Organizer from Cocoon Innovations is more your speed. Made entirely from elastic bands woven into a grid-like pattern, how you arrange your travel accessories with the GRID-IT! Organizer is entirely up to you.
Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
Chances are you’ll have some extra space in your new BUBM bag; probably more than enough to fit Amazon’s bestselling Fire TV Stick and accompanying Alexa Voice Remote.
Barely bigger than a flash drive, the Fire TV Stick lets you stream movies and shows through streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, watch live TV, browse the internet, and more. Best of all, setting it up is as easy as just plugging it in!
If you’re in search of the perfect cure for rainy day hotel room boredom, this is it. Throw in the added bonus of being able to order a pizza with the Alexa Voice Remote and it’ll feel like you never left home.
Buy it: amazon.com
Trtl Travel Pillow
While the Trtl Travel Pillow is one of the most comfortable and popular travel pillows out there, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking at it. That’s because it looks more like a scarf than it does a traditional travel pillow. Despite its unconventional appearance, the Trtl actually offers ample neck support because of the strengthened plastic ribs hidden underneath the pillow’s soft fleece exterior.
Using the Trtl is much simpler than its appearance would suggest as well. All you have to do is align the plastic part in a position that you find most comfortable, wrap the pillow around your neck, and fasten the Velcro strips together.
Another upside to the Trtl’s innovative design is that it is more lightweight and low profile than a traditional travel pillow. Since it doesn’t have any stuffing, the Trtl weighs less than a newspaper and is capable of being easily packed into even the most overfilled suitcases.
Buy it: trtltravel.com
For an even more restful sleep on your next flight, pair the Trtl Travel Pillow with the Andyer Portable Travel Foot Rest. This hanging foot rest is suspended by an adjustable strap that attaches to your tray table, allowing you to make the most of what little legroom you have.
Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs
As comfortable as the Trtl Travel Pillow and Andyer Foot Rest are, even they can’t help you catch any shuteye if you’re stuck on a flight with a crying baby or a chatty passenger. That’s a problem only earplugs can solve.
If you’re in the market for some before your next trip and are looking to get the most bang for your buck, look no further than Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs. Many buyers swear by these earplugs for their quality and value; so much so, in fact, that they’ve earned the distinction of being an Amazon’s Choice product.
The comfortable, low-pressure foam these earplugs are made from expands slowly in your ear, so once they’re in you won’t even notice them. What you will notice however is their impressive 32-decibel Noise Reduction Rating. No more crying babies! They’re cheap too; a pack of 50 pairs will run you just under 10 dollars.
Buy it: amazon.com
Lewis N. Clark Woolite Travel Laundry Kit
When traveling, it’s always a good idea to bring along some spare clothes in case of an accident. But what happens if those clothes get dirty too? Instead of taking a trip to the nearest laundromat, use the Lewis N. Clark Woolite Travel Laundry Kit.
This handy kit comes complete with eight quarter-ounce packets of Woolite cold water wash liquid soap and a handy sink stopper, so even if a sink doesn’t have a plug, you’ll still be able to turn it into your own personal washing machine. The packets are TSA-compliant and the soap they’re filled with can be used on whites, colors, and all kinds of fabrics, including linen, cotton, wool, silk, and more.
Buy it: amazon.com
Once your clothes are washed, iron out any wrinkles with the travel size Steamfast Home-and-Away Mini Steam Iron. Better than the clothes irons you’ll find stashed away in hotel room closets, this one packs 420 watts of power into a perfectly portable package. The Steamfast Mini Steam Iron’s small size also makes it great for ironing those hard-to-reach places such as collars, pockets, and pleats.
eBags Ultralight Packing Cubes
If you’re in need of some serious help when it comes to packing your bags, check out our article all about how to Pack like a Pro.
Need even more help? Try eBags Ultralight Packing Cubes. These durable, lightweight packing cubes make it easy to sort out even the most unruly luggage. No longer will your clothes, travel accessories, and other belongings have to share the same space in your suitcase; by keeping them in separate packing cubes, you’ll be able to find exactly what you need without having to dig to the bottom of your bag or unzipping pocket after pocket.
The Ultralight model in particular features a top made entirely from mesh, which allows for improved visibility and ventilation.
Buy it: ebags.com
Tile Mate
Losing your luggage or other valuables is one of the last things you want to have happen when traveling. Luckily you can give yourself some peace of mind with the innovative Tile Mate. This tiny device is no bigger than a key fob but it can help out in a big way when you’re trying to track down a lost belonging.
Using the companion smartphone application, you’ll be able to locate your Tile Mate if it’s within a range of 100 feet. The Tile Mate also features a built-in speaker that emits a ring when activated via the app. So, even if you can’t see it, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to hear it.
In the event that your Tile Mate is past the 100-foot range, you’ll still be able to determine its location if another person with the app on their phone is in the vicinity. It’s like having your own personal search party!
Buy it: thetileapp.com
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders
Those who think they’ve seen it all are in for a surprise as they peruse the captivating pages of Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders. This New York Times bestseller celebrates over 600 of the world’s most fantastical places, from a baobob tree in South Africa with a pub inside of it to Virginia’s Great Stalacpipe Organ.
Even if your destination isn’t home to oddities like these, it’s still a great book to bring along when traveling. After all, who wouldn’t want to read about Italian bone museums or M.C. Escher-like stepwells in India while waiting around in a dreary airport terminal?
If you do plan to make Atlas Obscura your go-to travel guide, definitely opt for a digital copy instead of lugging around the 480-page hardcover version.
Buy it: amazon.com
Interested in learning about even more great places to go? Check out our Team Travel Guides for cities, sports complexes, and convention centers all across America!
Honorable Mentions
Although these travel accessories didn’t quite make the cut, they’re still worth bringing along with you on your next trip.
Collapsible Water Bottle
A water bottle that can be folded or rolled up means that you can stay hydrated without having to sacrifice any space in your suitcase. Buyer beware however, many collapsible water bottles are prone to rips and tears, so shop wisely.
The Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle is a popular choice among travelers for its durability and compact size, as well as for perks like a limited lifetime warranty and 100-percent satisfaction guarantee. No wonder we featured it in our Travel Gear of the Week series!
Disposable Camera
While they might seem antiquated in the age of smartphones, disposable cameras are still a fun and novel way to record the highlights of your travels. If you’re traveling with kids, buy them one before you go; they’ll have a blast using it and since they’re so cheap, you won’t have to worry about them getting lost, broken, or stolen.
Travel Credit Card
Get rewarded for the trips you take with a travel credit card. There are many to choose from however, so finding the right one isn’t always easy. Lucky for you, we’ve got an article all about How to Choose the Best Travel Credit Card. Apply for one before your next trip and you’ll be racking up points in no time!
Selfie Stick
On one hand, a selfie stick allows you to take pictures from a whole new perspective. On the other hand, you’ll definitely look like a tourist using one. So, is it really worth it? That’s up for you to decide.