We are big believers in packing only what you really need when traveling. Many people are chronic overpackers, especially when it comes to clothes. 

Many of us also tend to carry too many gadgets when traveling. Do you really need both your laptop and tablet? Is that camera tripod worth the space it’s taking up? 

That said, there are travel gadgets that have proven quite useful in many of our travels. Consider adding these five gadgets to your luggage for your next trip. Note that we don’t include some obvious basics like your phone, a charger or a pair of headphones. 

1. Power Bank 

Don't assume that your phone and other rechargeable gadgets will last through the duration of your trip, or that you’ll find a place to recharge them. 

Even if you are only traveling for a day or two, always pack a power bank. Your devices could run out of power quicker than you expected, your trip can get unexpectedly longer or you might not find a convenient place to charge your phone. 

Most airlines allow power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh or 27,000 mAh. That’s big enough to recharge most gadgets multiple times. If you are traveling by car, you can carry a larger power bank or even get a compact portable power station that can charge more devices. 

Don't forget to fully charge the power bank before you leave home and pack a charger so that you can recharge it while traveling. 

2. Kindle/E-reader

One of the most common travel mistakes people make is packing physical books. Sure, there are people who actually read them. But often, you end up carrying a bulky book that you never open even once during the trip.

Instead, we recommend getting a Kindle or any other E-reader. Even if you prefer physical books, I’m sure you can tolerate reading from a screen for a few days. 

With an E-reader, you can read as much as you want without worrying about packing heavy books. Just make sure it is fully charged before you leave home. 

3. Bluetooth Adapter 

The world has mostly moved on from wired to wireless audio. But it seems airlines didn’t get the memo because most inflight entertainment systems still use a 3.5mm jack with no bluetooth option. 

You either miss out on watching movies during your flight or make do with cheap and low quality wired headphones. 

A bluetooth adapter like our recently launched Flight Flute 3.0 makes it easy to enjoy in-flight entertainment without having to give up your bluetooth headphones or earbuds. Simply plug it into the audio jack then connect your bluetooth headphones. 

You can also use a bluetooth adapter for other systems that don't have bluetooth connectivity (or if they have terrible bluetooth) such as a treadmill, an older car or a TV. 

4. Portable Solar Charger (For Backpacking & Camping)

For most trips, you don't need a solar charger. A power bank is enough to keep your devices charged. 

But if you are going on an extended outdoor adventure like backpacking or camping, then a portable solar charger will be handy. Pair it with a power bank. 

A solar charger charges your power bank during the day. You can then recharge your phone and devices at night from the power bank. 

Look for a foldable solar charger that you can easily attach to your backpack, hang on a tree or hang on your tent. This ensures you can use the solar charger when on the go as well as when you’ve camped. 

5. Phone Mount 

If you sometimes use your phone or tablet to entertain yourself when flying, a phone mount will make your flights a lot more comfortable. 

A phone or tablet holder/mount saves you the trouble of holding up your phone the entire flight. Simply clip it on the seat in front of you and you have your own in-flight entertainment system. 

Don't forget to bring along a power bank. All that watching is bound to quickly drain your phone’s battery. You can’t always be sure there’ll be a USB charger on your plane. 

Honorable Mentions

Other useful gadgets include Apple AirTag to track your luggage (or whichever tracker you prefer), a handheld fan if you expect hot weather, a portable white noise machine if that’s the only way you sleep, and a luggage scale especially if you tend to overpack.