7 Tech Essentials That Make Travel Easier (and Smarter)

📅 July 2025

My wife and I love to travel. It clears our heads, resets our routine, and opens us up to new experiences. But travel can also be unpredictable. Dead batteries, bad Wi-Fi, or lost luggage can easily derail your plans. With the right gear, you can skip the stress and enjoy the journey. These seven tech essentials are compact, reliable, and worth every inch of space in our bags and yours.

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Traveling with the right gear isn’t about overpacking. It’s about outsmarting the little annoyances that can derail a trip. I test this stuff so you don’t have to. Let’s get into it.

1. JisuLife Life9 Portable Handheld Fan

Stay cool anywhere. Grab it here.

This compact jet fan is a must-have for travel, especially in tropical climates or anytime you need to beat the heat. It offers up to 18 hours of cooling with 5 adjustable speeds. Lightweight and pocket-friendly, it recharges via USB and packs a 5000mAh battery that can double as a power bank in a pinch. One of the smartest travel companions you can bring along. Honestly, I underestimated how much I’d need this when visiting family overseas.

I also feature the JisuLife Life7 (a bit larger, more functional model) on my blog post 10 Tech Essentials for Smarter Camping. Check to see how it makes the cut as one of my tech recommendations for outdoor adventures!

2. Anker Nano Travel Adapter

Global charging, one adapter. Shop now.

Different countries, different plugs. The Anker Nano Travel Adapter covers over 200 countries and includes 1 AC outlet, 2 USB-A, and 2 USB-C ports. Its incredibly slim profile stands out from the competition while taking up almost zero space in your bag. It has built-in surge protection for peace of mind, backed by Anker’s well-known reliability.

3. Anker GaNPrime Power Bank

One charger. Wall + battery. See it now.

I use Anker products exclusively when it comes to portable power, and this power bank is supreme convenience for travel. It’s both a wall charger and a portable battery pack, so you can charge on the go or plug directly into the wall without packing two separate devices. It has 2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port so you’re covered for all devices.

4. Soundcore Life Q30 Noise Cancelling Headphones

Big sound. Small price. Worth it.

Get undeniably crisp, rich sound and Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) without breaking the bank (yes, they’re under $100). My tech-for-travel recommendation is the Soundcore Life Q30 Headphones. These have 40 hours of playtime on ANC mode, even more on standard mode, and will last through the longest flights. As much as I love my AirPods, the Q30 offers the best value per dollar with sound quality that’s nearly indistinguishable.

5. Apple AirTags or Tile Mate

Track your bags with confidence. Shop Here.

I’ve invested a fair bit into the Apple ecosystem, so I’d have to recommend the Apple AirTags. I use them to keep track of our luggages and bags during travel. There’s no other tracker I can recommend to Apple users because they just work incredibly well with each other. Throw one of these in your bags and always know where it is at all times.

🤖 For Android users, Tile Mate, also mentioned in my Smart Life Starter Kit, is a strong alternative and is the only tracker with an SOS button for emergencies or unsafe situations.

6. TP-Link Ultra-Portable Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router

Protect your data on hotel Wi-Fi. This router makes it easy.

Hotel Wi-Fi can be spotty, slow, or unsecured. Another TP-Link go-to, this travel router lets you create a secure personal network from any public connection. It’s great for sharing Wi-Fi across devices and adds an extra layer of protection when working remotely or logging into sensitive accounts. With Wi-Fi 6 speeds, multi-mode functionality, and USB-C power, it’s built for modern travel.

This little router is also featured in my blog post 10 Tech Essentials for Smarter Camping. See how useful it can be for smarter camping!

💡Pro tip: On cruises that charge per device, using a travel router counts as one connection, saving you money while keeping all your devices online.

7. AirFly Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Adapter

This adapter changed how I fly. Check it out.

If you’ve ever been on a flight with only a headphone jack but no way to use your wireless Bluetooth headphones, you’re definitely not alone. The AirFly SE is a compact Bluetooth adapter that lets you connect your wireless headphones to any 3.5mm audio jack. Just plug it in, pair your AirPods (or any Bluetooth headphones), and you’re good to go. It runs for over 20 hours on a single charge and fits easily in your pocket or carry-on. If you hate being stuck with wired headphones while traveling, this little device is a game-changer.

✈️ Ready to Travel Smarter?

Whether you’re hopping on a plane or hitting the road, these gadgets make every trip smoother, safer, and more enjoyable. Got a favorite travel tech tool I missed? Let me know!

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