Over my many years of traveling, I’ve accumulated a LOT of travel gear. Some products end up being a total waste of money, while others completely transform the way that I travel for the better. In this post, I’m sharing my honest list of travel products that are actually worth the money, based purely on my own experience using them time and time again. These aren’t just random Amazon finds either; Every single item on this list is something I personally use and swear by on nearly every trip I take, whether I’m island hopping in Thailand or hiking through Slovenia. So if you’re looking to upgrade your travel gear without wasting money on things you won’t actually use, keep reading for my tried and true recommendations!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission on purchases made through these links. All opinions are my own.

🧳 Packing Essentials

Carry-on size backpack

Carry-on backpacks have become pretty popular over the past few years, and they are personally my favorite type of bag to travel with; I truly think they are an absolute game changer! They are the size of a rolling carry-on (I actually find that I can fit more in my Nordace Carry-on Backpack than a hardshell carry-on) and make your life so much easier on the road, especially if you will be traveling to hilly destinations (like the Amalfi Coast) or plan to hop around a bunch of different cities in one trip.

Compression Packing Cubes

I’ve always used packing cubes, but lately I’ve been gravitating towards compression ones because they fit way more clothes, letting you travel longer with less luggage. This is one of my current favorite packing hacks, especially as someone who prefers to do carry-on-only for a lot of my trips! I’ve been using these ones from TRIPPED Travel Gear and they are the best I’ve tried so far.

Digital Luggage Scale

I always bring a digital luggage scale with me anytime I plan to check luggage to avoid paying overweight baggage fees. Sometimes I can definitely go a little overboard on souvenirs (especially in destinations with amazing bazaars or night markets!), and I almost always come home with heavier luggage than I started with. Having a portable scale on hand just gives you a little more peace of mind.

Apple Airtags

If you’ve ever arrived at a destination and waited for an hour for your luggage, only for it to never appear, you know that terrible sinking feeling that you’ll never see your suitcase again. I always place an Apple AirTag inside my checked luggage in case it does get lost in transit; I can simply check the location to notify airline employees. I also like to place AirTags with my valuables, like my camera equipment, in case it gets stolen or I accidentally leave it somewhere (Thanks, ADHD 😅!)

🎧📱 Tech Essentials

Noise-Canceling Earbuds or Headphones

This is probably my number 1 travel essential, and it’s a total game changer for long-haul flights or overnight trains where you want to get some rest. It’s impossible for me to get any sleep on flights without them, especially between crying babies (which trigger my anxiety), chatty seatmates, weather announcements, and any other random noise that comes with the territory of public transport. I’m a firm believer that a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can make the difference between arriving at your destination refreshed versus completely exhausted. I love my AirPods, and the AirPods Pro 3 have incredible noise-cancelling technology! If you prefer headphones, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are consistently rated as the top choice for over-ear noise cancellation.

Portable Power Bank

I never travel without a portable power bank (especially a must if you plan to do any solo traveling!)  Between navigating with maps, taking photos, and translating menus, my phone battery drains SO much faster while traveling, and I’ve learned the hard way how much I rely on Google Maps to get around. I love magnetic power banks because they are less bulky and just snap right onto a magnetic phone case.

Laptop Power Bank

If you work remotely or just can’t stand the thought of a dead laptop while traveling, a laptop power bank is 100% worth the investment. Regular phone power banks won’t cut it here since laptops require way more battery power, so I always bring my
Anker portable laptop charger for laptop charging (look for one with at least 20,000mAh and USB-C PD output). This has saved me more times than I can count, whether I’m working from a train with no outlets in sight or just want to make sure I can edit photos and blog on the go, without hunting for a charging spot. It’s a bit bulkier and heavier than a regular power bank, but if you rely on your laptop while traveling, it’s absolutely worth the extra weight in your bag.

Waterproof Action Camera

If you plan to do any type of snorkeling, you might end up kicking yourself if you don’t bring a waterproof action camera with you! I’ve had great experiences with GoPro and DJI action cameras. If you take a lot of pictures and videos during your trips, I think these are great to have on hand, as they’ll let you reminisce over your diving experiences once the trip has ended. I recently upgraded to the DJI Osmo Action 6 and the quality is truly fantastic!

Universal Travel Adapter

A must if you’re heading to Europe from the US! I always recommend one with multiple USB ports built in so you can charge your phone, camera, and power bank all at once without fighting over a single outlet.

Waterproof Phone Pouch

Waterproof phone bags are essential if you plan to do any water activities, in my opinion. They allow you to have your phone on you without worrying about it getting water damage! Just always do an underwater test on them before actually using them with your phone to ensure there are no leaks. Leaks are rare but still a possibility, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!

💰✈️ Money & Booking Essentials

Travel Insurance

This should be an absolute non-negotiable for every traveler. I traveled for the longest time without it and thankfully never had any incidents, but I was incredibly lucky. Sh*t happens when you travel. You might get sick or injure yourself. Maybe you miss a flight or have to go home early for a family emergency. Travel insurance is another cost, but it’s usually nothing that crazy, and if something happens during your trip, you could potentially spend a LOT (like SERIOUSLY an insane amount) more than what it would have cost to just get your trip insured. My favorite travel insurance companies are World Nomads and SafetyWing!

Travel Credit Cards (Chase, Capital One Venture X)

If you travel internationally more than once a year, I strongly suggest getting a travel credit card so that you can build up reward points and maximize your future travels. Most good travel cards have an upfront cost, but I find they ALWAYS pay for themselves through their included benefits alone. I never pay full price for flights to Europe anymore because I just use my travel reward points and transfer via Air France, which frequently has deals where you can get flights for as low as 25,000 points each way. Credit cards like the Capital One Venture X also offer complimentary airport lounge access and Priority Pass, plus free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

I personally have the Capital One Venture X ($395 a year) and the Chase Preferred ($95 a year) cards, but if I could only choose one, I would go with the Venture X. You also get $300 in travel credits every year with this one, which can be used for hotels, flights, or rental cars through Capital One’s booking portal. It also includes complimentary airport lounge access to Capital One Lounges (which are awesome!) and Priority Pass, plus free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

I find the Chase Preferred to be a good starter travel credit card, and it’s probably a better option if you don’t travel as often, but still want to rack up points to transfer for airline credits. 

Direct/Nonstop Flights

Usually pricier, but if it’s only a few hundred dollars more, nonstop flights can absolutely be worth it! Layovers are a headache, especially with missed connections due to delays, and I have noticed my jet lag is always worse when I have layovers instead of direct flights.

Refundable or Flexible Bookings

Whenever possible, I always try to book refundable or flexible options, especially for accommodations. Plans change more often than you’d think, whether it’s a flight delay that throws off your whole itinerary, a sudden work emergency, or even just changing your mind about how long you want to stay somewhere. I’ve saved myself so much stress (and money) by paying a little extra upfront for a flexible rate, rather than locking myself into a non-refundable booking. This is especially true for trips further out, since a lot can change between the time you book and your actual travel dates. It’s a small habit that gives you so much peace of mind and pairs perfectly with having good travel insurance as a backup for anything truly unexpected.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, you don’t need a hundred gadgets to travel well, but having the right ones can genuinely make or break your trip. From saving you money with travel credit cards to saving your sanity with noise-cancelling headphones, each of these products has earned its spot in my travel bag for a reason. I hope this list helps take some of the guesswork out of your own packing process and makes your next adventure just a little bit smoother!