The right travel gadgets make your vacation easier. Whether you’re heading out on a weekend getaway or a long-haul flight across the globe, the correct gear can make all the difference. From keeping your devices charged and connected to ensuring entertainment on the go, today’s travel tech is designed to streamline every leg of the journey.
As a frequent traveler, I’ve built up a collection of accessories: chargers, hubs, portable monitors and more. In this guide, I’ll share my must-have gadgets, hoping they’ll upgrade your travel experience, too — whether you’re a frequent flyer, a digital nomad or just someone who likes to stay plugged in wherever the road leads.
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Real recommendations
Everything I’m about to recommend to you made this list because I tested and really use it. All these travel gadgets went on my annual beach trip during the first week of June.
And I didn’t put them in my luggage with the intention of writing about them — it’s the opposite. I was using these accessories at the beach house and felt I should let more people know how great they all are, so I wrote this article about them.
Travel gadgets: Chargers
I wouldn’t dream of heading on a trip without the Twelve South PlugBug ($69.99). The wall charger includes a pair of USB-C ports and puts out 50W, which is enough for a MacBook and an iPhone. But what gives it a permanent spot in my luggage is support for Apple’s Find My tech. It’s easy to accidentally leave a charger behind in a hotel room, but that’s not possible with PlugBug — it’ll send an alert to your iPhone if you forget the accessory. I wrote a review with many more details and tests.
Buy it from: Amazon
Charge up to two USB-C-powered devices simultaneously with dynamic charging up to 50W. With folding prongs, the PlugBug is perfect for compact travel. But the standout feature is that the charger works with the Find My app, so you can easily locate it using your Apple device.
- Plenty of power for iPhone or MacBook
- Find My support is brilliant
- Audible alarm could be louder
Fans of wireless charging should add a bonus: the Twelve South ButterFly ($99.99). This folds to be just about the size of an AirPods charging case, then opens to reveal charging mats that let you juice up an iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time. Plus, it’s rugged enough to take anywhere. Don’t miss my review to see why I love it.
Buy it from: Amazon
The ButterFly 2-in-1 charging station is the size of an AirPods Pro case, but unfold it to charge your iPhone and Apple Watch or AirPods. Crafted with an anodized aluminum shell and vegan leather, the ButterFly charger matches the color and curvature of your MacBook.
The charger doubles as a hands-free display stand for your iPhone, and the magnetic Watch charger can be tilted vertically for Nightstand Mode.
The accessory comes with a USB-C cable, USB-C power adapter, four international plug adapters and a travel bag.
- Brilliant design is both portable and elegant
- Charges iPhone, Apple watch and AirPods
- None
Travel gadgets: Hubs
A MacBook or iPad makes an amazing companion on a holiday or work trip, but they just don’t include enough ports … I’m looking at you, MacBook Air and especially iPad. I can recommend two travel gadgets that deal with the problem.
When using a MacBook, I go with the EZQuest USB-C Slim Gen 2 Hub Adapter 6-in-1 ($79.99). Plug this into your Mac, and you get six more USB-C ports. That’s probably overkill for a beach vacation, but I’ve spent more hours than I can possibly count working from hotel rooms, and plenty of ports can be a godsend. I love this one from EZQuest because it’s the only slim and light hub I know of that can handle a portable USB-C monitor. Be sure to read my review of the accessory for more.
Buy it from: Amazon
This USB-C hub is nearly unique for being able to handle a USB-C monitor: 4K at 60Hz. Another port offers 100W Power Delivery with pass-thru charging up to 80W output and FRS technology.
Plus there are four more USB-C ports for data or charging.
- 6 open USB-C ports
- Supports USB-C monitor
- Gets very warm under heavy load
I prefer to travel with an iPad, and a HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Media Hub has gone on all my trips for years. Plug it into the tablet’s single USB-C port to add a range of other options: HDMI, USB-A, an SD card reader and an audio jack. Plus, a set of media controls makes stopping and starting music and video as easy as pushing a button. If I need to connect to a TV, get some vacation pictures off a camera’s memory card or plug in a pair of speakers, this hub is ready.
Buy it from: Amazon
The HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Media Hub for iPad is the ultimate desk USB hub. Transform your USB-C iPad, iPad Pro, Air, or mini into a powerhouse workspace with an HDMI port, USB-C 5Gbps 60W Power Delivery port, MicroSD/SD slots, USB-A 5Gbps port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
- Six useful ports, including HDMI
- Convenient media controls
Travel gadgets: Portable monitors
It surprises me that more people don’t travel with a portable monitor. Not only does one make me much more productive, I’ve run into situations where my computer is the only entertainment available, and a larger screen really makes that more fun.
For this year’s beach trip, I took along the Espresso 15 Pro ($699) because it’s the best portable monitor I’ve had the pleasure to use. It’s a 4K touchscreen that connects via USB-C … perfect for your Mac or iPad. At 15 inches, it’s large enough to be very useful while still easily fitting in a suitcase or even a backpack. Read my review for more.
Buy it from: B&H
Designed for modern work/travel professionals, this 15.6" 4K multitouch monitor from Espresso is built with an aerospace aluminum frame and hardened, scratch-resistant glass, allowing it to better withstand use while on the go. Complementing its tough build is a 4K touchscreen with a peak brightness of 550 nits and built-in speakers. Also featured are dual USB-C ports, which transmit power and video.
- Gorgeous 4K display
- Touchscreen
- Bundled with clever magnetic stand
- Underpowered speakers
For someone interested in a more affordable alternative, I recommend the Plugable 15.6” USB-C Portable Display ($219.95). It’s light enough to be easily carried, and it sports a unique feature: a built-in USB-C hub. The LCD screen is good enough to work from a hotel room or watch a movie. I reviewed it, too.
Buy it from: Amazon
The monitor that doubles as a hub with two open USB-C ports, 100W pass-through (85W charging) and 10Gbps transfer speeds.
This travel monitor for laptop provides a bright picture without flicker that’s viewable at multiple angles.
- Portable screen and USB-C hub
- Full HD IPS display
- Built-in stand
- Not 4K
Travel gadgets: Audio adapters
The Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 ($59.99) removes a frustration I’ve run into many times when traveling: I can’t easily connect my devices to a rental home’s speakers. Or maybe I want to use my iPhone with my friend’s portable speaker, but they don’t want me to reset their Bluetooth pairing. All I need to do is connect this wireless audio adapter to the speakers, and I can stream Apple Music. There are more details in my hands-on review.
Buy it from: Amazon
AirFly Pro 2 transforms any headphone jack into a Bluetooth transmitter or receiver. Stream audio from airplane screens, gym TVs, or gaming consoles to your AirPods (or other headphones).
- Makes AirPods more useful
- Connect to two pairs of headphones at once
- Can be used with car stereo AUX ports, too
- Current battery level hard to check
Travel gadgets: Power banks
Electrical sockets aren’t always easy to find when you’re on the move. Carrying your own external battery is a smart choice.
My list of must-have travel gadgets includes the Baseus Blade 2 ($99.99). The slim design makes me love it — the power bank holds 12,000 mAh, puts out 65W and has a status screen, but measures a mere 0.4 inches thin. That means it’s not a huge hulking lump in my gear bag, but it still adds hours of use to all my computers. I have much more to say in my review.
Buy it from: Amazon
This ultra-slim 65-watt power bank offers fast charging, dual USB-C ports and a useful charging status display. The 12,000mAh external battery works with MacBooks, iPhone, iPad, Switch, Androids and more.
- Slim and portable
- Useful status screen
- Dual USB-C ports
- None
Read our other hands-on reviews
For more real-world critiques of Apple-related products from me and others on the Cult of Mac staff, drop by our reviews page.
