• 3 min read
24 travel gadgets PCWorld says are worth packing
PCWorld rounded up 24 travel tech picks, from power adapters and trackers to noise-canceling headphones, portable storage, and VPNs.
Image: PCWorld
With vacation season ramping up, PCWorld has pulled together 24 travel tech gadgets it says are genuinely worth the bag space. The list spans power gear, connectivity tools, entertainment devices, and a few practical accessories aimed at common travel headaches: too few outlets, dead batteries, lost luggage, and unreliable public Wi-Fi.
For power, PCWorld highlights the Bestek Universal Travel Adapter 220V to 110V for U.S. travelers heading to Europe, noting that it converts 220V outlets to 110V and includes three AC outlets and four USB ports for under $30. It also recommends the Baseus Enercore CG11, with slide-out plugs for the USA, EU, and UK, plus one USB-C port, one USB-A port, and a USB-C retractable cable, often selling for under $40.
Cable management gets its own mini-category. The Rolling Square inCharge 6 Keychain Charger Cable packs USB-C or USB-A inputs and Micro-USB or USB-C outputs into a $20 keychain-sized cable, while the Baseus 100W Retractable USB-C Cable comes in 3.3ft and 6.6ft versions and can drop to $10 for the shorter model when discounted.
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For charging on the move, the list includes the Anker Nano 3-in-1 10,000mAh Power Bank with Wall Charger Plug and Built-In Cable, which combines a wall charger and battery pack. PCWorld says its 10,000mAh capacity is enough to charge most phones two times, with 30W charging over its built-in USB-C cable. It retails for $53, but often sells closer to $35.
Hotel-room power is another recurring pain point, and PCWorld singles out the Anker Prime 6-in-1 Travel Power Strip. The compact strip turns one outlet into six: two AC outlets, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports, with up to 140W across the USB-C ports. It lists at $80 and sometimes drops below $60.
Other recommendations focus on security and convenience. The Ugreen Finder Duo Bluetooth Trackers come in a 4-pack, work with Apple and Android devices, recharge over USB-C, and can last up to a year on a charge.
For in-flight entertainment, PCWorld suggests the Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Adapter for $54.99, or the Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Adapter for $28.99. Both let travelers connect up to two pairs of wireless earbuds or headphones through a plane’s headphone jack.
Audio gear makes up a big part of the list. For earbuds, PCWorld recommends Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) at around $260 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at about half that price. For over-ear options, it points to the Sony WH-1000XM5 at $280, often below $250, and Apple AirPods Max 2 at $549, with sale prices as low as $430.
The roundup also covers photography, organization, gaming, typing, reading, connectivity, and safer hydration:
- Fuji Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera for $160
- Bellroy Tech Kit Organizer for $59
- Steam Deck OLED starting at $789, Nintendo Switch 2 for $449, and Backbone One for $100, often $70 on sale
- Logitech MX Keys Mini Keyboard for $100
- Kindle Paperwhite for $159.99
- Solis Go Mobile Hotspot and Charger for $159.99, with coverage in 140 countries, 1GB of free monthly data, and a one-time 30GB global data plan
- NordVPN, which PCWorld says is its top VPN pick, available for under $90 for a two-year plan
- Philips Water GoZero Self-Cleaning Water Bottle for $60, which the company says removes up to 99.999 percent of bacteria and 99.9 percent of viruses using UV technology
The source article cuts off mid-sentence, but its core message is clear: PCWorld’s picks lean heavily toward solving routine travel friction with compact, multi-use gadgets that can earn their place in a carry-on.
Computing Editor
Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.
via PCWorld
