Cyber Monday inspo: Travel gadgets I didn't know I needed and now take everywhere
From tantrum-proof noise cancelling headphones to heatless curls on the go, these products have made life on the road easier for me.
I love gadgets that help me stay organised, presentable and comfortable on the road.
Over the past few months, I’ve had the chance to put some products to the test on my trips to the Balkans, Mexico and Seville.
Full transparency, I was gifted these products to test BUT that does not mean I have given them good reviews just because they were free. I have only included products I’ve genuinely found helpful and they do what they say on the tin. I am not being paid a commission by Amazon or the individual brands to recommend these products.
Anker SoundCore Space One noise cancelling headphones
Anker’s wireless over ear headphones proved they’re worth their weight in gold on a long haul flight with squarking children sat in front of me. The headphones, with their adaptive noise cancelling technology, turned down the hum of the engines beautifully too. As an anxiety sufferer, I find noisy, crowded environments overwhelming but with these on, I felt like I was in my own safe little bubble.
The earlier model of the SoundCore headphones are a best-seller on Amazon and they’re only £80, saving you about £200 compared to their Bose and Beats counterparts (which have the same star rating).
Anker has also put this technology into their Liberty 4 NC earbuds. By nature, they didn’t seal off the outside world quite as well as the over ear headphones but the difference was minimal so really, it’s down to personal preference and budget (the earbuds are cheaper).
Find them on Amazon.
OYL’E London aromatherapy jewellery
Speaking of anxiety, I find that a bit of deep breathing with some lavender oil really relaxes me. This aromatherapy diffuser pendant from OYL’E London allows me to carry a whiff of calm everywhere I go (it’s also great when there are some unsavoury smells in the cabin).
Simply dab an oil of your choice on one of the pom-pom beads provided, pop it inside the pendant and voila! There’s a choice of silver, gold and rose gold (I have the rose gold) and it can be worn on either a necklace or a bracelet and it looks really pretty.
Find it here.
Tropicfeel Hive Backpack
Okay, this one wasn’t gifted (and I wish it had been because it was a bit of an investment…) but I love the adaptability of this backpack and I haven’t found anything like it on the market (trust me, I tried to find a cheaper alternative). This bag goes from 22L to 46L capacity using its add-on packing cubes and hidden pockets - I’ve had it for about three months and I’m still finding pockets.
Photographer? Use the camera cube and turn it into a kit bag. Backpacking or travelling light? Keep clothes in the main compartment using the hanging wardrobe, toiletries on the front and shoes underneath. I love that the hip strap pulls out and works as a fanny pack too, meaning you can keep your passport and money to hand.
I mostly use mine to carry a camera and interviewing equipment. The only thing I wouldn’t recommend it for is a long hike as the material is sweaty on your back and while it does come with a chest and waist strap, they don’t offer the level of comfort that proper hiking backpacks do.
Find it here.
The Waver Bun by Cordina Hair
I’ve tried various heatless curling methods for my stubborn straight hair over the years - rags, rollers, you name it - and nothing has worked. So when Yanika Cordina got in touch about her award-winning Waver Bun, I was skeptical. But the truth is, this gets worn to bed most nights now and it’s dramatically reduced the amount of heated styling I do. Plus, it doesn’t tug at my roots like a hair tie does.
The Waver Bun is a traditional donut with a larger silk ring attached. Gather your hair into a ponytail and thread it through the donut. Then, part it in two (I do four for tighter curls) and wrap the strands around the silk ring. Use the clips or grips provided to keep them in place and pop the hair net over to secure it. Wake up and release your mermaid locks. This contraption went viral on TikTok and Yanika has appeared before the panel on Dragon’s Den with it.
I won’t say I’ve completely laid off the curling irons, but for day to day soft curls/beach waves, the Waver Bun works a treat.
Tip - Once you’ve secured your hair in the bun, spray it with a bit of water to dampen it. Before unravelling in the morning, mist with a bit of light hairspray and leave it to set for a few minutes.
Perilogics universal phone mount
This little gadget enables you to watch a film on your phone hands-free on a plane, train, car or bus. No more craning your neck, staring down at your phone. Simply clamp it to the back of a seat or tray table and relax.
Find it here.
Duex Plus portable laptop monitor
Here’s one for the digital nomads - a double screen set-up on the go. This clever monitor clips onto your laptop magnetically so you can increase your screen size anywhere.
It works just like a desktop monitor offering mirrored display, extended desktop and portrait orientation. But there’s one more trick up its sleeve: presentation mode. Flip the monitor round and you’ve got a display screen on the back of your laptop, meaning you can even give a work presentation anywhere in the world. It doesn’t take up a lot of room and it’s surprisingly lightweight.
There are various sizes and models available but I tested the Duex Plus Mobile Pixels portable monitor which you can find here.
Hanging toiletries bag
I’ve had two hanging toiletries bags now and they’re so much easier because you can see everything you need in front of you.
There are loads on the market, but mine is the Narway Travel Hanging Toiletry Washbag which you can find here.
Morfone silicone travel bottles
Silicone travel bottles have been a game changer. Firstly, they’re squishy, so they can mould around other bottles in your toiletry bag and they’re easy to squeeze out your products. Secondly, they’re really easy to clean. Product just slides right off under a hot tap with a bit of soap. I tried Morfone’s pack of four 100ml bottles which come in a clear PVC bag ready for security with ready-made labels.
I tried the Morfone bottles because they were the top-rated on Amazon and TikTok, but there are so many on the market in all shapes and sizes. I’ve also got these little silicone pots which are really useful for keeping little bits of face scrub or foundation in.
Find the Morfone silicone travel bottles here.
Luter leakproof elastic sleeves for toiletry bottles
Say goodbye to sellotaping the lids of your bottles in an effort to prevent catastrophic spillages. These elastic sleeves (which kind of remind me of balloons and condoms at the same time…) slip over bottles of various shapes and sizes. I even used one to keep my Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow pallet closed in transit.
I tried this particular brand because they were the top-rated on Amazon and TikTok, but there are loads of options on the market.
These sleeves come in packs of four. You can find them here.
Ashley personal safety alarm
I know somebody who was quite literally saved by the bell years ago in London. A man grabbed her shoulder when she was walking home from work one night. She triggered her personal alarm and scared the attacker away because it was so loud, giving her time to run.
I can confirm, these devices are extremely loud (don’t worry, I set mine off to test). There are lots of personal alarms out there but what I like about the Ashley alarm is 5% of their earnings goes to women’s charities.
Find it here.
Have you got a travel gadget you swear by? Comment below!