Stocking Stuffer for Travelers: Smart Gear for Their Next Trip

For one tiny brick to rule your tech, the Anker 735 is a dependable travel pick. In our testing, the foldable-prong charger powered a laptop and phone together from its two USB‑C and one USB‑A ports, with 65W shared across devices. Be mindful that some outlets don’t grip it tightly, and units can run hot under sustained heavy loads; we plug into solid wall sockets and keep ventilation clear. We’ve also seen isolated port glitches, so test your unit before a big trip.

UGREEN’s RobotGaN charger wins instant smiles with its LED “face,” and it’s more than cute—during our review, a single USB‑C port delivered up to 65W to top off a travel laptop fast. When you use both USB‑C ports, power is shared, so expect slower speeds. We also found the small clip‑on legs and plug covers easy to misplace, and the display is decorative rather than diagnostic. As a fun, capable 65W travel brick, though, it keeps phones and ultrabooks humming.

Power-hungry laptops are no problem for the Anker 737 Power Bank; in our testing its 140W output topped up a work machine fast during airport layovers. The generous 24,000 mAh capacity delivered multiple full phone charges, and the helpful OLED display let us monitor remaining capacity and live power draw at a glance. It is hefty at about 630 g, can run warm under sustained high-watt use, and some devices proved finicky, but for speed-focused travelers it is a reliable powerhouse.

If you want a keyboard that disappears in your bag, this ultra-thin, lightweight deck is hard to beat. During our review, we liked the FabricSkin cover—it shrugs off coffee drips and keeps crumbs from nesting between keys—and the quick device switching for phones and tablets. The trade-offs are real: some units suffer intermittent Bluetooth drops, spurious repeats, and faster-than-expected battery drain. Key travel is shallow and a bit spongy, so we found it best for quick emails, not marathon typing sessions.

For a lightweight travel workstation, the Anker 555 USB-C Hub packs a useful 4K HDMI port for hotel TVs or a second monitor and stays compact in a tech pouch. During our review, power delivery passthrough kept a laptop trickle-charging, though real-world wattage ran below the headline spec. We also noted some warmth under heavy peripheral loads and occasional device finickiness, plus only select USB-C ports support video. Still, for one-cable expansion on the road, it hits a practical sweet spot.

When we needed fast, pocketable storage on the road, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD delivered quick transfers over USB-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2. Its tiny, grippy shell slipped into a sling, and the IP65 water and dust resistance added peace of mind during unpredictable weather. In our testing, the drive ran warm during long video dumps, the included cable was annoyingly short, and some users report occasional reliability hiccups. For backups and editing on trips, it remains a handy workhorse.

The Pebble 2 slips into any pocket and all but disappears on a tray table, which is why we keep one in our travel kit. In our testing, the near-silent clicks and scroll were perfect for libraries and late-night flights, and Bluetooth or Logi Bolt made hopping between devices easy. That said, some systems can be finicky to pair, and there are no side buttons or fine DPI tweaks. With its low polling rate, it’s built for productivity, not gaming.

If you struggle with head bob on red‑eyes, the Trtl’s internal support can be a lifesaver once you dial in the fit. During our review, we liked how compact and light it was in a daypack, and the machine‑washable cover makes post‑trip cleanup painless. It does hug the neck warmly and only supports one side, so turning can be awkward. Adjusting height and position helps prevent the plastic frame from digging in, especially for side sleepers by the window.

If uninterrupted rest is the goal, the Manta Sleep Mask Pro delivered near-complete blackout in our testing once we dialed in the fit. The contoured eye cups kept pressure off lashes and felt comfortable even when side sleeping on long flights. It does cost more than typical sleep masks, and our experience shows the strap and Velcro can degrade over months, with fit varying by face shape. For frequent flyers who prize darkness and comfort, it is a worthy splurge.

These featherweight, compressible bottles are clutch when you’re squeezing toiletries into a carry-on. In our testing, the wide fill opening made refilling shampoo and cleaning out residue far easier than typical travel bottles. We did see reports—and a bit of our own experience—of seam or cap leaks over time, and alcohol-based liquids like sanitizer can degrade the seals, so stash them in a zip bag. For light liquids and short trips, they’re space-savers, though heavy, long-term use may fray edges and welds.

These Bagsmart compression cubes make it noticeably easier to tame a suitcase—zip them down and you can squeeze out extra air for tees and socks. In our testing, the six sizes helped segment outfits, and the handles are great for yanking a cube straight into a hotel drawer. Just note that bulky sweaters don’t compress well, and over-zipping can strain the tracks or warp the cube. Our experience shows space savings vary, but the organization upgrade alone is worth it.

Traveling with chargers and dongles gets a lot less chaotic with Peak Design’s Tech Pouch. The origami-style pockets kept cables, adapters, and a small power bank neatly separated during our review, and it stands upright for grab‑and‑go access on a cramped plane tray. It’s weather-resistant but not fully waterproof, and the size can feel bulky if you pack super light. While pricier than basic pouches, our experience shows the organization and cable pass‑through are worth the upgrade for frequent flyers.

For keeping travel documents tidy and safer, the PacSafe RFIDsafe V150 adds RFID-blocking materials and a detachable cut-resistant Dyneema strap you can tether inside a bag. We found the multiple pockets and mesh passport sleeve made check-ins smoother, with room for cards, cash, and a pen. Trade-offs: some reviewers report zippers wearing out over time, certain closures stretching, and the larger footprint feeling bulky in a tight front pocket. If organization and security trump minimalism, this organizer earns consideration.

For peace of mind at baggage drop, this TSA-approved Master Lock adds a simple, keyless layer of deterrence. In our testing, the metal body and steel shackle handled rough handling fine, and the resettable 3-digit combo is easy to set and share. Keep expectations realistic: determined thieves can bypass or cut it, and the tight shackle clearance won’t fit every zipper pull. We also travel with a spare, since agents occasionally cut locks if the proper TSA tool isn’t handy.

Hydration-minded travelers will appreciate the LARQ Water Bottle PureVis, which uses UV-C to inactivate bacteria and keep the interior fresh between washes. During our review, the double-wall stainless insulation kept water cold for hours, and the optional replaceable filter helped tame chlorine on tap fills. You do need to recharge the UV-cap periodically, and some users report cap durability and mouthpiece odor over time, plus the price is steep. If cleanliness and cold water matter, it earns its spot.

AirTag is the travel buddy we recommend to iPhone users for tracking bags and keys through Apple’s massive Find My network. In our testing, Precision Finding on U1-equipped iPhones gave turn‑by‑turn‑style arrows to an item, and the CR2032 battery lasts about a year before a quick swap. Note that full features require Apple devices, and the puck lacks a built‑in attachment, so budget for a holder. Privacy safeguards exist, though concerns remain, so always use trackers responsibly.