5 must-have travel gadgets

If just one thing can be said about technology, it’s that it makes life easier. Whether you’re checking a quick fact or getting in touch with people across the globe, today’s tech can make all the difference in a successful trip. Some gadgets will even give your vacation an extra boost, and make things go that much smoother. Here are five cool products you’ll want to bring with you next time you travel:

Tech dopp kit
You’re probably already familiar with the concept of using a dopp kit to store your hygiene items while traveling, but shampoo isn’t the only thing that can spill out into your luggage. A tech dopp kit has room for all of your wires, chargers and other tech accessories. This is one of the best vacation and cruise travel tips around: Use one of these, and no more fishing out a USB plug from the very bottom of your carry-on or deciphering the bizarre knots your chargers form when you’re not looking.

Key-finding dongle
The prospect of losing your keys at home is stressful enough – that anxiety can go way up on vacation. Fortunately, there are devices that will calm the nerves of even the most absent-minded travelers. These small tags fit on to your keychain and sync with your phone’s Bluetooth. If you’re struggling to find your keys as you pack up to head home, you can open the app on your phone and wirelessly set the tag to start making noise. Some of these dongles can even work in reverse, where you can press a button on your tag to help find your phone. These are absolutely must-have items for anyone prone to leaving things behind.

Wireless charger
Sometimes your adventure takes you far away from an outlet – a great escape, unless you need your phone and the battery is running low. Keep a few wireless battery chargers on hand so you can give your phone a quick boost while you’re out. There are disposable battery packs that only work once, but a rechargeable one is your better option. This way, you can charge it along side your phone when you have access to electricity, and it will work for your entire trip.

Noise-cancelling headphones
There are plenty of moments on any given trip when you’ll be glad you brought along noise-cancelling headphones. The most obvious use of this gadget is on a plane – from loud engines to crying babies, there’s plenty of noise worth cancelling on a flight. However, it can also come in handy throughout your entire trip. The odds are good you’re going to have at least one moment you’d like to have to yourself. When you’re traveling with friends or family, it can be difficult to find alone time. Let people know you need some time to recharge, and use your headphones to listen to your favorite music. Even if you’re in the same room as other people, this will give you the feeling of getting time to yourself.

Fitness tracker
Even though vacations are your time to relax, the odds are good you’re a lot more physically active when you’re on a trip. Whether you’re touring museums, swimming at the pool or going on exciting cruise excursions, you’re probably using way more energy than you do at the office. That’s why vacation is the perfect time to pick up a new fitness routine – bring along a fitness tracker to see how many steps you take and calories you burn while you’re on your trip. You’re probably not going to be able to maintain that same level of energy once you’re back home, but you’ll have a benchmark of what your body can do, and new resolve to be more active going forward