With summer holidays imminent, travel is in the cards for many, especially since limited overseas travel occurred over the past few years. In this article, we highlight some must-have travel devices that you could consider.

 

Those of you who had been known as regular or frequent travellers, be it for work or leisure, or if you are more of an occasional traveller, such as to go overseas on holiday, you are likely to have found your movements severely curtailed over the past two years. However, with restrictions being lifted and a greater sense of normalcy returning, many of us beginning to embark on overseas travel once again.

Having said this, many of us may find our travel skills a bit rusty, and the accoutrements that we would have kept packed in our suitcase – dedicated for travel – either have been re-purposed or are showing signs of wear or can no longer be used. It thus means that we need to re-assemble our travel gadgets, and this being 2022 after all, there may be some innovations that we ought to consider. Below we suggest seven must-have gadgets for when next you travel.

 

1.  Portable charger

In either working from home or staying close to home most of the time, it is likely that your existing portable charger has not gotten much use recently, but it is an essential piece of kit when you are on the road, and a functioning electric outlet or charging station is not readily available.

These days, a variety of sizes and charge capacities are available, and some may include other options, such as accommodating different connector types. Choose the best one(s) to match your needs. It may be even prudent to have more than one at hand. One that is relatively light and you kept in your carry-on luggage and can use while travelling, and a larger one that might be bulkier, but which you do not mind putting in your checked luggage for use when you are in-country.

 

2.  Noise-cancelling headphones

You may not realise how noisy most aircraft are until you don on a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. With many of us working during flights or enjoying the in-flight entertainment, or just trying to sleep, noise-cancelling headphones can provide a much-welcomed buffer from the noise of the engine and the distractions within the plane.

You can usually choose between wired and wireless headphones or even earbuds. Good ones usually start around USD 100 and go up. For travel, consider those that are collapsible, and do remember to get a hard shell travel case to protect your investment when not in use.

 

3.  Luggage tracker

This nifty device can increase your peace of mind when travelling, as it can allow you to locate your luggage, should you become separated from it. Configure the tracker with your smartphone, then place it in your luggage, and you’re all set.

However, it must be highlighted that the technology used dictates the range and sophistication of the tracker. Bluetooth trackers work well for relatively short distances and are usually the cheapest. Global position system (GPS) trackers use sophisticated satellite technology to ping a bag’s location. On the other hand, there are trackers that use mobile technology, and so essentially connect the same way that two mobile phones do.

To that end, the sophistication of the tracker, the features and functionality available, and the price can vary considerably. So be prepared to do the necessary research to determine what your needs might be, and which tracker is best for you.

 

4.  Travel adapter

For the truly global traveller, having at least one travel adapter is a must. Different countries and regions use different electric plugs; so having a universal travel adapter can be incredibly convenient. When selecting an adapter, consider a universal design that allows an array of plug-in options, and also includes USB ports for device charging.

It is important to highlight that there is a difference between an adapter and a converter. An adapter tends to offer different plug options to fit the outlet you may find in different countries. A converter changes the voltage at the outlet to match your device. Hence do ensure that you are aware of the voltage requirements of your device and whether an adapter or converter might be needed.

 

5.  External hard drive

Ideally and at home or the office, you should have some means to regularly backup your computing devices. However, having a backup of important files may be even more crucial when you are away from base. An external hard drive is an excellent option, and depending on the size, could essentially mirror the contents of your main storage.

In a completely different vein, an external drive can be especially useful to store all of the photos and video clips that were taken whilst travelling, thus freeing up the storage on your smartphone and/or camera.

 

6.  VPN

Although technically not a gadget, being able to access a virtual private network (VPN) service is becoming increasingly essential, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi networks. A VPN helps you to stay private online by establishing a secure and encrypted connection between your computer and the internet.

Most VPN services are subscription-based, so it is a cost that you need to factor in. Also, when selecting a VPN service, do your research to ensure you are satisfied with the security experience of the provider. Another tip is to read the provider’s privacy policy to see what data it will keep on you and your activity online.

 

7.  Streaming device

Increasingly, hotels are not providing much in terms of television channel options. Even if there are several channels, there might still not be much to watch. A wonderful option is to carry your own streaming device. Connect it to the television in your room and access your favourite shows from streaming services to which you are already subscribed.

Arguably, carrying your own streaming device can seem a bit extra, but business travellers tend to spend quite a bit of time in their hotel rooms. So having familiar entertainment can not only be beneficial but also bring a sense of normalcy when in a foreign country.

 

 

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