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Top 8 Trendy Tech Gadgets That Will Be Game-Changers When Traveling in the UAE in 2024

When it comes to summer holidays, getting there is half the fun.

But a pleasant journey is not possible without proper preparation. Whether you are taking a long journey to the other side of the world or a weekend getaway with friends, the gear you pack is essential to making it a relaxing and rewarding experience.

But fair warning: there are a lot of travel gadgets out there – and many of them end up being little more than ballast in your luggage. A few stand out from the crowd, though, because they work their best and offer solutions to problems you’re likely to encounter when you’re away from home. These gadgets aren’t just highly functional, they’re also compact and convenient to pack in your luggage or carry-on.

For example, portable batteries ensure your phone doesn’t run out of juice when you’re exploring a noisy, foreign city. And a headphone adapter lets you conveniently tune into the on-board entertainment with your favorite personal headphones.

We’ve separated the real stars from the duds in our list below. Many of these travel gadgets are trending on TikTok and other social media, and Amazon reviewers give them high marks. Pick one that suits your needs with a Prime membership and get it before your summer vacation.

1. Best Charging Cable: Rolling Square inCharge X Portable Charging Cable with Keychain

Advantages

  • Six connectivity options
  • Fast charging capability
  • Compact and durable

Cons

  • When charging, please remove the phone case.

When you’re traveling, tangled cables are the last thing you need. Still, charging cables are a must-have given the number of devices most people like to have on hand, from smartwatches and smartphones to earbuds and e-readers. The inCharge Keychain from Rolling Square is a great solution. It offers six different connectivity options, including USB to USB-C and USB-C to micro-USB. The multi-functional charging cable also allows for data transfer, as well as ultra-fast charging at up to 100W. It can even charge laptops and tablets! Made from high-quality materials, it’s durable, lightweight, and has a magnetic design so you can hang it on your keychain. However, you should be aware that you may need to remove your smartphone’s case when charging with this cable, which can be inconvenient.

Bonus: Enter coupon code ‘PRIME2024‘to save 15 percent on this purchase.

2. Best Travel Adapter: Lencent International Travel Adapter

Advantages

  • Simultaneous charging of four devices
  • GaN III Technology
  • Fast loading speeds

Cons

A reliable travel adapter is a must-have for any international trip. The Lencent 120W adapter comes with four interchangeable plugs (US/UK/EU/AUS) and supports universal voltage from 100V to 250V, making it suitable for travel to 195 countries. It has one AC port, one USB-A port, and three USB-C ports that can be used to charge multiple devices simultaneously. The adapter offers top-of-the-line features like GaN III technology that boosts charging efficiency and works with a built-in protection system. Reviewers are amazed by the compact adapter’s fast charging (PD) capabilities. It can charge an iPhone from 15 to 89 percent in just 30 minutes, as its USB-C ports can reach up to 100W. You can even charge two laptops at once, making it a versatile gadget for the whole family while traveling. However, some reviewers have noted that due to its large size, the device has a tendency to fall out of the socket when plugged in and may require support to function properly.

Bonus: Enter coupon code ‘FIRST30‘ to save 30 percent on this purchase.

Guarantee: Amazon is offering a one-year Salama Care extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.

3. Best Bluetooth Transmitter: Twelve South Airfly Pro

Advantages

  • Both the transmitter and receiver
  • Works with wired speakers, in-flight entertainment, exercise equipment, wireless headphones
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Supports aptX audio codec
  • Over 16 hours of battery life

Cons

  • Wired headphones should have an audio jack

There’s nothing worse than getting on a plane and not being able to connect to the in-flight entertainment system with your wireless headphones. The Bluetooth audio transmitter and adapter easily solve this problem by connecting to your seatback TV and pairing with your headphones so you can listen and watch content without any hassle. The Airfly Pro has a battery life of over 25 hours, so it can comfortably get you through even the longest flights. You can also pair it with two wireless headphones or AirPods, so you and your partner can watch the same movie at the same time. The device is small and comes with a keychain that you can attach to your bag or keys. However, the Airfly Pro doesn’t have an audio jack, so you can’t connect wired headphones.

Bonus: Enter coupon code “PRIME2024” to save 15 percent on this purchase.

Guarantee: Amazon is offering a two-year Salama Care extended warranty for Dh29.

4. Best e-book reader: Kindle Paperwhite

Advantages

  • Large 6.8-inch display
  • Long battery life
  • A glare-free display that lets you read like on real paper
  • Adjustable warm light
  • Waterproof rating IPX8

Cons

  • Not suitable for comics or graphically intensive content

If you’re a bookworm, don’t waste your luggage space on heavy books. Instead, opt for a compact e-reader. When it comes to storage and readability, there’s nothing better than the Kindle Paperwhite. The latest edition has a 6.8-inch display with thinner bezels than the previous version and 20 percent faster page turns. You can adjust the warm light to suit your environment, so get ready to read wherever you want—on a beach in the Maldives or at a roadside café in Paris. The 300 ppi non-reflective display reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight, and it’s IPX8 waterproof. With 16GB of storage, you can download thousands of titles and enjoy a battery life that lasts up to 10 weeks. The downside is that the Kindle Paperwhite doesn’t support color, so it’s not the best device for comics or graphic novels.

Bonus: Enter coupon code ‘PRIME2024‘ to save Dh50 on this purchase.

5. Best power bank: INIU Power Bank

Advantages

  • Compact, portable format
  • Fast loading speed
  • Large 10,000 mAh battery
  • LED battery level indicator
  • USB-C cable included

Cons

  • According to reviewers, it gets hot while charging

There are hundreds of power banks out there, many of which are great for travel. But the INIU power bank stands out with its ultra-portable form factor and high-capacity battery. It’s incredibly compact and feels like a card you can slip into your pocket. With a large 10,000mAh battery and USB-C input and output, it’s perfect for charging Apple and Android devices. The 22.5W device combines advanced PD 3.0 and Quick Charge (QC) 4+ fast-charging technologies, allowing you to charge an iPhone 15 from zero to 71 percent in just 25 minutes. There’s one USB-C port and two USB-A ports on this device, which can be charged simultaneously. Reviewers love the LED battery indicator that’s front and center for quick checks. The device also comes with a USB-C cable and a handy travel case. With over 7,000 4.6-star ratings on Amazon, there’s not much to dislike about the power bank. If we were to nitpick, we would note that it has a tendency to heat up while charging.

Bonus: Enter coupon code ‘PRIME2024‘to save 15 percent on this purchase.

Guarantee: The manufacturer provides a three-year warranty and lifetime technical support.

6. Best Bluetooth Tracker: Tile Mate (Pack of 2)

Advantages

  • Compact, lightweight
  • Long Bluetooth range
  • Can remotely trigger a phone to ring
  • Waterproof rating IP67
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Reviewers say the sound could be louder

While the AirTags are the most popular Bluetooth trackers for Apple users, we think the Tile Mate is the best choice for everyone else. This versatile tracker helps you keep track of your belongings — which is handy when you’re traveling. Reviewers share how they’ve added the Tile to their luggage, keys, and even kids when they’re in crowded places. It has a Bluetooth range of 250 feet, and if you’re out of range, you can use the Tile app to view its last location on a map. You can use the Tile to remotely ring your lost phone — something you can’t do with the AirTag. However, reviewers note that the sound often isn’t loud enough to get your attention. The device has an IP67 water resistance rating and a battery life of up to three years.

Bonus: Enter coupon code ‘PRIME2024‘to save 15 percent on this purchase.

Guarantee: Amazon is offering a one-year Salama Care extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.

7. Best Camera: GoPro Hero 12

Advantages

  • Perfect stabilization
  • Versatile mounting options
  • Bluetooth audio support
  • Clear, smooth videography

Cons

  • Battery life could be better

You can use your smartphone for vacation photography, but if you want to take it to the next level, go for the GoPro Hero 12. This ultra-wide action camera offers incredible stabilization and a range of features you’ll appreciate when it’s time to capture your vacation adventures. It has a 27MP 8:7 sensor and can shoot up to 5.3K video at 60 fps, and 4K video at 120 fps. GoPro has also added high-dynamic-range (HDR) video recording to the Hero 12, so it’s now adept at handling highlights and shadows. The device’s audio has also improved — it supports wireless audio from a Bluetooth microphone (even the microphone on wireless earbuds). Reviewers rave about the HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization, which keeps footage looking sharp and smooth. And because GoPro offers a range of accessories that are perfect for the Hero 12, you can choose the ones that suit your photography style best – for example, the ¼-inch thread mount at the base makes the camera perfect for use with miniature tripods.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh97.33 over 12 months at selected banks.

Guarantee: Amazon is offering a one-year Salama Care extended warranty for Dh69 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh97.

8. Best Luggage Scale: Etekcity Luggage Scale (Pack of 2)

Advantages

  • Light, compact gadget
  • Weighs bags up to 50 kg
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • Reviewers reported some inaccuracies in the measurements.

If you tend to overpack or just want to make sure your luggage never exceeds its limit, opt for the highly rated Etekcity Luggage Scale. It has earned over 51,000 4.7-star reviews on Amazon, and for good reason. This scale features a high-accuracy sensor that can weigh bags up to 50kg with 50g accuracy. The scale has low-battery and overload indicators, and it saves power with auto-shutoff and tare functions. The gadget is lightweight and fits easily into your luggage without taking up much space. Some reviewers have found that the scale gives different weights when trying to weigh your luggage multiple times. Others say that the scale needs to be held with both hands and that your luggage needs to be centered on the scale to get the most accurate reading.

Bonus: Enter coupon code ‘FIRST30‘ to save 30 percent on this purchase.

Guarantee: Amazon is offering a one-year Salama Care extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.

Our recommendations are independently selected by Gulf News editors. If you decide to purchase through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission as we are part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.