The Best Portable Tech Products Tested by Travel Editors

Having the right technology on hand can make the difference between a smooth journey and one filled with unnecessary hassle. Whether you want to charge your devices, keep yourself entertained on long flights, or keep track of your luggage, the right tools can make travel that much better.

After visiting more than 100 countries, CNN Underscored’s travel team learned which gadgets really make a difference on the road. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best tech in travel gear, from portable chargers to noise-cancelling headphones.

I just upgraded from an iPhone 14 Pro to an iPhone 16 Pro and have been impressed so far. The camera is a huge step up and I am happy to finally have an iPhone with USB-C.

– Andrew Kunesh, Senior Travel & Finance Editor

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Belkin BoostCharge Hybrid Wall Charger 25W + Power Bank 5K stock photo

This portable charger is basically a portable charger without the headache of charging it. I use it as my everyday wall port and unplug it to use it as a portable charger whenever I need it.

– Kyle Olsen, Travel Products Editor

Photo of a white Foval European Travel Plug Adapter and three included country adapters

Universal travel adapter compatible with European sockets, equipped with four USB-A ports and one USB-C port for charging multiple devices simultaneously. I’ve had this adapter for years and it’s accompanied me on dozens of international trips.

-Andrzej Kunesh

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I always see people struggling to keep their devices propped up. This adjustable phone holder attaches to airplane tray tables for hands-free viewing and in-flight media enjoyment.

-Kyle Olsen

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I always have an AirTag in my backpack and suitcase. That way, if my luggage misses a connecting flight or I leave it in a taxi, I can check where my stuff is in the Find My app.

-Andrzej Kunesh

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Want to use your AirPods or other wireless headphones on your airplane’s seatback monitor? This Bluetooth transmitter lets you connect two sets of wireless headphones to your in-flight entertainment system.

-Kyle Olsen

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A picture of a hand holding an INIU portable charger

A portable battery is essential for long flights and train rides — and I like this affordable option from Iniu. It has a large 10,000mAh battery capacity and a convenient screen that shows you the current battery charge. What’s more, it’s on sale for just $20.

-Andrzej Kunesh

I’ve tested a ton of noise-cancelling headphones and found these to be comfortable and have top-quality sound — the perfect combination for drowning out ambient noise on planes or trains.

-Kyle Olsen

I love this eco-friendly toothbrush made of eco-friendly materials with a battery life of over 40 days. Charging it via USB-C is super convenient because I can just use the cable from my smartphone.

-Kyle Olsen

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Satechi GaN Travel Charger, 145W GaN USB C with 4 Ports stock photo

What I describe as probably the best travel tech product I’ve ever used, this powerful charger uses gallium nitride (GaN) technology to provide fast charging in a compact size. It has 4 USB-C ports to charge all your devices and is compatible with four types of outlets.

-Kyle Olsen

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My AirPods Pro are never out of my sight, whether I’m traveling or at home. Their sound quality and active noise cancellation are great — especially when you consider how small these earbuds are.

-Andrzej Kunesh

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On long trips, this laptop never lets me down. With up to 18 hours of battery life and a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, it works well on long flights and in the office.

-Kyle Olsen

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