The Best Travel Gadgets

Wireless power banks are cool travel gadgets

Specific chargers have specific advantages in specific situations. That means, the charger/s that you depend on at home or work might not be the one/s you depend on for travel.

According to one report, Impact Assessment Study on Common Chargers of Portable Devices, consumers aged 18-24 reported owning an average of four chargers – compared with three chargers for all other age categories – with a few reporting to own up to 25 chargers (!).

Sounds like overkill? It does nevertheless highlight that many of us appreciate the versatility of a charging suite to accommodate our charging needs.

A wireless power bank has a lot to offer in various travel scenarios.

A wireless power bank is equipped with an in-built battery that you can charge in advance of a commute or trip, via a wall charger. Once your power bank battery is fully charged, it’s LED indicator will show that status. Then you’re ready to slip your power bank into your backpack, purse, or carry-on luggage.

Look for a power bank that attaches magnetically to your phone. Also keep in mind that you will appreciate a power bank that is light and compact enough to saddle onto your phone without fettering the tactile user-experience you have while you’re engaged in mobile device activity.

A power bank is especially beneficial in scenarios where your access to power outlets is minimal or non-existent.

Think long flights with glitchy USB ports. Think a flat phone battery on a train ride ahead of an important meeting. Keep in mind that plenty of airport gates have many more battery-starved phone users than they do wall outlets (let alone working wall outlets). Same goes for concerts, music festivals, and sports events on your travels. Once your phone goes flat, there’s often no reviving it. This can be a big downer if you’re excited to snap your favourite sports team, band, or friends and family you’re traveling with.

The best travel gadgets for road trips

Often, on road trips, our phone makes all the difference. On the road, your phone is your map. It’s your music playlist. It’s the device you take your calls on (it’s your phone, after all!).

However, the best road trips are the safest ones. Navigating your phone while it’s sliding around on another seat, in your lap, or in your hand, is a big no-no.

Legally, licensed drivers can use their phones for more activities when it’s securely cradled and mounted.

Legally, licensed drivers can use their phones for more activities when it’s securely cradled and mounted.

Always check the road rules for your specific location (they will vary), but common activities many drivers are legally permitted to engage in (when their phone is securely cradled and mounted) include making and receiving calls, playing podcasts or songs, and using maps for navigation.

All of this helps explain why a wireless car charger is one of the best travel gadgets for road trips. A high-quality wireless car charger enables travellers to safely use their phone while they are behind the wheel (even if your mobile phone use is legal, still always consider the traffic conditions to discern if it’s safe to use your device), and more. Simultaneously, your phone charges, so it’s ready to go when you’re ready to climb out of your vehicle.

A mountable wireless car charger with a strong magnet also secures your phone on your charging pad in gnarly road conditions. You can also easily place your phone on these travel gadgets with a single hand and peripheral sight, thanks to magnetic alignment.

Protective phone cases are smart travel tech

It’s never a good time to smash your phone screen.

Especially not on the trip of a lifetime.

Nor on an important work trip where you’re frequently working mobile, for that matter. Nor on a commute to a meeting.

Suffice to say, your mobile phone is one of your most vital business and travel companions.

If it breaks, we can incur all walks of losses – no wallet, no camera, no communications…. There’s a dark hole to go down thinking of all the headaches and heartaches a smashed phone screen can inflict on your travel experiences….

This is why protective cases for your everyday travel tech are such no-brainers. Often, for less than $50, you can find a phone case that will give you both the protection and peace of mind you’ll appreciate over the lifespan of your device (likelier, a much longer lifespan, in a case).

Some things to keep in mind when you choose a case. Choose one that’s designed to charge magnetically, if you intend to keep the case on when you charge wirelessly – be that with a power bank, car charger, or charger on a stand.

Some charger cases can look awfully utilitarian too. Others also hinder what you can do on your phone – by making it more difficult to push your phone buttons, for example.

But you can find great cases that are complementary to your personal style too.

Look for popular materials such as leather and vegan leather. Be diligent in ensuring that you can still charge your device with your case on. This is particularly important when you need to quickly get your device charging while you are on the go.

Likewise, look for cases that have been precision-designed with cut outs that align perfectly with your phone’s buttons, so you are protecting your phone without compromising on your tactile experience.

Whether you have one trip in planning, or multiple booked, expect travel technology advances to continue evolving the way you experience life in the air, on the road, or via rail.

With the best travel gadgets in your bags and pockets, the best travel experiences await.

Find JOURNEY’s best travel gadgets today.