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The last thing you need is another preacher waxing lyrical about the virtues of travel neck pillows, luggage tags, or universal adapters. We get it — the basics are covered. But what about the unsung heroes? The smart travel accessories that quietly save the day, keep you sane (and safe!), and help you feel vaguely put-together when you’re traveling the world? I’ve handpicked my favorite small-but-mighty bits of kit that add ease to your trip, with just a little outside-the-box thinking.
Prices are accurate as of August 21, 2025. Subject to change.
Twelve South AirFly Pro 2
Whether you’re a long-haul jet-setter or a red-eye regular, you know the shortfalls of airline-issue headphones: tangled, tinny, and poorly designed — and that’s being generous. Enter the AirFly Pro 2, a compact Bluetooth transmitter that’s about to crank up your in-flight entertainment. Simply plug into your seat’s headphone jack and link with your favorite Bluetooth earbuds for crystal-clear sound quality. And they can connect to two sets of earbuds, so you can share sound with your travel buddy, too. With 25 hours of battery life on a single charge, your flight to Australia is covered. Admittedly, it won’t give your flight movie marathon a full IMAX upgrade, but it’s a step closer. I opted for the Deluxe option, which comes with a cute suede bag and an international airline adapter. It was definitely worth those extra bucks.
Portable Door Lock
We’ve all read horror stories of rogue Airbnb hosts taking liberties at your home-away-from-home. Do yourself a favor and invest in a portable door lock. Even if your host is lovely, an extra lock is peace of mind you can’t put a price on. As a woman who frequently travels solo, I’ll never leave home without mine. It’s super easy to use, requires no tools, and works on every inward-opening door thanks to the two different hole options, so it works for whole-home rentals or hotel stays. Nobody can enter from the outside, and you can rest easy.
Luggage Travel Cup Holder
When you’re traversing the airport with one hand on your luggage and the other clutching your phone and passport, there’s simply no space for your venti americano. Well, until now. I picked up this luggage cup holder, and I’ve never looked back (or suffered a disastrous pre-flight coffee spill!). It slides onto your luggage handle, and with two cup holders, you’ve got space for your water bottle, too. With the sneaky slot at the back, you can pop your phone in, making this a deliciously simple one-and-done travel hack. Oh, and it’s machine-washable, so if your coffee sloshes on that sprint to the gate, it’s not game over.
USB Data Blocker
Sometimes, danger lurks where you least expect it, including charging ports. If you’re the type of traveler who’s forever juicing your devices at airports, hotels, and cafés, you need a data blocker. Simply attach this affordable option to your cord and plug it into whatever outlet you need, be it public computer or charging port. You can recharge without worrying about hackers or malware sneaking into your device (seriously, it happens!). This nifty data blocker supports fast charging and comes in a handy four-pack with USB and USB-C options to fit most phones and laptops.
Featured Image Credit: simonapilolla/ iStock
