10 Cheap Travel Gadgets Under $20 That Are Surprisingly Useful

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These useful and cheap travel gadgets help solve many of the most inconvenient aspects of traveling—and at under $20, they’re an inexpensive investment to make to ensure a smooth trip.

Editor’s note: All of the following cheap travel gadgets were available for under $20 at time of publication. Prices are subject to change.

Victorinox Jetsetter Pocket Tool

Swiss Army knives are some of the most helpful gadgets around—unless you’re flying somewhere. That’s why I love the Victorinox Jetsetter, which contains a magnetic screwdriver tip, a bottle opener, small scissors, a key ring, tweezers, and a toothpick—but no blades to bother the TSA.

Toothpaste 2 Go

I hate spending money on travel-sized toothpaste every time I travel: It’s overpriced, and I always wind up with half-used tubes lying around afterward. (Why do I save them?) The solution: The Toothpaste 2 Go system. It consists of a travel-sized refillable tube and an adapter; just squeeze your regular toothpaste into the TSA-friendly tube and go.

Addalock Travel Door Lock

Solo travelers or anyone else worried about safety can pick up the Addalock, which hooks into the strike plate on the door of your hotel room or vacation rental in order to keep intruders out. It weighs just four ounces and fits most doors.

Anker Ultra-Compact Portable Charger

Never be caught with a dead phone or tablet again. The Anker Ultra-Compact Portable Charger can add more than a full charge to most smartphones, and it’s not much bigger than a tube of lipstick.

Nite Ize QuikStand Mobile Device Stand

Tired of holding up your smartphone or e-reader while you view it? The Nite Ize QuikStand supports your mobile device, hands-free. It easily adjusts to your desired angle and then folds up to the size of a credit card for maximum portability.

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OGIO Doppler Toiletry Bag

Keep your toiletries organized and off the wet hotel sink with the OGIO Doppler Toiletry Bag. It has a swivel hook that can hang onto pretty much anything, plus multiple compartments to keep everything neatly separated.

Nalgene Travel Bottle Kit

Nalgene water bottles have a devoted following, and their travel products get equally rave reviews. The Nalgene Travel Bottle Kit includes 10 different bottles and jars, all three ounces or less, that fit into a quart-sized bag for easy TSA inspection.

MAXAH Travel Universal Plug Adapter

Not only does the MAXAH travel adapter have the ability to adapt your plug for every outlet in the world, but it also acts as a surge protector to keep your electronics safe (and your kids safe, too—there’s a child-protection safety shutter built in).

The Chestnut Compression Bags

If there’s a better way to stuff your suitcase, I haven’t found it. The Chestnut’s travel storage bags compress your clothes and keep them organized, even in the smallest of carry-ons. This set includes four large and eight medium-sized bags.

Downy Wrinkle Releaser

Who has time to iron on the road? Instead, bring a travel-sized bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser. Just spray your wrinkled items and then hang them up, and you’ll be looking presentable in no time.

What to Wear on Your Next Trip

More from SmarterTravel:

• The Best Carry-on Luggage: Affordable Bags Under $150
• 11 Travel Products with a Cult Following
• 10 Tiny Travel Products That Will Save Your Health

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2014. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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