10 Essential Travel Gadgets You Should Be Using

Noise-Canceling Headphones

A pair of good noise-canceling headphones is a sanity saver for travel, especially when you're flying. Travel, be it by plane or train, sometimes involves being stuck in a small space with loud people (or babies). Drown them out in blissful silence or crank up your own music or audiobook, and let the distractions melt away. We like these headphones by Pioneer Electronics or this model from Able Planet.

Portable Flashlight

Good for use during an emergency like a blackout or simply to illuminate your luggage without waking up your hotel roommate, a portable flashlight is cheap and easy to have on hand. Opt for a light that uses a hand crank or solar energy as its power source and you'll never be left scrambling for batteries again. Try the Dynamo Flashlight, a budget option that packs a big power punch.

Personal Wi-Fi

If you really need the Internet when you're on the road, don't be dependent on expensive hotel Wi-Fi or unsecure Internet cafes with slow connections. You can bring your own Wi-Fi with you wherever you go—and these days it even comes in a compact package. Try a personal hot spot like the MiFi 2.

Smartphone

A smartphone is a real travel essential even if you never connect to your network while you're on the road. There are plenty of offline apps and maps you can download without incurring roaming charges. With certain apps, your smartphone can double as a personal translator, a GPS, a culture guide, and even as a camera, in a pinch.

Adapter And Converter

Most appliances are dual voltage, meaning that they'll work at home and abroad—all you need is an adapter that changes the shape of the plug to fit in foreign outlets. However, if you're traveling to a country that uses a different voltage and you don't have a dual-voltage appliance, you'll need an adapter as well. Be sure to check your electronics before plugging them in, as a dual-voltage appliance can be damaged by using a converter. (Take it from someone who's exploded a hair straightener before … you definitely want to check the voltage!) Get an adapter that easily changes to fit all plugs around the world, like the Insten universal travel adapter, or a converter that also has adapters, such as TravelSmith's All-in-One Universal Converter with Adapters.

Portable Power

You may need some extra juice for all the gadgets on this list, so don't get caught with a dead battery and nowhere to charge it. Be prepared with portable power sources—small, rechargeable batteries that can power up phones and other electronics on the go. We tested out the Summit 3000, which can charge up to three devices at once and the average smartphone two times on one charge. We liked it, but there are plenty of others on the market.

Power Strip

Ever been stuck in a hotel room with only one or two outlets … and twice that many gadgets to charge? Bring along a travel charging station (like the iSurge, which lets you charge your iPod or iPhone, a USB device, and three other things using the three additional plugs—all in one wall plug) and never fight over whose turn it is to power up again. Or, for a low-fi and low-cost (but slightly bulkier) solution, pack a power strip for the same results.

Smart Memory Card

Too many travel photos and not enough space on your memory card? Get a smart memory card that will transfer your photos to your computer or smartphone by Wi-Fi, freeing up space for even more snapshots.

E-Reader Or Tablet

Gone are the days when you broke your back lugging around books and magazines just to have something to read while on the road. Simply load up your e-reader or tablet with reading material and lighten the load! Most tablets and e-readers also have Internet capability, which is handy for connecting to Wi-Fi and checking in with the real world while you're gone. Plus, with tablets or e-readers like the Kindle Fire, you can throw some movies and games on there to entertain children (or yourself) while you're traveling.

Camera

You spoke, and we listened! A camera is an essential gadget for travelers who want to document their journeys in high resolution. Don't leave home without it. Make your camera work harder for you by adding gadgets like underwater housing (for those snorkeling shots), travel tripods (for selfies), and indestructible cases.

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