5 tech gadgets that can make your next flight easier
Technology
5 tech gadgets that can make your next flight easier
May 14, 2025 | 1:31 PM GMT
Personal tech reporter Chris Velazco swears by the AirFly Pro 2 bluetooth transmitter and AirPods when he's on a plane. Here's what else he keeps in his carry-on to make his flights easier and more entertaining.
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An adorable ruffle-sleeve one-piece swimsuit so you're prepared to run right down to the beach or pool as soon as you get to your summer destination. Can't waste any time when the water is right there ready to be splashed in! Promising review: "I love the ruffle detail. It adds some personality to an otherwise simple design. I also love how I feel in this suit, which is a big deal. The adjustable straps are a plus also!" —MommyEvansPrice: $26.98 (available in sizes XS–3X and four colors) Some classic swim trunks to wear to your surf or scuba lessons. Get ready to shred and sightsee to your heart's content. Price: $14.98 (available in men's sizes S–3XL and seven colors) A handsome hardside carry-on suitcase so you can roll through the airport and hotel in style. Four spinner wheels make it easy as can be to roll this baby around and integrated compression straps and zippered interior compartments ensure you can keep everything organized. Promising review: "The size is great for a long trip or a plain ol' prepared overpacker!! I appreciate the two divided, separate sides, pockets, and the zipper compartments make it even better. The maneuverability of the rollers was surprisingly smooth. Great purchase!!" —KellyPrice: $58+ (available in seven colors) A travel wrinkle-releaser spray that'll keep you looking sharp and put-together even if you're caught without an iron. Ugh, packing makes clothes look so crumpled, and who has the room to pack a travel steamer? Promising review: "I was skeptical that a spray could remove wrinkles. I took it on vacation and used it to smooth wrinkles from packed clothes. I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked." —JStarrPrice: $1.50 A sweet pair of sunnies for keeping those eyes protected as you behold the sights at your chosen destination. Look! The Leaning Tower of Pisa! Man, it really is lopsided, huh. Price: $9.97 (available in two colors) An external battery that ensures no matter where you roam you'll be able to get directions, snap photos, make payments, everything! Is it troubling that our phones are our whole lives? Yes. But that means you never want to get caught without juice. Promising review: "Fast shipping and well-packaged. Tested immediately with iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods overnight, performed as expected, and even had leftover charge the next morning. Impressed!" —JuliePrice: $8.32 (originally $11.88) Sun Bum SPF 50 spray for staying protected from the sun's harmful rays whether your trip is tropical, in a city, or anywhere in between. Sun Bum is what I'm currently rocking and it smells sooooo good. If you're flying, heads up that at 6 ounces this can't be taken along in a carry-on, but you can grab a 3.4-ounce SPF 45 face mist or a sunscreen stick if you don't want to check a bag!Price: $17.48 A three-pack of mini dry shampoos so you can keep you hair looking day-one fresh without having to lug all of your best wash day hair care products with you on vacay. Spritz and done! Promising review: "This dry shampoo is a lifesaver! It absorbs oil quickly, adds volume, and doesn't leave a white residue like some others do. Perfect for refreshing my hair on busy days or between washes. The travel size is super convenient too — great for keeping in my bag. Definitely a must-have!" —KellyPrice: $8.91 for a three-pack A Mini Instax Camera for capturing memories you can actually hold in your hands instead of getting sent to the cloud or the graveyard of your camera roll. There's something about instant photos that just feels romantic, special, and perfect for occasions like trips. Promising review: "Wanted one of these for so long! Definitely worth the hype and the money. My kids and I love taking pictures with this camera!" —CourtneyPrice: $64.70+ (available in five colors) A crochet coverup skirt to help you look just as cool walking down to the hotel pool as you do when you're laying out in your favorite suit. What is vacation if not an extended fashion show? Price: $7.59 (originally $15.98, available in women's sizes XXS–XL) A 12-can soft-side cooler bag so bringing drinks and snacks to the beach or park is a no-brainer. Cracking a cold Coca-Cola and munching on a sandwich knowing you have no work to do that day? The true meaning of vacation. Promising review: "I love this little cooler. Holds a 12-pack with no ice. The insert easily removes for cleaning. Made well. I can't say enough good things. I have a few very expensive coolers but find myself grabbing this little lightweight guy to use 99% of the time." —BexPrice: $29.97+ (available in two colors) An adhesive phone wallet pouch to keep your most important cards easily at your fingertips but still secure. Extra helpful for an airport where your hands are full of a zillion bulky things. Promising review: "This super cute card holder is so great. The adhesive is very sticky, so it won't fall off. And the top cover piece covers the card, so no one knows what is inside. The material is a fabric and great quality! Just what I was looking for!" —AnnikaPrice: $6.99 (available in nine colors) An Owala water bottle so you can stay hydrated no matter how far from home you are. Trips are when you arguably need to stay the MOST hydrated, and yet it's when I'm personally most likely to forget to drink water. If we have this in common, grab a special bottle to tuck in your bag to avoid my mistake. Promising review: "Very sturdy, can handle being dropped and banged around without any damage or dents. It keeps the liquids and ice very cold, and the ice lasts for hours and hours. The price was a little high for a drinking cup, but cheaper than Stanley cups and same or higher quality. The top closes and inner straw is removable so it's easy to clean. The ability to close the lid is better than just a straw and lid-top open like the others." —linseyPrice: $27.94+ (available in six colors) A Poo-Pourri pocket sprayer if you're planning on staying in close quarters with others. Long story short, avoid some awkward stinks, stenches, and smells with just a few sprays. Promising review: "Outstanding! Perfect odor eliminator and perfect size for travel! Love it!" —MaryPrice: $4.97 A portable door lock to give you a little extra manual assurance that your door can't be opened when you're staying in hotels, hostels, or new places. Doesn't hurt to be sure! Promising review: "I wasn't sure how well this was going to work at keeping our front door secure. After trying it on our doors throughout the house, locked and unlocked, I can definitely say this works great at keeping doors from opening. We plan on getting more in the future." —DaniellePrice: $5.68 A small pack of Clorox wipes for getting all those high-touch travel surfaces squeaky clean. Tremble, gunk on airplane trays! Your time has come. Promising review: "Love these little packs, great for on the go! I keep one in my car and in my purse. I use them all the time to wipe down my grocery cart or any mess my kids make in the car!" —ElizabethPrice: $1 for a nine-pack A handheld fan that's a no-brainer for trips to hot locations, and also for days spent at amusement parks. A Mickey-shaped ice cream bar will taste even better with a handheld breeze blowing on your face. Promising review: "Super cute, small but packs a windy punch. Stands up on table to be hands-free if needed. USB charging option, light for night vision, and cord to hang. Battery lasts very long so far." —PrincessPrice: $18.05+ (originally $26.99, available in six colors) A pack of Apple AirTags to tuck inside your bags so you can track them down in case they wander away from you. A little peace of mind is worth its weight in gold. An adjustable memory foam neck pillow, earplug, and eye mask set so you can get some blessed shut-eye on your flight or long car ride. Arriving safe and sound is priority number one. Arriving well-rested is a close second. Promising review: "This is so comfortable and fit to my neck perfectly. I ordered three more for my kids, my husband, and my sister to get ready for our long trip. It'll help support our necks during travel on planes and cars." —suwannaPrice: $16.99 (originally $49.99) A set of Sea-Band acupressure wristbands to target an acupressure point on your wrist that could help reduce nausea. Definitely worth trying if you suffer from car sickness, sea sickness, or any other travel tummy ailment. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer review: "My husband and I have used this product on big cruise ships and small tour boats, both in high seas, and we did not get seasick. Just remember to put it on before you set foot on a ship/boat and do not take off until you are permanently on dry land." —CortlandtseniorPrice: $8.96 for a two-pack (also available in larger pack sizes) A digital luggage scale to ensure your baggage is in compliance with your airline's weight restrictions, avoiding some nasty fees in the process. Bring it along with you if you want to make sure you're good to go on the way home, too! All those souvenirs add up. Promising review: "I've had a few luggage scales over the years, and they all fail at one time or another. Usually, it's the battery. Not with this one. It uses regular AAA batteries. I compared what this scale was telling us versus our high-end bathroom scale, and it was very close. It also saved us from paying the overweight fees, which is easy to carry, to make sure your bags are under the required weight limit. It is surprisingly accurate, works great, compact, and easy to use. My husband loves this too and says it works perfectly for all the fish he catches. Can't beat it for the price." —MikePrice: $10.31 A pack of soap sheets so you never get stranded without a way to scrub-a-dub-dub again. Clean hands = happy trip. Promising review: "Ordered a few of these packages. They're excellent for travel when you need soap to wash your hands and the establishment's bathroom doesn't have soap" —swalmartPrice: $10.95 for 50 sheets A Master Lock portable safe that can help assuage some of your worry when it comes to traveling with valuables, especially solo. Equipped with a four-digit code and a cable to affix it to a secure spot, hopefully this'll allow you to feel comfortable enough to take a dip in the pool or ocean while leaving your essentials behind. Promising review: "This is great for carrying personal items like jewelry and cash on trips. Has a way to connect it to your purse or luggage." —dianaPrice: $19.97 (originally $44.87) Foot Glide anti-blister balm so your feet stay in tip-top shape even as you hop, skip, and jump all around the exciting city you're visiting for the first time. Price: $9.98 A pack of four TSA-approved travel bottles so it's easy as can be to decant literally all of your favorite toiletries into small, manageable containers. Promising review: "Absolutely perfect! They're easy to fill and come with labels. It's perfect for my busy traveling life!" —MorganPrice: $10 (originally $16.99, available in two color combos) An eight-piece packing cube set for anyone who's ever tried and immediately failed at keeping their luggage in check while on vacation. Vacation isn't the time to fret over organization — let the cubes do it for you. Promising review: "These bags are perfect! They hold so many clothes. I bought these because they were machine washable. I've washed them a few times now, and they are holding up perfectly! I like being able to organize everything. It's so much easier to go through the luggage when everything is sorted into bags." —KristinaPrice: $13.99+ (available in three colors) A Bluetooth sleep headband that can double as a sleep mask for anyone who likes to fall asleep listening to music or podcasts. I never want to travel without the dulcet tones of my favorite celebrity gossip podcast as my lullaby. Promising review: "I was very cautious about buying earphones for sleeping, as I didn't think I'd like anything around my head while I slept. Instead, I found the headband very comfortable and the sound quality excellent. The speakers didn't need to be exactly over each ear in order to be heard well. I'm a side sleeper and didn't feel the speakers at all. They headband charged up in two to three hours and easily lasted through two nights. I like it very much." —ChinellaPrice: $7.89 (originally $10.99) A mini Wet hairbrush so your at-home hair routine can go on as planned even when you're far away, all while taking up a little less room. You'll be extra happy to have this if you're working through any post-beach and post-pool knots. Promising review: "So far its a good product. I have been using wet brushes for years. The mini will be good for camping. Just so you know, wet brushes have saved my head from the pain of long hair sorrow. Brushing it is way easier. I will never use a regular brush if I can help it." —LeggingsPrice: $4.90+ (available in three colors) A pair of luggage tags because sometimes the good old fashioned low tech approach is best for peace of mind when it comes to keeping track of your bags. And hey, it's an excuse to get a cute little accessory for your suitcase, too. Promising review: "These are good quality tags. The color is as pictured. Nice privacy for your personal information, but accessible if needed. I got these in yellow, too. Very pleased with these purchases." —ReneePrice: $11.49+ for a pack of two (available in three colors) A pack of acne patches so your skin can be in tip-top shape the whole trip, even if you break out in the middle of it. Flights, new foods, and travel stress can all lead to reactive skin, so pop one of these on before bed and wake up with all that gunk sucked right out. Promising review: "Love how many came in the package and they work great bringing any blemish to a head making it easy to keep your face smooth and healthy." —WalmartloverPrice: $6.98 for 24 patches Need ingredients for all your new recipes? Shop each recipe directly through the app, or check out Walmart's grocery selection to get veggies, meat, seafood, and more delivered right to your door. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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