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Must-have travel gadgets for your next long-haul vacation

Whether you are looking to relax or stay connected on your next trip, these 10 handy accessories will help make travelling so much more enjoyable

Packing for a long trip comes with many challenges, especially when considering travel accessories. These items take up valuable space in your luggage, may need special adapters to function at your destination and constantly forces you to weigh comfort against practicality – because anything you pack, you also have to carry.

With countless of gadgets that claim to improve things such as sleep, fitness, and noise cancellation while traveling, it can be tough to determine which products are truly worthwhile to make the cut for your packing list.

However, these 10 travel gadgets will not only help making travelling so much more enjoyable, but prepare you for any situation encountered, whether on land or in the sky.

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image: Theragun Mini Black 2.0 (left) ; Ring AIR by Ultrahuman (right)

For fitness enthusiasts

After a long day of walking or being active, the best travel gadgets to help with a speedy recovery are these two sleek, yet powerful travel accessories.

Theragun Mini Black 2.0

When the original Theragun device was first introduced in 2016, many were scratching their heads and confused about what exactly the tool was for. However, it did not take long for athletes and medical professionals to recognize the benefits this ultra-powerful gadget had on fitness recovery. Known as percussive therapy devices, Theraguns help relax and soothe sore muscles, whether you are an athlete or just trying to recover from a long flight. However, its large size and multiple attachments made it impractical to bring along on trips.

This changed when the company launched the Theragun Mini Black 2.0. It packs the power of a full-size Theragun into an ultra-portable package that can go anywhere you go. Both much smaller and lighter than the original device, the Theragun Mini has proven to relieve aches and pains while improving recovery. It also has Bluetooth connectivity so you can access a library of personalized wellness routines through the Therabody app.

Price: $199 at Therabody

Ring AIR by Ultrahuman

In the past, smart rings that can track health and fitness data were only available to the wealthy, famous, and professional athletes. However, after the Oura ring launched in 2015, smart rings have surged in popularity among mainstream consumers. The ability to discretely monitor wellness through a fashionable piece of jewellery still seems like an amazing innovation. Now, there is a new smart ring entering this growing product category – the Ultrahuman Ring AIR.

Positioned as a clear competitor to the third generation Oura ring, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR has similar technical capabilities. It can monitor sleep, recovery, and activity through sensors, providing insights and recommendations via a paired smartphone app. It is comparably priced to the Oura ring, but includes a “lifetime subscription” to access data, while Oura charges a monthly subscription. Known as the world’s most comfortable wearable, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR is a simple and fashionable way to discreetly track health and sleep on vacation – without having to sacrifice your style.

Price: $371 at Virgin Megastore

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image: OneWorld 100 adapter by Oneadaptr (left) ; Apa Clean sonic toothbrush (right)

For jet-setters

Jet-setting to exotic places is a dream for many, but the flights and changing time zones can take a toll. Luckily, these gadgets can help ease the burden of frequent travel.

Oneworld 100

Travelling to many countries and destinations usually means packing gear and gadgets that have to be charged during the trip: a phone, power banks, headphones, even a laptop. 

However, large laptops like the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro require much more power to charge their batteries. If you travel with one of these high-wattage computers, the OneWorld 100 is one of the best adapters available. It supports 100-watt charging at 20 volts and 3 amps, which is the maximum power output of any travel adapter. The most powerful laptops can pull around this wattage or even more, so the OneWorld 100 ensures the quickest charge possible without needing a separate power brick.

OneAdaptr’s adapter only has four USB ports and is taller in size than most travel adapters, but those are reasonable compromises considering its high charging capacity.

Price: $98 at Oneadaptr

Apa Clean Sonic toothbrush

Hotel toothbrushes may be free of charge, but they often fall short for keeping your smile bright on the road. That’s where the Apa Clean Sonic Toothbrush comes in. Created by renowned cosmetic dentist Dr. Apa, this toothbrush pampers like a dental spa. Using advanced technology, and sleek design, it delivers 40,000 vibrations per minute across three modes: clean, whiten, and massage.

The timed brushing ensures a complete clean on trips near and far. The long-lasting battery and charge indicator allow carefree brushing anywhere without worrying about the battery dying. It comes equipped with two full-sized brush heads, including whitening and soft bristles, to keep your smile glistening between hotel stays. 

Price: $250 at Apa

image: FOREO’s BEAR mini microcurrent Facial toner (left) ; iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB Black Titanium (right)

For Instagram travellers

In today’s selfie-focused world, posting photos and stories on Instagram has become the popular way to get likes and comments from your global community. When traveling, having the ideal selfie look is key. Bringing along these two must-have gadgets will ensure your skin appears perfect with one of the best mobile phone camera lenses that captures it.

BEAR mini

While air travel allows quick transportation between destinations, it can also rapidly dehydrate skin and cause bloating and puffiness. To restore a contoured, chiseled appearance after flights, FOREO’s BEAR mini Microcurrent Facial Toning Device is your new best friend.

This portable skincare gadget uses microcurrent  low-grade electrical currents paired with T-sonic pulsations to shape facial contours, assist lymphatic drainage, and promote relaxation. The gentle microcurrent energizes skin cells to boost collagen and elastin production, smoothing fine lines and firming skin. But the BEAR mini goes beyond typical microcurrent tools by adding T-sonic pulsations that vibrate to de-puff skin faster.

Although salon microcurrent treatments are more effective than portable mini devises, this gadget is one of the best on the market. It is non-evasive and generally non-irritating, so there’s no harm in using them daily and in-between your travel getaways.

Price: $199 at FOREO

iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB Black Titanium

Apple’s annual iPhone release always brings new innovations, from upgraded cameras to physical design changes for enhanced functionality. The latest is the iPhone 15 Pro Max, featuring a titanium frame that is lighter than prior Pro models.

Apple designed the iPhone 15 Pro Max with travellers in mind. It has Apple’s fastest processor ever, allowing for smooth and rapid use—perfect for pulling up digital boarding passes while on the move. But the true star feature is the camera. The new 48-megapixel sensor unlocks advanced photography capabilities. Photos have greater detail, and more nuanced rendering of elements like skin tones and individual hairs compared to standard 12-megapixel camera images. Perfect for selfies and other photos to capture your best photo moments for social media.

Price: $1,599 at Apple

image: GoPro HERO 12 Black (left) ; Dyson’s Blue Blush Supersonic hair dryer (right)

For the adventure traveller

Adventuring out in the wild does have its perks. Serene nature, majestic mountain views, and glimpses of wildlife make it all worthwhile. These travel essentials will keep you looking fresh while you’re on your thrill-seeking adventure.

GoPro HERO 12 Black

GoPro is to action cameras what Coca-Cola is to cola flavoured sodas – the undisputed market leader. Their newest release, the HERO 12 Black, cements their status as the premier action camera brand. Upgrades such increased heat resistance and longer battery life make the HERO 12 Black even better suited for adventure filming.

The GoPro Hero 12 has new vertical and 8:7 full-frame shooting modes, expanding beyond the previous 16:9 ratio limit. This wider aspect ratio carries over to the timelapse features, which can now capture timelapses in 8:7 across all modes. This enables cropping to vertical, square or horizontal frames afterward. The 8:7 ratio will make them much simpler to crop and share on vertical social platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok. For GoPro users considering an upgrade, the new GoPro HERO 12 Black is definitely worth it.

Price: $436 at GoPro

Blue Blush Supersonic Hair dryer

Style icons and leading stylists alike swoon over the Dyson Supersonic, dubbed the most coveted hair dryer on the market. This lightweight wonder quietly works magic, preventing frizz and damage for gorgeously smooth hair.

What makes it a cut above? An intelligent heat control technology that measures temperature 20 times per second, protecting your locks from sizzling heat. Air flows through a compact yet powerful motor, drying hair at a 20 degree angle for precision. When it comes to customisation, there are four heat settings, three airflow speeds, and a cold air function. Not to mention, there are five attachments to achieve your desired look to style your hair, including the Flyaway attachment.

Dyson expanded their haircare lineup last year with a gorgeous new supersonic hair dryer colour – Royal Blue Blush. This special edition adds a stunning pop of rich blue to their range. For those looking to upgrade their hair routine, the Blue Blush supersonic is a must-have addition. Dyson’s bold new dryer colour makes a vibrant statement and dries hair with the same ingenious technology the brand is renowned for.

Price: $475 at Dyson

richa khonde travel gadgets
image: Apple Watch Series 9 GPS + cellular, 45mm case with light pink sport loop (left) ; Lexon Obligo Wireless Charging Station (right)

For the organised travellers

Chic and functional, these gadgets effortlessly keep you organised when travelling on a plane, train or when heading to a remote destination.

Apple Watch Series 9 GPS + cellular, 45mm case with light pink sport loop

The Apple Watch Series 9 empowers you to understand your health and streamline your day efficiently. From staying on top of your health and fitness to scheduling appointments and ensuring accurate speed information with its built-in GPS, this powerful smartwatch puts your wellbeing right on your wrist.

The advanced S9 chip lets you tap through your day seamlessly, from the “always-on” retina display to finding a misplaced phone in a snap. Cutting-edge sensors provide tracking – monitoring blood oxygen, ECGs, and detects falls and crashes.

New temperature and cycle tracking sensors provide a window into your overall wellness. Detailed sleep stage monitoring helps build emotional resilience by showing the quality of your sleep. The Workout app gives you metrics to improve training across various modes.

With LTE connectivity, you can stream music and communicate on the go without your phone. And to top it off, the water-resistant design enables you to swim worry-free up to 50 meters deep.

Price: $529 at Apple

Lexon Oblio Wireless Charging Station

Staying organised also means keeping your phones and gadgets at full charge. The stylish Lexon Oblio wireless charger doesn’t just juice up your phone, but it gives it a deep clean too!

While your phone powers up with speedy 10W Qi wireless charging, Lexon Oblio zaps away icky germs with its UV-C LED light. After charging for just 20 minutes, it can kill 99.9% of viruses, mold, and bacteria. This tech wonder can charge any compatible phone up to 8.3cm wide and 1.05cm thick. Mid-charge, all you have to do is flip your phone to disinfect both sides.

Price: $55 at Virgin Megastore


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