Winter weather is upon us, so if you're planning on venturing out of the house and heading to various destinations around the country — and across the globe — for vacation, you're not alone. But like they say, getting there is half the stress and who wouldn't love a gadget or two to make traveling easier, more comfortable and less complicated?
Whether it's a makeup bag that will help you stay organized or a neck pillow that will make that 12-hour flight fly by, the tiniest of things can truly make a difference.
Luckily for you, as part of Shop TODAY's 2025 Travel Gear Awards, our team tested out all the latest and greatest travel accessories. Keep scrolling to check out our favorite winners, plus some other editor-loved accessories.
Shop TODAY 2025 Travel Gear Awards winners
Apple AirTags have become a must-have for multiple Shop TODAY editors whenever they travel (they won a Travel Gear Award in 2024). This passport holder comes equipped with a spot dedicated to the pint sized tech item, so you'll never lose your passport again.
This handy travel tracker easily slips into any wallet, laptop sleeve or passport holder to allow you to track and find items with ease. The brand says it has a three-year battery life, and it’s also compatible with tracking app Life360.
This “hoodie” clips onto any crew neck or top so you can easily take it on and off easily during a red eye flight or long road trip. It also has an adjustable nose bridge to ensure no light peeks through underneath, as well as a silk lining on the interior to promote hair health.
Associate editor Shannon Garlin has been raving about Loop earplugs for three years — she loves them for their sleek design (it doesn’t look like you’re wearing earplugs!), customizable, comfortable fit and how easy they are to care for and maintain.
“You never want to be stuck anywhere trying to find an ability to plug in your devices these days,” summarizes travel adviser Jonathan Alder. And with this affordable charger, you won't have to fret!
During our tests, after 90 minutes of charging, a formerly dead device had over 85% battery just from being placed on it. It's currently less than $20, and can charge a whole ecosystem of devices — from Apple iPads to Samsung S8 smartphones.
Whether you have a ski trip planned or are wanting to hike trails, this gaiter will keep parts of your neck and lower face concealed.
With built-in UPF 50 protection, your skin will be protected against the sun's harsh rays, keeping you burn-free no matter the adventure. It's made out of a breathable polyester and elastane fabric blend that experts say is optimal when outdoors due to its moisture-wicking properties.
During our tests, this completely leakproof bottle managed to keep water cold for 24 hours with only a six-degree difference in temperature.
It has a twist-off cap that makes loading ice into it simple, plus a stainless steel interior that can also withstand hot or warm drinks.
If you’re not already obsessed with packing cubes, let us be the first to introduce you to your new go-to travel accessory. Made with a compressive material, these fit more than you’d initially think and make packing and un-packing an organized breeze.
A stainless steel interior promises hours of hot or cold drinks depending on your preference, while a silicone exterior makes it easy to carry on long walks, through the airport or on your commute into the office.
It boasts a leakproof lid, helping keep drinks (and your lap!) safe during turbulence or a bumpy car ride.
This travel pillow arrives empty — with no pillow inside. That's for you to determine. Will you shove sweatshirts that didn't fit inside your suitcase? Or stuff it with socks? It's an easy way to still pack must-have items while leaning against the car or airplane window.
Plus, one side features fleece material for those who get a little cold at night, while the other side has a cooling, polyester fabric for those who sleep warm.
We were wowed by this water bottle’s ability to seemingly defy gravity — when tilted sideways, water would start to come out the straw but then stop itself, proving to be spillproof.
Plus, when keeping drinks ice cold over a span of 24 hours, overall water temperature only increased by 4.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your little one has grown accustomed to white noise to help them fall asleep, day trips and overnighters just got easier thanks to this portable Hatch.
It comes equipped with 10 different sounds to lull them into a restful sleep, and a battery life of 15 hours — perfect for lasting throughout the night and a few naps.
Packing cubes are an optimal way for remaining organized while on-the-go. This six-piece set makes it easy to pack everything from intimates to sweaters and be able to see them easily on display when rummaging through your suitcase thanks to the mesh fabric.
Never lose another charging cord again — this one retracts into itself, similar to a sewing measuring tape. Production coordinator Camryn Privette was skeptical — until she tried it while traveling and she became convinced of its tangle-free design.
Prefer to drink your coffee while commuting in the morning? This travel mug will help it go from piping hot to a reasonable temperature within minutes — helping it so you don't scald your mouth mid-commute.
This portable speaker packs powerful sound and allows two parties to connect at once (no more arguing over who gets aux!)
It’s available in four different colors and has accessible buttons that are easy to navigate, no matter if your hands are wet from being in the pool or sandy from the beach.
I've [Hoeger] been using these pouches since we wrapped up testing, and they've proven to remain durable when met with spilled spray bottles or being crammed into the bottom of my work bag.
I received a fun, floral design that helps add a fun flair to my otherwise neutral packing cubes or tech pouches.
Have you ever had a water bottle that you can manage with an app on your phone? Neither have we — until we were introduced to this self-filtering one. It utilizes UV technology to clean contents in just a minute.
You're also able to set and track hydration goals via the app that syncs to a sensor in the bottle that measures water consumed each time you set it down.
Shop TODAY 2024 Travel Gear Awards winners
Serial overpackers know the pain of having an overweight bag and having to transfer items from their checked bag to a carry-on or personal item in the middle of the airport.
Partnerships associate Klay Drageset is one of those people and says this product has solved all of her issues. “I even bring it on my trips with me because it’s so small and portable! I typically somehow end up with more items than I brought on the trip, so bringing this device wherever I go has saved me the $150 overweight bag charges many times,” she says.
With different countries using different plugs, it can be difficult to prepare what adapters you may need, especially if you’re traveling to several places in one trip. This adapter covers over 150 countries and has labels corresponding with each, making it easy to adjust and use no matter where you are.
It can be difficult to avoid tap water while traveling, so skip the worrying and drink safely with this 26-ounce Brita bottle that’s worth every penny. Customers rave about the sleek design and the quality of the bottle, calling it “revolutionary” and “the perfect fix” for drinking tap while traveling.
For the water bottle obsessed, we found the perfect lightweight and leakproof travel bottle around. Never worry about your belongings getting wet or lugging around a clunky bottle again. Plus, it’ll keep your water cold throughout your travels thanks to its double-wall vacuum insulation.
Say goodbye to dead batteries thanks to this portable charger from Veger. It passed all our testing with flying colors by fully charging an iPhone in three hours with a spare 61% left. With four outputs including ports for USB and USB-C, this charger can even attach directly to an outlet for seamless charging.
Admittedly, we’ve been a bit skeptical of AirTags, which are designed to be put in your luggage, so if the luggage gets lost, you can track it. But after three staffers gave it a perfect five-star rating, we knew the hype was real.
“I’ve been nervous about checking bags after hearing horror stories the past few months so having an AirTag in my suitcase helped calm my nerves since I was able to check on it mid-flight (thanks to in-flight Wi-Fi) to ensure that it was traveling with me,” shares associate editor Kamari Stewart, who slipped this AirTag in her suitcase on a recent flight to Aruba.
Whether traveling by car, plane or train, we’ve all experienced the pain that comes with sleeping in an upright position. This award-winning travel pillow straps to your seat so that you don’t have to worry about holding it with your hands or contorting your neck to get comfortable. The best part? It deflates when you’re done so that you can pack it right back up at the end of the ride.
Associate editor Sierra Hoeger has used this bag for years and has no plans to switch. “There are pockets within pockets, yet it took up about a third of my personal item. I didn’t feel like I had to stuff my items into this toiletry bag, whereas with other ones I usually had to leave larger items like a brush and toothpaste out.” Sign us up!
Refuse to use the headphones provided during a flight but want to take advantage of in-flight entertainment? Introducing the AirFly, which provides a way to use your personal headphones on every flight here on out. Simply plug the device into the headphone port and connect your earbuds via Bluetooth and stream away!
“I like that the AirFly is compact and that the pairing process is very straightforward,” says senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil, who recently flew with this adaptor. “Overall, I think this product is great for a super specific purpose or for people who have trouble with the Bluetooth pairing process across products from different brands.”
From sweaters to pillows, Mark & Graham are known for their personalized goods and we couldn't help but to be intrigued by this jewelry case. Not only did it pass our shake test with flying colors by everything staying in place, it makes for a great gift to anyone in your life who has the travel bug.
Shop TODAY 2023 Travel Gear Awards winners
Skip the stress of having to dig through your entire bag when searching for your passport, thanks to this designated holder. TODAY.com commerce analytics manager Amanda Smith likes this wallet because it holds everything she needs and is easy to manage.
“When you’re traveling, you have to take out your drivers license and passport. So, many wallets and passport holders make it really hard to take the ID out. The easy access makes this one less thing to worry about during a stressful trip.”
Each staffer who tried this charger raved about how sturdy and useful it is. Designed to charge several devices with just one wire, it’s perfect for saving valuable space in your carry-on. “I can tell it would be pretty good for traveling because the cord is long and also comes with a little belt to help keep it wrapped up, which is super helpful when you’re traveling with an endless amount of cords,” shares media coordinator Lauren Biggerstaff.
Frequently asked questions
It can seem nearly impossible say to classify items based on their importance because it depends on your purpose for traveling. Still, creating a packing checklist before you leave home, and another one when you're preparing to return home, is incredibly useful for not forgetting anything.
“The most useful item for me is a packing plan, most typically done on a spreadsheet, so that the days and the items needed for each day can be separated out,” says Misty Belles, vice president of Global PR for Virtuoso Travel. “When I travel for work, it tends to be longer trips of a week or more, and sometimes to different climates.
There are typically day looks that are more business-like and evening events that can be anything from nice dinners to cocktails receptions or galas. Having a packing plan is absolutely mandatory to ensure I have what I need without overpacking," she adds.
“Funny enough, it’s the little things you use every single day that are often the most overlooked: toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, underwear,” says Belles, adding, "The toiletries are easily replaced, and most hotels can provide you with enough to get by.”
“Packing doesn’t have to be onerous, but it is typically [everyone's] least favorite part of traveling. Remember, you don’t have to bring it all with you,” says Belles. “Allow for the opportunity to find new things that you might love even more than your tried-and-true. Then you’ll have room to bring home what you buy, if you haven’t stuffed your bag to the gills to begin with," she adds.
A few other tips include the following: Start packing at least two days prior to your trip, pack light, save on copies of essential documents (such as your passport on your phone), and don't forget to leave some extra space in your suitcase for souvenirs.
“As for improving your overall traveling experience, there are a few services that are worth the investment: Get a subscription to Clear to facilitate getting through airport security, and secure an interview for Global Entry ,” says Belles. “Both will save you time and aggravation.”
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on the best travel accessories. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Brady Schrock is a flight attendant for a commercial airline and also served on our panel of 2024 Travel Awards experts.
- Katie Jackson is a travel writer and expert, who also served on our panel of 2023 and 2024 Travel Awards experts.
- Jonathan Alder is a luxury travel planner and adviser, and also served on our panel of 2024 Travel Awards experts.
- Stephen Sabato is a United Airlines Captain and has flown with them for the past 20 years. He’s been a pilot for 30 years.
How we chose
We sorted through hundreds of new launches, editor recommendations, trending products flooding our social media pages and tried and true products to curate a list of must-have travel items worth reviewing for our awards. We then tried 214 products total — in our studios, putting them through practical experiments to see if they meet requirements when it comes to durability, function and quality for travel gear. Our team of editors and writers also signed up to try out apparel and shoes, putting them to the test in New York City and on our travels across the country as well as overseas. Finally, our panel of experts reviewed some of our winners and gave feedback based on their expertise.
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