When it comes down to it, you don’t need much to kick off a great adventure — just a way to get around, your ID or passport, and a few changes of clothes. But if you want your trip to go smoothly and be memorable for the right reasons, a few handy tech gadgets can make a huge difference. Let’s be honest — nothing spoils a trip faster than realizing you forgot something important, like your noise-canceling headphones or phone charger.
I’ve been living the digital nomad life for almost 10 years now, and I’ve learned one thing: the right tech can seriously upgrade your travel experience. Not only does it make your journey easier, but it can also make it way more fun. If you’re building your own go-to travel setup, these 12 tech essentials — tested and loved by the Travel + Leisure team — are a great place to start.
🎧 Best Over-Ear Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Why We Love Them:
They deliver amazing sound and are super comfy to wear.
What to Know:
They’re a bit bulky if you’re doing a lot of walking or moving around.
These are my go-to headphones when I want to completely tune out the world. The sound is rich and natural, and they make even basic in-flight entertainment sound incredible. T+L’s senior testing editor Jackie Cucco agrees: “I was already impressed with how well they blocked subway noise, but they blew me away on a flight. The noise-canceling made the engine roar almost disappear, and I could actually sleep!”
With up to 30 hours of battery life, you won’t need to worry about charging them often. The buttons are simple to use, and the cushioned ear cups stay comfy even after hours of wear. You’d have a hard time finding a cozier pair of headphones in this price range.
Also Read: What Outdoor Brands Offer the Most Durable Backpacks for Rough Terrain?
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Over-Ear Headphones
🎧 Best Earbuds
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Why We Love Them:
They come with different eartip sizes for better noise-canceling.
What to Know:
Non-Apple users won’t get all the fancy features.
When I don’t have space for big headphones, these earbuds are the next best thing. The AirPods Pro 2 are tiny, powerful, and switch easily between my Apple devices. They offer about 30 hours of listening time with the case, and you can charge them either wirelessly or with a lightning cable.
T+L editor Taylor Fox tested them and said, “I’ve never used earbuds that cancel noise this well. Even without music playing, they act like earplugs — perfect for blocking out loud neighbors on planes and trains.” While they work with Android and Windows too, you’ll get the best audio if you stick with Apple services like Apple Music.
Also Read: Which Travel Tech Gadgets Should I Pack for Business Trips?
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
🔌 Best Headphone Adapter
Twelve South AirFly Pro
Why We Love It:
Lets two people use Bluetooth headphones on a plane at the same time.
What to Know:
May need to be recharged on longer flights.
You could use the airline’s cheap wired earbuds — or you could use your own awesome Bluetooth headphones. That’s where the AirFly Pro comes in. Just plug it into the seat’s headphone jack, pair it with your Bluetooth headphones, and enjoy your flight. You can even connect two pairs at once, which is great if you’re traveling with a buddy.
“I was thrilled to ditch those tangled cords for good,” says T+L Associate Director Morgan Ashley Parker. “Now I can move around freely and still hear my movie perfectly.”
Bonus: it also works as a Bluetooth receiver. Plug it into your car stereo or a hotel speaker, and stream music straight from your phone or laptop. It lasts about 25 hours on one charge and comes in black.
Twelve South AirFly SE
📚 Best eReader
Kobo Libra Colour
Why We Love It:
Packed with features and super easy to use.
What to Know:
Adding library books can be a bit confusing at first.
The Kobo Libra Colour is one of our favorite eReaders for travel. It’s user-friendly, versatile, and gives you access to tons of free books.
Its 7-inch color screen is gentle on the eyes and can be controlled by touch or with page-turn buttons. You can read ebooks, listen to audiobooks with Bluetooth headphones, and even borrow library books using OverDrive — something Kindle doesn’t offer. You can also read articles you’ve saved in Pocket and doodle or take notes right on the screen.
“The color display makes it feel more like a real book,” says T+L associate editor Anna Popp. “And I love being able to jot down notes during my trips.”
Also Read: What Travel Tech Innovations are Trending in 2025?
Kobo Libra Colour | eReader
🔊 Best Portable Speaker
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Why We Love It:
Tough, powerful, and small enough for any bag.
What to Know:
Battery life may fade a bit over time.
The Wonderboom 3 is our top pick for a portable speaker. It’s about the size of a coffee mug, weighs just over a pound, and packs a serious punch when it comes to sound.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
It plays for up to 14 hours on one charge, and thanks to its waterproof and dustproof design, you don’t have to baby it — take it to the beach, pool, or wherever. T+L senior editor Jasmine Grant uses it every day and takes it on all her trips. “The sound is crystal clear, whether it’s turned up or down, and I’ve never noticed any distortion like you sometimes get with cheaper speakers,” she says.
