The best travel gadgets of 2025 — What I actually use

The best travel gadgets of 2025 — What I'll actually pack after visiting 82 countries

After visiting over 82 countries, I've tested, bought, lost, and replaced hundreds of gadgets. Most were unnecessary. Some fundamentally changed the way I travel. Here are the 15 gadgets that will be in my backpack in 2025—each one tried and tested a hundred times, no affiliate junk, just stuff I actually use.

Category 1: Technology & Shop

1. Anker 737 PowerCore 24K — The ultimate power bank

24,000 mAh, 140W total output, three USB-C ports. This power bank charges my MacBook Pro, iPhone, Sony A7 IV, and DJI Mini 5 Pro simultaneously. It lasted me six days without access to a power outlet during my E5 Alpine crossing. Weight: 640g. Price: approx. €90. The only gadget I never travel without.

2. Anker Nano II 65W Charger — Smallest power adapter ever

About the size of a thumbnail, but it charges my laptop, camera, and smartphone. A single power adapter for all my devices—saving weight and space. I replaced three separate power adapters with this one and saved 200g. Price: around €40.

3. UGREEN 4-in-1 USB-C Hub

USB-C, HDMI, SD card reader, and USB-A all in one tiny adapter. It's indispensable when traveling: SD card out of the camera, into the hub, photos onto the laptop. It weighs 50g and costs €25. I have three of them (one as a backup) because I can't edit my photos without the hub.

4. Apple AirTag (4-pack)

One in the suitcase, one in the backpack, one in the camera bag, one in the drone case. Since I started using AirTags, I haven't lost a single piece of luggage. Before: two suitcases in two years (one in Istanbul, one in São Paulo). The peace of mind alone is worth the €100 for the four-pack. It works worldwide thanks to the Apple network—my AirTag even tracked my luggage in the Saudi Arabian desert.

Category 2: Comfort & Sleep

5. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

The best noise-canceling headphones for travel. In-ear headphones, because over-ear headphones are uncomfortable on long flights. On a 12-hour flight to Australia with screaming children three rows away: absolute silence. The battery lasts 6 hours with ANC, the charging case provides another 18 hours. Price: around €280. Expensive, but after hundreds of hours of flying, the best investment in my sleep and my sanity.

6. Cocoon Ultralight Air-Core Travel Pillow

Inflatable, 80g, packs down to the size of a fist. I've tested dozens of travel pillows—U-shaped neck pillows, memory foam blocks, inflatable plastic things. The Cocoon is the first one that's actually comfortable. The trick: It has a soft fabric cover over the inflatable core. Price: 25 euros.

7. Matador NanoDry Trek Towel — Towel of the future

Dries in 30 minutes, weighs 34g (size S), packs down to the size of a credit card. This thing is invaluable in hostels, on trekking tours, and on beaches without towel rentals. I have a small for my face and a large for my body. Price: 30-40 euros.

Category 3: Organization & Protection

8. Peak Design Packing Cubes

Packing cubes have revolutionized my packing. One cube for underwear, one for T-shirts, one for pants. At the hotel: cube out, into the drawer, done. When leaving: cube in, backpack closed, done. The Peak Design cubes are the best because they have a compression system that reduces volume by 30 percent. Set (3 pieces): approx. 70 euros.

9. Osprey Ultralight Dry Bag Set

Three waterproof bags in different sizes. My electronics equipment (camera, drone, batteries) ALWAYS goes in a dry bag—whether it's a backpack or a suitcase. After a downpour in Colombia that soaked my backpack, everything in the dry bags stayed dry. Set: 25 euros.

10. Pacsafe Travelsafe 12L — Portable Safe

A reinforced pouch with a steel cable that you attach to your hotel bed or a fixed structure. Your laptop, passport, and camera are secure, even if you're sleeping in a hostel dorm or an Airbnb without a safe. It's not perfect protection (a professional can crack it in minutes), but enough to deter opportunistic thieves. Price: 60 euros.

Category 4: Photo & Content

11. Peak Design Capture Clip V3

Attaches my Sony A7 IV to my backpack strap, so the camera is always within easy reach without dangling around my neck. Indispensable for hikes and city tours. Holds up to 90 kg, weighs only 80g itself. Price: 70 euros.

12. Joby GorillaPod 5K — Flexible tripod

It wraps around railings, branches, lampposts—anywhere a normal tripod won't work. The perfect travel tripod for time-lapses, long exposures, and vlogs. Supports cameras up to 5 kg (Sony A7 IV + lens easily). Price: 80 euros.

13. SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB SD Card (2x)

Always carry two, never just one. If one fails, you have a backup. The Extreme Pro writes fast enough for 4K video in 10-bit. I format it after every trip and transfer everything to the external SSD. Price: 35 euros each.

Category 5: Safety & Health

14. LifeStraw Go Water Bottle

It filters 99.99 percent of all bacteria and parasites directly from the water. In countries with questionable water quality (India, South America, Southeast Asia), I only drink water filtered through the LifeStraw. Saves on plastic bottles and money. Price: 45 euros.

15. First aid kit (self-assembled)

No ready-made kit from an outdoor store—they're always too big and contain things you never need. My kit: ibuprofen (for pain and fever), loperamide (for diarrhea—a lifesaver in India), Compeed blister plasters, disinfectant spray, sterile wound dressings, tape, SPF 50 sunscreen (for face), and electrolyte powder (for dehydration). All in a small zip-top bag, weighing 200g.

What I'm no longer packing

Things I've discarded after years of testing: travel adapter (my Anker charger works in every country with USB-C). Flashlight (a smartphone flashlight is sufficient). Money belt (an AirTag + credit card as a backup is enough). Notebook (smartphone notes are more efficient). Book-style guidebook (Google Maps + offline maps). Umbrella (a hardshell jacket + rain pants are better).

Cost overview — All 15 gadgets

| Gadget | Price |
|——–|——-|
| Anker 737 Powerbank | €90 |
| Anker Nano II 65W | 40 € |
| UGREEN 4-in-1 Hub | €25 |
| Apple AirTag 4-Pack | 100 € |
| Bose QC Ultra Earbuds | €280 |
| Cocoon travel pillow | €25 |
| Matador NanoDry Towel | 35 € |
| Peak Design Packing Cubes | 70 € |
| Osprey Dry Bag Set | €25 |
| Pacsafe Travelsafe | 60 € |
| Peak Design Capture Clip | 70 € |
| Joby GorillaPod 5K | 80 € |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB (2x) | 70 € |
| LifeStraw Go | €45 |
First aid kit | €30 |
| In total | ~1.045 € |

Over €1,000 sounds like a lot, but these gadgets last for years and make every trip better, safer, and more efficient. I've been using most of them daily for two to three years.

FAQ — Travel Gadgets

What is the most important gadget for long-term travel?

The power bank. Without power, nothing works—no GPS, no camera, no communication. A good 20,000+ mAh power bank is the foundation for everything else.

Are expensive noise-canceling headphones worth it for traveling?

Yes, absolutely. If you fly more than 10 hours a year, they're the best investment you can make in your travel comfort. The difference between €30 headphones and Bose QC Ultra is like the difference between economy and business class.

Do I need a travel adapter?

With USB-C devices and a universal USB-C charger, this is becoming increasingly rare. Most modern hotels have USB ports on their power outlets. Only in countries with unusual power outlets (UK, Australia) will you need an adapter—and you can get one for €3 at the airport.

What is the biggest gadget mistake travelers make?

Pack too much. Three cameras, five lenses, two laptops—and in the end, you only use your smartphone. Take less, but better quality. One good setup beats five mediocre gadgets.

About the author: Max Haase is Germany's most influential travel influencer with over 4.2 million followers. He specializes in drone footage and luxury travel. Cooperation requests here.