Whether you’re a gadget-guru or only pseudo-tech savvy, there’s a travel gadget out there to make your next trip a little easier. Thanks to the latest innovations in technology and design, cool travel gadgets are not only sleek and futuristic but they offer a little extra comfort for your next trip.
We’ve explored the latest in consumer electronics and consulted our travel experts on the Top 10 Travel Gadgets for 2008. If you’re heading to the next state or traveling around the world, take along some of these essential travel accessories to make your trip fly by.
- Don’t let boredom get the best of you. Electronic travel games might not be new, but they are still one of our favorite travel gadgets. For the adult traveler, grab The New York Times Touch SuDoku, which features more than 800 puzzles and will keep just about anyone entertained for hours.
- Movies and music are great ways to pass the time on an airplane. Fortunately, there are alternatives to lugging around separate portable DVD players and MP3 players. The Go Gear Flash audio video player by Philips is a multi-functional gadget with 4GB hard drive packed in. That means up to four hours of videos and 1,800 songs to pass the time away. And, it’s about the size of an iPod so it won’t take up much room in your carry-on bag.
- They’re big, they’re Bose and they battle noise-reduction. If the jet engine and the screaming baby in the next row are cutting into your quiet-time, put on the Bose Quiet Comfort headphones and enjoy a little less unwanted sound. These headphones block outside noise so that you can watch a movie or listen to music without distraction.
- If you wait until vacation to catch up on all your reading, you know how heavy that carry-on bag can get when it’s stuffed with your favorite books. Instead of lugging around multiple novels and bestsellers, opt for Sony’s new digital reader. The Sony Reader is a high-resolution digital database the size of a regular paperback that can hold a “library’s worth of books.” This cool new travel gadget is perfect for the ultimate book worm.
- Jet-lag can be a curse for travelers. Time zone changes can wreak havoc on tired bodies. With the Sound Therapy Eye Mask from Brookstone, you just might get a little shut-eye on your next flight. We like this little creation because it’s soft to the touch, prevents unwanted light from creeping in and plugs into your MP3 player. Blocking the light will help prevent jet-lag and the mask’s sound will automatically shut off so you don’t drain the batteries on a long flight.
- You’re away from home and need to make one last call for the night, but your cell phone battery is out of power. You finally made it to Paris and the Eiffel Tower is welcoming you, but you can’t capture the moment because your camera's battery has died. Thanks to a little invention called the Power Monkey you’ll never be without a battery charge again. This reserve charger can be used for your cell phone and other small electronics (iPod, camera, etc.) and is small enough to fit in your carry-on bag or purse. The charger can be used in 150 countries and is compatible with most cellular phones and PDAs, MP3s and digital cameras.
- Forget about mediocre water pressure and grungy shower heads in hotel bathrooms. Hangsgrohe, a German company specializing in bathroom fixtures, recently introduced the Travel Showerhead, a screw-on flat hand shower that can be used in most hotels around the world.
- For the world traveler, there’s no better travel gadget than the world clock. The Global Travel Alarm Clock features a world time zone map, calendar, alarm and thermometer. It operates on batteries and comes in a travel pouch for portability. Avid travelers will always know where they are and what to wear with this handy travel clock.
- Unleash your inner-007 with this unique pen. It’s so much more than a writing utensil. The CompuFlash Multifunction 1GB Pen has a built-in microphone, can store up to 500 songs and play FM radio. It can even transfer 1GB of data to your laptop. For those busy professionals always on the go, this little pen with a punch is the perfect travel gadget.
- We couldn’t let a must-have travel gadget list go by without mentioning this new invention. The people at Astone have come up with a solution for doing your laundry on the road – the portable laundry machine. Astone’s “Traveller” is a 4-pound inflatable washing machine that folds up nicely into your carry-on luggage. And don’t worry, ladies, this little number even comes with a delicates cycle for washing your most intimate apparel while traveling.
- Travelers all over the country swear by the iPhone as one of the best travel gadgets to have on hand. From checking the status of your flight to the weekend weather in Paris, to where to find a restroom if you need one, various iPhone applications have you covered. Don’t worry about packing the GPS or blue-tooth headset, checking currency before you leave home, or loading taxi phone numbers into your phone book. The iPhone can do all of the above, and even help you to discover a running route near your hotel while you’re at it. More importantly, the YourRights application helps travelers learn how to handle difficult situations in foreign places, and with Evernote, you can keep important documents like your passport on file when you need it. For more on iPhones and traveling, check out our post on helpful travel applications.
Melanie Nayer
© Cheapflights Ltd
Updated September 2008
