8 Must-Have Travel Gadgets for 2023

Gone are the days when traveling involved hoisting a knapsack onto your shoulder, calibrating your compass, and setting off into the sunset. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, navigating this beautiful planet of ours has never been easier or more enjoyable. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best travel gadgets available for trips this year.

eSIM

The latest phones from a range of leading phone manufacturers (such as Apple, Google, and Samsung) are integrating eSIMs (or embedded SIMs) into their products. This means that accessing a local network while away is simpler and more stress-free than ever. All you need to do is purchase a package that suits you (a Spain eSIM for single-country travel, for example, or a Europe-wide one for continental jaunts), scan the QR code to install it remotely, and activate it upon arrival. Easy peasy!

E-reader

While travel does involve plenty of new sights, experiences, and adventures, there is often a lot of dead time involved in getting from A to B. Books are a fantastic way to pass the hours, but carrying around a small library in your luggage is impractical. That’s why E-readers make perfect sense for going away: they’re not heavy or large, can fit thousands of titles at one time, and can be read in darkened dormitory rooms. Plus, you can even learn new words at the touch of a screen, thanks to their inbuilt dictionaries.

Tile Pro

Lost luggage is an unfortunate but unavoidable fact of traveling. You can minimize the stress (and expense!) associated with misplaced baggage by packing a Tile Pro in with your checked suitcases. Compatible with both Android and Apple devices, this nifty little gizmo is small and lightweight and won’t add extra weight to your luggage but could help you track it in down if the worst-case scenario comes to pass. Its far-ranging Tile user network means there’s a good chance of being reunited with your errant bags, even if they end up on the other side of the world.

Universal adaptor

Charging your devices while away is supremely important for staying connected, but the differing plugs used by countries around the world make the job a tricky one. That’s especially true if you plan on visiting several nations in the same trip since there’s no guarantee they’ll also use the same power system. For that reason, a universal adaptor makes perfect sense. The best ones can adapt to the demands of over 150 countries worldwide and offer dual USB charging features, too.

Water filter bottle

The water emanating from the faucet, sadly isn’t of drinkable quality everywhere you go… but with an effective water filtration bottle, it can be! These ingenious inventions are capable of filtering out 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites, transforming suspicious H²O into the staff of life. They’re available in a range of different sizes and mean you can stay hydrated from taps, drinking fountains, and even rivers or streams. Ideal for those who incorporate a good deal of gallivanting into their travel plans.

Minipresso

Coffee is integral to keeping you awake and functioning while overseas. What’s more, the standard of coffee in some parts of the world is far inferior to what you might be used to – but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer the indignity of instant coffee while away. The Minipresso from WACACO is diminutive enough to fit easily into your luggage and can be carried with ground coffee (or beans and a grinder, if space allows). Then all you’ll need is to pack the coffee in, add hot water, turn upside down and press a button to activate the pump. Voila! Coffee is served.

Electronic luggage scale

Anyone who has accidentally packed too many pairs of shoes will understand the pain and inconvenience of overweight baggage. As well as having to fork out an arm and a leg on extortionate fees, you may also have to waste precious airport time in going to a different desk to pay your dues. Avoid that outcome with a handy luggage scale, which can be clipped onto your bag and raised aloft to measure its weight with impressive accuracy. It’s also tiny and weighs very little itself, so it won’t add to the problem it’s designed to overcome.

Tech organizer bag

Messy cables, missing gadgets, and tangled knots are the bane of every tech wizard’s life while on the road. There are a variety of different organizer bags available, each of which carries pouches, compartments, and straps to keep your devices safe and secure. Of course, the right one for you will depend entirely on the space in your bag and the number and size of tech doohickies you plan to take with you, but luckily there is a lot of supply to meet this new demand, so you’ll be sure to find something that’s right for you.

Global travel has never been easier – and with a plethora of tech gadgets now available to make your experience all the more hassle-free, you can enjoy all the comforts of home while on the road.