Best Travel Accessories

Best Portable iPhone Charger

The Anker PowerCore 20 portable power bank is a must have item to keep your devices fully charged and ready to use. The power bank takes about 10 hours to fully charge itself, but once it’s done, you are ready to go. We like its sleek design and LED indicators for remaining battery life. This version has the ability to charge 2 iPhones at once and even comes with a mesh travel pouch to keep your power bank, its charging cable, and your personal charging cables stored in one place. 

While I can only attest to the charging capability for iPhones with this charger, I have a friend with an Android who swears by this charger as well! We’ve had our Anker PowerCore for almost 4 years and it still charges our devices just as fast as it did on day 1. We are able to fully charge our iPhones about 6-8 times without needing to recharge the power bank. This is one product we never travel without and is a must-have for those trips where you may not have access to an outlet! 

Best TSA Approve Luggage Lock

Security is a top concern for travelers, including keeping your belongings safe and secured. A TSA-approved lock is the best way to ensure your items are safe, especially when not physically with you. Many luggage brands offer TSA-approved locks built into their suitcases. However, not all do. Purchasing your own will give you peace of mind and flexibility to use these locks on any travel gear - suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks, you name it. 

This TSA-approved lock from Hero Travel Supply is a great choice. The lock is small yet sturdy, made from durable alloy. The dials are easy to use, and having a four-digit combination provides endless combination settings that are much harder to crack than standard three-digit combinations. The best part of this lock is that it comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee!

Best Travel Pillow

The AirComfy DayDreamer Travel Neck Pillow makes for the perfect companion on those long plane or train rides. We all know how uncomfortable it can be trying to get some sleep while traveling, but this neck pillow brings cushiony support right when you need it. 

The pillow’s cover is velvety soft, instantly making your travel experience feel more luxurious. A hidden zipper allows you to easily remove the cover to wash between trips. A bonus is that you can inflate the pillow in less than one minute, using the built-in pump. A small valve is included to make deflating your pillow quick and easy - once deflated, the pillow can be rolled up and stored in its matching carrying bag and is compact enough to be stored in your personal item or carry-on when not in use.

Best Luggage Tags

We love these functional, yet stylish luggage tags! Luggage tags are a must have for your suitcase - not only do bright colors help your bag stand out from the crowd, but they keep your information securely attached to your bag in the event your luggage is lost. 

These luggage tags by Ovener are a great option - made of silicone, they are durable and flexible. The back of the luggage tag is designed to only show part of your information card, keeping your address/phone number safe from prying eyes. The luggage tags attach to your luggage via a stainless steel cable, making sure your tags stay securely attached to your bag. 

Available to purchase in 7 different colors (or a multi-color pack), these luggage tags are sure to help your suitcase stand out. 

Best Portable Steamer

The iSteam Travel Steamer is an essential accessory for anyone who wants to make sure their clothes are wrinkle-free in any destination. This steamer has a compact design for easy packing in a carry-on or checked bag. But don’t be fooled by its small size - we’ve found this steamer to be pretty powerful and can get even the toughest wrinkles out. 

With over 16,000 reviews and a 4.1 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon, it’s clear that we at Travel Merak aren’t the only ones who are a big fan of the iSteam! Don’t believe us? Check it out for yourself. 

Best Wireless Transmitter

With the rising popularity of bluetooth headphones and earbuds, who has time to dig through crowded drawers looking for headphones with an audio jack? That’s where the AirFly Pro Wireless Transmitter comes in. This device is perfect for planes - simply pair your bluetooth headphones to the transmitter and you can watch all the movies and shows you want on your flight!

With over 16 hours of battery life, the transmitter will quickly become your best friend on long-haul flights. Not only does this make for a great travel addition, but you can use it in your daily life as well - the audio jack is perfect for connecting your phone to cars without bluetooth capabilities. Despite the somewhat steep cost, we think this is a smart purchase that will last you many years (and trips). With 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon (and almost 6,000 reviews), it seems that most consumers agree! 

Image Courtesy: Amazon

Best Digital Luggage Scale

Most of us know the drill: you are packing your luggage and wondering, “will this be under the weight limit?” or “am I going to be that person who has to repack my luggage at check-in?” As a notorious over-packer, the Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale has been a lifesaver. The scale is small enough that it can be packed away and is great at weighing luggage to ensure you know what to expect when you get to the airport. 

Luggage fees are astronomical with most airlines and having this luggage scale to give you an accurate weight can save you the stress and anxiety. The scale has been surprisingly accurate (Elekcity weight and airport scale weight have been spot on every time). With a battery included, your scale is ready to use as soon as it arrives. Simply hook the strap to your bag’s carrying handle and lift the scale. A weight appears in mere seconds. The scale can weigh bags up to 110 pounds (or approximately 50 kilograms) and is able to display weights in both pounds and kilograms, perfect for international travel. 

Best Earplugs

Getting a restful night’s sleep is important, but it can be hard to drown out noises, especially when traveling. Planes can get noisy, between pilot announcements, plane sounds, and neighbor conversations. Bustling cities in new destinations can also have noises that interrupt your sleep. 

That’s why we recommend Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs. These cushioned earplugs have a noise reduction rating of 33 decibels, which blocks out most noises that would prevent you from getting some peace and quiet while trying to sleep, read, or just relax. These earplugs do a great job and are very comfortable to wear (take it from me; I find most earbuds uncomfortable)! At $9 for a pack of 50 pairs, they are a budget friendly choice and pack easily in your travel bags, ensuring quiet time and a restful sleep in any location.

Best Compression Packing Bags

For travelers preparing for a long trip (or digital nomads), packing the most amount of items in a small space can be challenging. You may try packing cubes or several different packing techniques and still find yourself struggling to make everything fit. SpaceSaver’s Premium Vacuum Storage Bags are just the item you need to make your life a little easier. 

These bags (available in a variety of sizes from small to jumbo) can easily compress your clothes and other items to give you plenty of more space for other travel essentials in your bags. Once you’ve filled your bags with the items you want to pack, the included travel pump makes vacuuming the air out of the bags simple and quick. We really like the easy release valve, so you can empty the bags with no effort once you’ve reached your destination. And there is no need to pack additional bags; they are completely reusable! 

With an impressive 4.4 out of 5 star rating on Amazon and over 84,000 reviews (!!), these bags are a must have for the efficient packer. 

Best Jewelry Organizer

The Conair Travel Jewelry Roll Bag is a must have for those of us who love to accessorize, especially on a trip! While other jewelry organizers may seem to fit more, you’ll be hard pressed to find one that is as compact as this one. 

The Conair organizer has 3 large pockets, perfect for items like bracelets, watches and necklaces, and 3 small pockets for your tiny accessories like earrings and rings. With dimensions of 1 inch x 12.2 inch x 5.5 inch, the organizer is flat enough to fit in any small space within your luggage or personal item. Even packed to the max with accessories, this organizer does not take up much space. The hanging hook is perfect for keeping your organizer out of the way but still easily accessible. 

Best Electronics Travel Organizer

Fumbling through several bags or pockets to find headphones or a charging cable can be frustrating, especially when traveling. That’s why this electronic cable travel organizer is a smart purchase before your next trip. With plenty of mesh pockets and dual zippered storage sides, there is plenty of space to bring all of your electronic cables and accessories on your travels. 

The case has a lightweight design and with dimensions of 7.5" x 4.3" x 2.2", you will be able to store it easily in any of your travel bags. The case is available in 18 different colors and styles, so there is an option for everyone! Made out of durable and waterproof oxford, the high-quality design of this case is sure to last and keep your electronic cords, cables, and power banks dry. 

Best Travel Umbrella

There is nothing that we regret more than getting stuck in a torrential downpour while traveling without our umbrella! Such a small item can make such a big difference in being able to get around without ending up soaking wet. We recommend this compact travel umbrella by SY COMPACT - at 7 inches long and weighing only about 7 ounces, this umbrella stows away easily in your luggage without taking up too much space. While this umbrella doesn’t have an open/close button on its handle, we found the opening mechanism easy to use. 

If you’d prefer to stay dry on your travels, check this umbrella out! 

Best Packing Cubes

Keeping all your essentials organized while traveling can be a challenge, which is why we recommend the Veken packing cubes set. The set comes with 4 packing cubes in various sizes, a shoe bag, and a laundry bag. With the size options included in this set, you can use all of them in multiple luggages or share them with your partner or travel buddy! 

The cubes are made of a durable nylon that is waterproof, so your clothes won’t be ruined if something accidentally leaks in your luggage in transit. The dual zippers make the cubes easy to open and close. We find these packing cubes fit easily in all different types of luggage and are perfect for organizing your items by category (if you are particular about your clothing organization like we are)! 

Best Compression Socks

While not the most stylish travel accessory, a good pair of compression socks can be a lifesaver when traveling. Sitting for several hours, especially on long-haul flights or overnight trains, can put a strain on your body and cause swelling in your legs. These Charmking compression socks do a great job at preventing swelling in your legs and feet, making sure all those stylish shoes fit perfectly once you’ve arrived at your destination. 

These socks are great for promoting blood circulation and oxygen flow. In addition to the health benefits of wearing compression socks while traveling, these socks happen to be some of the most comfortable socks we own. They’ve held up well through countless trips (and wash cycles). The socks are made of 85% nylon and 15% spandex, giving them a good amount of stretch. They are available in two sizes: small/medium and large/extra large. 

Best International Adapter and Voltage Converter

Traveling internationally can give rise to the question: how can I use my electronics overseas? The answer to that question is by bringing Foval’s International Power Adapter and Voltage Converter. For those traveling internationally for the first time, it can be a shock to learn that the outlets and voltage are different than in the US. Unfortunately, without the correct accessories, US products like phone chargers, curling irons, and blow dryers cannot be used overseas.

This adapter and voltage converter can be used in over 150 countries around the world. The set comes with one EU power cable and four international adapters with voltage converters. This allows you to use American electronics in 110/120V in countries that have 220/240V. This is a must have item if you don’t want to accidentally fry your electronics while abroad (RIP to our hair straightener as we learned that valuable lesson). 

Best Amazon Travel Accessories Final Thoughts

Preparing to travel can be a stressful time, especially going to new and exciting destinations. With so many travel accessories on the market, it's difficult to know what will actually benefit you on your trip. Travel Merak's curated list of the 14 best travel accessories on Amazon is a great starting point. From travel adapters and electronics organizers, to compression socks and packing cubes, we think these products will help you travel with ease and be well prepared for anything that comes your way!