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For as long as humans have traveled, they've carried gear with them to make long journeys easier. Airplanes may have made travel faster, but crossing states and countries can still be exhausting. If you have a friend or family member who loves exploring the world, they'll appreciate things that will save them stress when they're far from home. So let Engadget help you find the perfect gift for the person in your life with wanderlust.
Twelve South's AirFly Bluetooth transmitters have been a mainstay on Engadget's travel guides for years. As of 2025, the company offers four different models, but for most people the $40 AirFly SE is the best bet for most people. It's perfect for solo travellers who want to use their Bluetooth headphones with the in-flight entertainment systems offered on most airplanes. With 20-hour battery life on a single charge, it's also perfect for all but the longest trips involving multiple layovers. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter
This is one of the most useful gadgets I purchased this year, and it’ll make a great gift for anyone regardless of the climate they live in. It’s a powerful handheld fan that can also be worn around the neck, or folded to sit on a desk or table, keeping you cool hands-free. It has five different speed settings and a nifty little display in the middle of the fan that shows how much battery life is left. All summer, this fan never left my bag and saved me many times from the sweltering heat of New York City, and made things a bit more bearable during multi-hour outdoor events. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
The Insta360 Flow Pro is a gimbal that can automatically track your movement. It’s also a tripod, with foldout legs, hidden away inside the grip, with an extendable neck to perform selfie stick duties too. (Oh, the Flow 2 Pro is also a battery pack. Insta360 can’t help itself.)
While there are countless branded (and off-brand) phone gimbals, Insta360 brings its action-cam experience to this upgraded Flow, adding support for Apple DockKit, meaning it can track you around. It’s your own automated cameraman: you can step out of framing and the Flow Pro will track you, both horizontally and vertically.
Insta360 has recently introduced a more affordable model, the Flow 2, which omits the DockKit tracking feature, but that’s one of the main benefits of this gimbal. The DockKit support means it works across most mainstream iOS apps, but if you’re an Android user, the integrated tracking will still work well, just not on the likes of Zoom or Snapchat. Regardless of your choice of smartphone, Insta360’s companion app offers a rich array of shooting options if you’re looking to beef up your shooting repertoire. Inside the app, you can select an object for your camera to focus and track, then move around as much as you want. — Mat Smith, UK Bureau Chief
This two-pack of European power adapters was a last-minute purchase of mine before my husband and I went on a 10-day Italian vacation earlier this year, and it was easily one of my best impulse buys. Each give you three AC outlets, all accessible thanks to their strategic locations on the adapter itself, plus two USB-C and one USB-A port. Between all of those options, I was able to use just one of the adapters for all of my necessary tech, including my phone, smartwatch and earbuds, while my husband used the other. They even worked well on high-powered tools like my mini hair dryer. And despite their prongs not folding down, both take up very little space in a suitcase. If your next trip isn’t to Europe, don’t fret, the two-pack comes in a variety of country options including Japan, Ireland and Australia. — V.P.
When you're traveling with a handful of Apple gadgets, do yourself a favor and leave the extra wall warts at home. This nifty multi-charger handles a trio of Apple gadgets — newer iPhones, AirPods and Apple Watch models — with a single cable and power adapter, all via MagSafe, so it'll save space in your bag and on your nightstand. And unlike some cheaper knockoffs, it utilizes faster Qi2 charging, too. Like most Anker products, the price on this charger yo-yos across a wide range — the time to buy is when it's $70 or less. — John Falcone, Executive Editor
For folks who travel often and want a multi-device charger with a bit more style, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one better than this from Mophie. It folds down into a very compact puck, and once opened, it can charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and pair of AirPods without taking up much space at all. It’s Qi2-certified for fast charging, and it comes with multiple travel adapters (that can all fit in the included case) so you can use the accessory almost anywhere. — V.P.
JBL's clip line of Bluetooth speakers have gone through a few different iterations over the years, but the appeal remains the same: they're small but surprisingly loud speakers you can easily attach to a backpack, tote or purse. The latest model, the JBL Clip 5, continues that tradition while offering some great supporting features, including 12-hour of battery life, IP67-certified waterproofing and even Bluetooth Auracast support. That last bit means you can easily add the Clip 5 to a multi-speaker setup for impromptu parties. — I.B.
Bellroy’s travel packs are sleek and organized, just like I wish I was during travel. The Toiletry Kit Plus goes overboard with pockets — zippered, stretch, mesh, magnetic — and that’s great for keeping one’s toothbrush, comb, face wash, lip balm, Advil and deodorant separate and easily findable. The whole thing opens wide and sits upright on a countertop, making it easy to get at what’s needed and it’s made from a recycled woven fabric that’s water-resistant. The traveler in your life will see this as a serious upgrade from the ziploc baggie they’ve been using for ages. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter
For those who often end up wanting to read on a red-eye flight or in the hotel room before bed, a book light like this one from Glocusent should be a nice stocking stuffer. It’s a slim and affordable little light that clips on securely without scuffing up your pages and includes various brightness and light temperature settings, which makes it easier to see what you’re reading without overwhelming your eyes in the dark. The whole thing charges over USB-A and comes with a helpful battery life indicator, plus it’s available in a few cute colors. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
Sleeping on a plane is nearly impossible, so anything that can help would be a great gift. I've been using a Manta Sleep Mask since before the pandemic, and it's what I recommend to everyone that will listen. The adjustable design means it's easy to ensure no light seeps into your periphery. At under $40, it also won't break the bank. — I.B.
We have concerns with virtual private network (VPN) services when it comes to cybersecurity, but for folks who just want to log into their streaming accounts outside of the country, they can be useful. ExpressVPN is our top pick for frequent travelers. It passed all of the geoblock, streaming and gaming tests in our VPN buying guide, and more generally, it provides access to a wide range of server locations with relatively quick connection speeds. It also works on devices, like game consoles, in addition to phones and laptops. It’s not our top overall pick, nor is it free, but it should be useful the next time your recipient wants to keep up with an US-only Netflix show while staying in Europe. — J.D.
Read more: The best VPNs
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