If the words “Travel Gadgets” has you rolling your eyes, I know the feeling. At least, I did, once upon a time when I thought the term referred to a bunch of products that would be gimmickier than they would be useful.

Turns out, I was wrong. Many gadgets – not just our phones - are actually practical tools that can be highly beneficial for travel.

There are, of course, lots of different types of gadgets and you won’t need them all. That said, there are some that do fall into the “essential travel gadget” category for most of us, digital nomads or not.

These are the top five must-have gadgets most travelers should own.  

1- Suitcase scale

A suitcase scale is among the essential travel gadgets for frequent travelers. However, even if you aren’t a frequent flyer, this small portable device is still worth owning.

A suitcase or luggage scale allows you to conveniently check the weight of your luggage to ensure it’s under the airline’s weight limit. This device makes it easy for you to weigh suitcases before heading to your destination (remember to leave weight space for souvenirs!) and on your way home (giving you a chance to evenly spread the weight across multiple bags).

Bottom line, a suitcase scale can save you from paying extra fees on checked baggage or extra luggage. Best of all, these scales aren’t typically expensive.

2- Portable charger

One of the top travel gadgets for digital nomads and even non-tech savvy folk, is a portable charger or power bank. This is a must-have travel gadget if you own any portable electronic device (e.g., smartphone, wireless earbuds, etc.) that might need to be charged in an outlet-free zone (e.g., airplane, train, bus, out in nature, on the beach, etc.).

Portable chargers are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and prices, making it easy to choose the one most ideal for your trip.

Just remember that if you plan to charge a bigger device, such as a laptop, make sure the power bank you choose has enough battery capacity and output power to charge it.

3-GPS luggage tracker

If the idea of losing your luggage has you on edge, investing in a luggage tracker can make all the difference. Before you travel, stick one of these small GPS trackers in your luggage, and make sure it’s connected to your smartphone. You’ll then be able to locate your luggage via your phone, which can bring peace of mind.

You have a few GPS tag options depending on the mobile device you own. Most iPhone users prefer the Apple AirTag, for instance, while many Samsung mobile users are happy with the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2. Other options include Eufy Smart Track, Knog Scout, and Tile by Life360 Pro.

Like most travel gadgets, these trackers range in price, size and design. Some look like key fobs, others are the size of a quarter, and some are the size of a credit card. Choose the one that makes the most sense to your travel preferences, device, and budget.

4- Headphones

You’ll always find headphones among the list of products considered to be essential travel gadgets for frequent travelers. But let’s be honest, they’re essential for all travelers – even if your travel is only your bus commute to work.

Whether it’s headphones or earbuds, with these gadgets you can listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, movies, etc. in privacy and without disturbing others around you. Equally, headphones are also vital for drowning out a noisy (or annoying) neighbor.

While pretty much any device will do, if you do travel frequently, investing in a decent pair of noise cancelling headphones might be a good idea. Noise canceling helps to suppress ambient sound, letting you listen to your audio without needing to jack up the volume.

5- Power adaptor

Like a power bank, a power adaptor is another device you’ll find on a list for both top travel gadgets for digital nomads and regular travelers. This gadget has multiple sockets to accommodate different types of plugs.

At the very least, it’s a good idea to get a power adaptor that includes a common plug you use at home as well as USB slots. That said, if you’re traveling to a destination that has different plugs from where you live, you’ll need a more versatile device.

The best power adaptor is one that has various sockets to support different types of plugs. Look for one that has sockets for AC power, USB, and includes US, EU, UK, and AU plugs. With this type of adaptor your devices will have access to electricity in most places in the world.