12 Carry-On Gadgets That Make Holiday Travel Easier

Nearly 80 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving, according to a new report from AAA. While holiday travel can be exciting, it can also be a time of increased stress and airport congestion, especially if your itinerary hits an unexpected snag.
As a full-time digital nomad, my life is a balancing act between working, traveling and exploring new places. I’ve taken hundreds of flights over the last eight years, and have learned the hard way that checked bag drama can be both unpredictable and devastating. To play it safe, I like to pack my carry-on with amenities that make the trip smooth, entertaining and productive.
Having a few gadgets in your carry-on can be a huge help if you unexpectedly encounter a cancellation or delay; after once getting stranded at an airport in Tokyo for 14 hours, I’ll never underestimate the power of a good distraction again. Here are some items I’ve purchased recently that make my travels easier.
Read more: See CNET’s holiday gift guide picks for 2024
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Travel gear to consider during the holidays
CNET / Nesugar Nesugar G3 Steamer Although I can usually get away with packing shorts and comfortable shirts on my trips, there are occasions when a collared shirt and slacks are appropriate. I’m self-employed, so I sometimes speak at conferences, consult companies or attend business networking events, and since I travel with just a carry-on and a backpack, my clothes are compressed. For this reason, I travel with this portable travel steamer, which is a fraction of the size of most steamers and keeps me looking sharp and pressed. $49 at Amazon
CNET / CAOODKDK CAOODKDK accessories organizer pouch All of my gadgets come with cords, chargers and plugins. I use this CAOODKDK organizer bag because it’s small, yet has enough pockets to keep all my cords separate, as well as my AirPods. It’s waterproof, has three compact areas and is tough to beat when it comes to price. $9 at Amazon
CNET / Veken Veken 8-piece packing cubes set Eight years of full-time travel has taught me the value of packing light. By using packing cubes to compress my clothes, I can move around airports, train stations, Ubers and lodging more efficiently. I like this Veken packing cubes set because it’s incredibly affordable, comes with eight pieces (more than enough for any trip) and includes bags for laundry, undergarments, bathrooms and cosmetics. It’s an all-in-one set of packing cubes that organizes all my travel items, and I’ve found the set lasts a long time too. $20 at Amazon
CNET / Epicka EPICKA universal travel adapter I travel domestically when visiting family and friends, but many of my trips have been international. Other countries use different types of power outlets, which makes traveling with an international adapter necessary. I like the EPICKA universal travel adapter because it has four USB ports and can handle any cord or charger. Plus, the device is lightweight, affordable and can be plugged in almost anywhere. $23 at Amazon
CNET / Nezylaf Nezylaf handheld mini fan The places I travel to have an interesting mix of weather. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, so I prefer cooler weather; I utilize a portable fan to cool down in hotter climates but also just if a terminal or airplane is stuffy. I like the Nezylaf Handheld Mini Fan because it’s rechargeable, lightweight and charged with USB. Despite being small, the mini fan gives a powerful air flow and cools you down while also being quiet. $10 at Amazon
CNET / Casekoo CASEKOO iPhone case I never travel without my iPhone 16 Pro Max. I use it for business, FaceTime calls with my kids and watching entertainment. Phone cases and mounts let me use my phone hands-free while I travel. I use the CASEKOO iPhone cases because they have a retractable stand in the back, as well as MagSafe charging. The case is lightweight but sturdy; I’ve dropped my phone more than a few times, and this case absorbed the drop well. $15 at Amazon
CNET / CushZone CushZone airplane foot hammock I like the CushZone airplane foot hammock for a footrest, which can also be used under a desk. It’s easy to use and mobile, and it’s amazing what a difference adjusting your leg position makes when you’re on a plane for hours at a time. This hammock has a long top strap, so you can hook it over the tray table or another part of the seat back, depending on the type of airplane you’re flying on. $15 at Amazon
CNET / EverSnug EverSnug travel blanket and pillow Since I’m packing strategically, I can’t be like one of these holiday travelers who bring their bedroom pillow on the plane as their second carry-on. This microplush blanket zips up into a pillow, and has a fuzzy feel that makes it a bit more comfortable than covering yourself up with your jacket when the airplane gets drafty. $30 at Amazon
CNET / HEYCHY HEYCHY pocket massage gun This portable massage gun is so small, yet still does a great job of massaging your muscles and fits nicely into a carry-on. A massage gun is a nice way to stave off tightness when you’re sitting for hours at a time. If you’re traveling for more than a few hours, combine this with a few stretches to ensure you feel energized rather than exhausted by the time you reach your destination. $50 at Amazon
CNET / Ray-Ban Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses I love this new world of smart sunglasses because they give me a new way to incorporate my love of tech into my everyday life. The Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses balance function, usefulness and productivity; they can take pictures, record videos, see information about what you’re looking at and even create captions thanks to an installed AI assistant. You can also live stream hands-free, take calls and use voice control. I like that these glasses also function well as plain old sunglasses, which make them a great gift too. $299 at Amazon
CNET / Sony Sony ZV-1 digital camera Our modern smartphones have come a long way and take great photos, but digital cameras still hold the crown in quality. I’m a business owner who sometimes uses lifestyle marketing, which means I need good photos and videos of my travels. I use my iPhone 16 Pro Max, but also utilize digital cameras. I like and have used the Sony ZV-1 digital camera for years. It’s been my best camera for travel, and the LCD screen flips out so that I can see what I’m recording, which has been perfect for vlogging. $798 at Amazon $800 at Best Buy $798 at Crutchfield
CNET / Water.io WATER.IO smart water bottle Staying hydrated on the go is important. So why not gamify things a bit along the way to ensure you’re reaching your daily recommended water intake? I like the WATER.IO smart water bottle because it tracks your daily hydration using a free app. The bottle is insulated, stainless steel and BPA-free, and at 17 ounces is a smaller, more friendly option for carry-ons and backpacks. $70 at Amazon
Make travel more enjoyable this holiday season
The full-time travel life is busy, but it also means I’ve learned how to travel more comfortably while also chasing my dreams. Set yourself up for success when it comes to your next holiday itinerary so you can focus on what matters most.
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