Travel tech for smarter journeys.

Why invest in good travel tech?

The right technology can make travelling easier, safer and more enjoyable. Whether you are navigating a new city, working remotely, capturing memories or simply staying entertained during long journeys, choosing reliable travel tech helps you get more from every trip.

Essential travel tech

These are the key technology categories worth considering before your next trip.

Work & productivity

Lightweight laptops and tablets help you work, edit photos or plan your next destination while travelling.

Stay connected

Smartphones, portable Wi-Fi and eSIMs help you stay online wherever your travels take you.

Entertainment

Noise-cancelling headphones, earbuds and Bluetooth speakers make journeys more enjoyable.

Power & charging

Fast chargers, USB-C cables and power banks keep your devices ready throughout your trip.

Essential travel tech checklist

Most travellers only need a few reliable essentials. Add the optional extras depending on how you travel.

• Essential: Smartphone
• Essential: USB-C charger
• Essential: Travel adapter
• Essential: Power bank
• Essential: Headphones or earbuds
• Optional: Tablet
• Optional: Laptop
• Optional: Travel camera
• Optional: Bluetooth speaker

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Choose your travel tech

Start with the category that best matches what you need for your next trip.

Work & productivity

Travel laptops

Lightweight laptops for remote work, photo editing and planning trips.

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Entertainment

Headphones & earbuds

Noise-cancelling audio for flights, trains and long journeys.

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Power & charging

Chargers & cables

USB-C chargers, cables and accessories to keep your tech powered.

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Best travel laptops

A good travel laptop should be lightweight, reliable and powerful enough for the way you work while travelling.

Best overall

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch

4.9/5

Best for: Most travellers who want a lightweight premium laptop

Why we recommend it

The MacBook Air is slim, light, quiet and has excellent battery life, making it one of the best laptops for working while travelling.

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Excellent battery life
• Silent fanless design
• Premium build quality

Cons

• More expensive than Windows alternatives

Price guide: ££££

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Best Windows option

Microsoft Surface Laptop

4.7/5

Best for: Travellers who prefer Windows

Why we recommend it

A sleek Windows laptop with a premium design, good portability and strong everyday performance for travel, work and browsing.

Pros

• Premium Windows experience
• Slim design
• Good keyboard
• Portable enough for travel

Cons

• Battery life varies by model

Price guide: £££

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Best budget

Acer Aspire 3

4.5/5

Best for: Travellers who need an affordable laptop

Why we recommend it

A sensible budget laptop for browsing, planning trips, watching films and light work without spending premium money.

Pros

• Affordable
• Good for everyday use
• Larger screen options

Cons

• Heavier and less premium than higher-end laptops

Price guide: ££

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Best tablets for travel

Tablets are ideal for watching films, reading, browsing maps, editing photos and planning trips without carrying a laptop.

Best iPad

Apple iPad Air

4.8/5

Best for: Travellers who want the best all-round tablet

Why we recommend it

Powerful, lightweight and supported by excellent apps, the iPad Air is one of the best tablets for entertainment, reading, planning and light creative work while travelling.

Pros

• Excellent screen
• Powerful performance
• Lightweight
• Great app support

Cons

• Keyboard and Pencil cost extra

Price guide: £££

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Best Android tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE

4.8/5

Best for: Android users and entertainment on the go

Why we recommend it

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE combines a bright display, excellent battery life and smooth performance, making it ideal for streaming, reading, trip planning and light productivity while travelling.

Pros

• Bright display
• S Pen included
• Excellent battery life
• Great value

Cons

• Not as powerful as premium flagship tablets

Price guide: £££

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Best budget

Amazon Fire HD 10

4.5/5

Best for: Entertainment on a budget

Why we recommend it

A low-cost tablet that works well for watching films, reading, browsing and keeping entertained during flights, trains and hotel downtime.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Good for streaming
• Decent battery life

Cons

• Limited compared with iPad and Android tablets

Price guide: £

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Best smartphones for travel

A good smartphone can replace several travel gadgets, handling maps, translation, photography, payments, boarding passes and bookings.

Best camera phone

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

4.9/5

Best for: Travellers wanting a premium Android phone

Why we recommend it

The Galaxy S26 Ultra combines an outstanding camera system, a large high-resolution display and excellent battery life, making it one of the best smartphones for photography, navigation and entertainment while travelling.

Pros

• Outstanding camera system
• Large, bright display
• Excellent battery life
• Powerful performance

Cons

• Premium price

Price guide: ££££

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Best iPhone

Apple iPhone Pro

4.8/5

Best for: Apple users and travel video

Why we recommend it

The iPhone Pro is excellent for travel thanks to its reliable camera system, strong video quality, premium build and seamless integration with other Apple devices.

Pros

• Excellent video quality
• Reliable camera system
• Premium build
• Great app support

Cons

• Expensive

Price guide: ££££

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Best budget

Samsung Galaxy A37 5G

4.6/5

Best for: Travellers wanting excellent value

Why we recommend it

The Galaxy A37 5G offers an excellent balance of battery life, display quality and everyday performance, making it a great choice for travellers who do not need a flagship phone.

Pros

• Excellent value
• Long battery life
• Bright AMOLED display
• 5G connectivity

Cons

• Camera and performance are behind flagship models

Price guide: ££

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Best headphones and earbuds for travel

Whether you are flying long-haul, commuting by train or relaxing at your hotel, a good pair of headphones can make travelling much more enjoyable. Noise-cancelling models are particularly useful for reducing engine and cabin noise.

Best noise-cancelling

JBL Tour One M3

4.8/5

Best for: Long flights and frequent travellers

Why we recommend it

The JBL Tour One M3 combines excellent active noise cancellation, premium sound quality and outstanding comfort, making it an ideal companion for flights, train journeys and everyday travel.

Pros

• Excellent active noise cancellation
• Premium sound quality
• Comfortable for long journeys
• Strong battery life

Cons

• Premium price

Price guide: ££££

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Best earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro

4.8/5

Best for: Apple users

Why we recommend it

Compact, comfortable and offering excellent active noise cancellation, AirPods Pro are perfect for travel.

Pros

• Excellent ANC
• Compact
• Great call quality
• Seamless Apple integration

Cons

• Best features require Apple devices

Price guide: £££

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Best value earbuds

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

4.8/5

Best for: Travellers wanting premium features without the premium price

Why we recommend it

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro delivers impressive sound quality, effective active noise cancellation and excellent battery life at a price well below many flagship earbuds, making them outstanding value for travel.

Pros

• Excellent value for money
• Strong active noise cancellation
• Great sound quality
• Long battery life

Cons

• Companion app takes a little time to set up

Price guide: ££

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Best Bluetooth speakers for travel

A portable Bluetooth speaker is perfect for holidays, picnics, campsites and relaxing on a balcony or beach. Look for a compact design with good battery life and water resistance.

Best overall

JBL Flip 7

4.8/5

Best for: Most travellers

Why we recommend it

A brilliant all-round portable speaker with excellent sound quality, rugged construction and waterproof protection.

Pros

• Excellent sound
• Waterproof
• Long battery life
• Portable size

Cons

• Larger than ultra-compact speakers

Price guide: £££

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Best compact

JBL Go 5

4.8/5

Best for: Travellers packing light

Why we recommend it

The JBL Go 5 is a compact, lightweight Bluetooth speaker that delivers impressive sound for its size. It is easy to slip into a daypack or cabin bag, making it an excellent choice for city breaks, beach trips and holidays where space is limited.

Pros

• Ultra-compact and lightweight
• Surprisingly powerful sound
• Waterproof and dustproof
• USB-C charging

Cons

• Less bass and volume than larger speakers

Price guide: ££

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Best premium

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

4.8/5

Best for: Travellers wanting premium sound

Why we recommend it

A premium portable speaker offering excellent clarity, durability and impressive sound from a compact design.

Pros

• Premium sound quality
• Waterproof
• Excellent build quality

Cons

• More expensive than rivals

Price guide: £££

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Best charging accessories

Fast chargers and reliable USB-C cables help keep your devices powered while reducing the number of chargers you need to pack.

Best USB-C charger

Anker Prime USB-C GaN Charger

4.8/5

Best for: Fast charging multiple devices

Why we recommend it

A compact GaN charger capable of charging laptops, tablets and smartphones from one plug.

Pros

• Fast charging
• Compact design
• Trusted brand

Cons

• More expensive than basic chargers

Price guide: £££

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Best multi-port charger

UGREEN Nexode Charger

4.8/5

Best for: Travellers carrying several devices

Why we recommend it

A powerful GaN charger with multiple USB-C ports that can replace several individual chargers.

Pros

• Multiple USB-C ports
• High power output
• Excellent build quality

Cons

• Larger than single-port chargers

Price guide: £££

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Best USB-C cable

Anker USB-C Cable

4.8/5

Best for: Every traveller

Why we recommend it

A durable USB-C cable that supports fast charging and should be in every travel bag.

Pros

• Durable braided design
• Fast charging support
• Excellent value

Cons

• USB-C only

Price guide: £

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Travel tech FAQs

Common questions about travelling with essential tech.

What travel tech should I pack?

Most travellers only need a smartphone, charger, travel adapter, power bank and a good pair of headphones. Tablets, laptops, cameras and portable Wi-Fi devices are useful depending on your destination and how you travel.

Do I need a laptop when travelling?

Not always. If you only need to browse the web, stream films or manage bookings, a tablet is often enough. A laptop is more suitable for remote working, photo editing or tasks that require a full keyboard.

Are noise-cancelling headphones worth it?

Yes, especially for frequent travellers. Active noise cancellation can significantly reduce aircraft engine noise, making flights, train journeys and busy airports much more comfortable.

Should I take a tablet or a laptop?

A tablet is lighter and ideal for entertainment, reading and light productivity, while a laptop offers greater performance for work, content creation and multitasking. Choose the device that best suits how you plan to travel.

Is portable Wi-Fi better than using my phone?

Portable Wi-Fi devices are useful if you need to connect multiple devices or share internet access with family or colleagues. For many travellers, however, a smartphone with an eSIM or local SIM card is often the simplest solution.

What charging accessories should I take abroad?

A compact USB-C charger, quality charging cables, a travel adapter and a power bank will cover the needs of most travellers. If you carry several devices, a multi-port GaN charger can reduce the number of chargers you need to pack.

Related travel essentials

Other useful items and services to help you plan and pack smarter.

Power banks

Keep your devices charged wherever you travel.

View guide

Travel adapters

Choose the right adapter for Europe and worldwide travel.

View guide

eSIMs

Stay connected abroad without changing your SIM card.

View guide