Travel Gear 2026: The Kit Our Editors Actually Pack
Tested on real trips across 15 reviews — carry-on luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, trackers, e-readers, power banks, sleep kits, long-haul gadgets. Hand-picked from our published guides.
The things in our bags — actually tested
Of all recent technological advancements, noise-cancelling headphones might just be the best for frequent travelers. You no longer have to sit through a screaming toddler's episode or deal with the incessant chatting of the stranger in the seat next to you.
To take a power bank on a flight, you must keep it in your hand luggage, as they're not permitted in the hold. To avoid getting your power bank confiscated at the airport's security checkpoint, you should also check that it's TSA-approved. In most cases, your power bank's voltage must not exceed 12 volts, and the battery watt-hour rating should be no more than 100 watts.
Editor’s quick picks
A handful of editor-chosen articles to start with — each tagged with why we picked it (new, unique, trending, local, or just one we like).
The one pick in each gear category
If you only buy from a few categories this year, make them these — what we tested, what we'd actually recommend, what we'd buy ourselves.
Not-so-obvious picks
Two of our most-read editorial deep dives in this category.
The TSA-approved power bank rule that quietly broke a lot of people's luggage
Over 100Wh and you can't fly with it — that includes most laptop chargers travelers were buying on Amazon. Our team tested every airline-legal bank we could find that ALSO actually charges a 16-inch MacBook Pro at a useful speed. The results were narrower than expected, with three clear winners and a long list of misses. The full review covers wattage maths, airline-by-airline rules, and what fits in a personal item vs a carry-on.
Read the full TSA power-bank guide → 12-hour flights · what works10 long-haul flight gadgets that actually justify the bag space
Most travel-gadget lists try to cover everything. This one cuts to ten essentials that actually justify their bag space on a long-haul flight — the gadgets our writers reach for on 12-hour-plus journeys, and the ones we no longer bother packing.
- Foldable noise-cancelling over-ears (not earbuds) for sleep
- An e-reader, NOT a tablet — read for 8 hours guilt-free
- Portable airline phone-holder for screen-mode
- Travel pillow that actually supports a neck
Follow us for field notes from the road
Photos, places, and short dispatches from our writers — between articles.
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