Gift Ideas for Travel Tech

Any bookworm who’s ever lugged a suitcase full of hardcover tomes along on vacation can attest to the necessity of an e-reader. And Amazon’s latest Kindle is a worthwhile upgrade if you’re a gadget geek, since the Oasis is the brand’s biggest advancement yet. The e-reader is shockingly thin and light, so you can read for an entire transatlantic flight without getting a wrist cramp, and it comes with a magnetized charging case that will keep the device charged for literal months.

To buy: amazon.com, $290

Record vacation memories with a 360-degree camera, then relive the moment with this virtual reality headset that’ll transport your pal—in spirit, at least—from sad office cubicle to the beaches of Thailand. Or snap a smartphone into the headset and kill time in midair with a VR version of addictive video games such as Minecraft and Escape the Room.

To buy: bestbuy.com, $100

For smartwatch devotees who like the futuristic look, the Apple Watch is still the (rose) gold standard—especially after the recent launch of the Series 2, which adds swim tracking to the device’s long list of capabilities. Take it in the pool to tally your laps, or wear it on a jog: the new watch has built-in GPS, so you can (finally!) log workout data without carrying your iPhone along on your run.

To buy: apple.com, $370

This dashboard gadget will turn even a crappy budget rental ride into a smart car without weighing down your bag. Snap the phone mount onto the air vent, power up the Logitech app, mount your phone, and you’ve got immediate hands-free access to calling, texting, directions, music, and more. It’s also the perfect gift for motorheads.

To buy: amazon.com, $56.60

Add an HDMI cable and a sheet or blank wall and this projector will turn any site into a big-screen movie theater. This tiny contraption can easily slip into a small purse or the side pocket of a carry-on, and built-in speakers and a rechargeable battery (that’ll even juice up your phone while you watch) eliminates the need for any additional gear to get movie night underway.

To buy: amazon.com, $250

This little square (and it’s diminutive new spinoff, the credit-card-sized Tile Slim) will ensure you never again lose your wallet, handbag, or carry-on. Stick it on to any item you’re worried about misplacing and it’ll tap into the Tile network to update its location when a fellow Tile user equipped with the app passes within range. Or if you’ve just misplaced a wallet or set of keys in your hotel room, open the Tile app on your phone, press the alert button, and the Tile will beep loudly so you can track it down under the bed or in the pocket of yesterday’s pants.

To buy: amazon.com, $24.99

Print vacation shots onto souvenir-ready instant film with this palm-sized printer. Upload photos on the Instax app, then edit and print in just a few seconds. It’s a fun crowd-pleaser to tote along on a group vacation—snap a few group pics, then print them out so each person has a mini-album of memories to take home. And unlike the regular Instax camera, photos printed on the Share Sp-2 are still saved on your phone, so you can upload the high-res file to an online album later.

To buy: amazon.com, $235

One part Bluetooth speaker, one part personal assistant, Amazon Tap is the portable answer to the brand’s Alexa-equipped Echo. Bring it along to provide tunes while cycling around the city or kicking back with a cup of mulled wine in a vacation rental. When you’re logged on to Wi-Fi, tap the top to ask Alexa about the weather or news, get conversions while cooking, or buy and play an audiobook. A fully-juiced Tap can last up to nine hours without recharging, and it’s lightweight enough to tote around in your daypack or carry-on.

To buy: amazon.com, $130

Bose is the gold standard for noise-cancelling technology, but until recently, truly tuning out the world meant toting around a pair of bulky over-the-ear cans. The new QuietControl 30s are the company’s first foray into noise cancelling wireless earbuds, and they’re an immediate essential for any frequent flyer. The neckband base extends the battery life, so these can handle a full day of flight without quitting. And since the noise cancellation is adjustable, you can crank it to full blast to drain out engine noise or turn it down to catch connection info on the loudspeaker.

To buy: ebags.com, $299

Dyson has finally done for dryers what they did for vacuums. At $400, it’s likely pricier than anything else in your hair tool arsenal, but for superfast drying that won’t blow out your eardrums or wear out your shoulders, it’s worth the splurge. It’s designed for home use, but the unconventional, packable shape (in lieu of a traditional nozzle, the Dyson has an open cylinder barrel with magnetic attachments) and lightweight design (at 1.8 pounds, it rivals some travel dryers) make it ideal for travel, too.

To buy: sephora.com, $400

Hopping between time zones and climates, losing sleep, and spending hours at 30,000 feet in a tin can of recirculated air can cause even the hardiest skin to go haywire. Scrub the day off with the Alpha Fit, Clarisonic’s portable, ultrasonic cleansing brush designed with men’s skin in mind. The tiny rotations feel more like a gentle buzzing than a harsh scrubbing action, but this brush brings enough exfoliating power to keep razor burn at bay and simultaneously soften skin.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $220

Today’s design-y PCs are giving Apple a run for their money, and none more than the LG Gram, a sleek machine that’s powerful enough to be your go-to machine and portable enough that you can leave the tablet at home. The minimalist brushed-gold shell is just plain cool, but it packs plenty of substance along with the style. The 15-inch screen is ideal for both casual Netflixing and detail-oriented work like photo editing. But at just 2.2 pounds, it’s even lighter than so-called Air.

To buy: amazon.com, from $970

Hauling your DSLR on vacation means endless debate: Do you take it sightseeing and deal with the headache (and, uh, shoulder ache) of carrying a camera bag? Or leave it at home and risk having to rely on your smartphone for that snap of a lifetime? For the casual shutterbug, the DxO One might send your heavy-duty camera into early retirement. This little guy plugs into your iPhone, then works like a regular point-and-shoot. It’s powerful enough to capture detail your phone will miss, but so small you could fit into a clutch or crossbody bag.

To buy: amazon.com, $500

After their launch last year, Away quickly developed a following for their budget-friendly, understated suitcases. Now they're back with a scaled-up carry-on. It's got all the elements of the original—USB charging, a zip-out laundry bag, a compression system, and a nearly indestructible shell—with an additional eight liters of packing space. Just shy of 23 inches tall, it’s still compact enough to slide into the overhead compartment, though the extra real estate makes a difference if you’re traveling for more than a quick weekend jaunt.

To buy: awaytravel.com, $245

Lighten your load and get more mileage out of the lone empty outlet in Terminal C with this compact charger from Zolt. Three USB outlets let you charge your computer, tablet, and phone all at once from a single plug. MacBook users will have to shell out for an additional adapter, but since this gadget is just a few inches long, you can easily ditch the jumble of bulky charging bricks currently swimming around your suitcase.

To buy: amazon.com, $100

It's hard to go incognito when you're lugging a camera bag around. Nylon casing and plastic buckles just have that “I’m a tourist, swindle me!” vibe, even if you’re not wearing white sneakers and a fanny pack. ONA’s collection merges the practicality of performance gear with the polished look of your favorite handbag. The Chelsea offers padded casing for your DSLR, multiple lenses, and any other essentials (tablet, wallet, shades, bottom-of-the-handbag miscellany), all in a luxe saffiano leather casing that’ll take you from window seat to boardroom to bar-hopping.

To buy: amazon.com, $370

Slide up the leather casing on this chic bag tag to reveal a lightning cable for charging up your iPhone on the go. Fasten it onto your favorite bag or loop it around a keychain and you’ll never again be caught cordless in a pinch. Its simple, pared-down design works with just about any style of bag, from polished tote to rugged weekender.

To buy: amazon.com, $60

The creators of this personal air purifier overshot their original Kickstarter fundraising goal by half a mil, and it’s no wonder: Wynd combines pollution monitoring and medical-grade air filtration in a device that’s under a pound, about the size of a Starbucks cup, and has eight hours of battery life. For those with allergies, it’s an ideal companion to ward off wheezing fits in smoggy cities or your cat-loving aunt’s vacation rental, and for anyone with a touch of germophobia or sensitivity to pollutants, the Wynd can help you breathe easier.

To buy: hellowynd.com, $190

Never pay for hotel movie rental again. Instead, plug the Roku Streaming Stick—at just a couple inches longer than the average flash drive, it’s easy to slip in a side pocket of your purse or briefcase—into any television, log in to Wi-Fi, and you’ll have instant access to all your streaming accounts in one place.

To buy: amazon.com, $40

Organize all your digital tools in transit with this buttery leather pouch from This is Ground. Five loops on the top keep cords corralled, the main compartment neatly stashes your phone, headphones, and wireless mouse, and a zip pouch in the middle holds the miscellaneous accessories—screen wipes, earbud cushions—that might otherwise be lost. Five neutral shades and optional monogramming give it classic American heritage style, like something your dapper grandfather would’ve carried had iPhones been around in the 1930s.

To buy: thisisground.com, $200

Streamline your carry-on with this color-coded 4-in-1 power adapter cube that’ll cover your charging needs in 150 countries. Flight 001’s corresponding world map helps you quickly determine which component to use, and the modular design minimizes the jumble in your bag and ensures smaller pieces won’t get lost in the shuffle.

To buy: amazon.com, $25

Get the best of digital and analog systems with Moleskine’s digitized writing kit. Scribble on the dot-grid paper as usual and the Pen+ smartpen duplicates your notes or doodles in Moleskine’s companion app for easy review. By tapping the tiny envelope in the corner, you can instantly email a page. Both pen and notebook have a slimmer, less obviously gadget-y profile than similar products in the field, and the app is intuitive enough that even a technophobe can use it.

To buy: bestbuy.com, $200

Most smartwatches on the market have a techie, futuristic vibe that works for fitness and Silicon Valley but seems out of place with dressier attire. Nevo takes the reverse approach, with a round face that looks analog at first glance but conceals a sleep-tracking, step-logging smartwatch. Color-coded LEDs light up to show your activity and notify you of incoming texts or calls, but the Swiss-engineered watch component functions like a regular timepiece, so a dead battery or forgotten charger won’t render the gadget totally useless.

To buy: amazon.com, $300

Cozy up on the plane in this hoodie that’s purpose-built for travel. What looks like your run-of-the-mill sweatshirt is actually a multitasking, gear-filled supplement to your suitcase. It’s got dedicated pockets to fit your iPad, passport, sunglasses, travel blanket, and a beverage, plus a built-in eye mask, gloves, inflatable neck pillow, microfiber cloth for cleaning your screens, telescoping zipper pen and stylus, and a channel to keep your headphone cord from tangling.

To buy: ebags.com, $150