Make your next vacation easier with these nine great travel gadgets.
Imagine yourself on the beach. Now, imagine yourself after the beach, tracking sand into each nook and cranny of your hotel room despite every effort to the contrary.
Enter: sandless accessories. Sound too good to be true? We’re here to tell you that this, and the other eight miracle gadgets on this list, are the real deal. Before you take off on your next vacation, stock up on travel tech, from smart baggage to portable clothing irons:
1. Laptop Lock
According to Kensington, a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds. That’s hundreds, if not thousands of dollars worth of hardware, software, and personal information gone in the blink of an eye. When traveling, you want to ensure that you keep your laptop secure without having to constantly haul your bag around. A laptop lock is a simple way to secure your expensive hardware. Simply purchase the lock, choose an impenetrable combination, and secure the lock to something sturdy.
2. Smart Backpack
Smart bags have power supplies built directly into them that enable you to charge any device, from your smartphone to your laptop. When you’re on vacation, you don’t want to remain tethered to a wall outlet for the duration of your trip. With a smart bag, you can stay connected on-the-go, free from the constraint of your device’s all-too-short battery life.
3. Smart Projector
A portable projector will allow you to transform any location into your own personal theater. Slightly larger than the size of a fist, this new technology allows you to connect your smartphone, laptop, or tablet to a projector that can fit in your backpack, purse, or suitcase. Some portable HD projectors also come equipped with 4G LTE capabilities so that you can stream video content from services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube while on the move to your next destination.
4. Sandless Accessories
When it comes to vacationing, the beach is a universally loved destination. Unfortunately, it is also home to one of the most universally hated substances — sand! When you spend a day soaking up the sun and the waves, sand comes with the territory, but when sand finds its way into your car, your shoes, your clothes, and your hotel room, it can become a real headache.
Luckily, there are a huge variety of sandless accessories available to mitigate the amount of sand that comes with you after your visit: lounge chairs, totes, and beach mats, to name a few.
5. Smart Luggage
Fore every high-tech product on the market these days, you can find a version with wifi capabilities and a bevy of smart sensors. The same rings true for luggage. Smart luggage technology comes equipped with a number of features: distance indicators, proximity alerts that notify you if you’ve left your luggage unattended or someone is trying to run off with it, and charge ports for your devices. Some bags can even weigh themselves to ensure you aren’t saddled with any additional fees from the airline when you check your bag.
6. Travel Iron
The long-standing debate, “to roll, or to fold?” may become obsolete in the face of these handy miniature travel irons. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, this appliance can save the day when you arrive at your hotel for a formal event only to discover that, in the shuffle from Point A to Point B, all of your pristinely ironed shirts have been crumpled beyond recognition. The small compact irons run on battery power, and some even have the capability to steam clothes.
7. Water Purifier Bottle
According to Independent Traveler, people visiting Central America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa all run a high risk of coming in contact with contaminated water. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than getting sick to your stomach — so to curb the risk of drinking contaminated water, pick up a bottle with a built-in purifier. Find one that is designed to filter out viruses and bacteria as well as other contaminants.
8. Upgraded Phone Cases
Your phone is your lifeline when traveling, and the right kind of case ensures that you have it when you need it the most. Battery cases can give your phone double the battery life on a single charge, ensuring that your phone always has power if you need to make a phone call or find directions. Alternately, waterproof cases protect your phone not only from submersion but also from torrential downpours and spills.
9. Wireless Travel Router
While most hotels offer free wifi services, many only allow guests to connect one device at a time. A wireless travel router is a cheap and effective way to provide wifi access to all of your devices. Simply plug in the router via ethernet cable, and it will broadcast a signal to your phone, tablet, or laptop.
Steven Kenniff is Director at International Cruise & Excursions, Inc., where he works with Sears Vacations and other travel brands. He has worked with resort brands and commercial accounts in various roles including IT, Project Management, Account Management, and Business Development.
