Blog

Nov 02, 2024

The 14 Best Travel Accessories for Men of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Cover your whole packing checklist with this travel gear. In This Article Travel +

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Cover your whole packing checklist with this travel gear.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja

Even though it’s exciting, interesting, and plenty of other positive adjectives, travel can be taxing. Going from home to a ride share to a plane, and back again, requires patience and preparation. Phones can lose power right before you board, your luggage can get lost, and your next-seat neighbor can snore too loud. Making sure you’re well equipped with the right equipment is the first step to ensuring everything goes smoothly.

Our T+L testing team tries out all kinds of products throughout the year, and we compiled the best accessories from each category to properly get you ready for your next trip — from power banks to luggage trackers. We used these accessories all across the world to give you an authentic view at how well they work on even the longest endeavors. Keep reading to find out what our testers love most.

Their spatial audio system delivers an immersive audio experience and supreme sound quality.

The earpads are relatively small, so they may not be a good fit for everyone.

The Beats Solo 4 On-ear Wireless Headphones stand out as the best noise-canceling headphones you can get for your trips. Compatible with Apple and Android, they’re easy to pair with your devices without using any additional apps. They feature a long-lasting battery, delivering crisp sound for up to 50 hours with a full charge (and for up to 5 hours with a 10-minute charge). In our testing, we listened to songs and podcasts, and watched videos. In all situations, these headphones delivered clear, powerful, and vibrant sound. Although they don’t have a full noise-canceling system like other headphones on the market, they provide the right amount of noise-cancelation, meaning you can listen to your jams while still being able to hear important announcements at the airport or train station.

The control buttons, conveniently located on the left earpiece, proved to be intuitive and easy to use. As advertised, these headphones were comfortable, well-balanced, and provided a snug fit. We never felt like they would slip off, which is great for tight flight connections when you have to run to your gate. Weighing only 7.6 ounces, they’re so lightweight that we even forgot we had them on. If you’re wondering, the ear pads are adjustable so you can move them up and down on each side of your head until you find the perfect fit.

They’re made of a sturdy, semi-transparent material that protects your items while still allowing you to easily spot them in your bag.

They come in small and medium sizes only, so they might not be ideal for longer trips.

If you need extra organization or packing light isn’t your thing, the Thule Compression Packing Cubes are a great way to maximize space in your luggage. Available in a set of two sizes, we were able to stash several items and we still had room to spare in both. These packing cubes have a durable zipper at the bottom that removes excess air between your garments. The lightweight, see-through nylon construction made it easy to identify our clothes without having to remove them from the cube. While there weren’t any accidental spills on our trips to prove these cubes’ waterproof qualities, we intentionally poured some water on them and found that our clothes remained dry on the inside.

Additionally, we discovered that these cubes are very well-designed—the rounded corners made them super easy to accommodate into our luggage. The closing and expanding zippers stayed in place the entire time and the stitching seemed thick and strong. Plus, these cubes have a useful handle at the top for carrying or hanging.

It provides accurate information, even while in the air with no Wi-Fi access.

It is compatible with iOS devices only.

We tested the Knog Scout Travel Smart Luggage Tag on a few flights between New York, Chicago, and Jackson Hole and we were pleasantly surprised by its overall performance. Although it requires a separate app to set up, you can use it with Apple’s Find My afterward, which shows the battery life and allows you to manage the alarm. With its slim, lightweight build, you can easily slide it into a pocket or attach it to the outside of your bags. It comes with a motion-sensitive alarm that detects suspicious activity and draws attention to your luggage right away.

While using Airplane mode during flights, we noticed how accurate it was even with no Wi-Fi access. It showed the exact location of our luggage and the plane, which was fun to follow as we approached our destination. When we landed, the app showed constant movement of our bags as they went to baggage claim. Available in five colorways, the Knog Scout Travel Smart Luggage Tag features a water-resistant design and a USB-C rechargeable battery that can last up to two months depending on usage.

It comes with a micro pen that’s especially handy when you have to fill in custom forms.

It has a bigger price tag.

In our opinion, the Bellroy RFID Travel Wallet is the best RFID wallet available on the market. With its minimalist, premium leather build, we found it perfect for keeping our passport and other travel essentials in one place, while still fitting snugly into our back pocket. In testing, we found that it has plenty of room for several cards, boarding passes, cash, and loose papers. Despite this ample storage, the Bellroy remained compact and manageable, and everything was easy to access at all times.

If wireless data theft while on the go is always a concern, this bifold wallet features RFID shielding to keep your information safe and sound. Unexpected forms while flying? Don’t worry. You’ll never have to ask a neighboring passenger for a pen because this wallet has you covered with a handy micro pen with refills.

Due to its small size, it can be used as a keychain.

It’s very compact, which makes some of the tools a bit difficult to use.

If you need a multi-tool for your outdoor adventures, this one from Gerber Gear is an excellent choice. It has a pocket-sized design and features twelve different tools including a bottle opener, tweezers, scissors, wire cutters, and a package opener. In our testing, we found this multi-tool to be effective, easy to open, and lightweight. Although it lacks a locking mechanism, everything stows away very well. We especially appreciated how the spring-loaded pliers opened.

Constructed with stainless steel, this multi-tool is a great companion for fishing, hiking, camping, and backpacking. Additionally, the brand offers a limited lifetime warranty within North America for customer peace of mind.

It has a sturdy, spacious build without being heavy or bulky.

It doesn’t have any zippers at the bottom, meaning you can’t close it completely.

We tried out the Monos Garment Sleeve during a weekend trip where we had to attend two graduations and a ceremony. For these events, we packed a couple of outfits in the sleeve and everything fit perfectly, leaving plenty of room for other clothes. We had to carry the Monos around as we didn’t have a big suitcase for this getaway, but it never got heavy or bulky, even with our clothes inside.

From our tests, we determined that the Monos Garment Sleeve is better than other garment sleeves we’ve used before. It’s made of thick-yet-lightweight nylon and the zipper for the main compartment is strong and durable. It also has three hook loops for different hangers, a top handle for carrying and hanging, and a front zippered pocket for smaller items like bowties or socks.

It has a waterproof pocket that’s easy to clean in case of accidental spills.

It comes in large and medium sizes only, meaning there’s no small option for limited luggage space.

Available in seven different colors, the Bagsmart Toiletry Bag for Men is designed to keep all your toiletries organized without breaking the bank. During testing, we found it to be spacious and flexible enough to fit into a duffel bag with no hassle. We really liked its large compartment with a wide opening and inner mesh pockets, which make it easy to spot your belongings.

This toiletry bag also features interior elastic bands to keep everything in place when on the go, while the leather handle is perfect for hanging or carrying around. Made to hold all sorts of items, including perfume bottles and toothbrushes, we think this toiletry bag is ideal for anyone looking for a reliable travel toiletry bag.

They’re super stylish while also being suitable for sports or casual activities.

If you want them with polarized lenses, there’s only one color option available (light blue).

We tested the Ray-Ban Corrigan Bio-Based for several weeks in different scenarios, including a long drive to Colorado, and various hikes and bike rides. They fit comfortably without feeling tight or causing any issues around the nose. They always stayed in place during strenuous activities and felt secure when kept on our head. The longest we wore them was all day in hot and humid weather. They didn’t slip off at any time, and we didn’t notice any tightness behind the ears or nose.

Made of 67 percent bio-based carbon content, these Ray-Bans felt high quality. The see-through frames do not flex and the hinges seem sturdy. They unfold easily and stay open until you close them yourself. The tinted lenses let the right amount of sunlight in and feel very strong. We accidentally dropped these sunglasses a few times on hard surfaces and didn’t notice any scratches afterward, which makes them a great travel companion for all types of adventures.

It has a strong, leakproof lid that keeps your beverages from spilling.

The lid is so snug that it can be hard to remove.

The Yeti 26-ounce Water Bottle is the ideal choice for frequent travelers. It features a two-part lid with a secure handle/cover and a chug cap, allowing easy and spill-free drinking. The design also allows you to pour beverages into a cup effortlessly for sharing with another person. From our tests, we can say the cap is incredibly leakproof, as we experienced no leaks even when carrying the bottle in a beach bag alongside dry clothes.

The portable and compact build of the Yeti 26-ounce Water Bottle, along with its built-in handle, makes it easy to take with you wherever you go. The material feels solid and sturdy, showing no signs of damage during testing. The double-walled vacuum insulation lives up to its claim, keeping cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for 8-12 hours, depending on the weather and environment. Additionally, the bottle was easy to clean. It’s dishwasher-safe with no small crevices or straws to worry about.

It’s incredibly slim and lightweight compared to other power banks.

The magnetic wireless feature does not work with all phones.

We took the Yiisonger Magnetic Wireless Power Bank with us on trips to Rome and Marrakech. During testing, we were impressed by its overall design and how compact it is. It can easily fit in a bag or pocket, making it perfect for long days of outdoor sightseeing. It has a strong magnetic system that firmly attaches to the back of your phone for quick, wireless charging. If your device isn’t compatible with this feature, this power bank comes with two built-in cables for Apple, Android, and other smartphones. This also makes it super convenient if you want to charge multiple devices at the same time.

Another thing we really liked about the Yiisonger was the small LED screen at the bottom that shows how much battery the power bank has left. Available in four colors, including bright purple, this power bank features a 10000mAh battery and smart monitoring of voltage to avoid overcharge, short circuit, and other potential dangers.

Its shock-resistant build makes it great for everyday use.

You cannot operate your phone when it’s in this case and there’s water on the screen because it interferes with screen sensitivity.

We used the Casetify Bounce Extreme for a few weeks and on vacation at a waterpark. Due to its rugged build with shock-absorbing corners (made to withstand drops up to 9.8 feet), we thought it would be suitable for more than just water activities — and it was. Putting the case on was easy. We simply had to squeeze it around our phone and ensure it was secure. Once in the case, it was easy to carry the phone in our pockets, make calls, take photos, etc.

In terms of waterproofness, this case did an excellent job protecting our phone from water. It’s made to endure dives up to 6.6 feet. We submerged it for long periods at a time and held up great. We noticed that the rubber flap covering the charging port sealed very well, as we never got any notifications on the screen warning us of moisture in this area.

It comes with its own zippered carrying case, which is great to keep all your cables in one place.

It does not convert voltage, which may be a problem if you’re trying to charge larger electronics.

We tried out the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter on a trip to Portugal. We found it easy to use and convenient to travel with. The instructions are laid out in a small foldable pamphlet and, in case it gets lost, you can also find voltage information on the adapter itself. We used this adapter to charge our iPhone, AirPods Pro, some portable chargers, an Amazon Fire tablet, four batteries, and a remote controller for a DJI Mini Drone. It worked perfectly in all scenarios without any issues. We could even charge two devices simultaneously.

This travel adapter is compact, lightweight, and durable. It fits easily into a shoe, which is great for packing with limited space. The adapter comes with two USB-A to C adapters and two extra fuses, which fit into the adapter’s zippered carrying case effortlessly. Additionally, it comes with four different retractable plugs that work in over 150 countries, making it perfect for travel anywhere you go.

Pairing with other devices is almost immediate.

It cannot pair with its predecessors, like Wonderboom 2.

We tested the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 in various settings, including camping and trips to the beach. During our tests, we didn’t encounter any issues when pairing with other devices. In fact, pairing only took seconds. This portable speaker is designed to provide up to 14 hours of music on a full charge and comes with a convenient USB port. We found that the battery lasted a long time, even with a quick charge. As for Bluetooth range, we never experienced any signal dropping while walking around with our phone.

With a dustproof, waterproof, floatable design, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is an ideal companion for all kinds of adventures. It boasts a 360-degree sound system and an Outdoor Boost button to enhance audio quality for outdoor environments.

It has a built-in 4700 power bank that can last over 16 hours.

It’s a little pricey.

The Simo Solis Lite operates in over 135 countries by connecting to the strongest 4G carrier available. We tested the Simo Solis Lite in Japan, across the United States, and in various cities in India. In all instances, we consistently experienced fast internet service, even in rural areas. This Wi-Fi hotspot is compatible with laptops, tablets, and smartphones, making it an excellent option for group travel as it allows for up to 10 devices to be connected simultaneously. It can also be used as a power bank, which is great if you ever need to give your phone a quick pump of battery on the go.

When using the Simo Solis Lite, you receive 250MB of free data per week. After that, you have the option of getting 24-hour passes, pay per gigabyte, or opt for a monthly subscription. They all seem to fit most budgets, but we recommend checking these plans carefully before purchasing.

When packing for a trip, the first thing to consider is the destination and the duration of your stay. One of the most common mistakes I find myself making is packing extra accessories I think I’ll use, but never touch (the usual culprits are my notebook and camera stand). It’s vital to pack only the items you’ll actually use and leave the rest at home.

If you’re traveling with a carry-on, you need to be strategic in choosing your outfits and random gadgets. Even if you have a checked bag with more room, keep in mind that these are always weighed at the airport and overpacking can lead to unnecessary extra costs.

If you’re traveling to a beach destination, essentials like a hat, sunscreen, a waterproof phone case, and durable sunglasses are a good idea — but, you can leave the heavy sweaters behind. Colder environments of course will call for warmer clothes.

For long flights, items such as a travel pillow, noise-canceling headphones, and a sleep mask can make your journey a bit more comfortable. Make sure to research what the weather will be like and if you’re really cramped for space, it may make sense to just pick up a few items (think deodorant or a cheap pair of swim trunks) at a store in the town you’re visiting or at the hotel.

For this story, writer Joe Niehaus combed through T+L testing feedback and results to determine the best travel accessories for men. Joe is an experienced domestic and international traveler, visiting seven countries this year, and is constantly testing new gear, bags, and tech to understand the features that matter most for guys when traveling.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.