23 Travel Products That Will Level up Your Next Trip

Hauling around a humidifier (which pumps additional moisture into the air) may seem excessive. But if you consider its potential benefits, such as improved skin hydration and relief from respiratory issues, it’s a no-brainer – especially if it’s as luggage-friendly as this USB-chargeable version from The Goodnight Co. At less than 13 centimetres tall, it’s small enough to tote in your carry-on and if you’re prone to dry skin or poor sleep in new environments, adding a few drops of soothing lavender or clarifying eucalyptus oil could really change the game.

Not everyone can settle into a comfortable position with over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. For those sensitive to headband and earpiece pressure, wireless earbuds might be the solution. Technics’ EAH-AZ100, released in January, balance comfort (the conch shape conforms to the ear’s contours) and high-tech features. Functionality spans a range of sound modes, from Natural Ambient – which softly filters but allows background noise – to Attention for AI-enabled noise-cancelling. You can also connect up to three devices at once for seamlessly switching between watching movies and taking calls.

You have the pillow, the eye mask and some cosy socks but what about helping yourself drift off to dreamland from the inside? Small enough to throw in a pocket or handbag, Kit’s just-released Sleep Powder sachets are enriched with muscle-relaxing magnesium as well as passionflower and hops, which can help regulate anxiety, excitement and stress. Mixing a sachet into a glass of water an hour before sleep is a super-easy way to set yourself up for rest.

Stay put for your inflight spa session with the latest iteration of sheet masks: the dissolving kind. Not only are these masks zero waste (they disappear in water) their concentrated blend of moisture-attracting humectants and skin-brightening actives, such as niacinamide, will have you feeling like a new person by the time you’ve landed.

The secret’s out: an eye mask could be the code to cracking incredible sleep while you’re flying (or in an unfamiliar hotel bed). Blocking out even the smallest amount of light – from a fellow passenger’s screen, say – can help you reach REM sleep faster, ensuring better rest wherever you may be snoozing. Contoured masks are a good way in for beginners, with soft padding and more lash space to minimise pressure on the eyes.

Ereader technology has come a long way since the beginning of their popularity back in the early aughts. There’s no shortage of models to satisfy the graphic-novel or illustration enthusiast and now Amazon has announced its very first in the category. The Kindle Colorsoft, which will be available in Australia this year, has the capacity to zoom in on images and features 24 levels of auto-adjusting brightness for easy-on-the-eyes reading. And don’t worry about running out of juice mid-journey – a single charge can see you through an incredible 28 hours (if you’re reading constantly, that is).

New Zealand-based Emma Lewisham’s science-forward, nature-based formulations are now cult-level popular. This year, the brand launched its first SPF-powered moisturiser – ideal for transit days, when even one extra step in your skincare routine can feel like too much effort. The SPF 50 formula, which protects against UVA and UVB rays, doesn’t just fight sun damage; with a subtle pinkish undertone, it also lends a glowy sheen and helps to even out some skin tones.

Nomad’s ChargeKey masquerades as a lo-fi tech upgrade but durable cable casings, lightning-fast USB-C charging and a clever “double life” as a key ring make it the kind of kit you’ll never take for granted. Designed to charge devices from your power bank, this small-but-mighty item saves you from untangling cords and waiting around for battery life to be restored. (File transfer speeds are just as impressive at about 10Gbps).

If you’re planning to spend considerable time on planes, trains or in automobiles, this cute massager could make all the difference to your travel stamina. Compact enough to fit in the pocket of a bag, the Theragun Mini 3rd Gen is 20 per cent smaller and 30 per cent lighter than its predecessor. Massage can help increase blood flow, improve mobility and reduce pain and muscle tension, making it the holiday companion you didn’t know you needed.

Even the most worn-in pair of shoes can prove troublesome when you’re traipsing from landmark to landmark. Carrying this podiatrist-designed comfort kit – a nifty pouch of padded cushions in various shapes and sizes, for sensitive areas such as the heel and ball of your foot – can save your sightseeing day if a blister begins to appear.

You could use a decommissioned toiletry bag or even a packing cube but given how connected we are to our gadgets, why not have a bag that makes it easier to organise? Peak Design’s specially designed Tech Pouch features 12 separate compartments (of all shapes and sizes) to neatly store all your gear, as well as weatherproof zips and exterior coating.

Say goodbye to your jumble of a toiletry bag with Cadence's clever build-your-own "capsule and parcel" system. The leakproof containers – made using recycled ocean plastics – can be customised with a magnetic label identifying what's inside (serum, pills, shampoo, etc.), as well as openings that let you drip, splash or pour the contents. The hexagonal capsules are magnetised, too, connecting seamlessly to bring instant order to the transparent carry case. It’s little wonder frequent travellers are swooning over this brand.

With their boundless curiosity, kids can make great travel companions but a humid day can quickly derail their enthusiasm. Enter the stroller fan – a handy addition to the parental arsenal. If this 18.5-centimetre-tall (legs included) gadget can fit in a backpack and potentially save the day, it’s a worthy inclusion. You won’t need to tote around batteries, either – it’s fully rechargeable and can keep whirring for up to eight hours.

You didn’t know the bar at your hotel hosted a karaoke evening. Or that your super-central Airbnb doesn’t have the tightest window seals. If unexpected noise is keeping you awake, this travel-sized sound machine from Yogasleep fits in the palm of your hand and emits eight hours worth of slumber-inducing sounds, including white and brown noise and soothing nature sounds to drown out any distractions.

Sunrise on safari. An alfresco dinner. A quiet afternoon spent reading on the balcony of your holiday home. Any one of these special travel experiences can be marred by chilly temperatures – that’s when a Stoov heated blanket comes into play. Equipped with a 16.65Wh lithium battery that pumps out up to six hours of heat, the blanket harnesses infrared technology to hit toasty temps of 38, 45 and 58℃, to keep you warm. (Don’t forget to declare the pillow at check-in if you’re taking this on a flight).

To avoid disturbing your snoozing seatmates with overhead cabin lighting, the compact Glocusent – rechargeable via USB – easily clips onto your book’s cover to keep light contained to the pages. There are three colour modes, ranging from an eye-sensitive orange to a bright white, as well as five different brightness levels to keep you and the people seated next to you happy.

Toothpaste tablets are a quick way to refresh while you’re in transit. Designed to inhibit the growth of bacteria as well as “polish, strengthen and remineralise” teeth with mild abrasives, these minty gum-sized tablets are just the trick post-meal or snooze.

Few items will level up your short break like the new Gozney Tread, a portable pizza oven that will make you the envy of the entire holiday park. Small enough to throw in the boot of your car, this pocket rocket takes just 15 minutes to reach searingly hot (gas-powered) temperatures up to 500℃ – ideal for crisping pizza bases, searing steak and roasting veggies in mere minutes. (It also self cleans at temps of over 500℃). Camp cooking never tasted so good.

Steamers don’t just freshen up the look of your crumpled clothes after being plucked from a suitcase – they can also help control the scent of well-worn items. Even a compact, handheld travel steamer can kill up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria, allowing garments to work harder while you’re away.

Most dry shampoos are aerosol-based, which means they require a little more thought when it comes to flying (like liquids and gels, aerosols are subject to the 100-millilitre restriction). Ceremonia’s non-talc, powder-based alternative does its job absorbing scalp oil while being small enough to sail through security and easily fit in a handbag or daypack.

Antler’s tough ripstop bag combines the ease of a crossbody with the security of a zippable backpack. The bungee-style adjustable strap ensures maximum comfort, while the foldover flap gives you the flexibility to pack plenty of souvenirs.

Not all notebooks are made equal. There are travel-hardy versions with, for example, paper that’s smudge- and ink-bleed resistant. For something even more heavy duty, try Field Notes’ Expedition – the all-weather notebook for outdoor types. Featuring waterproof and  tearproof paper printed with soy-based ink, they won’t let rain, hail or shine get in the way of inspiration.

Although Apple AirTags are trackable, their diminutive size can make them easy to lose. Secure them to your suitcase or bag with Maison de Sabré’s cute and practical fruit-themed, zippable mini pouches. And on the off-chance that your luggage is misplaced, you can share AirTag data with Qantas via a delayed baggage report to help locate it faster.

Whether you’re camping or visiting seven cities in six days on a whistlestop tour of Europe, you don’t want to waste time worrying about your hair. Think of Act+Acre’s 4% Niacinamide Oily Scalp Serum as a preventative dry shampoo – it works to stretch the days between washes by balancing, clarifying and soothing your scalp (that’s the niacinamide, hyper-fermented green tea and bio-fermented astragalus doing their work).