18 Seriously Genius Travel Gadgets You Didn't Know You Needed

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Traveling can suck. Full stop. Between dealing with a sniffly seatmate on a long-haul flight or getting stranded in a foreign country with a dead phone, there's no shortage of things that can go wrong when hitting the road. Trust me, I've had my fair share of travel hiccups over the past couple of decades (think: a 10-hour flight sans headphones!), which is why I've made it my mission to hunt down every genius travel gadget out there to keep chaos at bay. For you, but also for me.

So, if you've got vacation plans coming up, I highly recommend you keep reading. Because you might be surprised by the sheer amount of gear just waiting to change your life—and travel style—forever. I included some picks you've probably heard of before, like the Apple AirTag and Kindle, along with some niche finds you definitely didn't know you needed. The best part? Many of them are small enough to toss in your tote bag, so you'll be able to whip 'em out whenever you're on the move. And believe me, everyone will be asking where you got them.

Now, without further ado, scroll down to discover 18 of the best game-changing travel gadgets on the market, each handpicked by yours truly or endorsed by passionate Cosmo travelers. And just a friendly reminder: you can totally trust us when it comes to jetsetting. Just peep our CosmoTrips section for proof!

Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter

My AirPods are practically glued to my ears when I'm flying. Idc if that makes me sound antisocial, it's true. And thanks to this lil wireless audio transmitter, I can watch seatback movies using my favorite earbuds, without the hassle of wired headphones (thanks, Bluetooth!). That means you no longer have to worry about awkwardly getting tangled up in headphone wires (just me??) or, worse, forgetting to pack a pair and being forced to stare into the airplane abyss for hours. Just get it.

AirTag

As someone who's no stranger to luggage mishaps, the Apple AirTag has been a total game-changer. I used to stress out big time about lost luggage, but now I can find my bag's exact location in a flash via the Find My iPhone app. Oh, and AirTags aren't just for luggage, FYI. You can slap one on your wallet, handbag, or even passport. It's just great to know my belongings aren't taking a vacation of their own, ya know?

Universal In-Flight Phone Holder Mount

With over 10,000 five-star ratings, this phone mount is a crowd favorite—and a godsend for those times when your plane doesn't have seatback entertainment. Instead of holding your phone in your hand for hours to watch a movie—or balancing it precariously on any flat surface you can find—this device clips over your tray table and turns your phone into a mini TV. It even rotates 360 degrees, so you can adjust the viewing angle to your liking.

Universal Travel Adapter

My phone is pretty much always dead, but I try to be better about it while traveling internationally for the sake of, you know, my well-being. This charger has been a lifesaver of mine in Paris, Greece, Costa Rica, and more, with six slots (including three USB-Cs, two UBC-As, and a regular outlet) for juicing up your devices. Plus, the outlet has four plugs in one, covering over 150 different countries, which saves you from having to travel with multiple chargers if you're globetrotting!

Cosmo Drawstring Cosmetic and Makeup Bag

Digging through a jam-packed makeup bag stresses me out to no end. So much so that I sometimes just end up pouring all the contents into the sink. (I know, it's gross, but hey, I'm working on it!) This bag changes the game with a drawstring opening—it allows you to see everything at once, the raised rim keeps your cosmetics from rolling away, and when you're done, you simply cinch it back up by pulling the string. There are also brush holders and zippered storage compartments to keep your most prized beauty products safe and sound.

Luggage Travel Cup Holder

I can't fully romanticize my travel experience unless I'm double-fisting an iced coffee and a bottle of water (or Diet Coke, depending on the day). But carrying said fluids through the airport is less than ideal, especially when you have multiple pieces of luggage. That's why this clever travel companion, which straps onto your suitcase handle, was invented. With room for two drinks—one large and one small—you won't have to risk losing your passport just to enjoy your coffee.

TOPTOTE Leather Hat Holder

I have squished one too many hats into my luggage for my liking, so I was determined to find a chic solution. This clever clip from Lindsay Albanese, which clips onto any bag and holds tight to the brim of your hat using uber-strong magnets, is that solution. It has since saved the lives of many of my accessories, and for that, I am thankful. Not only is it a smart travel gadget, but it's also a cute accessory in its own right. It comes in a few different styles, but I love this chic black and brushed gold option.

Luggage Scale

As someone who's had to pay an overweight luggage fee more than I'd like to admit, this luggage scale couldn't have come into my life quicker. Just turn it on, hook it onto the top handle of your suitcase, lift it, and watch as the LCD screen lights up with your bag's weight. Then you can either rearrange and retry, or pat yourself on the back for a job well done. And for less than $10?! Think about how much money you could save in the long run. Girl math, ftw.

LED Foldable Travel Makeup Mirror

Raise your hand if hotel bathroom lighting has done you dirty in the past (✋). If you, too, have been victimized, then you'll want to pack this foldable travel mirror. It's slim, so it won't hog space, and it's equipped with LED lights to ensure your makeup will look as flawless in the shining sun as it does indoors. Bonus: It comes with a small magnifying mirror, perfect for eyebrow tweezing and intricate eye looks.

Power Steam Handheld Travel Garment Steamer

Most hotels have irons and ironing boards, but a rare few will leave you high and dry...and that can be a downright outfit ruiner. That's where this cute and compact travel garment steamer comes in. What makes it stand out from the pack? Well, for starters, it literally stands out with its fun color options. Plus, it's super easy to use. Just fill up the water reservoir, turn it on, and it'll heat up quickly to effortlessly remove wrinkles. Trust me, you didn't want to lug out the ironing board anyway.

Handheld Mini Fan

When my friend whipped this personal fan out of her handbag when I was melting in Disney World last year, I knew I had to buy one as soon as I got home. With just the push of a button, it springs to life to cool you down. You can hold it in your hand and direct it at your pretty face (like I did in front of the Hollywood Tower of Terror), or fold it down to a 90-degree angle to use as a tabletop fan. And get this—it even doubles as a phone charger and flashlight, because, hey, why not?

Mini Refillable Perfume Atomizer

FYI, you don't need to splurge on the travel-sized version of your favorite perfume. Nor do you have to take a gamble by tossing a full-sized bottle in your checked luggage. Here's the trick: Scoop up a set of these refillable spray bottles, which will help you pack only what you need. You just take the little cap off your go-to scent, attach the atomizer to it, and press up and down to fill the container. (You can see when it's full through the glass window.) Then pop the cap back on and voilà! You'll have a five-milliliter bottle that'll keep you smelling good the whole trip.

Portable Apple Watch Charger

If you're anything like me and can never remember to charge your phone and/or Apple Watch, I highly recommend snagging this wireless charger. Just clip it onto your bag, and you'll always be ready to give your devices the much-needed juice they deserve. I'm obsessed with the fact that it comes with a built-in USB cord, so I don't have to rummage through my bag to find a separate one (that I probably forgot anyways).

Portable Bladeless Neck Fan

One of my best friends is an anxious and sweaty flier. (She gave me her blessing to say that.) Because of this, she has a whole goodie bag of in-flight essentials, including this neck fan, which she says is the next best thing to having a personal AC. With three settings to choose from (with one being the least intense and three being the chilliest), it's ideal for staying cool, calm, and collected wherever necessary.

Washable Reusable Gel Lint Roller

I'm constantly covered in dog fur thanks to my perpetually shedding corgi, Cooper. I usually lug a big-ass lint roller around at all times, but it's not exactly travel-friendly. Enter this little ball-shaped roller, that has a sticky texture you can roll over your clothes to grab debris, fur, crumbs—you name it. The cherry on top? You can rinse and reuse it without it losing stickiness.

4K/HD Streaming Stick With Remote Control

Jump right back into your favorite show after a long travel day with this compact Roku streaming stick. During the device's initial setup, you'll log into all of your streaming services, so when you're ready to watch at your destination, you'll barely have to lift a finger. Just plug it into any TV's HDMI outlet, and you'll be all set to binge-watch shows from Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, and more without the hassle of logging in (goodbye password guessing game).

4-in-1 Magnetic Charging Cable

I won't pretend to be the most organized person around, but this four-in-one charger definitely helps me level up. It can juice up four devices simultaneously, with connectors for pretty much any piece of technology you can think of. (Seriously, it's too many to list!)

Paperwhite

Got a hefty TBR list and an upcoming vacay? Talk about a match made in heaven! But let's be real: Cramming a buncha books into your carry-on can feel like a form of torture. Fear not, though, friends, because this waterproof e-reader is here to save the day. You'll no longer have to stress about being able to fit all seven of your novels in one bag, nor accidentally soaking the pages of your next chapter.

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