It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are almost here. So, what do you gift the travel aficionado? Here are our picks for the season’s hottest must-have travel gadgets.
Safe Skies TSA Luggage Strap, $20.95
The Safe Skies TSA Luggage Strap is part of the only line of luggage locks that the TSA can open without clipping. The strap, which stops suitcases of any size from accidently opening, has a combination lock that agents have been specially trained to open and then relock with a master key. If it’s ever clipped or damaged in the process, Safe Skies will replace it for free.
Get it at Safe Skies.
Balanzza Ergo Digital Luggage Scale, $29.99
Airport luggage scales aren’t always accurate. Even the slightest discrepancy can result in your bag being wrongly declared overweight and you shelling out hundreds in fees. The Balanzza Ergo Digital Luggage Scale protects you from this scenario. Strap it onto your bag’s handle, lift until it beeps, and then put it down to see the weight on the screen. The scale is small (i.e. portable) and its ergonomic shape decreases stress on your hands.
Get it at Amazon.
Belkin RockStar Multi-Headphone Splitter, $19.99
The RockStar Multi-Headphone Splitter is a great way to entertain multiple people at once. If you find yourself traveling with more than one kid but only one iPad, you can share it amongst them by plugging it into the RockStar, which can connect up to five sets of headphones. The device works with all DVD and MP3 players, as well as other portable media devices.
Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter, $49.00
The Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter ensures that your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air doesn’t run out of juice at 35,000 feet. All you need to do is plug it in to the seat’s power port (many airplanes have them—check out a site like SeatGuru to see if yours does). One thing to keep in mind is that the adapter won’t charge your battery, so if it's low to begin with, you’ll need to find a place to charge up once you hit the terminal.
Get it at Apple.
Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise-Cancelling Headphones, $299.95
If you’ve ever been stuck on an airplane with a screaming baby, you probably don’t need us to tell you why these Bose headphones made our list. With refined noise-reduction technology and comfy around-the-ear cushions, they silence the world around you so you only hear the sounds you want to hear.
Get it at Bose, Amazon, or Best Buy.
Eye-Fi Connect X2 Memory Card, $39.99
Whether you’re on a once-in-a-lifetime safari in the African Serengeti or your yearly vacation to the North Carolina coastline, you don’t want to run out of camera space. The Connect X2, which might actually be the world’s smartest memory card, makes sure you don’t. With its built-in Wi-Fi, it automatically frees up space by transferring your pictures and video to your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Get it at Best Buy.
Fitness Technologies UWaterG4X Chrome MP3 Player, $120.00
If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to snorkel, surf, or swim while listening to your favorite playlist, you’ll love the UWaterG4X Chrome. Probably the smallest MP3 player you’ve ever laid eyes on, it’s 100% waterproof and can be submerged in up to ten feet of water (including salt water). It comes with chrome-plated earbuds that block out water and the hum of splashing, delivering stereo-worthy sound.
Get it at Fitness Technologies or Amazon.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS Digital Camera, $279.99
At less than an inch wide—small enough to slip into your pocket—the PowerShot ELPH 520 HS is the smallest 12x zoom digital camera on the market. Its small size doesn’t compromise quality, though. It also has 10.1 megapixels and 1080p HD video, which will help you capture exceptional moments just the way you remember them.
Powerbag Instant Messenger, $179.99
The Powerbag Instant Messenger is the perfect solution for charging your electronics on the go. The bag, which boasts a built-in battery strong enough to charge your smartphone up to four times, can charge four devices at once. It’s also checkpoint friendly, meaning you don’t need to take your laptop out when you go through security.
D-Link Cloud Camera 5000, $299.99
The Cloud Camera 5000 lets you monitor what matters most—your home—when you’re away. It pans and tilts smoothly, making it easy to stream a variety of different angles to your computer or smartphone. You also have the option of setting up email alerts, which will sound the alarm in the event that there’s trouble.
Get it at Amazon.
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