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The 14 best travel gifts everyone needs (and will actually use)
Oftentimes, traveling is equal parts enjoyable and taxing. From organizing and packing your belongings and securing the perfect piece of luggage for your trip to finding the best travel tech to entertain yourself along with sanitizing your seat, hotel space and more — there's a lot that goes into it.
Monos Carry-On Pro
Monos Compressible Packing Cubes
Dagne Dover Landon Neoprene Carryall Bag (in XL)
The Rothy's Machine-Washable Weekender Bag
Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack 3.0
Monos Hybrid Check-In Large
Paravel Cabana Customizable Passport Case
Monos Metro Folio Kit
Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank
Satechi Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand
Cincha Travel Belt for Luggage
Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Over-Ear Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Harmonist Yin Yang 10-Piece Parfum Discovery Set
Whether you travel routinely for work, family or recreational purposes, there are seven items that you should invest in that will last you for years to come and make traveling so much easier.
We've covered all bases in this gift guide highlighting the best travel gifts. If you're looking for the best travel bags and accessories, these compressible packing cubes that let you fit more in your luggage are a must-have. If your personal item doesn't have a trolley sleeve, but you still want to secure it to your roller bag handle, the Cincha Travel Belt is the perfect solution. Zipperless luggage also fully ensures that no one breaks into your bag and the Monos Hybrid Check-In Large is the strongest I've used.
As far as the best tech travel gifts go, the unmatched Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones are my go-to picks that produce massive sound without the bulk. Those who prefer over-ear headphones swear by the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Over-Ear Noise-Canceling Headphones thanks to its larger-than-life sound and cushioned earpads that are comfortable enough to wear on super long trips.
If you're looking for the ideal gift for the traveler who always has to have a travel-size fragrance in their toiletry bag, this tried-and-true Yin Yang 10-Piece Parfum Discovery Set from niche fragrance brand The Harmonist is the perfect gift. Since these are "eau de parfum" fragrances, they each have a higher concentration of fragrance oil than the "eau de toilette" fragrances you'll find at department stores. This means they'll just need two sprays and these scents will last for over six hours (I've tested it for myself and it's true).
Check out our picks for the best travel gifts you should buy for yourself or an avid traveler in your life.
Investing in a high-quality carry-on suitcase is the perfect start to any trip. Especially with the ever-changing carry-on parameters and rules enforced by airlines today, it's important to have a carry-on hand that isn't too big or too small for the overhead compartment. The Monos Carry-On Pro is the best overall pick.
Currently the most user-friendly and stylish option you can buy, the Monos Carry-On Pro measures 22 x 14 x 19 in., making it the perfect size for overhead storage on a flight. For added convenience, while rushing through TSA or sprinting to your gate, it features a built-in front compartment for easy access while you travel. There, you can store your passport, headphones, wallet and more.
In fact, the front compartment also fits a 15-inch laptop and keeps all the pockets' contents protected under the same aerospace-grade polycarbonate as the rest of the suitcase. In fact, the shell is actually unbreakable. This is one of the best travel gifts to buy for the person who's always hopping on a plane.
Whether you're packing for a weekend trip in your rolling carry-on or a two-week vacation in a large checked suitcase, compressible packing cubes are a must-have to ensure that you pack in an organized fashion while taking up as little space as possible.
The Monos Compressible Packing Cubes help you avoid messy, over-stuffed suitcases by keeping your clothes and other items neatly organized and compressed. They're specifically designed to save space and fit perfectly in any carry-on on checked suitcase.
While most packing cubes on the market are made of cheap materials leading to them ripping easily after a few uses, these are made to last with all-premium materials. The exterior's construction with tear-resistant nylon twill while the interior features the same luxe soft, anti-microbial fabric found inside Monos' best-selling suitcases.
Choose from three colors tan, black and grey and two quantities (set of four or a set of six).
This bag is one of the best travel gifts for the person who's often taking an overnight trip or just needs the perfect carryall bag that's super versatile. It's sleek enough to take anywhere from the office to the gym.
Dagne Dover's No. 1 best-selling Landon Neoprene Carryall Bag in the extra large size is large enough to hold a 16-inch laptop, a few changes of clothes, shoes and toiletries. Also, its neoprene construction makes it easy to stow away since it molds to any space and is easy to clean.
The bag also comes with a shoe bag, a detachable key leash, and an air mesh zip-top pouch that's large enough to hold a medium-sized tablet. It's also packed with tons of interior and exterior pockets and compartments, both visible and hidden.
If you're looking for a larger handheld bag for a longer weekend trip, the new Rothy's Weekender bag is the best pick. Today, most weekender bags don't offer enough space to hold a full weekend's worth of clothes, shoes and toiletries without bulking up. This bag is one of the few that has enough space while maintaining its shape and style.
This does-it-all travel bag comes with padded top handles, an adjustable, detachable strap and three spacious compartments that make getaways easy and so much less stressful. The main compartment has a zipper closure and is spacious enough to fit clothes, books and toiletries. The side compartment with the magnetic closure and interior zipper pocket is perfect for storing shoes. The additional side compartment with a zipper closure keeps your laptop, wallet and passport secure.
The Rothy's Weekender also arrives in a dust bag and has an accompanying wash bag for use when traveling.
Like all of the brand's best-selling bags, this weekender is knit with 100% recycled materials and crafted with a blend of ocean-bound marine plastic and Rothy's signature thread. Best of all, when it gets dirty, simply toss it in the wash, and it'll be as good as new.
It comes in five colors (two classic and three limited-edition) and is the all-around best weekender bag I've personally found and used. As far as travel gifts go, this is one of my personal faves that I've had an used for years.
If you're more of a backpack user, this is, hands down, the best adult backpack you'll find. The recently redesigned Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack is both sophisticated and practical and, best of all, it doesn't bulge out like most other options. Rather, it maintains its slim and sleek profile while holding so much thanks to its deep main compartment and many pockets.
This backpack's perfect for commutes, gym trips, everyday use and even airport runs (thanks to the built-in trolley sleeve that slides over your carry-on handle).
It's also the ideal gift for the traveler who loves staying organized. There’s a zipped pocket on the shoulder strap for easy, secure access to your phone or passport — a rarity for a professional adult backpack. There’s also a separate zipped and padded section for storing work essentials (including up to a 17-inch laptop). Inside, you’ll also find multiple pockets for easy organization, while outside, there’s an external pocket and two large bottle holders that only expand when they’re filled.
Monos, known for its No. 1 best-selling luggage, recently expanded its Hybrid line of zipperless luggage pieces and the Monos Hybrid Check-In Large is already one of its top sellers.
It's literally unbreakable and extremely lightweight, making it the perfect vessel for long-distance airport travel. Since it's zipperless, it has two TSA-approved locks to keep your belongings secure. This also allows for you to store more items without worrying about the zipper bursting during travel.
Choose from three beautiful, luxe colors (Champagne, Obsidian and Silver).
Having a travel wallet at your disposal helps keep you organized and ready to go during your trips to the airport. Especially when rushing through airport security, it's important to have a designated place to store your passport, boarding pass and other necessary travel documents.
The Paravel Cabana Customizable Passport Case is my go-to for storing all of these essentials. The impeccably made case fits your passport with extra room for IDs and credit cars and, best of all, it's customizable at no extra cost, making it the perfect gift for the traveler in your life. Before adding to your cart, just add a monogram and you're good to go. This is one of those travel gifts that's both sentimental and practical.
Some travelers opt for a passport case or portfolio over a wallet and currently, the Monos Metro Folio Kit is one of the most thorough and slim options on the market.
This sleek and slim Folio kit is wider, flatter and more rigid than most similar options available from other retailers. It's perfect for use on its own and is also the best companion to the Monos Metro Duffel and Metro Backpack. Thanks to its QuickSnap technology, the Monos Folio Kit snaps on and off of the Duffel and Backpack so you can easily swap kits according to your day's needs.
It's also the true essence of a multi-functional travel essential. Use it as a wallet/passport folio while on the move or as an E-reader/tablet kit when you're relaxing at your gate or at the pool.
The Monos Metro Folio Kit is crafted with ultra-microfibre vegan leather and boasts pockets for your passport, travel documents, mini-tablet or E-reader, SD card, credit cards, vaccination card, keys, pens, cables, lip balm, AirPods and more.
This is definitely one of the best travel gifts for the person who needs to stay organized at all times.
I recently used the Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank on a weekend trip and can firmly say that it's, by far, the most versatile and useful wireless power bank and travel charger I've used to date.
Those who've grown accustomed to the convenience of wireless charging at home will love this device. It provides the same easy, cable-free convenience while you're on the go and combines the best of both portable and wireless charging.
All you need to do is charge the device as you would any other power bank. And when you're ready to use it as a wireless charging pad on your hotel nightstand, simply double press the power button and place your Qi-enabled devices on top. It features a dedicated Apple Watch charger to the far left with the rest of the pad left open for charging your smartphone or wireless earbuds.
This is an absolute must-have for those who prefer cable-free charging solutions while traveling.
Satechi's wireless power banks are some of the most innovative travel-friendly tech items we've found. In fact, its newly released Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand is the perfect option for those who love to multitask.
While the Quatro Wireless Power Bank is ideal for nightstand use while traveling or just charging on the go, this newer option extends the possibilities even further. In addition to all those uses, it's perfect for streaming videos while traveling. Its dock position tilts your smartphone upright (either in the landscape or portrait position) while it charges, providing you with the perfect viewing angle.
The Satechi Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand also supports simultaneous fast charging of up to 10W total for your smartphone, AirPods and Apple Watch and charges them all simultaneously.
Most modern handheld travel bags now come with a built-in sleeve that lets them securely sit at the top of your roller luggage without budging. However, if you're using a tote or a handbag, it likely doesn't have this feature.
The folks at Cincha created the perfect affordable solution that keeps your bag from sliding and falling. The Cincha Travel Belt is one of the most practical (and affordable) travel gifts that basically anyone will actually use. It neatly secures your personal bag to your carry-on or checked luggage handle and fully eliminates the problem of having to keep your bag from falling. It's adjustable up to 45 inches and holds any bag securely and tightly without damaging the fabric.
Choose from 17 different colors and patterns (eight core and nine seasonal).
What's traveling without a quality pair of active noise-canceling headphones? Perfect for drowning out in-flight noise and surrounding sound during a commute or airport rush, the Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones have been a massive customer favorite for a while now and they give you massive sound in a small package.
In fact, some Amazon shoppers say these provide much better sound quality than AirPods and they're currently on sale for just $128, making it one of the most affordable quality travel gifts you'll find in this category.
They feature industry-leading noise-canceling technology and the battery lasts for up to six hours on one single charge. The portable charging case provides 20 total hours of playtime on a single charge. They also are extremely compact and fit perfectly in your pocket or travel bag.
If you're looking for the best gift for the person who prefers using over-ear headphones while they travel, especially during those long-haul flights, these Bowers & Wilkins noise-canceling headphones will be the ultimate forever gift.
Bowers & Wilkins is one of the most advanced and trusted brands in the audio tech space and these headphones remain one of the all-time best from any brand.
These advanced headphones produce some of the crispest sound you'll hear from any set thanks to their re-tuned acoustic performance. The sound quality is crystal-clear and the noise-canceling feature is top-tier, even rivaling best sellers from Sony and Bose. What's most impressive about these headphones, though, is that they're actually comfortable to wear for long periods. This is thanks to their memory foam earpads.
Lastly, no trip would be complete without a travel-sized fragrance, but why get one when you can have 10? This set gives you options, which come in handy when you're on a long vacation or want the convenience and luxury of having a day and night fragrance while you're away from home.
The Harmonist is one of the most prestigious niche fragrance houses out there and, what I love most about the brand is that its fragrances last for hours. I tested its Hypnotizing Fire fragrance (included in this discovery set) for months and found that it stayed on my skin for over six hours! This is all due to the brand exclusively producing "eau de parfum" fragrances which have a higher concentration of fragrance oil than an "eau de toilette" fragrance like those you'll find at most department stores.
You can't go wrong with any of these fragrances included in The Harmonist's Yin Yang 10-Piece Parfum Discovery Set, especially at this price. This is one of those travel gifts that's sure to last years, even given its size.
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