This post on the Best Travel Accessories for 2023 contains references to products on my Amazon Store site. I may receive a commission when you purchase these products from my store, though at no additional cost to you. I hand-pick and recommend only the products that I am either familiar with or comfortable recommending.
The world is finally at a point where we can start to put the awful pandemic behind us and start to turn our sights back to traveling and exploring internationally. That’s wonderful because travel can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences that you can have in life. However, if you don’t plan properly and aren’t prepared, travel can also be very stressful for some people. The doldrums of packing, navigating airports and airport security, and the other tedious aspects of travel can really wear on you. These stresses can be compounded if you aren’t prepared to deal with them. That is why having the right travel accessories with you when you travel is so important.
Having the right travel accessories with you can help make a long flight more comfortable, ensure that your stuff stays organized during the chaos of travel, keep you safe while you conquer a new adventure, and help you capture the incredible memories that you make while traveling. This is why I am such a big fan of using travel accessories and why I spend so much of my time researching and trying different accessories during my travels.
Using my experience with countless different travel accessories that I have tested over the past few years; I have created this list of my top 20 travel accessories for 2023 that I am recommending to you. Each one of these accessories I have used during my travels and absolutely love. More importantly, I have found that each one of these accessories has made travel easier and more enjoyable for me, which is why I want to share them with you.
Personalized Travel Map from Conquest Maps
This is my all-time favorite travel accessory, which is why you see me writing about it quite a bit. When I was a younger man, I made my own travel pin board map. I loved that map dearly, but I will be the first to admit that it looked more like a home craft project than a stylish piece of home décor. Conquest Maps hits the ball out of the park with their stylish and beautiful travel maps and decals. If you haven’t taken a look at their products yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. It is a great way to map out your adventures!
Price: $29 and Up
Master Lock Portable Travel Safe
This travel accessory has frequently been on my list of the best travel accessories to buy, and it isn’t hard to see why it is on my list of the top travel accessories for 2023 again. When it comes to securing your belongings, nothing is really better than using a hotel safe. They are secure and quite convenient if your hotel offers them. However, what are you to do if you are staying at a hotel, hostel, Airbnb, or other accommodation that doesn’t offer the use of a room safe? This Master Lock portable travel safe makes that problem a thing of the past.
Simply place your valuables in the small, lightweight travel safe, fasten the connected cable to something in the room that is unmovable, then lock the safe before you leave. Not only is this a great alternative to a room safe for those who are traveling without access to one, but you can also lock your valuables up inside your backpack, fasten the safe to your bag, and further secure your belongings in your backpack as you travel as well.
Price: $23.95
TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks
One thing that I have learned while traveling all over the world is that you can never be too cautious with your belongings. While I genuinely believe that most people in the world are good, there are bad apples no matter where you go. For this reason, I always try and keep my backpack and luggage locked while I am navigating airports and train stations and doing general sightseeing at my destination.
I also prefer to use combination locks over keys because it is one less thing that I have to worry about losing while I am traveling and is much easier to open when I need to. I have found that this set of Forge combination travel locks is very durable, convenient, and easy to use. Best of all, they are very affordably priced, which makes them a great value for any traveler!
Price: $13.95
Luggage Travel Cup Holder Attachment for Suitcase
One of the most frustrating things about navigating airports, train stations, and pretty much everywhere else I need to bring my luggage when traveling is figuring out how to carry everything that I need with just two hands. If you are like me and like to have a water bottle, a coffee, or something else to drink with you at all times, then you probably share my frustrations.
It can be almost impossible to manage a suitcase (even if it is a roller), a backpack, your boarding pass, and your passport, as well as a drink with just two hands. That’s why I love this new beverage holder that you can connect to the handle of any suitcase and why I think it is one of the top travel accessories for 2023. It will allow you to easily navigate airports, train stations, and just about anywhere else you need to bring your luggage while traveling without having to worry about spilling your favorite beverage.
Price: $14.97
Matein Expandable Carry-On Backpack
If you take a lot of short trips, or trips that require you to hop around a lot and have to lug your bags on and off of public transportation, then you are going to love this accessory. This expandable carry-on backpack by Matein functions just like a suitcase, but it can be worn very comfortably on your back. Not only is the bag configured for storage like a suitcase, so that it maximizes what you can pack, but it fits on your back ergonomically better than any suitecase\backpack hybrid that I have tried.
Both are important because packing everything you need can sometimes be a challenge and having to carry an uncomfortable bag can make you miserable. However, arguably the best part about this bag is that it is very affordably priced. This neat bag has become my go-to bag when I am taking short trips or have to move around a lot, which is why it is among my list of top travel accessories for 2023.
Price: $39.99
International Travel Adapter and Voltage Coverter Strip
I can think of a few other travel accessories as important as an international power adapter. And if you are a tech gear junkie or travel photographer like me, then you may be in need of charging a lot of devices when you travel. That’s why I absolutely love this international power adapter, voltage converter, and power strip built into one compact and easy-to-pack device. Simply attach the converter for the destination you are traveling to plug it in and charge all of your devices at once.
Believe me, the time and stress you will save will be enough to revolutionize the way you travel. I just used this very same device on my trip to Africa and I was able to spend my nights sleeping instead of changing out devices to charge in the middle of the night. It’s an absolute game-changer!
Price: $36.99
Twelve South AirFly Pro
If you have ever been on a long-haul flight, you are aware of how important having entertainment is for your sanity. Some long flights can be downright tedious and uncomfortable if you aren’t prepared. Most airlines will hand out free earbud headphones on long flights, but some of those free headphones are about as comfortable as a root canal. That’s why I always bring my own headphones when I fly. However, unless your headphones are prehistoric, there is a good chance that they don’t use a conventional audio jack to connect to your devices, which is what airlines still require to watch their entertainment.
That’s where this incredible Twelve South Airfly Pro comes in handy, and why I think this remarkable device is definitely one of the top travel accessories for 2023. Simply plug this device into the airplane entertainment console (the same way you would plug in any non-wireless headset), then connect your modern wireless headphones to this device using Bluetooth and you can watch the airline entertainment without having to jam uncomfortable one-size-fits-all headphones supplied by the airline into your ears for hours on end. Believe me, you will never fly without this device again once you try it!
Price: $54.99
Addalock Portable Door Lock (Great for AirBnb)
If you are concerned about safety when you travel, and we all should be to some extent, then the Addalock Portable Door Lock is something you will want to check out. A while back, I wrote an article on the best ways to keep yourself safe when traveling. I definitely recommend reading that article before you go on your next travel adventure, but I also recommend you check out this amazing travel accessory for Addalock as well. This simple, one-piece device gives you added security when you are in your hotel room or inside your rented Airbnb. You can sleep a lot more confidently with the added security, and at this price, it really is a no-brainer. You can’t put a price on safety, which is why this travel door lock is again on my list of the top travel accessories.
Price: $17.95
Zoppen RFID Travel Passport & Documents Wallet
When you are traveling, there are few things more important than keeping your travel documents safe and organized. Without your passport, your immunization forms, your credit cards, your driver’s license, and other important documents, your trip can turn into a disaster really fast. However, in today’s information age, it isn’t good enough to just keep the documents out of the hands of strangers. With RF scanning devices, your information can get stolen from you without ever leaving your hands. That is why this great RF Scanning Proof Passport and Documents Wallet is such a valuable travel tool. It will help you keep your important information safe and secure from all threats, which is why it is on my list of the best travel accessories for 2023.
Price: $16.99
Bluetooth Sleep Eye Mask Wireless Headphones
This is one of the best travel accessories I have seen hit the market in some time. If you travel with others or frequent hostels quite a bit during your travels, you are going to love this Bluetooth sleep eye mask with wireless headphones. No longer will you have to worry about having trouble getting to sleep because lights are on, or your roommates are being too noisy at night. So, if you or someone you travel with has trouble falling asleep, this might be the perfect travel accessory to try out this year. I have enjoyed using this mask so much that I have included it on my list of the best travel accessories for 2023.
Price: $17.96
Massaging Travel Memory Foam Neck Pillow with Heat
Travel can be an incredibly enlightening and uplifting experience, but it can also be downright exhausting if you like to travel a lot internationally. Long flights, train rides, and long hours spent waiting to travel in airports can really take a toll on a traveler. If you love to travel but have trouble with the strains of traveling internationally, then you will definitely agree that this travel pillow is one of the top travel accessories for 2023.
With this incredible heated travel pillow, you will be able to soothe away the stresses of travel as you wait for your connecting flight or melt away your stress as you doze off on a long international flight. It’s almost like having a mini spa with you when you travel!
Price: $29.99
Portable Air Conditioner Fan
If you have traveled to a very hot destination where air conditioning is a rarity, then you definitely understand why this travel air cooling fan is on my list of the top travel accessories for 2023. Trying to get to sleep when it feels like you are in an oven is an absolutely miserable experience. So much so that I wrote a whole blog article on Ten Tips to Survive Hotels and Hostels with No Air Conditioning. While I would definitely recommend reading that article, I would also suggest purchasing this small travel fan that blows air cooling water mist to take with you as well. Believe me, you will be so glad you did.
Price: $61.99
Inflatable Wine Protector Bags
This is an item that I had on my list of travel accessories last year, and it was a huge hit with readers. Really, it isn’t hard to understand why this set of inflatable wine bags is so popular with travelers. A lot of travelers like to go on wine tours and purchase wine to take home when visiting popular wine regions but shipping that wine back home is outrageously expensive. These innovative wine protectors are lightweight and do an amazing job of keeping your precious wine bottles safe and sound in your checked luggage. That’s why it was a no-brainer to add these incredible bags to my list of the best travel accessories for 2023 as well.
Price: $23.99 for 50-Pack
Anker PowerCore 20100 Portable Charger
If you are a travel photographer or just have lots of electronics that you carry with you when you travel, then this portable travel charger is going to be a lifesaver for you. Not only does it allow you to charge two devices at once, but its 20,100mAh capacity means that you can charge devices over-and-over before you have to recharge your portable charger. This can be a game-changer on long trips where you will need to recharge your phone or camera batteries while on the go. That is why I consider travel chargers to be one of the top travel accessories you can invest in and why I absolutely cannot live without my Anker PowerCore 20100. If you are an avid travel photographer, this might be my pick for the top travel accessory for 2023 for you.
Price: $49.99
BUBM Travel Electronics Cable Organizer
As an avid travel photographer, I tend to travel with a lot of photography gear. If I am traveling on a plane, I tend to also carry a tablet, headphones, and a portable charger for entertainment purposes as well. Having this much gear means that there is typically a lot of cables to organize. Keeping those cables organized while traveling can be a real challenge. Even if you aren’t carrying a bunch of photography gear, keeping your phone charger, tablet charger, foreign power adapters, etc… all organized can be a hassle.
That is why I love having a cable organizer with me when I travel and why I think a good cable organizer is one of the top travel accessories, not just for travel photographers, but for any traveler. I keep most of my electronics in the cable organizer, which helps me keep track of them. Gone are the days when a cable goes missing in my backpack or my suitcase. As an added bonus, it also allows me to have all of the electronics that I will need on a plane in one convenient, easy-to-access spot. I just unclip the cable organizer from my bag (I attach mine with a climbing carabiner), place my bag in overhead storage on the plane, and keep the cable organizer in the seatback pocket until we are at cruising altitude, and I can take my headphones out and start watching movies.
Price: $19.99
Aokin Phone Camera Lens Kit
If you love to take pictures when you travel, but don’t want to spend the money on an expensive DSLR or new camera, then this is a great option for you. With this amazing iPhone lens kit, you can take your photography game to the next level with just your iPhone camera. There are lenses that allow you to zoom in more than your phone alone allows and wide-angle lenses that allow you to get those wide shots of buildings that your phone alone is just not good for. And at this price, it is an absolute steal.
Price: $33.13
128GB Memory Stick for External iPhone Photo Storage
Out of all the new accessories on this list of the best travel accessories for 2023, this is probably my favorite. If you are into travel photography like I am, then you have probably run into issues with photo and video storage while traveling. It can be a real letdown to want to take a photograph of something incredible with your phone, only to be forced to remove other photos before you will have enough room to take more. While they have made portable devices for offloading photos from your phone for years, those devices are often clunky and require cables or a WIFI connection to work. With this brilliant new device, all you need to do is plug it into your phone’s lightning port to start offloading your pictures and videos. It is super-fast, convenient, and affordable, which is why I think you’ll love it!
Price: $39.99
Unitron Portable Cell Phone Holder
If you love to use your smartphone as a way to pass the time on long flights, but never seem to be able to find a good way to brace your phone as you watch movies or listen to music, you will love this travel accessory. The Unitron Portable Cell Phone Holder is great at bracing your phone in place, so you don’t have to hold it the entire flight. The adjustable grip on the base allows you to fasten it to the seat in front of you or the tray table. That way, should you need to get up to use the restroom, you won’t have to worry about reconfiguring your phone when you return. I love this device so much that I don’t ever fly without it anymore. If you are always on your phone during flights, you might want to consider investing in one of these cell phone holders from Unitron as well.
Price: $12.99
Dynotag® Web Enabled Steel Smart Luggage Tag
One of the most stressful aspects of travel is keeping track of your luggage while on the road. As good as most airlines are with handling luggage, sometimes things happen, and luggage gets lost. Sometimes it isn’t even the airline that misplaces your luggage as travel can involve lugging your bags into cabs, buses, and trains as you make your way from one location to another. It isn’t uncommon for bags to get misplaced when traveling.
That’s why I think that every experienced traveler could benefit from owning an incredible Dynotag® Web Enabled Steel Smart Luggage Tag. With this tag on your bag, you will feel more secure knowing that it will be easy to contact you should your bag get lost. What makes the Dyno tag superior to using a traditional bag tag is that allows you to provide more detailed information on how to get your luggage back to you without having to worry about supplying too much information that subjects you to identity theft. In my opinion, these Dynotags are going to be the way of the future for sophisticated travelers and is a must for any frequent traveler.
Price: $22.45
Frelaxy Compression Sacks
For all of your adventure travelers who have trouble getting all of your gear packed and keeping it organized, this accessory is right up your alley. I did a lot of backpacking this past year and I needed a way to keep my gear compact and organized as I traveled and as I hit the trails. Ordinary duffle bags are great for keeping your gear organized, but they aren’t so useful when space is limited. That’s why I love these compression sacks by Frelaxy.
They compress to be less than half as big as the bag is uncompressed, which goes a long way to saving space when it is at a premium. I love these bags so much that I now own a dozen of them. If you are an adventure traveler who needs a space-saving solution, it won’t take you long after trying these compression sacks to realize why they are on my list of the best travel accessories for 2023.
Price: $10.99-$19.99
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The AirFly Pro is interesting. I don’t currently have wireless headphones, but I think I might like some. Hmmm…
This device is incredible!!!!