Best Carry-On Travel Accessories

Good travel gear earns its place by preventing a likely problem. It keeps your phone alive after a delay, confirms your bag is below the limit, or makes a red-eye less punishing. Bad travel gear solves a hypothetical problem once and takes up space on every other trip.

This shortlist focuses on five small products with broad utility and strong current signals from independent travel coverage. We verified important specifications with the manufacturers. This is researched curation, not a claim that we personally tested every item, and we avoid live prices that can become inaccurate overnight.

The quick verdict

Start with the problem most likely to affect your trip. The Anker Nano Power Bank 10K, 45W is the most broadly useful pick for long days away from an outlet. International travelers should check whether the EPICKA TA-105 matches their destinations and devices. The Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale makes sense for strict weight allowances, Loop Quiet 2 for noise-sensitive travelers, and the Trtl Travel Pillow for people who actually try to sleep upright.

You probably do not need all five. A good packing list is an editing tool, so buy and pack only the items tied to a real part of your itinerary.

How we chose

Each pick had to solve a common travel problem, fit in a personal item, and remain useful across more than one type of trip. We checked the current manufacturer specifications and looked for independent support in recent travel coverage. Travel + Leisure’s current testing highlights the EPICKA adapter and the Etekcity luggage scale; recent Condé Nast Traveler coverage supports the continuing relevance of compact power, noise control, and packable neck support.

We excluded novelty gadgets, products dependent on a short-lived discount, and anything that duplicated a capable smartphone feature without a clear advantage.

1. Anker Nano Power Bank 10K, 45W: best travel power bank

The newer A1638 model combines 10,000 mAh capacity with a retractable 70 cm USB-C cable, up to 45 W output from the cable or USB-C port, a USB-A port, and a status screen. Anker lists dimensions of roughly 8.2 × 5.1 × 3.6 cm and a weight around 231 g. It is compact enough for a day bag while offering more flexibility than a 5,000 mAh emergency top-up.

The built-in cable removes one loose item, but it mainly benefits USB-C devices. Older iPhones with Lightning still need a separate cable. Also remember that power-bank capacity ratings describe the internal cells; usable energy at your phone is lower after conversion losses.

Best for: long travel days, newer USB-C phones, tablets, and light laptop top-ups.
Skip it if: you only need the smallest emergency boost or rely entirely on Lightning cables.

Important flight rule for power banks

Power banks belong in carry-on baggage, never checked baggage. Current 2026 IATA passenger guidance recommends no more than two power banks, each no more than 100 Wh, and notes that airlines may impose stricter conditions. Keep the capacity label readable and the battery accessible rather than buried in an overhead bag. Check your airline before every flight.

2. EPICKA TA-105: best universal travel adapter

The TA-105 combines sliding plug types for many destinations with one universal AC socket, USB-A outlets, and USB-C charging. Travel + Leisure currently names EPICKA its best travel-adapter pick and values its ability to charge several devices together.

Its most important limitation is easy to miss: this is a plug adapter, not a voltage converter. EPICKA states a 10 A maximum and warns against devices that require an earth connection or exceed 1,000 W at 100 V / 2,400 W at 240 V. High-power heat appliances deserve particular caution. Read the appliance label and the adapter manual rather than assuming the plug makes it safe.

Best for: multi-country trips with phones, tablets, cameras, and other dual-voltage electronics.
Skip it if: you only visit one plug region or need to run a non-dual-voltage hair appliance.

3. Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale: best luggage scale

Etekcity’s small hanging scale measures up to 110 lb / 50 kg and switches between pounds and kilograms. Travel + Leisure rates it the most durable model in its current luggage-scale test, noting that it held up through repeated internal gear testing.

The main tradeoff is ergonomic: lifting a near-maximum bag by a small handheld scale is uncomfortable and unnecessary. It is most useful around common 7–23 kg airline limits. Weigh twice on a firm floor and leave a margin for scale variation.

Best for: low-cost carriers, checked-bag trips, and bringing purchases home.
Skip it if: you travel very light and can reliably weigh the packed bag before leaving home.

4. Loop Quiet 2: best reusable earplugs

Loop Quiet 2 uses soft, washable silicone tips in several sizes and comes in a compact case. Loop states up to 24 dB SNR noise reduction. That can soften steady cabin hum, hotel corridor noise, and nearby conversation, but no passive earplug creates total silence.

Fit matters more than the distinctive loop shape. Try each included tip size before travel and confirm the seal without discomfort. Because these reduce surrounding sound, do not wear them when you need to hear safety instructions or announcements.

Best for: light sleepers, hostels, overnight trains, and travelers who dislike disposable foam plugs.
Skip it if: you need active noise cancellation for entertainment or find in-ear tips uncomfortable.

5. Trtl Travel Pillow: best packable neck support

Trtl replaces the familiar bulky U-shape with an internal support wrapped in fleece. The standard model is approximately 22 × 24 × 9 cm and 133 g, and the fabric can be machine washed after removing the support. Its flatter form is easier to attach to or place inside a carry-on than many memory-foam pillows.

This design is personal: it supports one side of the jaw and needs to be wrapped correctly. Warm sleepers may also find fleece less comfortable. Buy it for a specific overnight flight or long rail journey, not simply because every airport shop sells pillows.

Best for: side sleepers who want structured support without a large foam ring.
Skip it if: you sleep hot, dislike close-fitting wraps, or rarely sleep in transit.

Build a small travel kit, not a gadget drawer

Use the itinerary to decide. An overnight flight creates a case for earplugs and neck support. A multi-country trip makes a universal adapter useful. Strict 7 kg cabin limits justify a scale. A short train ride close to power sockets may require none of them.

Create the trip in journeybot, add only the relevant gear, and save a reusable “flight kit” section for future journeys. Put power, medication, documents, and anything needed in transit in the personal item that stays with you. If a cabin bag is gate-checked, remove the power bank first.

FAQ

What travel accessories are actually worth packing?

Prioritize items that solve a likely problem more than once: a compact power bank, the correct plug adapter, a luggage scale when weight limits are tight, reusable earplugs, and neck support for journeys where you expect to sleep.

Can I take a 10,000 mAh power bank on a plane?

A typical 10,000 mAh power bank is below 100 Wh and is generally permitted in cabin baggage, but never in checked baggage. Airline rules can be stricter, so confirm the current policy and keep the capacity marking readable.

Does a travel adapter convert voltage?

Usually not. Most universal travel adapters only change the plug shape. Check that each device accepts the destination voltage; high-power appliances such as hair dryers often need a proper voltage converter or a compatible local appliance.

Should I pack a luggage scale for carry-on travel?

It is worthwhile when your airline enforces a low cabin-bag weight or your trip includes shopping. If you travel with a generous allowance and can weigh the packed bag at home, it may be unnecessary.