20+ editor-approved travel gifts for 2026
Popular Science ·
These travel essentials are a must-gift for the frequent flyers and daily commuters in your life. The post 20+ editor-approved travel gifts for 2026 appeared first on Popular Science .
Travel is the daily gift of life , but that doesn’t mean travel can’t suck the life out of you, even if you’re not going far. According to a study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and McGill University, people travel an average of 78 minutes per day, regardless of mode of transport or distance covered. That means there’s a possibility of adventure in every bike ride, at each bus stop, and even while waiting in the airport security line. (You never know who will break liquid limits or forget to take their pepper spray off their keyring, giving everyone a delay and a story!) But you may also need accessories to keep the adventure comfortable.
No one knows that better than a friend or family member who is always heading to a new destination (typically very far, in this case). The best travel gifts bring more ease and peace of mind whether someone you know is dealing with 78 minutes’ worth of errands, cross-country travel, or long-haul international treks with a lifetime’s worth of layovers.
Cabeau
Other neck pillows don’t support neck movement in all directions; the Cabeau Evolution X Deluxe is a $70 neck pillow filled with customization to make it “just right,” just like Goldilocks. Change the pillow’s circumference, adjust the top or bottom lobes to change its height, and pull the adjustable cord and ball lock for a fine-tuned fit. Cooling vents release excess heat, and it comes with a travel case that compresses it down to half its size. This neck pillow is a 2026 Red Dot Design Awards winner for a reason.
Ostrichpillow
The $45 Ostrichpillow Eye Mask gives you blackout curtain-levels of darkness anywhere, thanks to its adaptive, breathable face contouring that suits all sleeping positions. It’s feather-light at 1 ounce, making it comfortable and lightweight. Contoured eye cups prevent pressure on the eyes and lashes, and the smooth-edged nose bridge prevents irritation. Plus, it’s designed to not pull or tangle your hair. It comes in seven color options, including lively options like butter yellow, lavender, and cornflower blue.
JanSport
I’ve been a big proponent of the “fanny pack worn across chest” since way before “crossbody” entered the vernacular. It’s hands-free, and they’re easier to shove into a backpack to meet the “carry-on and personal item” rule than a purse. My $25 JanSport Fifth Avenue Fanny Pack still holds up after years of heavy use. I’ll attach my keys to the strap, throw my favorite chapstick, headphones, and earplugs in the smaller front compartment, and stow my phone, wallet, and passport into the main compartment, which doesn’t eat my belongings like other purses in my possession. It’s served me well on daily commutes, errand runs, and neighborhood walks.
Carl Friedri
This carry-on is a splurge at $945, but its lifetime warranty and anodized aluminum shell mean it will last for many journeys, even after some rough-and-tumble handling from baggage people (that just adds personalized patina). It has TSA-compliant locks to stop snooping eyes and prevents the bag from bursting mid-flight. The 360-degree silent wheels let you drag or roll this luggage however you please. We also love this carry-on for its plentiful storage, including a zippered garment compartment and two internal pockets. A built-in compression pad with straps helps compact overpacking.
Thule
This $200 backpack from Thule is my go-to travel backpack and is my most-used personal item. It fits easily under seats and comes with a chest strap, water bottle holder, and a stowable divider with TPU lining that’s excellent for keeping dirty clothes separate from the clean ones. The back panel fully unzips, letting me open the backpack fully like a suitcase. And I can rest easy knowing my electronics are protected in the plush 17-inch laptop and tablet sleeves. Its water-resistant finish keeps my wares dry in the rain, and the expandable middle section gives me more wiggle room when I’ve overpacked and lets me compress the goods when the bag is full.
Gear and Commerce Editor Tony Ware , meanwhile, is a huge fan of the 27L TuffSkin YETI Ranchero , which sports a Y-shaped easy-pull RipZip Opening in the front that provides full access to the pack’s main compartment and internal pockets, plus the GroundControl Base that ensures it stands upright when put down. He’s taken it from DC to Hawaii, Europe, and Asia packed with two laptops, a stuffed Peak Design Tech Pouch , sometimes multiple headphones, and more, and it’s the most reliable carry-on he’s tried.
Mono
This $395 piece of checked luggage from Monos is made from a durable, aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell, making it practically unbreakable and resistant to water and dents after hard impacts with walls, poles, and floors. The wraparound zipper adds almost two inches of depth, so you can pack an extra outfit or two (or bring back souvenirs). Handy features like a telescopic handle, whisper-quiet wheels, and a TSA-accepted lock allow for easy movin’ throughout the airport. Even the included freebies are practical: The roller luggage comes with an anti-microbial, silver ion-coated laundry bag, two shoe bags, and a vegan leather luggage tag.
Baboon To The Moon
The $219 40-Liter Baboon to the Moon Go-Bag is my duffel bag of choice for weekend trips or pet-sitting stints. I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of my baby pink bag, which has been by my side at conferences in Chicago, trade shows in Nevada, jaunts to Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia for concerts, and train rides to my hometown. Wherever she goes, I follow, thanks to a water-repellent coating, stash pockets, and—best of all—her agreeableness with TSA or gate agents as a carry-on. B2TM (the abbreviated name for the company) added a laptop sleeve and compression straps to its most recent version of the Go-Bag, meaning I can ditch my laptop backpack and pack smarter than ever, AKA: I can shove more crap in there. It will be a while before my Go-Bag goes to suitcase heaven; when it does, I will be ready to throw down my credit card to get a replacement.
Halfday
The $118 Halfday Garment Duffel makes the most of every bit of space. It unfurls to resemble a traditional zippered garment bag, with included hanger loops and a strap to prevent clothing from falling out. Zip up the sides to shape it into a duffel bag, and add shoes, jeans, and accessories. It’s carry-on compliant for most airlines, and comes with a trolley sleeve to slide over a suitcase handle. Consider it a go-to for business travel, weddings, and weekend trips. Mary Poppins would be jealous.
Thule
The $54 Thule Compression Cube Set turns days of outfits into a compact, stowable rectangle. I use the medium cube for T-shirts, jeans, and leggings, and keep smaller items, like socks, bras, and underwear, in the smaller cube. I don’t travel without these cubes, and they’ve held up.
travel inspira
Don’t be blindsided by overweight luggage with this $10 portable bag scale from travel inspira. It’s easy to use: Switch between tare weight, kilograms, and pounds with the press of a button. The LCD display is easy to read, and the rubberized handle keeps hands comfortable while weighing bags. An auto-off feature preserves battery power, and a low battery indicator shows when it’s time for a replacement. A 110-lb. weight capacity accommodates even the heaviest luggage.
Ovener
Unlike other luggage tags, the $8 Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag has a built-in metal rivet and steel loop, meaning it won’t stretch out, snap, or tear. Its flexible silicone adds to its durability, and a name window helps quickly identify luggage without revealing too much to prying eyes. Nine total colors add personality and help a suitcase stand out. It comes in a pack of two—no bag left untagged!
visitag
If you’re shopping for someone who loves something super personalized, beyond just color, the $19 Grommet Bag Tag from Visitag is for them. You can customize the front and back, or just the front: choose from 12 tag colors, six emoji locations (for an extra $2.50 per emoji), 12 characters of embroidered front-and-back text, and 17 thread colors for the embroidery on either side of the tag. The ID card is located inside the bag tag, giving just enough privacy. Durable and fun, and a way to make your suitcase stand out from every other spinner on the carousel … what more could someone want in a travel gift!?!
Apple
The $29 Apple AirTag is a savior to anyone who has ever lost a device or bag. Its precise tracking makes it even easier than before to find bags; a louder speaker and redesigned chime help with the hunt. Consider upgrading to a four-pack to cover all your bags. The Chipolo Loop Rechargeable Bluetooth Tracker is a great Bluetooth tracker for Android phones, or any phone really, thanks to its universal compatibility with Apple Find My or Google’s Find Hub.
BAGGU
I’ve used this $38 BAGGU 3D Zip Set to store extra cords, emergency must-haves like Band-Aids and hand sanitizer, and to keep shoes separate from clothes. My favorite use for these utilitarian pouches is stowing all my goops and other toiletries. The large pouch expands to 10 inches by 7 inches; the medium one expands to 8.5 inches by 5 inches; and the smallest expands to 7 inches by 3 inches. Recycled ripstop nylon means I don’t have to be so gentle with these durable pouches, and they’re machine washable, a must for cleaning up rogue spills.
Matador
These $40 Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottles hold 90 milliliters of volume at half the bulk, so you’ll have enough shampoo, body wash, conditioner, and lotion for the entire trip. Flip the cap to dispense, and unscrew it to access the large fill opening. These space-saving travel bottles are five times lighter and almost four times more compact compared to their silicone counterparts. We also love the company’s Waterproof Canister to protect vitamins, pills, 1ml/2ml travel scents, and other small bits.
Zojirushi
This $40, 16-ounce bottle from Zojirushi is just as high-quality and reliable as the company’s rice cookers ( another gift we love to give ). It features an electropolished SlickSteel interior that resists stains and prevents corrosion, plus a safety lock that prevents spills from accidental lid openings. An air vent on the mouthpiece lets water flow down the sip spout without gushing or overflowing, lessening the risk of spills. And one has kept our hot and cold beverages at a pleasant temperature for entire transcontinental flights. Looking for a bit more capacity? This bottle is also available in a 20-ounce size.
LARQ
The $129 LARQ PureVis 2 significantly improves on its original PureVis bottle, which we reviewed in 2023 . It now comes with USB-C charging, water intake tracking, and a filter straw that reduces chlorine, VOCs, and PFAS (PFOA/PFOS). It still includes powerful UV-C LED purification that runs every two hours and eliminates 99% of biocontaminants like E. Coli from your water and bottle. The Advanced filter tackles everything from the essential filter, along with haloacetic acids (HAAs, a disinfection byproduct), lead, and flame retardants, with an increased filter life of 40 gallons. Double-wall insulation keeps drinks cold for 24 hours, making it excellent for long travels. Choose from 23 or 34 ounces.
VIM & VIGR
The $38 VIM & VIGR 15-20 mmHg Merino Wool Graduated Compression Socks help improve blood flow and reduce leg achiness after hours in a pressurized cabin. Plus, the merino wool naturally regulates temperature, wicks moisture, and resists odor, making these a double-whammy for comfort. These compression socks are also ideal for hiking and make a great gift for anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet. VIM & VIGR creates compression socks with fun designs , because life is too short for boring socks.
trtl
The Trtl Men’s Travel Hoodie is a $140 sweatshirt designed for long flights in chilly cabins or cross-country car trips in the cooler months. It may look like a regular hoodie with a kangaroo pocket, but a closer look reveals travel-focused features. It comes with a large zippered pocket and two smaller pockets that secure keys, headphones, phones, and a passport while keeping them within reach. Other travel-friendly features include a triple-layer hood that softens sounds in loud environments (e.g., Baby on Plane, Man with Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea Snoring, Bachelorette Fallout, etc.), lower armholes for easy removal in tight spaces, and no neck tags for comfort. And yes, it has thumbholes! Pair this travel hoodie with our favorite neck pillow and/or some noise-canceling headphones (keep scrolling for suggestions) for a perfect nap in transit.
purple
The $149 Purple Harmony Anywhere Pillow is for those who are picky about where they rest their head while counting Z’s, whether it’s in a hotel, on a friend’s couch, or while roughing it outdoors. The pillow packs luxury in a compact size: the Honeycomb GelFlex Grid and Talalay latex core keep the pillow firm and cool, while giving plenty of neck support. A moisture-wicking mesh cover keeps things airy, because a hot pillow makes for unhappy travels. Need something more targeted for those long hours in 32C? The Purple Back Pillow is great for portable lumbar support, and has made multiple overnight flights more bearable for us.
Rumpl
Plane cabins and train cars can get chilly; the $90 Rumpl Travel Puffy Blanket balances warmth and comfort with packability. In fact, it’s almost as large as a throw blanket and packs down to the size of a 32-ounce water bottle (shown above for perspective, but not included). Even better, it easily clips onto a backpack. Choose from sunset-inspired shades or your favorite solid color to show off your style while keeping cozy.
Bose
These $359 Bose QuietComfort Headphones make an excellent, practical gift and are essential for travel: Planes and trains can be noisy, and playing your media sans headphones is a party foul on every mode of transportation. Bose makes some of the best noise-canceling headphones for airplane travel , from over-ear models to true wireless earbuds . This updated model comes with pill-shaped earcups, a 24-hour battery life, Immersive Audio, QuietControl noise cancellation that mutes practically all outside sound, and updated ActiveSense Tech to smooth sound spikes in Aware Mode.
Anker
This $80 Anker Universal Charger combines compatibility with outlets from more than 200 countries into one power block charger. It detects local voltage in one second and is Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)-certified for safe, stable charging. Unlike other international outlet adapters, this one is 25% smaller and designed to stay securely plugged in. And its USB-C/USB-A ports can charge four devices at once, including tech that requires higher voltage, like laptops and tablets.
Anker
No outlet is guaranteed in this world, but Anker’s $135 Laptop Power Bank keeps your devices charged when a place to plug in is nowhere to be found. Although it’s branded as a laptop power bank, it can also charge headphones, phones, handheld gaming devices, and more. It can charge an iPhone to full battery at least three times before running empty. The power hub can charge four devices at once. Two built-in USB-C cables mean you won’t have to root around for a charging cable when you need to recharge your tech. It also has a USB-A and USB-C port if you have a proprietary charger for a specific device.
Rakuten
Physical books can be clunky while traveling, especially as a voracious reader. The $160 Rakuten Kobo Clara is a black-and-white eReader that comes ad-free from the jump. I personally prefer it to the Amazon Kindle (which will cost you $170 to go ad-free) for this reason. The Rakuten Kobo Clara BW has 16 GB of storage and can carry up to 12,000 eBooks or 75 audiobooks. An optional Dark Mode makes for better nighttime or dark cabin reading, while ComfortLight PRO adjusts brightness, color temperature, and blue light to help you sleep easier while traveling.
JBL
This $80 JBL Clip 5 portable speaker packs pro sound into a pint-sized package. I always bring a small speaker like this one when I’m traveling so I can bump my getting-ready playlist from something that’s more powerful than my phone speakers. Pack it into a personal item or carry-on, or attach it to your person with an improved carabiner clip that sports a wider opening. The JBL Clip 5 has 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, is waterproof and dustproof, and can connect to other JBL Auracast-enabled speakers to get the party started when the plane lands.
Insta360
Capture travels, adventures, and precious moments in high fidelity with the $700 Insta360 X6 8K Camera. Dual custom-built Sony 1/1.1″ square sensors, a 4-nanometer AI chip that can make edits of your day’s adventures while you sleep, and two imaging chips create quality images and video that feel just like the IRL moment, and 140 minutes of battery runtime keeps the camera rolling for every moment on the itinerary. Built-in stabilization, windproof microphones, and waterproofing up to 65 feet help you capture all the action, wherever it is. This travel gift is excellent for the travel vlogger and adventure enthusiast who records trips for friends, family, and followers to enjoy.
The post 20+ editor-approved travel gifts for 2026 appeared first on Popular Science .