Smart Gifts for Travelers Who Live Out of a Suitcase

Frequent travelers who don't use collapsible cubes when packing are struggling, and they don't even know it. Give them this travel tip: Eagle Creek's set is the best, made of durable fabric with high-quality zipper pulls. Editor Kat Merck says there's just enough mesh for air circulation to prevent odor buildup or fabric degradation, and the bottom and back of the cubes are opaque for privacy. They're water-resistant and designed with a top handle. The largest cube in this set is also split into two sections for clean clothes and dirty laundry. Eagle Creek sells sets for extended stays or slim shapes.

If precision, speed, and a lightweight build are all important to your frequent traveler, the Dyson Supersonic r is at the top of the market. It weighs just 0.7 pounds, which is 30 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than other Dyson dryers—a game changer when every pound counts. It comes with five RFID-enabled attachments that auto-adjust heat and airflow to your last-saved preferences. Read my full review here.

For years, I thought I could avoid ever having to iron anything by only wearing clothes that don't wrinkle. This is an impossible ask, and everything wrinkles when you travel, so I finally caved and bought this travel steamer. It has a 100- to 200-volt range, so you can use it overseas. It's incredibly compact, heats up quickly, and is easy to use. The brand notes that its wrinkle-releasing capabilities are not comparable to a full-size steamer, but I found that even on the lowest setting, it removed wrinkles in one or two passes from my son's and husband's dress shirts on a recent trip. It's also slim and attractive on your bathroom counter. —Adrienne So

These Ries refillable bottles already come in a gift box, so half the job is already done for you. I love the rich pine green, which is festive for the holidays but still timeless enough for year-round use. Five airless pump bottles—three for your essentials (shampoo, conditioner, and body wash) and two for skin care (face wash and a blank bottle to go rogue). They're all TSA-approved: Each bottle is 3.4 ounces, except the face wash bottle, which is 1.7 ounces.

No one wants to be scrambling for an adapter during a layover or post-flight. When it comes to international travel adapters, the Ceptics World model is compatible with most regions (EU, UK, US, Australia, and China), so you’re covered almost anywhere you land. It also has three USB-A ports and two USB-C ports, so you can charge multiple gadgets at once. Your phone, laptop, tablet, and so forth will thank you.

The Kindle Paperwhite is the obvious gift for your bookworm friend. Reviewer Nena Farrell says the 12th-generation model has the highest contrast ratio on any Kindle and lasts up to three months on a charge. Its 7-inch display is crisp and easy on the eyes with its warm backlighting, whether it be in direct sun or a dim plane cabin. Plus, it’s water-resistant enough for poolside reading. The Signature Edition adds wireless charging, auto-brightness, and double the storage at 32 gigabytes.

Airports are chaotic enough without worrying about losing your luggage. I know AirTags can be a bit divisive, but they’re the best way to keep tabs on your valuables if you have an iPhone. Set up with the Find My app, and you'll always know where your bags are—even when the airline doesn't. Plus, with busy flights often leading to last-minute gate checks and delays, AirTags are well worth the extra security.

If your loved one is an Android user, we recommend the Chipolo One Point. Our Best Trackers guide also has more options.

This is former reviewer Brenda Stolyar’s favorite MagSafe wallet. It’s by far one of the roomiest she’s tested, with enough space for five credit cards, cash, and some change. It’s sealed with a snap closure, so it’s chunkier than some other MagSafe wallets, but that extra space is a blessing when you’re carrying multiple currencies.

Every tourist needs a sidekick, and this GOT sling bag fits the bill. Wear it over the shoulder, as a crossbody bag, or around the waist. It’s roomy enough for all your travel gear: a phone, a wallet, a compact point-and-shoot camera, and a few other small essentials. I also love that it’s mainly made from recycled Ocean Impact Plastic.

Long flights can be a brutal test of endurance, but with Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, they don’t have to be. Bose remains our top choice for high-quality noise cancellation, cutting through the chaos, including that crying baby in 22B. With up to 18 hours of battery in Immersive Audio mode (or 24 without), they’ll last through the long hauls.

If you’re after something more budget-friendly, check out our Best Noise-Canceling Headphones guide, Best Wireless Headphones guide, or consider the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for Bose’s noise-canceling magic at almost half the price.

This portable 3-in-1 charger is a great gift for on-the-go Apple lovers. It delivers up to 15 watts to an iPhone or Qi2-certified device via an adjustable magnetic pad, so you can doomscroll while you charge. There's a second pad tucked behind for AirPods (or other wireless earbuds) and a fold-out Apple Watch charger. Anker even includes a 5-foot USB-C cable and a wall adapter, all backed by a two-year warranty. Read our Best Apple 3-in-1 Wireless Chargers and Best Portable Chargers guides for other recommendations.

Airplanes are still living in the wired age, but thanks to the AirFly Pro 2, I can watch all the Big Bang Theory reruns I want in cordless bliss. Twelve South recently upgraded one of the most helpful accessories it offers. Just plug it into the seat-back jack, pair it with your wireless headphones (or earphones) via Bluetooth, et voilà!—you’re set for in-flight entertainment sans the questionable airline earbuds.

The AirFly Pro 2 connects to most 3.5-mm audio jacks, from treadmills to gaming devices, so it’s a thoughtful gift idea for anyone who wants to stay connected on the go. The newer version has some great upgrades, like physical volume buttons and an updated Qualcomm chip for better sound, but you can still get the older version for about $20 less.