The 14 Best Travel Accessories for Men of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

There are a plethora of noise-canceling headphones out there, but we gave Bowers & Wilkins version the top marks for their ease of use, sound quality, and stellar noise cancelation. We like that there are three settings of varying intensity. You can use the regular noise cancelation if you need to sleep or concentrate, use pass-through if you want to be aware if there’s an announcement, and then turn it off if you want a classic listening experience. The microphone captured clear audio for phone calls even on busy, traffic-filled New York City streets. They come with a nice travel case with an included charger section, which is a little large but makes for handy storage on the go. Is the price steep for a pair of headphones? Sure, but how much do you value sleep on a very crowded plane on the third leg of your international flight? Investing in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones makes the whole trip a better experience, and these are worth the splurge.

Compression packing cubes can make all the difference between checking a bag and living the carry-on life. This set by outdoor brand Thule passed our internal testing with flying colors. We found these packing cubes are deceptively spacious with a second zipper on the bottom of the bag that expands the cubes and adds two inches of depth — in other words, this is a game-changer for overpackers. Most impressive is the material. Durable yet lightweight, the semi-transparent fabric helped us identify the cube’s contents without showing the whole security line our dirty laundry. Thule makes these cubes in two sizes (small and medium) to accommodate different packing needs. Need both? You can pick up a set for a slight discount. You’ll be surprised by how much gear can actually fit in these small but mighty packing accessories — so go ahead and buy that extra souvenir.

Sure, you can track luggage on the airline apps these days, but why cede the power to know where your precious cargo is when you can keep track straight from your smartphone? Of all the luggage trackers we tried this year, this one from Knog left a lasting impression. It was the most accurate of any we tested, and we loved that it worked even when our phone was in airplane mode. This allowed us to use it on the plane to track not only our luggage but where the plane was. It was also accurate enough to show constant movement through the baggage claim process instead of sporadic updates. Also helpful is Knog’s included alarm system, which at 85 decibels is enough to deter would-be luggage thieves. For reference, that’s about the same sound level as your typical alarm clock. The alarm system also triggers a notification via Bluetooth on your phone, for extra peace of mind. Just remember that if you choose to attach it to the outside of your bag, you’ll need to pack the included key to unlock it for recharging.

Traveling in style doesn’t mean sacrificing convenience. Sometimes the two intermingle, like in a sleek passport wallet — an all-in-one solution for storing your most important valuables on the go. The Bellroy RFID Travel Wallet has a slim design with a large capacity, storing up to 10 cards, a SIM, and your passport. We found it was large enough to fit all of this and more, but slim enough to slip into a back pocket or internal jacket zipped pocket — recommended for something this important. The full-grain leather looks good and wears handsomely while the RFID-blocking feature gives travelers extra data security. Conveniently, Bellroy includes a compact utility pen, useful for signing hotel bills or filling out custom forms on arrival. Pick it up for yourself or a friend, as it makes a thoughtful gift for the jet setter on your list.

There’s a new multitool in town. Gerber’s keychain pocket multitool executes on the fundamentals for an unbeatable price. Tiny yet mighty, we found it a handy companion for everything from camping trips to outdoor excursions. Containing needle-nose pliers, a pocket knife, keychain bottle openers, scissors, screwdrivers, and many more, this multitool is a toolbox in your pocket for the traveler who likes to be prepared. Also fun are the three color options to choose from. While we wouldn’t attempt any major engine repair with it, it’ll come in handy for small issues that are the inevitable result of long days on the road. Just remember to stow in your checked baggage — you’d be sad to lose this one to airport security.

Traveling with a suit can be stressful. To protect delicate garments, we recommend investing in a reliable garment bag. We like Monos’ version for its heavy-duty fabric and sleek design, as well as its storage space for low-profile shoes like loafers. If you happen to use Monos’ luggage, this garment sleeve integrates perfectly with the brand’s beloved suitcases. Fear not if you travel with a different rolling backpack, weekender, or duffel bag — your suit will still be safe. Of all the garment bags we tested, we liked the three internal tabs the Monos one uses to streamline your organization. No need to mix your suit, blazer, and dress shirt — each receives equal billing here. Thanks to Monos’ triple-fold method, each will emerge from transit with minimal wrinkles and ready to impress. We carried suits cross country for graduation ceremonies and weddings, which emerged crisp and presentable on the appointed day.

Simple and rugged, this pick from Bagsmart emerged as one of our favorite toiletry bags for men thanks to its no-frills approach to packing essentials. The material is classic, the dual zippers glide easily, and the compartment with the waterproof coating is incredibly handy, proving easy to clean after some improperly secured conditioner tops caused a spill. It’s priced more than fairly — in fact, we would actually pay much more for this handy piece of storage. We particularly liked the internal elastic bands that keep essentials like lotions and colognes upright and less prone to spills. We also like that the double zipper allows for a wide entry point (aka no rummaging is required). For bonus points, this bag also has a separate, external pocket to separate wet and dry items so your toothbrush doesn’t mingle with your deodorant — something nobody wants.

If Ray-Ban sunglasses were good enough for Bob Dylan, they’re good enough for the rest of us (though we prefer these aviator-inspired frames to the folk singer’s classic Wayfarers). After testing some very impressive men’s polarized sunglasses, the Ray-ban Corrigan Bio-based sunglasses emerged as our favorite for its classic aesthetic and durable performance. They stayed firmly in place through mountain hikes and windy bike rides, and looked the part while we wore them out for drinks. They’re also road trip approved — we wore them 1700 miles through highway travel and picked up compliments from strangers along the way.

The bio-based resin is perfect for the outdoor recreationist who cares about protecting the same vistas they vacation to. The frames come in seven different color options (we particularly like the light blue version with dark brown lenses for a little bit of extra style points). Be careful when ordering though, as only one of the colorways is polarized.

For trips of all lengths, we’re packing S’well’s excellent (and aptly named) Explorer bottle. The stainless steel bottle has a 32-ounce capacity and an integrated straw for easy drinking. Of all the water bottles we tested, the S’well had the tightest seal, which made us feel comfortable stashing it next to our laptops, phone, and chargers when on the go. We found that the seal is effective even through airplane cabin pressure changes, which was not true with every bottle on the market. It’s slim enough to fit in the water bottle pockets of most bags, yet capacious enough for full-flight hydration. It’s also easy to clean, with a removable straw and dishwasher-safe construction. It may not have a grip handle like its famous competitor Stanley, but we found that the foldable top handle made for better packability and cup holder compatibility. The double-walled insulation is also surprisingly effective, keeping our water cold for hours on end.

You’d be surprised how much more convenient a tech organizer can make travel. Once you put all your electronics in one place, you’ll never look back. We’ve taken Thule’s tech organizer all over the world including India, Japan, and Iceland. It’s cushioned enough to protect your more fragile gear but still has enough give to stuff it in an inevitably overpacked personal item. It has tons of room with two zipped pockets, two sleeves, and plenty of elastic. Best of all, the durable exterior protects your delicate gear as it shuffles through TSA with you. This is not a case big enough for a laptop, but it’ll handle your spare hard drive, portable charger, and Wi-Fi hotspot with ease. We particularly liked Thule’s plethora of internal organizing methods. Zippers, elastic bands, and cargo areas help you say goodbye to tangled charging chords forever.

While we’re a fan of water-based vacations (sailing, kayaking, tropical beach sunbathing) they can put your electronics at risk of water damage if you’re not careful. Waterproof cases, while necessary, can often be clunky and hard to use. That’s not true of Casetify’s Bounce Extreme phone case. We found it easy to install, and once it’s on, it’s still convenient to use your phone. Most importantly, it survived extended bouts of submersion with no harm to our precious tech. We took it to a waterpark for the ultimate stress tests, where our test phone remained bone dry even after repeated encounters with the lazy river. And while the case gets top marks for water safety, it also prevents scratches and cracked screens like a pro. The case tests as safe for drops up to about 10 feet, shorter than your average waterslide but far taller than your average person. We recommend it for your next white-water rafting trip or island getaway.

For international travel, only one thing is guaranteed: charging your devices is going to be tricky. Some countries have a different plug system, which means a travel adapter is essential to have in your carry-on. This is one of those accessories that can either be too expensive when purchased at the airport, or completely unreliable when bought (and not tested) beforehand. The Epicka Universal Travel Adapter is neither. This one is extremely lightweight yet durable, taking up hardly any room in your personal item. It comes with two USB-A, two USB-C adaptors, and two spare fuses, which easily fit into the adapter’s carry case and don’t take up extra room in your bag.

One caution: this universal power adapter does not convert voltage. It can handle computers and phone chargers with no problem, but may not be suitable for use with high-power, heat-generating appliances like hair dryers. The good news is that in the unlikely event you blow a fuse, you can purchase replacement parts from Epicka instead of trashing the entire device.

While you should keep them stowed and off while on public transportation, portable speakers are a packable party for your next travel destination. Small and compact, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 has a surprising amount of bass, and the sound is rich and powerful for its pint-sized design. The sound quality is crystal clear at both low and high volumes (though when it’s lowered, you hear the bass more than the vocals), and we never heard any crackling or distortion that we usually notice in less expensive speakers. And if you’re looking for some extra oomph from your sound, the Wonderboom 3 can pair with other Ultimate Ears portable speakers for an enhanced listening experience. With 14 hours of battery life, it’ll last on all-day beach outings. There’s no need to fight over the aux, as Wonderboom’s Bluetooth allows for simultaneous pairing between two devices at once. It also has a range of 131 feet before the connections get fuzzy, so you’re safe to roam from your picnic blanket without interrupting the party.

Traveling for work? A portable Wi-Fi hotspot is your best bet to guarantee a reliable internet connection no matter where you are on the map. This one from Simo works in over 135 countries by connecting to the strongest 4G network in the area. We’ve tested it in India, Japan, and broadly across the U.S., and have been impressed with its performance in varied conditions. When purchased, you get 250MB of data for free each week, and after that, you can buy day passes, pay per gigabyte, or set up a monthly subscription. While we obviously liked the free included data, we also found that we burned through it quickly and often had to purchase more. But no need to change SIM cards, since all upgrades are managed via the app. You can have up to 10 devices connected to this Hotspot — an ideal setup for the modern digital nomad, but maybe not for a whole troop of them. Best of all, we liked the true 24/7 access to customer service.