Gen Z’s Guide to Travel – Top Tech Travel Gadgets That Go the Distance
Discover the best travel gadgets that combine convenience and innovation for a smoother trip.
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Ever heard of revenge travel? This post-pandemic travel trend saw an unprecedented boom in the travel industry. Pent up and tired of lockdown, people booked flights en masse and had their Hot Girl Summer abroad. Many of these travelers were younger, spanning across Gen Zs and Millennials. After whetting their appetite for travel and learning techniques like travel hacking over TikTok to reduce the cost of travel, young travelers are still prioritizing experiences over things. So they’d rather invest in their next trip than a designer bag.
With social media still pumping out travel content to a generation that can’t get enough, the summer of revenge travel is far from over. According to recent studies, 65% of Gen Z rank travel and see the world as the most important way to spend their money. But contrary to popular belief, this urge to travel isn’t just about the social media dumps they can post along the way and afterward. According to Forbes: “Rather than focusing on the endpoint, the final destination, “Journey Travel” challenges vacationers to focus on the actual travel, the bits in between point A and point B. It’s all about being open to what you can learn and discover along the way.”
Travel is becoming a more holistic experience, and travelers are investing in making each and every part of it count. For millennials and Gen Z, travel is less about escape and more about lifestyle integration. With flexible work arrangements and an increasing emphasis on work-life balance, wanderlust doesn’t have to take a backseat to real life. And how people travel hasn’t changed, either. Instead of venturing forth with the same old touristy itineraries and clunky luggage, today’s savvy travelers have elevated even the boring parts of travel with must-have smart tech.
This digital-first approach to travel has changed the modern traveler’s relationship with tech and travel, which goes far beyond Instagram posts and remote work setups. For me, there’s nothing worse than dragging old-school luggage through the airport or getting stuck on a flight with broken headphones and a phone that’s out of juice. Enter: travel tech. It’s bringing you a super smart way to travel.
Smart tech has become as necessary as TSA Pre-Check for frequent travelers — or aspiring frequent travelers — to pack for when they’re on-the-go. From AI-powered translation apps to smart luggage trackers, travel tech makes the journey to your destination as smooth as your vacation. As someone with a family on three different continents, I travel a lot. And I never want to be stressed out before I even see my family. So I set myself up for stress-free travel with a well-honed arsenal of smart travel tech.
Want to upgrade your trip without shelling out all your money on first class? It starts with smart tech.
Best Tech to Upgrade Your Travel
Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones – bose.com
Over-ear headphones have taken over. Thanks to Apple AirPods — which quickly became an It-Crowd fave and spurred a thousand dupes — big, noise-canceling headphones are an accessory and a utility. If you want something a little less cliche and a lot more comfy, the Bose QuietComfort 45s create a world of silence around you. The noise-canceling features block out literally everything. And once you turn on the music, there’s nothing but you and the latest Sabrina Carpenter album blasting in your ears. Battery life lasts up to 24 hours — perfect for long-haul flights and cross-continental journeys. Night train across Europe? Check. Long layover? Check. The comfortable fit means you can wear them for however long you need, even as you fall asleep. Disclaimer: they’re not cheap. But the investment pays off big time in travel comfort.
Away The Bigger Carry-On – awaytravel.com
I’ve tried all the buzzy luggage brands. Rimowa, for example, might be sexy, but the bags are so heavy they take up half of your luggage allowance. Beis is great for carry-ons, especially duffel bags and accessories. But if you’re looking for something more spacious, nothing beats the Away Bigger Carry-on. Away has mastered the art of smart luggage with their Bigger Carry-On.
First of all: the built-in portable charger is genius. No more fighting for an outlet at your gate or going into flights on 5%. You can even remove the charger and use it as a portable while you’re out and about on your trip. And don’t worry about fitting everything inside. You can squeeze in an extra sweater — your mother would be proud — without having to check your bag. This is thanks to the compression system that maximizes space without making your suitcase bulky. And no matter how heavy it is, the 360-degree spinner wheels glide effortlessly through airports.
Tile Pro Tracker – tile.com
My ADHD brain will always be thankful for the Tile Pro Tracker. It’s a Bluetooth tracker that helps keep track of anything. Attach it to your keys or put it in your suitcase and you’ll know whether your bags made it to the connection or you left your keys at home. With an impressive 400-foot Bluetooth range and a replaceable battery, it surpasses similar products on the market — so you can get a completely new replacement when they die. It comes with a companion app that’s intuitive and easy to use.
Nomad Lane Bento Bag – nomadlane.com
Like a bento box for your luggage, this is the last personal item you’ll ever need. A masterclass in thoughtful design, this game-changing bag ensures I’ll never be a chaotic bag lady again. No more rummaging through my suitcase for my eye mask. Its endless pockets help me keep everything organized. The Bento Bag’s compartmentalization system has dedicated spaces for everything from laptops to toiletries. The ability to slide over your carry-on handle makes airport navigation a breeze. The premium materials justify the price point, though some might find the structured design slightly limiting for irregular items.
Anker PowerCore Portable Charger – anker.com
One thing about me: I’ll always have a portable charger. As the designated Mom Friend, my friends know to rely on my charging banks after a day out, at home, or away. But some portable chargers are clunky. Others don’t go the distance or rapidly deplete after a few top-up charges. But Anker’s PowerCore series is a pleasant surprise, offering an impressive amount of juice in a surprisingly compact form. Fast-charging capabilities mean less time tethered to outlets, while multiple ports mean you can charge your laptop and phone for simultaneous device charging.
Trtl Travel Pillow – trtltravel.com
Face it: your airport store neck pillows don’t cut it. On flights, I’m endlessly adjusting and still disembark the plane ride with a sore neck. The Trtl has revolutionized travel comfort with its innovative approach to neck support. Unlike traditional U-shaped pillows, its ergonomic design provides scientific support while taking up minimal space. The fleece exterior is cozy, and the lightweight design makes it easy to pack. Bonus: Machine washability is a huge plus for frequent travelers.
Beats Fit Pro – beatsbydre.com
Unlike AirPods that fall out of your ears or hurt your earlobes, the Beats Fit Pro earbuds strike the tricky balance between functionality and style. The snug, secure fit makes them ideal for active travelers, whether you’re on the go or doing a HIIT session in the gym. When you’re not playing “Not Like Us” for the thousandth time during transit, the noise cancellation comes in for the win when travel gets overstimulating. The battery life is dependable, so you won’t miss out on valuable Podcast time by forgetting to charge it. When you’re traveling, portability matters, so this case is satisfyingly compact.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes – eaglecreek.com
I am a strict believer in packing cubes. All my clothes are organized by type into different cubes — not just for the organization and efficiency, but for the compression. And the Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes have some of the most impressive compression capabilities I’ve used. Mesh panels allow for easy content identification. Constructed of premium materials, the two-way zippers make sure the cubes don’t burst. Various sizes accommodate a number of packing needs and the water-resistant coating adds protection, though it makes the material slightly less breathable. While not the cheapest option, the durability justifies the investment, esp. for frequent travelers.
Luggage Forward Service – luggageforward.com
Luggage Forward Services are premium shipping services that eliminate the hassle of lugging heavy bags through airports. Whether you want to backpack your way to your final destination, switching from night train to night train, or you’re taking a sabbatical and are actually moving to another country, shipping your luggage ahead keeps the “journey” part of your travels sacred. With excellent tracking and insurance coverage, this door-to-door service is reliable. Customer service is consistently professional, and the pricing — if premium — is transparent. While expensive compared to airline checking fees, the convenience factor is undeniable for certain types of trips. The service really shines for special equipment or extended stays.
Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow – travelrest.com
Another neck pillow option, this sculpted full-body design provides superior support when compared to traditional neck pillows. Inflatable construction means it packs down small, while the plush cover adds comfort. A versatile attachment system works for different seat types. However, the inflation/deflation process can be cumbersome, and the full-body design might feel awkward for some users — esp. in tight airplane seats.
