The 10 tried and tested tech products that made my vacation perfect

Thinking about past trips to London, I used to dread the hassle of buying and refilling an Oyster card for the tube. But that stress is gone thanks to my Apple Watch. With Apple Pay’s Express Mode, I just strap it on, unlock it and tap it against the yellow NFC reader at the Underground turnstile or bus entrance. Having NFC payment on your wrist is incredibly convenient in London where tap-to-pay is accepted almost everywhere. While your phone may have NFC payments, tapping your wrist is even more effortless. Travel has never been easier, especially since I’ve muted most of my Apple Watch notifications.

You don’t need this specific smartwatch to simplify public transit; any watch with NFC payments will do the trick. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Google Pixel Watch 3 are great alternatives. And while I used the Series 8, you might prefer the newer Apple Watch Series 9 or SE, both of which also support Apple Pay and Express Mode.

The Apple Watch proved even more capable when used in tandem with Belkin’s face-tracking Auto-Tracking Stand Pro. While this stand might not feel like a must-pack, I was extremely happy I packed it while trying to get some new profile photo shots as I wandered around the exteriors of the King’s Cross St. Pancras metro station and Tate Modern museum.

This stand works with the iPhone camera app and all of the popular video apps to follow your face, and the Apple Watch’s camera remote allowed me to snap well-framed photos from a distance. And while I’m not coordinated enough to do TikTok dances, I’m sure this stand would have been great for participating in the latest trend — just turn the stand off if you want static framing.

What makes something essential? For me, it’s that item whose absence leaves you with deep, frustrating regret. Like the sinking feeling I get when I forget my employee ID card at home, knowing it’s going to make my day much more complicated.

On this London trip, the AirPods Max were the equivalent. I felt a deep void when I realized I’d left those luxurious, noise-canceling headphones in my checked bag. I tried to reassure myself that my midnight flight would be quiet enough, with any children on board too tired to make noise. I quickly learned that late-night flights are difficult on kids — walking, talking, shouting embodiments of chaos. I didn’t repeat that mistake on my flight back to New York, where the ANC in my AirPods Max drowned out the chatter from the family in front of me. These headphones aren’t just exceptional for comfort, noise cancellation and sound quality; their instant pairing with iPhones, iPads and Macs eliminates the usual frustration of connecting Bluetooth headphones on the go.

The AirPods Max, however, were not ideal for my entire weeklong trip. If you’re traveling into a region that’s mid-heat wave, I suggest you pack a pair of ANC earbuds as well. As much as I love the AirPods Max, they’re not built for sweaty days (something the folks at my gym don’t seem to understand), and I don’t want to ruin them because I walked an average of 9.7 miles every day.

That’s why I kept my AirPods Pro on me throughout the trip, as they don’t cover the head at all, and allow for the rare breeze to hit your ears. All while getting good audio quality and decent ANC (just not as good as the AirPods Max).

One of the best laptop backpacks, this bag is designed with folding compartments that help maximize space on the go. And while it was perfect for bringing an iPad, a MacBook and a couple of books, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack won its role on this trip because it was the perfect way for me to pack a fresh pair of sneakers that I wanted to keep clean.

Yes, I know better than to wear unsullied neon-green kicks on an airplane where people might constantly accidentally step on them, and they didn’t fit right in my suitcase either. The Peak Design Everyday backpack’s compartments, however, were perfect for this traveling sneakerhead. I’m rocking the 30-liter model, which fits everything perfectly, but the 20-liter version may be best for you.

If there’s one product I will never stop recommending (until it inevitably gets improved), it’s the Anker Nano Power Bank.

I kept it in my fanny pack or pocket throughout this entire trip. Not only does this portable charger pack enough of a charge to refuel my iPhone and then some (thanks to its 10,000mAh capacity), but its built-in cord doubles as a holder strap that loops around your hand while you’re charging. So much more elegant than having white charging cables snaking out of your pocket while you refuel your phone. While it’s a must when I’m at home, long days out and about without my travel adapter makes this power bank a true necessity on international vacations.

The best gadgets are the ones you bought ages ago that still work as advertised. So imagine my delight and surprise that this universal power adapter was exactly where I thought I’d left it many years ago, and instantly clicked with the UK outlets in my hotel room.

Oh, and in addition to its trio of outlets, it’s also got a USB-A port for the ol’ nonreversible charging cable. Nearly all of my tech charged off of this adapter, and it all worked seamlessly. 

I say the Conair Universal Travel Adapter worked for “nearly all” my gadgets because my iPad and portable charger use USB-C. That’s why I packed the slim dual USB-C charger from Nomad. This compact two-port adapter fits perfectly with the Conair adapter’s down-facing power port, and its 65W output (when using one port) is essential for charging a laptop. However, if you prefer one device that covers both needs, my colleagues recommend the Satechi GaN Travel Charger, which offers four USB-C ports for ultrafast charging.

While I used my power adapters for keeping my Bluetooth speaker, tablet and AirPods Max charged, I relied on a whole different product for my everyday carry tech. Fortunately, the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe charging stand fits easily into my suitcase and can keep my iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods Pro charging without using more than one outlet. It’s also perfect for the iPhone’s StandBy mode, which makes the iPhone look like a smart display and helps make any hotel room feel more like my own bedroom.

I used to pack a larger Bluetooth speaker on every trip, but I’ve recently switched to the Wonderboom, a compact speaker with impressive sound quality. The new fourth-generation model now charges via USB-C and includes a podcast mode for clearer audio. Its small size makes it ideal for travel, freeing up more space in your suitcase for toiletries, accessories and clothes.