We don’t like to admit it, but when we’re preparing for a holiday or backpacking trip, we become more susceptible to the marketing of useless products. We want to ensure that we have everything we need to make our trip as comfortable as possible, and unfortunately, this often leads us to buy travel gadgets that don’t really achieve much. Not sure what we mean? Don’t worry, as we’re here to help you avoid the following travel gadgets that might seem cool, but are actually pretty useless.
Portable Laundry Washer Bags
A lot of companies are starting to sell lightweight travel bags for laundry, promising to make hand-washing your clothes a breeze. In reality, they take up loads of space, require a lot of water, and rarely clean clothes better than a quick rinse in a sink. When travelling, finding the right balance of practicality and space-saving is key, and these bags tend to tip the scale in the wrong direction, so we recommend avoiding them. Worse still, they really add up in cost over time, making it very very cost-ineffective.
Inflatable Neck Pillows
There’s no denying that neck pillows can make all the difference on a long flight, but don’t be fooled by the perceived convenience of inflatable options. Yes, they may seem like a traveller’s dream, offering comfort but without using up much space. In reality, though, they tend to deflate awkwardly mid-journey, don’t support your neck well, and are more annoying to pack than they’re worth. Instead, just grab a classic plush neck pillow, which will provide you with comfort but without the faff of inflating it.
Travel-Sized Steamers
We can certainly agree that the promise of wrinkle-free outfits anywhere sounds tempting, but these steamers are often underpowered and require an awkward amount of time and effort. At the end of the day, most hotels and accommodations have irons readily available, so this gadget is only going to weigh down your luggage unnecessarily.
Foldable Travel Hangers
Everyone knows that hangers are strangely shaped and, therefore, awkward to pack, so it’s tempting to buy foldable travel hangers to make this easier. Unfortunately, though, they’re often very flimsy and don’t hold much weight, making them pretty useless. As with irons, hotels typically provide hangers, anyway, and if you’re staying somewhere basic, a simple hook or towel rack can do the job just as well.
Solar-Powered Phone Chargers
While the idea of free energy at the beach sounds great, these chargers are slow and unreliable–especially in cloudy weather. Unless you’re backpacking in remote areas with consistent sunlight, a portable power bank is always going to be a more dependable and efficient way to keep your devices charged.
Pocket-Sized Water Purifiers
Another travel gadget that seems useful but is actually pretty useless is those pocket-sized water purifiers that are now appearing everywhere. In principle, they’re smart, but most countries these days have safe drinking water, so they’re just unnecessary. Furthermore, if you’re heading somewhere with questionable water quality, do you really want to be putting your trust in these products? Just buy bottled water!
Combination Padlock with Built-In Flashlight
Yes, the appeal of a padlock with an integrated light seems clever, but in practice, these gadgets are clunky and prone to breaking. Like, come on–a standard padlock and a separate compact torch or your phone’s flashlight cover your needs without combining fragile mechanisms. It’s just not necessary.
Miniature Luggage Scales
We wouldn’t recommend relying on any set of miniature luggage scales, because while they’re a wise idea in principle, they’re normally inaccurate and hard to use. In addition, most airlines provide luggage weight allowances upfront, so packing smartly and using a bathroom scale at home can eliminate the need for this fussy tool.
Collapsible Water Bottles
Sure, the idea of saving space with a bottle that folds flat might sound appealing, but these products have a bad reputation for leaking or collapsing when you least expect it. In contrast, a sturdy, reusable water bottle with a secure lid is a much better investment for hydration on the go, so don’t waste your money.
Portable Door Alarms
Designed to add security to your accommodation, these alarms are typically more of a nuisance than a safeguard. They’re overly sensitive and prone to false alarms, which can disrupt your peace of mind more than the threat they’re meant to deter. Trust us–you’ll be throwing it off the balcony after the third time your hotel cleaner sets it off.
Compact Travel Iron
Just as with steamers, this gadget promises convenience but rarely delivers enough heat in comparison to regular irons. If your accommodation doesn’t provide an iron, which it probably will, a quick DIY solution using a hairdryer or the steam from a shower will work far better and doesn’t require adding weight to your luggage.
All-in-One Universal Plug Adapters
When backpacking or holidaying across multiple regions in the world, it’s tempting to get a universal plug adapter. However, these bulky adapters often have ports that don’t fit securely or fail after minimal use, with none of the options working particularly well. Seriously–just get a country-specific adapter, and we’re sure that you’ll find them way more reliable and better-fitting.
Portable Shoe Dryers
Unless you’re trekking through swamps on a daily basis, which we doubt you are, portable shoe dryers are far more hassle than help. Most shoes dry quickly with some newspaper stuffed inside, leaving these gadgets to only add extra weight to your packing list.
Travel-Sized Coffee Makers
It should really go without saying that travel-sized coffee makers are never going to be as convenient as they sound. The effort to use them, combined with the need for clean water and ground coffee, makes them far less practical than finding a local café. They also rarely deliver a decent brew, leaving you with disappointment instead of a good cup of coffee.
Bluetooth Tracking Tags for Luggage
You might be surprised to read this, but Bluetooth tracking tags for luggage are pretty unnecessary these days, as most airlines now have their own luggage tracking systems. Plus, their limited range and battery life make them less effective than advertised, so they’ll likely fail you when you need them the most.
Anti-Theft Bags with Lockable Zips
While it’s true that security is a concern, anti-theft luggage with lockable zips simply does not deter thieves in the way that they’re advertised. Sadly, if a thief wants to get into your bag, they’ll find a way–even if they need to use bolt cutters. Stick to a simple cross-body bag with internal compartments, and this will always offer better security without any additional faff.
Folding Travel Cutlery
Contrary to popular belief, this reusable cutlery set is really awkward to use and difficult to clean on the go. Furthermore, ask yourself: in what situation do you plan on using it? It’s very rare that you’ll be in a situation where a restaurant or even accommodation doesn’t provide cutlery.
Clip-On Travel Fans
Last but not least, these small fans, including those that are USB-powered, sound like a lifesaver in hot climates. Unfortunately, though, anyone who has used them can vouch that they provide minimal airflow and eat through batteries. Sure, bring your hand-held folding fan, but don’t expect this gadget to provide you with any additional comfort, as you’ll probably just end up throwing it in the bin.
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