Travel Gear
11 buying decisions in travel gear, each synthesized from independent testing and real owner reports. We name the pick - and the popular option to skip.
Shopping by budget? Budget travel gear Premium travel gear
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Carry-On Luggage: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) Four hardside spinner carry-ons compared on durability, wheels, packing space, and warranty - with one budget bestseller we'd skip. Our pick: Monos Carry-On Pro
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Checked Luggage: 4 Large Suitcases Compared (and One to Skip) Four large checked suitcases compared on maker-stated outside dimensions against the 62 linear inch airline limit, empty weight against a 50 lb allowance, shell material, published litres and what each warranty says about airline damage. Our pick: Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Luggage Scales: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) We compared four handheld luggage scales on what their makers put in writing: capacity, graduation, any accuracy tolerance, how the scale attaches to the bag, what powers it, and whether it holds a reading. Our pick: Etekcity EL11 Luggage Scale
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Packing Cubes: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) We compared four packing cubes on published volume and dimensions, weight, compression, fabric and zip specification, visibility and warranty. Our pick: Peak Design Packing Cube, Medium
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Passport Wallets: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) From a full-grain leather cover to a family-sized four-passport organizer - the travel wallets worth gifting, and the under-shirt neck pouch that is a different kind of product. Our pick: Leatherology Deluxe Passport Cover
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Backpacks: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) We compared four carry-on travel backpacks on published litres, external dimensions, empty weight, how they open, whether the hip belt and frame actually carry load, laptop sleeve size and warranty terms. Our pick: Tortuga Pro Backpack 40L
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Pillows: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) From Cabeau's seat-strap memory foam to Trtl's scarf-brace - the pillows that actually let you sleep in economy, and the inflatable that trades comfort for pack size. Our pick: Cabeau Evolution S3
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Toiletry Bottles: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) Four refillable bottle and capsule systems compared on stated capacity against the 3.4 oz carry-on limit, on what each maker tells you not to put inside, and on how each one is cleaned. Our pick: humangear GoToob+ 3-Pack
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Towels: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) We compared four quick-dry travel towels on published weight and packed size, absorbency, fibre blend, care requirements and what each maker states. Our pick: Matador NanoDry Packable Beach Towel
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Umbrellas: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) Four compact umbrellas compared on what their makers actually publish: tested wind speed, canopy diameter versus arc, folded length, weight, ribs and warranty terms. Our pick: Davek Solo
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Adapters: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) Four travel adapters compared on the things the box art glosses over: which plug types they cover, whether they are grounded, the AC load limit, USB-C wattage per port and what the maker states about fuses and certifications. Our pick: Ceptics 65W World Travel Adapter (NANFUSE-WS)