This year, IFA 2024 in Berlin saw a deluge of innovative products, but one of the standout gear categories for me was all the new travel accessories. If you’re anything like me, you want to travel as smart and streamlined as possible (no tangled cables here), so I’m always looking for new and useful gadgets to stash in my carry-on.
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These six products stood out to me for being smart, innovative, and, most of all, space-saving — and were just unveiled to the public. Let’s check them out.
1. PlugBug from TwelveSouth
The maker of the ingenious AirFly — an adapter that lets you use your Bluetooth headphones with the headphone jack on a plane — just announced its next clever travel must-have: the PlugBug, the first USB-C adapter with built-in Find My support.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left adapters and chargers plugged into the outlet in a hotel, so bringing one with location support is a game-changer.
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The PlugBug comes in a 50W model (with two USB-C ports), or a 120W model (with four USB-C ports), and both support dynamic charging for two or four devices simultaneously. The device itself is sleek and slim and sits close to the wall when plugged in for maximum accessibility. All in all, it’s one of those devices that makes so much sense you wonder why it’s not already a thing.
The PlugBug is available for pre-order now, with orders shipping in mid-September.
2. Satechi Vegan Leather Passport Cover with Find My
If you’re still walking around with a loose passport, you might want to think about getting some protection for that bad boy. Satechi’s passport cover with Find My support is genius not only because it protects the actual passport itself, but also lets you keep tabs on its location.
If you walk off without your passport, Find My will alert you of its whereabouts right away. It could also spare you the time and money required to replace it if it’s misplaced. That is one thing you most certainly do not want to lose.
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The vegan leather case feels premium and sturdy. It supports wireless charging with Qi, Qi2, or MagSafe chargers to keep the location tracker active. It costs $60, which certainly isn’t cheap, but it’s a solid device if you’re prone to losing things.
3. Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad
Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 is a little foldable device that got much attention at IFA for its portable form factor and usefulness for travelers with Apple devices. When it’s folded up, it’s small enough to hide in the palm of your hand, and the magnets keep it securely closed. But when you unfold it, it becomes a 3-in-1 wireless charging station with Qi2 support for three devices at once.
With a designated charge port for the Apple Watch and the claim that it can charge the iPhone 15 Pro from 0 to 20% in 15 minutes, this is one of those devices that simplifies your hotel nightstand situation with a single charging point for your gear.
The only drawback with this device is the relatively high cost of $90. Yes, it’s an innovative and convenient design, but the asking price could turn off some potential buyers.
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It’s currently available in four colorways, all of which are on pre-order. Anker says that the black units ship after September 15th, while the white units will ship after September 20th, 2024. The pink and blue units will be available later this year.
4. Beyerdynamic Amiron 300 earbuds
Beyerdynamic makes some high-fidelity audio products, and they’re some of our favorite we’ve tested this year, from solid open-ear buds to bone-conduction headphones. This week at IFA, the company announced not one but three new products, including a new pair of earbuds that are great for traveling.
The Amiron 300 feature active noise-cancelling and a marathon battery life of up to 38 hours and up to 10 hours of continuous playtime for all-day use, which, if accurate, is longer than Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, Sony’s XM5 earbuds, and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro 3. This is a pair of earbuds that will last your entire flight.
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The Amiron 300 have Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, 10mm dynamic drivers, and Qi-compatible wireless charging. Additionally, the buds themselves feature a streamlined, flat design that don’t stick out, which is great for sleeping on the plane. They’re currently priced at $279 and will be available in October in black and white.
5. Soundcore Space One Pro headphones
If earbuds aren’t your thing, luckily, Soundcore just released a pair of foldable over-ear headphones that are great for traveling. The Space One Pro are portable enough to slip into any jam-packed bag, and light enough to go unnoticed. Beyond the form factor, they have some pretty impressive fast charging, with Soundcore claiming only five minutes of charge time gives you 8 hours of battery. Not bad for a long-haul flight.
They feature active noise canceling and feel very light to wear, making them a good choice for those of us who like to sleep with headphones on to drown out the noise. In my hands-on test at IFA, they also sounded great, with an overall balanced soundstage.
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The Space One Pro are available now for $200, and for a limited time are coming with the travel carrying case for free (which is regularly priced at $35).
I would say this is one product that actually makes good use of the attached carrying case since it completes the package for these headphones as a fantastic travel pick.
6. Belkin BoostCharge Pro
Lastly, having a reliable power bank for your laptop is an absolute must when traveling, and Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro is a beast when it comes to reliable power.
Announced at IFA, the BoostCharge Pro features a 20K battery capacity and the ability to charge up to three devices simultaneously. The 65W of power delivery, however, is only when using one port. Personally, I appreciate the fact that this has two USB-C ports and one USB-A, as it opens up the number of different cables you can use, as you don’t always have your normal amount of gear while traveling.
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The device is exceedingly lightweight and compact for the amount of juice it contains, and the display showing the amount of available power is easy to read and practical. It’s available now for $90.
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