We’re calling it a gift guide, but who are we kidding? You’re going to want some of these for yourself.
Each of these products has been hand-selected by Frommer's editors for making the art of exploring our world easier, better, more stylish, or smarter. We don't have a partnership with any of these manufacturers—we just like what they're making.
For more gift ideas, see our recent stories on the best luggage that fits under airline seats, the best books from iconic museums, the best packable day bags, and our ranking of the best travel pillows.
PROPS 22” rolling suitcase with built-in stand
This luggage has its own built-in legs so that you'll never have to search for a stand in a hotel. The legs fold up and secure to the back side, leaving interior space of 19.5” x 13.5” x 9”. Otherwise it's pretty standard as suitcases go. You get a built-in TSA-approved combination lock and zipper that can expand the capacity from 39L to 45L. Exterior dimensions when not expanded: 21.5" x 14” x 9.5”. $400, PropsLuggage.com
Stuffed States USA
Commemorate your American travels, honor home pride, or get young children excited about upcoming trips with soft souvenirs you can nap with. All 50 states are available, and some come in various adorable versions—Texas may hold a tiny yellow rose, Georgia clutches a peach, and Iowa brandishes an ear of corn. This mom-owned indie brand makes magnets, key charms, and pillows, and is branching out into regions (like Cape Cod and Nantucket) and city and state flags. $14–$22, StuffedStatesUSA.com
Airplane Window Photo Frame
The plastic photo frame that looks like an airplane window can be propped on a table or hung on a wall. It's for a 4-inch by 6-inch photo, but no, the shade doesn't close, and it doesn't come with frequent flyer points. $30, Airportag.com
Roller Pro Carry-On
Luggage trends come and go. Away bags grabbed headlines a decade ago; now the company is turning to influencers to promote the brand. To find what’s actually good on its own merits, look for surprising features. The Roller Pro Carry-On, which is packed with useful ideas and made with an emphasis on recycled materials, qualifies. Instead of opening like a book, the bag has a "drawbridge" opening, making it easier to access in tight spaces.
Check out the built-in mesh compartments and clothing retainer cables. The rolling action is silky smooth in any direction, and if one of the four wheels goes bad, you can easily replace it without having to toss the bag. There are even slots for an AirTag-type tracker, your passport, a laptop, and a place for your home keys. If you travel with expensive electronics, the special Camera Cube packing system is designed to fit inside, too. And the bag qualifies as a carry-on: The exterior measures 21.8" x 14" x 9" (55.6 cm x 35.6 cm x 23 cm), expandable to 21.8" x 14" x 11" (55.6 cm x 35.6 cm x 28 cm). $600, PeakDesign.com
Gatewood Cape
It's the tent you can wear! Be prepared for bad weather on any hike or light expedition without the burden of heavy cargo by wearing this ultralight (11 oz.) rain gear that can be converted into a shelter. The Gatewood Cape's high strength coated silicone nylon's poncho-like tailoring has a zippered pocket that also serves as a storage pouch. When folded, the cape measures just 10" x 8" x 1.5", but as a tent it covers 35 square feet (3.2 square m). Buy the $15 collapsible tent pole and stakes separately. $165, SixMoonDesigns.com
WeeWander carry-on backpack for kids
Kids get more excited about travel when they're allowed to get involved in the process. Invest them in the act of travel with their own backpack, custom-designed just for little ones. It's padded for comfort, water-resistant, full of 14 compartments and pockets with kid-sized zippers—there are even side saddles for a stuffed friend and a beverage bottle. If your kid companion needs a break from carrying the bag, use the built-in sleeve to attach it to the handle of your luggage. $128, WeeWander.com
One Beat Travel Plug Adapter
Turn a single outlet into six with no sliding pins or moving parts to fuss with. The One Beat Travel Plug Adapter sits solidly in the socket—no rocking around the way some loose adapters do—and supplies three U.S. sockets, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C port, which devices increasingly require but few hotel rooms have. The USB ports are relatively low wattage, so they're best for overnight charging. The adapters come in packs of two—order yours to suit your destination (this one is for the U.K. and Ireland). $19, Amazon.com
Terra Large 50L Duffel Backpack in Obsidian
No need to travel like a fuddy-duddy. Let your choice of bag proclaim your rizz. This stylish, water-resistant duffel doubles as a backpack, expands up to 2 inches, and has tons of exterior pockets and stowable backpack straps, so you can either carry it on your back or by the handle and look cool either way. $190, CalPakTravel.com
Pawfit Lite pet tracker
You really should travel more places with your dog—you know they love it. If a fear of losing track of your best friend prevents you from adventuring together, get a Pawfit. Unlike Bluetooth trackers, which need you to be nearby in order to function, and trackers like AirTags, which need to be near other people's smartphones to work, Pawfit pet trackers use the LTE-M or 4G network to transmit your animal's whereabouts and activity information, including 24-hour location history, to your phone.
The result is highly accurate location updates within seconds from an unlimited distance, even if your furry friend makes a break for it and gets lost. Subscriptions cost as little as $4.75 a month—a reasonable price to show your dog or cat the world. $45–$60, Pawfit.com
KEEP>GOING Pet First Aid Kit
As long as you're adventuring with your pet, be prepared for minor accidents. The 90-piece KEEP>GOING Pet First Aid Kit is packaged with adorable outer fabric and clear compartments laid out like a book. Inside, you'll find such pet-specific emergency tools as tick remover, styptic powder, paw cream, paw booties, a reflective bandana, an extra leash, a collapsible bowl, and a whistle. Various fabric styles and kit contents are available. $65, KeepGoingFirstAid.com
Jemluse Wireless CarPlay Adapter
Road trip magic! Link your iPhone with any car's CarPlay system without cords or having to plug into the car. Your phone will automatically connect to the system, even if your device is still in your pocket. The latency on the Jemluse Wireless CarPlay Adapter—which is smaller than a matchbox—is faster than many other models, and takes the fuss out of reconnecting your device every time you get into your vehicle. $50, Jemluse.com
Peak Design Tech Pouch
All of us need better travel solutions for the cords, charging plugs, storage cards, and other bitsy things electronics require to keep running. The Peak Design Tech Pouch, which comes in a range of colors, is custom-created for the purpose, with lots of little cubbies so all your cords won’t get up into each others’ business. It works so much better than tossing all of your cables and plugs into a big bag and fishing around for the thing you need. That’s like traveling with your kitchen junk drawer. $50, PeakDesign.com
Trtl Travel Pillow
Named Frommer's Best Travel Pillow following our in-flight tests earlier this year, the Trtl Travel Pillow is a reinforced neck brace that manages to be cuddly soft even as it props your head up for a doze. Read more about Trtl (and the travel pillows it defeated) in our full review feature. $65, trtltravel.com
Custom Photo Suitcase
Travel can be a slog—make it more amusing by ordering luggage with a custom design applied to the exterior. Imagine the fun you could have. And you'd definitely be the only passenger at the luggage carousel with a giant picture of Phyllis Diller on your stuff. Or your dog's face. Or your grandchildren. Or a tin of sardines. Or a big bowl of spaghetti—the customization options are endless. Your photos are converted into artwork, and then you're shown a final proof before the bag is made.
Your suitcase will have a 100% polycarbonate shell, a built-in TSA-accepted lock, and 360-degree swivel wheels. Select your design carefully and you could have the last laugh at every baggage claim in the world. $199–$251, DanCustomify.com
Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed with Safety Bumpers
Skip the crib—pack an inflatable bed your little ones can't roll out of. The Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed (available in blue, gray, or teal accents) even comes with an electric pump that can inflate the mattress in about 30 seconds. Outer dimensions: 62" x 39" x 12"; sleeping area dimensions: 49" x 26"; $100, Hiccapop.com
SleepPhones wireless headband speakers
Many of us have learned the hard way that earbuds like Apple AirPods are not suited to airline travel—when they fall out of your ear, they tumble where you won't be able to find them until everyone else has gotten off the plane. Then there's SleepPhones wireless headband speakers. Simple Bluetooth-connected speakers are inserted into a cushy soft headband that will remain in place even as you nap. The design is flat and swaddled in machine-washable fabric, so it won't hurt your ears to lie on it. The battery is promoted to last 24 hours on a full charge. The headband comes in seven colors. There's also a wired version that costs $40. $100, SleepPhones.com
Foldable Electric Kettle
Hot water in a flash—in a collapsible kettle. Using this package device, it takes 3–5 minutes to boil 20.29oz / 600ml for a cup of tea or coffee. Having your own kettle is far more hygienic than using the one in your hotel room; those kettles are reportedly rarely cleaned and might have been used for ad hoc cooking projects by previous guests. With this collapsible model, you can even boil water to make it safe to drink. The silicone body is attached to a stainless steel heating plate. Using a switch on the bottom, you can adapt the kettle to work with both 110v and 220v power sources. $37, Amazon.com
JSAUX USB Data Blocker
You have probably heard by now that it's no longer safe to plug your phone willy-nilly into the USB chargers you find in airports, hotels, and other common areas used by travelers. In 2023, the FBI warned travelers that "bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices." But not if you add this little device between your phone and the plug you want to use.
These USB Data Blockers look fancy, but they’re really just regular USB plugs without any data wiring included—they’re only capable of transferring power, not information. So if you use one, your data can’t get stolen or changed by n'er-do-wells via your charging cable. (Stay off unknown Wi-Fi networks, too.) Such a cheap fix for a big risk! $13 for a 4-pack, Amazon.com
Jewelkeeper Paperboard Suitcases
For the travel lover's room décor. You can’t use these suitcases for heavy transport—they’re 100% recycled cardboard—but for travel nuts, the possibilities for home use and souvenir storage are much more flexible. Each set of three comes with brass fittings and leatherette handles. $35 for set of 3, Amazon.com
Meatanty Metal Tiny Mouse Jiggler
Now a gift for travelers on Santa's Naughty List. If your remote employer likes to keep an eye on your activity (or inactivity) by checking your active status on chat software like Slack or Teams, this innocent-looking device pretends you're not away from your computer. No special software is needed—just plug in the Meatanty Metal Tiny Mouse Jiggler and your computer will think it’s an optical mouse. The Jiggler will jostle your cursor every so often so you won't be marked as inactive.
Your boss might call it dastardly, but as long as you get all your work done, we'd rather look at it as a tool to maintain a healthy work/life balance. Now go play! The USB-A version is pictured above, but it also comes with a USB-C plug. $10, Amazon.com
You know what else makes a good gift for travel-loving loved ones or your travel-loving self? A Frommer's guidebook. Visit our online store and search by destination to discover what's available.