While you can't pack for every eventuality, we've spoken to our in-house experts and rounded up products that have performed well in our testing to help ease some of the turbulence from your next trip.
Whether it's a weekend minibreak or a longer odyssey abroad, our list has got entertainment and essentials for all. And while we would never recommend a dud product, you'll need to sign in or sign up to see just how well these products fared in our rigorous testing.
Activity books for kids
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If you're traveling with little ones, activity books are a great way to keep them entertained during longer journeys.
There are endless options to choose from, including filling in sticker books to complete a story, combining magnets to dress up historical characters, dry-erase sketchbooks to practice drawing, and more.
There are plenty of affordable options out there, often starting at less than £5.
Which? travel editor Naomi Leach recommends the First Sticker Books 'Airport' – which are SQUIRREL_TEXT_50014363 – and activity books from .Alpine SleepDeep Ear Plugs
If there was anything our experts almost unanimously agreed on, it was packing ear plugs. A decent pair of ear plugs can block out late-night revellers, traffic and other bumps in the night to ensure that you sleep as soundly as if you were in your own bed.
Alpine SleepDeep ear plugs come with a storage case, meaning they won't get squished in your bag. These weren't the cheapest earplugs we tested, costing around £15 but they are reusable.
You can read our , or compare prices below:TRTL Travel Socks
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Travel socks compress your legs slightly to improve your blood circulation. This can help prevent blood clots and your legs swelling during long periods of sitting.
We liked these socks from TRTL because they come in a variety of sizes to prevent the compression from feeling too tight. Plus, there are several colours and patterns available.
Travel socks are widely available, including the above mentioned at .Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow
While it looks a bit like an inner tube, this wrap-around pillow can be blown-up without a pump quickly, meaning you head won't loll onto your neighbour during long-haul flights.
Worn a little like a seatbelt, this inflatable pillow can be deflated and packed away for speedy disembarkation.
Read our full verdict in our guide on the to see how 'ultimate' this travel pillow really is. You can compare prices below:Anker 525 PowerCore Essential 20K power bank
Most long journeys are made infinitely easier with fully charged batteries to ensure your devices don't crash out halfway through a new series.
This power bank will keep your phones, tablets, and other devices topped up during you travels when there aren't any outlets around. Its high capacity means you should be able to charge some models of laptops through USB-C, too.
It's compatible with most devices, and it charges them through the USB-A and USB-C ports on the battery. Anker claims it has a capacity of 20,000mAh, but our lab testing found different results.
The high capacity means a bigger size, but it should fit easily into a carry-on or suitcase.
Read our , or compare prices below: Read our guides on the to get some inspo for your next trip.Fridja F10 Raf Handheld Travel clothes steamer
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Creased skirts and shirts are a thing of the past with a clothes steamer.
This portable option has an adaptor so you can use a regular plastic water bottle with it instead of the included tank. This means you'll be able to pack it easily, not need to bring any unnecessary bits, and it won't be useless if you accidentally misplace the tank.
You'll also be getting a collar press, folding hanger, and fabric guard, too. Fridja claims it can heat up in 45 seconds, but you'll need to read our review to find out if that stands up.
But how well does it steam clothes? Read our in our guide on the You can compare prices below:Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Pack
Forget lugging wheeled suitcases over cobblestones, this Osprey option combines the size of larger luggage with the ease of carrying a backpack.
You can zip away the handles and straps if you want to convert it into a suitcase and there's a laptop sleeve and a few smaller pockets.
You can read our full verdict of the , or compare prices below:Hauck Travel N Care pushchair
If you have young kids or babies, holidays can be trickier with a difficult-to-pack pushchair. Luckily, we've tested loads of that you can easily take on holiday – including this one from Hauck.
Weighing 6.6kg, this pushchair can be folded up to be very compact with a one-hand fold. It's excellent for public transport, should fit in most overhead compartments, and won't take up much boot space either.
Parents should watch out for the finger trap underneath the leg rest. There's nothing like an injury to spoil a holiday, so be mindful when closing.
Read our full , or you can compare prices below:Cubitts sunglasses
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We haven't tested any sunglasses, but our experts liked the ones they had from Cubitts. They have a wide variety of frames and colours available, plus you can choose your lens colour and get it in your glasses prescription for no additional cost.
Most pairs cost £150. You can also get polarisation, it'll typically cost an extra £50 though.
You can browse Cubitts' selection of polarised sunglasses from their .Kindle Paperwhite (2021 model)
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This 6.8-inch e-reader is a great choice if you're looking to read books on the beach or in the sun. It has an anti-glare display and you can put dozens of books and audiobooks on it without having to pack any heavy hardbacks.
You can set the tone of the light between a bluer white to a warm amber.
Read our full before you buy, or compare prices below:Travel insurance
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It won't stop anything from going wrong on your holiday, but travel insurance may help your finances in case something does. It's especially useful if you're heading abroad, where medical costs can quickly become expensive for a non-resident.
Many policies cover whole families and if you travel frequently abroad, it may be worth looking into annual coverage.
We looked at 56 travel insurance companies and compared 160 plans so you can get the best policies when you travel. Read our guide on theApple AirPods Pro
From blocking out plane engines, the rowdy group across the aisle, or that podcast your partner is so adamant on listening to – noise cancelling headphones can create a bubble of serenity.
The Apple AirPods Pro are small enough to slip into your pocket, so they won't take up too much bag space. They've got IPX4 water resistance, too. This means they can be splashed by water, but you shouldn't head for a dip into the hotel pool wearing them.
Read our , or compare prices below: Find over-ear headphones more comfortable? Read our to find the best pair for you.Nintendo Switch OLED
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Handheld devices have long kept kids - and adults - entertained on the go, from Game Boys to Nokia's Snake. The latest and most popular iteration is the Nintendo Switch.
It's got detachable controllers that can serve as one full-sized controller, or two separate controllers in certain games. This means you can play four-player games with only two full-sized controllers, which is great for saving space in luggage.
The OLED model is particularly well-suited for travel gaming, as it has a more sturdy kickstand and upgraded screen from the original Switch model.
We haven't reviewed the Switch OLED, but if you're looking for a bargain on one we've covered the for money off consoles and games.You can compare prices below:Wanting some unique holiday photos? Try taking some with a drone. Just be sure to read our guide on .Which? Limited is registered in England and Wales to 2 Marylebone Road, London NW1 4DF, company number 00677665 and is an Introducer Appointed Representative (FRN 610689) of the following:1. Inspop.com Ltd for the introduction of non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide advice and arrange non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance products (FRN310635) and is registered in England and Wales to Greyfriars House, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, South Wales, CF10 3AL, company number 03857130. Confused.com is a trading name of Inspop.com Ltd. 2. LifeSearch Partners Limited (FRN656479), for the introduction of Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the FCA to provide advice and arrange Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance Contracts. LifeSearch Partners Ltd is registered in England and Wales to 3000a Parkway, Whiteley, Hampshire, PO15 7FX, company number 03412386.3.Optimise Media Limited (FRN 313408), for the introduction of HSBC Group, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide credit brokering activity. Optimise Media is registered in England and Wales to Exchange Street Buildings, 35-37 Exchange Street, Norwich, England, NR2 1DP and company number 04455319. 4. HUB Financial Solutions, for the introduction of equity release advice, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) to provide advice and guidance on financial products for those who have retired or are approaching retirement (FCA Firm Reference Number: 455713). HUB Financial Solutions is registered in England and Wales to Enterprise House, Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey RH12 7RP, company number 05125701. 5. Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers Ltd (FRN 301), for the introduction of non-investment landlord insurances, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide advice and arrange insurance contracts. Alan Boswell insurance brokers Ltd is registered in England at Prospect House, Rouen Rd, Norwich NR1 1RE, company number 02591252.We do not make, nor do we seek to make, any recommendations or personalised advice on financial products or services that are regulated by the FCA, as we’re not regulated or authorised by the FCA to advise you in this way. In some cases, however, we have included links to regulated brands or providers with whom we have a commercial relationship and, if you choose to, you can buy a product from our commercial partners. If you go ahead and buy a product using our link, we will receive a commission to help fund our not-for-profit mission and our campaigns work as a champion for the UK consumer. Please note that a link alone does not constitute an endorsement by Which?.
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