Long flights can sometimes be quite boring and even stressful for some people. However, if you are well armed with some smart gadgets for long flights, long layovers can be quite enjoyable. Today travelers are spoilt for choice with the number of appliances and handy gadgets that are available for travel. From the quintessential laptop and smartphone to the best carry on luggage, and safety appliances, there is a lot that you can take along with you to make that next flight memorable.
Tilemate Bluetooth Tracker
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A handy gadget for long flights is the Tilemate tracker. If you’re in a habit of misplacing things such as keys, your travel documents or your phone, with this tracker you won’t need to worry. Just tuck one of these into your passport holder or something that you tend to misplace and track it with your phone through Bluetooth. It’s also handy for retrieving your checked-in luggage. With the app, you can also connect to the larger lost-and-found community to help you track your lost item. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
What Stands Out
- Helps keep track of important items so that you don’t misplace them
- Compact and handy
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Nintendo Switch Console
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Although smartphones have a number of games you can play to pass your time, there’s nothing like having a good portable console to while away those long travel hours. The Nintendo Switch is one of the best gadgets for long flights as it has a battery life of approximately 4.5 to 9 hours depending on the games you play. Another great thing about this device is the joy-cons which work pretty well. You can download some of the classic Nintendo series to pass your time at the airport or on the flight.
What Stands Out
- Battery life of approximately 4.5 to 9 hours depending on the game that you’re playing
- Good joy-cons that work pretty well
COWIN E7 Pro Noise-cancelling headphones
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A set of Noise Cancelling Headphones is a great gadget for long flights. The noise-canceling abilities enhance that movie experience by improving the sound quality. Airplane cabin noise or city traffic is also blocked out with the active noise reduction technology. The COWIN E7 Pro is a great buy as it’s affordable and works as it should. It works well in wire and wireless mode. You can also enjoy 30+ hour playtime per full charge. The headphones also have a built-in microphone and Bluetooth so that you can answer a call.
Check out the 13 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for more buying options.
What Stands Out
- Blocks out airplane cabin noise or city traffic
- You can enjoy 30+ hours of playtime
Earbuds
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Not everyone enjoys having a big set of headphones while traveling so for someone who prefers something small, a good set of noise-isolating earplugs is a good option. An affordable and lightweight set of earplugs is the MAXROCK sleep earplugs. The super-light soft design works well with white noise or other sleep apps to cancel out noise and help you fall asleep. An ergonomic double layer design ensures that the silicone ear house stays inside the ear without falling out. You can use them to block out noise like regular earplugs or listen to your favorite music while you fall asleep. The inline microphone also allows you the option of answering a call.
What Stands Out
- Superlight and soft which gives good sleep
- Good value for money
Smartphone
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It probably goes without saying that one of the most sought after gadgets for long flights is a good smartphone. Gone are the days when a mobile phone was just another convenient calling device. Today, with the number of apps and features on a smartphone, you probably won’t need another device to keep you busy on a long flight.
Many smartphones have a huge amount of space for you to download your favorite apps. The Samsung Note 10+ has excellent storage capacity and performs really well. With a full set of pro lenses, live video, and precision audio recording, you’ll have a full studio in your pocket.
What Stands Out
- Everyone understands the value of a smartphone and has their favorite app that will stand out for them
- Great storage capacity and long battery life
Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader
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For someone who loves reading, the Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best gadgets for long flights. It’s a great space saver as you don’t need to carry a bulky paperback with you. You also have the option of having several books on the one device which has a battery that lasts for weeks. The Audible feature also allows you to switch between reading and listening.
What Stands Out
- Extremely lightweight and a great space saver
- You can switch between reading and listening with the audible feature
Portable Charger
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It goes without saying that one of the most popular gadgets for long flights is a battery pack. Although most aircraft seats have USB charging ports, they’re not strong enough and you’ll still need something reliable. Anker’s PowerCore 20100 has an ultra-high capacity being able to charge an iPhone up to seven times and the Galaxy S8 five times. With over 26,000 ratings on Amazon, this portable charger is definitely a good device to have with you on your next flight.
For buying options, check out the 11 Best Portable Chargers For Travel.
What Stands Out
- Ultra-high charging capacity
- Lasts for a long time
Joseche Wireless Sleep Headphones and Eye Mask
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A great innovative gadget for long flights is the Joseche wireless sleep eye mask. This mask doubles up as headphones so you can comfortably fall asleep while listening to your favorite music. The headphones are petty easy to set up and can be connected to your cell phone within seconds. Control buttons on the mask make it convenient to play music or adjust the volume. You can even answer a call with these. Another good thing is that the battery lasts all night so you can fall asleep with no issues.
What Stands Out
- Doubles up as a listening device and eye mask
- Easy to set up and use
Inflatable Hoodie Travel Pillow
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Travelers today are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting appropriate gadgets for long flights. There are plenty of gadgets and conveniences to make that next long flight enjoyable. A must-have on a long flight is the Inflatable Hoodie Travel Pillow. The travel pillow is portable and lightweight and provides the ultimate comfort on a long flight. It takes just three seconds to completely inflate and adjust to suit your needs. The hood that is attached to the pillow can be used to shield your eyes from the light.
What Stands Out
- Lightweight and provides ultimate comfort as it molds well to your neck
- The attached hood can be used to shield your eyes from light
The Airhook 2.0
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One of the most convenient gadgets for parents flying with children is the Airhook 2.0 vehicle drink and device holder. This universal device holder supports cell phones and tablets and also has a stable drink holder. All you need to do is to anchor it to the tray table in its locked position and fix your device onto it. Once you’re done watching, the lightweight device folds up small and can be stored easily. Since it attaches to the tray in its locked position you won’t be inconvenienced if you need to move.
What Stands Out
- Attaches to the tray in its locked position so does not inconvenience anyone
- Universal device holder that supports cellphones and tablets
Baby Shusher
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If you’re traveling with an infant one of the handiest gadgets for long flights is the Baby Shusher. This sleep soother uses a real human voice to lull your baby to sleep with a calming shush. You can adjust the volume control so that you don’t disturb fellow travelers. It works surprisingly well but the downside is that the timer is a little short. However, you can restart the device to extend the time.
What Stands Out
- Lulls your baby to sleep with a real human voice
- Can adjust the volume so that you don’t disturb fellow travelers
Grid-It Organizer
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The GRID-IT organizer is perfect for someone who likes everything organized and in its place while traveling. It’s definitely a godsend for the frequent traveler as you have easy access to cables and other gadgets with this organizer. Fairly simple to use, you can be sure that all your gadgets and items will sit securely. Another advantage of the GRID-It is that it fits well into your rucksack or carry on baggage.
What Stands Out
- Fits into a rucksack
- Great for organizing devices and cables
Bluesmart One
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The Bluesmart One is one of the most tech-savvy carry-on luggage that you can take with you on a long flight. It’s the perfect size for carrying on luggage and looks great too, an ideal suitcase for business travelers. What sets this apart from other suitcases are the smart features.
It has a TSA-compliant battery charger that can charge your devices up to six times. The location tracker is also another convenient addition to quickly track your bag if it goes missing. Added to this is the built-in digital scale which confirms the weight of your bag and the remote digital lock. You can lock or unlock your bag using your phone.
What Stands Out
- Has a number of smart features such as a location tracker, built-in digital scale, remote digital lock and charging port
