Tried & Tested: Travel Essentials That Are Worth Buying — And The Ones That Aren’t
We’re always on the hunt for the best travel essentials, whether it’s to make flying Economy more comfortable, finding cool suitcases, or discovering new travel hacks. If there’s anything to make travel more enjoyable and less stressful, we’re here for it.
And what caught our eye recently was a slew of travel essentials that BloomrSG creators Celine Leong and Trevor Tham put to the test in two recent videos (watch them here and here). Here’s what piqued our interest the most.
Travelmall 4-in-1 Heat and massage pillow, $49
A travel pillow with heat and massage functions, plus a hood to shut out the rest of the world as we get some shut-eye on the plane? It sounds great in theory, but is it easy to use? Trev and Celine can confirm that a patented pump function makes this easy to inflate and deflate. The heat function may even be great for period cramps or other bodily aches you may have onboard too, Celine points out. All in all, this is a winner. 4-in-1 Heat and massage pillow, $49. Buy here
READ: 10 Unique Travel Pillows For Every Type of Sleeper
Shokz Openrun Bone Conduction Sports Headphones, $189
This one got glowing reviews from the duo. After all, these aren’t your usual headphones — the featherweight headphones delivers music without any earbuds in your ears. Instead, your eardrums are kept open so you can listen to your surroundings, while sound travels from the headphones through bone conduction technology. “When I first tried this, I was so blown away by it,” says Celine. “It’s more comfortable than headphones or earphones.” It also fits securely around your head, according to Trevor, making it perfect for runs or listening to music on the go. Shokz Openrun Bone Conduction Sports Headphones, $189. Buy here
Prefer something more compact? The wallet-friendly Truefree O1 wireless earphones ($59.99, available here) use air conduction technology to transmit sound waves through air. The bud-free earphones are meant to be worn hooked over the ears, which means you’ll have no discomfort even after long hours of use. It’s racked up an impressive 4.2 out of 5 rating from almost 2,000 shoppers, though some have pointed out that it may not fit firmly for folks with small ears. Truefree O1 wireless earphones, $59.99. Buy here
Metodo anti-theft travel bag, $98.30
This sling bag is made from anti-slash material to minimise the chances of theft while you’re on vacay. Trev and Celine also found that the RFID blocking card and pouch that it comes with quite handy. However, the style of the bag may not be for everyone. “I’d be lying if I said this was stylish,” Trev admits. “But this is more for practicality.” Metodo anti-theft travel bag, $98.30. Buy here
More anti-theft bags of different styles to buy
Highly-rated on Amazon, this bag, including the straps, is made from a slash-resistant material. The main compartment can be locked, and it comes with an RFID blocking card and passport slots, as well as a removable LED light. There are multiple compartments within for easy organisation, so you don’t have to be fumbling and searching for your stuff while you’re on the go. Travelon Anti-theft Classic Crossbody Bucket Bag, $67.47. Buy here
Need something roomier? This chic shoulder bag, also made from slash-resistant material, features plenty of compartments (some of which can be locked), RFID blocking pockets and even an adjustable strap that can be secured to a stationary object. It also comes with a longer strap so you can wear it as a crossbody bag. Travelon Parkview Anti-Theft Satchel Crossbody Bag, $91.58. Buy here
READ: More bags, wallets and accessories with RFID-blocking tech to buy
LENCENT Universal Travel Adapter, International Charger, $29.99
In an episode of YouTube series Tic Tech Toe, Trev and Celine unanimously chose this as their favourite product. Why? Besides its affordable price point, the travel adapter also features four interchangeable plugs so it’s compatible with all the plugs you’ll need on your travels, has three USB ports and even a Type-C outlet. “This is one of those underrated [things] that you don’t know how much you like or need it until you get it,” says Celine. LENCENT Universal Travel Adapter, International Charger, $29.99. Buy here
3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand, $27.19
Charge your iPhone, Apple watch and Airpods at the same time with just one gadget. “This is perfect for those who don’t want to bring so many chargers,” Celine muses. “My only gripe with this is that I feel the magnetic is not super strong. You have to adjust it to a specific position before it charges.” However, she later points out that you can charge your phone horizontally, which means you can Netflix and chill while your phone’s charging. It’s not only convenient for daily use at home, it’s also the perfect travelling charger. The lightweight charging stand also folds down into a compact, flat piece and doesn’t take up much space in your luggage. 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand, $27.19. Buy here
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