Last Updated on August 4, 2025
From crease-free clothes to universal charging, two compact solutions that earn their place in your suitcase.
As someone who travels often, whether it’s a weekend dash to the countryside or a long-haul escape, I’ve learned (usually the hard way) that packing smart with the right travel gadget is just as important as packing light. The more you travel, the more you realise how minor inconveniences – tangled cables, crumpled clothes, forgotten adapters- can quickly chip away at the joy of the journey. These days, I’m on a mission to find gadgets that genuinely earn their space in the suitcase. No gimmicks, just clever, compact solutions that make life on the road a little smoother. Two recent additions have proved themselves to be just that – practical, well-designed travel companions I now wouldn’t be without.
Tower Digital Handheld Garment Steamer
If you’re the kind of traveller who likes to unpack straight into dinner, or simply loathes the sight of suitcase creases, this handheld steamer is a game-changer. The Tower Ceraglide Digital Handheld Garment Steamer might be compact, but it punches well above its weight. It heats up in under 30 seconds, meaning no hanging around when you’re on the move, and offers two steam levels, including a continuous steam function that makes light work of crumpled shirts, linen dresses or that awkward cotton jumpsuit you really shouldn’t have packed.
The ceramic soleplate glides effortlessly over fabric and distributes heat evenly. At the same time, a digital LED screen clearly shows whether it’s switched on and which steam setting you’re using – a small but useful touch. The 80ml water tank is easy to remove and refill, and the brush attachment is excellent for refreshing bulkier garments like jackets or smoothing out fibres on heavier fabrics. A 1.8m power cord gives you a bit of freedom to move around, and the whole thing packs neatly into a slim travel bag that slips easily into a cabin case. It’s ideal for city breaks, work trips, weddings abroad – any situation where you want to look polished without lugging a travel iron or hunting for a hotel laundry service. For a stress-free, ironing-board-free refresh, it’s a travel gadget that is hard to beat.
Connex All-in-One Charging Solution
Connex is the kind of travel gadget you don’t realise you need until you’re standing in an airport lounge, juggling a tangle of wires, a dying phone, and that sinking feeling that you’ve packed the wrong plug… again. This clever little cube of calm is designed to strip away all that stress. No more multiple cables or forgotten chargers, just one pocket-sized tool that keeps everything connected, powered, and ready to go.
Despite its compact size, Connex is an impressively versatile travel gadget. It supports up to eight charging and data-transfer combinations – covering USB-A, USB-C, Lightning, and even older laptop ports – so you can charge your phone, tablet, laptop and earbuds without rifling through adapters. Both USB-A and USB-C inputs mean it’s compatible with the devices of today and tomorrow, including the much-anticipated shift to USB-C iPhones.
Charging is fast and reliable thanks to built-in PD (Power Delivery) technology, which gets your devices juiced up in less time, essential when you’re on the move. But what really makes Connex stand out is its ability to transfer data offline between devices, without relying on patchy Wi-Fi or cloud services. Whether you’re swapping photos from a phone to a laptop or backing up files mid-journey, it does the job securely and quickly. Slim enough to slip into your handbag, laptop sleeve or even a coat pocket, Connex is available in a sleek Charcoal or soft Jade finish. For frequent flyers, remote workers, or anyone who travels with a digital entourage, it’s a brilliantly simple solution to an all-too-common problem.
When it comes to travel, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference – the gadget that saves you ten minutes in the morning, the cable you didn’t forget, the outfit that looks freshly pressed even after a long-haul flight. While I’m not one to pack unnecessary tech, I’ve learned that choosing a few smart, well-designed travel gadgets can turn packing from a panic into a pleasure. Whether you’re heading off on a business trip, a romantic weekend or a full-blown adventure, these two travel gadgets have earned their place in my carry-on – and might just deserve a spot in yours too.
Connex is now available in charcoal or jade for just £29.99 from Kraftedtech.com
