Four charging gadgets that make travel a little easier

Over the years I’ve tested a lot of travel gadgets, and the best ones solve multiple problems without taking up extra space. Here are four useful charging accessories.

The first is the Scosche GoBat 5K. It’s a wall charger, power bank, and charging cable all in one device. Fold-out prongs let you plug it directly into an outlet to recharge, and the built-in USB-C cable means you don’t have to remember to pack an extra cord. The 5,000 mAh battery isn’t meant to fully recharge your phone several times, but it’s perfect for giving it a much-needed boost before boarding a flight or heading out for the day.

If you want something even smaller, the Twelve South PowerClip is about as portable as it gets. It clips onto your keys, backpack, or purse, so it’s always with you. Because of its tiny size, you’re only getting about 25 to 30 percent of a phone charge, but that’s often all you need to pull up a boarding pass, request a rideshare, or navigate home.

I also like Statik’s USB-C rechargeable batteries. Instead of digging out a separate battery charger, you plug a USB-C cable directly into the top of each AA or AAA battery. They’re rated for more than 1,200 recharge cycles, so one set can replace a surprising number of disposable batteries over time.

Finally, if your travel bag is overflowing with charging bricks, the Ceptics 100-watt travel adapter can simplify things. It has a retractable USB-C cable, multiple USB ports, a built-in AC outlet, and works in more than 200 countries. Just remember that it’s a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.

One thing I always remind people before an international trip is that most modern electronics, including phones, tablets, laptops, and camera chargers, automatically handle different voltages. Devices with heating elements or motors, like hair dryers, travel irons, or electric kettles, are the ones that may require a voltage converter.