The best travel tech
Take the pain out of 21st-century globe trotting with these nifty and affordable little gadgets
YRoam
Forget extra-baggage penalties, taxis or impromptu nights out – often the priciest and most unexpected holiday expense is the one you discover when you open your mobile phone bill. This portable WiFi device is a nifty way to avoid the exorbitant costs of data roaming; simply download the app, select your flat-rate internet package and browse away safe in the knowledge that you know exactly what you're spending. As an added bonus, the device acts as a power bank to charge your phone or tablet on the go.
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£199.99; y-roam.com
Kobo Aura One
For bookworms, some kind of e-reader is a must. However, indulge in some poolside reading and one wrong move could result in your holiday relaxation plans ruined. Unlike other big names on the market, the Kobe Aura One is waterproof, even to the point that it can be fully submerged without the use of additional covers. With a large 7.8in screen, it's surprisingly lightweight and automatically adjusts its light settings to provide the best reading experience, whether day or night.
£189.99; kobobooks.com
SanDisk iXpand
There is nothing worse than running out of storage space when you are on the road. Every photo and video you have taken suddenly seems undeletable – which is where the SanDisk iXpand comes in. The nifty gadget plugs straight into your iPhone or iPad and automatically backs up your camera roll. You can even watch videos straight from the drive itself. And with storage options from 16GB to 256GB, you can potentially more than double your photo storage.
£26.99; amazon.co.uk
Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones
If flying long haul, make sure to pick up a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Instead of relying on the materials of the headphones themselves to block out background distractions, this highly rated model from Bose incorporates technology that measures outside noise and cancels it out with the opposite sound signal. Its 20-hour battery life ensures non-stop entertainment, while its sturdy build will survive being stuffed in a suitcase.
£329.95; bose.co.uk
Bluesmart Black Edition
If the nightmare of losing your luggage often plays in the back of your mind while travelling, this high-tech option should help allay your fears. Among its features is a location tracker and remote locking function, allowing you to ensure the security of your suitcase from anywhere via the app. It also solves a number of other common travel issues, incorporating a digital scale to guarantee that you're well within the baggage limit, and a battery that can provide up to six charges of a digital device.
£525; bluesmart.com
Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45
If you only take one travel companion, make it this smart watch. It's easily adaptable, so that with a glance you can find out all sorts of useful information, allowing you to navigate unfamiliar streets with the GPS, quickly calculate currency conversions or display a second time zone. This latest model of the Tag Heuer Connected is the most customisable yet, enabling you not only to choose from a wide selection of case and strap options, but even to swap in a mechanical watch module, should you wish to sport a more traditional look.
From £1,200; tagheuer.com
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