*Sunset in London taken on September 28 from Sky Garden. Taken with the iPhone 16 Pro Max (Main Camera — ISO 200, 24mm, -0.5ev ƒ1.78, 1/165 s)*

For two weeks in the second half of September, I was in Belgium/UK, a once-postponed, long-awaited, and sorely needed trip away from everything.

In preparation for the trip, I needed a few tech accessories, and I wanted to share the collection of items I purchased to help make this trip a success. And along the way, I might slip in a few photos of my travels, just because. Nothing here is sponsored or affiliate-linked; these are simply products I used and really liked.

*Antwerpen-Centraal railway station. Shot on iPhone 16 Pro Max (Main Camera— ISO 160, 24mm, 0 ev, ƒ1.78, 1/50 s)*

Neoprene Slip Sleeve for iPhone

Online, we often have the great case vs. caseless debate, but however you choose to carry your devices (this blog proudly endorses a case-donned lifestyle), I'd still recommend getting something extra like a neoprene sleeve while travelling. The sleeve adds an extra layer of protection when you're in cramped spaces (think economy seating on a flight), and I felt it helped protect the screen a bit more, taking the device in/out of my bag/pants more regularly while out and about.

Anker MagGo Power Bank

*Charge two devices via USB-C and an Apple Watch simultaneously with this compact 10,000 mAh travel charger.*

This device was an absolute game-changer on my most recent trip. I'd previously used the Apple MagSafe Battery, but this time I wanted something that could also charge my phone, charge quickly, and top up my camera if needed.

The Anker MagGo was the perfect product. It's a 10,000 mAh battery pack that weighs only 245 g, measures 95 × 51 × 32.4 mm, features a built-in cable, and displays the current capacity and charging speed to connected devices. And on that last point, it can charge three different devices: a device connected to the integrated USB-C cable, a second device connected via another USB-C cable (up to 30W), and any Apple Watch or any recent pair of AirPods (at 5W) via the Apple Watch Wireless Charger.

*Camden Market as seen from the Grand Union Canal. Taken with the iPhone 16 Pro Max (Main Camera — ISO 64, 24 mm, 0 ev, ƒ1.78, 1/2347 s)*

Since I was taking hundreds of photos, I needed an extra bit of juice towards the evening, and it was great to stop for a bite to eat (or a beer, or both), plug in mine and my wife's iPhones, dock my Apple Watch, and have 40+% of the battery replenished by the time the bill arrived.

Cannot recommend this product enough. It might not be the largest capacity power bank, but if you want the assurance of a little extra juice without adding bulk to your travel essentials, this is the one!

Anker Nano Travel Adapter

*A portable travel adapter that works in over 200 countries.*

Knowing I'd be visiting two countries that use entirely different plug types than North America, I had to figure out what adapters I'd need for my iPhone, iPad, camera, and everything else. I considered buying Apple's interchangeable plug set for my chargers, but two sets would cost nearly $100, take up extra space, and I'd almost certainly end up missing pieces by the end of the trip.

The Anker Travel Adapter is a very compact (86 × 50 × 25 mm), wall-mounted block designed to work seamlessly with multiple plug types worldwide. It supports Type A (used in the United States, Canada, Mexico, & Japan), Type C (common across Europe, Africa, South America, & much of Asia), Type G (found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore, & throughout the Arabian Peninsula), Type I (used in Australia, New Zealand, China, and Argentina), and is compatble with Type E, F, J, K, L, N, & O recepticles as well. To access any plug, toggle the switch to extend or retract the desired plug, plug it in, and you gain access to two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and an AC outlet.They won't charge things very quickly (the maximum output is 12W for the USB-A ports and 20W for the USB-C ports), but it will recharge your devices overnight without issue.

*The Belgian city of Bruges as seen from atop the Belfry. Taken with the iPhone 16 Pro Max (Telephoto Camera — ISO 50, 120 mm, 0 ev, ƒ2.8, 1/1916 s).*

Between my camera, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, battery pack, Apple Watch, and AirPods, I had no shortage of gadgets to keep powered up. This compact charger (I actually grabbed two) kept everything charged hassle-free throughout the trip. With another trip to Asia on the horizon, having a single travel adapter that covers every plug type I'll need feels like a total game-changer.

Adjustable Lanyard Hand Strap

*The lanyard adds a little extra peace of mind when I’m traveling.*

I add a wrist strap to my iPhone anytime I travel. The first reason is that since I am using my iPhone more often to check maps and take photos, I wanted an extra bit of safety in case I lose my grip. The second reason was security. Before the trip, I saw plenty of travel videos warning about the prevalence of phone theft in London (apparently one phone every 7½ minutes), but with a city that big, what were the chances? It wasn't until I saw a poor lady have her phone yanked out of her hand in front of me by a gang of three cyclists that it made sense why so many people had encouraged gripping your phone tightly or having it secured. No particular recommendation, I just got a cheap but highly rated pair of lanyards from Amazon and it's worked out fine.

Apple AirTag

*It never hurts to toss an AirTag into your luggage so you can keep tabs on it throughout your trip.*

I always make sure to bury one of these inside both my luggage and whatever carry I am taking throughout the day. Gives me a bit of peace of mind knowing I have some way of keeping tabs on my belongings.

AirPods Pro

I love AirPods Max for their look & ANC, but the best set of headphones, and also the best set of travel headphones, are the AirPods Pro. Their compact form factor, best-in-class ANC, and transparency mode, along with their solid battery, make AirPods Pro a top travel accessory for any trip.

WHOOSH!

*Keep your devices pristine with a travel size cleaning solution.*

With more use comes more grim, and it's nice to go home at the end of a long travel day and give your devices a clean. I've used WHOOSH! Cleaning Cloths and sprays for over a decade, and they're my go-to products for all my Apple products and electronics. At home, I keep the large 1-litre bottles on hand, but when I travel, I pack their tiny 8ml spray and tiny cleaning cloth. It's small enough to fit anywhere and lasts easily for a couple of weeks on the road.

*Brussels, Belgium as shot from the top of Mont des Arts. Taken with the iPhone 16 Pro Max (Telephoto Camera — ISO 50, 120 mm, 0 ev, ƒ2.8, 1/860 s)*

In Sum

All in all, these small accessories ended up making a big difference in keeping my trip running smoothly. Each solved a real problem, from keeping my iPhone powered to helping me travel a little lighter and worry-free. If you're planning your own trip abroad, hopefully a few of these picks make their way into your carry-on too.

Travel Accessories 2025