Knowing what to get for that one friend who is constantly flying around for business-related trips can be hard. You want to get them something they’ll actually use during their travels but don’t want to get them something basic like a neck pillow or sleeping mask.
Best travel tech: 10 must-have items to buy before you fly
After spending the past year country hopping and moving to London, these are the 10 travel tech essentials I can’t go without.
In shopping situations like this, I’ve found its best to think practically. Think about what will help them while they’re packing, sitting on a long plane or train ride or resting in their hotel. Below are our top picks for the best gifts for business travelers that they will actually use.
Best gifts for business travelers
Sony WH-1000XM5
1. Best overall business travel gift
Best for cancelling out all of the noise
An amazing all-round package that sounds simply incredible, Sony’s latest offering is pretty much as good as it gets.
- Incredible noise-cancelling
- Superb audio
- Comfortable for long flights
If the traveler you have in mind takes long journeys, chances are that some really high-quality noise-canceling headphones could completely change their lives.
Sony WH-1000XM5: Still an ANC masterclass
Sony updated its flagship WH-1000X headphones in 2022, now in its fifth iteration. This time there’s a change in design, on top of other improvements.
Sony’s latest flagship headphones are as good as any on the market, with noise cancelation that will give them serenity and quiet on planes and trains, letting them listen to music or watch videos in total peace. The headphones have over 30 hours of battery life and charge lightning fast. The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones allow you to easily switch between devices, so you can easily connect from your phone to your laptop. The headphones don’t only make for a great way to block out the noise while on a plane, but also during Zoom meetings.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
2. Best earbuds for business travelers
Best noise cancelling earbuds
$189 $249 Save $60
The smoothest experience for Apple users.
- Tiny case
- Very good noise-cancelling
- Excellent audio
- Not as cocooning as over-ears
Some people may not be a fan of over-the-ear headphones, which is why AirPods Pro are the next best option for noise-canceling earbuds.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (second) gen vs. AirPods 2 and 3 models: Which should you buy?
Apple’s newest AirPods Pro come with a USB-C charging case, but is that the only difference to its non-pro predecessors? We compare.
They might find the second-generation AirPods Pro perfect, in that case. They’ll still get active noise cancelation for those plane and train rides, with all the benefits of Apple’s easy pairing and great audio, all in case that fits inside a pocket instead of inside a bag. AirPods Pro stand out from the pack by allowing users to choose whether they want to use the noise-canceling mode, transparency mode or neither. Putting your AirPods in transparency mode allows you to hear what’s going on around you while also blocking out some noise.
Waterfield Designs Gear Pouch
3. Best travel organizer
The best pouch for all your small items
This lovely little pouch is available in a few sizes for different needs, and makes traveling appreciably easier.
- Great materials
- Helpful compartments
- Makes life easier
It’s a real pain traveling with tech — your wires, chargers, cables and much more are always getting tangled and lost. That’s why having a travel pouch like this is so key, to helping you know exactly where everything is. Packing can be stressful but having a dedicated pouch for all of your tech and smaller items gives travelers piece of mind. Waterfield uses amazing materials and careful crafting to create a really reliable and robust pouch that will last for years and years, making it a must-have for any traveler.
Tile Pro
4. Best item for luggage security
Always know where your bags are
$28 $34 Save $6
This handy tracker can save you huge amounts of hassle if your luggage goes AWOL.
- Small and easy to attach
- Well-priced
- Can be a huge bonus
This small luggage tag is so much more than it looks, letting the owner track the location of their bag or keys. Now coming with a replaceable battery, the tiles have a 400ft range, and come with a built-in siren, so you can find your keys, or anything else you’ve attached the tag to.
The device pairs with a special app, available on Android and iOS, that allows users to track the current location of the tracker and to track where the tag has been. For anyone who wants extra security, they can choose to upgrade to a premium plan which includes item reimbursement where users can get reimbursed if their tracked item isn’t found. Plus, those who own an Alexa device can also opt to pair the tracker with said device for an even smoother integration.
Bang and Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen speaker
5. Best speaker for traveling
Great speaker for hotel room parties
$199 $279 Save $80
An amazing little portable speaker.
- Portable and convenient
- Great audio
- Waterproof
Even on a business trip, a portable speaker still reigns as one of the most important travel essentials. Whether you want to hype yourself up before a big meeting or unwind with some soothing tunes, the B&O BeoPlay A1 makes for one of the best portable speakers for travelers. It might be small, but its big sound makes the speaker standout in the portable Bluetooth speaker market. We may have balked at its price tag at first, but given how good it sounds, it’s definitely worth every penny.
The waterproof speaker has a battery life of 18 hours and is built specifically for those on the go. Users can customize their audio settings using Beosonic Tuning and can connect the speaker to an Amazon Alexa device.
Mophie Powerstation XXL External Battery
6. Best gift for battery backup
Keep your device going with you
Battery packs are borderline necessities at this point for a lot of people.
- Great capacity
- Fast charging
- Useful ports
When traveling for business you’re bound to have several electronic devices that all need to be charged at the same time. There’s no worse feeling than being on a business call just to realize you forgot to charge your laptop beforehand. Never risk any of your devices dying with the Mophie Powerstation Plus XXL battery portable charger. The charger offers 20,000mAh charge making it a must-have for anyone on the move.
The charger comes with two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, which should mean that almost everything you own can connect to it one way or another, and that massive capacity means it can power all manner of devices. The station can charge three devices at once and can help bring your device from zero to 50% in under 30 minutes.
Apple AirTags
7. Best luggage tracker for Apple users
Keep all your belongings within your ecosystem
$85 $90 Save $5
Track more than just your keys with an Apple AirTag.
- Only compatible with Apple devices
There’s nothing more stressful than the moment you’re waiting for your luggage at baggage claim and have the terrifying thought: What if they lost my bags? Losing anything while away is stressful, but nothing can compare to the awful feeling of waiting for the airline to find your lost luggage.
With Apple AirTags, you won’t have to stress about this ever again. Unlike the Tile Pro previously mentioned, AirTags act more as a GPS for all of your items and can be tracked on any Apple device.
AirTag tips and tricks: 10 features to get more out of your tracker
AirTags are best known for item tracking, but they can also sound an alarm and be shared across multiple accounts. Here’s our top tips and tricks.
To track your AirTag, go to ‘Find My’ on your Apple device, and you’ll be able to follow your AirTag wherever it goes. AirTags aren’t really compatible with Android devices, so if you own any device other than an Apple device, I recommend looking for a different Bluetooth tracker. If you want to add an AirTag to your keychain or bag handle, make sure to buy an Apple AirTag holder available for purchase on Amazon or the Apple website.
Waterfield Designs 6×9 Gear Case
8. Best pouch for travel
The best way to stay organized
A brilliant little pouch that isn’t too innovative, but still comes really in handy for tech.
- Useful for packing
- Nice and durable
While the Gear Pouch we listed further up is probably a little more useful thanks to its compartments and pouches, if you’re just looking for a simple but really durable case to throw some cables or chargers in (or anything else for that matter), Waterfield has a simpler option.
Its 6 x 9 case is available in a smaller and larger size too, to suit whatever you need, and offers a great way to further compartmentalize your packing, ideal for those who need to be able to find things quickly in their luggage.
The bottom line: What is the best gift for frequent business travelers?
Of course, every gift depends on the person you’re buying for, but my top recommendation for any frequent flier is the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. A solid pair of noise-canceling headphones makes all the difference when on a loud flight or strolling through a busy airport. Not only will the noise-canceling headphones be useful on the plane, but also on laptops during Zoom meetings.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Editor’s Choice
If the person you’re shopping for already has a good pair of headphones, one travel essential I believe everyone should own is an Apple AirTag. AirTags make traveling so much easier by helping to relieve the stress that comes along with misplacing an item or the fear of losing your luggage.
How we chose the best gifts for business travelers
All the items on the list were picked based on personal testing and the practicality of the products. Each item has been reviewed by the Pocket-lint team, making sure we recommend the best items on the market. Aside from testing the products, we chose the items based on how useful they would be for those traveling based on our own personal travel experiences. Each item has unique features that makes them a standout gift for those traveling for business.
What is the difference between a powerstation and a portable phone charger?
A powerstation is stronger and bulkier than a traditional portable phone charger. Powerstations are built to charge multiple devices at once making them a better option for business travelers who may need to charge their laptops and phones all at once.
Yes, AirTags are TSA approved. The amount of lithium in an AirTag falls within the FAA guidelines making it acceptable to attach to your checked luggage.
What is the difference between a gear pouch and a gear case?
The gear pouch can hold more items than the case. The pouch is meant for larger electronics or wires, whereas the case can easily fit in a backpack and holds a smaller amount of items.
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