The travel gadgets and accessories are meant to deliver comforts, convenience, and enhanced experiences and most of them do not fulfill their promises. There is a tendency to make unnecessary things seem necessary due to clever marketing. In practice, some of the travel products increase the weight of your luggage and do not address the real issues.
Washing Machines (Small Size)
Certainly, the portable wash machines are cumbersome and bulky. They occupy precious space in luggage, and must demand time and labour to use. The majority of hotels and places to stay have laundry services or simple hand-washing.
Excessively complicated Packing Cubes
Simple packing cubes may be a good way to organise a bag, but there is no need in too complicated sets with numerous departments. They make it more expensive and do not add any value. Simple folding or simple organising works equally well.
Inflatable Travel Pillows
Air pillows do not provide the appropriate neck support and are not comfortable to use on a long basis. They might appear space-efficient but could not offer actual rest. Small memory pillows made of foam or folded clothes are more comfortable.
Mini Iron and Steamer Appliances
Travel irons and steamers are not so powerful to be able to get wrinkles out. They need time as well and access to appropriate outlets. It is equally efficient to hang clothes in a steamy bathroom. Such devices go to waste and consume unwarranted space.
Shoe Cleaning Kits
To travellers interested in appearance, shoe cleaning kits are regularly sold. As a matter of fact, they are cumbersome and hardly utilised when travelling. Wipes or simple home cleaning is a more feasible alternative. A complete kit is unnecessary weight.
Digital Luggage Scales
Luggage scales come in handy once or even twice but are not a necessity to the majority of travellers. check-in counters in the airport have weight checks. It is often enough to estimate the weight of the bag and lift it up.
Excessive Travel Organisers
Cable holders, makeup organisers and gadget pouches are frequently sold individually. Excessive organisers add to the mess rather than decrease it. One pouch is capable of holding essentials. When over-organised, luggage becomes heavier and unnecessary expenses are incurred.
Universal Travel Adapters With Additional Features
Simple travel adapters are sufficient for most applications. The models that have an additional feature such as clocks, lights, or USB hubs tend to be over priced. There are numerous hotels that already offer charging.
Travel Alarm Clocks
The majority of the travellers have smartphones which are already good alarm clocks. It is not necessary to carry an extra device since they are bulky. Smart phones also adapt to time as well. Travel alarm clocks do not have any real advantage.
Door Stop Alarms
Door stop alarms are also advertised as safety devices but they are hardly utilised. The majority of hotels are secured to lock out. The process of carrying more security gadgets is more stressful than providing a sense of security.
Foldable Electric Kettles
Foldable kettles are promoted based on convenience though they are slow, and inefficient. A number of rooms offer kettles or hot water. These devices have a tendency to use power uneconomically and they are not needed when one is staying short term.
Exorbitantly priced Travel Neck Massagers
Neck massagers available in the market are heavy and uncomfortable. The battery life is most of the time limited and the output low. Stretching or resting also gives the same relief. These appliances do not always make it worth the cost or the baggage.
Waterproof Phone Pouches
Waterproof pouches tend to lower the sensitivity of screens and quality of the camera. Water-resistant features are already present in the modern smartphones. The use of pouches can restrict usage and are not needed by the majority of travellers.
Smart Luggage that has Inbuilt Technology
Charged and tracked smart luggage is costly and can be limited by the airline regulations. In-built batteries can be problematic to carry around. An ordinary suit case with external accessories is more adaptable and cheaper.
