9 Brilliant Items Pro Travelers Always Buy on Prime Day (Starting at $8!)

Because my job involves so much travel, I'm constantly paranoid about arriving at my destination without my luggage. I very rarely check, but if I ever do there's an AirTag in my bag so I can track my belongings at all times. It's also a great idea to keep one attached to other important belongings, such as a purse or keys. It's just the extra layer of security I need for peace of mind when traveling.

Noise-cancelling headphones are an essential for me, as I'm often working in-flight and need to be able to concentrate. These Sony ones are lightweight and have a long battery life.

Whether or not I'm traveling for work, my laptop is always with me. While I've often had laptop purses or totes, this laptop backpack is better for several reasons. It protects my back and shoulders by evenly distributing the weight, and it keeps my hands free (which is so useful on those travel days when I'm dealing with luggage and carrying a cup of coffee as well).

It's a nightmare to arrive at a hotel and realize you don't have a proper travel adapter — suddenly everything you need to stay connected, be it your phone or computer or tablet, is in peril. "I don’t travel light when it comes to tech tools, so I always need plenty of adapters to keep all my stuff powered up on the road," says Alice Dubin, a travel journalist.

Having valuables easy to access but safely attached to you is the best way to travel without risking pickpocketers. "I love a waist pack for travel — it keeps everything close, easily accessible, and away from would-be pickpockets — and the sale price on these makes stocking up for the family a no-brainer," says Dubin.

Packing cubes are the secret to fitting more into your carry-on comfortably, and avoiding leaving what you need behind or having to check a bag — both of which are entirely unappealing. "Once we discovered packing cubes, we never looked back. These help our travelers stay organized, maximize space, and enjoy the packing process," says George Lindsey of Lindsey Adventures. This eight-piece set includes four compression cubes, a shoe bag, a toiletries bag, and two additional pouches for accessories or laundry. "Perfect for carry-on-only travel, these cubes make it easier to skip checked bags altogether — especially on multi-city tours or international flights where baggage delays can wreak havoc," adds Lindsey.

"We always remind our travelers that a power bank is no longer optional. Whether you're using your phone as a translator, GPS, or camera, you need backup juice — especially when you're exploring a new city all day," says Lindsey. This Anker Power Bank is one of the best at this price: It can fully charge your phone several times and power a laptop or tablet, it has two high-speed USB ports for fast charging, and it’s airline-approved — so you don’t have to worry at the security line. "It's reliable, compact, and a great deal, and it will come on every trip from now on," says Lindsey.

A neck fan may look silly at first, but it's an essential for sight-seeing in the heat and humidity. "The first time I saw someone wearing this in Italy a couple of summers ago I thought it looked ridiculous; a few minutes later of walking around in the hot sun, I was jealous. Now I pack it in my carry-on at hot destinations," says Johnny Jet, editor-in-chief of JohnnyJet.com.

If you’re going to be in rainy or wet conditions, be it by the pool or the beach or a rainy day hike, you’re going to need a waterproof phone case. "Having one of these allows you to go for a swim and not worry about someone stealing your phone, [credit card], or cash," says Jet.