by Tim Wood
Last updated: 5:47 PM ET, Tue December 20, 2016
So you're looking for that perfect last-minute gift for the traveler in your life, right? Well, we have all the top picks for you, in a little different format.
We have been a little behind in getting up official Gadget Guy reviews as we finish 2016, so I wanted to make sure we get out a low-graphic, bigly-information review to get you pointed to the best gifts.
We took to the airwaves with our reviews in our first Gadget Guy roundup for TravelPulse Radio. Listen to the interview below (begins at the 58:45 mark) and then click on any of the products below to hopefully put that last-minute gift under your favorite travelers' Christmas tree.
All products mentioned are Gadget Guy Editors Picks, meaning they earned at least a 45 out of 50. More importantly, we personally review all products and I can tell you, with this group of products, I'm currently using whenever I travel.
LUGGAGE
Travelpro Maxlite 4 Hardside, 21-inch expandable spinner, $127.49 at LuggageFactory.com
Our current top pick for innovation and affordability.
Gadget Guy Rating: 48 out of 50
Eagle Creek Gear Warrior AWD Carry-On, $269.
A great combo piece with a ton of storage.
Gadget Guy Rating: 45
Barracuda Carry-On, $274.
Not just one of our favorite pieces of luggage ever. One of our favorite travel tech innovations, period. Bad news: the luggage is so popular, they are sold out for Christmas. Good news: you get a $75 backorder discount and your order arrives by mid- to late January.
I've discussed this with Barracuda people already. This would be a 50 if it had four wheels. Because of the innovative collapsible design in the prototype, it wasn't possible for their first build, but I've been told a four-wheel version is in the works.
Gadget Guy Rating: 46
CHARGERS
The ZUS Smart Car Locator and Charger, $29.99 at Amazon
Perfect for when you're on the way to the airport. Quickest charge I've seen on the market.
Gadget Guy Rating: 49
Cygnett ChargeUp Digital 10,000mAh Portable Power Bank, $79.95
Pricey, yes. But worth every penny. Two USB ports, a digital display letting you know the life of the current charge. And each charge holds a solid 3-4 smartphone charges or 1-2 tablet charges.
Gadget Guy Rating: 45
PHONE MOUNT/TRIPOD
NazTech MagBuddy Desktop, Anywhere and Dash, $19.99, $19.99 and $24.99
A mount for your desktop or dashboard that is rock solid and won't let go, thanks to a high-powered magnet and plate combination. Super impressed with magnet hold even after six months of beating this thing up.
Gadget Guy Rating: 48
HEADPHONES
Marley Rebel BT On-Ear Wireless Headphones, $49.99
Outstanding charge life for the money. Eight hours of Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in mic. I've tested a bunch of headphones in 2016. This is the best combo of sound quality, battery life and mic sync with your smartphone out there.
Gadget Guy Rating: 46
Naztech i9BT Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones, $149.99
The best headphones I've used on an airplane not named Bose (and thusly, not priced like Bose). The sound quality is epic and the noise canceling is the best I've seen for such a mid-level price point. It promises up to 90 percent noise reduction and delivers.
Gadget Guy Rating: 50
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Products detailed above were provided to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Tim Wood and have not been influenced in any way.
Have a cool travel gadget we should review? Email me at [email protected].
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