Best of · updated 13 October 2026
For the day that starts at an airport: power for the laptop, quiet for the flight, and something small enough to carry.
| Pick | Product | Our rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for charging a laptop | Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K) | 8.8/10 | $162 as of 8 October 2026 | Check price for Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K) on Amazon, opens in a new tab |
| Best for flights | Sony WH-1000XM5 | 9.2/10 | $199 as of 8 October 2026 | Check price for Sony WH-1000XM5 on Amazon, opens in a new tab |
| Best small option | Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | 8.4/10 | $79 as of 8 October 2026 | Check price for Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC on Amazon, opens in a new tab |
Travel days put three demands on your tech: it has to keep charging, it has to cope with a noisy cabin, and it has to fit in a bag you are already struggling to close. The three picks here each solve one of those, and they cost very different amounts. Most people need one of them, not all three.
Best for charging a laptop
At 140W it can charge most USB-C laptops at full speed, not just slow the drain, and its screen shows the real wattage and charge remaining. 24,000mAh is the largest capacity most airlines still allow in cabin baggage, but check your own airline before you fly. It is heavy enough to notice in a jacket pocket.
Best for flights
Its noise cancelling is strongest on the low-frequency drone of engines and air conditioning, and battery lasts around 30 hours with cancelling on. The case no longer folds flat, so it takes more bag space than earlier models.
Best small option
Earbuds take almost no bag space, and the cancelling holds up on real commutes. You give up some depth of cancelling and some call clarity in wind compared with the Sony. You keep a lot of money.
Our verdict. Take the power bank if you travel with a laptop, and the Sony if you fly often. If you only need to charge a phone, a smaller power bank is enough, and the Anker earbuds are the sensible choice for everyone else.