After all the flights I have taken over the last couple of years, I have become very particular about what gets space in my cabin bag. I am not someone who carries every new travel gadget just because it looks useful. If something keeps coming with me, it has to prove its worth on actual trips. There are three little tech essentials I find myself using again and again. A Nuuk portable fan, my Crompton Energion power bank and Moto Buds 2. None of them started out as some carefully planned travel kit. In fact, the Moto Buds 2 were a random gift. But after using them on trips, I realised how useful they could be. The funny thing is that each one solves a completely different problem. One keeps me cool, one keeps my phone alive, and one helps me create a little bubble of quiet when I have had enough of the world around me.
1. Nuuk portable fan
I initially thought a portable fan was the kind of gadget I would carry only on hot and humid trips. Turns out, I use mine for far more than that.
The Nuuk fan is particularly useful when I want a quick cool breeze on my face. If I have spent hours travelling and need to freshen up before heading out, it is handy for keeping my makeup from feeling like it is about to melt. I have also used it at night when I simply want that cool feeling on my face before going to sleep.
That is what I like about having a small personal fan in my cabin bag. It is not dependent on the weather being extremely hot. Sometimes you just want your own little pocket of cool air.
It also takes up very little room compared with carrying something bulky, so it is easy to keep within reach rather than burying it under the rest of my cabin bag.
{{#product}}{{/product}}
2. Crompton Energion power bank
My Crompton Energion power bank is one of those products where I noticed the downside first. It is a tad bit heavy, especially when I am trying to keep my cabin bag light. Then I started using it properly. The backup is the reason I continue to carry it. I get a high number of charges from it, which makes a difference on travel days when my phone is constantly being used for boarding passes, tickets, maps, messages, photos and work.
A power bank is not particularly exciting until your phone is sitting at 12 per cent in the middle of a travel day. That is when a good one suddenly becomes the most important thing in the bag.
The trade-off for me is simple. I am happy to carry a little extra weight because I know I have plenty of backup when I need it. One important point with power banks is to keep them in your cabin baggage rather than checked luggage. Airlines also have rules around lithium battery capacity, so I always check the current airline requirements before flying.
{{#product}}{{/product}}
Our Principles
Full Transparency
Every product review clearly lists the Pros and Cons, giving you a balanced view.
Brand Confidence
We focus on products from brands with a proven reputation and long-standing market trust.
3. Moto Buds 2
The Moto Buds 2 were actually a random gift. I did not buy them after researching dozens of earphones, but they quickly became one of my favourite travel gadgets. I enjoy the noise cancellation a lot. They are comfortable in my ears, which matters when I am using them for longer periods, and they are great when I simply want to listen to music and shut out some of the noise around me. They have also become useful for work while travelling.
I have interviewed people using the Moto Buds 2, and the noise around me was not picked up in a way that bothered the person on the other end. That is particularly useful when I am travelling, and my manager wants to connect while I am somewhere that is not exactly silent. It also saves me from the inevitable question: “Is that the ocean? Why can I hear waves?” For flights, I like having earbuds rather than a large pair of headphones because they take up very little space. I can keep them in their case and pull them out whenever I need music, a call or some quiet.
{{#product}}{{/product}}
My cabin bag tech checklist
| Gadget | Why I carry it | My take |
| Nuuk portable fan | Quick cooling, makeup touch-ups, and bedtime comfort | Small and genuinely useful |
| Crompton Energion power bank | Extra phone backup on long travel days | A little heavy, but worth it for the backup |
| Moto Buds 2 | Music, noise cancellation and travel work calls | Comfortable and surprisingly useful for calls |
For me, good travel tech does not have to be complicated. I want things that solve an actual problem and get used repeatedly. These three have done exactly that, which is why they continue to make it into my cabin bag.
Editorial note: These are products I personally use while travelling. My comments on comfort, usefulness and performance are based on my own experience. Product specifications and airline rules can change, so check the latest information before buying or flying.
Similar articles for you
Tried and Tested: Every suitcase I have reviewed so far, simplified into one buying guide
I compared hard shell VS soft shell luggage; here's what I'd buy again
Handpicked monsoon destinations in India backed by hospitality experts; what to pack, how to plan
Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.