Three new travel gadgets I tried on my recent trip to Portugal

This past holiday season, I was gifted some new-to-me travel gadgets. I had the opportunity to try them out on my recent trip to Portugal. Two were a hit, one was a miss. Note: I am not affiliated with Amazon or these products.  

Scrubba Portable Wash Bag

We packed only carry-ons to Portugal, and my daughter and I will only take carry-ons with us to Europe this summer for our 2 1/2 week trip. Taking smaller suitcases means we don’t have to worry about our luggage getting lost upon arrival, and we can carry our luggage easier on trains/buses.

So, we will need to wash clothes. Behold the Scrubba Portable Wash Bag:

I packed this in my carry-on along with some laundry detergent sheets. I washed clothes twice with the Scrubba in Portugal.

What I liked:

• The Scrubba packs up so tiny!
• I love that it replaces a hotel sink for washing.
• Our clothes got clean in a short amount of time thanks to the interior washboard.

What I didn’t like:

• Apparently I didn’t seal it up correctly and the bag leaked water the first time I used it. I got better at it the second time I used it, but I think it takes practice. See this video. I definitely recommend watching this video before washing the first time.

Verdict: I recommend! I’m taking my Scrubba bag to Europe again.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Neck Pillow

We can’t always fly in lie-flat seats! So, when I fly in Economy, I like to support my neck with a neck pillow. Unfortunately, when I fall asleep sitting up, I usually fall forward and wake myself up. I did a lot of research and read a ton of reviews before adding the Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Neck Pillow to my wish list. It straps on to the back of your seat so that you don’t fall over. The reviews on Amazon are great!

What I liked:

• The pillow folds up in a tiny carrying case that is easy to clip onto a backpack. 

What I didn’t like:

• It’s a bit awkward to strap onto the back of the seat. I did it while sitting next to my daughter, but maneuvering around a stranger sitting next to me would have been awkward.
• The pillow was thick and bulky around my neck. I felt like I was in an immobile neck brace (I guess that’s the point). It squished my ears. I felt a bit claustrophobic in it.
• The Cabeau pillow made my neck hot, hot, hot! I was sweating in no time. I tried the pillow twice, but each time I lasted less than 15 minutes, and there was no way I could fall asleep in it.

Verdict: It’s not for me! Apparently, many people love this pillow. It just didn’t work for me. Back to the drawing board for a new travel pillow.

SnapWireless PowerPack Universal 5-in-1 Compatible Travel Charger

When I’m traveling, I take a lot of photos/videos and use up my phone battery throughout the day. Having a portable charger is always handy. This SnapWireless PowerPack Universal 5-in-1 Compatible Travel Charger is a useful gadget to have.

What I liked:

• I could charge multiple devices at the same time (wireless and wired).
• It has the charging cords tucked into/attached to the device so they don’t get lost.
• The plug adapters for different countries are easy to attach.
• The charger displays how much battery life it has left.
• It’s easy to use and re-charge.

What I didn’t like:

• It’s a bit heavy (due to the powerful battery).
• The carrying case is a bit bulky. I packed just the charger with one adapter attached, and it took up much less room in my suitcase.

Verdict: This travel charger worked great on my trip to Portugal! I’ve also been using it at my job lately since I’m outside a good portion of the day. I’m definitely bringing it to Europe this summer.

Have you used any of these travel gadgets? Or do you have any others that you recommend?

Author: Nancy

Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.