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10 best inflight gadgets

Make it through your flight in style, with plenty to keep you entertained (and ensure you get through security) with one of these clever bits of kit

David Phelan

Tuesday 22 July 2014 12:46 BST

(Rex)

Packing is complicated enough, so sorting out your gadgetry is a good first step. Read on for a comprehensive list so you don’t need to worry you’ve forgotten something. Start with a light, attractive onboard case to keep your valuables safe – the Salsa Air has a special lock with the US authorities can open so they don’t have to rip the case open. But there’s also a passport and ticket case which caters for your phone and tablet too. And the newest essential gadget that you need to have constantly to hand is the portable battery so you can prove to the authorities that your phone is genuine.

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10 best inflight gadgets

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1/1010 best inflight gadgets

10 best inflight gadgets

Native Union Jump Charger

Now that new safety regulations mean passengers must prove their gadgets work at departure, a way of getting juice on the go is handy if you’re caught short. This iPhone 5, 5c and 5 scharger is small battery with connectors and a jauntily striped cable between. Charge your phone with this on a computer or tablet; it will power up at the same time, then you can use it on the go to top up the iPhone by around 33 per cent. £39.99, nativeunion.com

10 best inflight gadgets

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

You no longer need have to turn off your tablet during take-off and landing. The Kindle remains the best ebook reader, with a super-clear black-and-white display and it’s easy to in a dimly lit cabin or in bright sunlight through sunglasses. From £109, amazon.co.uk

10 best inflight gadgets

Travalo Atomiser

You can’t take full bottles of smellies on board, except from duty free but this handy gizmo has a valve to refill from your aftershave or perfume bottle. It passes airport checks as it only holds 4ml. The capacity is enough for around 50 squirts. £9.57. amazon.co.uk

10 best inflight gadgets

Knomad Mini Portable Organiser

If you like to keep all your travel documents in one place, this organiser goes one step further. The canvas case is perfectly sized to protect an iPad mini or other smaller-screened tablet. There are lots of pockets and straps for a passport and ticket, a phone and more. A version with a slim-but-powerful battery costs £119. From £45, knomobags.com

10 best inflight gadgets

5 Samsung Galaxy Tab S

The newest tablet from Samsung comes in two sizes. This smaller one has an 8.4in screen and has a thinner, lighter and more effective screen than the iPad mini by our reckoning. Samsung’s best yet and ideal companion on your travels. £319, argos.co.uk

10 best inflight gadgets

Bose QuietComfort 15 noise-cancelling headphones

Make sure you can actually hear the inflight films and music with these noise-cancelling headphones that neutralise outside sound. These ones are particularly good and handle lower volumes well, too. Remember to take a spare AAA battery as they don’t work without power. £259.95, amazon.co.uk

10 best inflight gadgets

Mophie USB Travel Pack

The new Mophie travel pack is a neat way to ensure you always have the right cable with you. These three short USB cables mean that you can charge Apple products and almost all other gadgets thanks to the micro USB cable. It comes in very handy. £29.95, store.apple.com/uk

10 best inflight gadgets

Pencil by FiftyThree

Would you rather get creative than watch the inflight entertainment? This is the best stylus for tablets, bar none. For drawing apps, a stylus offers extra accuracy. It is designed to look like a carpenter’s pencil, feels great and has extra features you can use with the Paper creative drawing app. £49.99, amazon.co.uk

10 best inflight gadgets

Rimowa Salsa Air Ultralight Cabin Multiwheel

Inflight bags should be strong, easily manoeuvrable and instantly recognisable on the carousel if you check it in. This ticks all the boxes. It also has a Transport Security Administration (TSA) lock so if the US authorities need to open it, they won’t damage the mechanism. £355, selfridges.com

10 best inflight gadgets

Mophie PowerStation XL

Another portable battery, this will recharge an entire tablet. This is handy if there’s no power at your seat. Plus, it has two USB sockets so you can charge any compatible gadget – two at a time. £109.95, store.apple.com/uk

Verdict:

Tech in the bag saves space and weight – your arms will thank you for choosing a Kindle over even a couple of books. And it fits in the Knomad easily if it’s your tablet of choice. So does the 8.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S. And if you’re worried about your tablet running out of juice before you land, the Mophie PowerStation XL is a great way to keep it powered up. Plus, if you’ve been playing games on your phone you can recharge it for when you’re ready to land – there’s nothing worse than a phone that’s fizzling as you hear the captain say “doors to manual”.

Buy now

1. Native Union Jump Charger, £39.99

2. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, £109

3. Travalo Atomiser, £9.57

4. Knomad Mini Portable Organiser, from £45

5. 5 Samsung Galaxy Tab S, £319

6. Bose QuietComfort 15 noise-cancelling headphones, £259.95

7. Mophie USB Travel Pack, £29.95

8. Pencil by FiftyThree, £49.99

9. Rimowa Salsa Air Ultralight Cabin Multiwheel, £355

10. Mophie PowerStation XL, £109.95