The best beauty gadgets for travellers in 2026

These are the gadgets to covet for future travels, small enough to slip into a suitcase and just as effective as a professional treatment
The best beauty gadgets for travellers
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And once you land, hotels and spas are starting to build hyper-personalised treatments around your biometrics – the kind of genuinely tailored pampering travellers have been waiting for. Smart lighting found in hotel rooms now shifts colour throughout the day to help your body slide into a new time zone, so you’re not wide awake at 3am or groggy at breakfast. In-room fitness has had its glow-up as well – interactive smart mirrors, compact kits and guided workouts mean you can skip the awkward early-morning gym trek entirely. When it comes to sleep, some of the smartest tools are already rolling out: AI-powered mattresses from brands like Eight Sleep and Bryte that adjust to your body through the night and circadian lighting systems work particularly well for travellers who find sleeping in hotel rooms an issue.

All of this aside, the basic beauty gadgets we know and rely on are quickly becoming much more travel-friendly, replacing the need for separate ‘travel’ versions. LED masks now neatly slip into hand luggage and hairstyling tools deliver full power without swallowing half your carry-on. The newest wave of devices goes even further, thanks to clever multipurpose design – think Dyson’s hybrid hair tools or even Lyma’s salon-grade lasers that slip easily into your suitcase, giving multiple options that mean you don’t have to go anywhere near the dreaded hotel hairdryer.

As travel becomes the new wellness frontier, the smartest beauty buys aren’t the ones that look good – they’re the ones that work hard in any country, climate or cabin. These are the 2026-tech essentials worth packing, no matter your destination.

Best beauty gadgets for skin maintenance

The LYMA Laser Starter Kit

Lyma is one of the hottest at-home beauty devices on the market right now. If you're after medical-grade cold-laser technology into a portable, cordless device that tightens, brightens and softens without heat or any downtime, then Lyma answers all your prayers. With just three minutes per treatment area, it’s the ultimate skin-boosting tool for frequent travellers who want expert skin management, in a portable guise.

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ZIIP HALO All In One Microcurrent Facial Device

Delivering personalised microcurrent treatments through its app-connected design, means you can lift, tighten and brighten with one intelligent device. Lightweight and cordless, it’s like having a pro-level facialist with you – but one that slips easily into your carry-on.

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Shark DePuffi Instant Hot + Cold Contrast Therapy

If flight-induced puffiness is an issue, try this hot-cold contrast device to sculpt, de-puff and refresh skin in minutes – ideal after long flights or disrupted sleep. Gua sha-inspired with three temperature levels, it targets under-eyes, jawline, neck and shoulders for fast, visible results. It’s a must-have for red eye flight regulars.

CELF Toothbrush and face massager

Calling all Oral-B toothbrush owners – did you know you can turn your reliable toothbrush into a super-smart facial massaging device, too? CELF is a micro-needle-like head that attaches to your Oral-B electric toothbrush like the regular interchangeable head. It uses non-invasive teeny prongs and low-frequency micro-vibrations to increase blood flow to the skin and increase lymphatic drainage. It’s creating a real buzz due to their eight-week clinical trials showing a 44 per cent reduction in wrinkles and a 16 per cent reduction in lines while also helping clear pores and red spots. It’s also quick to use; apply the hyaluronic-based Glide serum that comes with the kit to your face, and then move the head – which feels like a very intense vibration – around your face gently for a minute on either side. And because it’s tiny, it’s perfect for travelling.

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LED Red Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2

This triple-wavelength LED device uses red, near-infrared and deep near-infrared light to boost collagen, firm skin and smooth lines.. It’s lightweight, but robust enough to slip in your carry-on.

Best beauty gadgets for restoring calm

Nurosym uses gentle vagus-nerve stimulation to support stress reduction, better sleep and improved focus - ideal for balancing the body after long flights, jet lag or high-stress travel days. Lightweight and discreet with quick, 20-minute sessions, it turns any journey into a moment of calm.

The vagus nerve is the central part of the parasympathetic nervous system – it is the communication pathway between the body’s primary organs and controls how we reacts to stress. The vagus nerve regulates our sympathetic “fight or flight” mode and our parasympathetic “rest and digest” state. When placed on a specific point on your chest, Sensate – an oval-ish shaped gadget – sends out a frequency that signals the vagus nerve to chill out. It sounds like a hum or purr, and is said to help you return to a feeling of safety; celebrity facialist Jasmina Vico even used it on Margot Robbie and the Barbie cast during filming to help them relax. The benefits of Sensate are reported to be better sleep, stress reduction and that all-important calming effect. We’ll take 12!

Bon Charge Infrared PEMF mat

Admittedly, this isn’t small or light – but it is mighty. PEMF stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field, so this matt sends magnetic energy waves into the body. It helps to increase electrolytes and ions in the body, and the cells to metabolise more quickly. There are multiple medical studies on PEMF – mostly on bone-healing and anti-inflammatory responses – that suggest it is effective for helping with different musculoskeletal issues. Paired with infrared technology, which generates warm wavelengths absorbed by the body to help with circulation and the regeneration of red blood, this wonder mat can help with sleep, relaxation energy and focus depending on what frequency depending on the frequency you pick. It’s brilliant for yoga, meditation or having a lie down – it is super comfortable. After a week of using it, I felt noticeably more relaxed and slept better, too, so it’s ideal for jet lag recovery and getting back into a calm state post-travel. It could be portable by car, but it is on the large and heavy side, so is probably best used before and after your journey.

ØTHERS Fragrance (and a 6-month app trial)

Functional fragrance is one of the hottest new ways to wear scent because it offers a mood boost and also smells incredible. ØTHERS are undeniably leading the smart scent charge with two fragrances called Mystic Zingaro (to help calm and refocus) and Red Skies (to help with creative burnout). They are both designed to be part of our daily rituals and made using brain monitoring analysis to work out the perfect combination of notes. Fragrance triggers the part of the brain responsible for behavioural and emotional responses, and ØTHERS uses scent as a way to help people reconnect to themselves alongside an app that houses specifically designed meditations, ambient music, modern philosophy guides, visual artscapes and much more, all designed by leading experts. They're brilliant for frequent fliers to boost mood and levels of calm – plus, the scent is travel-sized, too.

Best beauty gadgets for salon-style hair on the go

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Higher Dose Red Light Hat

This clever cap delivers targeted red and near-infrared wavelengths to boost scalp circulation, support hair growth and energise follicles – all in a hands-free, pack-flat design. It’s an easy way to keep your hair routine consistent wherever you travel, especially compared to bulkier alternatives.

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Hello Klean Shower Head 2.0

Away for a while? Take this shower head with you. It transforms hard hotel water into a purified, spa-like stream, helping reduce dryness, scalp imbalance and chlorine exposure. Just don’t forget to bring it with you when you leave.

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GHD Duet Blowdry Hairdryer Brush

This compact 2-in-1 tool dries and styles simultaneously, saving both space in your case and time in your routine. The smart low-temperature tech delivers smooth, salon-level results minus heat damage, wherever in the world you land.

Drybar The Double Shot Blow Dryer Brush

If getting that blow-dried look is your jam, this hair dryer-meets-styler might be your new best friend. It dries as it styles your hair, giving a sleek, polished look that almost rivals a salon finish. Its biggest USP is the ionic technology, which makes it super quick at drying, and it’s particularly good for those with thick hair to cut down drying time. To use it, towel dry and detangle the hair, section it and place The Double Shot underneath each section and move it slowly from roots to ends until the section is dry. Et voila.

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Dyson Airwrap Coanda 2x multi-styler

Perfect for travellers who want great hair with minimal effort, this overachiever dries, straightens, creates waves and smooths all without extreme heat - a lifesaver against hard water, humidity and weak hotel dryers. It also connects to your MyDyson account to create personalised settings tailored to your hair, wherever you are.

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GHD Chronos Hair Straightener

Crafted for ultra-sleek styling, this elegant straightener is a must-have for the jet-setting perfectionist. Effortlessly compact for hand luggage, it features a 10-minute auto shut-off, universal voltage, and an extra-long cord to reach even the trickiest outlets. A perfect blend of practicality and luxury, it’s designed to keep your hair flawlessly styled wherever your travels take you.

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Altesse Studio The Gentle Detangling Hairbrush

Made in France for six generations, these brushes detangle gently to minimise breakage, add shine and distribute oils. They’re created to cater to a variety of different hair types - pick from curly and thick, through to fine – and are the closest you can get to a bespoke hair brush. They come in a travel case designed to protect the brush, which can handily be used as a ‘mobile dressing table’ as it has a mirror inside it.

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Hershesons The Great Hairdryer

The latest wave of compact hair dryers is making traditional travel versions semi-obsolete. Take this sleek model: it’s as light as a can of Coke, remarkably quiet, and packs serious drying power. With interchangeable attachments and a plush padded case, it’s designed for both jet-setting and daily styling, offering salon-level performance in a travel-ready size. It’s also a Condé Nast Traveller Beauty Award winner, should you need more convincing.

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Silke’s Heatless Curler is the ultimate travel essential for maintaining effortlessly voluminous hair on the go. Perfect for wearing in-flight, this ingenious tool is featherlight and easy to pack, offering a flawless alternative to bulky heated curlers. Best of all, there’s no cooling time required – simply wrap, relax, pop on a film and hours later reveal beautifully styled curls without a hint of heat, ready for when you step off the plane. They’re a Condé Nast Traveller 2024 Beauty Award winner for good reason.

Best beauty gadgets for beauty on the go

Victorinox Swisscard Pocket Tool

Although its use isn’t solely for beauty and wellbeing, this gadget includes them. Inside this credit-card-sized tool, there is a tiny and handy pair of scissors, tweezers, a nail file and a toothpick, which has saved me on many occasions. It’s also got a screwdriver, blade, ruler and ballpoint pen - so it does need to go in your checked luggage, but it’s become my travel staple because it offers so many uses in one tiny kit.

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Lashify DIY Lash Extensions

This sophisticated lash kit offers all you need to seamlessly apply delicate strips beneath your natural lashes, creating a flawless, undetectable finish. Though the technique takes a touch of practice, the reward is worth it: beautifully enhanced lashes that stay perfect for up to 10 days – making it a luxurious must-have for travellers and lash aficionados alike.

Best beauty gadgets for restoring sleep

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Drowsy Sleep Mask

This eye mask envelops you in the sumptuous comfort of a silk duvet, gently banishing puffiness and ensuring a restful night’s sleep. Thoughtfully designed to be stylish, washable, and fully adjustable, it stays perfectly in place and blocks out every trace of light. A true essential for those who crave complete darkness for optimal rest.

Yogasleep Rohm Portable White Noise Sound Machine

If travel really affects your sleep, this is a handy tool to pack. Keep your routine regular with this mini white noise machine that blocks out any excess noises that might keep you awake, like traffic outside, noisy neighbours or just the unfamiliar sounds of a new locale. It replaces these with white noise, and there’s a choice of three soothing sounds to pick from. It recharges via a USB, and it could even be used to soothe babies who respond to the sound, which makes for a happier holiday all-round.

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Soundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds

These clever sleep ear buds blend noise-cancelling with real-time snore masking for genuinely uninterrupted rest. With soft, side-sleeper-friendly tips and AI brainwave audio that guides you into deeper sleep, they don’t just mute the world, they help you drift off faster, wherever you are.

Best beauty gadgets for sensory overload

These sleek, reusable earplugs reduce noise without muffling any sound, making them ideal for flights, hotel stays and festivals alike. Lightweight and discreet, they create instant calm wherever you are, saving your ears from disruptive sounds, whether that’s turbulent cabins or loud crowds.

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Neom Wellbeing Pod

Need some in-room calm? This scent pod’s ultrasonic technology releases a fine, heatless mist of 100 per cent natural essential oil blends, helping you sleep better, de-stress or boost your mood wherever you land. The customisable light settings, calming breathing mode and over seven hours of run time, means it transforms any space into a soothing sanctuary.

Best beauty gadgets for travel health

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Kiyo UVC Water Bottle

Invest in this clever water bottle to maintain your hydration levels and safety. This stainless steel water bottle purifies your water at the touch of a button using UVC technology that eradicates up to 99.99 per cent of bacteria. It’s a must-have for frequent fliers.

If you find watches and other biohacking gadgets cumbersome, this is the wellness gadget for you. You’ll forget you’re wearing this biohacking ring that tracks over 30 biometrics, from sleep and stress to heart health and activity – adapting to your body for truly personalised insights. The ultra-light design gives up to eight days of battery life too. It’s the ultimate low-maintenance wellness tracker for life on the move.

Hyperice Normatec Lower Legs

Take your compression game to the next level with this smart wearable health tech. Instead of uncomfortable compression socks, this travel-friendly device gives your lower legs an air compression massage to increase circulation and reduce leg tension. They’re fairly lightweight, carry-on approved, and make long flights a dream. This kind of massage is proven to reduce inflammation and pain throughout the entire lower body, so it could be brilliant for those with circulatory issues. It makes your old compression socks feel a little sad.

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Bon Charge Red Light Toothbrush

This next gen toothbrush pairs 320 sonic vibrations per second with red and near-infrared light to support gum health while delivering a deep, effective clean. With four smart modes and up to four weeks of charge, it’s a lightweight, travel-ready upgrade to your oral health routine.

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Wahl Cordless Mini Massager Gun

The Wahl Cordless Mini Massager Gun is the perfect solution for on-the-go muscle relief, especially after a long day on the slopes, and that’s why it’s also a Condé Nast Traveller 2024 Beauty Award Winner. With six adjustable speed settings and an impressive 200 minutes of cordless power, this compact powerhouse expertly targets muscular tension with precision. It’s incredibly portable and ideal for post-ski massage when you – and your hamstrings – truly need it.