Buying guides
Looking for the best travel gear? We've got you sorted. Each guide has our top 3 picks, compared side by side.
3 picks Buying guide · Luggage Checked suitcases worth buying for a long-haul trip One hard case and two soft ones, with the size and empty weight you need to check against your airline. Kate Morrison · 10 November 2026 
3 picks Buying guide · Luggage Best light carry-on suitcases for flying with cabin bags only Three light soft carry-ons, from under 2 kg empty, so more of your allowance goes on clothes. Kate Morrison · 10 November 2026 
3 picks Buying guide · Packing The best luggage scales for weighing your bag at home Three hand-held scales that hook onto your bag's handle, so you know its weight before the queue. Kate Morrison · 10 November 2026 
3 picks Buying guide · Packing Luggage trackers for iPhone and Android: our picks An AirTag for iPhone, plus two trackers that work with an iPhone or an Android phone. Kate Morrison · 10 November 2026 
3 picks Buying guide · Packing Packing cubes we recommend for any size of suitcase Three packing cube sets, from two light compression cubes to five cubes for a big suitcase. Kate Morrison · 10 November 2026 
3 picks Buying guide · Power and adaptors Best power banks you can fly with from Australia Three power banks well under 100 watt-hours, from a light phone top-up to one that charges a laptop. Ben Hartley · 10 November 2026 
3 picks Buying guide · Power and adaptors Which travel adaptor for Europe? Our picks from Australia Two earthed Korjos for three-pin chargers, and a slim one that fits Italy and Switzerland. Ben Hartley · 10 November 2026 
3 picks Buying guide · Power and adaptors Best travel adaptors for Japan from Australia Three adaptors for Japan, from a pocket-sized one to a pair with USB ports for two of you. Ben Hartley · 10 November 2026 
3 picks Buying guide · Luggage Best underseat bags that fit 40 × 30 × 20 cm Three small bags that slide under the seat, including one on wheels that expands from 15 to 20 cm. Kate Morrison · 10 November 2026 
3 picks Buying guide · Power and adaptors Travel adaptors for the UK worth buying from Australia Three earthed adaptors for the UK, so the laptop charger with a third pin comes too. Ben Hartley · 10 November 2026