The Traveler’s Guide to Cables, Chargers, and Power Banks (Without Going Crazy)

Table of Contents

The Confession: My Cable Chaos Horror Story

Why Traveling with Tech Feels Like Packing for NASA

Cables, Cables Everywhere: What You Actually Need (and what you don’t)

Power Banks: Lifesavers… Until They’re Not

Chargers & Adapters: AKA “Why does this plug look like it belongs in a spaceship?”

Cable Management (or how not to strangle yourself mid-flight)

My Weird Travel Hacks That Sort of Work

Travel Pillows, Blankets, and the Comfort Crossover (because of course I’m bringing this up)

Airport Charging Drama: Stories from the Outlet Wars

The Minimalist vs. The Tech Hoarder (which one are you?)

Final Thoughts: Maybe I’m Overcomplicating This? (but probably not)

1. The Confession: My Cable Chaos Horror Story

Okay, I’ll admit it: I once opened my backpack mid-flight and pulled out what looked like… a small electronic octopus. Cables everywhere. USB-C wrapped around Lightning, earbuds tangled like some sort of sad spaghetti. The guy next to me gave me that “you good, bro?” side-eye while clutching his Kindle like it was holy scripture.

And of course, the one cable I actually needed—my phone charger—was buried at the bottom of the knot. I spent a good 10 minutes trying not to swear out loud while fishing through the mess. By the time I untangled it, my phone was already at 2%. Classic.

2. Why Traveling with Tech Feels Like Packing for NASA

Here’s the thing: traveling with gadgets feels less like “packing for a trip” and more like prepping for a space mission. Phone, laptop, headphones, camera (if you’re fancy), maybe even a tablet because, I don’t know, you suddenly think you’ll become an artist mid-flight? And each one of these babies needs a charger.

And then there are the rules. Power banks under 100Wh in carry-on only. Adapters that fit in some random wall socket in Italy that looks like it was designed in 1932. Cables that all look the same but apparently charge at wildly different speeds. Why is this so complicated?

3. Cables, Cables Everywhere: What You Actually Need (and what you don’t)

Let’s be honest—you don’t need to bring the entire drawer of wires. (I see you, shoving in an extra HDMI cable “just in case.”)

Here’s my pared-down list:

1. USB-C cable (fast charging, works for most modern stuff)

2. Lightning cable (if you’re in the iPhone cult—no shame, I’m halfway in too)

3. Micro-USB cable (yes, it’s 2025 and somehow something you own still needs this dinosaur)

And then, depending on your mood:

• A short, stubby one for charging in-flight without making a spaghetti monster in your lap.

• A long one for weird hotel outlets that are always miles away from the bed.

Pro tip? Color-code them. Or don’t, and just live in chaos like me.

4. Power Banks: Lifesavers… Until They’re Not

Ah yes, the glorious power bank—the thing that makes you feel like you’re carrying the power of Zeus in your pocket. Until you forget to charge it. (Been there. Twice.)

There are three types of people:

• The Minimalist: tiny, credit-card sized one that barely charges your phone to 40%.

• The Overachiever: brings a high-capacity brick that could probably power a small village.

• Me: buys one, forgets it’s in the wrong bag, and realizes mid-flight that it’s in the overhead bin.

Oh, and don’t get me started on the TSA rules. “Must be under 100Wh, but you can bring two, unless you’re in Europe where…” blah blah blah. I just nod and hope they let me through.

5. Chargers & Adapters: AKA “Why does this plug look like it belongs in a spaceship?”

I swear, nothing humbles you faster than arriving in another country and realizing your sleek little charger doesn’t fit in the wall. Cue the desperate airport hunt for a universal adapter that costs more than your actual flight.

And even when you do have the adapter, there’s always the fun game of “Which one of these two outlets actually works?” Spoiler: it’s neither.

My solution (sometimes): bring one of those multi-port USB hubs. Then, of course, fight your travel buddy for dibs on it because suddenly everyone needs 3 devices charging right now.

6. Cable Management (or how not to strangle yourself mid-flight)

If you’re one of those people who neatly wraps their cables with Velcro straps and packs them in a zippered pouch, I both admire you and resent you. Meanwhile, I’m stuffing mine in random backpack pockets like “future me will deal with this.” Spoiler: future me hates past me.

I’ve tried:

• Using a sunglasses case (worked, until I actually needed my sunglasses).

• Binder clips (effective, but makes me feel like a DIY Pinterest mom).

• Ziploc bags (ugly, but at least functional).

Still, by the end of the trip, everything is tangled again. Maybe that’s just life.

7. My Weird Travel Hacks That Sort of Work

Alright, confession time: I’ve done some weird stuff with cables.

• Once used a shoelace as a cable tie. (It worked, don’t judge.)

• Wrapped a scarf around my power bank to make it look less “techy” so I didn’t get side-eyed by security.

• Plugged into the hidden USB port behind a hotel TV when there were no outlets left.

Do I recommend these? Eh. But desperate times call for desperate hacks.

8. Travel Pillows, Blankets, and the Comfort Crossover

Now, this is technically not about cables, but let’s be real—you’re not traveling with just tech. You’re also juggling comfort stuff. Travel pillow? Blanket? (I’ve even used a hoodie as both.)

Memory foam pillows are the best if you don’t mind the bulk. Inflatable ones? Easier to pack but, um, squeaky. I once tried using my backpack as a pillow, but then I rolled over and basically crushed my own charger. 0/10, do not recommend.

9. Airport Charging Drama: Stories from the Outlet Wars

Tell me you haven’t been there: the gate area has one working outlet, and suddenly six people are eyeing it like it’s the last piece of pizza at a party. You casually hover, pretending not to care, while inching closer.

One time in Dubai, I actually saw two grown men argue about who got to use the charging station first. Meanwhile, I was squatting under a bench, leeching off a hidden socket, feeling like some sort of outlaw.

10. The Minimalist vs. The Tech Hoarder (which one are you?)

• Minimalist traveler: one cable, one power bank, prays for hotel outlets.

• Tech hoarder: carries a dedicated cable pouch, two power banks, maybe even a solar charger “just in case.”

I’d love to say I’m a minimalist, but last time I counted, I had… seven cables in my bag. Seven. Why? I don’t know. Backup for the backup, I guess.

11. Final Thoughts: Maybe I’m Overcomplicating This? (but probably not)

Sometimes I wonder if I just stress too much about charging stuff. Like, maybe I should just… enjoy the trip and stop obsessing over battery percentages. But then I picture being stuck on a 12-hour flight with a dead phone and no music. Absolute nightmare.

So yeah, I’ll keep overpacking cables. Because if I’ve learned one thing, it’s this: the second you don’t bring the right charger, that’s the exact moment you’ll need it most.

What about you—are you team cable chaos or team “everything in its neat little organizer”?

Author Profile

Hi, I’m Florian Werner, the founder of FLOWZOOM. The idea for FLOWZOOM started during an unforgettable trip around the world. After spending what felt like forever on long flights, I noticed just how tough it is to stay comfortable while traveling.

I tried every travel pillow I could find, hoping for some relief—but nothing worked the way I needed it to. That’s when I decided to create my own. At FLOWZOOM, we focus on designing pillows that actually do what they’re supposed to: keep you comfortable and supported while you travel.

I’ve spent years figuring out what makes a great travel pillow. My goal is to make every trip easier for people who, like me, want to enjoy their journey without the aches and pains. I’m proud to share what I’ve learned through FLOWZOOM’s products and tips for better travel.

Here’s to making every trip a little more comfortable!