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In this first part of our Holiday Mode On series, we’ll cover essential accessories you need to pack to protect your phone from mishaps when on holiday.
Written by Sneha Kashyap, Content and PR Executive | Conscious Consumption and Tech Trends
Last updated on 3 August 2026
Island hopping around Greece or squeezing in a weekend city break in Rome - your phone goes wherever you go and it is probably the hardest-working item in your suitcase. It's your boarding pass, camera, sat nav, dictionary, Netflix on the go, and emergency contact all rolled into one. But while we spend plenty of time choosing outfits, it's easy to overlook must-have essentials that keep our phones protected, charged, and ready for adventure.
We’ve put together a trio of articles to help you navigate your holidays whilst keeping your phone safe, and the this blog covers travel accessories. The good news? You don't need a suitcase full of gadgets. A handful of well-chosen phone accessories are all you need to take care of your phone, wherever your next holiday takes you.
Jump to sections:
Portable Chargers and Power Banks
Durable Phone Cases for Travel
Waterproof Phone Pouches for Beach Holidays
Compact Phone Tripods for Travel Photography
Small Accessories You'll Be Glad You Packed
Beach Holidays: Protecting Your Phone from Sand, Salt and Sun
Nothing ruins a day of sightseeing quite like watching your battery drop to 2% while you're relying on Google Maps or panic-looking for the right train platform. A compact power bank is one of the best phone accessories for travel because it gives you peace of mind during long travel days, delayed flights and full-day excursions.
Some things to consider when picking a power bank are: fast USB-C charging, multiple slots for charging, light enough to fit in your hand luggage as power banks can’t be kept in checked-in luggage, airline friendly and not exceed 100 Wh rating, and, it goes without saying, a decent battery capacity, around 10,000-20,000mAh.
Here are some of our top picks:
Nimble Champ Pro
As advocates of mobile phone recycling, we love tech that incorporates recycled materials and the Nimble Champ Pro does exactly that. You get fast charging for phones and tablets delivered with plastic-free packaging.
Anker Nano Power Bank
If you want something compact enough to fit into a pocket but powerful enough for multiple phone charges, go for the Anker Nano power bank. It's perfect for long flights and busy sightseeing days.
BioLite Charge Series
With a strong focus on environmental initiatives, the BioLite charger is made to last, ideal for hiking, biking, and any other outdoors adventures.
Belkin BoostCharge
If you just want something reliable for your trip, Belkin’s BoostCharge is one you can trust. It’s widely available and supports fast charging for modern smartphones.
| Power Bank | Capacity | Weight | Charge Type | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nimble Champ Pro | 10,000mAh | 181g | USB-C PD | £75–£85 |
| Anker Nano Power Bank | 10,000mAh | 215g | 30W USB-C | £40–£50 |
| BioLite Charge 40 PD | 10,000mAh | 265g | USB-C PD | £55–£70 |
| Belkin BoostCharge | 10,000mAh | 220g | USB-C PD | £30–£45 |
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has recently introduced changes to regulations on carrying lithium-ion power banks and batteries, and when not in use power banks need to be kept in protective pouches to avoid the risk of catching fire. A good one to have is SAFE-TECH Fireproof Powerbank Hard Case as it’s been tested to meet stringent safety standards and offers thermal insulation and fire resistance.
Additionally, new regulations state that only two power banks are allowed per person on board the aircraft and you shouldn’t use them to recharge electronic devices during the flight, so fully charge your gadgets before getting on the plane.
The UK uses three-pin plugs, but many travel destinations don't. A universal travel adapter means you don’t have to buy a plug converter each time you go abroad.
Just like chargers, you want to look for fast charging, multiple USB-C outputs, compact size, and built-in safety protection. Here are our top picks:
MyTravelPal Pro Universal Travel Adapter
If you want a compact all-rounder that's easy to throw into any backpack, go for the universal adapter from MyTravelPal.
Anker Nano Travel Adapter
For frequent fliers, we’d recommend something small and lightweight that fits easily in hand luggage. Anker’s Nano is perfect and offers USB-C charging.
Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
Travelling with family doesn’t mean each of you has to pack an adapter. Epicka’s universal adapter has a USB port for everyone.
MOGICS Super Bagel
In a market full of white plugs, MOGICS’s bagel-shaped adapter easily stands out. This quirky travel accessory is particularly handy for digital nomads or families needing to power several devices from one socket.
| Travel Adapter | Countries Covered | USB-C Ports | GaN Technology | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyTravelPal Pro | 200+ | 4 | ✅ | £35–£45 |
| Anker Nano Travel Adapter | 200+ | 4 | ✅ | £25–£35 |
| Epicka Universal Adapter | 200+ | 5 | ✅ | £25–£40 |
| MOGICS Super Bagel | 150+ | Multiple | ✅ | £45–£60 |
If your trip’s more of a walker’s holiday than lounging on the beach, you’ll want to protect your phone from the increased risk that more movement puts it under. Don’t worry, all you need is a sturdy phone case and you’re good to go.
Some of our favourite brands include:
Pela – They make compostable cases made using plant-based materials.
Wave Case – It's made from recycled plastics with eco-friendly packaging.
OtterBox (selected recycled ranges) – Offers ultimate protection for adventurous travellers.
CASETiFY Re/CASETiFY collection – Incorporates recycled phone cases into new products.
If you're trekking through Patagonia or scrambling over volcanic rock in Iceland, investing in a tougher case is money well spent.
| Phone Case | Drop Protection | Wireless Charging | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pela | Medium | ✅ | £35–£55 |
| Wave Case | Medium | ✅ | £20–£30 |
| OtterBox (React/Defender) | Excellent | ✅ | £35–£60 |
| CASETiFY Re/CASETiFY | High | ✅ | £50–£70 |
If you're heading to the coast, a waterproof phone pouch is one accessory you'll rarely regret packing. Whether you’re on a boat trip, kayaking, or simply relaxing by the pool, it’ll make sure your phone stays dry even if you have a water mishap.
Waterproof pouches will keep your phone safe, but only if you buy a reputable one and use it correctly. Choose a pouch with an IPX8 waterproof rating, inspect the seals before every use and perform a simple waterproof test using tissue paper before putting your phone inside. We’d recommend brands like AquaVault, Pelican Marine, JOTO, and Earth Pak.
| Waterproof Pouch | Waterproof Rating | Touchscreen Compatibility | Floating Design | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AquaVault Floating Pouch | IPX8 | ✅ | ✅ | £25–£35 |
| Pelican Marine Series | IP68/IPX8 | ✅ | Some models | £20–£30 |
| JOTO Waterproof Pouch | IPX8 | ✅ | ❌ | £8–£15 |
| Earth Pak Waterproof Case | IPX8 | ✅ | Some models | £15–£25 |
❗Note: Even high-quality waterproof pouches have limits. They aren't designed for deep-sea diving, and damage to the seals can reduce their effectiveness over time.
If you’re solo travelling and are hesitant to ask strangers to take a photo every time, you shouldn’t have to resort to balancing your phone against a water bottle either.
There are lots of compact tripods on the market right now such as the Joby GripTight ONE, Ulanzi MT-44, Peak Design Mobile Tripod. Whether you’re shooting constellations in the night sky or timelapsing the sunrise, a tripod will give you the perfect shot as there’s no accidental slipping or potential damage to your phone.
| Travel Tripod | Weight | Bluetooth-powered Remote | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joby GripTight ONE | 80g | Optional | £25–£35 |
| Ulanzi MT-44 | 397g | ✅ | £30–£45 |
| Peak Design Mobile Tripod | 76g | ❌ | £65–£75 |
Not necessary for every holiday, but if you want to take your smartphone photography to the next level, clip-on lenses are a good investment. Wide-angle lenses can help you capture the rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar, while macro lenses can be useful for spotting Leafcutter ants in Peru. If you’ve recently upgraded to a flagship phone, you may not need these accessories, but they're still a fun option for keen travel photographers. Always choose a reputable brand like Moment, ShiftCam or Sandmarc if you decide to give clip-on lenses a go.
| Clip-on Camera Lens | Lens Type | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Moment | Wide, Telephoto, Macro | £90–£150 |
| ShiftCam | Wide, Macro, Fisheye | £70–£140 |
| Sandmarc | Telephoto, Wide, Macro | £90–£160 |
Ask frequent flyers about their favourite travel accessory and many will say noise-cancelling headphones. Whether you're trying to sleep on an overnight flight, block out engine noise or enjoy a podcast during a train journey through Switzerland, they quickly become indispensable.
Look for some comfy headphones with good battery life and decent noise blocking, rather than chasing the highest audio specs. Here are some of our top picks:
Sony WH-1000XM6
This one is excellent when it comes to all-round performance, and noise cancellation is pretty decent too.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
A must have for long haul flights thanks to its exceptional comfort.
Soundcore Space One Pro
A more affordable option offering impressive battery life and strong performance for the price.
Soundcore Liberty 5
If you prefer earbuds over over-ear headphones, these are lightweight and portable, but don’t sacrifice on the noise cancellation either.
| Headphones | Battery Life | Noise Cancellation | Weight | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Up to 30 hrs | Excellent | 254g | £380–£400 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Up to 24 hrs | Excellent | 250g | £430–£450 |
| Soundcore Space One Pro | Up to 60 hrs | Very Good | 286g | £150–£180 |
| Soundcore Liberty 5 | Up to 48 hrs (with case) | Very Good | Earbuds | £120–£140 |
Sometimes it's the smallest items that make the biggest difference. Consider adding these to your packing list:
Anti-theft phone lanyard or zip-up fanny pack
AirFly wireless headphone adapter for in-flight entertainment systems
Screen cleaning wipes, such as Oars, Alps Cooling and a microfibre cleaning cloth
A cable organiser
A short USB-C charging cable
A waterproof dry bag for boat trips
Relaxing on a sun lounger with the waves crashing at your feet sounds like a dream, but it could be a nightmare for your phone. Fine sand can scratch screens and camera lenses, while salt water is highly corrosive if it reaches charging ports or speakers. Even sunscreen can leave a stubborn residue that attracts dirt over time.
With some simple precautions, you can save expensive repairs:
Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch when you're not using it.
Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for long periods.
Store it in a zipped beach bag rather than directly on your towel.
Rinse your hands after applying sunscreen before handling your phone.
Never charge your phone if you suspect moisture is inside the charging port.
If your phone is looking a bit weatherbeaten after a day at the beach, you’ll need to be patient while cleaning it as rushing the process can push sand deeper into ports or scratch the screen.
Follow these simple steps:
Turn your phone off.
Remove the case.
Gently brush away loose sand using a soft brush.
Carefully tap the phone so trapped grains can fall out naturally.
Wipe the exterior with a slightly damp microfibre cloth.
Clean the charging port carefully without using metal objects.
Leave the phone to dry completely before charging.
Wash and dry the phone case separately.
Avoid using hairdryers or high-pressure compressed air, as both can force sand deeper into the device.
❗Note: If your phone has been exposed to salt water, it's worth checking the manufacturer's cleaning guidance for your specific model before attempting any further cleaning.
The best phone accessories for travel are the ones that suit your holiday. A beach escape in Mallorca might call for a waterproof phone pouch and a portable charger. A road trip around New Zealand could make a universal travel adapter and sturdy phone mount invaluable. If you're hiking through Iceland or exploring the fjords of Norway, a rugged case and reliable power bank are likely to earn their place in your backpack.
Rather than buying every gadget available, focus on accessories that protect your phone, help it last longer and make travelling a little easier. Investing in durable, well-made products can reduce waste, minimise the risk of accidental damage and help you get more years from the phone you already own. So before you leave make sure you've packed:
Keep reading our Holiday Mode On series, where we’ll talk about travel eSIMs and uncover roaming charges and the costs of insuring your phone for travel.
We've done the digging on what UK networks and major cruise lines actually charge in 2026 to stay connected, and how to avoid paying more than you need to.
In this final part of our Holiday Mode On, we’ll cover how to reduce your chances of becoming a target of phone theft when on holiday, what to do if your phone is stolen and how the right insurance can help you.
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