Airbnb hosts aren’t mind readers. Yes, most people who rent out their vacation homes on Airbnb or VRBO put a lot of thought into making their guests comfortable, and the listing sites they work with provide all kinds of support and documentation. (We at Wirecutter even have our own advice on how to equip a vacation rental.) Still, over my decade of staying at dozens of vacation rentals, I’ve assembled a useful, albeit quirky, list of gear to bring with me (like my road-trip essential electric kettle) — things whose availability I don’t dare leave to chance. Here are five not-so-expensive items from my personal packing list that could make your stay better:
A fallback way to make coffee
Although any decent rental should come with a good coffee maker, that isn’t always the case. Sure, you might be lucky enough to discover an OXO Brew coffee maker or a Chemex—or maybe even a Breville Barista Plus—sitting on the kitchen counter. Then again, you might find a Keurig or worse. So pick up a portable, easy-to-use option that makes excellent coffee: the AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press, a slightly smaller, more packable sibling to the original AeroPress single-cup “syringe.” (Not being a coffee drinker, I’m channeling the advice of my java-dependent partner and colleagues.) You might not end up needing it, but at about $40, being prepared is not a huge extravagance.
AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press
The AeroPress Go has a slightly smaller capacity than the original, but it comes with improved accessories and seamlessly packs down into a travel cup.
An extra-long charging cable for your phone
At home, having a charging cable for my phone or tablet that’s longer than it needs to be is a pain—I have to coil and corral my cables with zip ties to keep from tripping over them (metaphorically as well as literally). But when I’m traveling, having an extra 3 or 4 feet can be a huge help—who knows where the closest outlet to the nightstand will be? If you’re charging an iPhone, the 10-foot version of our favorite fast-charging Lightning–to–USB-A cable should be plenty long enough. If you expect to have a USB-C port, we recommend the Lightning–to–USB-C cable. For newer iPads and Android phones, we recommend the Cable Matters 10-foot USB-C cable.
Anker PowerLine II USB-A to Lightning Cable (10 feet)
This cable charges more slowly than our pick for USB-C ports. But, it’s MFi-certified, sturdily built, comfortable to grip, backed by a lifetime warranty, and long enough to reach from a wall outlet to a nightstand, couch, or desk.
A cheap Bluetooth speaker
Over the years, I’ve constructed a network of audio devices that keep me safely within range of Morning Edition as I get ready for my day: an ancient but beloved clock radio by the bed, a shower radio in the bathroom, an Echo speaker in the kitchen. Without my usual a.m. soundtrack, I feel unmoored, which presents a problem when I travel. So I keep a small portable Bluetooth speaker in my suitcase like the Tribit XSound Go, which is compact, waterproof and offers quality sound). This way, I can guarantee that no matter what sound system the rental has (or doesn’t), I can find the stream for my preferred station and listen away.
Tribit XSound Go
The Tribit XSound Go is the best speaker we’ve heard in its price range, and it’s compact and waterproof to boot. But it can’t play as loud as our larger, more expensive picks.
A pair of flip-flops
I don’t wear flip-flops much at home, but when I’m traveling they’re a great substitute for the pair of clogs I keep by the door for quick trips outside to the corner store or back deck. We recommend a couple of models in our guide to beach gear; the Havaianas Top pair, which comes in men’s and women’s sizes, costs less than $20, but are still quiet and grippy on wet surfaces, which makes the investment worth it in our eyes. And of course, if your destination involves sand and surf, flip-flops are a natural for that, as well.
A headlamp to light your way
If you haven’t yet jumped on the headlamp bandwagon (despite all of our best efforts), now’s the time to take the leap. A headlamp is a good thing to pack in case you need to find a lockbox if you arrive after dark or fetch more logs from a woodpile when a fire needs stoking, or if the power fails for any reason. It helps you with all of that stuff while leaving your hands free—you can’t say the same about a flashlight. We like the Vitchelo V800, our budget pick, because it’s easy to use and offers bright enough light for casual, around the house use, while lasting up to 4 ½ hours before the light starts to dim.
Vitchelo V800
This headlamp is a comfortable, simple-to-navigate option for around-the-house use, at a fraction of the price of competitors.
This article was edited by Jason Chen.
