The 10 Best Travel Safety Devices Under $35 on Amazon

As carefree as travel may seem on social media, the reality can be sobering. Lost luggage, cancellations, and delays are all unforeseen possibilities, but there is one aspect of travel that you do have some control over: personal safety.

I admit I was fearless when I first traveled alone as a woman, but over the years I became more cautious as I heard of incidents among my peers: from high carbon monoxide levels in hotel rooms to being followed in a strange city. To make my solo travels as safe as possible, I’ve discovered some of the best personal safety products that are packable and portable, so I can bring them with me even when space is limited in my carry-on.

Here are 10 products that will help you feel safer while traveling, especially if you’re staying alone in a hotel room.

Winonly Door Stop Alarm

When security content creator Dannah Eve demoed this doorstop alarm on TikTok, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard of it. The influencer has built a following with her motto, “Live intentionally! Not in fear,” and that’s exactly what this product allows you to do. No matter how luxurious a hotel is, the realities are inevitable: locks break, there are master key cards, and break-ins happen. But when you place this doorstop alarm under the crack of the door to your hotel room (or Airbnb), it gives you double protection. First, it prevents intrusion by preventing the door from opening further. Then, it sounds an alarm to deter the intruder. The small but powerful device weighs less than a pound and can be slipped into a shoe to optimize valuable space in your luggage.

Gray Rhino Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector

Although hotels are equipped with smoke detectors, most rooms are not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors. And if you’re in a room with no windows or can’t open them, there’s little air circulation, which can lead to a carbon monoxide buildup. In fact, I had just returned from Mexico last year when a news story popped up about the exact same thing happening at another hotel in the same area. My mom (thanks, mom!) immediately texted me and told me to look into portable carbon monoxide detectors. There are quite a few of them on Amazon, but this pocket-sized version is a best seller, even among firefighters. One of the five-star reviews from a fire captain said this detector was more reliable than the detectors provided to them by the fire department, adding, “It’s a solid, easy-to-use, and accurate device.”

Master Lock Portable Small Lock Box

For some travelers, a hotel’s in-room safe may be enough, but for accommodations that don’t offer a safe, a portable locker is a great option for locking away your most valuable possessions. Even when I’m staying at a hotel with a safe, I feel more comfortable keeping my jewelry, passport, and cash in this simple, carry-on locker. It’s helpful if you change hotels or locations frequently so you always know where your valuables are, or in case an incident should occur in the middle of the night. While it’s easy to carry, it’s large enough to fit a smartphone, wallet, watch, and more.

Venture 4th Travel Money Belt

One of the most common concerns I hear from travelers is the challenge of staying organized while on the road. A money belt may seem overkill, but it is more helpful than you think because it protects your items And organized. Keeping a wad of cash and credit cards in your belt in your hotel room means you’ll always know where your cash is. And when you leave the room, you know you have your money physically with you — that means your cards and cash too. Even if you carry around a fair amount of money, you can feel more comfortable knowing that these belts will conceal your stash (as opposed to a bulky wallet in your back pocket or backpack) and be difficult for pickpockets to access. This slim belt also has space for your passport and features a radio frequency identification (RFID) blocking system to keep your documents safe.

Portable door lock from Elegoro

Many solo travelers feel safer when they can rely on their own door lock. The screw-like design of this portable lock may seem intimidating, but it requires no tools or installation; simply attach it to the door lock and tighten the system until it touches the door. Since it’s sold in a pack of two, you can slip the compact, sturdy lock into both your carry-on and your purse, so you’ll never forget it, even on a short trip.

Selowea Hidden Camera Detector

Hidden cameras in a hotel room seem like something out of a horror movie, but they can actually happen in real life. Why take a chance when it comes to personal safety? To protect yourself, pack this hidden camera detector in your security kit. It will give you peace of mind by beeping or vibrating within 25 feet of a hidden camera, bug or GPS tracking device.

Ceptics Universal Travel Adapter Kit

Imagine leaving your laptop (or other electronic device) to charge in a hotel room, only to have it die due to a power outage and the resulting surge. Combat this by bringing a converter with built-in surge protection when traveling internationally (or just a surge protector for domestic travel). This universal travel adapter offers built-in surge and spike protection with six global adapters, so you can take it with you virtually anywhere.

She’s Birdie The Original Personal Security Alarm

This popular keychain personal safety alarm may have been designed for walking alone at night or commuting on public transportation, but it works in any situation where you’re alone. It works by emitting an extremely loud alarm and a strobe light when activated; it will give you peace of mind when you go to sleep at night. Keep it under your pillow just in case; all you have to do is remove the top pin, which will set off an alarm that can run continuously for up to 40 minutes.

Boxiki Travel RFID Blocking Sleeves

This handy pack of 12 RFID blocking cards and 3 RFID blocking sleeves will protect your wallet and travel documents from electronic fraud or theft. The sleeves block signals to RFID-enabled cards to prevent unwanted and unauthorized access to credit cards, debit cards, IDs and passports (which fit in the larger sleeves). These sleeves tend to wear out over time, so if you stock up on a dozen, you can put an extra one in your travel bag and keep a few in the closet to freshen up after multiple uses.

BV TSA approved luggage lock

If you want to ensure the security of your luggage without using the hotel safe, travel with a luggage lock. Personally, I don’t usually travel with more than carry-on luggage, so I never thought I’d need a luggage lock. But I’ve found that using a lock in case you’re in the room has its benefits, especially the added security of your belongings when you’re out and about enjoying your destination. I like that these locks don’t require keys, so I don’t have to carry them around with me when I travel. And since they’re TSA approved, I can also use them if I need to check a bag on the way home.

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