10 Controversial Travel Gadgets (That May Actually Improve Your Trip)

Jamie Ditaranto is a traveler in a love triangle with writing and photography. Follow the drama on Twitter @jamieditaranto and Instagram @jamieditaranto.

Ditaranto joined SmarterTravel in 2015. She loves ecotourism, cities with history, and discovering local hangouts. Though she likes all the continents equally, she holds a special place in her heart for rainy little islands.

Her work has also appeared online at USA Today, Huffington Post, Business Insider, and other publications. You can check out her photography on her website.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "My instant camera comes in handy for giving instant gifts to new friends."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Befriending penguins in Antarctica."

Travel Motto: "You have to get the hard places out of the way first."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "On short flights, the window. For long flights, the aisle."

Email Jamie at editor@smartertravel.com.

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It’s no secret that air travel is uncomfortable. And judging by the sheer volume of travel gear available at the airport, the market knows it, too. Every day brings a new type of travel gadget that promises to make travel better and more comfortable.

Controversial Travel Gadgets

Sometimes these products make a big difference, and sometimes they’re unnecessary, bizarre, or just plain disrespectful. Here are some of the craziest and most controversial travel gadgets available. Are they worth enraging your fellow passengers? You be the judge.

Seat Dividers

Armrests are another touchy subject. Seat dividers like Soarigami Portable Armrest Divider make a barrier that will help you claim your armrest. The divider is designed to favor one side and keep a barrier between seats. This product is great for anyone who wants to avoid awkward contact with a stranger’s arm, but that stranger might not appreciate your claim on the armrest. If you care more about having a private space than resting your arm, the best way to avoid confrontation is to offer the accommodating side of the divider to your seatmate and hope they won’t be offended.

Flushable Tush Wipes

You won’t have to worry about not having toilet paper again. Flushable wipes like PureTouch Naturals Flushable Moist Tush Wipes has you covered in even the most delicate scenario. If you don’t trust the toilet paper or you want wipes that claim to moisturize your tush, these wipes will provide you with an extra layer of security.

Airplane Seat Cover

It might seem excessive, but there are many reasons someone might want to place a protective cover over their airplane seat. Whether you aren’t taking any chances against bedbugs or you’re taking extra precautions when it comes to allergies, an airplane seat cover can be helpful. If you’re worried what the person behind you might think, know that the cover is designed to prevent obstruction of the seatback entertainment system.

Face Cradle

Regardless of whether or not the Face Cradle looks comfortable, there are a lot of features that will likely annoy the people around you. The pillow has to be strapped around your headrest, potentially blocking the entertainment system for the person behind you. This pillow is also pretty huge, which will make it difficult for fellow passengers to slide past you.

Selfie Sticks

In the history of travel accessories, there has never been a more divisive topic than the selfie stick. Great for taking photos of your whole group and cluttering the view for your fellow travelers, they’ve even been banned from some museums and landmarks. Luckily, there are now plenty of innovative new gadgets that will help you take a selfie without the stick.

Ostrich Pillows

If you’re looking for the perfect way to let your seatmate know that you don’t want to talk to them (without actually talking to them), the Ostrich Pillow is the perfect travel pillow for you. Blocking off all sound and sight is one way to sleep more comfortably, but you also won’t be very aware of your surroundings. Thankfully, Ostrich Pillow has also released a less extreme version, the Ostrich Pillow Light, that is much less likely to draw attention.

GoGirl

GoGirl is a female urination device for women on the go who also really have to go. It’s designed to make it easier for women to pee while standing up. You might find this useful if you’re camping or traveling in an area with a bad reputation for restroom cleanliness, but you’ll probably want to be discreet about it. GoGirl is reusable, but if cleaning your urination device sounds less than appealing, you can also by these disposable cones from Urinelle that do basically the same thing.

Povinmos Travel Pillow

Even the best neck pillow can’t recreate the comfort of lying in bed, but this ergonomic travel pillow comes pretty close. Designed to be used in the hug position, this pillow gives you a soft place to rest your head and arms while leaning forward. The pillow is inflatable, which makes it practical to pack, but there’s no guarantee how your seatmate will feel while you’re blowing it up. And if you’re not sitting in the window seat, it will be difficult for the person next to you to get up and use the restroom when you’re shuffling around with a pillow this large.

UV Flashlight

Germaphobes, rejoice. Before you settle into your airplane seat, you can use the Zerhunt Black Light UV Flashlight to spot invisible stains. From food stains on the seat back table to germs crawling all over your seat, this flashlight will help you spot exactly what you should clean before you sit down.

Travel Bidet

Did you fall in love with bidets during your trip to a foreign country? Well, now you can make sure to have one wherever you go with this travel-sized personal bidet. We won’t judge your commitment to cleanliness, but wish you luck explaining the contraption in your carry-on to airport security.

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Jamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer who is always looking for her next adventure. Follow her on Twitter @jamieditaranto.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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