Travel coverage, as we’ve come to realize, is a game of grams (and kilograms). When we flew to Cebu recently for a smartphone launch, our bags were already brimming with a laptop, a camera, and extra gear and batteries.

AUKEY sent us a suite of five essential travel items to review just in time for the trip. After a week of field-testing them in our hotel room and on photowalks, they have earned a permanent spot in our tech pouch.

AUKEY 240W and 60W braided USB-C to USB-C cables: The long and short of it

We started with the AUKEY 240W 1.8m braided USB-C to USB-C cable and its shorter sibling, the AUKEY 60W 1m braided USB-C to USB-C cable. Both feel premium — thick, durable, and resistant to tangling.

While the 60W version is a reliable 1‑meter companion for desk work, the 240W variant is the clear winner for travel. At 1.8 meters, it solved the problem of our room’s outlets being awkwardly positioned far from the bed. That extra length let us recharge while scrolling through the day’s photos under the covers.

Beyond immediate convenience, the 240W cable is future‑proof. It easily powers 140W MacBooks and is even rated for e‑bikes and monitors, yet it intelligently scales down to safely fast‑charge a phone. Given the negligible price gap, the sheer versatility of the longer cable makes it a no‑brainer.

Prices: P769 (240W, 1.8m) and P629 (60W, 1m)

AUKEY Spark Mini 5000: The pocket-sized life saver

If you’ve ever spent four hours on a photowalk in the Cebu heat, you know that a 20,000mAh power bank can feel like a literal stone in your bag. The AUKEY Spark Mini 5000 Portable Power Bank, with its built‑in USB‑C port, changed our workflow.

It is small enough to slip into a shirt pocket, yet it eliminates the need for extra cords thanks to its integrated USB‑C connector. The built‑in stand was a pleasant surprise, propping up our smartphone for quick edits or a YouTube break during lunch. You do trade off total capacity here, but for a day of street photography — where weight is the enemy — this compact power bank became our most‑used accessory.

Price: P1,359

AUKEY PA-C3 Comet Mix 3 67W: The hub

Wall sockets are a luxury in press rooms. We swapped our usual tangle of power bricks for the AUKEY PA‑C3 Comet Mix 3 67W PD Wall Charger with GaN technology. Thanks to Gallium Nitride, this charger is noticeably smaller and more efficient than conventional silicon‑based bricks.

It anchored our entire setup, charging a laptop and two handsets simultaneously. By switching to a single brick, we freed up the second hotel outlet for our camera and batteries.

For the power‑hungry, keep in mind that the 67W output is a shared pool. When all three ports are in use, the charger intelligently distributes power among them. You won’t get the full 67W on a single device if others are plugged in, but there’s still more than enough to keep your mobile office running smoothly.

Price: P2,479

AUKEY Track Mate 3: The peace of mind

Finally, we tucked the AUKEY Track Mate 3 Smart Bluetooth Tracker into our wallet. At a razor‑thin 2.2mm, it is a CES Innovation Awards 2025 Honoree for good reason; you genuinely forget it’s there.

Constructed with tempered glass and boasting an IP67 rating, it’s built to withstand drops and spills. What sets it apart is its versatility, as it works seamlessly with Apple’s Find My network. Plus, the 80dB alarm is loud enough to locate a buried wallet in a noisy café.

The QR code on the back lets users update contact information and manage a digital business card, making it ideal for both networking and recovering lost items. It also supports Qi wireless charging, which extends the device’s lifespan by reducing the wear and tear of constantly plugging and unplugging a cable.

If you are like us and prone to misplacing your wallet, keys, or passport while traveling, this product comes highly recommended — especially given how compact and durable it is, and the fact that it works with both Android and iOS devices.

Price: P1,359

Final thoughts

If our time in Cebu proved anything, it’s that travel tech is no longer about having the most power. It’s about having the most efficient power. AUKEY has managed to trim the bulk without sacrificing the utility we rely on for professional coverage.

The standout of the bunch is the AUKEY 240W USB‑C to USB‑C braided charging cable. It’s a basic necessity elevated by thoughtful length and impressive power capacity. Paired with the AUKEY PA‑C3 Comet Mix 3, you are essentially carrying a high‑speed charging station that fits in the palm of your hand.

Whether we were dodging the sun in Cebu or racing between deadlines, these five products made our out‑of‑town coverage smoother, more efficient, and stress‑free.

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