Post-holiday tech buys that make travel easier: what to snap up in January sales

Beat unpredictable fares and dead batteries: January tech sales that actually make travel easier

Hook: If you’re fed up with last-minute baggage fees, unpredictable flight prices and gadgets that die mid-journey, January sales are your chance to fix the basics — without wasting cash on gimmicks. This guide, written for UK travellers in 2026, cuts through the noise: what travel tech to buy in the January sales, what to skip, and how to use price trackers and promo codes to get the best deals.

Why January 2026 sales matter for UK travellers

Retailers clear holiday stock and update ranges in January. In late 2025 and early 2026 we saw two clear trends that shape how savvy UK flyers should shop this month:

• Accessories and power tech (chargers, power banks, wireless pads) experienced deeper markdowns than flagship devices — retailers clear accessories to move inventory.
• Desktop and niche workstation discounts (for example, entry-to-mid Mac mini M4 bundles) popped up in both Black Friday and January windows — useful if you need a compact home-base for editing between trips.

That means January is a high-value window for the gadgets that actually make travel smoother — not necessarily the newest flagship phone.

What to buy now: travel tech that gives the highest return

These picks focus on value per pound for UK flyers. We prioritise portability, compliance with airline regs and long-term usefulness.

1. Portable power banks — the single most important travel buy

Why: Dead devices ruin itineraries. A compact, high‑wattage power bank keeps phones, tablets and small laptops charged between layovers and during long travel days.

• What to look for: USB‑C PD output (at least 45W for fast tablets and small laptops), total capacity under 100Wh for hassle‑free carry‑on use, and 20,000mAh or thereabouts for multiple phone charges.
• Why sub‑100Wh matters: UK and most international airlines allow power banks up to 100Wh in hand luggage without approval. Between 100–160Wh you usually need airline approval; over 160Wh is generally prohibited.
• Good buys in January 2026: Look for 20,000mAh USB‑C PD 65W models on sale. Retailers discounted reputable brands in early 2026 — the best deals are often Amazon, Currys or specialist sellers listed on HotUKDeals.

Actionable tip: convert mAh to Wh if the label shows only mAh. Approximate formula: Wh ≈ (mAh × voltage) / 1000. For most power banks use 3.7V. A 20,000mAh bank ≈ 74Wh, safe under 100Wh.

2. Multi‑device wireless chargers (Qi2 / MagSafe compatible)

Why: Gone are the days of carrying separate chargers for phone, earbuds and watch. By 2026 the Qi2 standard and wider MagSafe-compatible ecosystems matured — making a single 3‑in‑1 pad genuinely useful for travellers with Apple and USB‑C devices.

• What to buy: Foldable 3‑in‑1 Qi2 chargers (look for 15–25W for phones and a separate TWS earbud coil). The UGREEN MagFlow Qi2 3‑in‑1 Charger, for example, appeared heavily discounted in recent January sales and is a strong all‑round pick for UK flyers.
• Why it’s high value: These chargers replace several cables, reduce lost adapters and double as small bedside docks in hotels or Airbnbs.

Actionable tip: check travel voltage compatibility and pack a small GaN charger that supports both UK 230V and international voltages.

3. Compact editing setups — what to buy for on‑the‑road content work

Why: Many travellers edit photos or short videos between flights. By 2026, portable SSDs, fast USB‑C docks and compact desktops like the Mac mini M4 (on sale in late 2025 / early 2026) provide a powerful, small-footprint editing base.

• Mac mini M4: If you mostly edit in a fixed base (Airbnb, rented studio) rather than on the move, a discounted Mac mini M4 is a high-value buy — it delivers desktop power in a tiny chassis and often surfaced in January discounts. Choose only if you rarely need to edit while airborne or on trains.
• Why laptops still beat desktops for frequent flyers: For editing in cafés, lounges or trains, a lightweight laptop (MacBook Air/Pro or equivalent Windows ultrabook) is better. If a laptop wasn't on sale, a Mac mini and a cheap travel monitor is still a sensible setup when you return home between trips.
• Complementary buys: NVMe portable SSDs (1TB) and a USB‑C hub with SD card reader. January sales often have strong SSD discounts.

Actionable tip: if you choose a Mac mini deal in January, pair it with a quality portable SSD on sale (look for PCIe Gen3/4 drives with sustained write speeds) and a compact USB‑C dock for SD and HDMI to make editing smooth when you travel.

4. GaN chargers and short fast cables

Why: GaN chargers are smaller, more efficient and can deliver high wattage. By 2026 most good travel kits are built around a single GaN brick and short 30cm cables — ideal for power sockets in cramped seats or hotel rooms.

• What to buy: 65W to 100W GaN bricks with dual USB‑C ports; short braided USB‑C to USB‑C and USB‑C to Lightning cables (for older Apple devices).
• January deal trend: Multi‑port GaN chargers dropped in price in early 2026 as manufacturers pushed new models — making now a good time to upgrade from bulky mains bricks.

What to skip (or buy later)

Not every sale is worth it. Here’s what to avoid in January if you’re a UK traveller aiming for value:

• Old‑generation flagship phones: January sometimes discounts flagships, but new models and network SIM offers usually appear in spring. If you travel a lot, prioritise battery life over bleeding‑edge camera specs and wait for a targeted carrier bundle.
• Cheap generic power banks without clear Wh ratings: If a price looks too good to be true and the seller won’t confirm capacity or safety certifications (CE, UN 38.3), skip it — fake capacity claims and unsafe cells are common in third‑party listings.
• Large desktop investments for frequent flyers: If you change locations weekly, avoid desktops unless you’re using them at home between trips. A lightweight laptop or iPad‑based setup is more practical.
• Bundled accessories with proprietary chargers: Proprietary docks or oddball plugs can be expensive to replace abroad. Stick to USB‑C/USB‑A standards or Qi2/MagSafe where possible.

Price trackers, alerts and comparison plugins: how to hunt January deals like a pro

Saving money in January is as much about tools as timing. Use a combination of price trackers, promo‑code aggregators and browser extensions — here’s a step‑by‑step workflow tailored to UK travellers.

Step 1 — Monitor product prices across marketplaces

• Install Keepa and/or CamelCamelCamel for Amazon price history. Both show historical lows and current trends — vital to detect fake discounts.
• Use Idealo and PriceSpy (UK) to compare across retailers. These sites aggregate local sellers and often include shipping / VAT differences.
• Set alerts on HotUKDeals for community-vetted bargains and coupon codes.

Step 2 — Use coupon and promo code tools

• Try VoucherCodes, RetailMeNot UK and the site’s native banner coupons. For niche services (e.g., Vimeo, VistaPrint), promo code pages often list valid promo stacks that can cut costs on subscriptions or printing for trips.
• Remember promo stacking rules: some merchants let you apply a new customer code plus seasonal sale pricing; others don’t. Always test codes at checkout rather than assuming they’ll stack.

Step 3 — Use browser extensions to auto‑apply codes and compare

• Install Honey/Capital One Shopping to auto‑apply coupon codes and check historical price trends. These extensions find codes at checkout automatically.
• For UK-specific price comparisons, the PriceSpy plugin and the Idealo extension show alternative sellers on product pages.

Step 4 — Set availability and price alerts

• Keepa and CamelCamelCamel let you set threshold alerts. Use them to watch tech you’ll buy only if the price hits a target.
• For travel tech alongside flights, sign up for ScanFlights price alerts for UK departures — pair gadget savings with fare alerts so you know when both flights and the accessories you need are cheapest.

Real example: In January 2026 a UK freelancer used Keepa alerts to buy a 20,000mAh 65W power bank at a 28% drop, and a HotUKDeals thread pointed to a 32% off 3‑in‑1 charger. The combined spend kept devices charged across a two‑week Portugal trip and avoided the need to buy expensive airport chargers.

Packing rules and airline policies you must know (practical compliance)

Nothing kills a trip like having gear confiscated at security. Keep these practical rules top of mind:

• Power banks must be in hand luggage only. Never put them in checked baggage.
• Capacity limits: up to 100Wh — no approval; 100–160Wh — airline approval required (usually carry‑on but check before travel); over 160Wh — generally not permitted.
• Spare batteries: Remove and carry them in hand baggage; terminals must be protected (taped or in original packaging).
• Chargers: GaN bricks and wireless pads are fine in hand or checked luggage but always carry them with you in case you need them between connections.

How to prioritise during a January sale — a quick decision framework

Use this three‑question checklist when browsing deals:

1. Does it solve a real trip pain? (dead phone, no hotel USB ports, slow editing setup)
2. Is the price at or below the historic low? (use Keepa / Idealo)
3. Is it compliant with airline rules and reliably built? (safety certifications, clear Wh rating)

If you answer “yes” to all three, buy now. If one is “no”, bookmark it and set a price alert.

Case study: how one UK traveller rebuilt a carry‑on kit in January 2026

Sam, a London-based travel photographer, had repeated issues with battery life and slow photo offloads. In January 2026 Sam followed this plan:

• Set Keepa alerts for a compact 20,000mAh 65W bank and a fast NVMe 1TB portable SSD — both hit target prices within two weeks.
• Snapped up a 3‑in‑1 Qi2 foldable charger that matched the lowest historical price, confirmed by HotUKDeals threads.
• Used a VoucherCodes promo to save an extra 10% on the SSD purchase and paired the Mac mini M4 deal found on a retailer outlet for heavy desktop editing days between trips.

Result: Sam saved roughly 30% on the total kit vs buying at full price and avoided expensive replacements abroad. The kit cut editing time by 20% and eliminated mid‑trip battery stress.

Final buying checklist — snap-up guide for January sales

• Must-buy if you fly frequently: 20,000mAh USB‑C PD power bank (under 100Wh), 65W+ GaN charger, short fast cables.
• High-value add: Foldable 3‑in‑1 Qi2/MagSafe charger for phones and earbuds.
• Buy only if it fits your workflow: Mac mini M4 — great for a compact home editing base, less useful for constant movers.
• Avoid: Unverified cheap power banks, cluttered proprietary bundles, and large desktops if you need portability.

Advanced strategies for 2026 — combine flight and gadget savings

Two advanced tactics for UK travellers:

• Coordinate purchase timing with fare trends: Use ScanFlights alerts for UK departures and set gadget tracker alerts simultaneously. Booking flexible tickets on a flight sale and snapping a discounted power kit means you’re ready to travel when fares drop.
• Leverage warranty and returns windows: Buy early in January to take advantage of extended returns and warranty cover if a device underperforms — many UK retailers extend returns after the holidays.

Parting recommendations

January 2026 is a buyer’s market for travel essentials: choose devices that solve clear travel pain points, check historical price data before you buy, and prioritise safety-certified power tech. Skip heavily discounted flagships unless the price beats historical lows and aligns with your travel needs.

Actionable takeaway: Set price alerts now for a 20,000mAh USB‑C PD power bank, a 65W GaN charger and a foldable Qi2 3‑in‑1 charger. Use Keepa, Idealo and HotUKDeals to verify historic lows and try VoucherCodes or ScanFlights’ promotions for extra savings.

Call to action

Ready to upgrade your travel kit without overspending? Sign up for ScanFlights’ UK‑focused deal alerts and the monthly travel tech roundup — we combine fare alerts and hand‑picked gadget deals so you never pay full price for the gear that keeps you going. Set your price targets, and we’ll notify you when the right sale hits.

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