Kogan Makes Smart Shopping Easy
September 16, 2025
For anyone who has spent time living out of a suitcase, you know the value of well-chosen gear. Travel bloggers in particular rely on a set of essentials that keep them organized, connected, and sane through long layovers, noisy hostels, and endless hours on the road. While many people instantly think of premium luggage brands or high-end electronics, an increasing number of travel creators are turning to Kogan for reliable yet affordable travel products.
Kogan, based in Australia, has built a reputation for offering everything from smart luggage to portable chargers, travel adapters, and even insurance. What makes them appealing to travelers is the balance of functionality, price, and convenience. Instead of blowing hundreds of dollars on luggage accessories, you can kit yourself out with practical gear that does the job and still leaves you with money to spend on actual adventures.
If there’s one thing that can make or break your trip, it’s your carry-on. Travel bloggers often spend more time with their carry-on than any other piece of gear. The Orbis 20″ Smart Carry On Suitcase, priced around AU$79.99 on Kogan, is a fantastic choice for those who want something compact, functional, and sleek. (Buy here)
Why bloggers love it:
The Orbis Smart Carry On stands out because it’s not just a shell to throw clothes into. It’s built with smart travel in mind. Depending on the variant, features may include USB charging ports (ideal for powering your phone while in the airport queue), TSA-approved locks, and durable spinner wheels. For many travel bloggers who spend half their lives going through airport security, these little conveniences add up.
Imagine this: you’re at Singapore Changi airport, waiting for your boarding gate to open. Your phone battery is down to 15%, you’re still editing your vlog from yesterday, and all the public charging points are taken. With the Orbis, you can plug directly into the suitcase’s external USB port, powered by your own portable battery inside. Problem solved — no awkward floor sitting, no missed Instagram upload.
Organization advantage:
The 20″ size is cabin-friendly on most airlines, making it perfect for short trips or for those who want to avoid checked luggage fees. Bloggers who live by minimalist packing strategies swear by it — pack your laptop, two pairs of shoes, a week’s worth of clothes, and you’re set. The internal compartments also help keep things tidy, so you don’t end up with a messy pile of cables and clothing.
Durability:
One frequent complaint about cheap luggage is weak zippers or flimsy wheels. The Orbis has proven to hold up reasonably well even on bumpy cobblestone streets or being dragged through bus stations. Travel bloggers who put it through daily abuse report that it punches above its price tag.
Caveats:
It’s not going to compete with luxury brands like Samsonite for lifetime durability. If you’re a full-time nomad, you may need to replace it after a couple of years of hard travel. But for its price point, the value is exceptional.
Bottom line:
The Orbis 20″ Smart Carry On is a blogger’s best friend when traveling light. Affordable, smartly designed, and practical, it’s one of those products that can easily pay for itself in avoided baggage fees and travel convenience.
Longer trips or content-creation projects often mean carrying more gear — camera equipment, tripods, outfits, props, or just the extra clothes needed when working with tourism boards. That’s where the Orbis 5 Piece Luggage Set, priced at around AU$129, becomes invaluable. (Buy here)
The travel blogger problem it solves:
Having mismatched luggage is not just about looks; it creates inefficiency. Different brands often have different wheel types, handles, or weight distributions. When you’re sprinting across Madrid Barajas Airport trying to catch a connection, the last thing you need is one bag zigzagging while the other rolls straight. The Orbis set keeps things consistent.
What you get:
This five-piece set usually includes three rolling suitcases of different sizes (large, medium, carry-on) and two smaller bags for accessories or day use. Travel bloggers appreciate the flexibility — one trip you might need only the medium and small cases, the next you may use all five when producing video shoots in different cities.
Real-world use:
Take a family travel blogger documenting a trip to Bali. Instead of buying extra bags for the kids or juggling multiple mismatched suitcases, they roll with the Orbis set. The kids get the smaller ones, the parents use the larger, and everything matches for easy identification at baggage claim. Plus, the TSA-approved locks mean peace of mind when checking in expensive camera gear.
Durability and design:
While it’s not in the premium luggage league, it’s sturdy enough for regular use. Spinner wheels glide well in airports, and the hard shell protects delicate gear better than soft-sided luggage. Bloggers often stuff drones, microphones, and even gimbals inside without worry.
Caveat:
Like most budget sets, you shouldn’t expect the same longevity as a Rimowa or Samsonite. However, for bloggers who often replace gear every few years anyway, the Orbis set is more than adequate.
Why bloggers swear by it:
Perfect balance of cost vs. quantity.
Flexibility of sizes depending on trip.
Cohesive look for professional travel presentations.
Bottom line:
If you’re juggling multiple projects, shooting travel content, or just love the peace of mind that comes with having enough luggage options, this set is a lifesaver.
Ask any travel blogger about their secret weapon, and chances are they’ll say “packing cubes.” The 4 Piece Compression Travel Packing Cubes, priced at about AU$14.99, are among the most affordable and practical on Kogan. (Buy here)
Why they’re a game changer:
Compression cubes allow you to fit more into your suitcase without it becoming a chaotic mess. Bloggers who live on the road need to pack and repack constantly — hostels, hotels, Airbnbs, overnight buses. Having every category of clothing separated makes life much easier.
Use case example:
Imagine a fashion blogger hopping between Paris, Rome, and Athens in one week. With four cubes, she dedicates one to dresses, one to tops, one to bottoms, and one to lingerie/accessories. When it’s time to shoot in a new city, she pulls out the exact cube she needs. No digging, no wasted time.
The compression advantage:
These cubes aren’t just for organization — they zip down to shrink the contents, saving crucial space. Bloggers swear by them when packing bulky items like jackets or hoodies. For example, stuffing two hoodies into a cube and compressing it may save up to 30% of space compared to folding them loose in a suitcase.
Durability & affordability:
Despite the low price, they hold up surprisingly well. Zippers are smooth, fabric doesn’t tear easily, and they’re washable. At under $15, bloggers often buy multiple sets to keep “themed” packs ready — one set for tech accessories, one for clothes, one for toiletries.
Tips from the road:
Roll your clothes before putting them into the cube to maximize compression.
Use color-coded cubes if traveling with a partner to keep clothes separate.
Keep one cube empty for dirty laundry.
Caveat:
Overstuffing cubes can damage zippers. Keep compression moderate.
Bottom line:
Packing cubes may sound like a minor purchase, but for travel bloggers, they’re one of the biggest time-saving, sanity-preserving hacks on the planet.
Few things are more stressful than repacking at the check-in counter because your bag is overweight. Travel bloggers, constantly flying budget airlines with strict limits, rely on luggage scales. Kogan’s Portable Digital Luggage Scale (2 Pack), priced at about AU$19.99, solves that problem neatly. (Buy here)
Real-life blogger scenario:
Picture this — you’re leaving Bangkok after three weeks of exploring, and you’ve picked up souvenirs, streetwear, and maybe even an extra tripod. At Don Mueang airport, AirAsia announces a 7kg cabin weight limit. Without a scale, you’d have to gamble. With Kogan’s digital scale, you hook it onto your bag at the hotel, and instantly know which bag needs lightening.
Why two is better than one:
The 2-pack option is brilliant for bloggers traveling as a couple or a team. One goes in each suitcase, or you keep one as backup in case of battery failure. Many bloggers hand their extra scale to fellow travelers, earning instant friendship points.
Features:
Digital accuracy.
Compact enough to slip into side pockets.
Simple one-button use.
Tips:
Always weigh at the hotel before leaving, not just at the airport queue.
Distribute heavy items like books or chargers between bags to balance weight.
Check both checked and cabin bags — budget airlines are strict on both.
Caveat:
Digital scales rely on small batteries that can die without warning. Always carry spares or back up with an analogue version (see next product).
Bottom line:
This small gadget has saved travel bloggers hundreds of dollars in excess baggage fees — easily one of the best-value Kogan finds.
Rest is a form of travel gear. Bloggers who work on tight schedules need every ounce of sleep they can get. The Bluetooth Sleep Mask, priced around AU$29.99, is a favorite for overnight flights and noisy hostel stays. (Buy here)
Why it’s loved:
Doubles as both a blackout sleep mask and wireless headphones.
Blocks ambient light while streaming white noise, audiobooks, or meditation apps.
Lightweight and comfortable compared to bulky over-ear headphones.
Story example:
A travel vlogger on an overnight bus in Vietnam struggles with neon lights flashing through the window and chatter from fellow passengers. With the Bluetooth sleep mask, they block the light and stream rain sounds directly into their ears. Within 10 minutes, they’re asleep, recharged for a day of filming in Hanoi.
Practical blogger hacks:
Preload Spotify playlists or white noise before flights.
Use in airports when napping between layovers.
Works great in hostels where roommates switch lights on at 3am.
Caveat:
Battery life may not last beyond one long-haul flight. Keep earplugs as backup.
Bottom line:
This is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. For under $30, it transforms sleepless, exhausting journeys into restful travel.
The ultimate travel essential, Kogan’s Universal International Travel Plug USB Power Adapter, at around AU$17.99, is a lifesaver for bloggers constantly hopping continents. (Buy here)
Why bloggers carry it:
Different plug types can ruin your trip if you forget an adapter. Instead of juggling three or four separate ones, this universal adapter covers multiple regions in one compact device.
Features:
Works in 150+ countries (US, UK, EU, AU).
Built-in USB ports for multiple devices at once.
Easy slide/lock system for switching plugs.
Story example:
A digital nomad arrives in Berlin only to realize their Australian charger won’t fit. Instead of hunting for a shop, they pull out their universal adapter, plug in, and get back to editing their video content.
Tips:
Always check whether your device supports dual voltage (most modern laptops and phones do).
Carry two if you travel with multiple cameras/laptops.
Never use it for high-wattage appliances like hair dryers unless confirmed safe.
Caveat:
Not a voltage converter. Don’t plug in devices that aren’t dual-voltage.
Bottom line:
One adapter to rule them all. For under $20, this is a must-own for any travel blogger.
Digital is great — until the battery dies. That’s why travel bloggers also carry a backup: the Flightmode Analogue Luggage Scale, priced at around AU$16.96. (Buy here)
Why it matters:
Doesn’t require batteries.
Durable, less prone to breaking.
Compact backup to digital.
Scenario:
At a rural guesthouse in Peru, there are no shops nearby to replace your digital scale’s dead battery. With the analogue scale, you can still measure your luggage before your flight to Lima.
Tips:
Use for a “rough” check to balance luggage between bags.
Combine with a digital scale when precision is important.
Bottom line:
It’s not glamorous, but it’s reliable. Bloggers who’ve been burned by dead batteries won’t travel without it.
When you need serious space, the Flightmode Travel Suitcase range, priced around AU$300–350, is the heavy-duty option. (Buy here)
Why bloggers swear by it:
Rugged design stands up to repeated abuse.
TSA-approved locks protect expensive camera gear.
Smooth spinner wheels ideal for navigating airports.
Scenario:
A travel blogger on assignment in Iceland packs heavy jackets, drones, and tripods. The large Flightmode suitcase ensures everything arrives intact, even after multiple flights.
Caveat:
Large suitcases can be heavy even before packing. Always check airline weight limits.
Bottom line:
If your blogging career requires carrying more than just clothes, this is worth the investment.
For budget-conscious travel bloggers, the Orbis Kuredu 20″ Spinner, priced at just AU$32.99, is a steal. (Buy here)
Why it’s popular:
Lightweight and portable.
Ideal for weekend trips or as a backup suitcase.
Spinner wheels make it easy to maneuver.
Scenario:
A food blogger heading to Melbourne for a three-day content trip doesn’t need a full luggage set. The Kuredu 20″ Spinner handles clothes, tripod, and camera gear perfectly — and at a fraction of the cost of premium brands.
Caveat:
At this price point, don’t expect lifetime durability. It’s best as a secondary bag.
Bottom line:
For under $35, this is one of the best budget travel hacks Kogan offers.
Rounding out the list are the smaller essentials — Orbis organizers, toiletry pouches, and add-on compartments, available on Kogan. (Buy here)
Why bloggers use them:
Keeps luggage organized and modular.
Affordable way to replace worn-out pouches.
Designed to fit Orbis luggage perfectly.
Scenario:
A lifestyle blogger in Tokyo separates makeup and skincare into dedicated Orbis pouches. When switching hotels daily, she grabs one pouch instead of digging through her suitcase.
Bottom line:
They’re small purchases that add up to huge convenience.
From smart carry-ons to compression cubes and sleep masks, Kogan offers a lineup that punches far above its price point. Travel bloggers love these products not only because they save money but because they actually work in real-world travel scenarios.
Whether you’re planning a weekend city break, a three-month digital nomad adventure, or a family trip abroad, these 10 Kogan finds can help you stay organized, avoid stress, and focus on what really matters: the journey itself.
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