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Commute in comfort: 13 expert picks for tubes, trains and buses
Lars is a bloodhound when it comes to sniffing out bargains, including on major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. He is also handy at unravelling tech jargon and anything related to gaming.
Every morning, millions of Brits board packed trains marred by handfuls of people with questionable etiquette, and spend hours shuffling through crowds to get to work.
These are the best things to make any commute better, whether long or short, by foot, bike, car, bus or train.
Our picks include essentials from bags and brollies to things that should help you stay comfortable on public transport. Plus, fun tech that should keep you entertained on your way home.
Looking for a bargain? Read our round-up of the best Amazon Prime Day deals
13 expert-approved commuter essentials
Kilner 0.35-litre Breakfast Jar Set
Perhaps not one for the tube, but as I travel by train, I'm more than happy to crack my breakfast out. I'm a big fan of overnight oats, and this jar is just the right size for my oats, blueberries and peanut butter. It also comes with a spoon which can be attached to the side.
Skip the queue at the station café by bringing your own breakfast. This jar has a screw-on lid, is made from dishwasher-safe glass, and features a spoon holder.
Just know that it isn't microwave-safe, so you might want to skip any food you'd want to reheat.
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Bush Handheld and Foldable Desk Fan
Available from Argos (£15)
Trains and tubes can be hot and stuffy, even in winter, so a portable fan helps cool you down. My fan is quite slim and fits in my bag easily, without taking up too much space. It's fairly quiet so doesn't disturb other travellers, and is especially useful after that last-minute sprint through the station to get the next train.
This budget-friendly handheld fan offers three fan speeds and has a four-inch diameter. It's lightweight at less than 200g, and should easily fit into your bag.
The handle can also fold down, allowing it to double as a desk fan on days when your workplace is just slightly too warm.
How does it compare to more expensive models? Read our Bush Handheld and Foldable desk fan review to learn more.
INIU BI-B6 10000mAh Portable Charger
I always keep a portable charger stashed in my bag so my phone doesn't die on my commute home. It gives me peace of mind to pass the time listening to podcasts, browsing Vinted or catching up on messages.
If you find your phone's or other gadgets' batteries need a top-up halfway through the working day, this is a great solution to consider.
This small yet mighty power bank has a capacity of 10,000 mAh and was the lightest medium-capacity power bank we tested, weighing just 205g. It should easily fit into your bag or even a large pocket.
Read our full INIU BI-B6 10000mAH Portable Charger review.
Tefal Travel Mug
After dropping an entire Greggs americano while getting off a crowded tube carriage, I vowed never to drink from a disposable cup at rush hour ever again. I've had my Tefal since 2020, and it's never let me down. It's easy to clean the lid mechanism – which is particularly important if you have milky drinks – and it keeps drinks hot and cold for absolutely ages. I can make my latte at home and still have it piping hot a couple of hours into the work day, if for some reason I've let it last that long.
This travel mug has a push-lid button, which is handy while on the go or in a vehicle, so you don't end up spilling hot coffee all over your white shirt.
It's insulated – meaning it works with both hot and cold drinks. You can only get the 360ml size, which may not be ideal for those who crave a bucket of coffee to start their mornings.
Read our Tefal Travel mug review, or read our guide on the best reusable coffee cups.
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Chilly's Series 2 Water Bottle
I like to walk to and from the station, and given I get up at the crack of dawn, I'm always gasping for a drink by the time I get on the train. This water bottle quenches my thirst and hasn't leaked in my bag.
This 500ml double-wall insulated water bottle should keep your water chilled throughout the day, and at 298g empty, it shouldn't weigh you down either. There are six colours available, including opal blue and limelight green.
Just know that the cap doesn't stay attached to the bottle while you're drinking, nor is it dishwasher-safe.
Can it keep water chilled all day? Read our Chilly's Series 3 Water Bottle review to find out.
Totes Eco-brella X-tra Strong Plus Auto Open
The best umbrellas for commuting pack down small, are light, and don't necessarily need the widest canopy. Their compact nature makes them easy to stuff in a handbag or backpack when not in use and helps you pick your way through the crowds when they're open.
You might like piña coladas, but getting caught in the rain is hardly ideal – especially before an eight-hour day in the office. This automatic-opening umbrella should keep you dry on your way into work, and Totes claims it won't invert in strong winds. It folds down into a 31cm long bundle that you can easily store in your bag.
How does it compare to cheaper brollies? Read our full Totes Eco-brella X-tra Strong Plus umbrella review.
Prefer a raincoat? Read our guide on the best waterproof jackets
Targus Octave III Laptop Backpack
Buy directly from Targus (£45) or keep an eye on stock below:
My backpack has been likened to Mary Poppins' bag, so a decent one to carry everything for my commute is essential – it should be small enough that I don't take up too much space on the crowded train, too.
A good bag is arguably the most important piece of kit for most commutes. This 20-litre backpack has a separate sleeve that fits up to a 16-inch laptop, plus several pockets for your other essentials.
It's worth noting that this bag isn't water-resistant, so don't forget to pack an umbrella (such as the one above).
Read our Targus Octave III backpack review.
Just don't waste your money on this popular backpack. It's overrated, and we've reviewed far more comfortable bags
JBL Wave Beam 2 headphones
Having a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones on my morning train is a must. It helps me get amped up for the day, and blocks out the loud rumbling of the tube. If I'm listening to a podcast, I can actually hear what's being said while I wriggle my way through morning crowds.
If you're looking for a new pair of earbuds for your morning commute, this JBL pair has noise-cancelling, an equaliser, and IP54 water resistance – meaning that if you get caught out in the rain on your way to work, these should still be fine.
They won't break the bank, either. These are often available for less than £50, which, compared to £200 AirPods, is a steal.
Can £50 really get you good earbuds? Read our JBL Wave Beam 2 review to find out.
Peak Design Mobile Crossbody Multi-Strap
Available from Peak Design (£55)
I was pickpocketed at King’s Cross station, where my shiny new iPhone was snatched. So now I never leave home without my phone attached to a crossbody tether and secure clip. It keeps my phone safe from prying fingers while still being easily accessible when I’m trying to get through the ticket barriers.
It's not the cheapest phone strap you can buy, but it comes with three pins so you can attach other devices or your keys to it. You can also add more clips if you'd like.
This strap is held by a magnetic connection point and is adjustable.
Read our full Peak Design Mobile Crossbody Multi-Strap review.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15 Running Shoes
Available from Cotswold Outdoor (Men's, £97), Runners Need (Men's, £97), Cotswold Outdoor (Women's, £97), Runners Need (Women's, £97)
My in-the-office days start and end with a 30-minute walk to and from my nearest Tube station, so I needed some really comfortable trainers (which I swap for a pair of shoes once I reach the office). Although these New Balance shoes are designed for running, their lovely cushioning makes them perfect for brisk walking, too.
Most commutes involve at least a bit of walking, especially if you're taking public transport to work. These running shoes have a higher heel and more cushioning than other pairs we tested, which makes them a good choice even if you'd prefer to never jog.
The fit may be a bit tight on some feet, so it might be worth sizing up or trying them out at a shoe shop before buying.
Read our guide on the best running shoes for men and women.
If you walk, run or cycle to work, it's worth reading our guide on the best fitness trackers
Amazon Kindle (2024)
- Amazon Kindle (2024) with ads: SQUIRREL_TEXT_50019126
- Amazon Kindle (2024) without ads: SQUIRREL_TEXT_50019441
Lighter than a book and easy to use with one hand while standing on the tube. If you pair it with noise-cancelling headphones, you can really block out the world around you.
Taking a book to read on the train is great, but with this lightweight six-inch ebook reader, you can bring several novels on the go without weighing you down.
The cheaper model comes with ads; if you'd prefer not to have them, you'll need to pay extra.
Read our full Amazon Kindle (2024) review.
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Nintendo Switch 2
My commute is an hour, and it absolutely flies by when I boot up my Switch. The battery on the Switch 2 is more than fine for handling a journey there and back, and when it's tricky to carve out time at home for gaming having the Switch on the commute gives you the opportunity to scratch the itch. It's also not so large and doesn't have noisy fans like some portable handheld PCs, so it's discreet, light and packable. The library of games is also becoming increasingly excellent
It's definitely a step up in price compared to our other picks, but this handheld console is sure to make your commute fly by.
Just be aware of battery life – some games suck up significantly more battery, so it might be worth picking up a power bank to keep you topped up and gaming on the go.
Looking to save on a Switch 2? Check out our monthly round-up of the best Nintendo Switch deals
Apple iPad 11-inch (2025)
I've got a two-hour rail commute, so I need something versatile. Apple's latest entry-level iPad is a genuine bargain at £399 and lets me read digital editions of newspapers and magazines on the way in – and unwind by watching a box set or football match on the way home. I can even tether it to my phone and watch live sport over 5G without relying on the train's terrible Wi-Fi.
This iPad has a 10.9-inch screen at a 2,360 x 1,640-pixel resolution. With an A16 Bionic Chip and 6GB of Ram, it makes for an excellent commuting companion.
While it also has a slew of handy productivity features, we recommend that you don't let it take your work home with you.
Read our full Apple iPad 11-inch (2025) review, or take a look at the best iPad and tablet deals.
