Whether it’s a long-haul flight, a grueling road trip, or a relaxing train ride, chances are you’ve given some thought to the gadgets you need to bring with you. While most folks will opt for their phone and a laptop, there are other items you should consider. This guide will help you decide on the must-have tech products to take with you when you travel.
1. Location Trackers
If you reside in the United States, you’ve probably heard horror stories about airlines losing passenger luggage. Unfortunately, nothing on this list will completely prevent your luggage from being lost. That being said, there is a tiny, affordable device that could help you not lose your bags, or at the very least, reunite you with your lost bags more quickly. “Smart” location trackers rely on low-power Bluetooth to transmit coordinates to your phone, which makes it easier to find your lost property.
Fortunately, you can choose from many different location trackers, including popular multi-device options like the Tile Pro and Chipolo. If you’re an Apple user, you can check out the Apple AirTag, which utilizes nearby Apple devices to pinpoint location data and beam it to your Find My app.
2. GaN Charger
When traveling long distances, you’ll probably bring along many electronic devices. However, no one wants to deal with lugging around different chargers for each device. Thankfully, GaN technology has allowed you to say goodbye to multiple chargers and say hello to one that simultaneously charges all of your devices.
While many GaN chargers are available, they are not all made equally. The number of USB charging ports they have and the amount of power they can pump out varies significantly between models. If you genuinely want one brick to charge everything, then you’ll have to take note of the power requirements for each one of your devices. For example, laptops require significantly more power than a phone. While all laptops are different, a good rule of thumb is to grab a GaN charger that can output at least 60 watts, like the UGreen 65W Charger.
If you want to charge multiple devices simultaneously, you’ll want to grab an even beefier one. For example, the Anker 747 Charger outputs 150 watts, more than enough for all of your gadgets.
3. Power Bank
Not every airline has in-seat power outlets to charge your devices mid-flight. If you’re backpacking, there’s no telling when you’ll have access to power. Fortunately, if you have a power bank, it won’t matter. Today’s power banks are thinner, lighter, and carry more juice to keep your devices up for extended periods.
Power banks come in all shapes and sizes, but you’ll want to note their battery capacity. This is measured in milliampere hours (mAh). Have a look at your devices and see what the battery capacity is for each one. This will give you a good idea of what size (capacity) power bank you want to go with.
Tip: if you’re worried about the size of your power bank for air travel of if you prefer to travel light, consider some of the smallest power banks on the market today.
4. Universal Charging Cable
You’ve streamlined your chargers, but what about your cables? Unfortunately, there isn’t a universal standard (at least not yet) for charging interfaces. This means you’re obligated to carry multiple cables to suit different devices. And it’s super frustrating when you’re trying to fish out a specific cable only to end up with a tangled mess of wires.
Thankfully, universal charging cables come with multiple charging tips, such as the Anker Powerline II, which features USB-C, Lightning, and micro USB connectors. This means you’ll be able to charge all of your devices with a single cable. Other comparable models include the Zeus 6-in-1 Charger.
5. Portable Laptop Stand
There’s not much to do when stuck in a metal tube hurtling through the air. Thankfully, you can always get some work done on your trusty laptop. Unfortunately, airline tray tables don’t offer the best ergonomics. This is where a quality laptop stand comes in. Most travel laptop stands can angle your laptop between 15 and 25 degrees. This helps to reduce strain on your wrists and prevent fatigue while typing.
There are many options, but the MOFT Invisible Laptop Stand is an outstanding choice. Inspired by origami, the MOFT is a stand that adheres to the bottom of your laptop and folds completely flat. The MOFT stand is only 1/9″ thick and weighs only 3 ounces. You can leave it attached to your laptop at all times, and you’ll barely even know it’s there when it’s folded flat.
The Nexstand Portable Laptop Stand is another great option. It offers many options for height adjustments and weighs just 8 ounces.
FYI: if you’re looking to upgrade your computer this year, read about these outstanding laptop choices.
6. Laptop Privacy Screen
Unless you’re one of the fortunate few in first class, chances are you’ll be elbow to elbow with your neighbors. If you’re working on your laptop, you may not want your fellow travelers stealing a peek at your screen. Fortunately, laptop privacy screens mitigate this risk.
A privacy screen is a filter that attaches to a laptop’s screen, limiting the viewing angle of the screen. This makes it difficult for prying eyes to see what you’re doing. A privacy screen helps protect sensitive information, such as personal or financial data, and allows you to maintain your privacy. Furthermore, privacy screens help reduce glare and eye strain.
Whether you’re looking to discourage nosy neighbors or want to cut down on fatigue, privacy screens are inexpensive and add no additional weight or bulk to your laptop. There are many to choose from that cater to a wide variety of laptop manufacturers and models, including well-known brands, such as Kensington and SightPro.
7. Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
If you want to travel light, you’ll want to skip the laptop. You can be just as productive with a tablet or mobile phone. However, you probably don’t want to invite carpal tunnel using the on-screen keyboard. Fortunately, several foldable Bluetooth keyboards on the market emphasize portability and functionality.
8. Slim or Collapsible Mouse
Now that your keyboard is sorted, you will want a mouse to maximize productivity. Thankfully, many options have been designed with travel in mind. Some, like the Logitech Pebble, employ a minimal design that allows them to lay relatively flat. This allows them to be easily stored without taking up much room. Some folks may find them uncomfortable to use for prolonged periods, as they do not provide the same ergonomics as a traditional mouse.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for portability. Mice like the Microsoft Arc are designed to collapse flat when not in use, making them easy to carry. When a user needs it, it can snap into a curved position, providing a more comfortable position that puts less strain on the wrist.
Good to know: you can also use your Android phone as a mouse for your laptop.
9. Bluetooth Transmitter
In-flight entertainment units can be a lifesaver. That said, you will want to avoid the crummy complimentary headphones airlines dole out. Furthermore, you’ll want to cut down on the clutter, opting for wireless connections whenever possible. Unfortunately, in-flight entertainment units don’t support Bluetooth. However, there is a solution in the form of a small gadget called a Bluetooth transmitter. These can be used to connect wireless headphones to devices like the in-flight entertainment unit that do not have built-in wireless connectivity.
There are a bunch of options when it comes to Bluetooth transmitters. However, if you’re one of the millions who own AirPods, you may want to consider the AirFly, as it was made with AirPods in mind. Furthermore, a Bluetooth transmitter isn’t just for travel. You can use it to connect wireless headphones to any device that doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in. This includes older stereos, gym equipment, TVs, and more.
10. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Speaking of headphones, you will want to invest in a pair with active noise cancellation. These can be game-changers when traveling. Say goodbye to crying babies and the incessant whine of jet engines.
Noise-canceling headphones work by using a microphone to pick up external sounds. They create sound waves that are opposite to the external noises. These sound waves are played through the headphones, effectively negating or “canceling” the external sound.
There are a few benefits to using noise-canceling headphones. They can block out (or at least reduce) unwanted background noise. This can make it easier to hear and focus on the audio from the headphones. This will also allow you to comfortably listen at a lower volume, which can prevent hearing damage. Additionally, noise-canceling headphones don’t have to play any audio to be helpful. They can be used solely to block background noise and help you sleep!
11. Gaming Device
Have an aversion to working while traveling? We don’t blame you. If you want to keep yourself occupied, consider using a gaming device.
Recently, we have seen many handheld devices take the gaming world by storm. The most obvious one is the Nintendo Switch, which ushered in a new era of quality gaming on the go.
Since then, we have seen a proliferation of handheld devices. These range from high-end portable PCs like the Steam Deck and various competitors to devices focused on cloud gaming, like the Logitech G Cloud. In addition, there are several dedicated handheld emulation machines.
Alternatively, you can easily game on your phone if you don’t want to lug around another device. Grab a controller for your Android or iPhone, and you’re ready to go. Furthermore, you’ll be able to run games made explicitly for mobile and a plethora of emulators. We’ve come a long way since the Gameboy, so start playing with power on your next trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
What size power bank should I buy?
As mentioned above, power bank capacity is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). So it depends on how many devices you have, what the battery capacities of those devices are, and how many times you would want to charge them with the power bank. For example, if your phone has a battery capacity of 4,000 mAh and your power bank is 10,000 mAh, you can charge your phone from zero roughly 2.5 times.
Can I use an AirTag with an Android phone?
Unfortunately, nobody . You must opt for Tile or Chipolo location trackers if you’re an Android user. It should also be noted that Tile and Chipolo location trackers can be used with iPhones.
Can the AirFly Bluetooth transmitter be used with wireless headphones or just AirPods?
The AirFly was designed with AirPods in mind. However, it can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled wireless headphones.
Image credit: Unsplash
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