Traveling with the right tech gadgets can make a huge difference in your trip. However, it can be hard to choose which ones will actually be helpful — and which ones will just be dead weight — in advance. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 13 awesome tech gadgets you should absolutely consider packing for your next trip, from power banks to portable laptop screens:
AirTags- Your Next Trip
Traveling makes it much easier to lose essentials like wallets and keys, which is why it’s a great idea to attach them to a tracker such as an AirTag. AirTag cases are available in many different styles, from keychains to bumpers with sticky backs. Choose a more rugged model to protect the tracker from damage while traveling.
Power Adapter and Charging Cord
Whenever you travel, you have to pack a quality power adapter and a charging cord that you can rely on to recharge your devices. Double-check all the ports on your devices and confirm that you have packed the right power cords. If you are traveling internationally, also make sure to pick up the right adapter for the country’s outlets and consider investing in a universal adapter if you will be going to multiple countries.
Portable Power Bank
Sometimes your phone is running out of juice and you’re nowhere near an outlet to recharge it. To prevent this from happening, we recommend getting a light power bank that fits in your bag so that you’re never without a way to recharge your phone, even when you’re in transit. While bigger power banks offer more power, many people shy away from carrying them because of their weight and bulk. We suggest choosing a power bank that’s small enough that you will actually carry it with you 24/7, even if it means less battery life.
Mini Surge Protector
Protect your devices from power surges with a mini surge protector built for traveling. Skip the big power strips that you use at home and choose a model that’s more compact for travel. You can even get surge protectors that plug directly into the wall, though you may find it helpful to get one with a short extension cord in case outlets are located too far away.
Portable Luggage Scale
If you are notorious for overloading your checked bag with souvenirs, a portable luggage scale can help you avoid those overweight fees. Choose a smaller, lighter model that won’t take up much space in your luggage so that you have plenty of space.
Smartwatch- Your Next Trip
Smartwatches make it easy to check your texts, follow your route on maps and more without having to pull out your phone, which is a big benefit for travel. Choose a rugged Apple Watch band to protect the smartwatch from damage while you’re on the move.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Regular headphones can only do so much when it comes to blocking out your noisy seatmate or the sound of a train. We recommend upgrading to a noise-canceling model — either earbuds or over-the-ear — to help you concentrate better and get deeper sleep while traveling.
Bluetooth Headphone Transmitter
Speaking of headphones, there’s nothing worse than pulling out your AirPods case during a flight, only to remember that the plane TVs require plug-in headphones. Never worry about this again with a headphone transmitter, which plugs into the headphone jack and connects to wireless earbuds via Bluetooth.
Tech Travel Bag
If you travel with a lot of tech gadgets, all those cables and adapters can quickly become a mess, so consider investing in some sort of tech organizer. They come in many different sizes and designs, from a small one that rolls up like a burrito to a bigger zippered case.
Waterproof Phone Pouch
If you plan to be anywhere near or on the water at all, it’s a smart idea to protect your phone with a waterproof phone pouch. Choose one from a reputable brand that you trust to protect your phone. If you have a lot of other tech gadgets that you carry with you — such as electric key fobs and headphones — you can get larger pouches to accommodate all of them. These pouches will also keep your devices free of sand, which is a big plus for the beach!
Flexible Travel Tripod
Most people who aren’t professional photographers just take photos of their trip with their smartphone. Having a short tripod with flexible legs and a smartphone mount makes it a lot easier to take photos of yourselves and opens up new possibilities since you have that extra reach.
Portable Hard Drive
Backing up your images and other files to your computer is a great idea, but we recommend taking things a step further and putting them on a portable external hard drive as well. You can also back your files up to the cloud if that’s more convenient for you. There are various services that offer this. Most of them have a free entry-level tier, but you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan if you have a lot of images to back up.
Portable Laptop Monitor
One of the biggest perks of working at home or an office is having more than one monitor. If you need to get work done while you’re on the road, consider investing in a portable laptop monitor. These attach to your laptop via a system of magnets and metal plates, and they can double or triple your screen space.
Do you travel with a tech gadget that we didn’t list here? Let us know what your personal must-pack items are in the comments below!
