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For someone that doesn’t like traveling with technology, I seem to have a lot of it. That’s what happens when you become a digital nomad – your office supplies travel with you! Keep reading to learn my digital nomad essentials!
Travel Gadgets for Digital Nomads
It’s hard to travel light when you’re a digital nomad but it can be done. The most important thing is to choose the most relevant gadgets an choose the ones that are lightest and most compact.
The best travel laptop for digital nomads will depend on what type of work you do and how often you do it. A writer may be able to get away with something as a small as an Ipad plus keyboard whereas a graphic designer may need a MacBook Pro to get work done.
Pocket Wifi | Power Strip | Travel Adapter | Cellphone | Laptop Sleeve | Memory Stick | Memory Drive | Portable Speaker | Laptop | Camera
Who does this packing list work for?
This travel gadgets packing list features items catering to the needs of someone like me -long term travelers that work on the road full time as digital nomads or professional bloggers.
Apple MacBook Air MJVM2LL/A 11.6 Inch Laptop
Laptop
I own: Acer Aspire One Model D270 (previously available at Wal-mart)
Pros: lots of storage space in a compact size – and cheap!
Cons: can overheat if not well-ventilated
Great for: travelers that need a compact PC or bloggers/digital nomads that are starting out.
I’ve now upgraded to an 11.6″ Macbook Air – so fast and light! I keep it protected with these awesome accessories: leopard print sleeve case, screen protector, and a discreet black hard case.
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD
External Memory Drive
I Own: Western Digital My Passport Essentials 250GB
Pros: easy to use, compact, good price
Cons: newer models with more space for less money like this one with 750 TB
Great for: travelers that need to backup blogs, data, movies, or pictures
With a new Macbook I also got a new external memory drive: the Seagate Backup Plus 1TB.
SanDisk Cruzer 64GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
Memory Stick
I own: Dane-Elec 4GB Flash Drive
Pros: discreet, compact option for saving or transferring small files
Cons: constantly needs reformatting – DO NOT RECOMMEND this model
Great for: travelers that need to backup small files and images
You can also try this SanDisk Cruzer 64GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive with up to 256gb allowance!
Huawei E5577Cs-321 4G LTE Mobile WiFi
Mobile Wifi
I Own: Huawei E5577Cs-321 4G LTE Mobile WiFi
Pros: travel with wifi ANYWHERE
Cons: you have to pay for internet unlike using the free wifi available in accommodation and restaurants
Great for: bloggers, digital nomads, and business travelers that NEED reliable internet 24/7
Phone
I Own: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (unlocked) before. I also got these cute and functional accessories for my awesome phone: cute wallet case and screen cover.
Pros: All-in-one gadget including point & shoot camera, tablet, e-reader, mp3 player, phone, and document creator (Free Polaris Office App).
Cons: price
Great for: downsizing several gadgets; business travelers/bloggers/digital nomads that want a compact yet highly efficient business solution
You may want to try this Apple iPhone XS with up to 512gb allowance!
Universal Travel Adapter
A universal travel adapter is an absolute must for a digital nomad. This International Travel Adapter will allow you to charge three devices at once so you can charge your laptop, phone, and tablet all at the same time! Buy it here!
Additional
Tripp Lite Surge Protector Strip
EXTENSION CORD/POWER STRIP: Tripp Lite Surge Protector Strip (similar option)
Pros: charge all my gadgets at once
Cons: rather use the packing space for something else
Great for: travelers with many electronics, backpackers that use dorm rooms (with minimal outlet space)
CLOCK: LCD Travel Alarm Clock (similar option)
Pros: compact, lightweight, helps me wake up
Cons: I rather use the packing space for something else
Great for: Travelers that have a hard time waking up, are chronically late, or travel without phones (good for you). Backpackers that sleep in hostel dorms where outlets aren’t always available or in a convenient location to charge phones overnight
OontZ Angle Solo Portable Speaker
SPEAKER: Veho 360 Travel Speaker
Pros: compact, lightweight, cheap, loud
Cons: dropped it and the bass broke but the speaker still works so it’s delicate yet long lasting?
Great for: watching movies on a laptop, playing music with new travel friends, etc
Check out this stylish super lightweight OontZ Angle Solo portable speaker!
Canon PowerShot Digital Camera
CAMERA: Canon PowerShot Digital Camera
Pros: beautiful personal or blog-worthy pictures, compact size
Cons: price
Great for: Divers (see below) and travelers that don’t want to lug around a large DSLR camera but want quality pics from a point and shoot
Love this lens pen to keep it clean and this easy to use neoprene cover for extra protection.
It’s a priority for me to keep my electronics intact so I store most items in a bag or containers such as this Waterproof Pouch.
Please note that I don’t carry the items marked with an asterisk unless I’m traveling solo – my other half is responsible to pack these items. More on couple’s travel packing tips soon…
How many travel gadgets do you pack?
For more tips please read:
Great ideas…but the link to the leopard print sleeve case, is a dog’s toothbrush….
The link for the Huawei Model E5332 is a dead link.
Hi Orit, thank you for letting us know about this, we really appreciate it. We will update this straight away. Happy travels! ?
Great ideas, fantastic. Also: I have always valued having earbuds or even Bose anti-noise headphones to tone down travel/hostel/whatever noise.
Hi Nelson, so pleased you enjoyed the article. You can check out our round up of the best noise cancelling headphones based on our readers recommendations here: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-are-the-best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel/ Happy travels! ?
Hi, I’m trying to find a previous post on this site, it was on coordinating a travel wardrobe and I think it was with navy/red also taupe/navy. I’m trying to find this particular thread so I can share it with a friend who would like some help for a trip planned for later in the year. Even if you could advice me in finding any previous posts,
Many thanks.
Can you please elaborate?