Any savvy traveler knows the importance of being ready for anything and everything.
- Your flight is delayed, and the airport wifi is lagging.
- Your laptop is dead, and there’s no outlet in sight.
- You can’t find your passport anywhere in your bag.
Whether you’re visiting family for a few weeks, embarking on a four-month backpacking trip across Europe, or simply getting away from your normal routine, traveling with the right gear can highly enhance your experience.
Let’s take a look at some of the best travel gadgets every freelancer and entrepreneur should keep in their bag.
Portable Device Charger
Is there anything worse than your phone dying in an airport with no outlet in sight? If you’re like me, you take full advantage of the convenience that is the mobile boarding pass, so the threat of a dead phone is extra stressful. That’s why a portable phone charger is arguably one of the most important gadgets you can travel with. Charge your phone, iPad, or your tablet with this travel-friendly device.
Anker is one of the more reliable brands for portable phone chargers, with its compact size and high-speed charging capabilities. Thanks to PowerIQ technology, the Anker PowerCore 10000 can charge an iPhone XR and a Samsung S10 about two times on a single charge.
Wifi Hotspot
Whether the airport wifi isn’t cutting it or you’re planning on working from the remote Mongolian yurt you booked for the next two weeks, having a wifi hotspot is always a good plan if you need a reliable connection.
Like the portable charger, the TP-Link N300 travel router is pocket-sized and affordable. Plus, it has a 300Mbps wifi speed on 2.4GHz band, making it perfect for tackling emails and streaming videos.
International Power Adapter
If you’re traveling abroad, this gadget is one you can’t leave home without. No matter where you’re going, having to buy adaptors once you arrive is one less thing you have to worry about with this device.
This all-in-one international power adapter fits outlets in over 150 countries and has enough USB ports to charge up to five devices at once.
Electronics Organizer
Digging through your bag to find your charging cable or headphones is the worst. Especially if you’ve already boarded your plane or train (and it’s full, to boot). Keep your cords, headphones, cables, and mouse in one place with this electronics organizer. I’m gearing up for a month of traveling across the USA, and I might have to snag one before I go.
This electronics organizer is made of heavy-duty, water-resistant nylon, so it can weather the journey to Point B. Plus, the adjustable padded dividers ensure everything you need to take with you fits inside.
Travel Wallet
A few years ago, I was traveling back home to Cleveland from Denver for a long weekend. I had everything packed, and I was ready to jet. Or so I thought. I realized I left my wallet at home as soon as I arrived at DEN and—you guessed it—minutes later I was on my way home to retrieve it. Luckily, I am one of those people who get to the airport unnecessarily early (thanks, Dad!), so I made my flight. The moral of this story? Get yourself a travel wallet.
Keep everything—your passport, phone, ID, and credit cards—all in one place and never stress about leaving something behind again. This water-resistant wallet has RFID blocking technology and is made with durable nylon material.
Oh, and don’t forget your travel wallet at home once you get one!
Reusable Water Bottle
If you’ve been following along for a while, you may have noticed that I’m a big Hydro Flask fan. Why? Plastic water bottles are horrendous for the environment and costly at the airport. I bring an empty one with me and find a water fountain once I’m through security to fill it.
Hydro Flask water bottles come in all sizes (and colors!), so you can choose the size that you won’t mind traveling with. These stainless steel water bottles will keep water cold for up to 24 hours. Never buy an overpriced bottle of water again.
goTenna Mesh Off-Grid SMS & GPS Device
When planning an off-the-grid trip, most people want to be, well, off the grid for the entire duration. However, you can’t be too careful.
This device pairs to your phone and lets you respond to text messages and GPS locations between another goTenna device. A great gadget to have while hiking or if you’re traveling somewhere with unreliable cell service.
Bluetooth Headphones
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Bluetooth headphones. If you’re looking for a compact pair that doesn’t skimp on quality, this pair from JBL is a great option.
These headphones come with three different sized ear grips, so you don’t have to worry about these not fitting. Plus, they have outstanding battery life. I have a pair of these myself, and they’re great for both work and exercise.
Inflatable Travel Pillow
Love them or hate them, travel pillows can come in handy while on-the-go. Especially on those long travel days, it’s nice to have a comfortable place to rest your head.
This one, in particular, is great because it’s inflatable and comes with a travel case. Its ergonomic design makes it a step above the other pillows that sometimes feel more like a neck brace than a pillow.
Travel is infinitely more enjoyable if you’re prepared
Traveling while juggling clients, deadlines, and other projects can be stressful. Not to mention, if you run into unexpected delays or mishaps, it can make your experience even more exhausting. There are some things you just can’t control while you travel, but if you have the right gear, it can make a big difference.
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