So you are starting to pack your bag for your new digital lifestyle and you might be wondering what essentials should you bring along with you. Been there. It can be a struggle.
Along with some of the common items such as a camera and an unlocked smartphone, we have put together a list of must-have gadgets for digital nomads.
Of course, this isn’t a travel packing list. See – this list of gadgets should make your life easy as a digital nomad.
Every working nomad knows that, sometimes, it isn’t that easy to get some work done while moving around. This time, we got your back.
Before we start, you should always keep in mind the size of your luggage. You may be able to buy some of these gadgets abroad, but if you have a bit of spare room in your luggage, you might just want to take these gadgets with you.
There are a few reasons why it can be handy to have the best digital nomad gear beforehand.
- Some electronics might be cheaper in Asia, but it doesn’t mean the quality is good.
- If you’re heading to a small island, you might not be able to find what you’re looking for.
- You’re going to be able to start working faster if you already have these digital nomad items with you.
We made it easy for you, you just have to click on the images to start shopping for your digital nomad gear. These links will bring you to Amazon.
Noise cancellation headphones
One of the most common workspaces for digital nomads is a cute, local cafe. These spaces provide three things that all remote workers need; wifi, electricity, and coffee.
Sometimes, however, they can get a bit noisy, and that is where noise-cancellation headphones come in handy.
Extension cord and surge-protected power strip
I get it, an extension cord is a weird thing to have on this list but hear me out. One of the worst things to happen on a day where you need to get a lot of work done is arriving at a cafe and not having a space available near an outlet.
Seriously, isn’t it the worst? You need to either scramble to get as much completed before your computer dies or find another cafe which could be a waste of time. A compact extension cord can help solve your problem on the spot.
Plug adapter
A crucial digital nomad necessity is a travel plug adapter. You can get small universal adapters that will convert your plugs for many different outlets worldwide.
This will make sure you don’t get stuck without the ability to charge any of your devices wherever you choose to go.
Laptop stand
Your health is very important and working at a computer can be very taxing on your body. A laptop stand is an affordable investment that your body will thank you for later.
You can find stands that you can adjust so that your device is at eye level and will flatten down for easy transport.
Anti-glare filter
You might have ditched your office lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean you are free from the grasp of your computer screen. To go along with thinking about your health, you can grab an anti-glare filter for any sized monitor to help prevent some unwanted eyestrain.
These also double as a privacy screen which can be desired for those working in public areas and wanting to keep what they are working on from prying eyes.
External hard drive
Don’t let all your hard work get lost. A tough external hard drive will allow you to keep all your important files in one place.
External hard drives don’t take up a lot of space in your bag but will give you the peace of mind that all your work is in a safe place.
USB stick
With the world being so digital these days, something that nomads often forget to pack with them is a simple, small USB stick. This is a digital nomad essential, especially useful for those teaching abroad.
These nifty little devices are the perfect way to store small amounts of data you need to take around with you, such as printables at a local print shop.
Oftentimes, you don’t have the option of emailing your files to the printer, so being able to hand over the drive makes the experience stress-free.
Portable wifi router
Depending on where you are located in the world, wifi can be scarce, yet it is the most important resource for working remotely. A handy digital nomad gadget is a portable wifi router.
This small device is easy to take around with you and creates your own Wi-Fi hotspot. Just charge it, pop in a local sim card, and connect to your signal as if it were any normal wifi hotspot.
If you’re looking for an alternative, make sure to have your mobile phone unlocked before leaving home. You could get a local SIM card and turn on your hotspot when needed.
Power bank
A rechargeable power bank can be really convenient while traveling. You can now find devices strong enough to power your laptop, which is perfect when you need to get some work done but can’t find an outlet nearby.
Just one thing to keep in mind, most airlines only allow a maximum of mAHs. Since power banks can be pricier, make sure to reference your airline first before investing in this valuable piece of equipment.
Sometimes, the good ones can be more expensive, so you won’t want to have to leave it at the customs.
Tablet
Some sort of tablet device, regardless of what brand you prefer, is a digital nomad essential that will prevent many headaches. If you are traveling frequently and want to only take a small carry-on with you for your trips, a tablet will save you space and weight in your bag. This is so important as many airlines have strict carry-on restrictions.
Although I don’t think that a tablet can fully replace the need for a laptop, in most cases, you can still get a lot of work done without the stress of trying to shuffle around your carry-on for a short trip. In the end, having a small laptop is a great alternative.
Final Thoughts On Digital Nomad Gadgets
We hope this list of digital nomad gadgets and equipment helps you pack for your upcoming trip.
If you need more help with the digital nomad lifestyle, read one of the following blog posts:
