When you’re travelling the world with your entire life’s possessions carried around in a backpack, those possessions need to serve your lifestyle absolutely perfectly. We are going to be looking at some great gadgets for digital nomads.
It’s easy to assume that all you need is a laptop and a spare change of socks. That may be true in essence, but to make life comfortable, let’s look at some firm favourites that’ll help you feel good wherever you are.
Thankfully, these days there are a multitude of gizmos and gadgets for digital nomads on the market that can make every traveler’s life that much easier. We’ve narrowed it down to just 5 must-have gadgets to make your digital nomad journey comfortable, no matter where you go! Please be aware that the links to the listed items are Amazon Affiliate links, we’re not in the business of any hidden surprises. Let the countdown begin!
5. ADJUSTABLE LAPTOP STAND
One of the biggest downsides to the digital nomad lifestyle is the damaging impact of harmful ergonomic set-ups – namely, poor laptop positioning that causes a hunched back and neck for large portions of the day. To make sure you’re comfortable getting your work done no matter where you end up, an adjustable laptop stand can be a total lifesaver.
A laptop stand allows you to adjust the height of your laptop, reducing the pressure on your neck and back when forced to work at tables that are not at an ideal working height for you. It may not seem like a big deal a few weeks in, but spending months incorrectly positioned can take a real toll on your physical health. The most recommended model by far is:
Roost Laptop Stand (click link for price on Amazon)
An extremely lightweight, slim design makes this portable laptop stand absolutely perfect for travel, especially if you have a limit on how much weight you can carry! The roost stand has a universal fit with rubber insets to keep the stand perfectly in place no matter where you’re working – a truly invaluable gadget for digital nomads that want to stay comfortable and healthy, wherever you’re sat.
4. UNIVERSAL ADAPTOR PLUG
A universal adaptor plug is a simple yet absolutely necessary gadget for any digital nomads spending considerable amounts of time on the road. Chances are, you won’t always (or ever!) be in countries with the same plug sockets as your home country, so bring a universal adaptor with you to make sure you can always keep your devices charged up and ready to go.
3. PORTABLE CHARGER
When you’re wandering around new cities and communicating with clients at all times of the day, keeping a portable charger on you to keep your phone battery topped up is a smart investment.
There are countless models on the market these days, but be sure to invest in a charger that you can rely on to hold it’s charge as a failsafe backup throughout the day. A few great models for digital nomads include:
Zendure A2 (click link for price on Amazon)
This portable power bank has a capacity of 6,700mAh; enough for several charges in one round. This, combined with the sleek, compact design makes it an extremely solid choice for anyone working on the road in need of a light-weight, reliable portable charger.
NIFTY Mobile Charger (click link for price on Amazon)
The NIFTY charger has the unique feature of offering four different charging capacities at once – meaning you can charge both your smartphone and laptop all at once. Add in a compact, light-weight design, and this powerful charger will keep you devices topped up at all times.
2. MOBILE HOTSPOT
One of the biggest concerns for digital nomads is internet access, particularly when you can’t guarantee a good connection in your next destination. Without a doubt, one of the best investments you could make is to buy a mobile hotspot for your trip to ensure you can always get a connection when you need to.
Mobile hotspots, or pocket wifis as they’re sometimes known, can be great whether you need a reliable connection when you’re out and about, or if your apartment’s WiFi is less reliable than you had hoped.
A great gadget for digital nomads is the Skyroam Mobile Hotspot, capable of providing global wifi in over 100 countries – without a SIM. Alternatively, in many countries you can buy or even rent a pocket wifi device that will work with a country-specific SIM card. The old model is no longer available on Amazon.com but this is the new zingy version in a stand out orangey-red. Click the link or the picture to check out the specs
1. NOISE CANCELLING EARPHONES
Finally, the must-have gadget that every digital nomad should seriously consider investing in are noise cancelling earphones. Working on the road comes hand-in-hand with working in busy, distracting locations that can make getting your tasks done harder than it would be in the comfort of your own office – but that’s the sacrifice for getting to travel the world!
Luckily, a good quality pair of noise cancelling earphones make this sacrifice almost non-existent, allowing you to focus on the work in front of you and drown out any exterior distractions around you.
There are many noise cancelling earphones available from budget prices to luxury investments, but below we’ve listed a few recommendations from our very own WiFi Tribers:
Bose QC 35 (click link for prices on Amazon)
Bose are perhaps one of the most popular earphone brands, and for good reason. The Quiet Comfort range offer world-class noise cancellation to enhance your music and drown out any distractions in the background (so be mindful if you’re planning on wearing these while walking outside!).
AKG N90Q (click link for prices on Amazon)
AKG headphones are no small investment, but this earphones offer seriously state of the art technology. If you’re serious about your sound and want earphones that are going to keep on impressing you after hundreds of uses, you may want to consider this brand.
Sony MDR-7506 (click link for prices on Amazon)
The Sony MDR’s are perfect for professionals in need of a clear, focused sound. If your work relies heavily on audible features (i.e. podcasts, media, communications, translation etc), these headphones are highly recommended.
We’re going to be releasing a more in depth review for wireless headphones ready for Christmas so stay tuned for that!
Now then, when all is said and done, none of these gadgets are essentials for all digital nomads, and there are always going to be those of us out there who need a few more items or are happy to make do with less. We know that these lists are never going to be a ‘one list fits all’ type of thing – but there’s no denying that the gadgets listed here will make your life a lot easier.
Make your chosen lifestyle more comfortable, healthy and sustainable by investing in yourself and the tech you travel with. You’ll be thankful for it later down the road – (all puns are clearly intended)!
Happy Travels!
