Technology plays an important role in our life. It’s impossible to get out without at least your phone and a gadget or two. When it comes to long-distance travel, certain accessories are indispensable and important companions in our lives.
As someone who writes about gadgets for a living, my tech backpack is always full when I travel. Other than non-essentials, there are a few items I’ve found that I must have with me when I’m on the road. Through trial and error, and over time, I’ve picked up some tips and tricks. To make your life easier, I’m here to impart my wisdom on technology and travel.
The right backpack makes a world of difference
I have traveled quite a bit, whether by land, air or sea. As obvious as it sounds, choosing the right backpack is the first and most important step to properly transporting your gear.
After juggling between purses, hiking backpacks, shoulder bags, and wheeled carry-ons, I know from experience that a lack of the right bag can lead to a serious headache. You don’t want to be hunting around for a charger in a crowded airport or in a car with luggage. Once I’m strapped in and ready for a road trip, I prefer to have easy access to my accessories.
Naturally, a fantastic tech backpack comes with plenty of pockets, compartments, protective padding and, ideally, a USB outlet. Remember that the backpack itself should have comfortable straps and be the right size. It can’t be too big or too small. Let’s also not forget the importance of features like anti-theft and water resistance so your electronics don’t get blown up.
Personally, I like to use the Bange Smart Backpack because it has all the features I mentioned and it’s affordable. Many of our staff here at Android Central also believe in the Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2
ultimate backpack
The Everyday Backpack V2 from Peak Design has it all: anti-theft measures, plenty of compartments, plenty of space, a water-resistant coating, and adjustable dividers. A little pricey for a backpack, but worth it for the quality and fit.
Bange Business Smart Backpack
affordable alternative
No need to break the bank for a simple tech backpack. The Bange Business Smart Backpack is stylish with all the premium features found in the Peak Design bag. You even get a USB-out port, and the laptop compartment is fleece-lined to cushion your valuables.
Keep your phone on 100
When traveling, cell phones can literally save lives. Emergencies aside, there’s no denying that it’s almost impossible to go anywhere without your phone these days. Everything from tickets to itineraries is now digital. Can you imagine a vacation without Uber, Google Maps and Airbnb? Neither do I.
Of course, a mobile phone is not enough. At a minimum, you’ll need to bring a compatible charger and data cable. USB cables are pretty simple, but chargers are not. I’m leaning toward GaN chargers with at least one USB-C and one USB-A port, high power, and foldable prongs for better portability. GaN chargers are half the size of regular adapters, so they fit easily in your pocket.
Power banks are more versatile than car chargers, and they can be carried anywhere.
If your vehicle doesn’t allow you to plug in a wall charger anywhere, it’s best to plan ahead. Power banks are more versatile than car chargers, and they can be carried anywhere. If your phone supports wireless charging, you can buy a wireless portable charger for your convenience.
Power banks with larger capacities are more suitable for long-distance travel, such as the 30,000mAh RAVPower Pioneer series and the 10,000mAh Anker PowerCore Slim. For light packers, I recommend the small 5,000mAh Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) with built-in kickstand and MagSafe support. The Voltme offers a great replica with the same capacity, wireless charging, and kickstand on the back for less, and you can even choose from five colorways like the Anker.
Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo)
no wires, no problem
Anker’s 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) battery pack is cute and very convenient—literally, because it fits in the palm of your hand. This 5,000mAh portable battery pack wirelessly charges compatible devices and supports Apple’s MagSafe technology.
Anker Alternatives
Voltme’s MagPak 5K comes in light and dark mixes. This 5,000mAh power bank supports wireless charging, MagSafe charging, and has a flip-style stand on the back.
curb boredom
They say life is about the journey, not the destination, no matter who they are. Anyone, if you sit in an uncomfortable seat for hours on end with no means of entertainment or mental relaxation, it’s not true. Long lines can be mind-numbingly boring, but thankfully, you can escape this sad state with a few gadgets.
Depending on your personal preferences, pick up an electronic companion or two to entertain yourself on the go. For me, this will be my beloved e-reader. If you’re like me and love to read, preload your Kindle or any of your favorite e-paper displays with a variety of e-books and audiobooks. Thrillers and mysteries are especially good for passing the time.
I recommend Amazon’s 6-inch Kindle because it’s compact and great for travel. The Kindle’s legendary uptime is a lifesaver because you don’t have to worry about charging it while you’re on the go.
Reading isn’t for everyone, and for those, I recommend downloading tons of your favorite music, movies, and TV shows on your phone. Bring your most comfortable pair of Bluetooth earbuds to complement this and you’ll be ready for quite a while.
Finally, if you’re traveling for leisure, a portable Bluetooth speaker is an excellent vacation companion. You can’t be the life of the party without some tunes to set the mood. When picking the best Bluetooth audio accessories, consider light weight, portability, and ruggedness. Edifier’s small but powerful MP100 Plus speaker is a personal favorite of mine.
crowd favorite
The Amazon Kindle (2022) is a neat way to carry thousands of books with you without sacrificing luggage space or weight allowance. It lasts forever, and the e-ink display is pleasing to the eye.
expect the unexpected
Edifier’s palm-sized Edifier MP100 Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a blast to listen to. This is a must-have audio accessory for frequent travellers.
work made easy
Maybe you’re traveling for business, or maybe you’re taking advantage of being able to work remotely. You can’t lug a bulky laptop around anyway. Relying on an Internet cafe is usually out of the question, given the potential security risks and added hassle.
Facing a similar dilemma? Fear not, because Chromebooks are made for the job. Not only are they small, lightweight, and versatile, but they also charge via USB-C. These nimble machines can perform the most basic tasks surprisingly well. They also cost next to nothing compared to full-fledged laptops and computers.
Chromebooks are designed to be easy to set up and use. Chrome OS supports most of the apps you need to access for light work on the go, and you get all the necessary connections and ports. Choosing the right model is entirely subjective. We have an excellent guide that can recommend the best Chromebooks for your needs.
Pro Tips for Technology and Travel
First, my first pro tip: Get yourself a universal travel adapter with surge protection. You can thank me later. Any travel adapter worth the money will come with plenty of plugs for the US, EU and UK. Some of the fancier products also feature various USB ports, such as the amazing EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter.
Whether it’s a pair of earbuds, a Kindle, a power bank, or a Bluetooth speaker, try to get USB-C for everything. This eliminates the need to carry multiple Type-C cables, so you don’t get lost in a million different cables that somehow form the most intricate sail knots at the bottom of the pack.
It’s smart to have a powerful dual-port charger because you can charge just about anything with it. The best thing to do is to get a compact 60W or 65W USB-C charger so you can enjoy the fastest charging speeds on all your devices. Less is more, but not in this case.
Finally, take advantage of the fact that all the best Bluetooth trackers now come in creative shapes. It’s a smart idea to put them in your bag or luggage. This makes it easy to find your items. After a 16-hour flight and a bad meal, no one likes to play “find your luggage.” A tracker can save you a lot of trouble if you misplace something.
These are just a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years. Hope you learned something to make your future trips more enjoyable. Stay safe and have fun!
EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
all. This. fork.
The incredible EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter has adjustable prongs that can be rearranged to suit US, UK and EU needs. It also comes with one USB-C and four USB-A ports and built-in surge protection.