Now that you’re a digital nomad, there’s only one thing left to do: pack your bags.
Over the years, I’ve amassed a collection of useful gadgets that make life on the go a lot easier. Before you hit the road, check out these remote work tools and travel products.
KYY Portable Monitor
Price: $69.99
Editor’s Take
Once you start working with a dual monitor setup, there’s no going back to a single screen…iykyk. That’s why one of my first digital nomad purchases was a portable monitor.
The KYY sports a 15.6-inch screen and 1080P resolution. With a 0.3-inch depth and 1.7 lbs, it’s also lightweight and easy to transport along with your laptop. The cover doubles as a stand when folded back, although I typically use a separate tablet stand to bring the monitor closer to eye level.
Cons: The Mini-HDMI cable tends to break within a year of usage. I recommend packing a spare cable for your travels.
Logitech Pebble K380 Keyboard
Price: $31.99
Editor’s Take
If (like me) your laptop rests on an elevated stand, then you’re going to need a separate keyboard.
At first, I brought my big, clunky wired keyboard, but in the interest of saving space in my bag, I looked for something smaller. At just 11 inches in length, the lightweight Logitech Pebble packs easily in any laptop bag, yet it doesn’t skimp on responsiveness. As a full-time writer, I find it easy to type on this keyboard all day long. The Logitech Pebble connects to laptops, tablets, and even smartphones via Bluetooth, and the device is powered with a replaceable battery.
Xiaomi Redmi 10 smartphone
Price: $155.99
Editor’s Take
I’ve had my phone pickpocketed twice while traveling. Fortunately, the thieves only got my Xiaomi Redmi burner phones.
Typically, I carry a low-cost spare smartphone for daily use and leave my expensive iPhone at my hotel or Airbnb. I load the Xiaomi with a local SIM card and a few basic apps, while my U.S. SIM card (and thus two-factor authentication) resides in my iPhone. While losing a phone is a trip-ruining event for many, the theft of my burner phones caused me virtually no inconvenience.
The Xiaomi phone isn’t supported by U.S. carriers, but it is a popular brand throughout Latin America and Asia. Despite its low cost, I find the Redmi’s Android operating system to be fast and responsive, and the battery lasts much longer than Apple products. Although many nomads choose to forego the burner phone setup, Xiaomi’s products will serve you well if you want a cheap alternative.
Cons: The camera is a potato compared with high-end smartphone models, and the screen is prone to cracking.
Apple AirTags
Price: $72.99 (4 pack)
Editor’s Take
Apple AirTags are small, disc-shaped trackers that can be attached to your belongings to help you find them if they’re lost or misplaced.
Attach an AirTag to your luggage, backpack, or any valuable item to track its location in real-time. If your belongings are lost or stolen, you can use the Find My app to locate them or play a sound to help you find them nearby. This can help airport workers locate lost luggage more quickly.
Con: Although the battery is easily replaceable, many users complain about the charge running out in less than a year.
WACACO Minipresso espresso maker
Price: $54.90
Editor’s Take
I first came across the WACACO portable espresso maker on Reddit’s r/digitalnomad forum, where several users recommended this device in discussions of must-have items. The beauty of this device is that it doesn’t require any electricity or batteries. Simply add finely-ground coffee and hot water, and pull your espresso shot. Many coffee aficionados praise the quality of the espresso shots, as well as the machine’s ease of use and cleaning.
Cons: You will still need a way to heat up water, and some users may find that the coffee doesn’t come out hot enough for their liking.
MARCHWAY Folding Chair
Price: $34.99
Editor’s Take
Sitting on a beach during cold winter months is the digital nomad dream, but I prefer to do so in a chair.
After shelling out a fair bit of money on renting lounge chairs or buying something that I couldn’t transport home, I finally wised up and got the MARCHWAY folding chair. You can find this product under many different brand names (consult the picture above), but they are all the same thing. I love this lightweight chair because it is easy to set up, and it can fit in a carry-on suitcase with plenty of room to spare.
Cons: Some reviewers complain that the chair breaks easily. All I can say is that as a 160-lb male, I’ve been using this product for two years with no issues.
Philips One by Sonicare Toothbrush
Price: $34.96
Editor’s Take
Did you think about how you’re going to brush your teeth before embarking on a life of freedom and adventure? (Don’t worry, I didn’t either.)
After initially packing my big, clunky electric toothbrush, I opted for the smaller Philips One. It comes with its own small carrying case, and the soft bristle heads deliver a thorough cleaning with an automatic timer. The link above is for the rechargeable version, but you can also buy a model powered by replaceable batteries.
Cons: The proprietary bristle heads are expensive to replace.
Rinlist Travel Backpack
Price: $34.96
Editor’s Take
Ryanair passengers will love this inexpensive bag, which is designed to fit under an airline seat while maximizing the available space. It is perfect for a weekend trip, especially when you don’t want to pay for a full carry-on suitcase. The flap opens sideways so that the bag acts like a mini suitcase, making it easy to access your items.The backpack comes with plenty of pockets, and additional cords cinch the bag tighter.
Cons: The bag could be made of sturdier material, and some reviewers complain about poor build quality. But for a $35 backpack, it’s hard to beat the value for the money.
Vacuum Storage Bags
Price: $24.99
Editor’s Take
Pro travelers know that vacuum-packing your clothes is the biggest hack to save space in your luggage. By using these giant resealable bags to compress the air out of shirts, jackets, and pants, you can fit much more into your suitcase than you otherwise would. Plus, the sealed bags protect your clothing from things like exploding shampoo bottles and tropical thunderstorms while your suitcase sits out on the tarmac in Cancun (ask me how I know).
Cons: Some users complain about bags losing their seal.
EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
Price: $22.99
Editor’s Take
If you’re traveling from the Americas to Asia or Europe (or vice versa), make sure you have one or two of these little dongles to charge your devices. This device features four USB-A ports, one USD-C port, and one AC socket for charging of up to six devices simultaneously.
Cons: The device is not designed for three-pin Indian plugs, so buyers from India may want to look elsewhere.
BABELIO White Noise Machine
Price: $24.99
Editor’s Take
Noise pollution is a reality of digital nomad life. Sooner or later, you’re going to end up staying in an Airbnb that overlooks a loud, busy street or abuts a restaurant that blares Latin dance music until midnight.
If you hope to get a good night’s sleep, your best bet is to get earplugs or use a white noise machine. This little device features fifteen soundtracks, including fans, running water, and animals. The machine is rechargeable and easily fits in the palm of your hand.
Cons: Some users don’t like the short battery life, which lasts for several nights.
More Nomad Gadgets
Other useful devices for digital nomads include a handheld luggage scale, portable carbon monoxide detector, and electronics organizer. You can find the full list on the Nomad Deals Storefront at Amazon.
And if we’re looking on the very cheap end of the spectrum, sites like Temu offer a few small knickknacks that travelers and nomads will like. Check out a small carrying case for your transit cards ($1.94), SIM card holder ($1.99), passport holder ($2.73), and organizer for foreign currencies ($8.78).
