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Once upon a time in 2017, I sub-letted my apartment, donated everything I couldn’t fit in a suitcase and boarded a flight to Medellín, Colombia. I spent the next three years bouncing around Latin America, Europe and Asia, living and working remotely as a freelance writer.
Back then, my experience of traveling and working remotely was considered unusual — eccentric, even. These days, however, the “digital nomad” lifestyle is increasingly the norm. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the number of Americans living abroad and working remotely has skyrocketed. Now, an estimated one in 10 U.S. workers identifies as a digital nomad.
Are you considering joining the growing body of remote workers traveling the world? In addition to a reliable internet connection and solid laptop, there are a few tech essentials I’d recommend packing.
Note: Prices reflect the amount at the time of publication
Digital Nomad Tech Essential Top Picks
Arzopa Z1FC Portable Monitor
Image: AmazonOnce you’re accustomed to a multi-monitor workstation, it can be frustrating to try and transition back to a single laptop screen. With this portable monitor, you don’t have to. The Arzopa Z1FC is slim enough to fit into a laptop bag and light enough to journey from Airbnb to coffee shop to coworking space without weighing you down. For such a crisp, high-quality screen, this second screen is also super cheap.
Pro tip: A dual monitor setup can take up substantially more space than a single laptop. If you work out a cafe or coworking space, make sure it has generous-sized tables.
Price: $119.99 with $30 digital coupon (orig. $169.99) at Amazon
Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Image: AmazonSpeaking of working in coffee shops and coworking spaces — if you plan on getting work done, a solid pair of headphones is essential.
Choosing the right pair of travel headphones (or any kind of tech, for that matter) can be tricky. On the one hand, you want a quality pair that will last the duration of your adventure. On the other, it has to be something you’re willing to see lost, stolen or damaged in transit. The Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones are a solid compromise, balancing quality and an affordable price point. The slim headphones feature a handy adaptive sound control that automatically adjusts your volume based on your environment.
Price: $148 at Amazon
EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
Image: AmazonFor years, I bought a new travel adapter in every destination with a different plug type. Then, I discovered the Universal Travel Adapter: a genius piece of tech designed to plug into the sockets of the world. The nifty tool features plug type C (used in most of Europe) type G (the UK, Malaysia and Singapore) type I (China, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina) and type A (the USA, Mexico, Canada, and Japan).
Keep in mind: No universal travel adapter is truly universal. This particular option leaves out South African and Indian pugs. If your travel plans include these regions, you’ll need an adapter with type M (which includes India, South Africa and a few others).
Price: $19.99 (orig. $24.99) at Amazon
Satechi USB Hub
Image: AmazonModern laptops are slimmer than ever, but portability comes at the price of extra USB ports.
Enter the USB hub, a portable version of the USB docking station that you plug into your laptop to get extra ports. I recommend the Satechi USB-C Multiport 8K, which includes several USB-C ports, an HDMI port and an SD Card reader.
Price: $99.99 at Amazon
Lifelong Upryze Ergonomic Laptop Stand
Image: AmazonGreat for productivity on the go, laptops are nevertheless horrible for ergonomics.
Stands like the Lifelong Upryze Ergonomic Laptop Stand are designed to reduce back, neck and wrist strain by keeping the top of your screen above eye level, and your keyboard just below elbow height. The laptop stand can be used standing or standing, with the option to raise it up to 20 inches tall.
Price: $62.99 (orig. price $69.99) at Amazon
AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Maker
Image: AmazonCoffee is the fuel that keeps digital nomads going — so it’s important to be able to brew your own cup in a pinch. The AeroPress Go might be the only coffee maker out there that bridges the gap between the needs of digital nomads looking for value and portability, and coffee lovers who demand top quality with every cup. It uses a French press–like system, with a cylindrical plunger that manually pushes water through coffee grounds and a filter. The result is a low-acidity, smooth coffee with a never-bitter flavor.
Price: $33.04 (using the extra $15 coupon) at Amazon
Related Tip: From March 6-10 we are holding a Spring Savecation event. This is a great time to start planning your next trip as we’ll be featuring incredible travel deals and cash back rewards across flights, accommodations, experiences and more!
The post I’ve Worked Remotely in 10+ Countries and These Are the Products I Keep in My Laptop Bag appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
