Do you feel that like you’re always working from the virtual office of your phone, even when you’re not supposed to be working? If you’re one of the 57 percent of workers with a flexible schedule, a non-stop business traveler, or a full-on “digital nomad” (ugh, are we still using that term?), chances are that staying plugged in is sort of a workforce expectation (thanks, free market economy!).
Whether you’re slowly working towards achieving a digitally minimalist lifestyle, genuinely enjoy the frenetic energy of never-not-working, or are just shamelessly addicted to tech like everyone else in the world, you need the right gear to stay connected, organized, and productive. These are the must-haves for the traveler who always needs a virtual office.
Travel Tech Organizers
Cool cases to keep your cords on lockdown
Splurge: If you’d throw hard cash on a luxury wallet or briefcase, why not invest in a travel tech organizer that does both? At $535, the First Class Leather Tech Set from Stow doesn’t run cheap, but you get what you pay for: a premium handcrafted Spanish leather case with enough room for a kindle or iPad mini, smartphone, passport, five credit cards, pen, earbuds, and its included 4000 mAH phone charger and 32GB USB stick.
Affordable: Stash your tech essentials with style (and without killing your budget) by snagging the Brooklyn Tech Envelope from Mark & Graham. Sleek and impressively compact, this leather pouch is somehow manages to hold an iPad, six credit cards, a pen and two cord compartments. Bonus: it’s on sale right now for $89.
Budget: When form matters less than function, it pays to go cheap with this $20 organizer from BAGSMART. Light and durable, this double-layer polyester electronics case features so many mesh pockets and elastic ties that even the IT department dudes can fist bump this. Plus, you can’t beat the front pocket that makes it easy to shove a passport and boarding pass.
Universal Adapters
Stay plugged in regardless of timezone
Splurge: If your work-from-the-beach lifestyle comes with the caveat of traveling with a full-on virtual office, you’d be smart to invest in a Universal Travel Adapter from BESTEK. The self-proclaimed “BMW of the charging world” features 250W output power, four USB ports and three AC ports for only $39.99.
Affordable: Throw a splash of color in an otherwise uninteresting functional tech product by getting this stylish travel adapter from AGS ($20.99) featuring four USB ports, one 3.0A USB TYPE C and one Universal AC Socket to charge up to six devices.
Budget: Can’t beat a basic, particularly when it’s only $19.95 and loaded up with four USB ports and one AC outlet so you can charge up to five devices in more than 150 countries.
Lightweight Laptops
Your digital home away from home
Splurge: If you’re already a Mac, there’s no point in reinventing the wheel. And it’s best to invest in the latest release to stretch that primo warranty while you’re on the road (do you really want to deal with finding a specialist when you can barely find a decent WiFi signal?). MacBook Air recently released the extremely light 2.75 pound laptop packed with 16MB RAM, 1 TB SSD storage, and 12 hours of battery life, plus a few new bells and whistles like a flashy rose gold facade and True Tone to its retina display that’s easy on the eyes for $1099.
Affordable: Do you have a Gmail account? Use Drive, Chromecast, or Google.com? Sorry to break it to you but you’re already living the Google lifestyle. So it shouldn’t be hard to adjust to the latest Google Pixel Go that just dropped as part of the Google Pixel 4 launch. For $650, you truly get the most bang for your buck: a 2.3 pound laptop packed with 8GB to 16GB RAM, up to 12 hours of battery life, choice of matte black or “not pink” (it’s pink) facade, and a 1080p webcam.
Budget: If your laptop life consists of sending emails, enjoying weird Twitter feuds, and watching Netflix, just roll with the low cost option: the Acer Chromebook 15. At $349, the price is an actual steal for basic needs using Chrome OS, featuring 4GB memory, 12 hours battery life, and a not-so-terrible weight of 3.97 pounds.
Noise Canceling Headphones
Turn on, tune out
Splurge: The latest Bose Noise Cancelling 700 gets our thumbs up for its balanced sound quality, excellent built-in microphone and noise-cancelling capabilities. With these you can always count on crystal clear acoustics while listening to your favorite tunes or hopping on a call. That said, you will pay handsomely for those features.
Affordable: We try a lot of headphones here at GQ, and this $229 pair of Stennheiser “PXC 550” wireless headphones](https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PXC-550-Wireless-Cancelling/dp/B01E3XLNA0){: rel=nofollow} gets our seal of approval as the best bang for your buck thanks to features like super comfy ear pads, touch-sensitive control pad, and easy auto-pairing.
Budget: Okay, so these $54 bluetooth headphones from TaoTronics won’t deliver the pristine, near celestial quality of more expensive brands. But if you’re not a sound purist, you’ll probably be super impressed by the 45-hour battery life, comfortable ear pads and 6.0 noise-cancelling microphones.
Power Bank and Adapter
You can never have too much juice
Splurge: For the wireless tech maximalist with an Apple Watch, this $59 Anker Wireless Charger offers optimal charging for your cord-free Apple phone and watch life. Along with its super fast 10W two-in-one charging power (compatible with all Qi-enabled phones and devices), it folds up conveniently to save space and double as a nightstand.
Affordable: Are you the kind of person that is always losing shit? This portable charger from EC Technology ($30) comes with a highly visible splash of neon blue or pink, plus a built-in safety flashlight so that you’ll always know where your next charge is. While it has fewer USB ports than the others (three), it gets the job done to charge an iPhone about nine times, iPad Air about two times, and the Samsung Galaxy about five times.
Budget: Feel like there’s always something to charge, but never enough USB ports? Have six of them conveniently at your disposal on this tech efficient $19.99 charging station from RAVPower. Its 60W max output power delivery can charge devices up to 50 percent in 30 minutes and have you at full battery power within two hours.
Anti-Theft Tech Backpack
Keep your valuables safely tucked away
Splurge: Too much tech and not enough charge? Let the sun do the work for you by investing a cool $199 in this OffGrid Solar Backpack from Voltaic Systems. It has all the functionality you expect in a solid backpack (padded sleeve for a 15.6-inch laptop and 10-inch tablet, lots of pockets and and tons of storage), but you’re really paying for the built-in solar panel battery pack that can charge most smartphones using its inclusive USB port within 3.5 hours using the power of the sun (which is free, abundant, and eco-friendly).
Affordable: If you’re a maximalist tech bro with a minimalist travel style, you’ll probably dig this $79 Anti-Theft Urban Incognito backpack from Travelon. Weighing only 1.65 pounds, this super light polyester backpack features a hidden zipper that opens 180 degrees so that there’s no more rifling down the standard 30-degree opening rabbit hole. Along with stowing all your essentials (including a 15.6-inch laptop), it features slash-resistant body panels, a secret RFID blocking pocket for extra security, and tons of padding so you can tote everything comfortably and safely.
Budget: This $31.99 anti-theft backpack from Oscuart must be some kind of magic. How else could it fit so much into 2.3 pound bag beyond a 15.6-inch laptop and travel essentials. Its anti-theft design is filled with secret pockets for hiding valuables, USB charging port for easy access charging, a hidden 180-degree zipper opening, and an EVA material that will protect you and your junk at a price that won’t break the bank.
