8 Essential Travel Tech Items to Take on Your Next Adventure

Where will your travels take you next — and more importantly, what travel tech items will you take with you?

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You might have your eyes set on the Seven Wonders or your heart set on somewhere tropical.

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Maybe you’re daydreaming about wandering through Europe, or perhaps you see yourself having a life-changing experience at summer camp.

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Whether you’re a travel lover or a first-time traveller, it's essential to plan your travel items list.

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With the eight travel tech items below, it's easy to stay connected and to have a smooth (and memorable) journey.

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1. A Smartphone

No matter where you travel, it's crucial to stay connected.

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A smartphone might be the most essential tech item to take with you — it allows you to communicate with your family, let others know where you are, research your surroundings and make travel adjustments.

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Do you want to book a flight or tour? You’re not alone, as “travellers make more than 57% of annual reservations online”.

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You can also download helpful apps that make travel easier.

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With Google Translate, for example, you can snap a picture of a foreign sign and get an instant translation.

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You can also use the likes Duolingo to brush up on your language skills, where a few local phrases can help you out in certain sticky situations.

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2. A Water Purifier Bottle

Some places don't have access to portable water - or the resources to make drinking water clean.

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Instead of relying on buying filtered water bottles wherever you can, bring your own.

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A water purifier bottle comes with a built-in filtration mechanism.

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The specific filter depends on the bottle - some purify as you fill the container, others as you drink.

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Many use activated charcoal to remove impurities, and others bind contaminants straight to the filter.

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A favourite of ours is this mountop Portable Water Filter Bottle, which has a two stage integrated straw and a membrane that removes 99.99% of bacteria and parasites.

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This can be one of the most crucial tech items to take and can make a huge difference in keeping yourself healthy.

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3. A Portable Charger

You have many adventurous days ahead. Don't get stuck with a dead phone or camera.

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Instead, bring a portable charger you can use anywhere.

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Travelling with this handy travel tech item will save you a ton of stress.

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This Bonai Portable Charger is small, sleek and long lasting, with a full charge giving your smartphone 2 or 3 full charges.

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If you want to travel with a portable charger, be sure to invest in one with a serial number.

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Non-numbered chargers may get confiscated when passing through airport security in certain countries, such as China.

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Be sure to remember the relevant plugs and cords that go along with it.

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4. A Solar-Powered Light

The last thing you want when traipsing through a new country is getting stuck in the dark.

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Invest in a portable solar light you can carry with you.

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Most models are the size of a cellphone, easy to leave in the sun to collect energy.

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A portable solar light is ideal because it doesn't take up much space — you can slip it right into your pocket.

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Solar energy is clean, endless and eco-friendly.

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You can use portable solar lights in almost any weather.

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However, be sure to check if yours is waterproof before you jet off.

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If you're looking for one in particular, check out the QNIGLO Solar Powered Tactical Flaslight.

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It also comes with a few other handy gadgets, such as a compass, so it's a good investment for the intrepid traveller.

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5. A Laptop

Do you want to send emails and browse the web while away?

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Maybe you have a freelance job and want to keep earning on your travels.

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Either way, a laptop is a must when traveling.

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Unfortunately, shoving your tech straight into a backpack can lead to a cracked screen, overheating and more.

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To protect your computer from 90% of screen breakages - and protect your trip from disaster - bring a high-quality laptop case or laptop bag to protect your gear on-the-go.

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One which does the job and is affordable is the MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack, which at less than £20 is great value.

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Just be sure to avoid packing potentially damaging objects, like liquids and food, with your laptop.

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6. A Portable Hotspot

You have your smartphone and laptop, but there's no Wi-Fi in your destination country. What's a tech-savvy traveller to do?

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The answer - invest in a portable hotspot.

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This piece of travel technology connects to your phone's data to deliver high-speed, reliable internet, no matter where you are.

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You must activate your hotspot device before you leave your home country.

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Specific models can connect up to five devices at once, meaning you'll be the most popular person at the airport.

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Just make sure to research the international access capabilities of the mobile hotspot you choose.

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7. Wireless Headphones

Do you want to listen to your favourite tunes on the plane?

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Perhaps you want a soundtrack while you explore your new destination.

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Either way, wireless headphones are a must when travelling.

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Look for a pair with Bluetooth capability, which allows you to connect to your smartphone, computer and other devices.

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One that does is the DOQAUS Bluetooth Headphones, which has 52 hours of playtime, meaning you'll get loads of each charge.

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If you want to relax on your flight, consider investing in a pair of noise-cancelling wireless headphones.

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You can listen to your favourite beats while cutting out the chatter and background noise.

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8. A Travel Vacuum

A portable travel vacuum isn't meant to sweep up crumbs in your suitcase.

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Instead, it sucks the air from your luggage and saves space - perfect for bringing back all those souvenirs.

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The compression bags are reusable, which is ideal for each trip abroad.

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With a USB adapter, you can take this vacuum anywhere.

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If it dies when you arrive, recharge it with your portable charger.

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A travel vacuum isn't just for clothes — you can also pack jewellery, documents, antiques and more.

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If you're as lost with travel vacuums as we was, check at the VMSRT Travel Vacuum with storage bags.

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It does the trick and will save you loads of space when packing.

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Other Useful Travel Tech Items

The above travel technology is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to travel items.

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If you want an even bigger travel items list, you can add the below tech items to your ever-growing hand luggage:

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• Wearable Activity Tracker
• GPS Device
• Personal Alarm
• Camera
• Portable Bluetooth Speakers

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Useful Tech to Travel Wisely

Airports see approximately “1.4 billion international arrivals each year”.

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If you're one of many ready to take flight, you may wonder what travel tech you’ll need for convenience and connectivity.

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Consider packing some of the useful tech items above.

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From your smartphone to a portable hotspot, travel technology options can enhance your international experience.

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About the Author

Alyssa Abel is a student life writer whose passions include travel inspiration, study abroad and self-development. Read more of her work on her blog, Syllabusy.