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?
You might have your eyes set on the Seven Wonders or your heart set on somewhere tropical.
Maybe you’re daydreaming about wandering through Europe, or perhaps you see yourself having a life-changing experience at summer camp.
Whether you’re a travel lover or a first-time traveller, it's essential to plan your travel items list.
With the eight travel tech items below, it's easy to stay connected and to have a smooth (and memorable) journey.
1. A Smartphone
No matter where you travel, it's crucial to stay connected.
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.
Do you want to book a flight or tour? You’re not alone, as “travellers make more than 57% of annual reservations online”.
You can also download helpful apps that make travel easier.
With Google Translate, for example, you can snap a picture of a foreign sign and get an instant translation.
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.
2. A Water Purifier Bottle
Some places don't have access to portable water - or the resources to make drinking water clean.
Instead of relying on buying filtered water bottles wherever you can, bring your own.
A water purifier bottle comes with a built-in filtration mechanism.
The specific filter depends on the bottle - some purify as you fill the container, others as you drink.
Many use activated charcoal to remove impurities, and others bind contaminants straight to the filter.
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.
This can be one of the most crucial tech items to take and can make a huge difference in keeping yourself healthy.
3. A Portable Charger
You have many adventurous days ahead. Don't get stuck with a dead phone or camera.
Instead, bring a portable charger you can use anywhere.
Travelling with this handy travel tech item will save you a ton of stress.
This Bonai Portable Charger is small, sleek and long lasting, with a full charge giving your smartphone 2 or 3 full charges.
If you want to travel with a portable charger, be sure to invest in one with a serial number.
Non-numbered chargers may get confiscated when passing through airport security in certain countries, such as China.
Be sure to remember the relevant plugs and cords that go along with it.
4. A Solar-Powered Light
The last thing you want when traipsing through a new country is getting stuck in the dark.
Invest in a portable solar light you can carry with you.
Most models are the size of a cellphone, easy to leave in the sun to collect energy.
A portable solar light is ideal because it doesn't take up much space — you can slip it right into your pocket.
Solar energy is clean, endless and eco-friendly.
You can use portable solar lights in almost any weather.
However, be sure to check if yours is waterproof before you jet off.
If you're looking for one in particular, check out the QNIGLO Solar Powered Tactical Flaslight.
It also comes with a few other handy gadgets, such as a compass, so it's a good investment for the intrepid traveller.
5. A Laptop
Do you want to send emails and browse the web while away?
Maybe you have a freelance job and want to keep earning on your travels.
Either way, a laptop is a must when traveling.
Unfortunately, shoving your tech straight into a backpack can lead to a cracked screen, overheating and more.
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.
One which does the job and is affordable is the MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack, which at less than £20 is great value.
Just be sure to avoid packing potentially damaging objects, like liquids and food, with your laptop.
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?
The answer - invest in a portable hotspot.
This piece of travel technology connects to your phone's data to deliver high-speed, reliable internet, no matter where you are.
You must activate your hotspot device before you leave your home country.
Specific models can connect up to five devices at once, meaning you'll be the most popular person at the airport.
Just make sure to research the international access capabilities of the mobile hotspot you choose.
7. Wireless Headphones
Do you want to listen to your favourite tunes on the plane?
Perhaps you want a soundtrack while you explore your new destination.
Either way, wireless headphones are a must when travelling.
Look for a pair with Bluetooth capability, which allows you to connect to your smartphone, computer and other devices.
One that does is the DOQAUS Bluetooth Headphones, which has 52 hours of playtime, meaning you'll get loads of each charge.
If you want to relax on your flight, consider investing in a pair of noise-cancelling wireless headphones.
You can listen to your favourite beats while cutting out the chatter and background noise.
8. A Travel Vacuum
A portable travel vacuum isn't meant to sweep up crumbs in your suitcase.
Instead, it sucks the air from your luggage and saves space - perfect for bringing back all those souvenirs.
The compression bags are reusable, which is ideal for each trip abroad.
With a USB adapter, you can take this vacuum anywhere.
If it dies when you arrive, recharge it with your portable charger.
A travel vacuum isn't just for clothes — you can also pack jewellery, documents, antiques and more.
If you're as lost with travel vacuums as we was, check at the VMSRT Travel Vacuum with storage bags.
It does the trick and will save you loads of space when packing.
Other Useful Travel Tech Items
The above travel technology is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to travel items.
If you want an even bigger travel items list, you can add the below tech items to your ever-growing hand luggage:
- Wearable Activity Tracker
- GPS Device
- Personal Alarm
- Camera
- Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Useful Tech to Travel Wisely
Airports see approximately “1.4 billion international arrivals each year”.
If you're one of many ready to take flight, you may wonder what travel tech you’ll need for convenience and connectivity.
Consider packing some of the useful tech items above.
From your smartphone to a portable hotspot, travel technology options can enhance your international experience.
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.