Did you know that the first recorded digital nomad was Steven K. Roberts, who, from 1983 to 1991, traveled over 10,000 miles across the U.S.A. on a computerized recumbent bicycle, which was supplied with amateur radio and other equipment enabling him to talk, type and work on the move during the day before camping at night?
Nowadays, however, living as a digital nomad is much easier—all you need is your laptop and a stable internet connection. But if you want to make your life both safe and easy, there are some travel tech gadgets that’ll allow you to live your digital nomad life wherever you are.
Here are our recommendations for the best travel tech for digital nomads!
Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot
We all know that home is where the Wi-Fi is. A portable Wi-Fi hotspot is the perfect tech gadget if you’re a digital nomad searching for a reliable internet connection. A hotspot device is a fantastic and portable way to ensure you’re always online.
When choosing the right device for you, make sure that it’s lightweight, offers a high-speed connection, and has good coverage both locally and globally. You can buy a personal Wi-Fi hotspot anywhere, from Amazon to your local Walmart.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you need some peace to focus on work, noise-canceling headphones will be your saving grace! They’ll allow you to block out the annoying hustle and bustle of big cities, public transportation, airplanes, or the lunchtime crowd at a cafe.
Moreover, using noise-canceling headphones is proven to reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality, not to mention that they help you concentrate better.
According to the New York Times’ Wirecutter, the best noise-canceling headphones of 2024 include brands like Bose, Sony, and Soundcore. Each pair of headphones differs in price and battery time, so you’re sure to find the pair that works best for you!
VPN Subscription
In Homeland Security’s ”Cybersecurity While Traveling Tip Card,” it’s essential to update your mobile software, back up your personal information, and set up passwords for your devices to stay safe while traveling. However, there are other safety precautions you should take.
When you purchase a VPN subscription, it encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, making it more difficult for ill-meaning hackers to intercept and steal your sensitive work and personal data.
There are many VPN service providers you can choose from, including, but not limited to, Mysterium VPN, which provides access to the world’s biggest residential IP network for safe online surfing at an affordable price.
Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker
If you’re a digital nomad, it’s fair to assume that you often find yourself on the go somewhere around the world, far away from your healthcare team. Nonetheless, staying on top of your health and well-being is paramount to living a whole life. Something as simple as a smartwatch or a fitness tracker can help you keep in touch with yourself.
Nowadays, smartwatches and fitness trackers offer a wide range of benefits, from tracking your steps to measuring your heart rate or sleep quality. They can even help you monitor chronic ailments like hypertension or diabetes by tracking your health parameters.
Moreover, a smartwatch can also act as a navigation tool, a way of communicating instead of your phone, a timekeeping device, and a work tool equipped with alarms, task reminders, and so much more!
USB Hub
Traveling often goes hand in hand with the everlasting search for places to charge all of your devices. If you, like many others, have more devices than USB ports on your laptop, a USB hub will allow you to expand the number of ports at your disposal.
That way, you can easily connect multiple devices simultaneously, such as your external hard drive, power bank, phone, and other gadgets, making it much easier to manage your workflow and stay organized.
When choosing a USB hub, consider the layout and spacing of the ports. Some devices might have rather bulky plugs or cables that can block ports next to them.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right travel tech gadgets for you is the key to a successful digital nomad lifestyle. By investing in your safety through a VPN like Mysterium or into your peace by buying a good pair of noise-canceling headphones like Bose, you can enjoy your freedom and see the world at the same time—doesn’t that sound like a dream come true?
Photo by: https://unsplash.com/@andrewtneel
Alt text: MacBook Pro laptop and a white cup on a wooden table