Must Have Electronics for Digital Nomads

Let me tell you exactly what’s going to happen…

You’re going to hit the road for the first time as a digital nomad, and you’re going to be missing something crucial that you’re going to need to do your job.

That is an AWFUL feeling. Whether it’s your wifi that goes out, cell data, laptop charger breaks, or you get the dreaded grain of sand in your MacBook Air laptop, you’re gonna be in bad shape.

After a combined 10+ years of  traveling as digital nomads, we have compiled a list of everything you will need to ensure that you aren’t left in the Stone Age while your boss is wondering why you aren’t showing up for meetings.

Internet backups

This is the top priority; you need to ensure that you have backups on backups on backups for internet. Why? Because as a digital nomad, internet is your livelihood, whether you’re a freelancer, work for a company, or are an entrepreneur. There is nothing more unprofessional than missing a meeting because of poor internet. Here are a few solutions for nipping that problem in the bud.

Google Fi 

Google Fi is a SIM card that you can use around the world. Google Fi is awesome because it allows you to keep your phone number, and you will only pay $10 per GB of data which you will tether to your laptop as a hotspot.

eSIM

eSIM devices optimize for giving you internet around the world, which you can purchase and refill online. It’s oftentimes a little more reliable than Google Fi. The price point is going to be fairly similar to Google Fi.

MiFi Devices

There are tons of options available for MiFi devices that you can find on Amazon. Different from eSIM devices, you actually need to track down a local SIM card from a provider to use with your MiFi device. That means you can’t purchase/refill data online.

Routers

Seems odd to think of traveling around with a router, but oftentimes you will end up in an Airbnb that actually has strong internet, but is being severely limited by a weak router or cable connection.

 

PRO TIPS: Make sure that your phone is unlocked before you leave your home country if you’re planning on replacing its SIM card for data.

External Battery Chargers

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been in a new city, trying to navigate Google Maps to my Airbnb, and my phone dies. And when that happens, you need to walk into a bar or cafe and try to mooch off someone’s charger to find your way home. Awful.

It’s easy to forget that when you’re spending your life on planes trains and automobiles that you won’t always have easy access to power outlets. And that means a dead phone and/or dead laptop. Both are brutal situations for the digital nomad.

We recommend the MyCharge portable charger because it comes with a built in wall outlet and two built in cables.

It’s worth noting that these small chargers will not charge your laptop! You can also buy a large external battery that’s capable of charging your laptop once or twice, but keep in mind you will be paying significantly more money and toting significantly more weight in your bag.

Backup Laptop Charger

I can almost guarantee that you, or someone you know has murdered a laptop charger at some point in your life. I’ve seen it happen in very remote places where there is no access to electronics stores to buy a backup. That means mooching off of friends (if they have the same device), or letting your computer flatline after your last charge depletes.

We recommend either bringing a backup charger, or researching  your destination to find out if there will be access to an electronics store in case of emergency.

Converters

I ALWAYS forget to bring a converter when I travel. Don’t be like me.

Guess what? A lot of countries won’t have the same electrical outlets as yours.

So all your preparations with backup chargers, internet, laptops and pretty much any other electrical device you bring with you will mean absolute squat if you can’t plug it into the wall. Or worse, you explode your device with high voltage (that happens!)

We recommend getting a multi-prong converter so that you don’t have to constantly change out your converters.

Work Stations

When you start traveling you’re going to be tempted to abandon all your healthy habits you had at home…working from bed, the couch, hunched over an awkward coffee table, etc.

Don’t do it! The key to being a digital nomad is maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. Here are a few devices to keep your work station solid.

Laptop Stand

You’re going to see this laptop stand everywhere, and for good reason. It’s light, folds into a small shape that is easily packed, and is adjustable to your preferred height. The Roost laptop stand is our number one recommendation.

Second Monitor

Some people absolutely need a second monitor to do their jobs. We’ve seen everything from large, near-TV screens, clip on monitors, and iPads. An interesting option we have seen is the SideTrak clip-on monitor that literally slides behind your laptop’s main monitor.

Cheap Backup Laptops

If you have a MacBook, all it takes is a single grain of sand to murder your laptop. Or a knocked-over latte. Or a fall casualty from your bed.

And if you’re somewhere very remote, that means flying to the nearest major city to repair your laptop, or buy an entire new one. I’ve seen it happen, and it’s awful.

This recommendation is a bit controversial as it is probably the most expensive recommendation, and adds considerable weight to your pack, but it could save your ass.

You can get a fairly cheap Chromebook for under $200. It won’t blow your socks away, but it will save your ass in a pinch.

Noise Canceling Headphones

You might think of these big, expensive, DJ-looking headphones as an entertainment device. But, they are INCREDIBLE for work productivity. For starters, when you’ve got your big headphones on, people know that you’re in work mode and it sends a signal to not bother you. It also cancels out noises so that you can focus. We recommend the Bose Quiet Comfort headphones.

As a side note, some people prefer to make phone calls and take meetings with non-noise canceling headphones. Noise canceling headphones are great for listening, but can often give you feeling of being underwater when using them for calls.

We recommend using the simple Apple wired earbuds. They’re nothing fancy, but they do a great job of picking up your natural voice and do a decent job of canceling out background noise.

Speaking of blocking out background noise, we recommend taking a look at a plugin called Krisp which uses AI technology to block out background noise.

Laptop Bags/Backpacks

Now that we have given you pounds and pounds of stuff to tote around, you’re going to need a suitable bag to haul it all in. We recommend the CoolBell Messenger bag because it’s durable, has tons of pockets for all your stuff, and is very cost-effective.

Conclusion

At some point you’re going to buy all these things through necessity. You’ll be out somewhere and say to yourself, “Dammit, I really wish I would have bought XYZ.” You really don’t want to be in that situation, so we recommend getting ahead of these likely problems that you’re going to run into.

Have any questions about these items, or any others? Drop us a note!