Digital Nomad Packing List: Tech on the Road

The Digital Nomad Lifestyle

One of the most popular forms of global travel comes with the rise of the internet.  Digital nomads, capable of working anywhere with an internet connection, have spread across the world. For those wishing to travel and work online, a digital nomad packing list is helpful.

Unlike many travelers, digital nomads can earn money regardless of their location.  This means their work is dependent on internet tools and technical skills.  The lifestyle requires a few extra supplies while traveling.

Firstly, a Digital Nomad packing list requires all the same standard travel gear that a normal traveler does. 

Keep in mind, a digital nomad is usually carrying some extra tools for their work, so getting lighter items on the standard packing list is recommended for this lifestyle.

Secondly, a digital nomad should carefully consider their tech gear, since weight and functional capabilities are major factors in the lifestyle.

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Tech Gear

It’s important to consider the kind of gear a digital nomad packing list requires.  A digital nomad needs to own a device with decent processing power for work.  It must have a decent battery capacity to handle work while in transit or in locations without power outlets. 

This must be balanced against weight, durability and the overall cost must remain affordable.  The lighter and more compact a device is, the easier it is to pack and keep safe while traveling.

Laptops and tablets are best in this sphere.  For work that requires more typing and processing power, laptops are generally preferred. 

For travelers who need lighter gear and more capabilities in a variety of settings, convertible tablets are a better tool. 

The majority of travelers working remotely prefer better processing power to complete more tasks and functions, so laptops are generally the more popular option, with a few exceptions. 

Digital Nomad Packing List Device Recommendations:

Listed below are some of the best, most commonly seen technology flagship tools for digital nomads. Realistically, these products require intense research before making a selection. Overall, the following options are the most high-end, lightweight, battery-capable digital nomad tools on the market.

PC Recommendation – Dell XPS 13

For travelers who do a lot of technical, versatile and program-oriented work, a PC is likely the best options. PC laptops tend to have more durability, better access to open-source software and more general capabilities than their competitors.

The laptop I personally travel with is the Dell XPS 13.

This model is 0.6 by 11.63 by 7.84 inches (HWD) and weighs 2.77 pounds. The compact laptop is a powerful tool at an extremely light weight. The structure of the device is durable and easy to clean with a decent cooling system and backlit keyboard. The battery life is excellent and the device charges fairly swiftly.

The main disadvantage of the laptop, in my opinion, is the camera placement. The laptop’s camera is placed at the bottom of the screen, which is an unflattering angle.

However, this laptop wins back points with the port layout. The Dell XPS 13 has a headphone jack, microSD reader and three USB-C ports. The ports on the laptop also charge the device. The Dell XPS 13 can be charged on either side, which is a huge advantage when traveling. Often, outlet placement in hotels, hostels and third world-buildings isn’t convenient for people charging and working at the same time.

Overall, the Dell XPS 13 is an excellent, versatile option which doesn’t break the bank. My current computer has held up over the past two years without any damage or problems. It’s by far the most powerful laptop I’ve worked on, smoothly and efficiently running numerous programs necessary for my remote jobs.

Mac Recommendation – Apple MacBook Air M1

For travelers who are focused on creative development, video editing, photography or other professional artworks, Apple still has the market cornered. Mac devices dominate the market with powerful and robust editing tools and software.

The most common Mac seen for digital nomads is the the MacBook Air with M1. The device is 0.6 by 8.4 by 12 inches (HWD) and weights 2.8 pounds. It’s a light, very robust option for Apple fans.

The MacBook Air with M1 is an excellent legacy product. It has many of the features which render Apple a tech titan. The device has incredibly fast performance, an extended battery life a decent webcam and swift charging. The devices graphics are stunning.

In terms of ports, the MacBook Air has 2 Thunderbolt 3 USB 4 ports, just like its Intel-based predecessor, plus a headphone jack on the side. Another set of ports would be nice and the lack of a microSD card reader is problematic for users who do a lot of camera work.

But overall, the MacBook Air holds up extraordinarily well. It’s the most powerful Apple travel platform I’ve seen, making it a strong contender for digital nomads.

Tablet Recommendation – Microsoft Surface Pro 8

Some travelers are more concerned with flexibility and minimal weight before all else. For these digital nomads, tablets are the best option.

To be clear, tablets simply aren’t as powerful as laptops. It’s not terribly common to see digital nomads working exclusively with a tablet as their flagship work-device. However, for digital nomads shifting through a lot of environments, (hikers, trailblazers, developing country explorations) tablets are a strong choice.

The most versatile tablet option on the market for digital nomads is the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. The tablet is bizarrely powerful, offsetting some of the computing gap between tablets and laptops. The device 0.37 by 8.2 by 11.3 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.96 pounds, considerably less than laptop competitors.

The device is easier to pack and handle than almost anything else on this list. It’s extremely portable and the type cover keyboard works just as well as a standard laptop. The stand works fairly well and the device uses USB-C ports.

However, the tablet has several drawbacks. The keyboard and surface pen attachments still cost extra, though they’re integral to the device’s use. Additionally, the tablet has a drop in performance after a couple of years due to the fan-less design.

However, if a digital nomad needs equipment that can be used anywhere and handled swiftly, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 deserves serious consideration.

Extreme Option – Rugged Gear – Panasonic Toughbook 40

For some digital nomads, work will take them into truly extreme locations. This might include dusty towns in isolated deserts, goat herding on the Mongolian tundra or climbing a rigerous series of alpine trails.

For these travelers, I highly recommend looking at Rugged Laptops. Rugged Laptops are basically the tanks of the digital world, capable of handling extreme weather and rough lifestyle. They’re a good option for intercontinental motorcyclists, military professionalisms, thru-trekkers, extreme journalists, on-site field workers, archeologists and purist explorers.

The two main disadvantages of Rugged Laptops are the rather extreme weight and bulk. They also tend to be more expensive due to the extra protective layers. For 98% of travelers, a rugged laptop is vastly overkill.

But for those who need the extra degree of protection, Panasonic holds a strong space in the Rugged Laptop Market. The Rugged Devices from this company have incredible durability, drop rating, weatherproofing and temperature resistance.

The Panasonic Toughbook 40 is the flagship creation for the company. The device is a fully rugged laptop with powerful connectivity, stability and durability features. Panasonic Toughbook 40 is 2.1 by 11.9 by 13.9 (HWD) and weighs a whopping 7.4 pounds.

For travelers embarking into extreme territories for high stakes, rugged gear might be considered singular choice.

Bear in mind that the Panasonic Toughbook 40 is a prime flagship device for rugged hardware by Panasonic. It’s very expensive. The company offers various, far-cheaper semi-rugged options which may serve your needs.

Insurance

When traveling with a device for work, travel insurance becomes vital.  Protect your device and work with digital insurance before starting on your digital nomad journey.

Limit Cords

One of the biggest weight-and-space negatives to being a digital nomad is cord usage.  Dozens of cords, tangled together, shoved into packets and snaking through luggage is never a pleasant thought.

Consider getting all of your equipment standardized for simplicity.  When purchasing a computer or phone, make sure the cords and connectors between them are compatible. 

If you have two devices, such as a tablet and a phone, make sure they use the same charging port.  It also might be wise to use a Wireless Platform Charger for all your personal devices to negate the need for cord logistics entirely. 

One or two cords should be plenty for any traveler: One to charge your digital nomadic work device and one for your personal handheld device.  Other tools, such as cameras, secondary phones and surplus batteries should be compatible with these first two cords. 

Weave Your Cords

Online, you may see numerous products designed to better organize your cords and cables.

These are completely unnecessary. Simply weave your cords like a Christmas wreath. Doing so helps protect your cable, prevents them from getting tangled and you can “unweave” whenever you need more cable. Best of all, the cords still work fine even when woven.

Power Bank

Working as a digital nomad often means journeying for some time without coming across an outlet.  While this isn’t a problem while staying in hotels or hostels, but often while camping or riding buses for long periods of time, electricity might not be available.  In these cases, you may need to have an external, mobile power source for work or entertainment on long rides.

Laptop Stand

As a digital nomad, hours of your life are going to be spent in front of your computer.  Staying hunched over a laptop is a recipe for back pain.  Fortunately, there’s an easy, weight-efficient way to prop up your device for better posture while working.

A folding laptop stand can easily be packed.  They tend to be ultralight, very stable, slip-proof and elevate a laptop or tablet, ensuring the device can cool while functioning.

The stand I use while traveling is the collapsible Roost V3 Laptop Stand. The design is satisfyingly stable and works with any laptop. It’s improved my posture while working remotely dramatically. It only weighs 5.8 ounces and can be slid into my laptop case next to my device.

Ultralight Remote Mouse

A remote mouse uses a wireless connection to function with a laptop or another device.  It’s best to ensure your wireless mouse has recharging capabilities so you’re not carrying around extra batteries wherever you go.  

You don’t need a mouse if you prefer using a touchpad, stylus or touchscreen.  A mouse is primarily useful for tasks which require rapid onscreen responses, such as gaming.

There are much stronger, more expensive and powerful lightweight options out there, but I personally use the WEEMSBOX 2.4G Computer Mouse. It handles my mild gaming habits and remote work smoothly. I’ve never felt the need to upgrade.

Remote Keyboard

Remote keyboards are extremely useful for travel.  They allow for work to be done efficiently on any surface.  Rather than propping up a laptop in strange positions near oddly placed outlets, a remote keyboard can be placed anywhere.  

Hammocks, picnic tables, desks, kitchen tables, temple floors and airplane foldout tables all become viable office spaces.

The best remote keyboard I’ve used is iClever, a folding, lightweight keyboard with a Bluetooth connection.  The keyboard allows me to work anywhere.  It folds up compactly and the keyboard design is large enough to type at my normal maximum speed. Furthermore, the iClever keyboard has a remarkably long rechargeable battery life.

Charger

In all cases, you will need a charger.  This is likely the cable that comes with your laptop or phone.  

I generally recommend people purchase a device with a longer charging cord.  Hotels, hostels and Airbnb’s sometimes have outlets in odd places, and a longer cable can make your life much, much easier.  

A charging cable isn’t likely a special purchase.  However, know that a digital nomad should be deliberate when selecting the cable that powers all their devices.  

Laptop or Tablet Case

Purchasing a good case is the absolute best thing a person can do to protect their device.  Traveling is a rugged enterprise and delicate electronics can’t always take hits.  Part of a digital nomad packing list should be dedicated to protection.

When selecting a case, try to get one with a pouch to store charging cables and other small electronics.  Also look for a case with a handle which can be carried, in case your device needs to be moved around safely. 

Avoid cases with zippers that extend all the way around, since it’s easy to accidentally leave one side unzipped, spilling out your device.  Finally, make sure your case is padded enough to protect your gear.

External Hard Drive

A digital nomad generates an obscene amount of data.  Between travel photos, work content, videos saved and memories recorded, a traveler makes more digital content than a computer can easily hold.

An external hard drive is one of the best tools a traveler can have.  This device can hold vast amounts of information, completely offline.  This also means that if data is ever corrupted on your laptop, you’ll have a pristine, offline digital backup available.  

Often, people purchase rugged digital hard drives for journeys.  However, I find that a larger hard drive with a protective case is a better investment, since I’m always starved for space.  

I upgrade external hard drives once every two years, making backups of all accumulated information.  As always, I recommend password protecting saved data. Backing up data regularily is a good habit. Additionally, keep your hard drive unplugged when not in use.

Noise Canceling Headphones

Noise canceling headphones are an absolute godsend when traveling.  Wailing babies, annoying dripping noises, a thunking bus engine, the patter of dust on a window during a windstorm or blaring, droning airport announcements all vanish into blissful music with a decent set of headphones. 

The best noise canceling headphones block out noise even when they don’t have electricity.  Avoid getting anything too heavy, bulky or expensive looking.  Generally, a pair of snug earbuds works fine.

Solar Charger

A set of solar panels or solar chargers can charge your devices if you’re away from civilization for long periods of time.

Only invest in solar chargers if you’re spending weeks at a time in the wilderness where you constantly need to use your devices.  For example, a traveling wilderness photographer frequently using their camera may benefit from a solar charger.  Or a novelist writing in isolation may benefit from this device.

If you’re mostly traveling from city to city, a solar charger isn’t necessary.

USB WIFI Booster

WIFI has come a long way since its inception.  The technology can now handle large amounts of data smoothly with relatively few interruptions.  

However, not all WIFI is made equal.  Much of the world still has spotty internet reception.  A USB WIFI Booster is a great, tiny and lightweight solution.  This device can be plugged into a USB port and increases the stability of a WIFI connection.

Extra USB Drive

When traveling as a digital nomad, a USB stick is a handy tool.  It can be used for printouts, physical data exchanges and saving important information offline.  Furthermore, it can be used with other computers safely, regularly being scrubbed to remove viruses or hardware problems.  The best USB drives for travel are Micro USBs.  They weigh virtually nothing and fit inside small pouches.

USB Emergency Doc Drive

When traveling, a person needs a lot of important paperwork.  International drivers licenses, passports, passport cards, visa paperwork, international contracts and more are all vital.  Many of these documents should be digitally backed up.

Place scans and copies of important documents on an emergency USB Drive.  This drive can be encrypted for further protection and stored in the same place as a passport for safekeeping.  If there are any emergencies, a USB of vital information can help replace or verify important documents.

Port Hub with Ethernet Adapter

Between external hard drives, USB sticks, power cords, external connectors and charging cables, a singular digital nomad device can have a lot of wires sticking out of it.  A port hub manages these devices easily and allows for hardline data security between devices.  

The best port hubs also come with an Ethernet Cable port, which many mobile laptops and tablets don’t have.  This is important since many countries have notoriously unstable or poor WIFI.  A hardline connection can ensure work gets done and submitted without interruption.

Universal Adapter

Of everything on this list, there is nothing more important to a digital nomad than a Universal Adapter.  Power outlets around the world follow different standards, power outlets and designs.  

A Universal Adapter allows your devices to work anywhere on earth.  The absolute best universal adapters are small, lightweight and offer both USB ports and power outlet ports.  

Brite Lightingtech Universal Adapter

The Brite Lightingtech Universal Adapter has been with me since the beginning. It was my first purchase when I was nineteen, charging my devices in dozens of countries. I’ve only needed to replace the adapter once after a decade of use.

Full Tech Kit

The list above isn’t a comprehensive list. It’s simply a few of the more common tools a Digital Nomad uses professionally. There are items on this list which you may need in order to work remotely, or you can ignore entirely.

Overall, a digital nomad is a different kind of traveler.  Technology and its reliability is more important and device security is vital.  When collecting the gear necessary for a career as a digital nomad, research your options thoroughly. 

Consider getting a secondary, specialized case just for your digital equipment if needed and spend additional time testing all of your gear in different situations. 

A digital nomad has the ability to take their entire livelihood on the road, combining earnings and adventure together.

Best regards and excellent trails,

Old Sean

Read firsthand stories about the life of a digital nomad here at Leftfade Trails Blog

Check out other useful tools for traveling as a digital nomad below