However, there appear to be signs that the travel industry is slowly on its way to recovery, and with that, we may be able to look forward to a vacation of two.
Planning and paperwork requirements may be more complex for travel now, and it can be far too easy to leave packing until the last minute – throwing everything into one bag and hoping you’ve remembered everything. However, there are essential travel accessories and gadgets which, if you’re like me, can be left in a dedicated drawer and pulled out when you’re about to hit the road – making travel less stressful and lightening the load you need to carry, too.
Below, ZDNet has compiled our top picks for travel technology and accessories in 2022, whether you’re going on vacation or to a work event.
Pros:
Outputs USB C/ALightweight and smallBuilt-in light
Cons:
Only contains a 10,000mAh charge (other banks can go beyond 26,000)
The Hex technical backpack is a travel bag designed with tough, heavy-duty materials for water resistance and to prevent wear and tear. Likely a backpack that will last you years, Hex’s backpack also includes an antimicrobial coating, a magnetic laptop compartment, and various organizer slots, including one for your passport. In addition, the backpack includes a wireless charging pocket which can be used to power your devices with Hex’s own model, or other chargers. Pros:
Multiple compartments for your laptop and other travel accessoriesRugged design
Cons:
ExpensiveCharger sold separately
When you travel, one of the first things you should put in your bag is an adapter as there’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination and realizing you can’t charge any of your devices. While you can buy cheap adapters for specific countries, we recommend going for a universal adapter so you’re never caught short of the right connector. Epicka’s universal travel adapter contains the prongs required for over 150 countries and multiple USB connection points. Pros:
includes every type of connector you could possibly need abroad
Cons:
not the cheapest model
One of my must-have items for travel is my Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones. While I needed to replace the ear cups after a few years, Bose headphones are a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers – and, of course, they can also be used day-to-day, whether at home or on the daily commute. When it comes to features, the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones include active noise-canceling technology, Bluetooth connectivity, and a ‘hear-through’ option if you want to listen to music but remain aware of environmental noise. These headphones come in black or white. Pros:
Noise-canceling technologysturdy design
Cons:
Expensive
As many of us now balance work from home, the office, and while on the road, you could consider investing in a portable monitor or two to improve your remote productivity. Laptops are convenient on the road but sometimes, all you need is more screen space. One option to consider is SideTrak’s portable monitors, which are 14-inch, 16:9 ratio displays in FHD (1080p). Once mounted, the displays are powered via USB/mini-HDMI. Pros:
A valuable tool for remote work14-inch display
Cons:
Expensive and you may need more than oneYou will need to buy protectors
Furthermore, you need to consider weight limits when you travel and may have to leave your PCs or bigger laptops at home. Being able to expand your display for work or entertainment purposes without adding more weight is worth considering. You should also have a backup adapter in case your main one fails. Rather than messing about, I just take two universal adapters with me on my trips – they may be more expensive to buy, but they can last for years and save you the hassle. You can find a useful guide on what prongs, slots, and patterns are used in different countries here. Accidents happen whilst on the road, and while you could always ensure your main laptop, you should consider the potential inconvenience of having to set up a new device due to an accident or theft. My basic rule-of-thumb is that if I’m taking anything worth more than $1000, I will also pick up cover for a trip, although you might have a different value in mind. As I’m usually also taking camera equipment worth over $6000, insurance is personally a must – and I include theft, not just accidents, in my policy. However, there are also other options worth considering:
