9 tech devices I always pack with me — and 1 that‘s changing my routine at home
Editor's Note
Last year, I took 100 flights. This year, I’m on track to hit — or possibly even beat — that number.
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned what it takes to be productive when on the go. Whether I’m creating content from the plane or writing stories from the hotel room or club lounge, I have a handful of tech accessories I always take with me. (There’s also one device that’s changing my workflow at home — more on that later.)
These devices have become such staples in my travel routine that they stay in my backpack, waiting for my next trip.
As you think about what to pack for your next trip, perhaps my tech packing list will provide some inspiration — whether you plan to work from anywhere or want to unplug and disconnect.
Plus, with some incredible Amazon Prime Day deals on my tech staples, now could be the best time to stock up on these items.
Apple AirTags
Buy now for $88.49 and save on the regular price of a four-pack ($99).
This one is an absolute no-brainer. If I’ve learned anything from how the pandemic has affected air travel, it’s to prepare for the unexpected. Unfortunately, this means there's a greater likelihood of experiencing a delayed or missing bag situation.
Apple’s AirTags have become immensely popular as a checked bag tracker. However, I recently bought an additional four-pack to stick these coin-size devices into my backpack, carry-on bag and keychain. In fact, AirTags recently saved the day when I was forced to gate-check my carry-on bag on a small regional jet.
The flight ended up getting super delayed. I wanted to deplane in order to rebook on a different airline, but I didn’t have my bag. The gate agent asked if I knew which cargo compartment my bag was stored in. Thanks to AirTag and Apple’s Precision Finding feature, I could direct the ground staff to the precise location of my bag.
I eventually rebooked onto a different flight and arrived three hours earlier than the originally delayed flight — all thanks to the AirTag.
Apple iPhone 14
Though it's almost time for Apple to unveil the next-generation iPhone (expected in the fall), I’m still a big fan of the tech giant’s latest smartphones.
I’ve personally been using Apple’s top-of-the-line iPhone 14 Pro Max for my everyday life and travels, but I recently tested the entry-level iPhone 14 and 14 Plus in the new yellow finish.
Not only have I warmed up to the bold new color, but I also believe that it could definitely make sense for travelers to save $200 and opt for the “standard,” non-Pro iPhones this year.
The larger 6.7-inch Plus model even packs the longest-ever battery life in an iPhone, so if you’re in the market for a new phone that’ll last throughout the travel day, this one is it.
Google Fi SIM card
Staying connected when I’m on the go is a must. While I can’t beat the convenience of roaming with my preferred home carrier (Verizon), I’m also not prepared to spend $10 a day on the company’s TravelPass when traveling internationally.
Enter Google Fi. This MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator, works at home with the T-Mobile network and allows you to roam abroad without any additional data fees. Also, thanks to iPhone support and the dual SIM feature, I can even receive phone calls and texts on my primary line without incurring the $10-a-day fee when roaming with Google Fi.
There are plenty of other SIM providers that can do the trick, so be sure to check out my guide before your next international jaunt.
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Buy now for $199 and save 20% on the regular price ($249).
I used to tote around Bose’s over-ear noise-canceling headphones on every trip, but that bulky package now collects dust in the back of my closet.
With the second-generation Apple AirPods Pro, I can zone out while in transit with earbuds that fit in my pocket. The active noise cancellation isn’t as strong as you’d find in over-ear headphones. However, you can’t beat the portability of AirPods.
Also, other recent improvements — such as precision finding, redesigned controls and a new adaptive transparency mode — combine to make these the best travel-friendly earbuds yet.
Still unsure? Check out my review: After 10,000 miles, Apple’s latest AirPods Pro are my new go-to for travel.
And if you're not in the Apple ecosystem, I just reviewed six of the best noise-canceling headphones. There are some great options on the list.
Retractable HDMI cable
Buy for $9.99 — the lowest price Amazon has offered in 30 days.
I recently visited a hotel that had an HDMI port on the side of the dresser. I posted on Instagram and asked whether anyone actually totes around an HDMI cable on their trips, and I was surprised at how many people said they did. I’m now one of them.
When I travel with friends, this cable is the perfect way to connect my laptop to the TV so we can all watch our preferred content together. No more huddling around a small screen to enjoy Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, Hulu or any other service that you subscribe to.
I know some travelers prefer to pack an Amazon Fire Stick in their bags, but the HDMI cable means more flexibility to stream whatever content you want. You can also even use the hotel TV as an external monitor if necessary.
Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
Buy for $18.39 — the lowest price Amazon has offered in 30 days.
Even though it’s 2023, finding enough power outlets to charge my devices still poses a challenge in many cases.
I used to travel with a portable surge protector. However, I recently ditched it for an Epicka universal travel adapter. It works in more than 150 countries and offers one AC outlet, four USB-A ports and one fast-charging USB-C port.
This keeps all my devices charged with a single adapter and doesn’t take up valuable space in my bag.
Anker 537 Power Bank
Buy now for $69.99 and save 30% on the regular price ($99.99).
On some of my busiest travel days, I’ll go through at least three full battery cycles on my phone. That’s because I’m usually filming content on planes, in airports or at hotels. I then have to edit all the photos and 4K videos, which really hogs my iPhone battery.
Apple’s proprietary MagSafe Battery Pack is a good option, especially if you're using one of the latest iPhones. However, I’m a big fan of Anker’s much more robust power banks; they can charge multiple devices, including laptops, a few times on a single charge.
Anker has a wide range of power banks to fit your budget, connectivity and battery needs. I’ve been happy with the 537 model. The 26,800mAh capacity is big enough for my needs, and it costs just about $100.
15-inch MacBook Air
Buy the 15-inch MacBook Air for $1,249.99 — a $50 savings from the MSRP.
Apple’s current laptop lineup couldn't be better for travelers: It features three of the best all-around travel notebooks.
My absolute favorite — and current laptop of choice – is the brand-new 15-inch MacBook Air. It's Apple's first 15-inch Air notebook, and it boasts incredible performance and all-day battery life in an entirely new thin-and-light design. It simply doesn't get better than this for travelers.
While I'm currently using the 15-inch Air, the tech giant also offers a smaller 13.6-inch model that includes many of the same specs — just in a more portable package. (Until Apple released the 15-inch model, I was exclusively using the smaller notebook during my travels.)
Better yet, these Airs are some of Apple's most affordable laptops, making them the best all-around travel laptops.
That said, if your workflows require a bit more computing power, Apple offers the MacBook Pro featuring the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. The Pro comes in two sizes (14.2 and 16.2 inches). The smaller one will likely be a hit with travelers looking for more power, additional connectivity ports and a higher-quality display without being too bulky or unwieldy.
Buy the 14-inch MacBook Pro for $1,799 — a rare 10% savings.
Though I’ve been using an Air religiously for nearly a year, the Pro's performance upgrades are immediately noticeable, and it’s great that you don’t need to sacrifice any battery life to enjoy these improvements.
DJI Mini 3 drone
Admittedly this isn’t for everyone, but I love packing a drone on my outdoor-focused vacations. You can use it to take unique shots, and you don’t need to be an expert to use DJI’s new Mini 3.
This drone has the broadest appeal, both for travelers and recreational users. It weighs less than 249 grams (or less than 8.8 ounces), and it's pretty portable. Because the device is just shy of the Federal Aviation Administration’s 250-gram limit, you can fly it without prior registration.
This drone packs some serious pro-level chops into its small package: a 12-megapixel photo capability, 4K video, 51 minutes of flight time and up to a 10-kilometer (more than 6-mile) range for video transmission. It’s a small but mighty drone.
Bonus: Apple Studio Display
Buy now for $1,499 — a rare $100 savings from the regular price.
I remember walking out of the TPG office on one fateful afternoon in March 2020 with an external monitor for what I thought would be two weeks of working from home. Fast forward three years, and working remotely using an external monitor has become a staple of many jobs, mine included.
In fact, I recently upgraded my home-office setup with Apple’s new Studio Display. There’s been no turning back, especially thanks to the incredible 5K display quality.
The monitor is also the perfect docking station for any Apple laptop, making it an ideal setup for travelers who want to focus on work when they’re at home. Connecting to the display requires just a single Thunderbolt cable. This connection charges your laptop, enables the display’s immersive studio-quality speakers and microphones, unlocks three additional high-powered USB-C ports and even uses the display’s built-in webcam. You can benefit from all of this without having to open your laptop screen each time (something that proved to be a big inconvenience for me during the past three years).
Of course, the Studio Display isn’t cheap, and I wish the camera quality was a bit better.
However, travelers who use Apple laptops and are looking for the most convenient work-from-home setup should seriously consider Apple’s new display. It’s become a game changer on days when I’m in my home office.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.