Having the proper digital nomad gear can make or break your travels. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the digital nomad essential gear you need for the most fun and productive travelling experience.
As digital nomads who have travelled and worked in various places over the last 5 years, we know how important it is to have things like portable WiFi, travel insurance, and noise-cancelling headphones. Below, I’ll share the specific gear we’ve used and highly recommend.
Digital Nomad Gear You Need for Productive & Fun Travels
From luggage that makes packing easy to portable chargers to keep your equipment going, this digital nomad packing list is sure to be helpful in your journey while travelling and working remotely.
Digital Nomad Backpack: Nomatic 40L Travel Bag
The Nomatic 40L Travel Bag is the best digital nomad backpack because it’s durable and offers various pockets to stay organised. This is one of the most consistently highest-rated backpacks for digital nomads.
We love this bag for many reasons:
- It has multiple straps to be used as a duffle bag or backpack.
- Various pockets for shoes, tech, water bottle, and more give everything a place.
- It’s TSA-ready with a laptop sleeve.
- The bag is the perfect size for a carry-on, fitting under your seat or in the overhead compartment.
- It’s made to be long-lasting and has water-resistant material.
We also recommend the brand Monarc for bags and travel gear that actively work towards clearing the ocean and landfill of single-use plastics.
Check out our full list of favourite digital nomad backpacks for more options.
Portable WiFi: Solis Portable WiFi
Every digital nomad packing list needs portable WiFi to ensure you always have a backup internet solution.
One of our favourites is the Solis Portable WiFi, Skyroam Solis X. (Use NOMAD20 for a discount on Solis WiFi products).
The Solis Skyroam is ideal for digital nomads who don’t plan to rely only on their portable WiFi for the internet. It’s also lightweight, easy to carry, and has a ten-hour battery life.
You can pay for daily or monthly internet packages, which work in 130 countries, via an app that’s convenient and easy to use. We have a full review of the Solis WIFI for more information.
Other portable WiFi options for digital nomads are:
- NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Mobile 4G Router: reliable, has a long battery life, & requires a SIM card plan
- GlocalME G4 Pro Smart 4G Mobile Global Wi-Fi Hotspot: lightweight, easy setup, similar to the Solis Portable but more pricey
- Huawei E5576-320 Portable 4G: simple, lightweight, requires SIM plan
Read More:
Top 6 Mobile Hotspots (Portable WIFI for Digital Nomads)
8 Best eSIM Providers (US & International Travel Plans)
Cabin Suitcase: Genius Pack
If you prefer rolling luggage, the Genius Pack G4 suitcase is ideal. This 22-inch spinner luggage is lightweight and expands for more space. It also has an integrated air valve to make more room.
The bag also has various compartments to keep your items organised, a removable laundry bag, and a pop-out umbrella.
For more options, check out our best digital nomad luggage article.
Laptop: Macbook Air or Lenovo Yoga
Don’t go without the most essential digital nomad gear: a reliable laptop. When travelling and working on your computer, you want to consider a laptop’s weight, battery life, durability, functionality, and price.
We think the Macbook Air and Lenovo Yoga are excellent options for nomads.
The Apple Macbook Air M1 is lightweight, has an exceptionally long battery life (up to 18 hours), and is highly efficient. That said, it isn’t the most cost-effective option. Some people find the cost well worth it, though.
The Lenovo Yoga C930 is ideal if you prefer PC over Mac computers. Its unique design is excellent for digital nomads. It has a 360-hinge to conveniently use anywhere, offers ample storage space, and has a battery life of up to 8 hours.
Read More: 12 Best Laptops for Digital Nomads & Remote Workers
Laptop Light
Some remote jobs require you to have good lighting, especially if you do Zoom calls or record videos. And we know as travellers that many accommodations don’t have the best lighting. This is where laptop lights come in handy.
Here are a few of our favourite laptop lights:
- Lume Cube: durable and convenient with a suction cap on the back
- Video Conference Lighting Kit: a budget-friendly lighting option of good quality
- Neewer Ring Light: the best ring light for reducing blemishes and adjusting brightness
For more details about laptop lighting options to add to your digital nomad equipment, check out this article.
Universal Travel Adapter
To keep your digital nomad gear and technology charged up while travelling, it’s essential to have a universal travel adapter that keeps your devices safe when charging.
This International Travel Adapter is an excellent option. It works in more than 160 countries, including the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Italy, Japan, and China. It’s also small and lightweight, perfect for packing. This adapter has 4 USB slots and 1 AC socket, and you can charge 5 devices simultaneously.
Lightweight Camera
Whether you’re a videographer/photographer, vlogger, or simply want a camera for fun for your adventures, a lightweight camera is always nice to have for travelling.
The Canon EOS RP Full-Fream Digital Camera is easily one of the best small cameras, perfect for on-the-go at just 2.7 pounds.
It’s also more affordable than many other professional cameras but has various noteworthy features:
- Autofocus for video which is great if you want to start a Youtube channel.
- Takes up to 250 photos on one charge
- A 3-inch LCD touch display that flips around
- A sensor for fast autofocus, dynamic range, and low-light performance
VPN/ Nord VPN
Ensure you have internet security with travelling by using a VPN (a virtual private network). This helps you keep your online identity safe, secure, and anonymous.
Nord VPN is my go-to VPN network. It has a fast connection speed, works well while streaming services like Netflix, and is easy to set up. You can also use it for up to 6 different devices.
Read More: 5 Best VPN for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
Solar Portable Charger/ Power Bank
Every digital nomad needs a portable charger to keep their devices going no matter where they are. With so many options these days, it can be challenging to decide which one to go with.
We love solar power chargers since they’re eco-friendly and charge by the sun. You can also recharge most solar power chargers via an outlet.
As a traveller, you might want to opt for this simple, lightweight BLAVOR Wireless Solar Charger. It has LED flashlights and a large battery capacity to charge your smartphone, earbuds, and iPad multiple times. It also charges laptops that support PD protocol (12V, 1.5A)
Discover more of our favourite portable chargers and power banks in this article.
Nomad Health and Travel Insurance: SafteyWing
Travel with peace of mind by having health and travel insurance you can rely on if you face unexpected expenses due to health or travel-related mishaps.
SafetyWing is best because you can sign up even if you’ve already started travelling, and it covers you when you go back home too. You can also choose only to pay while you’re travelling, and adding other people to your plan is easy. Best of all, SafetyWing plans are affordable and cover various expenses, depending on your needs.
You can read our full review of SafteyWing travel insurance here.
Other great travel insurance options:
- Insured Nomad Global Health Insurance: best for nomads who plan to live abroad for more than a year
- World Nomads: works well for those who want adventurous activities covered and is suitable for short or long trips
- HeyMondo: an inexpensive, flexible option with an easy claims process
Read More: Best Health and Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads
Mobile Phone: iPhone / Samsung
Of course, a mobile phone is a must-have digital nomad essential. An iPhone or Samsung are the best options for a smartphone, which offers features most travellers want, including internet access, calling options, and nice cameras.
It can also be a great form of entertainment on the road, keeping you up-to-date with your favourite shows, podcasts, and games.
Read More:16 Best Podcasts for Freelancers and Digital Nomads
Kindle
Read books on the go with the latest Kindle, known for being the lightest and most compact Kindle.
Its glare-free, paper-like display feels like you’re reading an actual book. It also has an adjustable front light and dark mode to read anytime and an extended battery life that lasts up to 6 weeks on one charge.
With 16 GB making it capable of storing thousands of books, you will never be without something to read again. It also means you can still access English-language books easily wherever you are in the world.
Tip: If you are looking for book recommendations then check out our favourite books for digital nomads list!
Digital Nomad Bank Account / Travel Credit Card: Wise
The best digital nomad gear isn’t complete without a digital nomad bank account. As a nomad, you probably want a convenient option that offers mobile wallet support and has little to no fees.
Our favourite option is Wise, formerly known as Transferwise. Wise lets you transfer money between currencies and countries without outrageous fees. You can also have a bank card that holds your money in over thirty currencies.
Other bank accounts and credit card options for digital nomads include:
- N26: ideal for EU citizens but can be opened from anywhere in the world
- Monese: easy to open an account with if you live in one of the 31 EU countries and the UK
- Starling: an award-winning bank for people in the UK
- Tide: ideal for freelancers and offers tax support, invoicing features, labels to identify payments, and more
- Stack: one of the only prepaid card options for Canadian remote workers
- Revolut: an ideal bank for digital nomads in the Uk, EU, US, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Singapore
If you want to manage your money better then check out some of these articles:
Best Bank Accounts and Credit Cards for Digital Nomads and Freelancers
How to Navigate Digital Nomad Taxes
Must-Read Books for a Positive Money Mindset
Noise Cancelling Headphones/Ear Phones
Avoid outside sounds and find focus on any plane or in any cafe with a quality set of noise-cancelling headphones.
The Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Headphones reduce ambient noises by up to 90%. They have a playtime of up to 40 hours. They also have memory foam ear cups for comfort.
If you already have your preferred headphones but could do with some noise cancelling or just don’t want to listen to anything we highly recommend Loop earphones.
They have two kinds, complete noise-cancelling or their experience range which makes the surrounding sounds more manageable without blocking your hearing entirely.
These are also highly recommended for people with sensory sensitivities.
Tech Pouch / Cable Organiser
Keep your technology gear and chargers nicely organised with a tech pouch.
I love this tomtoc Recycled Portable Storage Pouch Bag. It fits various chords and other gadgets, like your computer mouse and portable charger.
It also has a minimal design for easy packing and is scratch and water-resistant.
Travel Cutlery Set
One piece of digital nomad gear I never knew I needed was a travel cutlery set. It happens to the best of us when we arrive at an accommodation or are eating in the airport and suddenly find you urgently need utensils.
It’s so nice to have a set with an easy-carry case when you’re on the go and need cutlery.
Filtered Water Bottle
Most digital nomads, like myself, can’t imagine travelling without a reusable water bottle. A filtered water bottle helps ensure you always have clean, great-tasting water.
The Brita Insulated Filtered Water Bottle is great because it keeps your beverage cold for 24 hours, includes a straw, and improves water taste by filtering chlorine and more. The filters are easy to change and last for several months. It can also be used as a bottle without the filter.
Other Digital Nomad Items You Might Need
Travelling is always more rewarding when you have everything you could need or want.
Here are some other nice-to-have items for a digital nomad lifestyle whether you are trying to organise your suitcase or create your perfect on-the-go home office:
- Packing cubes
- External hard drive
- Laptop stand
- Productivity apps
- Books
- Resources (flights, accommodations, etc.)
Learn more about these items in our guide to 50+ Digital Nomad Resources.
Having useful, easy-to-use equipment makes the digital nomad lifestyle even better! We hope you found this list of digital nomad gear helpful.