Top 10 Travel Gadgets
I am a tech geek and a planner; no matter how casual our travel is, there are some things that I try to never leave home without. Here are the Top 10 Travel Gadgets I use:
Round Travel Power Strip. Of course, there a thousands to choose from, but this one I really like because of how compact it is and because it has both 3-prong and USB connects. The cord wraps around it too, making it easy to drop into a carry-on or backpack.
2. European Travel Charger You may ask, "why do I need a European travel charger if I'm traveling in North America?", and I'm here to share with you a great travel hack! Not only is this useful when you are in Europe, it is extremely handy on airplanes because many times the US-standard plugs are all wonky (technical term) and your plug will fall out. Use this instead, and you're practically guaranteed that it will stay in place!
3. Tech Gadget Bag I used to try and keep the various cords, plugs, cards, etc. that I take with me in specific pockets of my backpack. But because I also travel for work with a different backpack, there was always the risk of leaving something behind. No more! With this, I can easily store and transport most of the items I take with me. There are many different versions - I'm thinking about switching to one that provides for more cable storage. But they can't be beat for organizing.
4. Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard Even with Google gBoard and other "smart" keyboard apps for mobile phones and tablets, sometimes you just want a good ol' keyboard to use. This portable keyboard unfolds to include a touchpad and connects via Bluetooth in seconds.
5. Phone Stand Sometimes it's the simple things, am I right? Whether sitting in a coffee shop or on a plane, these stands are ideal for raising your phone (or tablet) to the perfect height for viewing. Combined with the Bluetooth Keyboard, I can get a lot of work done in a pinch.
6. USB-C to HDMI Adapter Whether in an office, hotel room, or Airbnb, there are times where I want to "throw onto a screen" something from my phone or tablet. In some cases, I've been fortunate that there are wireless solutions available. But they're not, I'm glad I have this adapter that allows me to connect an external HDMI-equipped screen.
7. Battery Chargers I am a firm believer that internet access is less of a concern when traveling than access to electricity! And with that in mind, I keep 2 chargers with me, one that is usable by Stephanie and me across our phones, and another that supports Fast Charging for my Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra.
8. Extra USB Cables rather than unplugging and toting the plugs and cables I have in my home when I travel, I keep a separate set specifically for traveling. USB cables (in lengths from 6in. to 6ft.) give me the freedom to connect however and wherever I need to.
9. Headphone Splitter This is one of those gadgets that I use very, very rarely but am the Hero when it comes in handy.
10. Earbuds and Headphones. I am an introvert, and find "virtual solitude" provides me much of the energy I need. Rarely you will find me not listening to a podcast, audible selection, or music. Want to know a secret? Sometimes I'm not listening to anything at all, finding that most will respect the possibility that I'm not available to converse with. Day-to-day, I wear Samsung Buds+ because they have a long battery life, and a recharging case. When I want to be more visual with my audio, I wear Plantronics Backbeat headphones. They're comfortable and have a built-in microphone as well as noise cancelling.
This list could be a lot longer, but these are the 10 that I feel I'm most likely to make sure I don't forget. Don't forget to check out our YouTube Channel for more stories!