The 7 gadgets that I never travel without. (And why they make a huge difference)

Nomad’s Slim 65W charger has been a game changer for me. I carry two now. This is perfect for those who have both a MacBook Air or an iPhone. It’s not the best charger for MacBook Pro owners, as its wattage output is only 65W. This is reduced to 45W if both ports are used.

This is the perfect charger for those who have a mobile setup with a portable laptop, an Apple, Samsung or Google phone. It has two Type-C connectors in a slim profile, which fits into any backpack pocket. I’m glad that I don’t need to carry around a power brick anymore. It outputs 45W when charging two devices at once, and 20W for your cell phone.

This year I switched to the 20L Nomatic Convertible Backpack and it has proven to be a reliable companion. It’s a great choice. From the little pockets on the front for essentials like a perfume spray and power bank to having enough room for everything. The shoulder straps make it easy to carry, even if you have to carry it all day. (I’ve carried it around trade shows on my back). The Nomatic Convertible Backpack is water-resistant, has hidden compartments and a luggage handle that can be passed through for convenience. It also comes with a case to store your specs. It’s not the lightest backpack at 3.9 pounds but I’ve never felt uncomfortable wearing it.

At least one Chipolo Pop is always with me. It’s multifunctional, so I keep it with me rather than in my trolley luggage. Chipolo’s application allows me to use the device as a remote shutter for my phone camera. This helps me take pictures of myself when I travel alone.

I do a lot of data management and transfer. I’m also scarred by the past, when I lost 500GB footage because I did not have a backup. I recommend the Samsung T7 Touch SSD 1TB, which has been an excellent companion for more that a year. It is not only fast at reading and writing, but it also has a fingerprint sensor for added security. It has been my portable external storage of choice for everything from transferring data to my laptop so I can edit a quick Reel or create backups to transferring photos.

Before I used the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, I was a headphone user. They are compact and offer excellent audio quality. They also fit me well.

I also replaced my bulky headphones for traveling with these Pixel earbuds – and I can’t go bk.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 is the most comfortable pair I’ve ever used. I have access to all controls and Gemini for quick questions without having to touch my phone. They also look stylish. Plus, the headphones don’t fall off my ears when I doze off on flights. I know they may not fit everyone the same way as they did me, but if you think they will, then go for it. They are on sale for $190.

They’re not a tech accessory, but if you don’t use packing cubes you’re packing incorrectly. Peak Design packing cubes have changed my mind. A year ago I thought these things didn’t really help.

They have both Small and medium cubes. The first is ideal for packing tees and swimming gear, while the second can fit shirts, pants and shorts. Together, they help me to save space in my luggage so that I can bring souvenirs or shop without worrying about not having enough room. They can expand to accommodate more items when needed.

For the small size of the Insta360 Go 3s, I used it on most of my travels. However, I replaced it recently with the Insta360 X5 to capture 360-degree video and I don’t believe I’ll ever go back. The X5 is a great camera in its own right, but it offers a new perspective that the Go 3s cannot. I also recommend this action cam to both beginners and professionals. Here’s why:

Although it is heavier than my GoPro Hero 13 or Go 3s, I don’t mind its weight because of the improved low-light footage and 360-degree capabilities. If you’re looking to capture your adventures with an action camera, then I recommend the Insta360 X5. It could be beneficial to content creators when paired with the Ray-Ban Meta footage.

Speaking about Meta Ray-Bans: I bought a set of these smart glasses during my CES trip in 2024 with low expectations, but they have surprised me in all ways. They’ve been in my bag since June 2025 and have only improved over time.

Why Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses were my favorite tech purchase of the year

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses allow me to record the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios in LA and send a video message from Paris, via hands-free WhatsApp, to my girlfriend. Plus, they make me look great while doing it.

Instead of relying solely on advertised specs or synthetic benchmarks, I recommend products that are based on actual usage. In 2023, to spice up my life, I began traveling. Luckily, I haven’t stopped. In the last two decades, I’ve visited more than 25 cities in 18 countries. I love to travel light and take pictures of places, so my picks are geared towards lightweight but functional items. I have learned from my mistakes as a new traveler, and the products I’ve used in over a dozen different countries.