Life as a digital nomad often means confronting the same eerie feeling you got leaving for college: I’m really on my own.
You won’t be all alone, of course. You’ll meet new people and new friends while chatting with old ones. Still, your survival now depends on navigating a foreign environment all on your lonesome. To complicate things more, your work is traveling with you.
The pressure and uncertainty require every digital nomad to rely on a set of complementary and dependable devices portable enough to fit in a day bag. In this guide, we’ll help you find travel-friendly devices that ease the stress and uncertainty of long-term travel. With their help, you’ll never be completely on your own.
Device #1. Best Wireless Keyboard for Digital Nomads
It’s a little-known secret that built-in laptop keyboards can cause serious discomfort and even pain. Poor ergonomics, flimsy chiclet keys, and confusing layouts all contribute to a poor experience.
Once you first use an external keyboard and mouse, ideally with an elevated stand, you’ll understand how tough you’ve had it. A good mechanical keyboard provides a smoother and more pleasurable experience, one that’s comfortable for short-term and extended use.
Note that mechanical keyboards come in many sizes and configurations. We recommend a 75 or 60-key board for a balance of comfort and portability, but we also encourage you to read more if you’re unsure.
Winner(s): NuPhy Air60 V2 and Air75 V2
NuPhy’s V2 Air mechanical keyboards live up to a substantial degree of hype.
Nuphy has created a near-perfect wireless keyboard, merging the compactness of low-profile models with the comfort of a full-size panel. It has quickly become a favorite among tech enthusiasts, gamers, and writers the world over.
The V2 Air is a pleasure to use. Keys feel wobble-free and satisfying to press, registering instantly. Perfectly placed and sized keys reduce typos and increase speed. For travelers, it has a sturdy aluminum frame and unreal battery life.
Best Features
- 220 hours of battery life (While on Bluetooth)
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired connections
- Hard-wired switch for selecting Mac or Windows layouts
- Nearly lag-free: Wireless connections are among the quickest
- Sturdy aluminum frame for durability for travel
Device #2. Best Wireless Mouse for Long-Term International Travel
Wireless mice aren’t usually ideal for travel. They require ample space to use, don’t work on all surfaces, and their loud, noisy clicks make discrete working impossible.
Thankfully, one mouse makes traveling a breeze.
Winner: Logitech MX Anywhere 3S
Logitech’s MX Anywhere 3S is a travel mouse powerhouse.
Logitech’s latest addresses just about every major complaint of most wireless mice. This means quiet clicks, extensive battery life, and a sensitive 8k optical sensor (It’s also incredibly lightweight, too).
Best Features
- Weighs only 598 grams; perfect to throw in your travel bag
- Its 70-day battery life will outlast the sun
- Silent clicks keep you discreet in public environments
- 8K DPI optical sensor ensures smooth movement on nearly any surface.
Device #3. Best External SSD for Long-Term International Travel
Anyone who has bought a laptop in the last several years knows how expensive hard drive space is. Manufacturers have long used small hard drives and minimal RAM to force consumers to purchase premium models.
Since your low-storage laptop will be your sole computer, you'll need extra space for all your storage needs. For traveling, this means an SSD that is both fast enough to run applications and sturdy enough to endure frequent travel.
Winner: SAMSUNG T7 Shield
Samsung’s T7 Shield is a killer external SSD for on-the-go travelers. In addition to top-of-the-line read and write speeds. And where most drives travel like a bruised banana, this SSD’s rugged construction ensures it can survive a great deal.
Best Features
- High read and write speeds (1050 mb/s) let you run applications from external storage
- Rugged exterior features water, dust, and drop resistance (IP65 protection, can sustain up to 10 feet falls)
- Features a high-end USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection
- Great for photographers; able to record 12K video
Device #5. Best Portable Monitor for Long-Term International Travel
On first glance, you might not see the use for a portable monitor. Use one, however, and you’ll immediately see why it improves both productivity and focus. One study from Wichita State University discovered that dual monitor usage boosted text-task productivity by 44 percent (29 percent for spreadsheet tasks).
Viewing more content at once means simultaneous comparison of two to five windows, ensuring less window swapping and little risk of forgetting what you were doing. Adding a good portable display to a laptop is like moving from a tiny school desk to a hardwood antique.
Winners: espresso Pro range (15 and 17 Pro)
espresso’s Pro line is the benchmark for portable displays. The 15 Pro and 17 Pro pack 4K resolution, 550 nits brightness, and 1.07 billion colors into ultra-thin, aircraft-grade aluminum bodies that slide easily into your bag. Both models are touch-enabled, responsive, and built to work seamlessly with Mac, Windows, and modern laptops.
For digital nomads, it’s the closest thing to carrying your home workstation—only slimmer, lighter, and ready anywhere.
Best Features
- 15” or 17” sizes in ultra-thin form
- Ergonomic Stand+ and Stand+ Pro design which means versatilty and comfort in any location!
- 4K resolution & 1.07B colors for pro-grade visuals
- 450 Peak for Pro 17, and 550 nits brightness for Pro 15 for clear use anywhere
- Touch and stylus support with laminated glass
- Single USB-C cable for power and display
- Aircraft-grade aluminum for durability on the move
Device #6. Best Charging Cables for Long-Term International Travel
Many are loath to spend hard-earned cash on premium cables when they have drawers stuffed with the cheaper stuff. We make a great range of USB-C cables for espresso Displays which should be atop anyone's consideration set, but when it comes to added versatility with a range of options, there are some great brands out there to check out.
While traveling, though, you can’t count on rifling through a twisted nest of flimsy USB cords. Instead, you’ll need a handful of durable Swiss Army knives, with the right tips for each cable type, and enough power to charge them quickly. In addition to our own USB-C cables, the Statik 360 Pro cables are a great asset!
Winner: Statik® 360 Pro
Statik’s 360 line of USB cables are perfect for travel. They feature incredible durability—with a nylon braided cable— fast charging—with 100-watt output—and flexibility—with removable USB-C, Micro USB, and Lightning tips. They truly do it all.
Best Features
- Magnetic tip attachments make it easy to change tips
- Slim-profile USB tips can be left in devices to avoid misplacement
- Magnetically-charged tips allowing for quick device swapping
- Military grade nylon cable is durable enough for the road
#7. Best External E-SIM for Long-Term International Travel
E-SIMs have quietly revolutionized cell phone connectivity, enabling cell service without a physical SIM card.
E-SIM technology has been standard on most flagship phones for a few years, including iPhone 11 and up, Google Pixel 2 and newer models, numerous Samsung Galaxy devices, and many more (Visit eSim Card to find your model).
Winner: Airhub
Airhub is a major eSIM player due to its broad geographic coverage and innumerable partnerships with international providers. This allows the brand to offer up to 15 plans per country at uniquely low rates.
Unlike many eSIM providers, Airbnb offers voice calling and text messaging services tied to an international phone number (Although this feature is location-dependent). A network-switching feature automatically redirects your phone to the nearest partnered tower, even across borders.
Unless you’re traveling to Central America—where the provider’s coverage is weakest—Airhub is an exceptional E-SIM for digital nomads.
Best Features
- Enormous network covers much of the globe (Save for Central America)
- Automatic network switching allows for seamless travel across network zones and borders
- Offers text messaging and voice calling via fixed international phone number
- Extremely affordable plans, often with several options per location
The Right Tools Change the Foreign Into the Familiar
At times, being a digital nomad can be a bummer. You lack stability, you don’t know your environment, and language barriers can make every conversation a struggle. While these uncomfortable feelings are inevitable, they’re not a sign of failure.
With time and the right tools, you can move from this uncomfortable stage and make what was once foreign feel much more familiar.
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