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Travel gear for working abroad that fits a carry on
15
items Everything here is small enough to live in a carry on and useful enough to earn its spot: connectivity, a portable work setup, power, security and bags, for anyone working remotely from hotels, cafes and coworking spaces abroad.
I'm a Gold Amazon Influencer with 1,100+ product review videos and a mom of three, so I spend a lot of time researching what's actually worth buying and what to skip. I'm not claiming to have used all of these myself. I'm curating them from specs, re...
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I'm a Gold Amazon Influencer with 1,100+ product review videos and a mom of three, so I spend a lot of time researching what's actually worth buying and what to skip. I'm not claiming to have used all of these myself. I'm curating them from specs, re...
Contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Sections
3
Wifi and power
Your portable desk
Focus, security and bags
Wifi and power
Routers and power that keep you online and charged on unreliable hotel and cafe wifi.
Makes your own private network from hotel or cafe wifi and supports VPN at the router level, so every device is covered. It's the one remote workers recommend most. Caveat: it takes a bit of setup, so do that at home before you fly.
GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) travel router
A step up from the Beryl with stronger speeds for video calls and several devices at once. I'd pick it if you work full time from unreliable connections. It's pricier, so the Beryl is plenty for lighter use.
GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) travel router
Enough output to charge a laptop, which matters on long travel days, and still within airline battery limits. It's the priciest power option here, so a smaller bank is fine if you only charge phones.
Anker Prime 20,000mAh 220W power bank
One compact charger that runs a laptop, phone and earbuds at the same time, so it replaces three separate bricks in your bag. The prongs fold flat. Note it's a 65W total across the ports, so the laptop slows down a little when all three are in use.
Anker 65W 3-port foldable USB-C charger
Covers most countries in one plug, so you're not buying adapters at every airport. The built-in USB-C and USB-A ports charge smaller devices. It's an adapter, not a voltage converter, so check your device accepts 100-240V.
EPICKA universal travel adapter (USB-C + USB-A)
Your portable desk
A work setup that packs flat: a stand, keyboard, mouse and a second screen.
A very light folding stand that lifts your laptop to eye level almost anywhere, which helps with neck and shoulder strain on long working days. It folds small enough for a carry on. It's pricey for a stand, so a cheaper one is fine if you only work s...
Roost V3 portable laptop stand
A thin adhesive stand that stays on the back of your laptop, so you never forget it. A good budget alternative to a folding stand. The lift is modest, so pair it with a separate keyboard.
MOFT Invisible stick-on laptop stand
A compact keyboard that pairs with three devices and slips into a backpack. It's what makes a laptop stand actually usable. It's rechargeable by USB-C, so pack the cable.
Logitech MX Keys Mini wireless keyboard
A small travel mouse that tracks on almost any surface, including glass cafe tables. The quiet clicks are a bonus in shared spaces. It's a compact shape, so bigger hands may find it small.
Logitech MX Anywhere 3S compact wireless mouse
A slim second screen that makes a small apartment table far more workable, and it runs off a single USB-C cable. Brightness and colour are fine for work, not editing. Check your laptop's USB-C port supports video output.
ARZOPA A1 15.6 inch portable monitor
Focus, security and bags
Noise cancelling, a bag, a lock and a security key for working on other people's wifi and tables.
Strong noise cancelling for focus work in noisy cafes, hostels and airports, and comfortable enough for a full working day. Over-ear cups take more bag space than earbuds, so this is for people who want the quiet.
Bose QuietComfort noise cancelling headphones
Keeps cables, dongles and drives in fixed places so nothing gets left behind between accommodations, and it speeds up airport security too. Pick the size that fits your charger and hub.
tomtoc electronics organizer travel case
A well-built work and travel backpack with proper laptop protection and flexible dividers, a long-term buy if you move often. It's expensive. The 30L is carry on size for many airlines but not all, so check yours.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L
Lets you step away from your laptop briefly in a coworking space or cafe. It's a deterrent, not foolproof. This is the standard slot version, and some newer thin laptops have no slot, so check yours first.
Kensington combination laptop lock
A physical security key that protects your accounts even on unfamiliar networks, worth it if your income depends on your logins. Buy two so you have a backup, and set it up before you travel.
Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC security key