As the gig economy grows and more people opt to work for themselves, the idea of the digital nomad has grown. Imagine this: You can travel the world and take your office with you since we do everything through the internet. Amazing, right? Well, before you book your flights and start packing, think about what items make up the best mobile office. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Learn more about which digital nomad tools and gadgets you will need to make the perfect portable office setup.
Hotspot
Before you can even get any work done, you need to be connected. Although many mobile phones come with the capability to turn into a personal hotspot, you really should invest in an alternate mode of keeping your computer connected. As far as digital media tools go, this is probably one of your most important. Not only will it not burst open your phone budget, but it will also ensure that you have high-speed connections wherever you go.
There are many options at different price points out there. If you frequently travel around the U.S., then try out Sky Roam. But if your travels take you abroad, it might be best to look into Keepgo, to which you can link up to 10 devices, or the MCD-4800, if you’re doing something much more outdoorsy.
Tablet
Technology is always changing, and devices seem to get smaller every day. And although the laptop computer is also shrinking in size, there are many people who are now trading them in for the lighter and thinner tablet. Obviously, this all depends on the job you decide to take on as a digital nomad.
Although tablets have been improving in power and capabilities, there are still many limitations that would make it hard for some digital nomads to make the switch. However, if you can use a tablet, then here are few to look into.
See Amazon’s Top Rated Tablets
Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you need to work at a cafe, then you’ll probably want to keep the outside world away. Picking yourself up a pair of noise-cancelling headphones is the best way to do that. And the Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones are the ones people rave about.
Once you put them on, you feel like you’re surrounded by whatever you’re listening to and will probably forget that you’re in a public place.
Portable Charger
Nomad unites two things every DN needs: a place to put your cash and credit cards as well as a device to keep your phone alive. The company’s charging wallet brings both needs together, and you can’t hate on a two-for-one type of thing.
If you’re just looking for a standard-looking power bank, brands like Anker and Mophie are pretty reliable.
VPN
VPN, or virtual private networks, may not be a gadget, however, they’re definitely vital digital nomad tools. VPNs keep you safe while you’re connected abroad by masking the physical location of your computer, tablet or phone.
There are tons of different VPN applications out there, including Sitelock , which will make sure that your information will remain secure. With Sitelock, plans start at $15.
Universal Plug with Converter
If you’ll be country-hopping, you will definitely need to get an adapter and a converter for any gadget that uses a different voltage. Be sure to check the voltage and type of plug the country you’re traveling to uses. There are a variety of prong sizes and shapes. And REI has a great guide to knowing how to prepare for that.
If you have really powerful digital nomad tools, Conair has a great kit. It’s meant for hair styling tools, which use a fair amount of voltage. So this should take care of all your electrical outlet needs.
Travel Camera
Even if you’re not planning to be a blogger or influencer of any kind, you probably should still invest in a camera. With all the places you will likely visit, sometimes a smartphone – no matter how advanced the camera – just won’t cut it.
There are a variety of cameras out there that can suit any digital nomad’s needs. For those who want all the features and have a big budget, full-frame models like the Leica CL will be good. If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, try the Sony DSC-RX100.
READ MORE: Best Travel Cameras to Document Your Next Vacation
Digital Storage
Whether you’re a developer, a writer or a photographer, you will want to keep the projects you work on safe. While you can use clouds like iCloud or Dropbox, there are many people who still want something physical on which to store files, so it’ll be ideal to invest in an external hard drive. Considering how delicate many of them have been, they can be worrisome.
Thankfully, some companies have been developing external hard drives that are very durable and smaller yet can save a lot of content. If you’re in the market for an external hard drive, check out the Samsung T3 Portable SSD, the SanDisk Extreme 500 or the Adata 800 which is shockproof and waterproof.
Know of any other digital nomad tools you think are essentials? Let us know in the comments below!