My go to gadgets for travel hacking
With a trip to the U.S. coming up, I thought I would share my go to gadgets to make travel easier or to get more done while on the road.
Bang & Olufsen H9i Bluetooth Headphones
These were purchased on a whim prior to my trip to China in 2018 (which feels like a lifetime ago with the current never ending border closure). Audio was not the main reason for opting for this set of headphones…but the distinctive and classy design. I am pleased to say that audio is excellent, noise cancelling is great (although not as strong as Bose QC35s) and features USB-C charging as well as traditional AUX connectivity. Battery life is around 15 hours on a full charge. What’s even better is how practical they are, the leather on the pads do get stressed over time causing them to rip slightly but can be replaced. Even better is that unlike almost no other gadgets, there is a removable battery - a sustainable but uncommon feature.
Bang & Olufsen E8 (3rd Generation) Earphones
While my preference for music listening and watching in-flight entertainment is for the headphones above, the B&O E8s are far better for conference calls, going to the gym or walking around. Sound is still great in addition to featuring USB-C and wireless charging.
iPhone 11 Pro Max (+ another smartphone…)
I am not a fan of iPhones - they’re quite locked down and I do prefer the freedom of Android. That being said, the still and video camera on the latest iPhone is versatile and unbeatable in my books as well as being extremely reliable when I’m needing to attend to my blogging activities. Battery life is amongst the best I’ve ever had on a smartphone - often lasting 2 days with extensive use. I do still carry round my previous Sony Xperia 1 II as an extra device when travelling, just in case I need to access a mobile boarding pass while filming on my iPhone for example.
One of two laptops and a mouse
Most of my trips recently I’ve been carrying my work-issued MacBook Pro 13 inch for fear of getting stuck with Covid and subsequently needing to work remotely. I do also have my personal Huawei Matebook Pro which features Windows which is close to a MacBook equivalent for the Microsoft world.
Xiaomi Portable Wireless Charger
Although less necessary with my latest phone, carrying around a wireless charger is always a necessity when travelling. The Xiaomi one I have differs in that it features regular cable based charging as well as wireless charging - albeit slowly. Wireless charging on a portable charger is not efficient but if you’ve not got a cable to hand for a friend's phone, this can come in very handy.
Xiaomi Multi Device Charger
Quite possibly one of the BEST purchases I made back in China in 2018 from an official Mi Store in Beijing. As basic as it is, charging all these devices gets complex and this device with:
1 x USB C port
1 x Quick Charging USB port
4 x Regular Speed USB port
The USB C port can even slowly charge a laptop to full overnight - effectively taking five or six chargers into one neat package.
Bellroy x Cathay Pacific Wallet & Bellroy City Sling Bag
Bellroy have created some super useful travel accessories that just make travel that little bit easier. The Bellroy x Cathay Pacific Wallet is a cleverly designed wallet that is large enough to take a passport alongside several credit cards and a concealed cash section. While the City Sling Bag is a manoeuvrable bag designed to keep your small items safe around your chest without adding too much bulk. It’s a great concept that really makes city walks safe and easy - especially in places such as Barcelona known for greater thefts.
Samsonite Backpack
The first part of any decent travel arsenal is a decent backpack. I opted for a Samsonite backpack a few years back and this one fits a lot in. The key for me is the plethora of storage compartments and a specific protective section for your laptop - similar backpacks appear to still be on sale.
I haven’t been paid to do this article or sponsored by any of the featured items I use. Sometimes it’s handy to see what other travellers use and get some ideas or inspiration for what can make your travel simpler.
