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The Mu One international charger (L60 from the UK-based manufacturer or $70 at Amazon) delivers 45W to a single USB Type-C port, which is enough for any smartphone or tablet and will charge all but the most powerful laptops. It is ridiculously thin and light and fits neatly in the side pocket of my laptop sleeve. It's also packed with smart technology and comes with clever snap-on folding adapters for US, UK, and European outlets. A version due next year will include two Type-C ports.
When I know I'll be at the same desk or workspace for several days, I bring a USB Type-C travel charger with one 60W Type-C PD port and three Type-A ports capable of delivering a total of 12W of power. It's about the size of a deck of playing cards. I paid $25 at Amazon for the RND device I'm using, but you can find similar devices from a wide range of manufacturers.
Cables, cables, cables!
It isn't enough just to have the right number of charging/syncing cables. You also need to ensure that you have the right combination of connectors. If you've got a charger that requires a Type-C input and an iPhone that includes a Lightning connector, your old Type-A-to-Lightning cable will be useless.
Spend some time choosing the right length for each cable, too; around my home and office, I use three-foot cables that allow freedom of movement, but on the road, I prefer shorter cables that take up less bulk. Oh, and don't forget any necessary adapters.
I have these cables in my travel bag at all times, so I can just grab the bag and go:
- USB Type-C to USB Type-C, for connecting to a laptop, iPad Pro, or an Android phone like the Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy models; be sure to get a PD-certified cable for use with a laptop
- USB Type-C to Lightning, because Apple still hasn't given up on this connector for the iPhone
- USB Type-A to Lightning, for charging an iPhone in a rental car
- USB Type-A to Micro-USB, for devices like my Bose QC35 noise-canceling headphones
- USB-A to USB-C adapters, in both directions, for those times when you need plug to a Type-A connector into a Type-C outlet
Portable battery pack
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Nomad's Power Pack is pricey, but it has the right mix of size and features for me.
Photo credit: Nomad Goods, Inc.I have tried a bunch of portable battery solutions over the year and my favorite is the 9,000 mAh Nomad PowerPack (shown here). At $120, it's pricey, but it's compact and does everything I need, with one fast-charging USB Type-C port capable of delivering up to 24W, and one 5V/2.4A USB Type-A port. I'm able to recharge an iPhone XS up to three times without ever touching a wall outlet. It also includes built-in Tile support, which allows you to find the battery pack if it goes missing.
Small power strip
Even a very compact power strip adds too much weight to make sense in a backpack or shoulder bag, but I sometimes throw one into my big bag, especially if I'm staying in an older private home where power outlets in the guest room are hard to find.
Plug adapters
World travel no longer requires a graduate degree in electrical engineering. Virtually every modern device has a power supply that can deal with inputs of 110V (U.S.) and 240V (most of the rest of the world). Just get the right plug adapter and you're good to go.
- International plug adapters: If you're traveling to foreign lands and your charger supports international power standards, you'll need a small adapter to allow your plug to work with a foreign outlet. From painful experience, I can tell you these cost about 10 times as much in an airport shop as they do if you remember to order them locally before you leave.
- Grounded plug adapter: I always keep one of these gizmos handy for those increasingly rare occasions when I have a grounded plug but the only available outlet is ungrounded.
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Productivity
Laptops are pretty much self-contained, but it's sometimes helpful to have a few small extras.
Removable storage
A USB flash drive (or a compact external drive) comes in handy for those occasions when you need to quickly transfer files between two computers. I usually keep a couple of flash drives in my traveling bag just in case.
If you're traveling to a place where someone might ask for support for their Windows PC, consider bringing along a Windows recovery drive with the latest Windows 10 installation files. You'll find detailed instructions in my "Windows 10 tip: Create a recovery drive."
Portable mouse
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The small but well built Arc Touch Mouse lies flat for travel and snaps open for use.
Photo credit: Microsoftmicrosoft-arc-touch-mouse.jpg
Trackpads are all well and good, but if you're going to be sitting at a strange desk for any length of time you might appreciate having a real mouse instead. I have an Arc Touch Mouse ($60) that connects over Bluetooth; its defining feature is that it's almost completely flat when it snaps shut, so it fits unobtrusively in the pocket of my laptop sleeve.
Ethernet adapter
This is the one that trips me up every time and finally inspired me to create this checklist. I go to a few technical conferences every year and as often as not the Wi-Fi degrades to the point where communication is impossible. Fortunately, the conference organizers frequently supply wired Ethernet connections. All I need is a USB Ethernet adapter. You know, the one I forgot to bring.
You can find any number of cheap (under $20) USB adapters (Type-A or Type-C) at Amazon and other online merchants. You'll pay slightly more for a multifunction device that also includes an HDMI adapter and an extra USB Type-A port. I have a Dell DA200 adapter that's compact and works well, but I'd suggest shopping around rather than paying the $65 list price.
That same wired adapter also comes in handy if you're visiting friends or family and need to help troubleshoot or configure a wireless router or access point. That's also an occasion where it's worth packing an Ethernet cable; for most business trips, the cable is optional and a waste of space.
Entertainment
Travel isn't all about productivity. Sometimes you need a distraction or just a way to drown out a noisy environment.
Headphones
I typically travel with two pairs of headphones: the old but reliable Bose QC35 noise-canceling over-the-ears model, which are essential for long flights; and a small set of Klipsch earbuds that I keep in the pocket of my laptop case for times when I need to watch a video or make call without annoying the neighbors.
HDMI adapter and cable
Modern laptops typically don't include a dedicated HDMI connection. If you suspect you might want to connect your PC to a nearby TV, you'll need the appropriate adapter. You'll also need to bring your own HDMI cable, which can add considerable bulk and weight to your carry-on bag.
Streaming media adapter
The much-preferred alternative to a direct laptop connection is a simple adapter that plugs into an unused HDMI port and allows you to stream content directly. For a recent trip to Europe, I packed an old Amazon Fire Stick, which gave me access to Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and a variety of other services. It worked flawlessly in every hotel we stayed at. Don't forget to pack the companion remote and the small USB charger that powers the adapter.
That's my list. Is there a must-have accessory in your travel bag that I didn't include? Leave a note in the comments or use the contact form to send me a private note via e-mail with your suggestions.
[Ed Note The empty (quasi-duplicates) of some of the above images is the fault of this webmaster, not Ed Bolt.]
