Popular Tech Items?
Were you looking for popular tech items a first-time solo traveler might consider taking with them?
The following list covers some popular tech items that solo travelers tend to bring on their solo trips.
Contents
Side Note: You can find most of these items on Newegg.com or Adorama.com (Adorama for camera equipment)
- 1. Cameras/GoPro/Drones
- 2. Portable Battery/Power Banks
- 3. Tablet/E-Reader/Drawing Tablet
- 4. Universal Power Adapter (For Power Outlets)
- 5. Headphones/Earbuds
- 6. Laptops
- 7. Portable Monitor
- 8. Portable Hotspot
- 9. Portable Video Game Systems
- 10. Backup Phone (Preferably Android)
- Advice For Traveling With Tech
- Other Popular Tech Items? What Else Should I Know?
1. Cameras/GoPro/Drones
Not only a popular tech item among solo travelers, but also one of the most popular travel hobbies to take up is photography and videomaking.
If you’re purely into taking photos, you can start off just by taking photos with your phone, but if you really want high-quality photos or videos,.
You’ll have to really dive into photography and videomaking by investing in a high-quality camera or video recorder.
I understand that some people may not really be into taking photos or making videos while they travel, but it can really help to have a hobby while you travel.
Having a hobby like photography or videomaking can really add to the experience of travel by giving you a specific goal that you can work towards.
It’s also a great way to record all your experiences and adventures.
2. Portable Battery/Power Banks
As a solo traveler, having this type of tech item just makes sense.
When you’re out exploring your surroundings, it’s just a good idea to be as prepared as you can.
Especially in the world we live in today, where being connected to the internet is not only a choice made for convenience but, in some cases, is necessary for communication and finding your way around.
With that in mind, you can probably see why having a portable battery with you can really come in handy while traveling.
3. Tablet/E-Reader/Drawing Tablet
Some travelers like to bring tablets with them on their travels. Basically, a bigger, better version of your smart phone without the ability to make calls initially.
There are different types of tablets out there from regular tablets that you can use for a higher-quality experience (compared to your phone) for movies, apps, games, and browsing the web.
E-reader tablets that can hold whole libraries of books can also mimic the look of an actual page from a physical book.
Drawing tablets are used for graphic design and can create almost anything you can imagine.
Maybe you like editing your photos to add a unique design, add effects to your photos, or even edit videos for a travel vlog.
Tablets can be quite helpful and enjoyable, especially if you’re a person who travels frequently.
4. Universal Power Adapter (For Power Outlets)
This item is pretty much essential if you plan on bringing any type of tech item with you while traveling.
Thankfully, you can buy these almost anywhere online; they’re also easy to come by when traveling to your destination.
Although it’s much better to buy one online, if you decide to buy an adapter at whatever location you decide to travel to, it’ll most likely be a single power adapter made only for that specific country.
As opposed to a power adapter you can find online, which has a combination of different adapter sockets for use in multiple countries.
So if you plan on taking any tech items, having a universal power adapter is absolutely an essential must-have item.
5. Headphones/Earbuds
Most people have a pair of earbuds or headphones, but it’s also a good idea to buy an extra pair.
Just in case you lose or break your original pair, you’ll have a spare to use.
I personally have a pair of wireless earbuds, like many other people, that I use constantly when I’m on the go.
I also have a second pair that’s wired just in case my original pair is running out of battery or gets lost or broken.
Headphones have the advantage of offering better quality sound, and because of their size, they aren’t as easily misplaced like a pair of earbuds are.
A pair of quality headphones also tends to last longer than both wired and wireless earbuds.
So for me personally, I would have a wireless pair I use for my daily use when traveling, a wired pair just in case, and headphones if I want a higher-quality sound experience.
6. Laptops
Laptops are one of the most common tech items that solo travelers bring with them.
I’ll be honest, if you’re not into tech and just like browsing the web and using apps, then bringing a laptop may not be the best item to take with you.
If this sounds like you, then buying a tablet may be the better option for you since it offers a similar experience to your smartphone but at a higher quality.
Some tablets even come with keyboards or have the option to have a keyboard attached.
Tablets are also usually much more portable than laptops (although laptops tend to have larger screens than tablets).
In my experience, laptops are good for people who spend a lot of time online or have work that needs to be done on a computer.
I run a blog, so I personally think a laptop suits my needs better than a tablet, but I also like tablets for the apps and other features. While I use my phone mainly when going from place to place.
7. Portable Monitor
This item is more of an attachment for people who frequently use their laptops and want extra screen space.
Portable monitors are mostly used to help people who work on a computer or laptop for productivity purposes.
But they can also be used for other things, like connecting your phone to a larger screen for better resolution.
(Side Note: Even though you can connect your smartphone to a portable monitor, it isn’t the same as having a tablet.)
You can even connect other devices you would normally connect to your television to a portable monitor. Devices like firesticks, game systems, cameras/video recorders, and basically anything that can connect to an HDMI/USB port.
So if you’re either into tech, have a job involving tech, or have a hobby that either requires a monitor or can be enhanced by having a monitor (photography/videography),.
Then you can see why having a portable screen monitor would be a great tech item to have for your travels.
8. Portable Hotspot
If you own a smartphone, that probably means you have access to a hotspot right now, but it most likely isn’t very powerful, and you can only realistically connect one device to it.
If you plan on traveling frequently and spend a good amount of time connecting to the internet, investing in a portable hotspot will be worth the money.
Of course, you would have to contact a service provider about data plans, which would have you paying a monthly fee, but I think having access to fast internet almost anywhere is worth the price.
Obviously, there are other ways to access the internet without having to use a portable hotspot, but if you have the money, it’s much more convenient (and safer) to have your own personal hotspot to use the internet.
9. Portable Video Game Systems
Video game systems are actually becoming more and more popular as an item to bring with you while traveling.
I’ve seen people on planes, buses, and even at work playing on game systems like the Nintendo Switch or on their phone with some sort of controller attachment.
Everyone has different hobbies, and videogames are a great way to pass the time while traveling.
Playing a video game could even be a good way to wind down after being on the road for a long period of time.
The video games that were once only able to be played in your living room can now be played almost anywhere you want.
Video games today are much more accessible than ever.
10. Backup Phone (Preferably Android)
A backup phone just makes sense to have if you plan to travel frequently for a long period of time (or decide to make solo travel a lifestyle).
There’s nothing wrong with bringing an iPhone with you when you travel, but you’ll come to find out that outside of the United States, Apple products and services aren’t as popular as Android.
This may not be as big of a problem if you plan to only solo travel for a short period of time, but if you decide to solo travel for a longer period of time, it’s easy to lose or break things being constantly on the move.
This is why it’s also good to have other ways of communicating apart from your phone. Other tech items like a tablet/laptop (or both) can easily be used in case of a lost or damaged phone.
Advice For Traveling With Tech
The only other advice I could give about bringing tech items overseas is that you would have to take into account that things like power outlets and internet access vary across different countries.
You would need to subscribe to a VPN service to access the internet in your home country if you’re traveling abroad (there are a couple free options out there, but access would be limited).
Also, things like Apple products may not be as widely available in certain countries. Android is more widely used across the world than Apple. So if you’re planning to take certain tech items or equipment,.
It’s important to do research on whether or not you might need to account for extra attachments or services that you might need just to be able to use your items.
Other Popular Tech Items? What Else Should I Know?
These are just some of the basic tech items that are popular among solo travelers and travelers in general.
If you’re completely new to solo travel, it’s a good idea to bring a couple of these items with you on your travels.
Some of the items listed aren’t exactly essential for your travels, but they can definitely help you enjoy your travels more and also make solo travel a little less stressful.
As a solo traveler, your travels will no doubt be filled with good times, but there’s no denying that it’ll also be a challenge.
Taking advantage of tech items to help you on your travels just gives you more tools and resources to help streamline the whole process.
Want to know more tips and other useful information on solo travel? Check out the blog at Traks&Paks.com.