Nowadays, it’s almost unimaginable to go places without any digital accessories in tow. If you’re constantly traveling in pursuit of business goals, you need a few electronic sidekicks to make your quest stress-free. So what gadgets should you pack before heading out on your next business travel? Here are 10 that any business traveler like yourself should never leave home without:
1. Flash Drive
External hard drives can be bulky and pricey. So, if you need to present a report, transfer files, or present to clients, a handy USB flash drive is still your go-to storage device. Just make sure not to pack it among your clothes or you may have a hard time digging them out of your bag during business travel.
We recommend:
For its unparalleled combination of capacity, speed, and price, go for a SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 Flash Drive
2. Ultrabook
No executive should leave home for business travel without the perfect companion, and an ultrabook is it. If you need to get serious work done on the road, invest in a laptop that combines strong performance and high portability. Be ready to pay top dollar, though, to get such an indispensable machine.
We recommend:
Just the fact that Windows laptops are constantly getting benchmarked against the MacBook Air should tell you that it’s the standard-bearer of ultrabooks everywhere.
3. Power Converter
When you business travel to a foreign country, you may run the risk of frying your gadgets by charging the device in the wrong outlet. If you aren’t too sure about the default power supply in the place you’re going to, bring along a power adapter just in case.
We recommend:
Built with 4 USB ports and three different outlets, the GEEKPRO V2 Voltage Converter Quick Charger 2.0 lets you charge phones, tablets, and whatnot without taking up too many outlets at one time.
4. External Battery
All it takes is a missed flight or an unexpected layover to end up with a phone that’s running on empty. It may be wise to bring along an alternative power source just in case any of your gadgets run low on battery.
We recommend:
With the ability to fully charge an iPhone 6 seven times despite weighing less than a pound, do yourself a favor and get an Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger before boarding your next flight.
5. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Peace and quiet are hard to come by on the plane, train, or bus. If you are to give yourself a little reprieve (and a good dose of zzz’s) before heading to an all-important meeting, noise cancelling headphones can be your best friend.
We recommend:
It isn’t every day you come across wireless headphones that combines excellent audio and premium noise-cancelling technology like the Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones. Plus, it’s battery life lasts you long enough to get through most long flights.
6. Streaming Stick
Going overseas for business travel can be a drag, especially when you’re left to watch foreign channels you barely understand. So to kick back and watch your favorite TV shows, a streaming stick is worth bringing on your business travels. You’ll have to purchase and set up a VPN so your device won’t get blocked, though.
We recommend:
A full-featured yet tiny media streamer that won’t be a headache to tuck inside your carry-on, the Roku Streaming Stick gives you access to thousands of channels and apps at a very decent price.
7. E-Reader
Because it isn’t possible to bring an entire bookshelf to your weeklong business convention without paying insanely high excess baggage fees, you may be better off with an e-reader. With this device, you can virtually carry hundreds of books to delight your inner bookworm!
We recommend:
For its fast performance and sharp display, the Kindle Paperwhite remains the best e-book reader you can buy this year. Top features for a budget-friendly price makes this device quite a steal.
8. Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot
If the hotel where you stay charges for their in-house wireless connection or the data roaming plan from your service provider is too expensive, stay connected through this device.
We recommend:
A TP-LINK TL-MR3040 Portable Router can be used both domestically and internationally. It comes with some nifty features to help you manage your device better, too.
9. Language Translator
When you’re flying to a non-English-speaking country on your next business travel trip, having an electronic language translator to help you translate local dialect and say local expressions/questions out loud can be a godsend.
We recommend:
A speech-recognition device that stores 49 languages, the Ectaco 500AL Oxford Multi-Language Electronic Translator is more than capable of translating and speaking numerous dialects. It can also double as a currency converter.
10. Smart Suitcase
Imagine a bag that tells you how many pounds it weighs (with a built-in scale), charges your devices, and helps you track the luggage at the airport (using GPS). This innovation can surely make your airport experience less of a nightmare.
We recommend:
From the brand that may have single-handedly started the smart suitcase niche, the Bluesmart One – Smart Luggage remains a solid model for business travelers who wouldn’t want to be bothered with bringing bathroom scales just to keep them from paying excess baggage fees.
Whether you’re on a 16-hour flight or a cross-country road trip to your next board meeting, all these gadgets and accessories will come in handy to keep you connected, organized, and entertained. Invest in these to make your future business travels less painful to deal with.