Traveling soon? 5 gadgets I can’t live without on work or personal trips

As a tech journalist, I often travel across the US – and sometimes out of it – to attend product launch events, trade shows, and other briefings for news that readers care about. It certainly helps to be based in New York City, where most of the gadgetry madness tends to occur, but when I am out and about (for work or play), there’s a bag full of tech that I always have with me.

My treasure trove of electronics has evolved over recent years, transitioning to newer GaN chargers and more capable yet still portable camera systems. The five picks below are among my current arsenal of travel tech, and if you’re traveling this summer, I highly encourage packing a few of these items into your carry-on.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

Capture life’s moments with enhanced stabilization and portability

While smartphone cameras have become very capable at capturing life’s moments, I still prefer the enhanced stabilization and portability of a dedicated pocket camera, especially when I’m recording smooth-panning videos of product demos and scenery. The camera I’ve most recently settled on is the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, famous for its ability to record up to 4K resolution through a one-inch CMOS sensor.

“Reddit users who have used the Osmo Pocket 3 seem to agree, with the added benefits being better audio recording, improved video stabilization, and a larger sensor for more dramatic shots.”

Lenovo Go Wireless Power Bank 10,000mAh

Power up on the go with this versatile power bank

Lenovo’s power bank may look unassuming, but trust me when I say there’s more to it than what meets the eye. Besides having a 10,000mAh capacity, meaning there’s enough juice to power a phone (and other accessories like earbuds) two to three times, a fairly long USB-C cable is built into the battery pack, saving you the hassle of carrying a separate one.

“Customers on Lenovo’s website have found the power bank adequate for powering phones, tablets, and earbuds, and have been particularly satisfied with the built-in charging cable.”

Ayaneo Flip

Gaming on the go has never been easier

I don’t consider myself a hardcore gamer, but I’ve found traveling, especially when on long flights, to be the perfect opportunity to get my NBA 2K and Rocket League fix. Lately, my vehicle of choice for gaming has been the Ayaneo Flip, a Windows-powered handheld with Nintendo DS written all over it, from the dual touchscreen displays to the ergonomic shoulder triggers.

“With a starting price of $699, the Flip can best be justified by those who want a competent, on-the-go gaming handheld that can also be used for standard PC tasks like web browsing, streaming videos, and emailing.”

Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses

Your wearable tour guide

While the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are fantastic for recording hands-free videos, I’ve found them more practical as a wearable tour guide. Thanks to recent Meta AI updates, the glasses can pull context from what’s in front of you, whether it’s a monument, statue, or restaurant storefront, and answer your most burning questions.

“Reddit users have expressed satisfaction with the ease of use, comfort, and various capabilities of the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.”

Nomad 65W Slim Power Adapter

Charge your devices quickly and efficiently

Besides carrying a portable battery pack, I also travel with Nomad’s 65 Slim Power Adapter, which fields two USB-C ports to charge tablets, phones, earbuds, and even laptops, like my MacBook Air. To help with portability, the prongs are collapsible, the charger is very slim, and it lies flush when plugged into the outlet.

“Customers, including ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, have expressed satisfaction with Nomad’s 65W Slim Power Adapter, appreciating the speedy power delivery and support for two USB-C inputs.”