Replicating the comfort of a home office while travelling isn’t an easy thing. It’s hard to maintain productive habits, left alone some sort of comfort. In this article, we will discuss some of the best items to work better on the go. Because as you may already know, working from a café or a short term rental apartment simply isn’t the same than working in your home office. These digital nomad items can help you be more comfortable and efficient while working in new locations
Hold up! Are you just thinking about becoming a digital nomad? Then we have the perfect article to get you started! Find out below how to become a digital nomad in 2021 and the 4 essential steps you need to know.
The most compact and adjustable laptop stand
The MOFT Invisible Slim Laptop Stand is a little piece of gear that sticks to the bottom of your laptop and will raise the screen exactly where it needs to be. You don’t even have to think about bringing it with you. A laptop stand prevents back pain and neck strain and lets you focus for longer periods of time. It is just great for those of you working in various locations, café hopping, or simply, if you want to stay minimalist. For us, it’s definitely one of the best items to work better on the go.
A portable yet super reliable pocket wifi
While tethering a smartphone gives satisfying results, it isn’t a long term solution and can reduce your battery lifespan.
We wanted to be able to use mobile data and not be tied to a location but still have a reliable connection that feels like a home wifi. The Netgear AirCard 810 is the best solution for this. It’s a MiFi device (or pocket wifi) that allows you to connect up to 15 devices. It also has LTE UHD, which can reach up to 600 mbits.
In offbeat areas where the signal is weak, we use it with a dedicated MiMo (multiple in, multiple out) directional antenna to get a stronger signal. This kind of device is a good compromise between strong signal and mobility.
Power whenever you need it
Quality powerbanks like the Anker 20,000 mah are perfect to juice up your portable devices. What it can also do is maintain the charge of your laptop, given that is has a USB-C port with power delivery.
This kind of device can power multiple devices and allow you to setup where an outlet isn’t readily available.
An Instant Second Monitor
Missing your ultra wide screen monitor you have at home? While portable screens exist, they take space and are sometimes difficult to power on the go. One of the solutions we’ve used for years is Duet. It transforms your iPad into a second monitor. It’s latency free due to its wired connection. Moreover, it uses the native iPad resolution. There are so many uses for a small external screen, from editing software to excel sheets and messaging apps. Which is why Duet is truly one of the best items to work better on the go, especially for digital nomads!
For those times when internet sucks
Have you ever been in the following situation: you have to jump on a call and don’t know if the hotel wifi or your mobile data will perform best. You end up breaking up in front of your client or colleagues.
While it won’t fix a terribly slow internet, Speedify has the advantage of merging two internet connections into one, thanks to a process they call channel bonding. It will result in a faster and more reliable connection.
The software is also designed to prioritize streamings (skype, zoom calls or live streams) and also comes with a VPN. It’s the one of the best digital nomad items that we have discovered this year!
Say goodbye to background noise
Truth be told, we started using headphones before embarking on the nomadic journey. Noisy open spaces were already a place to use noise cancelling headphones. Coworking spaces, cafés and 1BR apartments are places where you might have to share space with others.
With that said, the Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones is also a great microphone to take calls. It’s wireless, noise-cancelling and pairs well with all kinds of devices.
Extra back support for any type of chair
It is very unlikely that you’ll have an ergonomic chair at your apartment rental, hotel room or the cafés you visit. While you can rent a coworking space, office chairs are quite scare when you are not at home. So we recommend this as one of the best items to work better on the go wherever you may be.
Ergonomic cushion such as the Therm-a-Rest Lite Seat Ultralight Inflatable Seat Cushion can turn a simple chair into a more comfortable seat. It is also an invaluable companion for long haul flights.
Our Final Thoughts
While it’s definitely possible to live without these gadgets, physical health and productivity are aspects of the nomadic life people shouldn’t neglect, especially in the long run. As we tend to spend longer periods of time in less places, it becomes even more important to create good productivity and work habits. These are some of the best items to work better on the go that we think are just must-have digital nomad items. If there are any other items that you think should have been part of this list, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below.
Working on my laptop all day has been killer. I definitely need to invest in some of these items! Thanks for the ideas.
Your back and brain will thank you, Brittany! We hope this helps to improve your home office. 🙂
I’ve been thinking about getting noise-canceling headphones. I’m sure they’re great to have especially when you’re working from a cafe. Love these ideas 🙂
These are great, Ivana! We use them in cafés, but also at home when one of us wants to watch TV and the other wants to work in the same room.
These are great suggestions! I have a power bank and it has saved me more than once!
I love that laptop stand. It’s so true that comfort and a quiet place is key when on the road and trying to be productive.
Absolutely, Jenny! We use to have another compact laptop stand (the roost stand), but it takes extra space and requires to use an external keyboard and mouse (but it’s probably even more comfortable)
I like that invisible laptop stand and inflatable seat cushion! These are great finds for nomads and bloggers.
A laptop stand is on my wishlist. Even at home, I think it’d be nice when sitting on the bed or couch. All great suggestions!
Your list of digital office essentials was eye opening. The only thing I had prior knowledge of was the power bank. Thank you for the suggestions.
Thank you so much, Kimberlie! It took years in temporary homes to figure out what works best. 🙂 We’re happy this helps!
Great list! I’ve travelled a lot over the years, so I always carry a portable battery and pocket wifi with me. But the laptop stand also sounds like a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Especially one you don’t have to think about bringing with you, Miranda! We hope this list will be useful in the future. 🙂
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