Technology has made our lives infinitely easier and more effective. This includes traveling. From the numerous travel apps to a variety of high-tech cameras, it’s almost impossible to get lost anymore and there is definitely no excuse to come back without a ton of amazing photographs. Here are four must-have tech gadgets for your next trip.
The Perfect Smartphone
Finding the perfect smartphone for your travel needs is of utmost importance. In regards to the design, find a smartphone that is waterproof and shockproof so it can handle even the most rugged of travel terrains. If you’re a light traveler, your smartphone might be one of the few tech devices you bring with you, which means it’s crucial that your phone takes beautiful and crisp photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 is not only waterproof with a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera and 5-megapixel front-facing camera, but it’s also compatible with numerous third party chargers. All of these features make it the perfect and most versatile travel companion. With a biometric scanner, your fingerprint is the only thing that can unlock your phone, keeping your private information secure in case your phone gets lost or stolen.
External Battery Charger/Power Station
Now that you have the perfect smartphone, you need to keep it juiced all day while you’re out and about sightseeing or when you take overnight trips into remote rainforests with no outlets. Always travel with a power bank, external battery charger or power station. The Mophie Powerstation XL can charge your smartphone and tablet at the same time. With two USB ports, it has enough juice to charge your phone three times. And the best part is that it fits into your pocket or purse with ease.
If you’re taking an extended remote trip, invest in a solar charger like the Biolite SolarPanel 5+ that allows you to charge your electronics by using energy from the sun. With an integrated sundial, it’s easy to align your panel most effectively to the sun’s rays and any unused power is stored in the onboard battery for later use.
A Great Pair of Headphones
Whether you sit next to a crying baby on the plane or want to go on a run to explore your new destination, a great pair of headphones will keep you jamming to your favorite music, staying up-to-date on your podcasts or watching Netflix during a long layover.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive option, either as a backup or if you’re notorious for losing headphones, the Panasonic 125 ErgoFit are only $14 and sound amazing. If you can spend a little more money, invest in headphones that have noise-canceling and wireless features. Consider any of the Bose QuietComfort headphones because they are comfortable and have astounding sound quality.
E-Reader/Tablet
If you are an avid reader, need to work while traveling or stay updated on your favorite television series, an e-reader or tablet is the perfect, compact tech gadget for you. Instead of packing a couple of paperbacks that take up space, an e-reader like the Kindle, can store hundreds of books on one device. If you’ll be checking or responding to emails, leave your laptop at home and bring a tablet, like the Apple iPad, with a keyboard that allows you to attend to work functions without lugging around your bulky laptop.