7 Essential Travel Gadgets
Gadgets are getting smaller and more powerful with each passing day. A mere decade ago, small, pocketable devices capable of carrying out computer-like functionality were a dream. Nowadays, smartphones capable of accessing the internet, providing maps, taking high quality photographs and more are incredibly common. Many of these gadgets have helped to make travelling easier and more comfortable than ever before.
This article will list 7 essential travel gadgets.
#1 – Smartphone
Smartphones can do nearly everything a computer can. While travelling, they can act as a phone while also granting access to the internet, email and mapping services. A travelling phone needs to unlocked, powerful and ruggedly built. Three phones possess these qualities. The iPhone is an obvious choice. It is powerful, easy to use and, if bought directly from Apple, unlocked and capable of using foreign sim cards.
The Google Nexus 4 is the best Android phone for travelling. It comes unlocked as standard and runs the latest version of the Android operating system, making it a powerful and versatile travel phone. It can be purchased directly from Google’s Play Store.
Finally, the Nokia Lumia 920 is the best Windows Phone for travelling. The phone is well built and packed with an impressive camera capable of taking high quality, panoramic shots.
#2 – Tablet
Being able to access the internet can be useful while travelling. Friends and relatives can be easily reached via Facebook, Twitter or Email, while online guidebooks can be consulted to find things to do and sights to see while travelling. Ideally, a travelling tablet needs to be well built, versatile and easy to carry.
Arguably the best tablet for travelling is the Google Nexus 7. Built by Asus, the Nexus 7 has a 7” screen that can easily fit in a pocket. It is also light, well built and capable of sustaining a few hard knocks. The Nexus 7 runs the latest version of Google’s Android operating system. This means that the tablet is capable of accessing the internet, providing map services with its built in GPS, acting as an ebook reader, and more.
#3 – Bluetooth Speaker
High quality travel Bluetooth speakers are becoming more common in the world of tech. These speakers, when paired up with a tablet, smartphone, mp3 player or laptop, provide crisp musical experiences while on the go. The Nuforce Cube and the Jawbox Jambone are arguably the two best travel Bluetooth speakers available today. Both are light, easily portable and capable of producing great sound.
#4 – In Ear Headphones
In ear headphones provide high quality sound while also blocking out external distractions. Arguably the best budget in ear headphone available today is the Klipsch Image S4i. They sound great and they are incredibly durable, too. More expensive options include the Westone 4 and the Shure SE535.
#5 – Travel Laptop
While a tablet will suffice for most travellers, some may need access to a laptop while on the go. Apple’s Macbook Air, an 11” ultraportable laptop, is arguably the best travelling laptop available today. It is incredibly light and well built with an aluminium shell that can easily fit into a bag. Apple also offer worldwide warranties on all their goods, meaning the laptop can be repaired abroad if the laptop was to break.
#6 – Travel Camera
While smartphones are capable of taking high quality photographs, they are still unable to match the quality and versatility of dedicated cameras. Canon’s Ixus range is perfect for travelling. Ixus cameras are incredibly small and able to fit into a shirt pocket. Most cameras in the Ixus range also come fitted with GPS chips, too, meaning photographs can be geotagged to a particular location. Canon produces a wide variety of Ixus cameras for every budget.
#7 – Portable Battery
Keeping gadgets charged while travelling can be difficult. Thankfully, a lot of companies have recognized this and created portable batteries that can be used to charge gadgets while on the go. AviiQ’s portable travel bag is arguably the best portable battery for travelling. It features a 10,000 mah battery that can charge up to four devices simultaneously and a handy travel case fitted with tangle free USB charging cables.
Conclusion
Travel gadgets can help to make travelling easier and more comfortable than ever before. The 7 gadgets listed in this article are amongst the best available. They are a must buy for any tech savvy traveller.