Laptops are made to travel, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t accessories ready and waiting to make it even easier work and game on the go!
Travel, and visiting new places, is exciting. Putting your expensive and important technology in a vulnerable position to be stolen or damaged…not so much. The best laptops are lifelines to their jobs, hobbies, and creative endeavors, so keeping that tech clean and secure while on the go is an utmost priority.
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What are the most important laptop accessories for travel, and what would just weigh you down? It’s generally a good idea to make sure your laptop travel bag includes: a secure laptop pocket with abundant padding, something to power and charge the device, something to quickly clean up crumbs and dirt, and something to locate your bag, should it go missing. These are just a few examples of laptop travel accessories that prove to be useful while abroad; the following collection of products is a more comprehensive collection of what may help protect and power a laptop during travel.
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ViewSonic VA1655 15.6 Inch 1080p Portable IPS Monitor
Editor’s Choice
Bring your office anywhere with this 15.6-inch, 1080P portable monitor from ViewSonic. The VA1655 comes with a built-in stand, protective case, and Mini-HDMI or USB-C input options. This monitor can expand the working area of not only a laptop, but also mobile gaming consoles, tablets, and even a cell phone.
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FlexiSpot Portable Laptop Stand Docking Station TD1
Best Value
$80 $130 Save $50
The FlexiSpot Portable Laptop Stand Docking Station TD1 combines the functionality of a docking station with the convenience of a laptop stand. With a single full-featured Type-C cord, this docking station expands laptop connectivity and enhances productivity.Equipped with multiple functions, the TD1 provides access to one or even two displays (HDMI and VGA) for desktop mirroring, as well as Gigabit Ethernet network data, TF/SD cards, speakers, external hard drives, printers, USB keyboards, mice, and various other USB devices.
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Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe Laptop Backpack
Premium Pick
When traveling with expensive gear, no ordinary backpack will do. A pack doesn’t need to cost over $200, although there are some remarkable options in that price range. The Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe from Timbuk2 is an unbeatable laptop bag under $200. It’s durable, spacious, and feature-loaded with a removable chest strap, a water-resistant bottom, and rear laptop pocket access.
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FiveJoy Universal Cleaning Gel
For instances where users need to quickly get debris out of a laptop’s keyboard, but air dusters aren’t an option — like on an airplane, where compressed air is a TSA no-no — tech putty, like this universal cleaning gel from FiveJoy, offers a nice alternative. The gel is made of a flexible, biodegradable material that effectively clears keyboards, vents, and other tight spaces within the laptop.
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Zerbner Electronics Screen Cleaner
Cleaning gel is great for laptop keyboards, but what about when fingerprints and dust muck up the screen? This Zerbner screen cleaner is incredibly travel-friendly; the refillable liquid screen cleaner canister holds 0.35 ounces, making it carry-on friendly, and the microfiber cleaning cloth neatly wipes away all the debris and smudges. Everything is sealed up in a plastic carrying case for easy storage.
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Sungwoo Foldable Silicone Keyboard
The last thing users want to find space for in a carry-on is a full-fledged keyboard, so consider this portable rollup silicone keyboard from Sungwoo instead. It’s lightweight and easy to store, perfect for people who frequently fly without checking luggage. The keyboard connects via a wired USB connection, and the silicone material is dust- and waterproof, so there’s no worry about unexpected spills bringing your work to a halt.
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Mophie Powerstation Pro AC
Keep laptops and other important tech running with this 100W AC portable power bank from Mophie. With its USB-A port, two USB-C ports, ad AC port, just about everything in a laptop pack can get a quick recharge before boarding; the powerful 27,000mAh battery will boost the batteries in even the beefiest laptops.
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer unmatched active noise cancellation in earbuds, perfect for busy airplanes or crowded buses. Mute out the din and stay productive, no matter the setting, while Bose’s patented comfort fit ensures long periods of strain-free wear.
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Logitech MX Anywhere 3S
For a seamless workflow on the road, consider adding a compact and wireless travel mouse to your mobile tech kit. The Logitech MX Anywhere 3S is small enough to slip into a backpack, and it works flawlessly on any surface, including glass. Logitech also upgraded this model with quiet clicks to avoid distracting others when working outdoors.
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Ugreen Nexode 100W USB-C GaN Charger
The Ugreen Nexode 100W USB-C GaN Charger comes in handy when traveling with a lot of gadgets. Instead of carrying multiple chargers for each gadget, this compact adapter can power four devices at the same time, saving you plenty of space in your backpack. It can deliver the full 100W to a single device, which is more than enough for laptops, tablets, and most handheld gaming consoles.
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Samsung T7 Shield
$110 $170 Save $60
When planning to take a lot of photos and videos on your trip, an external drive like the Samsung T7 Shield is indispensable. This SSD, in particular, is designed for life on the road. It has a tough exterior and an IP65 waterproof rating, meaning it can withstand the rigors of daily life and extreme weather. The T7 Shield can add up to 4TB of extra storage, so users are not limited to the laptop’s internal SSD.
How to pick laptop accessories for traveling
When traveling, it’s a good idea to keep baggage light, especially when accommodating for the weight restrictions of a carry-on. With that in mind, here’s some good metrics to follow when shopping for the best on-the-go laptop accessories:
- Portability: Is the accessory designed for being on the move? Is it lightweight, foldable, or wireless rather than bulky or cumbersome?
- Durability: Travel, especially in planes, is often not kind on luggage and gear. Users should have faith that your travel accessories will stand up to the stress of travel with resistance to too much wear over time.
- Function: The use case of a laptop travel accessory should be pretty strongly compelling if it’s going to take up precious real estate in your luggage. Is the item something that’ll get used regularly, or is it more of a backup item that’ll just weigh travelers down?
Best Value Travel Laptop Accessory
Flexispot Portable Laptop Stand Docking Station TD1
The portable laptop stand docking station from Flexispot offers support to comfort and productivity. With USB and HDMI connections, the Flexispot stand acts as a hub for all of your necessary peripherals, including keyboards mice, additional monitors, and more. The stand tilts to a variety of angles to hold the laptop at whatever ergonomic angle best supports your posture, and the open-backed tray ensures the device will stay cool during work sessions.
Best Premium Laptop Accessory for Travelling
Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe laptop backpack
At less than $200, Timbuk2’s Authority Deluxe laptop backpack is still not a casual investment for many folks, but offers all the most compelling features in a premium travel backpack without the exorbitant price. A rear pocket keeps laptops (in the 15- to 17-inch range) secure from damage and theft, while pockets and compartments inside keep pens, chargers, and other small items that come along with travel from floating loosely throughout the pack. With its 20 liters of volume, the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe carries quite a bit. Everything’s starting to get a bit heavy? Just employ the sternum strap to help distribute some of the weight, or utilize the luggage pass-through to securely hitch the pack onto a suitcase for a ride.
Editor’s Choice Laptop Accessory for Travel
ViewSonic VA1655 15.6-inch portable IPS monitor
One of the perks of having an office is stacking monitors up to your heart’s content. While it generally would be a major inconvenience to users and other travelers to try and replicate a four-screen mega-setup in an economy seat, toting along this 15.6-inch portable monitor from ViewSonic is much more realistic. The 1080p IPS monitor offers a vibrant, crisp display, and connection to your laptop, phone, or other device is easy with the USB-C or mini-HDMI port options. This is a fantastic option for travelers who often face long layovers or need to do a lot of work from a hotel room.
