One of the most important lessons digital nomads eventually learn is that less is more. Lugging around unnecessary tech can weigh you down, add stress at airports, and clutter your workspace. The goal isn’t just to travel light—but to travel smart.
Here’s a breakdown of the common tech you can ditch—and the smarter, lighter, and more efficient alternatives to bring instead.
đź’» Leave: Heavy, High-Powered Laptops
âś… Bring: Lightweight Ultrabooks or M2/M3 MacBooks
Unless you’re editing 4K video or rendering 3D graphics on the road, you probably don’t need a 5-pound powerhouse laptop. Ditch the bulky gaming rig and go for lightweight laptops with all-day battery life. The MacBook Air M2/M3 or Dell XPS 13 are more than capable for most remote work, including design, writing, coding, and admin.
đź“· Leave: DSLR Camera + Lenses
âś… Bring: Smartphone with Pro Camera or a Compact Mirrorless
Today’s smartphones have cameras that rival DSLRs in many scenarios. If photography isn’t your primary income stream, consider leaving the bulky camera kit behind. Need something more? A compact mirrorless like the Sony ZV-E10 or Canon EOS M50 offers great quality without the bulk.
🎧 Leave: Over-Ear Studio Headphones
âś… Bring: Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Studio cans are great—but they’re not always travel-friendly. Noise-canceling earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Pro take up minimal space, offer excellent sound quality, and handle noisy environments like planes or cafes with ease.
🖨️ Leave: Portable Printer or Scanner
âś… Bring: Scanner Apps + Cloud Signatures
Physical paperwork is mostly avoidable now. Ditch the clunky printer or scanner and use mobile apps like Adobe Scan or Genius Scan. Tools like HelloSign or DocuSign make contract signing quick and paperless.
🔌 Leave: Extra Power Strips and Voltage Converters
âś… Bring: Universal Travel Adapter with USB-C
You don’t need to bring three adapters, four chargers, and a voltage converter. A solid universal travel adapter with multiple USB-C and USB-A ports will cover almost all devices in most countries. Look for one with surge protection for added safety.
🖱️ Leave: External Mouse and Keyboard (in most cases)
âś… Bring: Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard (if needed)
Unless you’re working with spreadsheets all day or coding nonstop, a foldable keyboard is more than enough. They’re lightweight, space-saving, and work well for extended typing sessions when paired with a tablet or phone.
đź“ş Leave: Portable Monitor (Unless You Really Need It)
âś… Bring: Tablet with Second Screen App
Portable monitors are awesome for multitasking—but they’re not always worth the extra weight. If you crave a second screen, apps like Duet Display or Sidecar turn your iPad or tablet into a functional extension of your laptop screen.
đź“€ Leave: External Hard Drives
âś… Bring: SSD + Cloud Storage Combo
External hard drives are fragile and heavy. Upgrade to a lightweight SSD (like the Samsung T7) for fast, reliable backups, and pair it with a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox for access anywhere—even if your gear gets lost.
đź“ Leave: SIM Card Organizers and Phones for Every Country
âś… Bring: eSIM-Compatible Phone
No more swapping SIMs at every border. Phones with eSIM support (like most iPhones and Pixels) let you instantly activate plans from providers like Airalo or Nomad without any physical cards.
🔋 Leave: Multiple Power Banks
âś… Bring: One High-Capacity, Fast-Charging Power Bank
Rather than carrying two or three low-capacity chargers, invest in one solid power bank (like Anker’s 20,000mAh with 65W output) that can juice up your phone and even your laptop in a pinch.
⚖️ Travel Light, Work Smart
Every item in your bag should earn its place. Reducing your tech footprint simplifies your travels, speeds up airport security, and helps you stay focused on what really matters: the work you do and the freedom of the road. Choose smart, multi-functional tools that support your workflow without weighing you down.