Our 2023 Technology Picks

Smartphones

Their small size and many functions make smartphones one of the most useful travel gadgets around.

They’re definitely not all created equal, however, and picking the wrong one could end up being a frustrating and expensive mistake.

Laptops

While many travelers have switched to tablets or smartphones, there’s still nothing better than a laptop to get real work done on the road.

If you want maximum performance and flexibility with minimum size and weight, here’s what to buy.

Storage & Backup

Whether you’re backing up your files, sharing photos with friends, or just adding a little extra capacity to your camera, storage matters more than ever.

Here are our recommendations for all the options that matter to travelers: hard drives, flash, wireless, and up in the cloud.

Accessories

It’s easy to get carried away with the number of gadgets and accessories you take on a trip, and most of them are unnecessary.

There are a few, though, that are definitely useful enough to justify their cost and weight, from chargers to e-readers, batteries to Wi-Fi boosters and more.

Tablets

For many travelers, tablets are replacing laptops as their main way of staying in touch from the road.

The best are light, well-made, and can do everything you need, and the worst are none of those things. Which is which?

Whether you’re looking for something to get serious work done, update social media, or entertain the kids, we’ve got you covered.

Sound

From screaming kids on a longhaul flight to blaring music videos on an overnight bus in Laos, sometimes decent earphones are all that stands between you and a miserable few hours.

Other times, it’s all about sharing your music with those around you: a day on the beach, or a hotel room party.

Here are our recommendations for better sound, no matter your travel style.

Tools & Services

Need to know which company has the best travel insurance, or makes the best VPN for travelers?

Which site gives the best hotel deals, or how to get into airport lounges without airline status or business-class tickets?

These are the tools and services we use.

Action Gear

If your travels tend to be action packed, this is the gear for you.

We’ve got the perfect drones for any budget (and tips on traveling with them), plus the best waterproof and action cameras that aren’t made by GoPro!

Here’s what you need to know.

Solar Power

Just because you’re in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean you can’t charge your phone or run your electrical gear.

With the right equipment, you can power everything from your phone to your fridge with nothing more than the sun’s rays.

These are our picks.

Cases

Life poses many risks to our electronics, from toilet bowls to children and bad weather to our own clumsiness.

Whether you’re looking to protect your phone, tablet, or laptop, we’ve found the best cases to keep them protected.

They’re a very cheap form of insurance!

Desks

With many more of us working from home these days, creating a comfortable and effective work environment is more important than ever.

That’s why we’ve found the best desks on the market at the moment, whether you prefer to stand, sit, or lie down while you work!

Remote Work

Remote work is on the rise, whether you’re doing your job from a home office, the local coffee shop, or a beachside bar thousands of miles away.

From portable monitors and printers to laptop stands and virtual mailboxes, here’s the gear and services you need to do it well.

Batteries

Nothing spoils a travel day or adventure like worrying about a flat battery, whether it’s your phone, laptop, or anything else.

That’s why we’ve found the best portable batteries for a range of needs: travel, camping, and more.

Here are all the details.

Vehicle Tech

Vehicle tech has come a long way in recent years, and we also expect to be able to do basic things like mounting and charging our mobile devices when we’re driving.

We’ve covered everything from stands and car chargers to dash cams and GPS trackers.