The Digital Nomad Wishlist: The 2023 Essential Gadget Guide

Whether you're stepping into the Digital Nomad life or you're already pretty involved with it, we have a practical guide of tech and gadgets that you should get to solve your personal or professional needs:

Backpacks are a mix of comfort and reliability when someone moves around a lot. However, a regular backpack won't cut it for a Digital Nomad, you have to look for the ones with a sturdy build, one that you can totally trust since you're going to (basically) keep your life in it. Investing in a REALLY good backpack can be expensive, but it certainly pays off. First thing to consider is the size and capability, including the amount of pockets and packing space it offers. Make sure the quality of the straps, pads, zippers, locks and laces is top notch, are reinforced in every single aspect and are tear-resistant. It should be very light when empty and not too bulky when full. It MUST be comfortable, of course: check how it fits on the shoulders, under the arms, and pay special attention to the lower-back area. Black is always a safe bet for any event, although color should come last after every other major feature.

There are great offers with some chargers capable of providing a nice amount of power in a small size. Look for the ones of the "GaN" kind as GaN stands for Gallium Nitride, a technology that allows semiconductors to deal with great wattage without turning your charger into a giant brick. You can use a 60W+ charger for your phone, a regular laptop and most other gadgets that need power (drones, cameras, batteries, tablets, etc.), sometimes with several of those devices at once! Prefer one with a couple of USB-C ports and a USB-A port to get you sorted. Don't forget to make sure that you get one that comes with universal power adapters so you can plug it in any wall around the world.

Anyone can go by without food for a while, but water is something we rely on to survive, and when traveling around the world, tap water can be some risky choice. This is where a filter bottle comes in handy. Look for them in the camping and outdoors sections when shopping. The best ones in the market have titanium built and easy-to-use filtering systems that guarantee that you can get safe water without hassle. You should prefer the fire-resistant or fire-compatible ones, because those will let you boil water quickly or even cook simple meals with it. Most come in 16.9 or 24 fl oz, and have a way for you to hang it on your (already well-chosen) backpack.

Nobody wants to have a dead device in the middle of a trip or commute, and that's why these portable rechargeable powerbanks are so popular among Digital Nomads. Depending on how many gadgets you'll need to charge at any given point, you will have to choose among a vast array of power capacities. For a safe bet, check the 20,000 mAh ones. If they have at least 45W power delivery, they can even provide juice for a MacBook Air or iPad Pro. Shapes are mostly the same: a rectangular brick, but there are tons of choices for sizes and colors. Since you can't always carry a device plus a cable plus a powerbank around for long periods of time, we recommend you look for a high-speed charging feature, along with enough USB-C and USB-A ports to plug whatever you need.

Having your luggage organized in little packs inside your backpack or suitcase makes it easier for you to find something you need, and it also avoids making a mess of clothing items, tech accessories and any other kind of knick-knacks just to find a toothbrush or a memory card. See-through panels or meshes make it easier to know what's inside (an airport-travel compatible feature) and the most reliable cubes have expansion/compression zipper systems. A handle can be a good addition to the cubes, but that may be an acquired taste.

Yeah, Digital Nomad life is cool and all, because it lets you learn from new cultures and people all the time. But, in case you're an avid A/V content, you might find yourself with some limited options from time to time. If you dedicate a portable device as your entertainment system, it can be a lifesaver for you. It can be a tablet where you can store games, movies, TV shows, music and photos. Or some other prefer to bring something like a Google Chromecast or a Roku Stick so they can plug it into any TV and turn it into a Smart TV with access to everything they like. The choice is yours.

These are our absolute essentials for a Nomad who wants to move around in 2023 and still stay connected, and you can also check our list of tech and services that are a must for Digital Nomads. Also,take a look at the vast line of Kosmic Dust supplements that will help you stay on top of your game wherever you go.