Holiday Travel Guide for Techies

Whether you’re getting on a plane, hopping in a car, or find yourself relying on public transportation to get you to your family gatherings, there’s a whole new sense of dread when you factor-in the holiday rush. Fortunately, we live in a time that allows us to turn monotonous travel into a rousing journey through tech. If keeping boredom at bay is a top priority when you’re on the move, look at these nine travel essentials that’ll ensure you’re assuaged and entertained during your vacation.

RAVPower Ace 32,000mAh Portable Charger

The worst part of traveling is that there aren’t AC wall outlets and USB charging stations available everywhere you go. Sure, you can carry cables and adapters around and hope for the best—or you can take power delivery into your own hands with the RAVPower Ace 32,000mAh Portable Charger. This rectangular power bank is armed with a 32,000mAh lithium polymer battery that can output up to 6A. Connect a maximum of three USB-compatible devices with 2.4A of fast-charging power per port. RAVPower has designed this bank to charge an iPhone 7 up to eleven times, an iPad Pro up to two times, and a Galaxy S7 Edge up to six times. In addition to its long-lasting battery, the Ace Portable Charger has four integrated LED lights that indicate power level and charging status.

Bose® Noise-Masking™ In-Ear Sleepbuds

If you’ve ever been in-flight and heard a crying baby, you’ll definitely wish you had the Bose Noise-Masking In-Ear Sleepbuds on hand to offer you reprieve. These wireless earbuds are designed to provide you peace with their integrated noise-masking technology, so you can jam out to your favorite tunes or drift off to sleep. Furthermore, Bose has equipped these discreet earbuds with a battery that can last up to 16 hours, which means it’s likely you’ll be greeted by your playlist if you choose to sleep with the buds in-ear. Other neat features include 10 pre-loaded modes to enhance slumber and relaxation, volume management, alarm settings, additional buds at varied sizes, and conforming pliable fins that adjust to a user’s ear shape, as well as sweat and water resistance. Aside from being a multifunctional sleeping coach, these unique earbuds work with the Bose Sleep App and come with a portable charging case.

Microsoft Surface Go

When you’re in transit, lugging around a heavy laptop is probably the last thing you want to do. That’s where the Microsoft Surface Go 10" 64GB Multi-Touch Tablet comes into play. This lightweight and small 2-in-1 packs all the power of a larger laptop in the portable form factor of a tablet. Moreover, this 10" slate is powered by a 1.6 GHz Intel® Pentium Gold™ 4415Y dual-core processor and, depending on your needs, choose from 4GB of RAM and a 64GB M.2 solid-state drive or 8GB of RAM and a 128GB M.2 solid-state drive. In case you find yourself with some down time during your holiday visit, you can prop up the Surface Go with its built-in kickstand and watch a movie on its 1800 x 1200 resolution display. If you’re on the artsier side, doodle to your heart’s content, thanks to the Surface Go’s integrated Intel HD Graphics 615 chip and touchscreen capabilities.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI Digital Camera

Getting together with family and friends during the holidays is always a fun occasion, and it’s only natural that you’ll want to commemorate the celebration. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI Digital Camera is a great option for those who want a compact digital camera without sacrificing quality. This camera comes with a 24-200mm lens, 4K UHD video recording capabilities, and Wi-Fi connectivity for sharing snapshots with your folks, wirelessly. However, the star features of the Sony Cyber-shot are the built-in 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor, BIONZ X Image Processor, which work in tandem to deliver fast performance and remarkable image quality under a variety of lighting conditions.

Bower 4-Piece LED Lens Kit for Smartphones

If photography isn’t really your thing but you still like snapping shots from your phone, the Bower 4-Piece LED Lens Kit may be the very piece of equipment you need to elevate your photo game. This multifunctional kit comes with a cinema wide-angle lens for capturing a wide field of view, a macro lens for magnified closeups, a fisheye lens for dramatically rounded images, and an LED light for illuminating your scene. These lenses were built with a universal design that fits most tablets and smartphones, and it’s even compatible with front and rear camera of your chosen device. Switching between these varied accessories and modes is sure to provide some fun photo opportunities, whether you’re in transit or lounging at Grandma’s.

QVS Premium World Power Travel Adapter Kit

For the world traveler, an international plug adapter is a must. That’s why we recommend the QVS Premium World Power Travel Adapter Kit . This compact 3-in-1 has an interlocking mode that provides and supports plugs from the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, and European Union—which work in more than 180 countries and territories. The QVS Premium is equipped with two USB Type-A charging ports, capable of a shared output of 2.1A. There are also LED indicator lights built in to show the charging status of your connected devices. You won’t have to worry about your electronics getting overcharged either, since the QVS Premium is built with overcurrent, short-circuit, and surge protection.

Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS

For those who love to hike, or just have family that live in the middle of nowhere, you’ll want to grab yourself a Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS. This hands-free navigator has an 18-hour battery life and built-in features that track your steps, as well as store and share routes. Other helpful features include an electronic compass, barometric altimeter, calendar, and more.

Aquapac Waterproof Case for Large Smartphones

If you’re lucky enough to be in a warm locale that’s big on water sports during the holidays, first, we want to say we’re jealous and, second, you should grab an Aquapac Waterproof Case. This sealable case allows you to submerge your non-waterproof phone up to 30' for a maximum of 30 minutes, so you can keep tabs on your notifications and snap all the underwater photos you want. The case also comes with an adjustable lanyard that lets you secure it on your wrist or lifejacket.

Pelican U100 Urban Elite Backpack for 17" Laptop

Last, but not least, if you’ve made it this far, you’ll need a bag to carry all your travel essentials. The Pelican U100 Urban Elite Backpack is a highly durable option that’s designed to hold a 17" laptop within a watertight, crushproof case. Its hard-shell panel unzips to store your prized possessions, while an internal organizer can store small gadgets like pens, notepads, and tablets. An additional interior storage compartment is available if you need extra space. This backpack also contains an EQ valve that controls air pressure while traveling to ensure your belongings’ safety. Other notable features include adjustable straps, a concealed water-bottle pocket, and an ergonomic S-curved design for ventilated back support.