Your resource guide to the digital nomad lifestyle
Best Laptops and accessories for Digital Nomads in 2025
ESSENTIAL TECH
4/16/2025
Best Laptops and Accessories for Digital Nomads (2025 Edition)
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I’ve worked remotely from cafes in Croatia, guesthouses in Thailand, and more airports than I can count. One thing I’ve learned is that having the right laptop and accessories can completely transform your workflow and comfort while traveling. Whether you're freelancing, editing videos, or running your e-commerce empire from a beachside cafe, having the right gear can make all the difference. This guide covers the best laptops and must-have accessories for digital nomads who need performance, portability, and reliability on the road.
Best Laptops for Digital Nomads
When choosing a laptop as a digital nomad, key considerations include weight, battery life, durability, and processing power. Whether you’re editing videos, writing code, or managing your blog, these laptops combine performance and portability.
1. MacBook Air M2 (2022/2023)
Why It's Great: Lightweight, powerful, and efficient. Its M2 chip delivers fast performance for multitasking and creative apps, while the slim, silent design is perfect for café work or airport sessions.
Pros: Super portable, fanless design, excellent battery (up to 18 hours)
Cons: Only two USB-C ports, higher price tag
Best For: Writers, web developers, general business tasks
2. Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023)
Why It's Great: Gorgeous design, near bezel-less screen, and strong Windows performance. It's ideal for professionals who want MacBook-tier elegance with Windows compatibility.
Pros: Sleek, durable, great display
Cons: Not ideal for heavy video editing or gaming
Best For: Bloggers, analysts, productivity users
3. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED
Why It's Great: Affordable and bright OLED display, ideal for creatives on a budget. The visuals are vibrant, and it handles light editing tasks with ease—without breaking the bank.
Pros: Lightweight, long battery life, vivid screen
Cons: Mediocre webcam and audio
Best For: Digital artists, content creators
4. MacBook Pro M3 (14-inch, 2023/2024)
Why It's Great: Built for power users, it handles video editing, code compiling, and multiple virtual desktops without breaking a sweat. The 14-inch model strikes a solid balance between portability and performance.
Pros: Extreme performance, mini-LED display, long battery
Cons: Pricey, heavier than MacBook Air
Best For: Video editors, software engineers, power users
5. Framework Laptop (13-inch DIY Edition)
Why It's Great: Modular, repairable, and customizable—designed with sustainability and tinkerers in mind. You can swap out parts as tech evolves, extending its life while reducing e-waste.
Pros: User-upgradable, good Linux support, great keyboard
Cons: Not for tech novices, shorter battery than mainstream ultrabooks
Best For: Developers, Linux users, tech-savvy nomads
6. Acer Swift 3
Why It's Great: Excellent performance-to-price ratio with solid battery life and a lightweight, travel-ready chassis. Great for those who want a workhorse laptop without overspending.
Pros: Affordable, portable, great for general use
Cons: Basic display and build
Best For: Students, entry-level freelancers
7. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
Why It's Great: 2-in-1 design, touchscreen, and stylus support at an affordable price. It’s a great budget-friendly tool for taking notes, teaching, or reviewing documents on the go.
Pros: Versatile, solid keyboard, good value
Cons: Not the most compact
Best For: Bloggers, online teachers, note-takers
8. HP Envy x360
Why It's Great: Stylish convertible with solid specs for less than a MacBook. The touchscreen and design quality make it a strong competitor for creatives looking for performance on a budget.
Pros: Premium feel, touchscreen, fast SSD
Cons: Slightly heavy for travel
Best For: Designers, creatives on a budget
9. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Why It's Great: Budget-friendly Surface option with excellent keyboard and portability. It’s one of the most travel-friendly Windows laptops, especially for writing and business tasks.
Pros: Light, sleek, decent performance
Cons: Smaller screen and storage
Best For: Writers, business travelers
10. Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360
Why It's Great: Ultra-thin, 2-in-1 OLED display laptop with great battery life. Perfect for nomads who want a sleek device for both work and streaming on long travel days.
Pros: Touchscreen, stylus included, great display
Cons: Limited ports
Best For: Remote professionals, creatives
Essential Accessories for Working on the Go
Here’s a roundup of gear I personally rely on—or have friends who swear by these—
1. Portable Monitor
Top Pick: ASUS ZenScreen
Why You Need It: Adds a second screen to boost productivity for multitasking or creative work. Ideal for photo editing, comparing documents, or running Slack on one screen and Zoom on the other.
Second Pick: ARZOPA Portable Monitor Adds a second screen to boost productivity for multitasking or creative work. Ideal for photo editing, comparing documents, or running Slack on one screen and Zoom on the other.
Why You Need It: Adds a second screen to boost productivity for multitasking or creative work. Ideal for photo editing, comparing documents, or running Slack on one screen and Zoom on the other.
Top Pick: ASUS ZenScreen
Why You Need It: Adds a second screen to boost productivity for multitasking or creative work.
2. Universal Travel Adapter
Top Pick: EPICKA All-in-One Adapter
Why You Need It: Covers over 150 countries with USB ports included. Features surge protection and multiple outlets so you can charge your phone, laptop, and power bank all at once.
Second Pick: Newvanga International Travel Adapter Covers over 150 countries with USB ports included. Features surge protection and multiple outlets so you can charge your phone, laptop, and power bank all at once.
Why You Need It: Covers over 150 countries with USB ports included. Features surge protection and multiple outlets so you can charge your phone, laptop, and power bank all at once.
Top Pick: EPICKA All-in-One Adapter
Why You Need It: Covers over 150 countries with USB ports included.
3. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Top Pick: Sony WH-1000XM5
Why You Need It: Block out coworking chaos, flights, and cafes while staying focused. The battery lasts over 30 hours, and they’re comfy enough to wear all day.
Second Pick: Bose QuietComfort 45 Block out coworking chaos, flights, and cafes while staying focused. The battery lasts over 30 hours, and they’re comfy enough to wear all day.
Why You Need It: Block out coworking chaos, flights, and cafes while staying focused. The battery lasts over 30 hours, and they’re comfy enough to wear all day.
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4. Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse
Top Pick: Logitech MX Keys + MX Master 3S
Why You Need It: Full-size comfort for long work sessions on any surface. The keyboard has backlighting and quiet keys, while the mouse offers ultra-precise scrolling and customizable shortcuts.
Second Pick: Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop Full-size comfort for long work sessions on any surface. The keyboard has backlighting and quiet keys, while the mouse offers ultra-precise scrolling and customizable shortcuts.
Why You Need It: Full-size comfort for long work sessions on any surface. The keyboard has backlighting and quiet keys, while the mouse offers ultra-precise scrolling and customizable shortcuts.
Top Pick: Logitech MX Keys + MX Master 3S
Why You Need It: Full-size comfort for long work sessions on any surface.
5. Power Bank / Portable Charger
Top Pick: Anker 737 Power Bank (24,000 mAh)
Why You Need It: Keeps your laptop and devices charged on long flights or remote workdays. It supports fast charging and can even juice up a MacBook in a pinch.
Second Pick: Baseus Blade 20,000mAh 100W Power Bank Keeps your laptop and devices charged on long flights or remote workdays. It supports fast charging and can even juice up a MacBook in a pinch.
Why You Need It: Keeps your laptop and devices charged on long flights or remote workdays. It supports fast charging and can even juice up a MacBook in a pinch.
Smart Backpack with USB Charging
Top Pick: Nomatic Navigator Backpack
Why You Need It: Organizes your gear with built-in tech features and travel-ready design. Water-resistant and expandable, with RFID protection and a luggage strap.
6. Surge Protector
Top Pick: Anker PowerExtend Travel Surge Protector
Why You Need It: Travel-ready and compact, this surge protector offers multiple outlets and USB ports. It protects your gear from voltage spikes while charging everything in one place.
Second Pick: Belkin Travel Surge Protector
Why You Need It: Trusted brand with foldable plug design, two AC outlets, and USB charging. A must-have in countries with unreliable power.
7. Computer Holder Backpack
Top Pick: Samsonite Tectonic Lifestyle Crossfire Business Backpack
Why You Need It: Designed specifically to protect laptops and tech gear with padded compartments, reinforced corners, and airflow padding. Ideal for urban commuting and air travel, with multiple organizational pockets for tech accessories and personal items.
8. Laptop Stand
Top Pick: Roost Laptop Stand
Second Pick: Nexstand K2
Why You Need It: Keeps your posture in check by raising your screen to eye level. Foldable and lightweight, perfect for ergonomic travel setups.
9. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot / eSIM
Top Pick: Solís Global Hotspot or Airalo eSIM
Why You Need It: Stay connected in countries where local SIMs are tricky or Wi-Fi is unreliable. eSIMs let you download data plans instantly without changing cards.
10. Cable Organizer Pouch
Top Pick: BAGSMART Tech Organizer
Why You Need It: Keep all your chargers, dongles, SD cards, and cables neatly stored. Saves you the headache of digging through your backpack every time you need a cord.
11. Multiport USB-C Hub
Top Pick: Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C Hub
Why You Need It: Adds extra ports for HDMI, SD cards, USB-A, and more. A must-have if your laptop only has USB-C inputs.
12. Portable External SSD
Top Pick: Samsung T7 Portable SSD
Why You Need It: Super-fast backup and storage for large files like videos, photos, or backups. Compact enough to fit in your pocket.
13. Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Top Pick: JBL Flip 6
Why You Need It: Great sound quality in a compact, waterproof form—perfect for music during breaks or for taking calls hands-free at your workspace.
Second Pick: Anker Soundcore 3
Why You Need It: Budget-friendly speaker with 24-hour battery life and surprisingly powerful sound. Great for light music or podcasts while working.
Mobile Connectivity, Storage & Safety Essentials
Beyond laptops and accessories, there are three crucial areas digital nomads must consider to stay productive, secure, and stress-free: mobile connectivity, secure storage, and data protection.
SIM Cards & eSIMs
Local SIMs: Buying a SIM card locally can save you a lot of money on data. Look for prepaid tourist SIMs with large data plans.
eSIMs: Services like Airalo and Nomad eSIM allow you to download a mobile data plan before you land—no physical SIM needed.
Pro Tip: Use a dual-SIM phone or an unlocked device to keep your home number active for 2FA or emergencies.
Secure Digital Storage
Cloud Storage: Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and pCloud allow you to back up and access your documents anywhere.
External SSDs: Devices like the Samsung T7 or SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD give you lightning-fast access to local backups. Always encrypt sensitive files.
Backup Strategy: Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies of your data, 2 types of media, 1 offsite/cloud.
Safety for Gear & Data
VPN: Always use a reputable VPN (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN) on public Wi-Fi to protect your data and access geo-restricted content.
Password Managers: Use apps like 1Password or Bitwarden to manage logins securely.
Anti-Theft Tools: AirTags or Tile trackers can be hidden in your backpack or gear cases. Some smart backpacks even include RFID blocking and hidden compartments.
Insurance: Consider nomad-focused insurance like SafetyWing or Insured Nomads that covers gear loss and medical emergencies.
Pro Tips from the Road
After years of working remotely across different time zones, countries, and even continents, here are some insider strategies I’ve learned firsthand—and from other digital nomads—that can make your mobile work life smoother:
Test your gear before you travel: Don’t wait until you’re 3,000 miles away to learn your USB-C hub doesn’t work.
Use packing cubes for tech: Keep all your cables, chargers, and accessories organized and easy to grab.
Download offline backups: From your cloud files to Google Maps and travel docs, having local copies can save you in Wi-Fi dead zones.
Invest in a quality surge protector: Power spikes abroad are no joke—protect your laptop and accessories.
Always carry a small roll of duct tape and zip ties: Quick fixes for broken chargers, stands, or straps.
Bookmark your product manuals and serial numbers: If something breaks, you’ll have what you need for support or warranty claims.
Join a digital nomad group or forum: Real-time advice on internet speeds, coworking spots, and tech fixes is invaluable.
Final Tips for Choosing Tech as a Nomad
Weight matters: Under 3 lbs is ideal for laptops when you’re on the go constantly.
Battery life is freedom: Look for devices offering 10+ hours.
Universal compatibility: USB-C is your friend.
Cloud-first workflow: Use cloud storage and remote backup solutions (like Google Drive or Dropbox).
Choose gear that fits your specific business needs—but always prioritize durability, portability, and ease of repair or replacement.
Pro Tip: Keep backup chargers and a mini surge protector in your bag—power outlets can be scarce or unreliable in many locations.
Need help picking gear for your setup? Drop your use case and I’ll recommend the perfect combo for your nomad journey.st content
