One of the more common questions I am asked is what the must-have tech gear for digital nomads is.
One of the first things I learned as a digital nomad is that your backpack becomes more than a bag; it’s your mobile office and wardrobe. When I started this lifestyle over 10 years ago, I knew I needed a backpack that could keep up with me: cabin-friendly for flights, tough enough to survive years of wear and tear, and spacious enough to carry everything I needed to live comfortably and work remotely.
I’ve stuck with the Osprey Porter 46L all these years. It’s the one bag that’s traveled with me across continents through countless airports and Airbnb check-ins and has been flung on boats, trains, and buses.
It fits as carry-on luggage, holds more than it looks like it should, and feels good on your back, even when you’re rushing to catch a train or navigating the busy streets of some far-flung Asian city.
At 50+, I value comfort, efficiency, and tools that make life easier, not more complicated. I work full-time while traveling, juggling Quality Assurance Lead and Content Creator roles, so the gear in my backpack has to fit the digital nomad lifestyle.
Here are my must-have gear for digital nomads in 2025.
MacBook Pro Laptop
The M1 MacBook Pro has a 14-inch screen. It’s on the heavy side, but it is compact enough to travel from country to country and to coffee shops and co-working spaces. I love MacOS over Windows and have found that the MacBook Pro laptops last much longer and are more secure, which is essential when working remotely.
LaCie Rugged 2TB Hard Drive
This hard drive has lasted the longest and is perfect for digital nomads who travel a lot. I regularly back up my laptop, photos, videos, and vital work files to ensure everything is secure. The LaCie hard drives are a little more expensive but worth the cost.
Netgear Nighthawk M1 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot
It has been a long time since I have used my WiFi mobile hotspot.
Still, if you’re looking for a reliable backup when the internet in your apartment goes down, and you have a must-attend video call coming up, this is a lifesaver. I usually tether on my mobile phone, but this depends on where you live. In Asia, most networks offer fast 5G speeds, so a hotspot is needed less.
My mobile hotspot was used in Europe, especially in the UK and Eastern European countries where the internet was less reliable.
Sonos Ace Headphones
The Sonos Ace headphones’ build and sound quality are much better than the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM5, but that’s a personal opinion. Their noise cancellation is enough to block the sounds on long-haul flights or noisy coffee shops. The only thing I dislike about these headphones is the case that comes with them; the zip is rubbish.
Apple AirPods Pro 2
The Apple AirPods Pro is a good alternative if you run, hike, or go to the gym to stay healthy. Their noise cancellation is incredible, and they are compact. If you want less bulky headphones and are already within the Apple ecosystem, choose these headphones over the Sonos Ace because they are so light to travel with.
iPhone 16 Pro
By now, you’re realizing I am a bit of an Apple fanboy (😂), and my mobile phone of choice is the iPhone 16 Pro.
There is not much more to say than having a phone as a digital nomad is vital to connecting with loved ones back home and navigating different countries. As sad as it is to admit this, I couldn’t survive without a phone.
Camera Gear
The following three pieces of equipment are not needed for digital nomads. A phone is good enough to take photos and videos, but as a content creator and someone who loves capturing experiences in videos and pictures, these are more for my passions than the need to survive.
DJI Pocket 3, DJI Action 5 Pro, Sony A7V, and all the associated equipment with these cameras! There are tripods, microphones, lenses, etc. This is far too much tech, but creating content is one of my passions.
The two final pieces of equipment were a recent addition to my backpack. I had shoulder and back pains because my laptop screen was not at eye level, and this setup resolved this.
Roost Laptop Stand
The Roost laptop stand is a lightweight, foldable stand that fits up to a 16″ laptop. It has adjustable height settings and is easily set up in a comfortable workspace. It fits nicely into my backpack and has a carrying sleeve that keeps it compact.
Apple Keyboard and Mouse
Being in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple keyboard and mouse are compatible with my MacBook Pro and fit nicely into my backpack. Working with a keyboard and mouse on the laptop stand has helped ensure my workspace is more ergonomic.
Essential Apps for Digital Nomads
Now that the equipment is listed let’s review my must-have apps. We’ve not included booking services in this list but instead focused on apps essential for digital nomads.
Without WhatsApp, I would not have been able to keep in touch with family without international phone bills. The app allows for video calls, text messages, and audio messages. It is one of the tools that has helped me not feel alone while traveling and also helped me keep connected with my parents. An alternative is Signal or Facebook Messenger.
Google Maps
Navigating new cities can be challenging, but Google Maps makes it easier with GPS and other features. Read reviews of hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
Use Street View to get an idea of the local area before booking a hotel or apartment. Research the best way to get from the airport to your accommodation or guided walking directions to a local coffee shop or co-working space.
Google Maps doesn’t function well in some countries, especially since getting directions to walk in countries like South Korea is impossible. In Japan, while Google Maps generally functions well, verbal driving directions in English can be challenging to understand due to the pronunciation of Japanese place names.
Airolo
This is the perfect app for purchasing eSIM cards. It will save you the hassle of finding somewhere to buy them in a country where English is not widely spoken. Purchase an eSIM and install it before you enter the country, and when you arrive, you will instantly have internet access.
Devyce
One of the small but constant headaches of being a digital nomad is dealing with phone numbers. I can’t count how many times I’ve needed to receive a code from my bank that only accepts a UK number, and I’m halfway across the world with a local SIM that doesn’t help. That’s where Devyce has been surprisingly helpful.
It gives me a UK mobile number that works over WiFi or data, no matter where I am. I don’t have to carry two phones, swap SIM cards, or worry about missing calls. I use it mostly for banking.
Authenticator
One thing I’ve learned while traveling and working remotely is that passwords alone aren’t enough, especially when I am constantly logging into accounts in public spaces like coffee shops.
That’s where two-factor authentication (2FA) becomes essential, and using an authenticator app makes the process much easier.
The app generates a code on my phone that updates every 30 seconds. This additional level of security ensures that my personal data is always kept secure on accounts with two-factor authentication.
Dropbox
Fast forward to the expensive camera left on a station platform in Chiang Mai, and that’s when I really started thinking about backing up my files, photos, and videos. Now, it’s part of my routine.
I save everything necessary to Dropbox, including client work, travel documents, scanned receipts, and backups.
It syncs across all my devices, so it’s all there if I’m working on something in a café on my laptop and want to pick it up later on my phone back at the Airbnb.
Wise
One of the things I didn’t think much about before becoming a digital nomad was how frustrating (and expensive) it can be to manage money across different countries.
My salary is sent to my Wise account, and from there, I transfer it to my savings, investment, tax, and personal bank accounts.
To ensure that my main debit cards aren’t compromised, I use my Wise account to pay for taxis, food delivery, and online purchases using digital debit cards.
These virtual cards can be created temporarily and are linked to your main Wise account. They add an extra layer of protection—especially helpful when traveling, where you can’t always trust that your payment details will be handled securely.
Must-Have Tech Gear for Digital Nomads
For many, this is too much gear. Still, all the items in my backpack and iPhone apps are essential to living safely and securely, working remotely, and staying happy while spending time on my passions, filmmaking and photography. What would you add to this list? Let me know by joining the conversation on Threads.