I’m working on a full packing list post. Since it’s slow going typing up everything I bring I’m posting it in parts. When I’m done the full post, I’ll link to these parts so it’s shorter!
I bring just a few essential electronics on each trip. It works well for me because I don’t record YouTube videos, travel for long periods, or use electric versions of toiletries (like shavers that need micro-USB chargers). I try to use multi-use items as much as possible and bring as little as possible each trip.
Cell Phone
I currently use the iPhone 11 and I’m planning on upgrading to the iPhone 15 within the next year. Because I’m just a part-time traveller and I don’t record YouTube videos, my phone is a good enough camera for my needs, so I don’t bring (or own) a separate camera.
Anker Backup Battery
I just invested in a new Anker 10,000 mAh backup battery that uses USB-C to charge. I replaced my old battery bank for a couple of reasons – Older ones use micro-USB to charge, but micro-USB to USB-C isn’t standard; plus mine was a little older and didn’t charge my phone over 2 times anymore. I chose a 10,000mAh battery bank because airplanes have an approximately 25,000mAh limit for all batteries per person (including phone and laptop) and I wanted to make sure I was well below that but could still charge my phone at least two times before charging my backup battery again.
Laptop or iPad (or sometimes both)
Being realistic it’s my laptop I always bring. It’s been about 9 years since I’ve travelled without having to work at least once (sometimes every day) during my trip. So I bring my laptop to work, edit photos, watch TV, display yoga videos, and even occasionally read.
Apple 35W dual USB-C wall adapter with replaceable plugs
I chose this Apple 35W dual USB-C wall adapter because it’s pretty universal for all my electronics. Because it works for any device up to 35W (including my laptop) not just Apple products, with the right cables I can bring only one wall charger for all my devices. I already had the Apple worldwide adapter kit, so I had the replaceable plugs for most regions. It doesn’t have to be the same Apple adapter as me, but I highly recommend trying to get one universal adapter that can work for all your products. I bring a North American replaceable plug and a plug for everywhere I’m travelling including transiting airports.
Cables
USB-C to lightning cable
I use a USB-C to lightning cable to charge my devices that still use lightning like my headphones and phone from my wall adapter. I picked up this Mophie one because it’s strong and braided, and the better the cable you buy for travel the fewer problems you will have with the cable bending or coming apart.
USB-A to lightning cable
This USB-A to lightning cable works to charge my phone or headphones off of my backup battery or on the plane, in the airport, or in cafes. I bring this second cable because USB-A is so universally available in cafes and because it works with my backup battery so I can still bring one cable out while charging items back in the room. It’s braided like my other cables so it’s stronger and more durable for travel.
USB-C cable (USB-C on both ends)
I use this to charge my laptop or iPad if I bring them. Once I invest in an iPhone 15, I’ll use it to charge that too. I can also use it to charge my backup battery if the built-in cable stops working.
Apple Watch and charger
A few years ago I got an Apple Watch SE for Christmas. I’d had a Fitbit but I loved the Apple Watch. The text notifications and better fitness tracking suit me perfectly. I have the standard watch charger at home, but I picked up a really cool dual-ended compact charger for travel. It’s got a USB-C port on one side and USB-A on the other. It plugs in to my backup battery or wall charger and takes little to no space in my bag! Plus it doesn’t have a long cable to get tangled or be in the way.
Headphones
Headphones are probably one of the things I “overpack”! I just find I use them so often while travelling and I don’t have a pair that works universally because I like to use my bluetooth ones most of the time but still watch movies on the plane which uses a corded pair.
Apple AirPods
I bring standard Apple AirPods on my trips to listen to music, watch TV on my laptop in the room, exercise in safe areas, watch yoga videos, or chill out. I also have a pair of Apple AirPod Pros but I find they fall out of my ears and aren’t as comfy as the regular AirPods so I sacrifice their noise cancelling for comfort and bring the regular ones instead.
Sony noise-cancelling over-ear headphones and USB-A to micro-USB cable
I don’t always bring these Sony noise-cancelling over-ear headphones – I tend to bring them if I’m city hopping and taking a bus or train often, or travelling solo. They are the best noise-cancelling headphones I’ve tried and they are great for blocking out sound on travel days. I never wear them while exercising or walking around places as the noise cancelling on them is amazing and it’s actually unsafe to not hear your environment when walking.
I only bring the USB-A to micro-USB charging cable if I bring these headphones as it’s the only thing I travel with that uses them. Since I don’t bring a USB-A charger, I charge them on my backup battery if they need topped up.
Corded cheap noise-cancelling headphones
I bring a pair of inexpensive, but basic noise-cancelling headphones just to plug into plane entertainment systems. They don’t work with newer iPhones because iPhones use lightning-connector headphones, but a cheap pair of 1/8” audio jack headphones is perfect to toss in your bag for the plane. They also work in those audio guide receivers if you take any tours. I currently have the $10 version Air Canada sells, but any basic headphones off amazon will work.
I carry my tech gear throughout my carry-ons. For example, I pack my USB-a cable and corded headphones in my “plane bag” (the bag that I corral all my airplane essentials in), I carry my phone, and keep my laptop and backup battery in my personal item carry-on where my other cables and headphones are usually in my larger carry-on. So I don’t use a tech pouch or single tech bag. I might keep a few items in a baggie or toiletry bag that can squish down flat when empty, but for the most part my tech is where it fits and not in a specific tech pouch.