My Everyday Travel Electronics

Traveling with your camera gear is already a delicate balance of weight, function, and necessity. Add travel electronics to the mix, and it can become overwhelming to decide what’s worth the space in your bag. But when chosen wisely, the right electronics can make your photography workflow smoother, keep your gear safe, and elevate your overall experience.

From keeping your equipment powered to backing up those precious shots on the go, here’s the top 10 essential travel electronics I use on a daily basis on every travel adventure.

1. Tech Accessories Pouch 

An essential organizer for travel photographers, designed to keep small items like cables, memory card readers, and batteries neatly stored and easy to find.

• What to Look For: Look for a pouch with customizable compartments, durable and water-resistant materials, and a compact design for easy portability.

• Recommendation: I’ve been using PGYTECH tech accessories pouch for 2 years, and absolutely love it. With its customizable dividers and thoughtfully designed compartments, it's perfect for photographers and travelers to keep their gear organized and protected.

2-4. Memory Card Readers for CFexpress type A & B

For photographers using CFexpress Type A and Type B cards, having a high-quality card reader is essential for efficient data management.

• What to Look For: prioritize models that offer fast data transfer speeds, USB-C connectivity, and durable build quality to ensure it can handle the demands of frequent use. A fast card reader will significantly reduce the time spent transferring large RAW files and videos, which is especially important for professional workflows where efficiency matters.

• Recommendation: For CFexpress Type B cards, I have used both Unitek CFexpress Type B card reader, and ProGrade CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II Dual-Slot card reader. Both are hassle free and have worked great. For CFexpress Type A cards, the Sony MRW-G2 is a standout option. I’ve been using it to transfer photo and video files from my Sony A7IV for the past 2.5 years. It’s fast, durable and reliable.

5. SSD for Photo Storage

Storing your photos and videos while traveling is absolutely essential. If you take hundreds of photos every day like me, you are likely going to store and edit your photos off your laptop. A reliable and fast SSD with large data storage (larger than your laptop) is essential.

I’m a long term fan for Sandisk SSDs. They are lightweight, durable, and fast, making them perfect for travel.

• What to Look For: Opt for a shock-resistant SSD with at least 500GB of storage. My Sandisk SSDs typically are between 2-4TB

• Recommendation: Although I’m a long term Sandisk SSD fan, the Samsung T7 Portable SSD is compact and greatly raved by photographers. I haven’t used the latter but wouldn’t mind trying.

6. Portable Power Bank

It’s every travel photographer’s nightmare: being out in a stunning location, only to find your camera battery dead and no power outlet in sight. That’s why a high-capacity power bank is crucial.

• What to Look For: Aim for at least 20,000 mAh capacity and make sure it has multiple USB outputs for charging your phone, camera, or even a laptop.

• Recommendation: Anker Prime Power Bank, 27,650mAh 3-Port 250W Portable Charger. I use it to charge my laptop, multiple ipads and smartphones during our family travel.

7. Multi-Port Wall Charger

Traveling means you’ll likely have several devices—camera, phone, drone, etc.—that need charging. Instead of dealing with multiple adapters and outlets, opt for a multi-port USB charger.

• What to Look For: Find a charger with at least 4 ports, USB-C support, and fast charging capabilities.

• Recommendation: Anker has multiple USB-C wall chargers. I bought the one mentioned in my video above over 2 years ago. It’s 65W, powerful enough to charge my Macbook Pro, but if you are looking for something newer and more powerful, there are a number options of USB-C wall chargers up to 140W, 150W these days. They are reliable, compact, and capable of charging multiple devices at once, which is a game-changer in hotel rooms with limited power outlets.

8. Wireless Portable Charger

We’ve all been there—your phone’s about to die, and there’s no outlet in sight. That’s where this little powerhouse comes in. 

• What to Look For: small size and weight for portability. Also look for wattage and extra features such as stand, and wireless charging feature.

• Recommendation: I never leave for a trip without my Anker Foldable Wireless Phone Charger.  Another great feature is it has a stand, and can support my phone on the desk horizontally and vertically, making it convenient in hands-free position. The one I mentioned in the video is an older version and can charge my iphone from zero to full roughly 1.5 times. If you are looking for something more powerful, Anker always has a good lineup of new products.

9. RGB video Light

An RGB video light is an essential tool for travelers and photographers, as it provides versatile lighting options for both photos and videos, especially in low-light situations.

• What to Look For: Look for a light that is compact, battery-powered, and offers adjustable brightness and color temperature to suit different shooting environments. If you have video needs, look for cold shoe features. Some light also have magnet feature, which could be useful for you to mount it on metal surface.

• Recommendation: The Aputure MC RGBWW is a highly recommended option, offering a wide range of colors, excellent portability, and app control for creative lighting on the go. But there are many budget options that could perform equally well. The one I mentioned in the video is NEEWER Magnetic RGB Video Light, and it’s great.

10. Universal Travel Adapter

Not every country has the same power outlets, which makes a universal travel adapter an essential item in your bag.

• What to Look For: A versatile adapter with multiple USB ports and surge protection is ideal.

• Recommendation: The Epicka Universal Travel Adapter is a solid choice with compatibility in over 150 countries and multiple USB ports for charging several devices simultaneously. I bought multiple versions of it over the years. Since I need more USB-C ports these days, I upgraded to a 65W LENCENT Universal Travel Adapter, which could directly charge my laptop in its USB-C ports.

11. fast charging and data Cables

Almost everything above has something to do with cables. For photographers, having fast charging and data cables is crucial, as they can make a significant difference in both charging efficiency and data transfer speed.

Quick charging can be a lifesaver, ensuring that your devices are ready when you need them without long wait times. Additionally, high-quality data cables are essential for transferring large RAW files and videos from cameras to SSDs, enabling a smoother and faster workflow between SSDs and laptops.

• What to Look For: For charging alone, get the 240W charging cables. They are light-fast and life savers when you need fast charging your laptops and tablets with USB-C ports. For high speed data transfer or video editing, use USB-4 cables. Make sure to get the right length for your needs.

• Recommendation: I’ve used Anker 240W charging cables, and CableMatters USB4 cables. The latter was too stiff, and that’s why I tried out Aohi Future Cable System (see video).

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