On the go

Work on the go: tech and bags we'd pack

Power banks, chargers, drives and laptop bags for commuting, business trips and working remotely in Europe. Each one with an honest "watch out". Buy only what fixes a real problem for you.

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Power and charging

Power bank€€€20 to €60

20,000 mAh USB-C power bank

Charges your phone four times or gives a laptop an extra few hours.

Good forLong train rides, airports and working from cafés without a free socket.
Watch outAlways in your hand luggage, never in the hold. Airlines allow up to 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh) without asking.

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Charger€€€20 to €60

65W GaN charger with 3 ports

One small plug that charges laptop, phone and earbuds at the same time.

Good forPacking one charger instead of three.
Watch outCheck your laptop charges over USB-C and how many watts it needs (often 45-65W).

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Travel adapter€€€20 to €60

Universal travel adapter with USB

Works with sockets in the UK, US, Asia and Europe, with USB ports built in.

Good forTrips outside the EU plug zone, like the UK, Ireland, Malta or Cyprus.
Watch outAn adapter does not convert voltage. Fine for laptops and phones, not for hair dryers.

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Storage and backups

Portable SSD€€€over €60

Portable SSD 1 TB (Samsung T7 or similar)

A pocket-size drive that copies files ten times faster than an old USB stick.

Good forBacking up your laptop before a trip, or carrying big video and photo files.
Watch outTurn on the password option. A lost drive with your tax papers on it is an identity-theft risk.

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Backup drive€€€over €60

External backup drive 2 TB

A cheap drive that stays at home for automatic backups (Time Machine or Windows Backup).

Good forKeeping a copy of payslips, contracts and photos that doesn't depend on the cloud.
Watch outFollow 3-2-1: three copies, two kinds of storage, one somewhere else, such as the cloud.

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Secure USB€€€20 to €60

Encrypted USB stick

A stick with a PIN or hardware encryption, so nobody can read it if you lose it.

Good forPassport scans, your will and key documents to take on a trip.
Watch outPricier than a normal stick. Write the PIN down somewhere safe: forget it and the data is gone.

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Bags for work and travel

Laptop backpack€€€over €60

Anti-theft laptop backpack

A backpack with a padded laptop pocket and zips that sit against your back.

Good forCommuting by bike or public transport and city trips.
Watch outCheck the laptop pocket size against your laptop (14, 15.6 or 16 inch). Under-seat size saves airline fees.

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Laptop bag€€€20 to €60

Business laptop bag

A smart shoulder bag or briefcase for client meetings and the office.

Good forJobs where a backpack looks too casual.
Watch outHeavy on one shoulder. If you carry it more than 30 minutes a day, a backpack is kinder to your back.

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Laptop sleeve€€€20 to €60

Padded laptop sleeve

A thin padded cover that protects your laptop inside any bag.

Good forTurning the bag you already own into a laptop bag. The cheapest option here.
Watch outProtects against scratches and bumps, not against a hard drop.

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Safe and organised on the road

Organiser€under €20

Cable and tech organiser pouch

A pouch with loops and pockets for chargers, cables, adapters and the SSD.

Good forFinding your charger in five seconds instead of emptying the whole bag.
Watch outPick one that fits flat in your bag's front pocket.

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Privacy filter€€€20 to €60

Laptop privacy screen filter

A filter that makes your screen look black to anyone sitting next to you.

Good forDoing banking, invoices or payroll on the train or in a café.
Watch outMeasure your screen diagonally and check the aspect ratio (16:9 or 16:10) before buying.

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Tracker€€€20 to €60

Bluetooth tracker for bags

A small tag that shows where your bag or laptop case is on your phone.

Good forChecked luggage and bags you might leave on a train.
Watch outAirTags work best with iPhone. For Android, pick a tracker made for Google's Find My Device network.

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More physical tools for your money: see the money desk, the apps we use and our book list.