Data is omnipresent. It’s stored on different devices — traditionally on a desktop PC, but now perhaps even more importantly on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. Even though data and system backups are often automated via the cloud, especially on mobile devices, you often feel more comfortable if you still have a tangible medium in your hand on which to store your digital treasures. What’s more, sometimes you just want to move data from A to B quickly and easily. Or simply be available offline. Or move it directly to a storage medium to free up internal hard drive space. Further reading: The best external drives There is portable storage for all purposes. But there is no one solution for all applications. This guide summarizes the most important advantages and disadvantages of external SSDs, HDDs, and USB sticks to make it easier for you to decide on the best portable drive. External SATA SSD: All-round storage for everyday use Internal SSDs with a SATA connection are now outdated and less common. However, they remain justifiably popular as external drives. The reason: With a bandwidth of 6 Gbit/s, SATA delivers a theoretical transfer speed of up to 560 MB/s read and 530 MB/s write. These values exceed the transfer rates of the widely used external interface USB 3.2 Gen1 (formerly USB 3.0), which is up to 500 MB/s, at least in theory. This makes external drives in 2.5-inch format still a competitive storage solution for everyday PC use. A SATA SSD that is no longer required can easily be reused as an external drive in an external housing. Installation is uncomplicated. In addition to USB-A, Type-C is also gaining ground as a PC connection. IDG Advantages: In principle, the SATA drives in the external housings also have the advantages of all flash storage devices. They can read and write very quickly, especially with many small files. And this pays off in everyday use. Low latency and short access times to small blocks of data randomly distributed on the drive are what count here. That’s why extensive programs can be started quickly from an external 2.5-inch hard drive or large photo collections can be opened without delay. In addition to the speed, external SATA drives also benefit from the silent operation of the flash memory — as is generally the case with flash, only stationary parts are used. In contrast to HDDs, SSDs are insensitive to shocks. Depending on the housing design, external SSDs can even withstand drops from a height of several feet without damage. And there is another advantage of SATA SSDs that is worth mentioning: If you have removed the drive from the computer for a capacity upgrade, you can continue to use it as an external SSD without any problems. All you need is an external housing in which to install the used drive. Inexpensive models in 2.5-inch format are available from around $10 — for example from Delock, Ugreen or Verbatim. Further reading: Best external SSDs for gaming At this price, the enclosures usually come with a USB 3.0 interface. If the enclosure is to be equipped with a USB Type-C port, prices start at around $20 — which is also not too high a hurdle. Disadvantages: The SATA connection is on the decline for SSDs. At the same time, the interface is no longer being developed further. Higher transfer speeds are therefore not to be expected with SATA. As a result, the choice of models is decreasing. An external SSD in 2.5-inch size, such as the Lexar SL200 model, costs around $90 with a capacity of 512GB and is therefore a manageable investment. At higher capacities you will not usually find details of the flash type used. For this capacity, assume QLC (Quadruple Level Cell) flash modules, which store four bits per cell. They are intended for high capacities when maximum write speed is not important. An example of an external 8TB SSD can be found in the Samsung Portable SSD T5 Evo. At $525, it’s not exactly a bargain. The price is put into perspective, because at around 7 cents per GB, it achieves a very fair result. At 8TB, the Samsung Portable SSD T5 offers the maximum capacity of mobile SSDs with internal SATA technology. It comes into question when a lot of storage space is the top priority.IDG Most mobile 2.5-inch SSDs have a capacity of 1 or 2TB. TLC (Triple Level Cell) flash memory can also be used here. It stores three bits per cell. These mobile storage devices are priced at around $70 for 1TB and $130 for 2TB. This results in prices per GB of between 6.5 and 7 cents. External NVMe SSD: Lots of mobility and high speed Ultra-mobile SSDs now make up the majority of external SSDs. The housings contain an NVMe drive that was originally intended for the M.2 slot. These SSDs have a card shape — mostly 22 millimeters wide and 80 millimeters long. This is why you will also find them labelled 2280 if you are looking for an internal drive. Further reading: Is USB or Thunderbolt better for portable SSDs? The key differences, explained Advantages: Thanks to their compactness, many external NVMe SSDs are only slightly larger than a USB stick. This means they are very light and can fit into any bag. This is ideal if you need an external SSD for travelling. External NVMe SSDs use USB-C as a connector throughout. It is twist-proof and therefore cannot be plugged into the port the wrong way round. The majority of models use USB 3.2 Gen2 as the standard with a transfer speed of 10Gbit per second. Sequentially, data rates of around 1,000MB/s can be achieved for both reading and writing. This makes them approximately twice as fast as external SATA SSDs. pcworld`s favorite 10GBps external SSD Crucial X9 Pro Read our review Best Prices Today: $89.63 at Amazon The increase in speed is noticeable with every copying process. Regardless of whether you are writing and reading many small or very large files, the work is done quickly. This is why external NVMe SSDs are recommended both for quick file copies in between and for extensive weekly backups. As a rule, you can use external NVMe SSDs across all devices. This is because most of them are formatted in the exFAT file system. It can be used with Windows and Mac OS as well as with the Android and iOS mobile phone operating systems. Some external NVMe SSDs are even explicitly designed for use with mobile devices. They are designed to relieve the internal memory or make extensive media content available at any time. For example, you can take high-resolution photos and videos with your mobile phone camera and store them directly on the external data storage device. In this way, they can also be easily transferred to PCs and laptops. One example is the Lexar ES4 Portable SSD model, where the external SSD can be attached to the back of the smartphone using a magnet. This means it doesn’t get in the way during use. As with the external SSDs with SATA technology, the maximum possible capacity is 8TB. You no longer have to pay a high surcharge for the smaller and faster mobile drive. An 8TB model such as the Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD costs around $600. As with the 2.5-inch variants, the price per GB is 7 cents. External NVMe SSDs are available with different capacities. They usually start at 500GB, for which an average of $80 is currently due. This results in a comparatively high 16 cents per GB. Most models are available with 1 and 2TB capacity. In the cheapest case, you pay around $70 (1TB) or $110 (2TB) or between 7 and 6 cents. The latter applies to the 2TB version, which is the best value for money. NVMe SSDs with cutting-edge USB interfaces such as the Adata SE920 with USB4 must ensure good heat dissipation if data transfers are not to be throttled due to the heat. This comes at the expense of compactness.IDG You usually have to pay a little more for extras such as rubber coating, drop protection, or protection against moisture. Additional programs such as those for assigning a password or for SSD maintenance, on the other hand, are usually included free of charge. They are either included directly on the drive or can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. Disadvantages: NVMe SSDs are often so small that they can easily get lost. Small cut-outs on the housings are designed to prevent this, as they can be attached to something else — such as a bag. As only Type-C is provided as a connection, you need an adapter or adapter cable to connect to USB-A interfaces. The accessories are usually, but not always, included in the box. The speed advantage is lost when connected to older USB interfaces. Data transfer drops to the level of the connected type A interface. With USB 3.0 (USB 3.2 Gen1) to around 500MB/s, with USB 2.0 even to a maximum of only 50MB/s. Some external NVMe SSDs, such as the Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD, are available in many different capacities. Additional data protection is provided by rubber coating and insulation against moisture. IDG Speaking of USB: External NVMe SSDs are available in many USB standards. These now include USB 3.2 Gen2x2 with 20Gbit/s, USB4 with 40Gbit/s, USB4.2 with 80Gbit/s, and Thunderbolt as TB 3 and TB 4 with 40Gbit/s and TB 5 with 80Gbit/s. The variety often leads to confusion, as you need to know about the standardizations to avoid making the wrong purchase. The faster the data transfer, the more heat is generated. This is why the fast NVMe SSDs can get very hot. In the worst case, this harbors the risk of data loss. Enclosures with ventilation slots and even built-in mini fans are designed to counteract this. However, they come at the expense of compactness and are reflected in higher prices. A cutting-edge USB4 model — for example from the Adata SE920 series — costs a good 10 cents per GB for the 1TB version. PCWorld`s favorite usb4 external ssd Adata SE920 USB4 SSD Read our review Best Prices Today: $159.99 at Amazon USB stick: Perfect for short-term storage activities The most mobile form of external storage is the USB stick. It can even be the size of a thumbnail and still offer space for lots of data. USB sticks differ in terms of capacity and interfaces. Basically, it must be clear: The flash components used in USB sticks are not of the highest quality. Advantages: USB sticks are at the top in terms of mobility. They are designed from the outset to transport data stored on them from one computer to another. The emphasis is on transport, not on long-term storage of data. There are model variants of USB sticks that have two different USB interfaces — in addition to USB-A, there is also the twist-proof type C connector. With dual sticks, you save on extra adapter solutions.IDG With sticks, you can find models that are equipped with both USB A and C interfaces. This saves you adapter solutions if you often need to exchange data between older and newer computers. You can find these USB sticks under terms such as “dual drive” or “dual stick,” such as the Verbatim Dual Quick Stick models, which are available in capacities from 128GB to 1TB. Disadvantages: The cheaper the USB flash drives on offer, the more skepticism is required. Even with a stick with a type C connection, the data transfer speed can drop to an outdated USB 2.0 level. In many cases, there is no precise information on the packaging. If you need a fast stick, look out for information such as USB 3.2 Gen2 or data transfer speeds of up to 1,000MB/s. Cheap sticks from brand manufacturers cost around 7 cents per GB. If an offer is significantly lower, caution is advised. It may be a counterfeit. In this case, the specified capacity is usually incorrect. In addition, the quality of the flash modules or the controller chip may be poor. It’s likely the modules will soon fail and the stick will quickly become unusable. The size of a USB stick can have an impact on data security. Very small USB sticks usually have poorer heat dissipation than larger versions. In addition, mini housings are often less robust. They are less resistant to frequent plugging and unplugging than larger sticks. External HDDs: Still used for backups and archiving Even though the competition from SSDs is putting pressure on HDDs, magnetic hard drives remain useful as mass storage devices in external enclosures and NAS systems. Both 2.5 and 3.5 inch HDD designs can be installed inside. SATA III is always used as the internal connection. External HDDs in 3.5-inch format are capacity wonders with 24TB to even 26TB. At the same time, the price per GB is unbeatably favorable. However, these storage devices are not designed to be taken away, but for stationary use.IDG Advantages: External HDDs are capacity monsters. Currently, the maximum storage capacity of mobile 3.5-inch HDDs is 28TB. Such storage monsters are primarily intended for professional use — such as Seagate Expansion Desktop drives. At a price of less than $400, you can see what incredible value a high-capacity external HDD be can be. In most cases, this will be sufficient for home use. Prices per GB of around 2 cents are not unusual here — for example, the Seagate Expansion 8TB desktop hard drive for $150. An external drive with a 2.5-inch magnetic hard drive usually has a maximum capacity of 5TB. You can get a 4TB drive for less than $110 — for example from Toshiba’s Canvio Basic series. This results in extremely favorable prices of around 3 cents per GB. Further reading: How to turn any SSD into a DIY external drive Both external HDD variants are perfect if you want to create regular backups where reliability is more important than the fastest mode of operation. pcworld`s favorite external hdd for backup Seagate Expansion Desktop Read our review Best Prices Today: $119.99 at Seagate | $149.99 at Amazon NAS HDDs are a special form here: They are designed for continuous operation in network storage. Thanks to customized firmware, they tolerate many simultaneous accesses from several client PCs better than desktop hard drives. They also react less sensitively to vibrations — this is important because they are often used in a raid network with several hard drives. NAS are special forms of external storage. They make data available to several clients in the network. As they need to be constantly accessible, they require HDDs that are designed for continuous operation. IDG Disadvantages: Due to their design with disks and mechanical components such as read/write heads, HDDs generally tolerate shocks and drops much worse than SSDs. As external drives, they are also relatively heavy. This is why only the 2.5-inch variants are actually suitable for carrying around. An external HDD in 3.5-inch format also requires an external power supply unit to ensure that the power supply works — this alone speaks against mobile use. Not every NAS hard drive can be used in network storage. Before you decide on a specific model, you need to check the compatibility lists of the respective NAS device manufacturer. To do this, search the website for your exact NAS product designation and also check the desired capacity. Even in this respect, not all NAS hard drives pass the compatibility tests. Read...

Aon`s Client Trends 2025 report reveals four megatrends—Trade, Technology, Weather, and Workforce—shaping business risks and opportunities globally. Read...

The Privacy Commissioner says facial recognition technology in supermarkets has potential safety benefits, despite raising significant privacy concerns. Read...

`When [Epi islanders] saw an eruption rising from the ocean off their coast... that was a shock to the people, and so when we arrived, they immediately wanted to know more about it.` Read...

From spring to fall, every weekend — and even more frequently if it rains — a couple of hours go into maintaining the lawn. But what if it didn’t? What if you had all those hours back to yourself without worrying that your yard would turn into a jungle? This is the problem Segway’s Navimow i series robot lawnmowers aim to solve. Available at a discounted price of $849* (regular price $999), the Navimow i105N can mow up to 1/8 of an acre without needing your input for anything. For larger lawns there is also the currently discounted $1,099* (usual price $1,299) Navimow i110N, which can mow up to 1/4 of an acre on a single charge. These robotic mowers could be the best investment you can make into a summer free of yard chores—and potentially also the best Father’s Day gifts. Either Segway Navimow i Series model will be the ultimate upgrade for your smart home. Not only will you have more time to spend with your family, but these devices fit right in with the other smart home gadgets you alreay have. If a robot vacuum cleaner is already handling floor care inside your home, why not let a Navimow handle your yard? View deal on Segway Navimow i Series 24/7 Automation over Manual Mowing The Segway Navimow i Series uses a proprietary navigation technology called EFLS 2.0, which combines Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) with vision for accurate navigation. This makes it super-easy to set up and uses AI to help map out the yard, and ensures the machine operates accurately within the boundaries of your yard without going beyond your lawn. The built-in camera and AI-trained algorithm also helps these robot lawnmowers avoid obstacles along the way, with some 150 objects already logged, from pets and furniture to your kids’ forgotten footballs. An animal-friendly mode lets the Navimow detect cats, dogs, even hedgehogs, within a five-meter range, recalculating the mowing path to ensure they are given a wide berth. Segway And don’t worry, this isn’t a robot lawn mower that can only handle picture-perfect yards: its large wheels are ideal for navigating all sorts of terrains, including rocky areas, and can even climb lawn slopes with up to a 30% incline. A Cool Robot Turns Yard Work into a Fun Experience The Segway Navimow comes with a smartphone app that you have to install on your phone. Once paired, you can run mowing jobs from the comfort of your couch, and get real-time updates on how the process is going. Even better, the robot works with Alexa and Google Assistant so you can issue voice commands too. One really cute thing you can do with the app is to Doodle. Yep, you read that right. You can select an area, choose what message you want to write, for instance, and it will get it done. Maybe you want to write “Happy Father’s Day!” or draw a bunny—it’s all up to you. These Segway robots return to their base if it starts to rain or snow, or in very high temperatures, but IP66 protection means you needn’t be overly concerned by the elements. In case it gets stolen, it comes with built-in GPS tracking and an anti-theft alarm. You can even set up a PIN so noone but you can use it. A robot lawnmower could save you dozens of hours and a ton of cash you might otherwise spend on landscaping services. So, pick the right Segway Navimow i-series robot lawn mower for your home and relax. Get Dad the perfect gift with up to 15% of Segway Navimow i Series View Deal *Discounted price offer available June 2-8 2025. Read...

Most smart TVs and streaming players use a specific tracking feature to snoop on your streaming activities. But Apple’s streaming box doesn’t—or at least, not yet.  Taking an in-depth look at how the Apple TV deals with privacy, Ars Technica reveals that a technology called automatic content recognition, or ACR, isn’t part of the device’s software stack.  A popular feature amongst smart TV and streaming device manufacturers, ACR is a feature that acts like a “detective taking fingerprints,” literally tracking every pixel displayed on the screen and matching them to a massive database of TV programs, all in the effort to find out what you’re watching.  In some cases, ACR is employed in a way that benefits cord-cutters. For example, some Roku TVs will use ACR to find streaming episodes of a show you’re watching via an over-the-air antenna or a cable tuner.   That’s certainly helpful, but here’s the real reason streaming manufacturers love ACR: more cash in their pockets. Advertisers and other third parties will pay handsomely for the viewing data gathered by ACR software, which is often how Amazon, Roku, and other players in the streaming market manage to sell their TVs and streaming players for such low prices.  If the idea behind ACR sounds creepy, it is, and it’s practically everywhere—except in Apple TV streaming boxes, that is.  In its report, Ars Technica notes that Apple doesn’t put ACR in its Apple TV and Apple TV 4K devices, a major plus for privacy-minded cord-cutters.   Ars also praises Apple for being up-front about its Apple TV privacy policies, as well as for giving you the opportunity at setup to choose whether you want your location tracked or if you’ll allow analytics data to be sent back to Apple.  Now, that’s not to say Apple gets perfect marks for the Apple TV’s privacy policies. If you sign into your Apple TV using your Apple account, for example, you’ll be sacrificing some privacy, including “data about your activity on and use of” Apple products, Ars Technica notes. While it’s technically possible to use an Apple TV without signing in to your main Apple account, most of us go ahead and do so for convenience’s sake.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best media streaming devices. And while Apple hasn’t yet deployed ACR on its Apple TV boxes, it certainly could in the future, particularly if it chooses to get into the ad-supported streaming business.  But for now, at least, the Apple TV is still missing ACR. Thank goodness. Read...

When the Nintendo Switch 2 releases on June 5th, it will be an opportunity for many gamers to enjoy an upgraded Switch experience with new hardware and new titles. Plenty of them, in fact, with the Switch 2’s built-in storage of 256GB. But it’ll run out sooner or later. And when the Switch 2 fills up, you’re going to want a microSD card (or several) to hold all your additional, especially with modern games being as large as they are. However, you need to be careful. Your microSD card from your Switch won’t work, nor will those random microSD cards you have collecting dust in the back of your drawer. The Nintendo Switch 2 requires new microSD Express cards, which are needed for their faster and improved technology. Here’s what Nintendo has to say about it: “Nintendo Switch 2 uses a new standard of expandable memory card called microSD Express (sold separately). This kind of memory card is needed for faster access speeds and to ensure games will run smoothly. Please note: Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards. If the microSD cards you have used for Nintendo Switch do not support microSD Express standards, you cannot use them with Nintendo Switch 2.” It’s therefore important that you make sure that you buy a microSD Express card. Otherwise, it won’t work with your Nintendo Switch 2. You can identify such cards by the “EX” label on them. microSD Express cards have a read speed of up to 800 MB/s and are ideal for transferring large amounts of data quickly. For a console such as the Switch 2, it’s also recommended that the card has at least 256GB of memory to provide enough space for games. Need some recommendations? microSD Express cards are still pretty uncommon, but you have some options. For a Nintendo Switch 2, we’d recommend getting either the SanDisk 256GB microSD Express card on Amazon or Samsung 256GB microSD Express card via Nintendo. Read...

I’ve worked with many, many Thunderbolt docking stations and USB-C hubs over the past few years, and only one innovation has really felt transformative: the integration of an SSD directly into the dock itself. Sonnet’s latest Thunderbolt 5 docking station includes an option to store from between 1 to 4 terabytes of data via an integrated PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD inside the dock itself. Before I reviewed it, I dismissed the SSD entirely; I was more interested in Thunderbolt 5’s capabilities, namely the additional throughput and charging capabilities. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The integrated SSD is like the DVR of docking stations: you either live in a world where you can pause live TV, or one where you can’t. And it makes all the difference. I know what you’re thinking. Me, I have a few SSDs around my office, and it’s likely you own one or two as well. You might have a hard drive, or a USB key or two. What makes an integrated SSD inside a docking station any better? How to Make Your Laptop SIng Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock Read our review To begin with, stunningly great performance. When testing out the integrated PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD inside Sonnet’s dock, it compared extremely favorably to our external gaming SSDs, and a bit slower than an internal SSD. Gamers can set up the integrated SSD as a Steam library to store and run games, but you’ll see benefits during the workday, as well: that speed can shave entire minutes off moving or copying large video files. Just make sure you pair the dock to a Thunderbolt 5 laptop to enjoy the best performance. Organization matters, too. Most of my life spent at my desk is testing, writing, inserting and removing hardware. My desk is a stone-cold mess, with cables snaking everywhere in and around monitor cords. I wrote about how I bit the bullet and future-proofed my desktop with $27 worth of Ethernet cables, but the truth is I’d rather some company develop some massively high-speed, low-latency wireless protocol so I could clean up my desk once and for all. Adding an external cabled SSD simply adds another cable and device to the clutter. Hiding that SSD inside the dock adds a measure of calm to my workspace. It’s a cleaner, neater look. Mark Hachman / Foundry I do have a bit of a unique case in that I often swap out notebooks, so my ability to quickly transfer files between devices — like Thunderbolt Share or the Logitech Flow software — matters. A multi-terabyte SSD is one heck of a “sneakernet” technology in case I start working on another laptop. To be fair, all this would be a more compelling argument a year ago. Sonnet has jumped their prices, presumably due to tariffs; the Sonnet dock with a 1TB integrated SSD costs $439, about $40 more than when I reviewed it, and a 2TB option is $550. That’s a ton of money to spend for a dock, especially when even inexpensive Thunderbolt 3 docks are still (barely) viable because of the lack of Thunderbolt 5 hardware. It’s an easier pill to swallow if you think that you’re simply buying a dock and a high-speed SSD, bundled together. Not every docking station needs to include integrated storage, especially for those seeking to save a few bucks. For a premium device, though, an integrated SSD sells itself. It deserves to be a premium feature on tomorrow’s top-of-the-line docking stations. Read...

The phase meant the chance of disruptions to technology on Earth resulting from massive fiery eruptions on the solar surface were also at their highest. Read...

Summer vacation seems just around the corner and you have to decide what to pack for the trip. While you may want to limit your tech time, you’ll still need a few things, whether you’re heading on hiking trip or a family vacation by the beach. Here at PCWorld we’re continually testing the latest gadgets to sort the good from the bad. This means we’ve had the opportunity to find the best tech gear and accessories built for travel. From voltage converters to noise-canceling headphones, we’ve curated a list of the very best tech gear to optimize your next travel experience. The items below are worthy of any packing list and will help you prepare for anything you may encounter on the road—or in the sky. Manage electrical needs with a voltage converter BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter 220V to 110V Bestek, Mapambo When you’re traveling from the U.S. to Europe, for instance, you don’t just need a different type of plug for your chargers and gadgets, but also a voltage converter because Europe runs on different settings. The Bestek Universal Travel Adapter will convert 220V outlets to U.S.-standard 110V, thus ensuring that your devices don’t burn out. It’s not only affordable, but it has three AC outlets and four USB ports. Plus, the product comes with a couple of extra plug adapters. If a more compact version is all you need, then the Mapambo converter will work just fine with one AC plug, two type-C, and two type-A ports. Buy the BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter at Amazon Buy the Mapambo 220V to 110V Voltage Converter at Amazon Take control of tangled cords Rolling Square inCharge 6 Portable Keychain Charger Cable Rolling Square If you’re like most travelers, you bring multiple electronics to make the most of your experience—we’re talking camera, phone, laptop, headphones, etc. But along with all of these items, you’ll need to carry all of their charging cables. That can take up space and lead to a tangled web of cords in your bag if you’re not careful. With the Rolling Square inCharge 6 Portable Charger Cable on Amazon, you have the option of USB-C or USB-A inputs and Micro USB or USB-C outputs all in a cable that is small enough for your keychain. Buy the Rolling Square Portable Charger Cable at Amazon Or get a retractable cable Baseus USB-C Retractable Cable Baseus If you’d rather have a simpler cable, then this one from Baseus will do the trick. The retractable design ensures it’s going to be safe in your luggage, preventing any type of tangling issues and considerably lowering the chances of your cable breaking. You can get this one in two length versions—3.3ft and 6.6ft— and you can pay as little as $10 on the shorter one if it’s on sale. Buy the Baseus retractable USB-C cable at Amazon Keep your devices charged with a portable power bank Anker GaN Prime Power Bank 2-in-1 10,000mAh portable power bank with wall charger Anker Traveling is always fun, but ending up with a depleted phone battery in an unknown place can be terrifying. This Anker Prime power bank takes up two roles in one. On one hand, it can plug into a wall outlet and give you the recharge you need while you’re at your hotel, for instance, but it can also act as a power bank when you’re out and about exploring. 10,000mAh is enough to charge your phone twice over (or close to that). There are three ports on this Anker hybrid charger, two of which are type-C that can reach 65W charging. It’s available for $110, but you can often find it closer to $70 when on sale. Buy the Anker GaN Prime Power Bank 2-in-1 Charger at Amazon Make that hotel outlet actually useful Anker Prime 6-in-1 charging station Anker One of the main issues we all have when traveling is that it’s tough to find multiple outlets in your hotel room. You’ll get one by the bedside table and another that’s taken up by the TV. Well, this compact power strip from Anker makes good use of that outlet and turns it into six. You get two AC outlets, two USB-A and two USB-C ports and a maximum output of 140W via those type-C ports. That’s just about perfect for laptops, smartphones and whatever else you have on you. The cool part is that the power strip is flat and the power cord detaches, so it’s ideal for your tight-packed luggage. Buy the Anker Prime 6-in-1 power strip at Amazon Never lose your valuables again Apple AirTag, Tile Pro, Samsung SmartThings, Tile Slim Apple, Tile, Samsung We’ve all been there. You arrive at your destination and you’re waiting for your checked bag to show up on the carousel, but it never does. Baggage handling is at it again. With a Bluetooth tracker you can easily keep tabs on where your bag is and maybe even help TSA locate it, should it be lost. There are quite a few Bluetooth trackers on the market that you can get. Apple users should look into the AirTag, while Android users can choose Samsung’s SmartTag2. Anyone can go for the Tile Pro. If you’re more worried about your wallet, Tile’s Slim tracker will fit inside it neatly. These are all around $30 a piece, but you can quite often get them for less or in bundles, thus lowering the price even more. Buy the Apple AirTag at Amazon Buy the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 at Amazon Buy the Tile Pro at Amazon Buy the TIle Slim at Amazon Enjoy an in-flight movie without annoying headphone cables Twelve South AirFly Pro or Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver Ugreen, Twelve South Twelve South’s AirFly Pro Bluetooth wireless audio transmitter for $54.99 on Amazon (although it’s frequently on sale) allows you to turn any audio jack into a wireless Bluetooth transmitter. Simply plug in the device to the headphone jack on the back of the airplane seat and connect your wireless headphones. Then sit back and relax while you enjoy the in-flight entertainment on your sweet noise-canceling headphones. Alternatively, you can also go for the more affordable Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver, which is $36.99 but often drops below $30. Either will allow you to connect up to two earbuds or headphones. Buy the Twelve South AirFly Pro at Amazon Buy the Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver at Amazon Drown out noise with noise-canceling earbuds AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 Apple, Bose Flying on an airplane is loud. Engines roar, babies cry, passengers snore. That’s why you need noise-canceling headphones, which have become essential tools in making your flight as easy as possible. And because you’re traveling and bag space is a premium, your headphones need to be small. Not just for iPhone users, but for anyone who needs good headphones, the AirPods Pro 2 for $225.00 on Amazon continue to be the best choice due to their convenient size and noise-canceling capability. If you’re an Android user, you may want to look into the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, which deliver something our buddies at TechAdvisor have called “astonishing noise cancellation” on top of superb sound quality and a secure fit. Get the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) at Amazon Buy the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at Amazon Or get some noise-canceling headphones Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max Apple, Sony If earbuds aren’t for you, then perhaps a pair of proper headphones will do the trick. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are easily some of the best noise-canceling headphones out there (as our friends at TechAdvisor attested with a 5-star review), delivering phenomenal audio and a comfortable build. Apple fans may want to look into the AirPods Max that are also known for what our friends at MacWorld call “industry leading active noise canceling”. Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 at Amazon Buy the Apple AirPods Max at Amazon Capture and print your favorite memories Fuji Instax Mini 12 instant camera Fujifilm Sure, you could bring a giant SLR camera with multiple lenses and an extra special carry-on bag to store everything. Or for those who aren’t professionals, you can opt for a small, retro instant camera such as the Fuji Instax Mini 12 for $143.95 on Amazon. Just like an old-school Polaroid, you can take a picture and instantly print it out to capture the moment. Just be aware that you’ll need to purchase and carry the film separately. Buy the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 at Amazon Keep your wires from getting crossed Bellroy Tech Kit Bellroy Bellroy is known for making great tech cases and kits, and the Bellroy Tech Kit for $59 on Amazon is our favorite. This well-designed, travel-friendly bag allows you to keep all of your cables and small peripherals stored and organized with ease. The folio style means that you can open the entire kit out flat for easy access to everything stored inside. Plus, the fabric is waterproof so you shouldn’t have to worry about a little liquid spilling on your precious gear. Buy the Bellroy Tech Kit at Amazon Game in-route to your destination Steam Deck, Switch OLED, or Backbone One Backbone, Nintendo, Valve The Steam Deck for $399 on the Steam store is a great handheld gaming system that allows you to play your favorite PC games on the go. It wasn’t so long ago that the Steam Deck was sold out everywhere and people were clamoring to get one. Thankfully, Valve has increased its supply and it’s easier than ever to get your hands on this excellent gaming portable. Play games from your Steam library on the go or load up on new titles for your next vacation. Gaming makes those long-haul flights a breeze. If you’d rather go for a different platform, the Switch OLED is an absolutely fantastic gaming console. And yes, we know the Switch 2 is en route, but good luck getting your hands on one of those anytime soon. If you’d rather just play on your phone, but have an upgraded experience, the Backbone One will mold to your phone, whether that’s an Android or iPhone model, and will help you play anything you want, including titles in your Xbox, PlayStation, or Steam libraries. Buy the Steam Deck at Steam Store Buy the Nintedo Switch OLED at Amazon Buy the Backbone One at Amazon Keep your hands and wrists happy while typing Logitech MX Keys Mini Logitech Laptop keyboards are cramped and can lead to some serious wrist pain if you type on them for long enough. Save yourself the carpal tunnel and grab a wireless keyboard like the Logitech MX Keys Mini. This compact keyboard is not only easy to travel with, but offers convenient features such as a semi-customizable layout, multi-device switching, and more. And the most important part is that it offers a great typing experience with comfortable and quiet keys that won’t bother your fellow travelers. The MX Keys Mini is currently $99.99 on Amazon. Buy the Logitech MX Keys Mini at Amazon Carry a library everywhere you go Kindle Paperwhite Amazon Books are a great thing to have around on vacation, but they’re heavy and they take up precious space in your luggage. Instead opt for an e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite for $159.99 on Amazon and bring an entire library worth of books in this lightweight tablet. Plus the Paperwhite version comes with an anti-glare screen and adjustable brightness settings, making it perfect for a bright beach or dark airplane. Not sure which Kindle to buy? Check out our handy Kindle buying guide to help you make the right choice. Buy the Kindle Paperwhite at Amazon Grab a mobile hotspot to stay in range of Wi-Fi range Solis Lite 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot Solis Those who travel a lot know that Wi-Fi is essential. From being able to work online while on the road or just looking up restaurant recommendations in another country, it’s an invaluable tool to get the most out of your travel experience. There are quite a few services nowadays offering pocket Wi-Fi for travelers, but Solis is one of the best with reliable global coverage across 135 countries. Plus, it has flexible plans depending upon your needs. You’ll need to purchase the Solis Lite Mobile Hotspot for $159.99 on Amazon before registering for a Wi-Fi plan, but it’s only a one-time fee and you can then use it on all of your future trips. Buy the Solis Lite Mobile Hotspot at Amazon Safe surfing NordVPN  Pexels: Stefan Coders If you’re going to travel anywhere, connecting to shady Wi-Fi networks, you absolutely need to have a VPN on your device. We’ve tested what feels like a million of them and recommend you go for NordVPN, which we found to be the best overall. There are tons of configuration options if you want to deep-dive, but you can also just take the easy route and press a single button every time. It even comes with a built-in antivirus and password manager, so you have a three 3-in-1 solution. Get NordVPN Never worry about safe tap water again Philips Water GoZero self-cleaning water bottle Philips No matter if you’re traveling to a new city or going camping, making sure that you have access to clean and potable water is a necessity. The Philips Water GoZero bottles bring in some smart technology to ensure the water is safe to drink. Available for $73.89 at Amazon (or lower when on sale), the bottle uses UV technology to eliminate up to 99.999 percent of bacteria and 99.9 percent of viruses in just a few minutes. Even when empty, the cap can disinfect your bottle and remove odors. Made out of stainless steel and double-walled, the bottle won’t just purify your water, it will also keep your drinks hot for up to 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. Buy the Philips Water GoZero water bottle at Amazon Mount your smartphone on anything Universal in-flight airplane phone holder mount Perilogics This Universal in-flight airplane phone holder mount for $13.97 on Amazon allows you to easily clip your phone onto an airplane seat for hands-free convenience. Maybe you loaded up that latest season of your favorite show or have a game to occupy that long-haul flight. Either way, holding your phone with a craned neck for hours and hours is bound to give you a strain. Just hook this bad boy up to the back of the seat in front of you on the airplane then sit back, relax, and enjoy. Buy the Universal in flight phone holder at Amazon Travel with an ultraportable laptop Asus ZenBook S 14 Thomas Rau If you’re going to get a super-light laptop, the Zenbook S 14 is a fantastic pick because it weighs just 2.65 pounds, which makes sit lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air. We gave this one a 4.5-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, appreciating the fantastic battery life and lovely large OLED screen. Plus, the laptop has an Ultra 7 processor, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. You can also check out our other best ultraportables or our best laptop roundup for even more options. Buy the Asus ZenBook S 14 at Best Buy Or opt for a 2-in-1 for even more versatility HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 IDG / Josh Hendrickson If you want a more versatile laptop, then a 2-in-1 model will do, like our very favorite HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. The 360-degree hinge will make it easy for you to turn this laptop into a tablet and into a Netflix-watching tent in a blink. The 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED touch display is absolutely gorgeous and the 500 nits make it perfect to use everywhere you go. Buy the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 at Amazon Increase your screen real-estate with a travel monitor Azorpa A1 Gamut Matt Smith Sometimes you just need a second monitor, even when you’re traveling. The extra screen really helps productivity for business travelers and it makes for a great way to play your portable games on a larger screen while on the road. We really like the Azorpa A1 Gamut which delivers good image quality for an extremely budget friendly price—the A1 Gamut is usually about $70 on Amazon. It also comes with useful connectivity options and a solid build quality that will stand up to the rigors of travel.  Buy the Arzopa A1 at Amazon Grab some extra storage Crucial X9 Pro IDG If you plan on taking about a million pictures and videos and you want to have a safe way to back them up without relying on random hotel Wi-Fi, then you can also grab a portable SSD. The Crucial X9 Pro is the best external SSD for most folks because it’s not only affordable but also super fast. We gave the X9 Pro a near-perfect score and our Editors’ Choice award, utterly impressed with the 10Gbps performance and the small form factor. Buy the Crucial X9 Pro at Amazon Stream content in your hotel room Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Amazon If you’re going to travel, you may as well keep up with your shows. The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD makes it super easy to bring all your favorite shows with you anywhere you go. You’ll just need to pop this thing in the TV, connect it to the hotel’s Wi-Fi (or the hotspot you set up), and just have fun. It’s also super affordable, available for $35 (although it’s frequently on sale for $20 or less). Buy now at Amazon Read...