Lightweight Tech for Travel: What to Pack and What to Skip
When you’re trying to capture every moment, stay connected, and maybe even work remotely, it’s incredibly easy for travel tech to spiral out of control. One extra device usually means another cable, another charger, another adapter, sometimes even an extension lead. Tech might be small, but it isn’t always light, and adding “just one more thing” can quietly add a kilo or more to your bag.
Everyone has their own non-negotiables. Mine may not be the same as yours, but by sharing my travel tech, I hope to spark ideas for streamlining yours, too.
My kit comes to 1.6kg, excluding my phone (which I keep on me). It’s a compact setup that lets me work efficiently on the road, keeping my total bag weight under 6kg. If you’d like to see how the rest of my minimalist packing system fits together, you’ll find that in my other posts, too.
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Minimalist Tech For Travel – This Works For Me
✅Keep it Simple • ➖Less is More • 🎒Baggage Freedom
Mobile Phone
I’m not a vlogger or a professional photographer, so my first decision is simple: I use my phone for photos and video. My Pixel 7 Pro has a great camera and eSIM support – my two non-negotiables – and it’s always with me. It’s an older model now, but it’s still more than good enough for what I need, so I’ve no desire to upgrade just for the sake of it.
Tech Pouch and Contents
Pictured: 10,000mAH tiny 45W powerbank (Iniu), Flex Wireless Magnetic Earphones (Beats), 100W Fast Charge PD USB-C to USB-C Cable (Anker), Fast Charge 65W Flat plug with EU/UK/US plug ends (Ugreen), USB-C to USB-A adapter (BaseSailor), all packed in a £3 zip pouch from Sostrene Grene.
Ultralight Powerbank – Iniun10,000 45W with USB-C Cable
10,000mAH tiny 45W powerbank (Iniu) – This sunny yellow INIU 10,000mAh 45W power bank is easy to spot and cute too! At just 163g, it’s one of the lightest power banks on the market with an equivalent spec. It charges everything, including my laptop, quickly via its 2 USB-C and one USB-A ports. I really appreciate the digital readout. It makes it easy to see exactly how much charge is left. Pass-through charging means I can charge one device while the power bank itself is charging. The neat little USB-C to USB-C cable is a great idea to keep the cable and power bank together.
UGreen 65W PD Gan International Wall Charger
Fast Charge 65W Flat Plug with EU/UK/US Plug ends (Ugreen). The base is flat and lightweight, so it doesn’t pull out of sockets easily, even with several devices connected. It has folding US pins and comes with 2 additional plug heads, a 3-pin UK plug and a 2-pin European plug. Both ends snap on securely, unlike some of the other brands I’ve tried. It’s been reliable, fast-charging, and cool-running. It’s capable of powering both a laptop and a phone at the same time. There are two USB-C and one USB-A ports.
As a 65W GaN charger, it charges all my devices. I could have upgraded to one with 100W or even more, but those chargers were heavier and bulkier and unnecessary for the devices I use.
Beats Flex Earbuds
Flex Wireless Magnetic Earphones (Beats) – I don’t get on with truly wireless earbuds. They never feel secure, and the idea of one dropping out mid-journey makes me nervous. So instead of AirPods (or the Android equivalents), I use the Beats Flex: Bluetooth earbuds with a lightweight neckband-style wire.
They snap together magnetically when not in use, pausing the audio and keeping them safely around my neck. No rummaging for the phone, no tiny case to lose, no fiddly controls. Just simple, reliable, and ideal for travel.
They’re not noise-cancelling, which I actually prefer when I’m out and about. I like to stay aware of what’s going on around me. For planes and trains, I can use a hat or buff over my ears, or my Loop earplugs, if necessary. And frankly, I’m not afraid to tell someone to be quiet if I have to.
Little silicone “leashes” for AirPods are becoming popular now, which makes me smile. It’s basically what the Beats Flex already are. Wireless earphones… with wires. We’ve come full circle.
Long USB-C to USB-C Cable
100W Fast Charge PD USB-C to USB-C Cable (Anker) A longer cable supporting 100W fast charging. I’ve photographed a shorter one here, as the original one was recently misplaced. Something longer than a metre is ideal. I have a shorter cable included with the battery pack, so I’m not relying on just one.
USB-C to USB-A adapter
USB-C to USB-A adapter (BaseSailor): A tiny USB-C to USB-A adapter is always useful. There are plenty of USB-A charging ports around, especially in public spaces and hotel rooms. This little adapter lets me use these ports with a USB-C to USB-C fast charge cable. I have a couple of these, including one I keep in my wallet, so it’s always with me.
Zip Pouch
Sostrene Grene Zip pouch: I’ve bought more specialist tech pouches over the years than I care to admit. They often turn out to be too bulky, or they’re designed around specific gear layouts that no longer make sense once you change your tech. I’m after simple solutions now. Those are options which keep things contained and accessible without adding too much bulk or weight. The fewer the items, the simpler the storage can be. I have a simple pouch with a gusset in the base so it can stand up on its own for all the little tech items. Bonus: It costs £3.28, and it weighs only a few grammes. It probably won’t last forever, but it’s still holding up after 18 months of daily use, so that’s all good with me.
Kobo – My Upgrade from Kindle
Colour E-reader (Kobo): Lighter, calmer, USB-C charged, no ads, and I don’t pay for most of my books. My Kobo Clara Colour E-reader is lightweight, compact and a joy to use.
- Muted colour screen — great for maps, guides, and non-fiction
- USB-C charging with long battery life
- No distractions or lockscreen ads
- Free books! Comes with Overdrive integration. This means I can download E-books from the library or other services like Borrowbox.
- Cheaper than colour Kindles
I have a case which is heavier than I’d like, but at least it protects it.
Library Access Varies By Country
In the UK, you can borrow library books via OverDrive on Kobo, but not on Kindle.
In the US, it’s the opposite – Kindle supports OverDrive, but Kobo doesn’t. Check local compatibility, as much online advice assumes a US audience.
Ultralight Laptop Hp Aero 7 Omnibook 13.3″
I’m an IT consultant, blogger and general tech geek, so a laptop is essential. I’m not in Team Apple, which means my choices are more complicated than “buy the newest shiny MacBook.” After a lot of research and after finally hammering my last laptop into the ground, I went for the HP Aero 7 Omnibook (13.3”).
It meets my one non-negotiable: sub-1kg. It’s actually 990g, which is close enough for ultralight travel, and it’s easily the most competent Windows laptop I’ve used in that weight class. If, like me, you have memories of those old, heavy, sluggish HP Pavilion bricks, you can forget all that. HP has genuinely moved the dial, and in the right direction.
I’ve been really pleased with it: bright display, excellent keyboard, fast performance, and it disappears into my backpack. Exactly what I need when travelling light.
HP Aero 7 Omnibook 13.3″
One of the smallest and lightest fully functioning laptops on the market.
- Operating system Windows 11 Home
- Processor AMD Ryzen™ AI 350
- Memory 16 GB RAM
- Storage 1 TB SSD
- Display 33.8 cm (13.3″), WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
- Graphics AMD Radeon™ 860M Graphics
- Weight 990g
Chipolo Tracker
Apple AirTags are everywhere, and with good reason, but those of us outside the Apple ecosystem have been left out. There haven’t been many alternatives, tracking beyond the immediate environment, as Apple AirTags do. After plenty of testing, I’ve found Chipolo. It competes with Airtags. In some respects, it’s ahead. I keep one in my passport wallet and one in my travel bag.
Chipolo Pop trackers work with Apple Find My or Google Find My Device. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the features and differences with Airtags
- Chipolo come in different colours for easy identification; they’re brighter and a little lighter than AirTags.
- They have a built-in keyring holder – no extra holder to buy
- Easy to change the battery, without tools – it’s a standard CR2032 battery. Both last about a year
- Extras such as ringing my phone and out-of-range alerts are available on the app
- Other form factors are available in the Chipolo range, such as credit card-shaped trackers for wallets
- Airtags still win when it comes to ultra-precise ‘point me there’ tracking – especially in iPhone-dense areas
- AirTags have better water resistance
Weight: Chipolo Pop 8g, Chipolo Card 16g
What I Don’t Pack (and Why)
I log the weight of everything in my bag on a spreadsheet. Then I can scrutinise the real value of everything, and these are the decisions I’ve made:
- No camera or video equipment– My phone takes great pictures, and more importantly, I always have it with me. Of course, if I were a vlogger or professional photographer, I’d want a drone and more, but I’m not, so I don’t.
- No separate tablet – With a laptop, e-reader and phone, I don’t need anything else.
- No international cube plug adapters – Too bulky. I use a Fast Charge 65W Flat plug with EU/UK/US plug ends (Ugreen). That covers a huge number of countries. I’ll pick up a cheap local adapter if I need more.
- No smartwatch – It’s another thing to charge daily, and honestly, it doesn’t add enough value to my life over and above my phone and trusty analogue watch.
- No multiple charging bricks – Everything I bring charges via USB-C. The plug charger I use can charge both the laptop and the phone quickly. One plug with 2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port is enough, provided I don’t bring more gadgets.
- No Lightning or micro-USB cables – If it’s not USB-C, it’s not coming with me. That’s my rule, it’s that simple.
- No purpose-built tech pouches or laptop sleeves – Most are over-engineered, bulky and weighty. Simple, ultralight zip pouches suit my setup.
Weight Table for this Ultralight Tech Setup
So here’s a summary of everything. I’ve added weights too.
| Item | Weight of Items in Travel Bag |
|---|---|
| HP Aero 7 Omnibook 13.3″ Laptop | 990g |
| Colour E-reader (Kobo) and case | 284g |
| Fast Charge 65W Flat plug with EU/UK/US plug ends (Ugreen) | 159g |
| 10,000mAH tiny 45W powerbank (Iniu) | 163g |
| 100W Fast Charge PD USB-C to USB-C Cable (Anker) | 19g |
| USB-C to USB-A adapter (BaseSailor) | 3g |
| Flex Wireless Magnetic Earphones (Beats) | 19g |
| Sostrene Grene Small Pouch | 18g |
| Chipolo Pop Tracker (in backpack) | 8g |
| Total (Bag Only)* | 1,663g |
*Smartphone and Chipolo Card in wallet not included as those are kept on me, not in the bag.
Travelling with less gives you more freedom to enjoy the trip.
For more inspiration, here’s my travel capsule wardrobe for all seasons (fits in a small bag), minimalist toiletry kit, and some small, mini but mighty, travel accessories. All these fit in my one small bag.
Do you have any favourite ultralight gadgets? Drop them in the comments — or let me know what you’ve managed to ditch. I love hearing how other travellers streamline their tech. I’m always learning and improving!
I hope you found this useful. Thanks for Reading!
