Staying prepared in a tech‑driven world means carrying the right gear. These are 25 of our "every day carry" or "EDC" items that we use to stay powered, connected, productive, and safe. On any given day you can find nearly all of these in my backpack, and especially during cons and press events. If you are a tech nerd like me on the go, these are some of the best EDC items you can possibly carry with you.
1. Compact Power Bank (20,000mAh)
Everything we carry seems to need power, and nowhere is that more true than if you're always-connected type of person. A slim, high‑capacity power bank ensures your phone, earbuds, and accessories never die when you need them most. Yes, it's overkill, but the retractable cables on the UGREEN Nexode Pro makes it our recommenation as it's going to power nearly every item on this list!
- 20,000mAh
- USB‑C PD fast charging
- Multiple ports and cables for charging simultenously.
2. Multi‑Port USB‑C GaN Charger
That big battery is going to need recharging. Doing that as fast as it charged the devices you connected to it keeps you going. Topping off when you take a 5 minute break can get some of these devices all the way back to 75%, and a GaN charger is the key to doing that. Getting the right one means finding one with a tiny footprint, letting you charge multiple devices quickly without carrying bulky bricks. Here are the specs to look for, and a listing. Frankly, you're spoiled for choice:
- 65W
- Dual USB‑C or more
- Heat‑efficient GaN
3. Short USB‑C to USB‑C Cable
That GaN device you just bought? Wouldn't it be smart to have a way to connect it to things to charge it? Not all cables are built the same, but a good short cable keeps your kit lightweight and tangle‑free while still supporting fast charging.
- 60W–100W
- Braided or reinforced
4. USB‑C to USB‑A Adapter
Yep - unfortunately some devices still need legacy ports. A tiny adapter that can handle the transition is a wise thing to have. Sure, you won't need it most of the time, but when you do you'll be glad you snapped one up. The combo pack we recommend comes with both A to C and A to A. It's also a trusted brand and cheap!
- USB 3.0/3.2
- Aluminum housing
- Minimal space and a recognized brand
5. Portable SSD
Notice how I didn't say "thumbdrive"? Stop with those. We are in an age where portable can also mean fast. Something pocket‑sized, but still running an NVMe means having incredible speed but without the bulk or the speed drop. Dockcase makes small, smaller still, and small but round! They are all very pocketable and my easy recommendation. Added bonus: They have a cool screen on them to show you what's happening, and they happen to be cheaper than just about anyone else!
- 500GB–2TB
- USB‑C 20Gbps
- Shock‑resistant
6. Status Pro X Wireless Earbuds
This seems like a no-brainer, but picking the RIGHT wireless earbuds for your situation can make for a more pleasant day. If you can price them into your pocket, there's nothing better than the Status Pro X. When I fly, they are a miracle electronic as it cuts out ALL sound from the plane, giving me a crisp and clean sound. I could recommend cheaper ones, but they just don't compare.
- True ANC
- 8 hours of use, 32 hours battery with the case
- Crystal clear sound
- Comfortable
7. Bluetooth Tracker
You are going to set something down and wish you hadn't. The best time to buy a tracker is before you need it. Your keys, bags, backpack, laptop – whatever you'd lose your mind and ruin your vacation if you lost it needs a tracker, and they should work with app-based geolocation at a solid range, and preferably with a rechargeable battery. This isn't one you want to wait on – you want these before they "become important". Trust me. I'm listing the whole thing, but find one that works with your preferred ecosystem:
- Replaceable battery
- 100–120m range
- App‑based geolocation
8. Olight ArkPro Mini Flashlight
Ever been out on the road and realize that you could really use a great flashlight? Honestly though, who carries a massive flashlight with them? Well, a solid, compact LED flashlight doesn't have to be huge anymore, and I've found my silver bullet with a company called Olight. Not only do they make awesome battery chargers, they also make a flashlight worth carrying. It might seem crazy to spend a C-note on a portable flashlight, but one that seems to carry a charge damned near forever, slips into a side pocket, and weighs almost nothing? Like the tracker, you won't realize how much you needed this until you need it for an emergency. A stalled car, a walk in the dark, or camping – you need this in your bag.
- Spot and Flood beam options, strobe, UV light, green laser pointer.
- 1700 lumens!
- Ultra durable lightweight anodized aluminum chassis
- 14 DAYS of continuous use on a single charge
- USB‑C or magnetic tail chargeable
- Dual position belt clip for hands-free use
10. Portable Bluetooth Speaker
You never know when having a portable Bluetooth speaker can be handy. An impromptu outdoor gathering, listening to music with friends, or that D&D session where your wife (who sings in a band) suddenly decides she's going to play a Bard and "needs music to do this right". A small speaker can be super handy for camping, hiking, or impromptu gatherings where you want some background music. Just pick one that's water resistant, and think ahead if you need it. Not precisely "every day" carry, but useful when you are doing these specific things. As for choice, know it's a sliding scale with music quality on one end and size on the other.
- 5–10 hours battery
- IPX5–IPX7
- USB‑C and lightweight
12. Smartphone Gimbal
If you are heading out to take footage, and you aren't using a device like an Insta360 Luna or Osmo Pocket 3, you're probably planning to use your phone to grab footage. If you want your footage to be clean and without wobbling and shaking, you'll want to pick up a pocket gimbal. It'll dramatically improve footage, and now with AI tracking, it can perform a handful of tricks without taking a lot of space in your bag. Insta360, hohem, and Osmo all make outstanding gimbals at the $100-ish price point, and all of them get very compact when folded. Browse user reviews and look at their footage for what you're trying to achieve.
- 3‑axis
- Foldable
- 8–10 hour battery
13. Portable Hotspot (if you travel)
Depending on where you're headed, you might want something other than your phone to handle connectivity. Especially if you have multiple devices like a drone, if you're streaming from a device like your phone or a camera, or if you just want something reliable without burning up your own data. Having an eSIM you can activate while out of the country can give you connectivity you can trust without relying on "Free WiFi" at the coffee shop. This, and a VPN are a must for travel these days. Netgear's Nighthawk line, Asus, and UniFi (if you're using Ubiquiti gear) are the best on the market.
- 5G
- 8–12 hour battery
- eSIM support
14. Portable HDMI Adapter
If you travel and end up at a hotel with an HDMI input to run your laptop to the TV, you're in great shape. Unfortunately, most of them don't. For moments like this, having a portable HDMI Adapter is incredibly useful as you can usually find an open input anyway. These are also great for travel presentations where you suddenly find yourself connecting to a conference room setup, a projector, or even pulling in a PTZ camera for a remote video session. Something USB-C to HDMI (provided your laptop supports it) is best, but USB-A to HDMI can also work most of the time. Anker and UGREEN are my go-to for these types of devices – it's up to you if you want something more complex like the Swiss Army knives that accept multiple types. I like simple on this one.
- USB‑C to HDMI
- 4K60
- Aluminum housing for longevity
15. Miniature Surge Protector / Power
How safe is the power at the AirBnB you're staying at? How reliable is it at the dingy hostel you're bouncing through? Is that Japanese coffin-style hotel up to scratch? You never really know the condition of, or the reliability of, or how many orts of power you'll need where you ended up. A travel-friendly surge protector / power strip keeps your gear safe in unpredictable environments. Tessan's flat plug is perfect for packing, and provides a ton of power ports and surge protection. There are others, but this one is what I heartily recommend (and carry!)
- 2–3 outlets
- USB‑C ports
- Surge suppression
16. Cable Organizer / EDC Pouch
Throwing all these cabled things in your bag is a recipe for a Gridwald's Christmast situation from National Lampoon fame. Tidy, accessible, and easy to pack is the goal, and this bag does that nicely.
- Mesh pockets
- Water‑resistant
- Slim profile
Final Thoughts
Navigating the tech-heavy world can be a challenge, but a little bit of preparation for the road ahead can help ensure you're ready for it. Whether it's tags to make sure your bags don't grow feet, a battery with a retractable power cable, or a flashlight that can light the way for for literally two full weeks, these are the must-haves for any electronics junkie on the go.
