10 Practical Gifts for People Who Work On The Road

Working on the road has become more popular with the rise of remote roles, offering the freedom to blend work and travel seamlessly. As remote work continues to be an option for many, thoughtful gifts to enhance productivity or comfort are great for those who work from different locations.

Since 2019, we've been working from the road for weeks and months at a time. Our digital nomad adventures started with a two-week road trip through North Carolina. Then, we spent almost an entire year on the road, including a 6-week road trip through New Mexico. After that, we took a 3.5-month road trip through Colorado and Utah. Then, in 2022, we spent 5 months roadtripping the Northeast. In 2023, we took a 2.5-month road trip along the US and Canadian Rockies and, this year, we worked from Yellowstone’s North Entrance for one month and took a 5-week roadtrip through the Southeast USA.

Over the last 5+ years working full-time while traveling, we learned what it takes to stay productive, comfortable, and connected no matter where we go. This gift guide is filled with thoughtful, practical items for people who work from the road—and they’re sure to be useful for anyone who works while traveling! Whether you’re shopping for a digital nomad, a road tripper, or someone constantly on the move, these gifts can help make their journey smoother and more enjoyable. Here are 10 thoughtful and practical gifts for people who work from the road!

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1. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones are a fantastic gift for digital nomads because they block out background noise, allowing for better focus and productivity while working from cafés, airports, or co-working spaces. They also enhance travel comfort by reducing engine noise on planes and buses, making long journeys more enjoyable. Good noise-canceling headphones can even double as a tool for relaxation, providing clear sound for music or podcasts.

Here are three examples of noise-canceling headphones great for people who work from the road.

Beats Solo Headphones - Beats noise-canceling headphones deliver high-quality sound while effectively blocking background noise, making them ideal for work, travel, and relaxation. With a long battery life, quick pairing, and seamless connectivity, these headphones are great for use across multiple devices.
Sony WH-1000XM5 - These headphones offer top-tier noise cancellation, long battery life, and excellent sound quality. They’re lightweight and comfortable, perfect for long hours of use.
Bose QuietComfort 45 - Known for their effective noise-canceling technology, these headphones provide a comfortable fit and clear sound, making them ideal for work and travel.

2. Computer Travel Backpack

A computer travel backpack is an excellent gift for digital nomads because it helps them stay organized and keeps their tech gear safe while on the move. Unlike regular backpacks, these are designed with specific compartments for laptops, chargers, tablets, and other accessories, ensuring everything has a secure place.

They’re also usually built with extra padding to protect electronics from bumps during transit, and many models are also weather-resistant to handle unexpected rain. Additionally, they often come with features like USB charging ports, anti-theft designs, and ergonomic straps for comfort during long travel days.

While the current computer backpack I use is out of stock, here are some additional options great for digital nomads:

MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack - This backpack offers ample storage with dedicated compartments for laptops up to 15.6 inches, daily essentials, and tech accessories, along with organized front pockets for easy access. Designed for comfort and functionality, it features padded support, a USB charging port, and a durable, water-resistant exterior, making it ideal for travel, work, and everyday use.
Targus CitySmart EVA Pro Backpack - This backpack has dedicated compartments for a laptop and tablet, plus plenty of space for accessories and travel essentials. Its padded shoulder straps and weather-resistant material make it ideal for long trips and varied weather conditions.
YOREPEK Travel Backpack - This large-capacity backpack features three spacious compartments, including a dedicated laptop section for 17-inch devices, and multiple pockets to keep essentials organized, making it ideal for travel and daily use. Designed for convenience, it offers TSA-friendly features, an external USB port, water-resistant materials, and comfortable, breathable padding, ensuring durability and ease during long trips or commutes.
Nomatic Travel Backpack - Known for its sleek design, this backpack features multiple compartments for tech gear, clothes, and toiletries. It’s built to be durable and water-resistant, with a convenient roller bag sleeve, making it a versatile choice for both everyday use and longer trips.

3. Portable Laptop Screen Extender

For complex projects or multitaskers, portable laptop screen extenders are a game-changer!

They add an extra screen to a laptop setup, making it easier to manage multiple windows and improve workflow. Compact and lightweight, these extenders can be set up quickly and fit easily into a backpack, making them ideal for productivity on the go. This is especially useful for designers, developers, and writers who benefit from extra screen space while working.

Here are some portable laptop screen extenders that would make a great gift for those working on the go.

14" FHD 1080P IPS Laptop Monitor Extender - The KEFEYA travel monitor for laptops allows users to multitask across multiple screens without switching windows, making it ideal for remote workers. Featuring a 14" panel, plug-and-play setup, multiple display modes, and broad compatibility with various devices and operating systems, this portable screen extender is a fantastic option for those working on the go.
KYY Portable Monitor - The KYY 15.6" portable monitor is ideal for remote work and digital nomads, offering a lightweight, ultra-slim design that easily fits into a bag for a convenient dual-monitor setup on the go. With wide compatibility through USB Type-C and Mini-HDMI ports, plus features like FHD 1080P display, eye-care technology, and a durable smart cover that doubles as a stand, it enhances productivity and comfort while traveling.
Laptop Extended Monitor Fits 13-17 Inch Laptops - The KEFEYA 14.2" laptop monitor extender is designed for on-the-go professionals, offering a compact, foldable design with 0-180 degree rotation and easy storage, making it ideal for travel and work. With a plug-and-play setup, premium HD display, and ergonomic features like adjustable stands and customizable screen settings, it enhances productivity while being compatible with multiple devices and operating systems.

4. Portable Laptop Stand

Portable laptop stands are helpful for anyone working remotely because they help maintain ergonomic posture by elevating the laptop screen to eye level. This reduces neck and back strain, making workdays more comfortable. They’re lightweight, foldable, and compact, so they can be easily packed into a bag and set up anywhere.

Portable laptop stands are great for turning any countertop into an on-the-go standing desk!

Here’s an example of the Foldable Stand Desk that I love and have been using for the last 5+ years working from the road. (Here’s the Ergonomic Mouse, Ergonomic Keyboard, and Docking Station I use with this setup.)

This lightweight laptop stand features fully adjustable legs that rotate 360 degrees and lock in place, making it easy to carry and set up at various angles. It includes quiet, USB-powered cooling fans to keep your computer cool without assembly required. Versatile in design, the stand can be used as a laptop tray, standing desk, or tablet holder, making it a practical accessory for various needs.

Here’s my most common work-from-anywhere setup. I’m using the portable laptop stand, ergonomic keyboard and mouse, while also having my noise-canceling headphones and bluelight computer glasses.

5. Durable Slippers

Durable slippers that feel like shoes are a perfect gift for anyone working from the road because they combine comfort with practicality. When you’re spending long hours in a camper van, Airbnb, or hotel room, having something cozy yet sturdy to slip on makes all the difference. They’re great for indoor work sessions, but they’re also durable enough for quick trips outside.

A great example of durable slippers that feel like shoes would be the UGG Ascot Slippers. They have a sturdy rubber sole, which makes them suitable for both indoor and light outdoor use, and their soft wool lining ensures comfort for long hours. I bought my dad these shoes as a gift, and he wore them daily and loved them… so much so that he asked for a second pair years later!

Another option is the Teva Re-Ember Slip on Shoes, an eco-friendly shoe that features a collapsible heel for easy wear and a lightweight, durable design perfect for all-day comfort working from anywhere.

6. Compact Power Bank

Compact power banks are an essential travel accessory for digital nomads, ensuring devices stay charged when outlets are scarce. Whether working from a remote location or during a long commute, a reliable power bank keeps phones, tablets, and other gadgets powered up, so there’s no interruption in productivity.

Here’s the OtterBox Fast Charge Power Bank we personally use and love.

7. Universal Travel Adapter

A universal travel adapter is a must-have for digital nomads traveling internationally. It ensures that they can plug in their devices anywhere in the world, eliminating the hassle of finding region-specific adapters. Modern versions often include USB ports, allowing multiple devices to charge simultaneously.

Here are two examples of travel adapters for people who spend a lot of time working internationally.

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter - This compact adapter covers over 150 countries and includes USB ports for charging multiple devices at once.
BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter - Offers not only plug adaptability but also voltage conversion, which is essential for safely using electronics abroad.

8. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

Reliable internet can be hard to find in remote areas. A portable Wi-Fi hotspot ensures digital nomads have access to the internet no matter where they are, making it easier to work from the road without connectivity worries.

Here are some examples of portable WiFi hotspots for people working while traveling.

Skyroam Solis Lite - This portable hotspot works in over 130 countries, providing a reliable connection wherever you go, and you can pay as you go for data.
GlocalMe G4 Pro - This device offers global connectivity and comes with a touchscreen interface, making it easy to set up and use while traveling.
SIMO Solis Lite 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot - This hotspot is perfect for remote workers and digital nomads, providing secure and reliable mobile internet in over 135 countries without the need for a SIM card.

9. Car Inverter Charger

For road trippers, a car inverter charger plugs into the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket and allows travelers to charge laptops, phones, and other devices while driving. It’s an essential tool for keeping gadgets fully charged and ready to go, even in the most remote locations.

Here’s the car power inverter we love and use while working and traveling. This keeps our laptops, phones, and cameras powered up no matter where we go.

10. Travel Cable Organizer

Keeping cables, chargers, and other small gadgets organized can be a challenge while traveling, which makes a travel cable organizer a thoughtful and practical gift. It helps digital nomads avoid the frustration of tangled cords and makes it easier to find what they need quickly.

Here are three examples of travel cable organizers great for people who work from the road.

BAGSMART Electronic Organizer - This travel electronics organizer has plenty of compartments for cables, chargers, power banks, and even small gadgets.
ProCase Travel Gear Organizer - Compact and easy to pack, this organizer has a variety of slots and pockets to keep all tech accessories neatly stored and within reach.
BUBM Double Layer Electronic Accessories Organizer - This compact, durable organizer is ideal for digital nomads, offering a spacious, well-padded design to securely store cables, gadgets, and accessories.

Happy gifting!

Since working on the road or remotely comes with its unique freedoms—and challenges—these 10 thoughtful and practical gifts cater to the needs of a mobile workforce, enhancing comfort, productivity, and convenience while on the go.

From noise-canceling headphones that offer focus to portable screen extenders that enhance productivity, these gift ideas are great for making remote work more enjoyable and efficient.

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Happy gifting!