Tech Tuesday: Stay Charged
The Best Travel Charging Gear for When You’re on the Go
You're traveling. You're networking. You're presenting. And suddenly… your battery is at 2%.
Whether you’re heading to a conference, traveling for pleasure, or working remotely from a hotel room or your favorite coffee shop, your devices have to keep up with you. And trust me — battery anxiety is real when you’re on the go.
This week, I’m sharing my favorite charging solutions for travel — what I pack, what I love, and what I recommend.
🔍 First Tech Terms, Explained
Watt (W): Measures charging power. Higher wattage = faster charging. A 100W charger can charge a laptop, while a 5W charger might barely keep your phone alive.
mAh (milliampere-hour): The size of the battery. Higher numbers = more capacity.
Fast Charging / PD (Power Delivery): A standard that enables faster, more efficient charging on compatible devices. Supported by most modern phones and laptops.
MagSafe: Apple’s magnetic wireless charging tech for newer iPhones. Snaps into place, super travel-friendly.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support my work, and I only recommend products I believe in and use myself.
⚠️ Can Your Laptop Charge with USB-C?
Not all laptops can be charged via USB-C — even if they have a USB-C port.
Some gaming laptops, older Windows PCs, or workstation-class models still rely on proprietary charging bricks or barrel-style adapters.
👉 Before you invest in a USB-C charger or power bank, check your model’s specs. Look for:
✅ “USB-C PD (Power Delivery)”
✅ “USB-C charging supported”
Apple users: All modern MacBooks charge via USB-C.
Windows users: Many laptops like the Microsoft Surface, ThinkPad X1, Dell XPS, and HP Spectre support USB-C charging, but always confirm.
🔌 Wall Chargers That Do It All
Skip the single-port brick. These chargers are compact, powerful, and let you charge your laptop, phone, and tablet at once.
🔋 Anker Prime Charger (100W)
2 USB-C ports + 1 USB-A
Charges laptop, phone, and iPad at the same time
Compact — about the size of a deck of cards
👉 View on Amazon
🚀 Anker 747 Charger (150W)
3 USB-C ports + 1 USB-A
Ideal for MacBook Pro, Surface, or other high-power devices
Delivers fast charging to multiple devices simultaneously
👉 View on Amazon
🔋 Power Banks That Pull Their Weight
When outlets are scarce, your power bank is your best friend. These are the ones I trust to charge more than just a phone.
⚡ Anker 737 Power Bank (24,000 maH)
Can charge a MacBook or Surface on the go
Two USB-A + one USB-C PD port
140W Two-Way fast charging
👉 View on Amazon
📱 Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K)
MagSafe compatible for iPhone users
15-Watt wireless charging for Android Users
USB-C Fast Charging
Pop-out Stand
👉 View on Amazon
🧵 Cables & Accessories That Keep You Sane
Charging only works if your cable does.
🔗 Anker 100W USB-C to USB-C Cable (Braided)
Super durable, fast charging, supports laptops
👉 View on Amazon
🔋 Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe
Best for: Apple ecosystem users who want one charger for everything
Charges iPhone (via MagSafe), AirPods, and Apple Watch simultaneously
Folds up into a sleek cube — perfect for carry-ons
Ideal for hotel nightstands
🏨 Travel Tips
Pack a multi-port wall charger. One outlet, all your devices.
Always have a power bank. You never know when you may need it.
Use a tech pouch. Keeps cables, bricks, and power banks organized.
Native Union Organizer - lots of room, some color options, keeps things neat.
Upgrade Pick: Tumi Accessory Pouch - small but keeps cords and chargers together and looks great!
✅ My Current Setup
As a tech geek, I have everything listed above, plus more. I have tried various other brands, including obscure brands, and I like products made by Anker. Here is what I use most of the time:
Anker Prime Charger (100W)
Anker 737 Power Bank (24,000 maH)
Anker 100W USB-C to USB-C Cable (Braided)
Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe
I fit all of this, along with my 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, AirPods Pro, and a few other gadgets, into my Tumi backpack. Although it's an investment, this backpack has been everywhere and is now close to 9 years old. It has a few scuffs, but slides under the seat in front of me on the plane perfectly. This is a bit excessive, but it is basically a mobile office. I was never a Boy Scout, but when it comes to my tech, I embrace the motto of “Be Prepared.”
Pictured below while waiting on a flight:
They do not make this exact one anymore, but here is a link to the newer model - 👉 Tumi Brief Pack
💬 What Do You Pack?
What’s your go-to charging gear when you're on the road? Got a favorite power bank or a cable that made your life easier?
Leave a comment or reply — I’d love to hear your recommendations and build a “reader-tested” list for a future Tech Tuesday.