The one-bag tech kit
Travelling with one bag forces good decisions. Every charger, cable and gadget has to justify its weight. The goal of a one-bag tech kit is simple: everything you carry charges from as few plugs as possible, fits in one pouch and gets through security without being unpacked twice.
The core kit
- One multi-port USB-C charger. A 65 to 100 W GaN charger with two or three ports can charge a laptop, phone and earbuds at the same time. It replaces a laptop brick and two phone plugs. See GaN chargers explained.
- Two USB-C cables. One long cable (about 2 m) for hotel rooms where the socket is far from the bed, and one short cable for a power bank. If your laptop draws more than 60 W, make sure one cable is rated for 100 W. Our cable guide explains the markings.
- A power bank of 10,000 to 20,000 mAh. Enough to recharge a phone two to four times, and well inside airline limits. Read mAh versus Wh before you fly.
- A plug adapter for your destination, or a universal one. A compact adapter with built-in USB ports can replace the charger on short trips. See travel adapters explained.
- Earbuds, ideally with noise cancelling for flights and trains.
If you own an older phone with a Lightning port, add one short adapter or cable rather than carrying a second charger.
Nice to have
- A portable monitor if you work while travelling. Fifteen-inch USB-C models weigh around 700 g and turn a hotel desk into a two-screen office. See what to check in a portable monitor.
- A short extension lead or travel power strip with one foreign plug and several local sockets, useful in hotel rooms with a single socket.
- A wired earphone adapter if you use in-flight entertainment; many planes still use a 3.5 mm socket and some use a two-pin version.
- A tracking tag in the bag itself.
What to leave at home
- Separate chargers for each device.
- Single-purpose gadgets your phone already replaces, such as a dedicated camera for casual photos or an e-reader on a short trip, unless you really use them.
- A voltage converter. Almost every phone, laptop and camera charger accepts 100 to 240 V and only needs a plug adapter.
- Large power banks above 100 Wh. They need airline approval and add weight.
Packing tips
- Batteries go in the cabin. Power banks and spare lithium batteries are banned from checked luggage on almost every airline. Keep them in the bag you carry on.
- Keep the laptop and liquids easy to reach. Many airports now use scanners that let laptops stay in the bag, but not all. Pack the laptop where you can lift it out in seconds.
- Use one pouch. A small zip pouch for cables, adapter and charger means you can pull everything out in one go at the hotel and check it is all back before you leave.
- Charge before you leave and download maps, music and films for offline use.
A sample kit for a week away
| Item | Approximate weight |
|---|---|
| 65 W GaN charger, two ports | 120 g |
| Two USB-C cables | 80 g |
| 10,000 mAh power bank | 200 g |
| Plug adapter | 60 g |
| Earbuds with case | 50 g |
| Total | about 510 g |
Half a kilogram of kit keeps a laptop, phone and earbuds running for a week, with a spare charge in your pocket for long travel days.