The trend of digital nomads is on the rise. More and more people are taking their work with them and traveling the world while getting things done. This can be an amazing experience, but it can also be difficult to find gifts for globetrotters like us.
Digital nomads often have unique needs and wants based on our lifestyle, which can make gift selection a bit tricky.
Essentially, most nomads grow to be minimalistic to some extent. This is because, without a home base, anything that isn’t useful is technically a burden since we have to carry it everywhere. However, we still love that gift that helps make our life or travels more comfortable.
In this article, we will compile a list of some of the best gifts for digital nomads and remote workers. Whether you are looking for a physical or digital gift, these can be some good gift options for digital nomads.
Best Gifts for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
Nomatic Travel Backpack
When it comes to finding the perfect gift for a digital nomad, a good travel backpack is always a great option. This is because it can be used for both traveling and working on the go.
A good backpack for digital nomads will have plenty of compartments and pockets to store all of the traveler’s belongings, as well as a padded section that can be used for laptops or tablets.
The Nomatic backpack is evidently targeting digital nomads and is full of features that appeal to the remote worker.
Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Another great gift idea for digital nomads is a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. These can be a lifesaver when working in noisy cafes or on long flights. They will help us to focus on our work and tune out any distractions. Great for travel and work.
Bose has a strong reputation for this and the Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless is a good combination of utility and price. For less bulky options of earphones, consider the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds or Beats Studio Buds.
OmniCharge Portable Charger
A portable charger is a very practical gift for digital nomads. This is because we often need to charge their devices on the go, I can’t remember the times a portable charger was a lifesaver. It will allow us to charge our devices anywhere, without having to worry about finding an outlet.
The Omni 20 Series is larger than your typical portable charger for mobile phone, but this can power up even your laptop. This means greater productivity even while on the road. Omnicharge also have more powerful Ultimate option, but take note that it might not be allowed for carry-on on flights.
Roost Laptop Stand
For someone who often works on their laptops while traveling, a laptop stand can be a great gift for digital nomads. It will allow us to use their laptop in more comfortable positions, as well as improve the airflow around the device.
Ergonomics of work station is now a hot topic in the community as we seek out accommodations with proper work desks and chairs.
One of the most popular options is the Roost Laptop Stand. It is made of lightweight aluminum and can fold flat for easy storage. It is also adjustable, so we can find the perfect position for our needs. The other popular brand is the NexStand.
Wireless mouse and keyboard
That said, a wireless mouse and keyboard can be a great complementing gift. These pair well with the laptop stand to enable a comfortable position when using our laptop.
One of the most popular options for a wireless mouse is the Logitech Wireless Mouse M525. It has a contoured shape that fits comfortably in the hand and comes in a variety of colors.
For a wireless keyboard, the Logitech Wireless Keyboard K360 (also has a mouse combo) is a good option. It has a slim design that makes it easy to pack and carry, and it has a variety of shortcut keys that can be customized to the user’s needs.
External Hard Drive
An external hard drive is also a great gift for digital nomads. We often need to store and back up our work, travel photos, and videos in case we lose our stuff or have them stolen.
A good external hard drive is the Western Digital My Passport Ultra. It has a slim design that makes it easy to pack and carry, and it has a variety of storage options to choose from. It also comes with a password protection and encryption feature, which is great for keeping work safe and secure.
Kindle Paperwhite
A Kindle Paperwhite is a superb gift for a digital nomad bookworm. There are lots of opportunities for reading while traveling, yet it is not practical to lug around tons of physical books. A Kindle gives us to have access to a library of books anywhere.
The Kindle Paperwhite is lightweight and has a high-resolution display that is easy to read, even in direct sunlight. That is really useful since travel surrounding can vary. It also has a built-in light that can be adjusted to the user’s needs.
Bluelight Glasses
Bluelight glasses are also a great gift for digital nomads. We work a lot on our computers or electronic devices while traveling, and blue light can be very harmful to the eyes. Bluelight glasses help to block out blue light and provide better quality sleep.
Similar to the debate around whether blue light glasses actually work, there hasn’t been a conclusive superb blue light glasses brand either. It seems like everyone prefers something different, and subjective to personal usage.
It’s a good idea to go with something affordable, simple, and subtle looking like ANRRI Blue Light Glasses. They are designed to reduce eye strain, so the user can work for longer periods of time.
Portable Wifi
If you don’t already know, Wifi and connectivity are the lifeline for digital nomads. A good portable Wifi can make a world of difference for digital nomads. It will allow us to stay connected while on the go, without having to worry about finding a Wifi hotspot.
A good portable Wifi for digital nomads is the Skyroam Solis. It is a small and lightweight device that can be easily carried with you. It also has a long battery life, so the user can stay connected for hours at a time.
An alternative is to get a hotspot dongle where we can plug in our other SIM card for tethering. Huawei offers some affordable solutions for this.
Chromecast/Fire Stick
These smart TV sticks are convenient gifts for digital nomads. When we move from accommodation to accommodation, these are just versatile devices to have.
Not every Airbnb will have Netflix, cable subscription, or even connecting cables. A Chromecast or Firestick will allow us to convert the TV into a smart TV and stream our Netflix, Disney+ etc. We don’t have to depend as much on the accommodation facilities.
Portable Screen
A portable screen is also a great gift for digital nomads who prefer to work with multiple screens. A portable screen is a great way to facilitate this on the road. It will allow us to have an extra monitor without having to carry around a heavy laptop.
A good portable screen for digital nomads is the ASUS ZenScreen. It is thin and lightweight which fits into a daypack. It also has a built-in battery, so the user can use it for hours at a time.
Best Gifts for Digital Nomad Creators
A good portion of digital nomads are creators in some form. Be it video, audio, written form, digital media is the trend; and travel is no doubt an attractive space. Travel photos, videos, and memories are content of inherently shareable nature even for regular travelers.
If you are buying a gift for a nomad content creator, here are some options.
DJI Drone
Drones are becoming more and more popular, and they are an expensive but also a great gift for digital nomad creators. Drones allow us to capture amazing aerial shots and videos, which can be used for our social media platforms or websites.
A good drone for digital nomad creators is the DJI Mavic Air 2. It is a versatile and powerful drone that can still fit in a daypack. It also has a long battery life, so the user can stay connected for hours at a time. For a lighter-weight option, consider the DJI Mini 2.
Go Pro Action Camera
An action camera is also a great gift for digital nomad creators. Action cameras are great for capturing video and photos while on the go.
They are small and durable, which can be used in most environments. This is a great way to get some nice shots and footages like underwater etc. The name in the action camera space is the GoPro HERO.
For a smaller, more wearable option, consider the DJI Action 2.
Portable Podcast Microphone
Podcasting and video calls are getting more and more common with the pandemic. For creators who want to get exposure to themselves or create videos, a good microphone can be really useful.
A portable podcast microphone is great for recording audio while on the go. It needs to be light and doesn’t take too much space.
A good portable standard microphone is the Blue Yeti USB Mic. For higher portability in the form of a lapel mic that clips on for recording, the BOYA BY-M1 Lavelier Mic is a great and affordable choice.
DJI OM Stabiliser
A stabilizer makes a ton of difference in video content creation. This is especially so as more and more creators like to just use their mobile phones for recording.
Having a stabilizer means capturing smoother footage, less editing time, and a more polished end product.
The DJI OM 5 Stabiliser is a great gift for digital nomad creators. It is easy to set up, fits into the pocket, comes with multiple functions for versatile usage.
Selfie Stick Tripod
A selfie stick tripod is the new 2-in-1 combination that appeals to creators who also don’t want to carry too much gear. It is perfect for both vlogging and capturing great photos and videos while on the go.
SD Card
An alternative gift for digital nomads who have cameras, drones or other devices is a good SD card. This is particularly so for creators who often run out of SD cards or require multiple. Media files are heavy in size and there can never be enough backups.
A good SD card storage solution is the SanDisk Extreme PRO Memory Card. It has a fast read and write speed, so the user can quickly transfer files to and from their devices. It is also water-resistant and temperature-proof, so it can withstand the elements.
Travel Gifts for Digital Nomads
Travel-specific gifts can certainly form another full list, but here are some of the common ones that can be helpful for digital nomads.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are not just a great gift for digital nomads but all travelers. We often need to pack and unpack our belongings while traveling, and packing cubes can make this process much easier. They also facilitate easy segmentation of different items so we can immediately grab what we need.
Bagail Packing Cubes is a good option at an affordable price. They are available in a variety of sizes and designs, so the user can find the perfect ones for their needs.
Travel Journal
For the more old-school writers, a travel notebook/journal is also a great gift for digital nomads. Many travelers like to document their travels in written form, there’s a certain romance about it. For me, I see it as a great avenue to record my thoughts and do planning anywhere while on the go.
A good travel notebook for digital nomads is the Moleskine Classic Notebook. It is small with a pocket-size option, so it is easy to carry. It has a variety of colors and page styles to choose from.
Cable Organizers
Cable organizers are another great gift for digital nomads. We often need to deal with a crap ton of cables and chargers while traveling. Cable organizers help keep our cords organized and from getting lost.
A good cable organizer for digital nomads is the Bagsmart Electronics and Cable Organizer. It is made from durable and water-repellent material, so it can withstand the wear and tear of travel. It also has multiple compartments to store a variety of cables and electronics.
Portable Projector
This is a bit of a luxury item but also practical for digital nomads who often give presentations. A portable projector can be really helpful to display projection content anywhere (be it presentations or screening movies).
There are many affordable options available on the market, but the award-winning Anker Nebula Capsule Smart Mini Projector is affordable and portable.
Portable Speaker
In similar scope, a portable speaker is always an appreciated luxury. Be it for hosting events, catching a movie at home, or something to bring with us for camping, a portable speaker is versatile and certainly useful. We just consider the balance between sound quality, durability and portability.
Digital Gifts for Digital Nomads
Now some digital nomads are minimalists and we don’t like to carry too much stuff with us. Because hey, your physical belongings can weigh down your mind as well.
Another good thing about digital gifts is that you don’t actually need to meet physically to pass the gift. I know how hard it is to catch your constant jet-setting nomad friend who is somewhere around the world.
Here are some useful subscriptions or digital gifts for digital nomads.
Priority Pass
This is a great gift for digital nomads who often travel by plane. Priority Pass gives us access to thousands of airport lounges around the world. I use it whenever I have a layover to replenish and get productive.
This is a great way to relax before a flight or work in peace during a layover. More comfort, higher productivity, better experiences.
Audible Gift Memberships
This is a great gift for digital nomads who love to absorb knowledge via audio. With Audible, we can listen to audiobooks anywhere and anytime. Perfect for those moments when we’re commuting, working out or doing mindless tasks.
You can easily send it as a gift via Audible’s gift memberships.
Spotify Premium
Spotify Premium is a great gift for digital nomads who love music. It gives us access to millions of songs, ad-free listening, and offline playback which is important on buses and flights. You can send this via a Spotify Gift Card.
YouTube Premium
On the same note, YouTube Premium is a great gift for those of us who love to watch videos for entertainment or learning. It gives us access to ad-free YouTube, and most importantly, offline playback and background play. This can be a great way to stay entertained while working or traveling.
Entertainment Streaming Subscriptions (i.e. Netflix, Disney+ etc)
And last but not least, Netflix is a great gift for digital nomads who love to watch TV shows and movies. It gives us access to a huge library of content, ad-free watching, and offline playback. This can be a great way to stay entertained while working or traveling.
VPN subscription
The online world is a dangerous place, especially when you go around tapping on unknown internet sources around the world. A VPN subscription is a great gift for digital nomads who need to access blocked websites or want to protect their online privacy. A good VPN service will encrypt the user’s traffic and hide their IP address. This can be a great way to stay safe while working online.
Nord VPN is a reliable and reputable option. Learn more about VPN for travelers here, and why they are useful for digital nomads.
The perfect gifts for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads are a unique breed of people but none more unique than any other individual. We are often defined by their lifestyle, as is anyone.
Ours just has a stronger focus on travel and work. We are likely to be on the move regularly, and our work revolves around our laptops or other digital devices.
Yet, every nomad is unique in their own way based on their travel style and job occupation too. While these are some ideas to find the best gifts for digital nomads, the important thing is to think about what the person you are gifting would actually find useful.
