Don't work on the go without these 7 must-have laptop accessories

Summary

Backpacks are a comfortable option for carrying laptops, and leave your hands free for other things.
A mouse can improve speed and accuracy and help you work more efficiently.
USB-C cables take up little space and are essential for charging devices and transferring data on the go.

I often work in coffee shops and airports, and there’s nothing worse than a dead laptop battery in the middle of an article, or struggling to hear colleagues on a business call because of the background noise. Even the best laptops can benefit from accessories that eliminate these issues and help you work faster and more efficiently without unnecessary stress.

Like most people, I hate carrying more than necessary and only use essential accessories that are genuinely useful, and are worth the extra weight. With this in mind, you should check out the seven must-have laptop accessories, like earbuds and USB hubs, for working on the go if you want a good experience on your next business trip.

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1 Laptop bag

Comfortable carry makes a difference

A person putting their Acer laptop in a bag.

Andrew Neel / Unsplash

Laptop bags come in different shapes and sizes, and the one thing they have in common is that they can make or break your traveling experience. Everyone has different tastes and sling bags, backpacks, and slimline cases are all good options, as long as you find them comfortable. I find backpacks best for longer trips because they can store my passport and other documents while leaving my hands free to carry luggage or push trolleys.

Compartments prevent your accessories from getting scratched or damaged and make them easier to find quickly.

Size is critical when choosing a bag because it must have enough space for your laptop and accessories while being easy to carry and offering some protection against bumps and knocks. Slimline bags are fine if you’re traveling light, but you’ll need a bag with adequate storage compartments if you plan on carrying other accessories listed here. Compartments prevent your accessories from getting scratched or damaged and make them easier to find quickly.

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2 Mouse

Work faster with speed and accuracy

Glorious Model O2 wireless gaming mouse with a hand over it.

Trackpads do the job, but they can’t beat a mouse when it comes to speed and accuracy. You might not have space to use a mouse on an airplane, but it’s still worth carrying one when you get off and work at a desk. There’s no right or wrong choice when choosing a laptop mouse — some users prefer compact options that don’t take up much space, while others prefer something bigger that fits their hand better.

There’s no right or wrong choice when choosing a laptop mouse.

However, it’s worth considering connectivity options because they can impact your portable usage. Wired mice have a simple plug-and-play design that doesn’t require batteries, but the cable is weak and can get bent or broken. Bluetooth mice are user-friendly but require charging and have high latency if you plan to play games. Wireless mice are fast and accurate, but they also require charging, and the dongles can easily get lost.

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3 USB-C cable

Don’t let your devices die in transit

UGreen

A simple USB-C always comes in handy and goes a long way when you’re traveling. It takes up the least space out of all your laptop accessories, but it’s the most important for charging your devices when you don’t have access to direct power.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve needed to charge my phone or earbuds in a pinch and used my USB-C cable to top them up from my laptop. A USB-C cable can also come in handy for data transfer if you need to move pictures or documents from your phone to your laptop or vice versa when there’s no signal.

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4 USB hub

On-the-go connectivity with most devices

Belkin / Pocket-lint

Modern laptops have limited ports, so it’s worth carrying a USB-C hub around to connect monitors, mice, and other devices. Most USB hubs are slimline and fit into your laptop bag. They don’t require an external power source and work with a single USB cable.

Choosing the right USB hub depends on your available space, budget, and preferred port selection. I usually recommend mid-size USB hubs with a varied port selection to accommodate most connections. Hubs with USB A and C ports, HDMI, and memory card readers should cover most scenarios, especially if they offer adequate power delivery to run your devices and charge your phone.

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5 Earbuds

Affective communication and entertainment

Sony Playstation Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds on a black table.

Earbuds are another must-have laptop accessory that take up minimal space and greatly improve your travel experience. I have a dedicated pair of earbuds in my laptop bag, so I can watch YouTube videos or listen to music while I work without disturbing people around me. It works both ways, and my earbuds help me concentrate by drowning out busy cafés, abrupt announcements, and other irritating background noises.

I pair them with my phone to entertain myself on flights and train rides.

My earbuds are essential for on-the-go work meetings and communicating with family and friends while traveling. They are also handy when I’m not using my laptop because I can pair them with my phone to entertain myself on flights and train rides.

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6 Laptop stand

Get more done when you work comfortably

A desk set up with mouse, keyboard, and laptop

Workperch

Sitting in cramped plane and train seats can take its toll on your body, and the last thing you need is neck strain from looking downwards at your screen. That’s why it’s worth having a laptop stand in your bag. A good stand elevates your display to eye-level — like a conventional monitor — and lifts the keyboard into a position that feels more natural for your wrists.

Some laptop stands are too heavy and bulky to carry with all the other accessories in your bag. However, it’s easy to find slim or foldable options that take up little space. These are worth it because you can arrive at your destination feeling relaxed and without neck or wrist pain.

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7 Power bank

Never run out of juice on the road

Samsung Memory / Unsplash / Pocket-lint

Nobody likes to miss deadlines or halt important projects because their laptop ran out of juice. This is why getting a power bank is worth it if you’re on a longer journey and think you won’t have access to a wall socket. Many power banks are too bulky and heavy to carry in your bag, but you can easily find cheaper portable models to help you in a pinch.

Portable power banks are often small enough to fit into a laptop bag compartment and have versatile ports for charging other devices. If you get the right one, you can charge your laptop, phone, and earbuds and power a portable monitor.