Learn how to set up a mobile office for digital nomad life, including essential gear and tips, to work remotely from anywhere. If you are Wondering How to become a digital nomad? The first step is having all the right digital nomad essentials! This is My Remote Work Setup & Digital Nomad Must Haves for working remotely! aka my Digital Nomad Office Setup for how I work remotely whether I’m RV Living on the Road working while experiencing the van life, or making money online from a hotel, Airbnb, somewhere off in a foreign country, etc…
If you need a Work From Home Setup That Fits In Your Bag – These are all my digital nomad accessories and Tech Gear I use For Working Remotely! So, whether I’m working in an RV doing the van life thing, my Mobile Office” allows me to be either working from home or ANYWHERE I want to Roam!
It’s what I like to call My ULTIMATE Remote Work Setup While Traveling. These are The top tools to have a comfortable Mobile Workstation as a digital nomad, stay organized, and be productive in between all those frequently changing locations while working remotely.
✅ Digital Nomad: Must Have Mobile Office Essentials
Working remotely? This digital nomad Mobile Office Setup allows me to Work on the road comfortably while traveling, without sacrificing convenience. Plus, all my digital nomad gear fits inside a bag! Take a look at the remote work setup I use as a digital nomad! Here’s a list of all my “Digital Nomad “Office” MUST HAVES” that all fit in my bag for traveling!
- ✅ Digital Nomad: Must Have Mobile Office Essentials
- Essential Travel Gear for Working Remotely (on the go)
- Computer
- Computer Hard Case With Stand
- Computer Sleeve Protector and Storage Case
- Mouse
- Mouse Case
- Portable Hard Drive
- Mobile Phones
- Chargers and Cables
- Charging Block for WALL
- USB-C External Plug
- Internet
- Notebooks
- Pens, Pencils, & Highlighters
- Planner / Calendar
- Headphones
- Earplugs
- Portable Desk
- Lap Pad
- Camera & Phone Mount
- Clicker
- Travel Bag
- Final Thoughts…
I also made a video about this on my personal blog!
Essential Travel Gear for Working Remotely (on the go)
If you want to be a digital nomad and work from anywhere, you need the right gear, essentials, and accessories. Today, I’m sharing how I have run my business on the road for the last eight years with the right remote working essentials and mobile office must-haves.
Computer
If you’re living the laptop lifestyle, working while traveling, and making money from anywhere, then having a laptop computer is the first essential item on my list. In the past, I’ve had a desktop, but now I use a laptop because I can go anywhere with it. It’s a 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro, it’s the newer model with an M2 Chip (maybe a 2022 edition) — I don’t know all the details.
NOTE: Speaking of which, if you feel like your computer is outdated and you’re thinking, oh my gosh, I don’t know how I’m gonna do this whole digital nomad thing or work remotely, — having a computer that’s up to date is essential for your productivity goals. Not just up to date, in terms of “updates” on the computer, but the computer itself! But my computer was at the end of the line, where you couldn’t even get any updates on it. It was at least 10 years old.
One thing I’ll say is that investing in an Apple or MacBook is pricey, but it’s well worth it. I use it for editing all my videos, handling my business tasks, and making Zoom calls, among other things.
Either way, having a laptop is the first essential.
Computer Hard Case With Stand
I also have a hard shell with legs on it to protect my computer. It allows my computer to stand up and so I can work remotely. I like that because it also keeps my computer from overheating if I’m working somewhere for a while.
>> Check out this Computer Hard Case (With Stand / Legs)
Computer Sleeve Protector and Storage Case
Being a digital nomad, I usually have my laptop with me, especially when I’m traveling! But, I am careful to keep it protected when moving from place to place! I bought a size bigger than I needed so that I could fit more items in the pockets! YES it not only stores your laptop computer for travel but it has pockets for your charging cable, mouse and a few other items too! I also love that it has a handle and zips for secure carry, grab and go etc…
I got this Zippered Computer Sleeve Protector With Storage Pockets on Amazon!
Mouse
A computer mouse is crucial for productivity. It’s more efficient than using a laptop’s trackpad and helps in navigating and working faster.
Please, for the love of God, if you don’t use a mouse, START using one! I think it is a laptop lifestyle must have essential and I find it crazy when I meet people who don’t use or even have a mouse for their computer!
Specifically, I use an Apple Magic Mouse. It is a more expensive mouse that’s designed for use with an Apple laptop. If you have an Apple laptop and you do not have a Magic Mouse, you need to get one.
It doesn’t matter whether you have an Apple Magic Mouse — just get any mouse!
It’s way easier to get work done when you have a mouse versus when you don’t have a mouse and you’re just trying to sit there with your little fingers on the computer and doing everything. It’s harder to do it. You can get a cheap mouse on Amazon.
>> Get my Rechargeable Mouse or (Apple Magic Mouse)
Mouse Case
I also have a travel case that I keep my mouse in so that it doesn’t get damaged. Just a hard storage case; you unzip it and put the mouse in it. I especially keep this for my mouse to travel with it!
>> Get my Mouse Case (for Travel)
Portable Hard Drive
Having a portable hard drive, is essential for storing data. It provides backup and extra storage, ensuring you always have access to important files. This means the data is not on your computer or in the cloud; it is on an external device (but you could have a copy in both places). Think of it as your little mini computer or mini storage for data.
I’m not sure if mine is 2TB or 5TB currently. But the most recent one I purchased on Amazon was by Seagate. I’ve had several external hard drives from other companies.
But it’s really important that you don’t drop this. That’s why I keep it in a protective case especially when traveling! But really all my data is on this portable external hard drive i.e. pictures, videos, things that I have uploaded in the cloud and do have on my computer, but also things that maybe aren’t on there that I just needed a backup of.
But I do believe in having your files backed up online, backed up on your computer, backed up to a portable hard drive. You need to have your files in multiple places when you become a digital nomad, and if you want to work remotely, you have to be able to access all of your files — even when you’re not able to get online or if something happens to one of your devices!
>> Get my Portable External Hard Drive (and Case)
Mobile Phones
I use multiple mobile phones, including iPhones (plus I have an Android on a second line), to manage my business on the go. — I do prefer my Apple iPhone for daily use! Yet, they are both equipped with essential apps and tools to run my business efficiently from anywhere.
I take notes, answer emails, write blog posts, capture photos and videos,
I can do a lot with my iPhone. I pretty much run my entire business on my phone when I’m not around my laptop.
Chargers and Cables
The next thing, I have to have phone chargers, computer chargers, computer cables, etc…. The one thing that I have on my list of must-have digital nomad travel essentials is multi-chargers because when I plug them in, I can charge multiple things at one time — making it convenient and efficient. Multi-chargers are vital for keeping all our devices powered.
I use a Multi-Charging Cable for most of all my small portable electronics like my phone, the water UV water bottle, and my Apple AirPods… My boyfriend also has an Android so almost everything we need is on this ONE charger! We have about 10-20 of these that we keep in our cars, in the RV, at the condo, in the van, our Murses and purses. Plus, of course in our suitcases! — We keep them everywhere.
We got our Multi-Charging Cables on Amazon!
Charging Block for WALL
You might also need a charging block for the USB to plug into and actually work in a normal wall outlet. Those nifty little USB Plug-ins are NOT always available everywhere you go. So I like to have both the USB Cord and the Charging block so I never have an issue needing to get electricity or a charge on the road!
Get these Charging Blocks for Walls online!
USB-C External Plug
A lot of the new devices and even vehicles have these new special hook-ups that don’t work with what the world has been using for the past decade. So if you buy a new computer or phone, expect to buy all new charging devices too!
I actually have to plug this little device into my computer, so that I can put in an HDMI or an SD card, USB-C power ports, an ethernet cable, and USB ports in here. Then I can charge my phone or plug it into my Apple watch or my storage device (portable hard drive), etc… Otherwise, I can’t plug those into my computer, connect to or charge them if I don’t have this device.
So that depends on whether you have a newer model computer or not. But the USB-C External Plug is one of my charging cables I keep in my travel bag with all my digital nomad mobile office must haves.
>> Get this USB-C Adapter Plug
Internet
Reliable internet and wifi are essential for making money online as a digital nomad, even more so when traveling! I use T-Mobile home internet, which has been a lifesaver, and I also utilize tethering from my phone, public or hotel Wifi (along with a VPN), and other mobile internet solutions to stay connected. So we have different forms of internet that we’ve tried over the years which changes depending on the situation or location or even service providers over time!
I actually made a whole video on my RVersity YouTube channel about how I get set up for the internet and where I can find it on the road, like free, and about some safety and security tips, and all about the internet — it’s way more than what I can cover in this video.
So, having access to the internet and wifi is essential as a digital nomad. Preferably unlimited, because you don’t wanna be limited in being able to use the internet.
>> [WATCH] My RV INTERNET SET UP for Full Time RV Living
Notebooks
I love writing and keep collegiate notebooks for jotting down ideas and notes. Even being a digital nomad, I still love old-school pen and paper writing. I keep paper college ruled notebooks — since you have skinnier lines, so you can write more. I’ll get them at Walmart or I’ll order them online. I love to write, and I normally will write stuff before I put it onto anything, online.
>> Check out these College Rule Notebooks I like to use.
Pens, Pencils, & Highlighters
Pens, pencils, and highlighters are also essential for staying organized and productive. I like to have different colors like blue, red, and black. I’m not trying to get super creative with pink, greens, or any other fancy colors. But I do like to have highlighters and things too. And I keep them in my bag.
Speaking of writing, I do a lot of things online digitally, which I shared in another video — things like my digital planner and calendars, etc…
>> How I Stay Organized Working Remotely in an RV & Traveling (on the road as a Digital Nomad!)
Planner / Calendar
A physical planner helps me keep track of appointments and tasks. I use a planner with sticky notes and calendar sections to organize my time effectively.
I like to have this so that I can write down my appointments and things that I have coming up to visualize them on paper. I also have digital calendars, but I can’t always get on the internet, I’m not always around my computer, or I might just be jotting down quick ideas.
>> Check out this Planner / Calendar
Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones and Apple AirPods are essential for focusing and blocking out distractions. They are compact and convenient for travel.
I’ve always used a basic pair of wired headphones (similar to the ones they “use” to give out on the airplanes) until Apple decided to discontinue the port you plug them into on my iPhone! But either way Having headphones is a must! Now, I use my Apple AirPods Pro for editing my YouTube videos as well as drowning out the noise! I’ve also received a pair of Sony Noise Canceling Headphones as a gift and they did fold flat, BUT they still take up more room than I’m willing to spare. Now, they have been added to the Van Life list of things instead!
BTW I have little ears which is why I like the Ear Bud type of Headphones BUT since the Apple Airpods fall out of my ears I bought a pack of attachable ear hugging devices to hold them in especially if I’m moving around or at the gym!
You can order the same Noise Cancelling Headphones (or Apple AirPods Pro) on Amazon!
Earplugs
Loop Quiet earplugs help me concentrate in noisy environments. They come in different sizes and are discreet, making them perfect for working anywhere.
I have a set of Loop Quiet earplugs that I use to drown out the noise going on around me or in the other room. (i.e. TVs, Construction, Traffic, Music, Talking, etc…) They come in different decibels and colors depending on the level of noise you need or want to hear. But, the best part about them no matter which set you choose is that even though they silence the noise going on, they still allow you to hear for instance if someone is talking to you. Plus, these are great for airplanes too!
I ordered my Loop Quiet Ear Plugs on Amazon!
Portable Desk
My adjustable desk is great for a stationary setup. It can be used as a stand-up desk and is portable, making it suitable for different work environments.
Lap Pad
A lap pad allows me to work comfortably without needing a desk. It’s lightweight, portable, and gives me a flat surface for both my laptop and mouse—perfect for working on the go.
The one I use is from ADATA, though the brand isn’t super important—you can find similar versions easily on Amazon. What I like most about this design is that it’s ambidextrous, so it works whether you’re left- or right-handed. You can use your mouse on either side, and there’s space for your laptop as well.
I still carry it with me, especially for situations like airports or anywhere I can’t access a proper desk or flat surface. Mine’s been through a lot—it’s a little beat up from being dropped—but it still does the job.
>> Get this Lap Pad online!
Camera & Phone Mount
One of the tools I always keep in my mobile office setup is a camera or phone mount—I’m actually recording on it right now! I’ll take it off quickly so you can see it.
If you’re planning to work as a digital nomad, a mount like this is super helpful. Your phone clips in securely, and it’s fully adjustable—it can tilt side to side, move up and down, and even rotate if needed. You can also position it to stand upright on a surface, making it great for video calls, filming, or even just watching content hands-free.
There are many different brands out there, and I’m not tied to a specific one. I usually find these kinds of accessories on Amazon, which is convenient since I can get them delivered wherever I am. If I forget something while I’m on the road—or just don’t have room to pack it—I know I can easily reorder it.
>> Get this Camera / Phone Mount
Clicker
A clicker helps me take photos and videos without needing to touch my phone. It’s a handy tool for content creation on the go.
>> Check out this Clicker
Travel Bag
I use a Vera Bradley travel bag to store and transport all my essentials. It has multiple pockets, making it easy to organize and carry everything I need on the go. I throw everything that I mentioned to you, minus the stand-up desk (it has a case for itself), in this bag, and I take off — when I’m done here, or I’m gonna get in the car, go to the condo, or hop in the RV van.
>> Check out this Carry Case / Bag (Vera Bradley Tote)
>> WATCH: I also made a video about this on my personal blog titled “My RV Remote Work Setup & Must Haves for Digital Nomads!”
Final Thoughts…
- 💻 Having a reliable laptop and accessories is crucial for remote work success, allowing you to stay productive on the go.
- 📶 A stable internet connection is essential for digital nomads, enabling seamless communication and workflow.
- 📝 Writing tools like notebooks and planners can enhance productivity and organization, especially in the absence of digital tools.
- 🎧 Noise-canceling headphones and earplugs provide a conducive work environment, reducing distractions and improving focus.
- 🎒 Keeping all gear in a travel bag ensures easy mobility and organization, essential for a flexible work setup.
- 📚 Accessing resources and courses can help individuals transition into the digital nomad lifestyle successfully, providing guidance and support.
- 🌍 Embracing the digital nomad lifestyle requires a combination of essential gear, organization, and access to resources for a seamless remote work experience.
These are the essentials and must-haves for running a business as a digital nomad. With the right gear, you can work from anywhere, whether it’s an RV, van, condo, or hotel.
>> I also keep a Carry-On Bag Packing List with all my other Travel Essentials i.e. my clothes, toiletries, etc… all TSA Friendly!
>> Shop All these Travel Essentials & More in our STORE!
Shop All these Travel Essentials & More…
Sign Up For Newsletter
I love traveling! So, if you like to travel then you are in the right place! Subscribe to get tips, tricks, news, and more about traveling sent straight to your inbox! >> Newsletter
Don’t Miss A Thing…
Follow @MapsAndMilesCom on Social Media via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter X, and Pinterest. Also, don’t forget to Subscribe on YouTube! And, Most Importantly Sign Up To Receive My Email Newsletter!