Tech Gadget Gifts to Make Mobile Work a Breeze

It seems most everyone knows someone who travels and works on the go. Inside airports, coffee shops, hotels and remote offices, you will find salespeople, consultants and busy executives trying to finish that report or finalize the deal.

And although these weary travelers prefer to pack light, they are sure to find joy and gratitude in a well-thought-out gadget that can make their trips less of a pain. Mobile devices, noise-reducing gadgets, extra battery power and other technologies allow work to continue, no matter where these travelers find themselves.

This holiday season, supply your favorite wandering worker with a gift they will really use — and one that will remind them of your thoughtful gesture throughout the coming year.

Click through for five tech gadgets perfect for the worker who is always on the go.

A portable lapdesk allows the user to sit almost anywhere while comfortably balancing a laptop, book or tablet on their lap. They come in various shapes, sizes and price points, but the Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 might be the top of the line. It provides extra speakers for movie viewing, angle risers to adjust for tabletop viewing, and cooling fans to prevent overheating — all from your laptop’s USB port.

List price: $59.99 / Amazon: $29.95

You may have to sign up for a contract to go with it, but having a mobile hotspot can make a traveler stuck without a data connection very happy indeed. Several sites have listed the Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE MHS291L hotspot as one of the best. It touts a 15-hour battery life, compact size and a reliable network to back it up.

Cost: $49.99 w/ two-year contract / $229 w/ month to month

Every traveler has at some time had a phone battery or laptop battery die without an outlet in sight for recharging. Prevent this from happening again by giving a USB battery pack. These compact battery packs can be used to boost power to USB devices, including MP3 players, smartphones and tablets. Forbes lists the Anker Astro 3 as a “good all-around USB battery pack.”

List price: $149.99 / Amazon: $49.99

Salespeople and executives are often called upon to present data to groups, and what better way than via a projector—which a potential client may or may not have. But today’s array of micro projectors allows most anyone to travel with a lightweight projection device on-the-ready. CNET called out the Brookstone HDMI Pocket Projector as a great buy.

Cost: $299.99

For phone conferences while on the go, busy executives need a comfortable, reliable headset that provides clear audio reception and transmission. PCMag lists the Aliph Jawbone Era as one of the Editors’ Choice, top Bluetooth headsets.

MSRP: $129.99