Going on a holiday? Easy to pack and offering a practical punch, here are some of the high-tech items that have become essentials for vacations.

External battery

For many, this has become a genuine necessity. A backup battery fits in your pocket and is available in different capacities, depending on your needs.

To power a smartphone, for example, a 5,000-mAh external battery will do the trick. Just make sure you choose a model with the right connections for your device, and avoid cut-price batteries from unknown brands.

Thanks to your backup battery, you won’t miss out on the photos and videos you want to take.

Wireless headphones

To enjoy your music or meditations wherever you are, these give you total freedom of movement. If you really want to get away from it all, opt for a model with noise reduction.

There’s something for every taste and budget, from Apple AirPods and Bose QC Earbuds to Huawei’s more affordable FreeBuds range.

There are also waterproof wireless bone-conduction headphones with built-in MP3 players, so you can enjoy your favorite music while swimming.

Bluetooth speaker

For a get-together by the pool, on the beach, on a boat, or even just a picnic in the countryside, bring a portable speaker with you. It will be an asset for brightening up any family gathering or evening out with friends, as everyone will be able to share a playlist if they connect their smartphone to it.

There’s a plethora to choose from, and you can easily find a model that’s tough enough and performs well enough to keep the party going all night long.

A TV stick or dongle

Whether you’re in a hotel room or staying with friends, in your home country or abroad, these devices help ensure you never miss your favourite TV series or movies.

There are a wide range of sticks to plug into any TV set that will let you enjoy all your favourite content – provided, of course, you have access to a good Wi-Fi connection.

The best-performing and most comprehensive models are Google’s Chromecast and Amazon’s Firestick, although other alternatives do exist.

Action camera

A must if you are a thrillseeker who wants to capture your exploits, action cameras enable you to capture many unforgettable moments, on land, sea or in the air.

GoPro remains a top brand with its versatile products, from its Hero12 series to its most complete Max model. Whether you’re a fan of surfing, climbing, skydiving or skiing, you can easily capture your adventures with this type of compact, easy-to-handle camera.

Today, many models even enable 360° filming, for spectacular 3D rendering.

And don’t forget …

A universal adapter allows you to can charge your electronic devices abroad. Before you leave, be sure to check which type of socket is used ithe country you’re going to.

While there are adapters dedicated to each type of socket, you can also opt for a universal model that will work absolutely anywhere under any standard.

Don’t forget to pack a few waterproof pouches, especially if you’re going to the sea, to protect your smartphone and other connected objects from sand and water on the beach.

And don’t forget to leave a Bluetooth GPS tracker (AirTag or similar) in your backpack, in case it gets lost or stolen.