Everyday Carry

The Best Portable Tech for EDC

Authored by:
Mikey Bautista
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
The Best Portable Tech for EDC

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At the core of nearly every EDC lie the essential tools we've relied on for decades: knives that let us cut, lights that let us see at night, and watches that let us know what time it is. But in today's world this gear shares equal pocket space with the modern tools that help us navigate it: phones, laptops, and even battery packs to help power it all.

Though as indispensable as our new toys are, just like our essential tools, bigger isn't always better. As EDCers, there's always a way to do more with less and make the most use of our limited pocket space. So we've put together a list of tech that do just that. They feature some of the latest and greatest technological advancements in some of the smallest form factors you can carry.

Whether it's consolidating the essentials you already have or adding that extra convenience to help make the most out of your day, we hope there's a tech pick in here for you.


Rocketbook Everlast Smart Notebook

It doesn't get simpler than a pen and paper notebook for all your note-taking needs, but we live in a time where even those can get the next-generation treatment. Case in point: the Rocketbook Everlast smart notebook. By pairing with the equally-useful erasable Pilot FriXion pens, you get a notebook you can reuse as needed, saving both time and bag space. The specialized pages also work with a smartphone app, letting you capture and upload your notes to your favorite cloud service.

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RAVPower 64GB Flash Drive/Charging Cable

When you work with computers having a flash drive is mandatory for transferring and keeping files. The problem is when clutter starts to build when you add a pile of cables to the mix. Solve three problems with one cable with this RAVPower cable, which combines flash storage, charging, and even extra storage for your smartphone.

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mophie powerstation plus mini

We're all probably all carrying a battery pack of some sort these days to power our devices, so here's an option to slim it down for a lighter carry. mophie makes one of the smallest and slimmest battery packs with the powerstation plus mini, while still having enough juice—to the tune of 4,000 mAh—to top up your devices. Even better, an integrated dual micro-USB/Lightning cable means one less thing to carry around.

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MecArmy SGN7 Rechargeable Alarm/Flashlight

You're probably already carrying a flashlight, so here's something that can help you consolidate your gear. The MecArmy SGN7 is a beefy light on its own with a max output of 550 lumens, but its alarm and charging features make it even more attractive to carry. As a handheld personal alarm it can wail at 120dB to help create space in an emergency, and when the emergency is low battery power its charging ports give you just enough power for that important phone call.

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Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse

Trackpads can be useful and your laptop already comes with one, but for long periods of detail work or playing games, you're gonna need a mouse. Logitech make a lot of them, but our pick is their compact MX Anywhere 2S. Not only is it one of their smallest, letting you carry it without hassle in your computer bag, but it's got great features to boot. This includes cross-computer control, a rechargeable battery with up to 70 days of power, and Logitech's “endless scroll” mousewheel which makes short work of long documents or webpages.

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BeatsX Wireless In-Ear Headphones

Many of us can't live without music. Whether it's a long commute, working out in the gym, or stuck at a desk at work, the right soundtrack just makes everything sound better. The BeatsX wireless Bluetooth earphones lets you play your tunes for up to 8 hours, plenty of time to get through your tasks for the day. Its Fast Fuel feature lets you quick charge the BeatsX in 5 minutes to give you up to 2 hours worth of charge, and its wire-free Bluetooth connectivity keeps it tangle-free and easy to stow in your carry.

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Kindle Paperwhite

While there will always be a place for having a great novel in your hands, it's hard to beat entire libraries you can access from a single compact device. The Kindle has revolutionized reading books on the go, and is a perfect addition to any book lover's EDC. The Paperwhite strikes a good balance between size and features, giving you weeks' worth of battery life to browse and read any book you desire from the massive Kindle library.

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Fossil Q Hybrid Smartwatch

Having to wear both a watch and fitness band can be a hassle, especially with the band would be out of place, like formal affairs. A hybrid smartwatch with classic designs like the Fossil Q gets the job done, addressing the need for a watch that you can wear with a suit as well as tracking one's fitness. In addition to its fitness tracker functions, the Q also pairs up with your smartphone to alert you to important notifications like texts or e-mail.

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Mighty Music Player

You're all set for sound with the earphones we've recommended on this list, and now you need a player. Sure, your phone can play your music, but a large smartphone is the last thing you want in your pockets during long-distance runs or pumping iron in the gym. Enter the Mighty, the first (and currently only) device that lets you save your favorite Spotify playlists offline in a device you can easily clip onto your clothes or your pockets. With 5 hours of playback and Bluetooth connectivity, it's the perfect device for all your on-the-go music needs.

Buy


KeySmart Pro + Tile

One of the most popular key organizers for EDC gets a tech upgrade with the KeySmart Pro. By integrating Tile technology, the Pro lets you pair your keychain with your phone, letting you find either with ease at the touch of a button or a tap of its app. You get all the key organization features you know and love from the KeySmart, while making it even more useful with its locator and built-in flashlight.

Buy


Do you have a favorite piece of portable tech you carry with you every day? Sound off in the comments below!

Mikey Bautista

Director of Everyday Carry Operations


About the Author
Mikey Bautista is an everyday carry (EDC) expert who has been working with the EverydayCarry.com team for nearly a decade, starting with an interest in EDC as a hobby and ending up as a writer for the site in 2014. Through the years, he’s led the site in editorial content and writing about products across every category, from knives to bags to flashlights and everything in between, as well as discovering, bringing exposure, and building bridges with many brands in the industry. Today, he is the site's Director of Everyday Carry Operations, leading the editorial team and managing day-to-day operations.

He has lived through many personal and professional lives, spending nearly a decade in the workforce management industry, a minor career in gaming, and has lent a hand with entrepreneurial efforts back home in the Philippines. He has also been an active participant and helped build a number of significant social communities online, both for EDC and his other hobbies.

Mikey has been at the cusp of gaming, technology, and the internet since the ‘90s and continues to lend his experience, expertise, and authority to all his pursuits. When not online, in a game, or watching movies, you'll find him in the gym, speedrunning his next hobby, or talking at length about EDC with anyone willing to listen.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

Discussion (5 total)

Andrew ·
I like keybar better than keysmart. Our keysmarts were garbage and kept unscrewing.
Drew ·
The MX Anywhere 2S is a great mouse. I've recently upgraded to it over the generic $20 one I've been using for college. Leagues above what it replaced. Love the smooth fast scroll mode and the Bluetooth means no worrying about bringing along the annoying dongle.
weehawk ·
I'm glad I'm not the only one who still wants/uses a dedicated portable music player, lol. And the Kindle Paperwhite really is great, I've had mine for like five years and it's still pretty much mint, and I read a lot. I love books but large hardbacks are overrated in many contexts.
Andrew Casel ·
Same here. Function / Size / Audio quality of a Digital Audio Player is useful for me .
Mikey Bautista ·
I've knocked and dropped my phone too many times in the gym so the Mighty has helped me tremendously, especially since I rely on Spotify for most of my music!