Working remotely has become routine for many of us.
A silver lining of the pandemic that gripped the world in 2020, it has freed millions from the tyranny of the commute and made working anywhere a tangible reality.
In 2023, 44 per cent of UK workers worked remotely, with 16 per cent doing so full-time and 28 per cent working a hybrid schedule, according to Forbes.
Whether you want to start your weekend minibreak the second you clock off or like the idea of putting dead travel time to good use, all you need are a few clever tech tools to keep productivity at a high.
A laptop is the obvious first step, along with a travel adaptor to ensure you can power it on whatever landmass you find yourself on. The problem is working with a screen and keyboard locked together isn’t great for your posture: it forces arms to the body and neck down, adding to aches and pains. If you’re planning to work remotely for the long term, your back will soon feel it.
The best way to skip the sciatica? Add a portable keyboard to your travel tech. These compact, wire-free designs allow you to prop the laptop screen up to eye level while tapping away on a full-size keyboard in a setting convenient to you. No straining, no overreaching, no hunched over a machine like an ancient sorceress hovering above a bubbling cauldron. In short, bliss.
Portable keyboards can be used with any device that supports Bluetooth and text, so you can pair them with your handset for faster instant messaging or use them on Word, even without Wi-Fi.
The most important feature to consider when shopping for one is how they’ll pack down into your hand luggage. Take it from my firsthand experience: one of the best things I bought on Amazon Prime Day 2024 was a Seenda folding keyboard which comes with a touchpad mouse. Paired with my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 - a folding handset that goes from phone to tablet in one move - I had a moveable workstation that I used on flights and trains while traversing southern Italy. It was almost as good as taking my laptop, but far easier to travel with and didn’t hog nearly as much precious bag space.
Aside from folding, other travel keyboards come in clamshell and rolling designs. If you’re someone who likes to combine work and play, investing in a portable keyboard might just turn out to be one of the best work tech choices you’ll make.
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Seenda Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
Perfect for working remotely or on the move, this tri-folding keyboard unfurls into a full-size design and comes complete with a touchpad mouse with the ability to right-hand and left-hand click.
The compact folded dimensions make it easy to slip into a weekend bag or backpack, and it pairs with any Bluetooth-supporting device, including iOS and Android handsets. It even comes with a collapsible phone stand to help you create a mini workstation when you’re away from home.
I have very few grumbles about this folding keyboard; it’s probably the most useful thing I’ve ever bought from Amazon. The touchpad mouse takes a little getting used to and it would be nice to see this keyboard in more colours, but these are minor criticisms.
Similarly, the two-hour charge time is a small price to pay for 150 days of battery life on standby mode. In all, this folding keyboard is an excellent piece of tech that will raise productivity levels when you’re remote working in the truest sense - and all at a price you just can’t quibble with.
Buy now £37.99, Amazon
ProtoArc XK01 Plus Foldable Keyboard
You’ll be able to work comfortably from practically anywhere with this full-size rechargeable QWERTY keyboard which comes with a full numeric keypad on the side and adjusting backlit keys for easier typing in poor light conditions.
Keys are nicely spaced to avoid cramped fingers and it comes with a travel carry case and phone stand as accessories - nice touches that will enhance your travel tech suite without taking up barely any room.
It even comes with an auto sleep mode, powering down after 15 minutes of inactivity to save energy. The 1500mAh internal battery takes six hours to fully charge.
It’s compatible with most devices, so whether you’re working on your phone, tablet or laptop, all you need to do is connect via Bluetooth and away you go.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon
Cooper Nomad Travel Keyboard with Trackpad
The protective cover of this Apple-esque keyboard turns into an angled magnetic stand for your device; simply stand it up, connect via Bluetooth and you’ll be merrily tapping an email home in no time.
Keys are responsive and won’t make much noise, and the keyboard comes with non-slip rubber feet to keep the unit stable in case of turbulence and bouncy railway tracks. The rechargeable device takes just two hours to charge, but can run for 30 hours - perfect if you’re planning to plough through a bit of work on a long journey.
Oh, and it comes with a multi-touch trackpad so you won’t lose mouse controls. Compatible with Windows, Android and iOs.
Buy now £32.95, Amazon
Microsoft Universal Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
The Nineties may have had Cher and her iconic clamshell phone, but the Twenties 2.0 has found its own version with the folding keyboard. The full-size design is a mere 5mm thin with the hinge found dead centre to fold it neatly in half when you don’t need it. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair it with two devices so you can switch between your handset and your tablet easily and it boasts spill resistance, so no dramas if your G&T takes a little knock near it.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
Doohoeek Portable Mini Keyboard
If you don’t mind sacrificing some keys in the name of compactness, say hello to this mini option available at Amazon. The folding element turns the cover into a backrest for phones and small tablets, allowing you to see what’s on the screen while you tap without eating up much table space. You can connect two devices to this keyboard simultaneously, switching between them using a simple shortcut - having two screens allows you to swap between more apps and web pages while you’re typing, so it’s great for creating travel itineraries or penning thoughts in your online travel journal.
When closed, it’s bigger than a standard smartphone, but it’s much lighter too at 230g. Easy to stash in your handbag until you need it.
Buy now £27.99, Amazon
THE TECH BAR Momax OneLink folding wireless keyboard
The Tech Bar does it again with an innovative piece of kit that will make remote working a joy. Its folding keyboard bends in the middle, can be paired with three devices at once, and comes with an applause-worthy 45 hours of battery life, despite needing only 60 minutes to charge.
Anti-slip feet keep it steady as you work towards your deadlines and it comes with a travel pouch to keep it safe as you go from A to B and back again.
It’s the most expensive option on our list, but if you hate waiting around for things to get back to full power, the 60-minute recharge time is a game-changer.
Buy now £109.95, Selfridges
Agatige USB Silicone Foldable Keyboard
This full-size 85-key keyboard is made from soft, foldable and rollable silicone, making it perfect for travel and business trips. It’s a light thing too, weighing just a pound so it won’t be guilty of tipping over your baggage allowance or straining your back in a backpack. Tapping on keys is soundless, so you can use this without triggering funny looks on red-eye flights or the quiet carriage. The downside? It needs a USB port to connect, so best reserved for laptops.
Available in black, white or orange options.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
