How to Stay Productive (or Entertained) During Long Journeys Without a Charger

The New Summer Travel Challenge – No Power, No Problem

You’re halfway through a long-haul flight, stuck on a train with no plug in sight, or waiting out a multi-hour airport layover, and your laptop battery is hanging on for dear life. Well, believe it or not, we’ve all been there!

Staying productive (or simply entertained) during summer travel isn't just about having Wi-Fi. It’s about staying powered. Whether you're a student catching up on coursework, a business traveller juggling documents, or just trying to binge your favourite shows offline, one dead device can bring your entire journey to a halt.

But here’s the good news: with the rise of long battery laptops, smart power-saving settings, and travel-friendly tech, you no longer have to rely on the hunt for the next wall socket. Today’s best lightweight laptops for students, Slim MacBooks, and Portable Chromebooks are built for the modern traveller, with all-day battery life, fast-charging, and offline-ready performance.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to stay powered through any journey, without carrying a bulky charger. From laptops with 15+ hour battery life to the must-have accessories that keep your gear organised and energised, we’re covering everything you need for a seamless, productive, and fully charged travel experience. So without further ado, let’s get started!

Laptops That Can Handle the Long Haul

Long journeys and summer travel demand more than just portability. They require laptops that can truly go the distance. Whether you’re finishing a project at 35,000 feet or binge-watching your favourite series across time zones, you can find laptops that offer the kind of all-day battery life that lets you leave the charger behind with confidence. Below are some of the best long battery laptops available in 2025, each capable of delivering 15+ hours of runtime for uninterrupted productivity and entertainment.

• Apple MacBook Air 13″ M3:

Apple’s MacBook Air 13” M3 is a masterclass in power efficiency. It boasts up to 18 hours of video playback, making it one of the longest-lasting ultrabooks on the market. The fanless design keeps it whisper-quiet, and at just 1.24 kg, it’s built for ultra-light travel. Whether you're writing emails, editing content, or watching offline media, it performs effortlessly across the board.

Key Features:

• Battery Life: Up to 18 hours

• Weight: ~1.24 kg

• Display: 13.6″ Liquid Retina

• Why It Works: Ideal for creatives, students, and anyone who needs reliable battery on the go

• ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED (UX3405MA):

The ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED is a premium ultrabook that features a vivid OLED display with a power-efficient Intel Core Ultra processor. Expect over 15 hours of battery under mixed use, with enough power for business apps, light creative work, or offline movies in style. It’s thin, sleek, and impressively long-lasting.

Key Features:

• Battery Life: ~15+ hours

• Weight: ~1.2 kg

• Display: 14″ OLED

• Why It Works: Balances productivity, visuals, and battery life brilliantly

• Dell XPS 13 9345 Qualcomm Snapdragon-100:

With a Snapdragon X Elite chip under the hood, the Dell XPS 13 9345 offers over 20 hours of battery life, one of the best in its class. The ARM-based efficiency and passive cooling mean you get true all-day performance without heat or noise. It’s a great fit for digital nomads and remote workers.

Key Features:

• Battery Life: Up to 27 hours

• Weight: ~1.17 kg

• Display: 13″ InfinityEdge

• Why It Works: A true workhorse in a sleek, featherweight chassis

• Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6:

Designed for users who prefer slim business laptops, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 runs on Snapdragon ARM architecture and provides up to 21 hours of runtime in official tests. This makes this Lenovo lightweight laptop the ultimate productivity tool for travel-heavy users. It’s tough, secure, and offers LTE options for true mobility.

Key Features:

• Battery Life: Up to 21 hours

• Weight: ~1.3 kg

• Durability: MIL-STD tested

• Why It Works: Rugged, efficient, and packed with pro-grade features

• Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro:

A stunning 2-in-1 ultrabook, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro combines a lightweight build with a battery that easily stretches past 21 hours. It’s a dream for hybrid users who switch between work, note-taking, and entertainment.

Key Features:

• Battery Life: ~21 hours

• Weight: ~1.1 kg

• Form Factor: Convertible with touchscreen

• Why It Works: The perfect blend of versatility, battery, and portability

• Acer Chromebook Plus 514:

Built for speed and endurance, this Portable Chromebook offers about 12 hours of real-world battery life. A great options for users seeking lightweight chromebook laptops with best battery life. The Acer Chromebook 514 boots in seconds, handles multiple Chrome tabs with ease, and runs offline Google apps seamlessly. At around 1.3 kg, it’s an affordable lightweight laptop that makes long train rides or airport waits feel productive.

Key Features:

• Battery Life: ~12 hours

• Weight: ~1.3 kg

• Operating System: ChromeOS

• Why It Works: Great for cloud workflows, students, and minimalist travellers

• Acer Chromebook Plus 515:

Need more screen real estate without sacrificing endurance? The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 delivers similar battery life (~10 hours) in a larger 15.6″ full HD form factor. It’s perfect for those who prefer multitasking on a bigger display while staying untethered from the wall socket.

Key Features:

• Battery Life: ~10 hours

• Weight: ~1.35 kg

• Display: 15.6″ Full HD

• Why It Works: Ideal for work-from-anywhere professionals or multitaskers who prefer a larger screen

Want to make sure your laptop stays safe during your travels? Check out the 7 essential tips to safely pack your laptop for summer travel.

Essential Travel Accessories for Productivity on the Move:

Even the best long battery laptops can benefit from smart accessories that enhance your productivity and keep you organised while travelling. Whether you're heading on a weekend getaway or tackling a multi-stop summer itinerary, packing the right tech companions ensures your work and entertainment flow without interruption, even when power outlets are nowhere in sight.

Here are some travel-ready essentials worth having in your backpack:

• Power Banks with USB-C Support:

A high-capacity power bank is a lifesaver when your laptop needs a quick boost on the go. Look for models with USB-C PD (Power Delivery) output. This ensures fast charging and compatibility with modern ultrabooks and Chromebooks.

• Ideal for charging laptops, tablets, and phones
• 20,000mAh or higher recommended for full laptop recharge
• Compact and flight-safe designs available

• Portable SSDs:

Need to carry large files, media libraries, or project backups? A portable SSD ensures fast data transfer and offline access to your work. They’re compact, durable, and far more reliable than cloud-only storage in areas with poor Wi-Fi.

• Ultra-lightweight and pocket-sized
• Up to 2TB of high-speed storage
• Great for photographers, videographers, and students

• Noise-Cancelling Headphones:

Block out background chatter on planes or trains and stay focused. Noise-cancelling headphones are perfect for remote workers, audiobook lovers, or anyone who wants some peace while in transit.

• Improves concentration and reduces travel fatigue
• Many models double as Bluetooth headsets for calls
• Long battery life (20+ hours) complements long journeys

• Slim Laptop Bags & Organisers:

Forget bulky backpacks. Go for a slim, minimalist laptop sleeve or tech organiser that keeps your gear safe and travel-friendly. Choose one with compartments for chargers, SSDs, and headphones.

• Water-resistant and padded options available
• Helps with minimalist packing and easy airport screening

• Universal Travel Adapters:

If your travels take you across borders, a multi-region adapter ensures you’re always ready to plug in, when you do find an outlet. Look for models with USB-A/C ports for added flexibility.

• Compact and TSA-friendly
• Works in 150+ countries
• Surge protection options available

With these smart accessories, your lightweight travel setup becomes fully optimised, maximising uptime, minimising stress, and giving you true freedom to work or play, anywhere. Wanna know more about what to pack? Check out our ultimate tech packing guide for summer travellers to learn more!

Top Ways to Maximise Battery Life While You Travel:

When you're away from power outlets for extended periods, whether on a plane, train, or café terrace, every bit of optimisation helps. Here's how to squeeze every last minute from your laptop's battery:

• Turn On Battery Saver or Low Power Mode:

Most laptops now include built-in battery saver features. On Windows, you can enable Battery Saver; on macOS, there's Low Power Mode. These modes limit background activity, reduce screen brightness, and extend battery life significantly.

• Activates automatically at low battery (or set it manually)
• Can extend runtime by up to 2–3 hours

• Go Offline When You Can:

Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if you’re not using them. Apps running in the background that constantly sync (cloud storage, emails, auto-updates) can drain your battery faster than you realise.

• Download files/media in advance
• Use Offline Mode in apps like Google Docs, Netflix, or Spotify
• Great for focusing without distractions too

• Dim Your Display & Use Dark Mode:

The display is usually one of the biggest power consumers. Lower your brightness and switch to Dark Mode where available. OLED screens especially benefit from dark themes, saving more energy.

• Reduce brightness to 50–60%
• Turn off keyboard backlight if not needed
• Enable system-wide Dark Mode on supported apps and OS

• Close Unused Apps & Tabs:

Having 30 tabs open in Chrome? Those eat battery. Try using browsers like Microsoft Edge or Safari, which are generally more battery-friendly than Chrome. And close apps you're not actively using to free up system resources.

• Limit multitasking when power is limited
• Use “Task Manager” or “Activity Monitor” to spot high-usage apps

• Adjust Power Settings:

Fine-tuning your power and sleep settings ensures your laptop doesn’t waste energy when idle. Set your screen and sleep timers to short intervals during downtime.

• Set screen to turn off after 5 minutes of inactivity
• Put device to sleep after 10–15 minutes
• Turn off background app refresh (Windows/macOS)

These simple battery optimisation adjustments can collectively add hours of runtime to your laptop, perfect for surviving long journeys with no charger in sight.

Entertainment Ideas for Offline Fun:

Just because you're travelling without Wi-Fi or a charger doesn't mean you have to be bored. With a little preparation, your long battery laptop can become a full-fledged entertainment hub, ready to keep you amused through airport delays, cross-country rail trips, or beachside downtime. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your screen time:

• Download Movies & TV Shows in Advance:

Apps like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer all offer offline download options. Just make sure you download your favourites before leaving your Wi-Fi zone.

Downloaded media is great for long flights and hotel stays. Choose low-resolution settings to save space and battery. Also, use headphones for immersive sound without draining power.

• Play Battery-Friendly Games:

You don’t need a gaming laptop to have fun. Many offline games are optimised for battery and can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store, Steam, or Epic Games.

Here are some popular options you can try out:

• Casual picks: Stardew Valley, Civilization VI, Slay the Spire
• Creative games: Minecraft (offline mode), The Sims
• Strategy lovers: Into the Breach, FTL: Faster Than Light

Just lower in-game graphics settings to stretch battery life further.

• Journal, Sketch or Write:

Use apps like Notion, OneNote, or Evernote in offline mode to reflect on your trip, write a blog post, or start a travel diary. Prefer to go visual? Try Sketchbook, Krita, or Adobe Fresco for drawing and digital art.

You can easily turn downtime into creative output. Pair with a stylus on lightweight 2-in-1 laptops for a more natural feel. This process doesn’t require constant background processes so you can easily stretch your battery life.

• Read eBooks or PDFs:

Whether you're catching up on reading or reviewing documents, a laptop with long battery life makes it easy to lose yourself in a good book or article.

You can use Kindle app, Adobe Acrobat, or Calibre to download and read more. Make sure to activate dark mode for eye comfort and energy savings. This is great for study sessions or winding down before bed.

• Listen to Music, Podcasts, or Audiobooks:

Download your Spotify playlists, Audible titles, or podcast episodes in advance. These audio options use very little battery and let you relax without staring at the screen.

This is ideal for zoning out during commutes. Use offline mode in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Audible. By doing so, you can rest your eyes while staying entertained.

With these offline options, your journey becomes less about "killing time" and more about enjoying it, without the stress of battery anxiety or needing constant connectivity.

Conclusion: Your Ultimate Summer Travel Setup:

Long travel days don't have to mean drained batteries, boredom, or productivity blackouts. With the right gear and mindset, you can transform your time in transit into an opportunity to catch up on shows, make progress on work, or simply relax with peace of mind.

Long battery laptops like the MacBook Air M3 or Acer Chromebook Plus take the stress out of being unplugged, while smart accessories like portable SSDs and power banks ensure you stay organised and connected on your terms. Add a few settings tweaks and a stash of offline entertainment, and you’ve got a tech setup that’s built for summer freedom.

So, whether you're heading across the country or overseas, pack smart, power up, and enjoy the journey. Because staying productive and entertained shouldn’t require hunting for a wall socket.

FAQs - Long Battery Laptops:

•  How many hours of battery life is good for travel laptops?

For travel, a laptop with at least 12 to 15 hours of real-world battery life is ideal. This ensures you can work, stream, or stay entertained during long-haul flights or day-long commutes without needing to recharge. Premium ultrabooks and newer Chromebooks often fall into this range or higher.

• Can I really use a laptop all day without charging?

Yes, if you choose a long battery laptop with 15+ hours of runtime and optimise your settings (like enabling low power mode and dimming brightness), you can comfortably use it throughout a travel day without needing a charger.

• What should I download before a long trip without Wi-Fi?

Download entertainment like movies, playlists, audiobooks, and offline games. Also, prep essential work files, documents, and apps with offline modes (Google Docs, OneNote, Kindle, etc.).

• Do Chromebooks work well for travel without the internet?

Absolutely. Most modern Chromebooks have great offline support for Google Docs, Gmail, YouTube downloads, and more. Just make sure to enable offline access in your settings before your trip.

• Are there accessories that help extend laptop battery life while travelling?

Yes. Power banks with USB-C PD, portable SSDs (to avoid heavy cloud syncing), noise-cancelling headphones, and universal travel adapters all play a part in keeping you powered and productive during long trips.