5 Clever Foldable Gadgets That Aren’t Smartphones







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One of the best things about the modern world is how we have access to so much powerful technology that can fit the palm of our hands. Although many of us are still waiting for Apple to release the foldable iPhone, a lot of other major brands have rolled out foldable Android smartphone models that are worth having a second look. In 2025, we saw the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, while Oppo released the world’s thinnest foldable phone so far, the Oppo Find N5. 

Apart from its form factor, it was also waterproof, supported for 50W wireless charging, and had impressive battery life. A year later, Motorola also rolled out a new generation of the Razr Ultra, which we thought was a slight upgrade from its previous year’s generation. But since many foldable phones still have a lot of cons, such as crease issues, hinge problems, and higher prices, you might want to consider other foldable gadgets in the market.

One of the advantages of foldable products is that they’re designed for people who value compactness, so they’re often designed in a way that is space-saving, lightweight, and multi-functional. For people who travel frequently or work remotely, foldable tech means everything from having less devices on-hand, to being able to get up and go with a much smaller bag, without sacrificing your workflow. If you’re curious, here are some options that might surprise you and make your mobile lifestyle more interesting.

Portable Monitors

While there are some products you should avoid, there are also portable monitor brands worth buying, such as Asus, ViewSonic, Acer, and Lenovo. However, one popular brand that you can find on Amazon that produces some highly-rated foldable monitors is KYY, which comes in a single and dual models. The displays work with everything from your smartphones, tablets, laptops, and consoles, such as Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. The 15.6-inch KYY Portable Monitor is listed as an Amazon’s Choice product, wherein it retails for $69.99 and has an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 12,800 Amazon customers. 

Weighing just 1.7 lbs, it has two USB-C ports, a mini HDMI port, a 3.5mm audio jack, as well as built-in speakers. Apart from its 178-degree viewing angle, it works both in landscape and portrait mode. It’s super slim, at 0.3 inches, plus it comes in a waterproof and scratch-proof case.

However, if you want a more elaborate three monitor set up, you can get the $249.99 KYY 15.6-inch Laptop Screen Extender instead. Attached at the back of your laptop — which can be from 12 to 17 inches — it offers a 178-degree viewing angle for its two 15.6-inch screens. Depending on your device, you can opt to use a single USB-C cable, or a combination of both USB-A or USB-C cables for both the power and display. You can fold both screens, which are capable of 360-degree rotation, and tuck away its 90-degree stand. On Amazon, it enjoys a 4.5-star average rating from more than 5,000 people.

Foldable Keyboards

There’s a lot of bizarre keyboards out there, like those that look like gaming controllers, laser projections, and those without keys. If you’re looking for a foldable one, ProtoArc’s Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard XK01 boasts an average 4.3-star rating from over 3,200 Amazon customers. An Amazon’s Choice product, it’s available in five colors, with prices that range between $44.99 to $53.99. 

It measures 15.19 inches by 4.68 inches when opened, but it folds up into a convenient 4.68 inches by 8.46 inches once you’re ready to put it away. Rechargeable via a USB-C cord, it can last up to 150 days on standby, and can connect to up to three devices. It also has magnetic closure, anti-skip rubber pads, and quiet scissor keys. Although if you really do need a trackpad, the company also sells a model with a built-in trackpad for just under $60.

That said, if you have a tendency to spill drinks, work in dusty places, or the type to work by the beach, the Sungwoo Foldable Silicone Keyboard will be better for wet fingers, since it’s easy to clean with a soft typing experience. Another Amazon’s Choice product, more than 1,200 people rated it four stars on average. Retailing for just under $20, it measures 15.87 inches by 4.72 inches by 0.47 inches when laid flat. Made of flexible and soft material, you have the option to either fold it or roll it up when not in use.

Pocket projectors

Perfect for date nights or long road trips, there are plenty of highly-rated smartphone-compatible projectors. Although if you’re looking for another pocket-friendly option, the Aurzen ZIP Tri-Fold DLP Portable Mini Projector‘s tri-fold design gives you more flexibility for projection angles. On its website, this mini projector has been rated 4.6 stars by 161 users. On the other hand, it has a 4.2-star average rating on Amazon, where its prices start at $399.99. 

Available in three colors (white, black, and gold), it has a 5,000 mAh rechargeable battery compatible with Type-C PD fast charging. Weighing a little under 10 oz., it measures 3.3 inches by 3.1 inches by 1 inch when folded. Although the projector bulb can’t be replaced, Aurzen notes that it’s made to last up to 20,000 hours.

In recent times, it has been praised by reputable publications, like The Verge, PC Mag UK, and Tom’s Guide for its packed features, built-in batteries, and compactness. However, some disadvantages cited by reviewers include a limited resolution and needing a dongle for HDMI devices. Without its official HDMI dongle, Aurzen is transparent with how it won’t work with streaming services, due to not meeting content protection standards. To get the most out of it, other compatible accessories include the MagPlay Dual-Sided Mount and 10,000 mAh PowerPlay Magnetic Charging Stand, which lets you add another three hours to your unplugged viewing time.

Travel mouse

Although some people can survive working with just a track pad, others still prefer the comfort of a mouse. These days, there are plenty of great wireless mice for remote work, like the CHERRY MW 9100 Mouse, HP X3000 G3 Wireless Mouse, and Logitech M720 Triathlon. But if you need something that takes up even less space, the NYIEFADA Bluetooth Wireless Arc Travel Mouse could be better suited to your needs. 

An Amazon’s Choice product, it has an average rating of 4.4 stars from 650+ users. Starting at $32.99, it’s sold in three colors and rechargeable via micro-USB charging port, wherein a full battery can last up to 60 hours. It’s made for right-handed users only, but it does have swivel folding and DPI switching. It can connect to three devices simultaneously, through the dongle, 2.4G, and Bluetooth device connections.

For left-handed users, the Microsoft Arc Mouse is a good ambidextrous, foldable option that weighs just under 3 oz. Despite its $105.99 price tag, more than 18,700+ Amazon generally thought it was worth it by giving it a 4.5-star average rating. While they are old reviews, both PC Mag Australia and CNET praised its performance as a travel-friendly mouse. When not in use, it measures 5.17 x 2.17 x 0.56 inches flat. Although it’s not rechargeable, it is rated to last up to half a way with a pair of AAA batteries. It also has a unique full scroll plane reminiscent of a trackpad and weighs just 2.9 oz.

Charging stations

For frequent travelers, it can be challenging to make sure all your devices are charged during your trip. Since it’s not always ideal to bring the fancy docks you can keep on your bedside table at home, a foldable charging station can be a good companion on the road. With an average rating of 4.4 stars from 5,200 Amazon users, the Knild Magnetic Wireless Charger, which works even without removing certain magnetic iPhone cases. Measuring 4.72 inches by 2.76 inches by 0.79 inches, it lets you charge your iPhone (10W), Apple Watch (2.5W), and AirPods or other wireless earbuds (5W). While it’s not the most compact charger station out there, it is relatively affordable, with prices that range from $21.99 to $32.99.

If you want something that you can easily shove into a purse or backpack, there’s the Iseyyox Charging Station, which has an average rating of 4.3 stars from over 5,400+ Amazon users. Just under 3 inches both for its width and height with a little over an inch thick for its height, it’s available in six colors and priced between $41.99 to $49.99. With just a single 18W USB-C cable and adapter, you can charge three Apple devices simultaneously, such as iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. Apart from working vertically and horizontally, it can also act like a tripod while charging your iPhone. It offers an elevated clearance for iPhones, which helps prevent camera damage.

How we chose these foldable gadgets

To make this list, we considered the different types of foldable gadgets in the market, which are aimed towards both personal and professional use. Afterward, we looked into the portfolio of products from top brands who manufacture these foldable products. Apart from being foldable, we took note of other unique features that may set them apart from their competition, such as stands, durability, ambidextrous capabilities, compatible devices, and overall compactness.

We selected options that have been rated four stars on average on online retail platforms, such as Amazon or their own official website. When possible, we also took note if they were highlighted for their performance compared to similar products in their category, such as if they were Amazon’s Choice products. We also looked into other reputable publications, like PC Mag, CNET, and The Verge. Lastly, we made it to include products that fit a broad range of budgets from around $20 to $400, so you can decide what works within your price range.





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Recent Reviews


Québec City in winter asks for a different kind of travel mindset. Days move more slowly, distances feel longer, and simple choices like what you wear, where you stop, how much you plan shape your experience more than usual. This is not a destination you rush through or try to out-optimize.

We arrived thinking we understood winter travel. After all, I was a professional skier for over 20 years. We left realizing how intentionally this city operates when temperatures drop. Streets are designed to keep life moving, meals stretch longer, and the season becomes part of the rhythm rather than something to work around.

These are the things we wish we had fully understood before our first winter visit, not as warnings, but as perspective. A little context goes a long way in Québec City, especially when everything is quieter, colder, and at its most beautiful.

Winter Isn’t a Downside — It Is the Experience

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac Quebec Canada
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

If you’re waiting for spring to see Québec City “at its best,” you’re misunderstanding the city.

Snow doesn’t just decorate Old Québec, it transforms it. Winter softens sound, slows foot traffic, and changes how the city feels. Locals don’t retreat indoors; they adapt. Fire pits appear. Ice slides reopen. Outdoor spaces are reimagined instead of abandoned.

Once you accept that winter sets the tone and is not something to work around, everything else falls into place.

Pack Functional, Not Fancy (Style Can Still Exist)

Snowy Quebec City Canada
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

This isn’t the place for sacrificing warmth for aesthetics. But that doesn’t mean you need Arctic expedition gear either.

Think intentional layers:

  • A real winter coat (insulated and wind-blocking)
  • Wool socks (you’ll walk more than you expect)
  • Insulated boots with grip
  • Gloves you can still use your phone in
  • A hat that actually covers your ears

Québecers dress well in winter, but nothing is accidental. Warmth comes first, style follows. Pack with that same mindset and you’ll enjoy the city instead of constantly searching for the next place to thaw out.

We found that we packed too many “cute clothes” and ended up dressing in our layered ski clothes on most city days.

Ice Cleats Are a Secret Weapon

Christmas night in Quebec City
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

Sidewalks are cleared efficiently, but winter reality still applies. Packed snow turns glossy. Stone steps remember every freeze-thaw cycle they’ve ever endured.

Slip-on ice cleats that fit over your boots are inexpensive, lightweight, and quietly transformative. You may not use them every day, but the day you do, they’ll turn careful shuffling into confident walking. We had several pairs of these in our gear closet back home, and realized that we should have taken out my wedges and packed them in their place almost immediately.

Old Québec Is Basically a Stair Workout

Lower Quebec City Canada
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

Upper Town. Lower Town. Repeat. Ville haute. Ville basse. Répéter.

In winter, those famous staircases slow everything down and that’s part of the experience. You’ll pause more often. Catch your breath. Turn around to admire views you might rush past in warmer months.

Plan breaks. Use handrails. Don’t rush the climbs. Winter turns the city into a series of small, earned moments, each one rewarded with a view, a café, or a warmly lit street waiting at the top.

Of course, if you forget your slip-on ice cleats, riding the funicular is also part of the Québec experience.

You’ll Walk More Than You Expect, Even in Winter

Mural Quebec City
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

Québec City is compact, especially inside the walls. Winter doesn’t change that. It simply adjusts the pace.

You’ll still walk everywhere, but you’ll do it more deliberately. Fewer stops per day. More wandering without an agenda. More lingering once you finally warm up.

Build buffer time into your days. Over-planning works against winter here. The city reveals itself best when you let things unfold slowly. We are compulsive over planners and one-more-thingers. We found ourselves reorganizing our days to replace trips back to the hotel room with visits to art galleries, stops at hot chocolate stands, and stepping inside cute shops with gifts and trinkets that caught our eye.

Book a Walking Tour Early (They Know the Tricks)

Walking tour of lower Quebec
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

A winter walking tour isn’t just about history; it’s about strategy.

Good guides know how to:

  • Plan efficient routes
  • Time indoor stops to warm up
  • Adjust pacing for snow and ice
  • Keep the experience comfortable without breaking the flow

We booked a walking tour with Israël from Cicerone Tours for our first morning in Québec, and it gave us context, orientation, and confidence, which made everything else feel easier and more intentional. Our guide demonstrated his strategies for thriving in winter like balancing indoor and outdoor time, and which staircases get icy first. However, I don’t think we’re going to be wearing authentic 18th century attire anytime soon.

Restaurants Become Destinations, So Plan Accordingly

L'Échaudé Restaurant Quebec Canada
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

Cold weather changes how you eat.

Meals stop being refueling breaks and become anchors in your day. Long dinners. Rich Québécois comfort food. Warm bread, soups, and wine that feel genuinely earned after a snowy walk.

Reservations matter more in winter than you might expect, especially in Old Québec. Don’t assume you can wander in last-minute. Planning a few meals ahead keeps hunger from dictating your evenings.

We found ourselves on a European style cadence. Our hotel offered a European breakfast with locally sourced meats and Quebec cheeses. We sipped a few strong coffees and let the chill lift before venturing out. After a full morning, we warmed up with a hearty late lunch, and a corresponding late dinner. Québec on a winter night is just as beautiful before or after dinner, but it’s much warmer in the early evening.

Winter Festivals Actually Matter

Homage to hocky in Quebec City
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

Events like the Winter Carnival aren’t just visitor attractions. The locals participate fully, especially for hockey. Families bundle up. Friends meet outdoors. The city feels energized rather than shut down.

Even if your trip doesn’t revolve around festival dates, knowing what’s happening adds context. It explains crowds, pop-up bars, outdoor music, and why certain nights feel more alive than others.

Check the calendar before locking in plans. Winter events subtly shape the rhythm of the city. Maybe you want to target the festivities. Maybe you want to avoid the crowds. Either way, you need to plan accordingly.

The Countryside Is a Winter Wonderland

Montmorency Falls Quebec Canada
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

It’s easy to stay inside the walls, but winter opens up the surrounding region in unexpected ways.

Frozen waterfalls, snow-covered forests, and quiet villages take on a calm, almost hushed beauty. Day trips feel less rushed, with fewer crowds and more room to breathe.

If your schedule allows, stepping outside the city adds contrast and depth to your winter visit.

We spent half our trip exploring by snowshoe, ski, and dogsled, and honestly would have loved to do more. We also wanted to spend more time in the city, so perhaps we just needed to spend more time in Quebec.

You Don’t Have to Stay at the Ice Hotel, But You Should Visit

Hôtel de Glace Quebec Canada
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

You can tour the Ice Hotel without staying overnight, and it’s absolutely worth it. The craftsmanship alone is impressive, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else nearby.

That said, staying the night is a completely different experience. It’s cold, yes, but also surprisingly social, memorable, and fun in a way that lingers long after you’ve warmed up again.

Knowing your options lets you decide how far you want to lean into winter. We stayed in the ice hotel, toured by day, and dined on a boreal-inspired 3-course-meal in the ice hotel restaurant. Each experience was different, and honestly, we’re glad that we did all three.

Why Winter In Québec Just Makes Sense

Quebec City Canada at night
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

Winter strips Québec City down to what actually matters. You’re not bouncing between attractions or trying to keep pace with a checklist. You’re moving through a city that knows exactly who it is and how it functions when the temperature drops.

The cold forces better decisions. You dress with intention. You plan fewer days but use them well. Meals become anchors instead of afterthoughts. Wandering replaces rushing. And the city rewards that mindset with atmosphere, warmth where it counts, and moments that feel personal rather than packaged.

Québec City doesn’t shut down in winter — it sharpens. Streets are quieter but never empty. Experiences feel more deliberate. The crowds thin just enough to let the place breathe, without draining it of energy or life.

If you come prepared, winter isn’t something you work around here. It’s the reason everything else works so well. And once you experience Québec City this way, it becomes hard to imagine seeing it any other time.

Ready to Book Your Trip? These Links Will Make It Easy:

Airfare:

Lodging:

Insurance:

  • Protect your trip and yourself with Squaremouth and Medjet
  • Safeguard your digital information by using a VPN. We love NordVPN as it is superfast for streaming Netflix
  • Stay safe on the go and stay connected with an eSim card through AloSIM

Our Packing Favs:

  • We LOVE Matador Equipment for their innovative products and sustainability focus. Their SEG45 is a game changer when you need large capacity while packing light.
  • Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Knack Bags
  • Packing cubes make organized packing a breeze! We love these from Eagle Creek

Attractions/Activities:

  • Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with Tiqets
  • Get Your Guide and Viator for guided tours/excursions, day trips, and activities
  • Want to learn a city from the ground up? Take a small group walking tour with Walks – 5-star rated with a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence
  • Want to book an epic adventure experience with top-notch companies like Intrepid Travel, G-Adventures, or Backroads? Check out Travelstride
  • Find information on local trails with the All Trails App.
  • Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit our Resources Page for more trusted partners

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Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel.



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