1. A hanging toiletry bag to contain alll of your beauty haul if you're the check-your-bag type because of your multi-step skincare routine. Its hook on top means it's super easy to hang on the back of the bathroom door.
Promising review: " I love how it kept all my toiletries organized and in plain sight when hanging. It's very sturdy and great quality. I ordered this before I went on a two-week trip to Europe and was so happy that I did. This travel bag exceeded my expectations!" — Jackie Cooney
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in six colors).
2. A portable safe you can secure to a pool or beach chair to keep your valuables safe or to keep your passport in your hotel room in case there's no safe or the safe isn't working. I pack it for anytime I'm staying in a hotel or vacation rental!
After putting this in MANY travel stories, I bought one for myself for a summer European vacation where I found myself at several beach clubs. It was perfect for keeping mine and my friend's belongings safe while we dozed in our beach chairs or swam in the sea. Plus, it's the perfect size to hold phones or wallets, and easily carry in your beach or tote bag. It's come in clutch in a few hotels and Airbnbs that didn't have working safes.
Promising review: "Loveeeee this safe! Took it on a cruise, and it was such a great feeling of security. I put all my cash and docs in it while around and off the ship in the larger room safe. In my case, I had a roommate I did not know prior to sailing. With this, I didn’t have to worry about a thing. Easy to lock and unlock. Easy to secure around things. I just love it! I will be using it with other things at home/work as well." — Cara Sievers
Get it from Amazon for $19.92+ (available in two colors).
3. An on-the-go Gillette razor will spare you some precious space in your bag without sacrificing quality. AND take up less room in your cruise ship's minuscule shower stall.
It comes with one handle and one blade refill, but works with other Venus razor refills.
Promising review : "I am a flight attendant, space is limited in my bag. Great product for your travel bag." — Caitlin Hemphill
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 .
4. An anti-theft "sock wallet" to stash some cash and cards in an unsuspecting spot. Go ahead and ride the Paris Metro with your eyes peeled for folks "bumping" into you, knowing your stuff is stashed and you're about to make it through the Louvre in record time. Also! The socks are lightly cushioned and made of blister-preventive material.
Flippysox is a small business that specializes in antitheft sock designs.
Promising review : "I had to travel across the country to attend a convention. These were a lightweight, well-fitting sock, and the pocket was big enough for my driver's license, a bank card, and folded cash. Much more comfy than sliding money in the top of my sock. I kept showing it off to my buddies. Definitely recommend." — MommaT
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in dozens of styles).
5. An airplane seat back organizer because those seat back pockets are NEVER as big as you need them to be. With this you can actually store your snacks, water bottle, and so much more without having to get up and get stuff out of the overhead throughout your flight.
Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray table cover in action.
Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products.
My colleague Emma Lord owns and loves this: "I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!"
Promising review: " Out of all the travel accessories and/or items I have purchased to make traveling more comfortable this ranks up there as one of the best. The material is soft and not too thin or too thick for that matter. It stretched perfectly over the table without a lot of extra material hanging off the table yet it wasn't so tight that it looked like it would rip. When the table was up there was plenty of room in each of the pockets for my cell phone, gum, ear buds holder, and two tablets. I am so happy with this purchase and recommended it to all my family members." — Mking110
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 .
6. A digital luggage scale will make sure that you aren't slammed with an overweight luggage fee (ugh) or having to move stuff from your checked bag to your carry-on to avoid said fee (also, ugh).
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
I tested this digital luggage scale out when packing for a trip to Iceland — check out my demo of how it works on TikTok!
Promising review: "We used this on a six-flight trip across Europe and it made it easy to know that we repacked our bags according to the various weight limits. Some bags were a 10-kg limit and some were a 50-lb limit so it was convenient to switch back and forth between units (even though dividing by 2.2 isn't exactly rocket science)." — Robert
Get it from Amazon for $8.54+ (available in four colors and a two-pack).
7. Lumify Eye Drops beloved by the masses who've tried other redness-reducing eye drops before. Yes, these are a bit pricier than other versions. But reviewers say it's totally worth it! Oh, and don't forget that it's also made to help relieve dry eyes. (Just because you TOOK a red eye doesn't mean that you have to put up with literal red eyes.)
Promising review: "I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it . No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard
"Two drops in your eyes and all day, they look perfectly white and healthy. I would definitely buy these again." — Kelley
Get it from Amazon for $11.93.
8. A TikTok-famous travel-friendly backpack you can pack like a suitcase but will still count as the personal item you put under your seat. It even has a shoe compartment, an easy-access pocket for portable charging, and bonus points: it's got a trolley passthrough in the back so you can secure it on your carry-on! *Swoon*
This one checks all the boxes: super roomy, has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!), and has a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport. And reviewers say it meets even Spirit and JetBlue 's personal item rules and fits under airplane seats!
Promising review: "One bag handled a week of travel! This bag is like magic! I fit four pairs of shorts, four shirts, underwear, socks, and a couple of workout outfits with sports bras, two pairs of sandals, four bathing suits, a coverup, a sun hat, toiletries, cosmetics, a laptop, a notebook, three device chargers (computer, phone, and Fitbit) and an electric toothbrush. Even when packed to the max, the weight is comfortably distributed so it doesn’t break your back. It fits under the seat perfectly, too. I bought it when it was 50% off, but I’d pay full price knowing how awesome this bag is for travel." — AlexanderK
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in five sizes and 26 colors/ styles)
9. A tiny 3-in-1 portable charger so you don't have to do math to figure out how long you need to charge each item (aka, iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch) with the one measly outlet in your hotel room.
Promising review: "These are fabulous for travel — they charge three devices from just one USB port, especially [helpful] when frequenting hotel rooms. The first one is now permanently stationed bedside to help clean up the clutter, and this will go into my briefcase for future excursions. Compact, and effective!" — see2xu
Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in four colors).
10. Self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint to help quiet your old dogs after a long day on your feet, running, or even milling about on cobblestone streets in not-so-supportive shoes on vacation.
Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action.
Shopping writer Emma Lord says : "I'm a long-ish distance runner and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and after a few minutes feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days!"
Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018
Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 .
11. A set of plant-based, unscented insect repellent sprays you can slip into your toiletries bag. They work for up to 14 hours and won't leave you feeling sticky.
Check out a TikTok of the insect spray.
Stay Away is a small business that specializes in pest-removing and repelling products.
Promising review: "Deet doesn’t work for me, but this does! I’m the person who gets bitten while everyone else is fine. They follow me, and most repellent isn’t very helpful. This worked great! They came near but didn’t bite. The smell isn’t bad either! I didn’t mind it, and my sister has requested some also (she gets bitten even more than I do). I would have preferred a continuous spray nozzle, but I’m very impressed with how well it kept those dang mosquitoes away in Texas! I did sweat a little, and it didn’t change how well it worked ." — eve
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $26.99 (also available in a bottle).
12. The Owala Freesip — you've DEFINITELY seen people singing its praises on TikTok thanks to its built-in straw, wide-mouth spout, and push-button lid to protect your precious H2O while you're out and about...or just parked on your couch trying to get your daily water intake. Some are even saying it could dethrone The Stanley Cup?!
It's also designed to be easy to disassemble and clean, and the lid and straw are dishwasher safe! Oh, and the 24-ounce bottles are designed to be universally cup holder-friendly.
Get a closer look at it on TikTok of the Owala Freesip !
Promising review : "Stanley who??? I absolutely LOVE this water bottle. Way better than other name-brand tumblers with a straw that sticks up! Love that the straw is covered, and the water bottle has a carry loop, making it easy to carry when your hands are full. So much easier to drink from and you have the option to drink from the straw or sip. This is truly leakproof and keeps drinks cold for hours! It's also durable. I have dropped it a few times and there wasn't even a scratch on the bottle. I will definitely be ordering more!" — BAJ
Get the 32-ounce size from Amazon for $32.99 (also available in 16, 24, and 40-ounce sizes, and in 21 colors).
13. I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo that'll tackle greasy roots without the aerosol or benzene formula. This'll even be easy to take to the bathroom toward the end of a red-eye so you can deboard feeling a bit fresher. AND this fan fave now comes in a range of tones!
Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." — Teresa
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in 10 colors/styles).
14. Some expandable hangers will help you better organize all your beautiful ensembles *and* have a legit place to hang up any clothes you launder while you're on your luxurious two-week vacation.
Promising review: "On a trip to Europe, I used these hangers to hang my laundry to dry. I even hung a pair of wet jeans (through the belt loops). I thought the hanger would break, but it held up fine! Hotels never supply enough hangers, so I will be bringing these along when I travel." — debi
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $8.99 .
15. A poncho that'll also fit over your generously sized backpack because we won't let a little rain ruin our bucket-list hiking plans!
Promising review: "Extremely durable. Took them on and off over a period of five days hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu with frequent rain. Held up with zero damage/tears. Kept us and our packs completely dry, even during some pretty heavy downpours that lasted over an hour or two at a time. Easy to take on and off. Adjustability was appreciated as high winds would push the hood off your head without it. Others in our group were less fortunate with their choice of poncho. Only negative (and it’s a small negative) is the bill on the hood is pretty useless/flimsy. However, I found that it did add some stiffness to the hood if I flipped under and inside the hood." — Eric R.
Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in seven colors).
16. A set of packing cubes that'll magically help you pick lots and lots of outfit options because you need options!
Promising review: "I am officially sold on packing cubes!! These things are amazing! I can't believe I've been packing without them my whole life. The mesh lining allows you to peek inside, and I was able to pack all my clothes, shoes, and toiletries for a 10-day trip to Europe (full contents listed below). I packed them as I normally would first, and then packed them in the packing cubes. There was SO much more room in my luggage after packing everything in the cubes! Items I fit in the cubes and bag include two jackets, one jean vest, four pants/capris, two pairs of shorts, one romper, four dresses, one maxi skirt, seven tank tops, four shirts, three camisoles, three pajama sets, 15 undies, six pairs of socks, and four pairs of shoes. But why are you still reading?? Go buy these cubes!" — Tiffany
Get a set of five from Amazon for $21.99 (available in 23 colors and a set of eight).
17. Or a packing cube that comes with built-in shelves (!!!!) that'll surely come in handy if you're bopping between a few different cities and don't want to completely unpack for two nights in one hotel. You can take it out of your suitcase and hang it in your closet.
Plus, it has a zipper compartment at the bottom you can put all your dirty clothes in, so they don't get mixed together and you end up just washing everything when you get home (bc that's usually what happens to me).
Promising review: "I used these while traveling around Europe with four children and then later on a cruise. They were super helpful in both cases." — Tucker Sw
Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in nine colors and also a smaller size ).
18. A fold-flat jewelry organizer if you've given up on a blocky jewelry organizer. (Same!) This design will let you easily slip your baubles into your personal item without hogging a bunch of space.
Promising review: "What an adorable and efficient way to pack your jewelry! I have been hesitant even to bring jewelry on my last few vacations because it always got tangled. Love this! Bought one for my sister-in-law as well." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.39+ (available in two sizes and eight colors/prints).
19. A set of three Cadence containers that are magnetized and stick together in your toiletries bag AND on your metal cruise ship bathroom walls. They're super sturdy, leak-proof, and even work great for a few days' worth of vitamins or holding small jewelry. They've quickly become one of my packing go-tos.
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon as a way to eliminate single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
But I'm not the only fan on the Shopping team. My former coworker Abby Kass has these and loves them! Here's what she has to say about them: "I recently got a set of four of these, and, wow, I love them so much. I used them on a six-day trip recently, and they were perfect. I customized the label so I knew which one was my shampoo vs. conditioner and did a general label for any other things I wanted to bring along. They do hold a surprising amount. According to the brand, they hold approximately one to two weeks of skincare products, more than two weeks' worth of serum, two to three days' worth of haircare, and more than 15 tablets (for medicine and such). And while two to three days' worth of haircare might not seem like enough, I found it held more than that for me, but I also don't wash my hair every single day. They were small enough to slip right into my toiletries bag and go through TSA with no problem. The container was easy to open in the shower (even with wet hands), and I had no leakage from them (like I did from my face wash bottle that will not be making the trip with me next time, SMH). These are an incredibly useful tool anyone who travels will want in their luggage."
Promising review: "I absolutely love these! I ended up buying more of the labels and extra containers on the website. These are perfect for a first-time set and the perfect size for flying. 100% makes my packing lighter and more contained overall." — Sara
Get a set of three from Amazon for $42 (available in six colors and in a haircare and daily routine set ).
20. Gentle 2-in-1 travel flossing toothbrushes will fold up to half their size (every inch in your luggage counts!) and really get in there to give your mouth a super-clean feeling. Like, just-back-from-the-dentist cleaning. I always pack these for trips and their tiny flossing bristles make my travel nighttime routine a lot easier and efficient. Plus, they weigh less than ANY electric toothbrush.
Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines.
Promising review: "I love that this travel toothbrush has its own self closing cover. Makes it very handy for travel at half the size of a regular toothbrush when packed and full size brush when open . Also really love the bristles on this brush, they are soft but have enough stiffness to get between teeth when brushing." — Yvonne
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in two colors).
21. Olay facial cleansing cloths come pre-treated with the cleanser that'll foam up once you add water — making them TSA-friendly.
I'm a frequent traveler and always pack some of these for all my trips. I wear a full face of makeup every day and these are textured and foamy enough to help get all my makeup off at the end of the day on my trips! On tropical trips when I've put on layers and LAYERS of SPF (I *am* the sunscreen queen), I'll sometimes use with a solid cleanser to make sure I'm really removing everything. But that isn't required for most days on my travels. I've found that I can cut each in half and store them in my personal item backpack pocket to make the most of each package.
Promising review: "I take these with me every time I travel. Great cleansing, softens skin, and TSA-friendly. My go-to facial cleaners when on the go!" — Heather Daly
Get a 66-pack from Amazon for $12.94 .
22. Or a solid facial cleanser gentle enough for sensitive skin that'll be small in your bag but last you for weeks and weeks and weeks instead of figuring out how to pack a liquid cleanser or invest in the one-use foaming facial cleansing cloths.
This brand specializes in solid toiletry options that are perfect for travel. I gave this cleansing stick a spin on a 2.5 week trip to Vietnam and Malaysia where I only did a carry-on. So I had to make some sacrifices with my toiletries in order to do that. Using this green stick didn't feel like a sacrifice! It helped get off makeup and sunscreen easily, and I still have a LOT of the stick left after that long trip! It's also worth noting that I have rosacea and dry, sensitive skin. This worked great on it.
Get it from WYOS for $18 .
23. A set of DEET-free handy mosquito-repelling bracelets in case the thought of putting something else on your skin besides SPF (like smelly bug repellent) sounds like a total nightmare.
Cliganic is a small biz specializing in health and wellness products.
Promising review: "I bought this to take on a cruise. Never had issues with bites. Once back home I put them on my son who is allergic to some bites and always itchy after time outdoors. Since he’s had these on outside it’s hardly an issue anymore. Very cool." — MardiGrasGirl
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $9.99 .
24. An electronics organizer with a place for just about every one of *your* and every member of your family's devices' corresponding cables so you don't get everything tangled up while trying to find your Kindle cord mid-flight.
Promising review: "Loved that each item had a spot and the chargers for each item wouldn’t be all tangled or knotted together when I arrived at my destination. Nothing was damaged even with my bags being tossed around by baggage handlers on several flights." — Rachel Grace
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).
25. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount will help you watch what you want or take advantage of the movies available online for those budget airlines without TVs in the back of the seats. It'll work on the plane *or* while you wait to board. A three-hour flight without a seat TV should be illegal.
Promising review : "I used it on a round trip. It is has a powerful and sturdy clip that will attach to almost anything. I didn’t have to attempt to balance it on the food tray or strain my neck. It remained at eye level and never attempted to sway or fall. I’d buy it again. Also I’d consider it as a stocking stuffer for a frequent traveler. This is definitely a thumbs-up!" — Kara
Get it from Amazon for $11.18+ (available in seven colors and in two packs).
26. Plus an Airfly wireless transmitter can let you connect your AirPods or any wireless headphones to your airplane seat...even without Bluetooth!
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009.
Promising review: "Just returned from a European vacation and this little device worked like a charm! The sound cancellation worked really well on that horribly long 14-hour flight and I could hear the movie perfectly. Just buy it, it's a must have (until airlines convert their stuff to Bluetooth, don't hold your breath)." — Just a Muggle Mom
"Someone sitting next to me on a flight had this product so I asked them about it and it was highly recommended so I bought it. I love being able to use my Blutooth Bose noise-cancelling headphones with the movies on board. The sound quality is 100 times better than the plug headphones that are required if you don’t have this product. I would definitely buy again!!" — Monica Buterbaugh
Get it from Amazon for $34.97+ (available in three colors and five styles).
27. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm , a TikTok-famous Korean beauty product combines several products into one skincare step — especially great if you get suuuuper dry on flights. Reviewers use it on their face, lips, eyes, and neck to help reduce fine lines and make you look all ~glowy~ thanks to ingredients salmon complex and collagen.
Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action.
Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly this stick is life-changing!! ! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" — Kristy
"This stuff makes my face feel so soft and has a nice scent. I use it every day and will buy it again when I run out!" — Cyndy1
Get it from Amazon for $21.89+ (available in eight styles).
28. Plus, The SAEM Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick is a cooling eye stick made with *actual* Icelandic glacial water to depuff your tired under eyes. Oh, and it just feels really, really refreshing.
Promising review: "Love, love this product. I place it in the fridge. I travel a lot and I get jet lagged with under eye bags. As soon as I place this product on, my bags are gone. It’s a little miracle. Just ordered two more." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.86 .
29. A portable handheld fan for those moments when the breeze takes a break. Oh, and it's also a power bank *and* flashlight. So you'll be sure to find all sorts of other uses for it.
Check out a TikTok of the portable fan in action.
I own this and use it ALL the time. It comes in handy in a variety of situations at home *and* while traveling — especially when you're sitting in a stuffy plane in Miami in July with the doors open, waiting for the pilot to board and take off. I def got some jealous side-eyes from other passengers as I kept myself cool with this.
Get it from Amazon for $15.29+ (available in three colors).
30. A travel iron that'll easily fit in your carry-on so you never have to chance whether or not the vacation rental or hotel room has an iron.
Promising review: "Couldn’t say more positive things about this steamer. I took it on a business trip followed by a wedding, and it was amazing! All my friends were using it for their dresses and suits before the wedding. We were all wrinkle-free 👏" — Aubrey
Get it from Amazon for $119 (available in five colors).
31. A bendy travel pillow can help you catch up on some sleep you sacrificed for that budget-friendly morning flight. Buy that window seat, bring this versatile pillow.
Promising review: "I always disliked the neck pillows that I used to use while flying as didn’t help. The flexibility and ease of use is amazing and this not only helps my neck, but also lower back! I used it for an international flight and it made it much more comfortable. You can even use it alongside your back and the cover comes off to clean!" — Fred Paisley
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 10 colors).
32. Or an alternate Trtl travel pillow that, thanks to its scarf-like construction, you can easily to adjust to your perfect comfort level and tilt angle to get some Zzzzzs while someone else gets you to where you're going.
Ciera Velarde , a former editor here at , loves this! She says: "I've used this for the past few years and swear by it! Before this, I always found traditional neck pillows uncomfortable and would end up ditching them halfway through the flight and getting frustrated. The Trtl pillow is adjustable — you wrap the pillow around your neck and secure it with Velcro, and if you find it's too loose, just make it a bit tighter! I've truly never slept better on a plane than with this pillow. "
Promising review: "I love this TRTL!! I first used it on a trip from Seattle to Buenos Aires and will now always use it. It made it possible for me to be comfortable on that long flight. I found it to be the best neck support in how it holds up my neck in a comfortable natural way. I love how I can use it on either side of my neck, and even in the front and back of my neck. I love how I can cover my face to just below my eyes if I want privacy. It is cozy, lightweight, durable and packs easily, or I can wrap it around my carry bag handle for quick transport. I bought one for a friend who took it on a Seattle to New York flight and she said it was a game changer for her as she was able to sleep for the first time while flying. Now I know that with my TRTL and Bose noise cancelling head phones, I can be cramped in a middle seat on a long flight and survive in relative comfort. Thank your TRTL!!! I just bought another one for a gift for my daughter. It is a well-designed product!" — Amis Balcomb
Get it from Amazon for $64.99 + (available in four colors and in a breathable style).
33. A pair of Mack's Earplugs that'll seal out noise on a plane, in a hotel room, or wherever else you need to get some sleep.
Check them out on TikTok here .
editor Emma Lord swears by these and raves: "The moldable silicone of Mack's Earplugs contours easily to the shape of your ear to block out noise much more effectively than other foam or plastic varieties, and the noise reduction is so good that if I pair them with a white noise machine (or just like a white noise loop on Spotify) I genuinely don't hear noises from outside my room.
I've also *loved* these for traveling — if you put these babies in on a plane not only does it help reduce some of the YIKES factor when the plane takes off (it's loud!!), but it cancels out the murmuring noises of passengers on the flight and makes it easier to get some shuteye. "
Promising review: "I've been purchasing Mack's earplugs for about eight years now as they help me sleep so much better at night (and are also super helpful on long plane trips). They're the best ones on the market and much larger with more comfort and coverage than ones in my local stores and pharmacies. Mack's are getting harder to find so I'm writing this in the hope that they stay in business." — Amazon Customer
Get 12 pairs from Amazon for $12.99 .
34. An *very popular* off-the-shoulder jumpsuit suited for just about any sightseeing needs.
FYI, if you have Amazon Prime , you can give this a spin before you buy it!
Promising reviews: "This jumpsuit is cute and comfortable. I love it. It is very comfortable to wear on a road trip or for flying." — B-More Mom & Luvin' It
Get it from Amazon for $30.59+ (available in sizes S–3X and 32 colors/patterns).
35. A set of Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier packets , an electrolyte drink mix infused with potassium and vitamin C you can mix into a bottle of water to help speed up your hydration. After all, guzzling water on a flight and then having to spend half the flight in the bathroom line is never fun.
Psst — it's also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free!
I always ALWAYS pack this stuff for trips. In April, I visited Vegas for ~48 hours for an outdoor music festival. I drank one in the morning before boarding my flight, then once I got checked into my hotel, then the next morning before the music festival where I was outside and guzzling tall boys of beer. And I felt great when I woke up the next day! Drinking Liquid IV also meant I didn't have to guzzle plain water (and then stand in line for the bathroom a ton) to stay hydrated for the 12+-hour festival.
Promising review: "This stuff seriously works. Took on a five-day cruise when we had the unlimited drink package, and these Liquid I.V.s saved my life several times. Wouldn’t have made it to dinner/gotten off the ship the next morning without them." — Laura Bales
Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $21.11+ (also available in sugar-free flavors ). I'm also quite partial to the newer grapefruit flavor.
36. A Larq , a self-cleaning water bottle made with UV-C LED tech that'll purify water in a mere minute but *also* cleans the bottle's inner surfaces. It'll last a full month on a single charge so it'll earn a well-deserved spot in your personal item AND maybe in your regular ole work bag. (Psst, reviewers say it also keeps water SUPER cold for hours and makes it taste better!)
Larq is a small business that specializes in water-purification products.
Promising review: "We fill large bottles up every day and keep them cold in the fridge. The quality is outstanding. We love them. We had very bad tasting water and this made it taste great. It doesn't smell and it is easy to hold. The smaller one is good for travel. These also saved a lot of money because we didn't have to buy bottled water." — Mary Ann
Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in seven colors and two sizes).
37. A flight attendant–beloved collapsible travel kettle to ensure that you're drinking GOOD coffee because sometimes the stuff at the hotel is pretty gross.
"For saving some $$$ on coffee while on the road, I’ve bought a collapsible travel kettle from Amazon and a travel French press mug and made fresh coffee in my room. Just fill a sandwich bag up with the grinds you desire; I use a foldable flask by Vapur to hold the creamer I like. The kettle comes in different uses to make tea, oatmeal, and ramen as a backup food option." — michellee48b2133e7
Get it from Amazon for $33.98 .
38. A motion-sensor night-light if you swear by a guiding light at home and find yourself stumbling around in a hotel or cruise ship bathroom in the middle of the night. This charges by USB and can last up to five hours at its highest setting or 25 hours at its dimmest brightness.
Promising review: "This lil thing is so good! I’m a night-light person, and this one is so good. It has a motion sensor to turn it on. I put it in the bathroom on my cruise, in a hotel, etc. Anywhere you need some light. It charges by USB, and a charge lasts a week! Get it now.❤️❤️❤️💪🏻⛴️💡" — Karen Soifer
Get it from Amazon for $19.45 .
39. A 4-in-1 travel adapter that'll work for a wide range of countries because you shouldn't have to google which adapters you need before every international trip. There are better things to do, like talking yourself into packing that one dress you've only worn once but MIGHT wear on this vacation.
Promising review: "As an international flight attendant, I am in different countries weekly. While the all-in-one adapters, in theory, are great, they often are too big/heavy to stay in the socket securely — you are much better off with one like this. It is sturdy in the socket, even with an electric cord (my hair curler) and my phone and iPad all plugged in. Very satisfied!" — Susan H.
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 .
40. Alleyoop's Pen Pal so you're not lugging around a packed bag full of makeup as this one lil pen has an eyeliner, brow liner, lip liner, and a highlighter all in one. Just toss it into your fanny pack so that you can have a quick touch while on board the plane.
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small business creating "beauty efficiency" products. Many are compact and/or have several functions!
My former shopping colleague Jasmin Sandal has this and loves it. She says: "I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my 20s that had the ability to transport me back to something I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multitool pen... for my face. I gotta say, I love the concept of the Pen Pal from Alleyoop! After using all of the functions (eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, eyebrow pencil) and as someone who LOVES makeup but was applying as little as humanly possible during lockdown, I think it’s a great tool for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It's ideal to use for touch-ups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already overflowing makeup bag!"
Get it from Amazon for $20 .
41. A 2-in-1 straightener and curling iron because you won't leave home without them but detest how much space they take up in a carry-on.
Promising review: "I took this on the cruise ship, and it was amazing. Exactly what I needed." — Peggy knopp
Get it from Amazon for $35.66 .
42. The Knot Dr. by Conair — a travel-size blow dryer brush so you can keep your hair looking in tip-top shape on the go without having to track down a blowout bar in a new-to-you locale.
Promising review: "Exactly what I needed and works great. I have a large brush dryer and took too much room when traveling. I was hesitant about buying a smaller one because my hair is very curly and didn’t think it would work because of the lower watts. But it did! It’s light, smaller, and will take up less room in my suitcase. I highly recommend it. Love it!" — Ana Estrella
Get it from Amazon for $32.89 (also available in two other styles, and as attachments).
43. A pair of compact flashlights that'll really pack in a lot of power with five modes and a zoomable beam. Even if you're going on a city vacation, it's smart to always have a flashlight with you!
Promising review: "I was in Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. I traveled there and was stuck with no power for five days. I always travel with a flashlight. This Gearlight flashlight was the only source of light I had for five days. It was a workhorse. The zoom lens let me to see far away, as in hundreds of yards. Or close up for inside. I could put it on its end to use like a lantern. I put Duracell AAA batteries in it when I received it. Those batteries lasted the entire five days. I was stunned and thankful. I can't praise this little flashlight enough. The value is priceless to me." — Vee Nuna
Get them from Amazon for $19.99 .
44. An Anker charging port with six USB ports can help you juice up ALL your devices at once even though your super charming Venice rental seems to have, like, two outlets throughout the whole place.
Promising review: "This is my second, my first I gave to my mother-in-law during a visit to reduce clutter. The other huge advantage, and I've taken mine from the US, to Europe, to Kazakhstan, is that it automatically adjusts to voltage. Which means you just buy one of those small (i.e. inexpensive) plug adapters and just use the US cord." — Frank Mellott
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in black and white).
45. A pack of LeakLocks Toiletry Skins you can slip onto the tops of your full-size toiletries because even though you're flying and it pains you to pay to check a bag, you don't wanna deal with decanting your toiletries or seeking out travel size versions. But most importantly, they'll keep stuff from leaking out onto all the other stuff in your suitcase.
Rinseroo is a small business specializing in problem-solving cleaning, pet, and travel products.
Promising review : "I used these on my travel toiletries on a month-long road trip. On several occasions, the toiletry lids opened, but none of the product leaked out of the toiletry skins. I was even able to pour the leaked shampoo back into the bottle. I rinsed out the skin and placed it back on for the next leg of my journey. These are my new travel must-haves." — Tyson Mohr
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in an eight-pack).
46. A portable door lock to attach to any regular old door for your budget-friendly hotel, vacation rental, room in a guest house, or, well, just any door. It's super easy to install and won't damage the door. It'll be a comfort for solo travelers, especially.
If you're flying with this in your carry-on just make sure that you put it in an easy-to-access pocket because I've had security look for it in my bag after going through the X-ray.
Promising review: "I’m a flight attendant and swear I live in hotel rooms and needed extra security, and these seem to be the talk in the airline world so I order myself two. It took me a YouTube video to figure out how to install them and yes very easy and very secure. Safe sleeping is important and I’m glad I have these." — Elizabeth C. Breton
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ .
47. A luggage-mounted cup caddy with a pocket for your bagel or croissant (look at you being fancy so early in the morning!) so you can steer your way to your airport gate with your caffeine in tow.
Promising review : "Bought it for several planned trips and glad I did. Most of the airports I stopped at did not have cup holders. In the past, I'd place my drinks on vacant chairs, my lap, balancing on my carry-on, in my purse, etc....and hope it didn't spill. This product is easy to place on my hand-carry and easy to stow away when needed. I can also leave my drinks in the travel cup holder when moving from one gate to another. Great purchase!" — Betty C
Get it from Amazon for $11.39+ (available in various and patterns).
48. A four-pack of towel bands can take up next to no room in your bag but still help you stake out your deck chair without your towel whipping around in the wind. They'll also come in handy at the beach, pool, resort, or wherever!
And as one reviewer points out , they'll make your chairs stand out in a sea of towel lookalikes.
Promising review: "Took these bands on a cruise. They kept the towel secured to the lounge chair even with gusts of wind. Others had clips, and the clips kept popping off. People asked where I got these and were impressed how sturdy they are." — KT
Get them from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in five colors).
49. A travel pouch that attaches to your bra so you can safe guard your cards and money — even when you're on the metro in Paris that everyone in your life warned you about before you set out on your trip. ATTENZIONE PICKPOCKET!
Promising reviews: "So love this product, I hardly notice that I was wearing this the whole time during my trip in Paris especially — when we taking the metro." — grace
Get it from Amazon for $18.95+ .
50. A Bandolier phone case with a wallet and a strap that'll keep your phone RIGHT where you want it and know it is. Also, it just looks cool.
My colleague Abby Kass used these on a trip: "My mom and I both used these when we went to Paris in January 2020 and loved them. They're super convenient to use and since we visited in the winter, we actually kept them under our coats, so nobody (especially pickpockets) could see them. I like how nice the case and strap looked and that I could hold my phone out over the ledge of the Eiffel Tower ledge for an epic sunset shot, and not worry about it falling to its death. Plus, the attached wallet is perfect to stash a credit card, ID, and even a subway ticket. Can you see it chilling at my side in the right photo? Yep, that's where it was the entire trip and will be every other trip I take."
Promising review: "I’m obsessed with my Bandolier. It’s so useful having my phone and Metro Card so accessible so I don’t have to dig through my bags. I feel comfortable wearing it, and I love the hands-free aspect. I never worry about someone stealing it, and I don’t go anywhere without it!!!" — M.F.
Get it from Amazon for $112 (available in eight iPhone sizes and four color combinations).
51. A portable blackout curtain to suction onto where your staying's window to give you some deep DEEP darkness you need for sleeping.
Promising review: "My kids need the room to be pretty dark to sleep. I didn’t have much faith in this, but needed to try something. These are AMAZING!! Absolutely worth every penny. Instantly darker and help keep the room at a comfortable temperature." — Julie T
Get it from Amazon for $22.49+ (available in five designs).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
