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1. The newest version of the Kindle Paperwhite designed with a larger display, adjustable lighting options, a glare-free screen, weeks-long battery life, and (IMHO the best feature) it's waterproof! This may be your most-used item that you pack because you can read as many books as your heart desires during the trip.
Promising review: "I’ve held onto physical books for a long time, but with a two-week vacation planned, I decided to splurge on the Kindle for my birthday gift. I have read 11 online books since I bought it, and my only regret is that I didn’t purchase it sooner. I love the quick downloads, library organizing, and the ability to have so many options in such a small device. I now carry my Kindle everywhere I go to pass the time in various places. The feature of book suggestions has also helped me find a few new fave authors. The biggest plus for me is how you can change the lighting at night to read in bed without a book light. Total game changer. Buy the Kindle — you will love it." —Erin P.
Get it from Amazon for $149.99 (available in three colors and with or without Kindle Unlimited).
2. And a strap that attaches to the Kindle that makes it so much easier (not to mention, more comfortable) to hold, no matter if you're reading in bed, standing in line to board the flight, or wherever else you find yourself devouring the latest Colleen Hoover book.
TFY is a small business creating genius tech accessories. This strap is designed to fit the Kindle Voyage, Kindle Paperwhite, and 6-inch Kindle Fire.
Promising review: "I already loved my Kindle Paperwhite, but this makes it even better. It looks bulkier in the picture than it actually is. There's enough room in the strap for A FINGER (not two), and it weighs close to nothing — maybe an ounce. I wanted something that would make it easier to hold in front of my face while reading on the plane (to avoid bent-over posture) and also an easy loop to put my finger through when reading on my side (in bed). It folds flat to fit in a sleeve as well. Perfect for my needs!" —Andrew H.
Get it from Amazon for $12.55+ (available in two sizes).
3. A set of compression packing cubes, a must-have for anyone who tends to overpack (🙋♀️) because it condenses the clothes down by removing the extra air to take up less space in your luggage. Essentially, if you took a packing cube and a vacuum bag and meshed them together, you'd have this genius product. This means you'll have more room in your luggage to pack all those presents.
Promising review: "I love these! They are a great substitute for a vacuum bag. I am a chronic over-packer and always have trouble fitting everything I need/want in my luggage. I was able to pack everything I needed for a four-day trip into a personal item, with space to spare, because of these bags. I would absolutely recommend these to anyone trying to save some space in their luggage!" —Amanda Bouton
Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.99 (available in 29 colors and size options).
4. Silicone earplugs designed to reduce the pressure in your ears because sometimes you can't avoid getting an ~earful~ when the plane is taking off (and from the person sitting next to you).
Earplanes is a small business creating earplugs for flying for all — there's even a style made specifically for kids!
Promising review: "This product has changed my life. I travel fairly frequently and always have issues with ear pressure on the plane. My ears will be clogged up, and it is painful to swallow for a day or two after short-distance flights. But now, I use these and fly incident-free. You are supposed to insert them before the plane takes off and then before landing. I have found that it works best if I leave them in the entire flight from before takeoff until landing, but they work almost as well if you take them out once you reach cruising altitude." —Thomasina
Get a pack of one from Amazon for $7.50.
5. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount that can be used on more than just the airplane — it can mount on basically any surface from the tray table, arm of a chair, or even a suitcase handle for easy viewing of your fave holiday rom-com as you wait for your flight to board and takeoff.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards, and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well built, and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far it still feels solid, and I don't anticipate breaking it anytime soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $9.46+ (available in three colors).
6. A 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger with spaces to charge your iPhone, AirPods, *and* Apple Watch at the same time. It folds up small, which makes it super easy to travel with. You'll be able to leave the mess of cables behind and truly ~unwind~ on your vacay.
Promising review: "Such a great idea! It replaces a big USB brick and cables. What a great product this is. I typically carry a big USB charger brick and a bunch of cables to charge my devices when I travel. Not anymore. I just bring this, and it charges my phone, watch, and AirPods. Bonus: You don't need to buy an Apple Watch charging cable to make this work like pretty much any other Apple Watch charging stand." —Sam Dowd
Get it from Amazon for $33.99 (available in nine colors).
7. A portable sound machine/speaker that has a real fan inside that doesn't blow cool air (which you don't need in the winter), an adjustable tone, and 10 volume settings. It'll work hard while everyone sleeps to block all the noises that come with staying in a hotel room or an unfamiliar room at a family member's house.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Yasmine Singh says: "I cannot sleep without a sound machine, and I have several in my home. Every time I would go on vacation, I'd travel with my bulky sound machine to drown out noise so I could sleep while on vacay. I don't know why I never thought of getting a portable sound machine, but I regret not getting this sooner! This is so small that it could fit in most of my purses. But don't let its size fool you — the sound quality is impressive! This little machine packs a punch! It's just as loud and the sound is just as clear as my much larger sound machines. I also love that it's rechargeable so you can use it anywhere! And, the battery lasts up to 20 hours. It can also double as a Bluetooth speaker. I would definitely recommend it for any light sleeper who wants to drown out noise on the go or for anyone who wants a portable speaker."
Get it from our Goodful shop for $59.99.
8. A jewelry organizer with ample space to store all the necklaces, earrings, rings, and more you want to bring with you. With specific places for everything, you'll never arrive at your destination only to find your necklaces have tangled themselves up so badly you can't wear them during the trip.
Promising review: "I saw this recommended on TikTok and bought it on a whim. I never knew a jewelry organizer would be so useful! I absolutely love this organizer and think everyone should have one!!" —Savana Bishop
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors and patterns).
9. Or a small compact version that still has just the right amount of space to hold the jewelry you want to bring with you. Plus, it can easily fit in your carry-on without taking over the whole thing. Big success!
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work, and this jewelry box has everything I was looking for! It’s a nice small size and has plenty of storage for necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and even a watch! Very good quality, and I love the color. Highly recommend!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" —Morgan
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 13 colors).
10. A Trtl neck pillow specifically designed to keep your head in a comfortable position so you can actually get some shut-eye and be ready to go when you get to your destination.
Former BuzzFeed Shopping editor Ciera Velarde 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."
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in five colors).
11. Or an inflatable wedge pillow because when it comes to getting sleep on planes, you should not be worried about how you look. This comfy pillow will make it so you can fully conk out and catch some ZZZs. Plus, if you aren't ready to sleep yet, you can put your phone inside it and use it as a comfy way to watch your favorite comfort show (that will hopefully help you fall asleep).
Promising review: "I am a very frequent traveler and had lived through many 13+ hour flights prior to purchasing this pillow. After using it for the first time on my 13 hour flight to Tokyo, I will never fly without it again! It was comfortable not only for sleeping leaning forward, but also for leaning against the window on the larger international plane. If you're traveling with a companion, it was also very comfortable being used between two people. I especially love how there are holes for your arms and can be used at different angles/positions. It made for a very restful flight overall." —Elizabeth B
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
12. A Montessori busy board with a variety of zippers, buttons, laces, and buckles your toddler can play with to stay occupied during the flight. It folds up and has handles, which makes it easy to take with you anywhere.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this busy board! We bought this to keep our 1-year-old distracted on a 3.5-hour airplane ride. She absolutely loved it and couldn’t stop playing with it. We tied it to the seat tray so it didn’t slide all over. It is easy to carry, fits into a backpack no issue, and I love that it is all one piece — no tiny pieces to misplace!"—LEG 585
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors).
13. A pair of compression socks to help stop your feet and legs from swelling up as much as Violet Beauregarde did in Willy Wonka's factory.
Promising review: "I travel frequently internationally for work and often spend upward of 20 hours on a plane as I fly to various locations. A few colleagues have told me that compression socks greatly improve travel, and I finally bought a pair to try them out. I finished a series of flights to get from Washington, DC, to Abuja, Nigeria, and after over 12 hours in the air and 24 hours in transit with my compression socks on the whole time, I feel great! It made a huge difference and definitely increased my comfort while on the plane. I plan to buy a second pair when I get back to the US." —Alexandra
Get them from Amazon for $19.31+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and in 13 colors).
And check out our full Physix Gear compression socks review for more!
14. AirFly, a wireless transmitter that'll connect your AirPods (or any other wireless headphones) to the headphone jack on the flight so you can enjoy all the free entertainment — without being forced to bring two sets of headphones or use the crappy ones they have the AUDACITY to charge for on some flights.
Twelve South is a husband-and-wife-owned small business based in Charleston, South Carolina. They've been designing accessories inspired by and made for Apple products since 2009. It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Promising review: "If you have a wireless earpiece and fly frequently, this is a must-have. Most newer planes have a monitor on the seat backs which enables you to watch movies, etc. This unit enables you to do it using your wireless earpiece. Connection is simple and automatic once you have initially paired your device or devices. It's convenient. I'm happy with the purchase." —JCE
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three styles and two colors).
15. An external battery so powerful that it can charge your phone up to three times before it needs to be charged itself (now that's convenient).
BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Rachel Dunkel says: "I know external batteries are a snore and $31 seems like a lot compared to the cheap 'lipstick' ones, but I cannot recommend this battery enough. It can charge my phone a full three times, which is crucial for someone like me: a frequent-flying, Twitter-loving, podcast-downloading, battery-draining millennial who feels like they're drowning if their phone dies for one damn second."
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in black and red).
16. A skyline mini wallet emergency kit filled with so many practical items you may need throughout the trip (i.e. Tylenol, a hair tie, etc.) but that's small enough to fit in your carry-on bag (and then your purse), meaning you can keep it with you at all times and grab it whenever you need it.
Anne Cate is a woman-owned small business based in Cleveland, Ohio, that handmakes minimalist keepsakes with a skyline from more than 100 cities and colleges around the world!
The kit includes a hair tie, ChapStick, two floss pics, a sewing kit, bandages, emery board, two safety pins, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, a deodorant wipe, a Shout wipe, a tampon, hand sanitizer, and Tylenol.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Danielle Healy says: "I, your resident forgetful person, bought the NYC skyline version of this at the start of COVID-19 to keep in my work tote. Unfortunately, I haven't touched my work tote in months because...*gestures at the world around*...but it's a really handy kit I know will save me a ton whenever I regularly leave the house again. Everything from Anne Cate is super high-quality. The wallet on its own is adorable and could be used for a million different things."
Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in 20+ skylines).
17. A 3D-contoured sleeping mask with contoured spaces for your eyes (which relieve the pressure put on them) so you can sleep easily and longer, no matter if the person sitting next to you refuses to turn off their light or you end up sleeping in a room without any blackout curtains.
Plus, it comes with a set of earplugs, to block out all the noise around you!
Promising review: "I bought this sleep mask specifically for long flights. I recently used it on a flight to London from New York City, and it was great. It blocked out any light and was very soft, so it didn't leave any marks on my face, even though I like to pull the strap on tight around my head. The additional earplugs were helpful to block out noise, and everything fit into the travel pouch, which was easy to store in my carry-on bag." —HK
Get the set from Amazon for $16.99 (available in seven colors).
18. An inflatable footrest both adults and kids love because it gives them the ability to keep their feet up while on long flights. The footrest can be inflated to three heights and comes with an eye mask, earplugs, dust cover, and drawstring bag.
Promising review: "This is a must-have for long flights! If you can't afford first-class seats like me, get this! I took a flight from LA to South Africa, and this saved me! It's easy to blow up and works great to elevate your feet to sleep. It does take up most of your space, so if you don't have under-seat room, you will not have much other space. It is a little challenging to get it back in the travel bag, but I did it." —RJS
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in four colors and also in a two-pack).
19. A digital luggage scale so you know that your bag full of presents and holiday cheer is, in fact, not over the 50 lb weight limit. Nothing says bah humbug like paying an overweight bag fee.
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising reviews: "I cannot imagine how we would have managed a big international trip without this. It saved us so much stress and, I’m sure, surprise charges at the airport." —Potter Freak
"This scale works and was accurate on four flights. The first flight was a test at 46 pounds, and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds, and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49, but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost, must-have item for air travel." —Robert
Get it from Amazon for $7.19+ (available in four colors and a two-pack).
20. A foot hammock made out of memory foam because we can't all afford to fly first class, but this little gadget will make you feel like you can (even if it doesn't come with free champagne).
Promising review: "This is an amazing product. It's so simple but works incredibly well to prevent swelling and pressure on legs while flying. I just flew the first leg of an international flight and used it, and I am on a layover now and had to pause to write this review. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!! It easily attached to the tray table, and I adjusted to my desired height. It is like a hammock for your feet. You just prop them up inside the thing/swing/hammock — which is very cushiony — and your feet are hoisted up comfortably. I'm a big girl, and weight is no issue. DEFINITELY MUST HAVE ON ALL MY FLIGHTS NOW. This thing is great!!" —Queen
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
21. A kids' travel air mattress super easy to pack (it folds pretty small) so your kiddo has a comfy place to sleep that's not wedged in the middle of the bed with you. This is the perfect in-between bed for those too big for a pack 'n' play but too small to need a whole bed to themselves.
22. An affordable pair of wireless Bluetooth earbuds with more than 234,000+ 5-star ratings, plus reviewers say they're similar to AirPods. You'll be able to block out all the surrounding noise on your flight (looking at you screaming toddler and jet engine noise!!!) and listen to all those holiday songs you've had on repeat since Nov. 1.
The earbuds come in a wireless charging case with up to 14 hours of charge. The earbuds themselves can play for up to four hours on a full charge. You also get different-size silicone tips to make sure these fit your ear perfectly.
Promising review: "These sound richer and better than my AirPods...At a fraction of the price! They give a solid eight hours of playback time and take only an hour to fully charge up!" —Dmarcot110
Get it from Amazon $18.99+ (available in five colors).
23. An eight-compartment pill organizer so you can consolidate your vitamins and medications and have a compact way to travel with them. Reviewers confirm they can fit up to 10 pills in the small compartments.
Promising review: "These travel pill cases are totally worth it! We are always out and about traveling, and this case helps keep the travel pharmacy organized! No more clunky pill bottles. The pill case is very sturdy and has a clasp that stays tightly latched. The compartments on the inside are easy to open with plenty of storage for pills. I was able to fit about 10 larger pills into the smaller compartments. It’s nice to also have the larger compartments too. You can fit wrapped cough drops or other medications in those. Highly recommend!!" —Sydney Harsh
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.97.
24. A set of dry-erase travel games that'll keep you *and* your kiddo entertained when your flight is delayed again because of winter weather 😤. The set includes classic games such as Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, Dots and Boxes, and I Spy, and a little bag and marker so you can play again and again and again until you arrive.
August Fire Designs is a small business based in Bloomington, Illinois that sells handmade home decor, jewelry, games, and more.
Promising review: "Very cute and aesthetically pleasing kids' activity/toy! I bought these for my stepchildren to have something to do when we travel or go out to eat — that is NOT an electronic!" —Tarah Ferguson
Get a four-pack from August Fire Designs on Etsy for $45 (games also available individually for $10).
25. Or a Games on the Go set filled with 50 different activities, including guessing games, memory challenges, trivia questions, word games, searching games and more so you don't have to ever hear the dreaded "Are we there yet?!?" question.
Promising review: "For a quick and convenient game that can literally be taken anywhere, this game is perfect! The cost was great and the games are fun, quick, and can be played by kids and adults of all ages. I would love to see families pulling these cards out while waiting for dinner at a restaurant or while sitting in the subway together rather than everyone pulling out their iPhones! These fun interactive games will get the whole family talking and playing together. Love it! I did notice that on a couple of the cards my daughter, who’s 8-years-old, had to read the card a couple of times or hand it to me to explain to her, but once I read the directions she was good to go. Overall, a great purchase!" —Julie
Get it from Amazon for $8.25.
26. A luggage-mounted cup caddy so you have a place to hold your peppermint mocha (and water or snacks!) while you make your way through the never-ending terminal to find your gate. You'll never spill your coffee while trying to answer a text again!
Promising review: "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too." —Philip
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 26 colors and patterns).
27. A freezable snack box designed with built-in cooling technology — you can fill it with snacks that will stay cold all day long, even if your flight's delayed. Reviewers say this is not only great for storing snacks for littles, but also for people with food allergies and even breastfeeding people who need to store milk while away from home.
Promising review: "This is a must-have for travel! As someone with food allergies, I often travel with food. This was the perfect solution for how to keep items cold while traveling. The bag is quick to freeze and has plenty of space for snacks and food. It seems to keep cold for a full day flight and no issue taking through TSA." —Sunshine_AW
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 10 colors and prints).
28. A foldable travel mirror because many hotels have horrible lighting or you might be sharing a house with 10 people and one bathroom (fun!). The lights around this will illuminate your face enough that you'll be able to properly do your makeup no matter where you are. And it folds up super thin so it won't take up a lot of space in your bag!
It has three light settings — white light, warm light, and natural light. All you have to do is tap the switch on the screen to change the brightness levels. It also comes with a USB cable to charge.
Promising review: "I have been looking for something like this for so long. TikTok helped me find it and it’s exactly as what’s shown! The different light settings are all great, they are all bright, sturdy mirror/stands up well with no issues, good quality, not too big and not too small. Great for travel and everyday use. I’m 10/10 happy with this purchase!" —Chloe
Get it from Amazon for $21.60+ (available in five colors).
29. A clear toiletries case made to be the same size as a quart-sized plastic bag so you have a much chicer (and nicer) way to store your liquids in your carry-on bag. Plus, you can quickly check and make sure you packed your mascara.
Truffle is a woman-owned small business that specializes in bags and accessories that are TSA-approved or stadium-approved.
Promising review: "I travel for work quite a bit and love to add this to my travel uniform. It’s hard being away from the comforts of home, but when the things you travel with are of the best quality and offer practicality, it can feel special. If you like quality, don’t hesitate! No more plastic bags for me! ;)" —SOFÍA J.
Get it from Truffle for $56.25+ (available in four sizes and nine colors).
30. A travel-friendly blanket/pillow because flights are always so so cold, especially at night, so you'll be so thankful to have this cozy blanket to keep you warm. It fits in a cute portable pouch that can be used as a pillow if the flight is *somehow* a reasonable temperature. And it clips right onto a backpack or carry-on!!
Promising review: "This blanket was the best for traveling to Europe this summer! It kept me warm in the airport and on airplanes. The blanket and case are easy to throw in the wash and they are very soft! It comes with a clip to clip onto your backpack or purse." —Ashton Moore
Get it from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in six colors).
31. Or a HappyLuxe travel wrap designed to be used as both a chic scarf and then as a blanket when it gets super cold on the plane and you want to sleep comfortably.
Promising review: "I travel a lot internationally, and so I love the duality of a scarf that's also a blanket. It does come with a pocket to put a hand heater pack into, but I never use that. It's very comfortable, not scratchy at all, and it's easy to wash. It's great to wear traveling or as an awesome big scarf. I use it all the time." —Laura
Get it from Amazon for $44+ (available in nine colors).
32. A spinning snack container perfect for helping you bring many different snacks with you, while only using one single container. Your toddler can press the middle button until it opens on the snack they currently want.
Promising review: "This thing is SUPER handy for plane and car travel with kids. We took one of these on a four-hour flight to California, and it kept my 1- and 4-year-olds enthralled for several minutes. My only regret is that I did not have a second one so that each kid could have their own so they could stop fighting over one. Highly recommend. I will be taking one or two on all future trips with the kids." —rwspoon
Get it from Amazon for $23.96+ (available in two sizes and six colors).
33. An Airplane Pocket tray cover designed to slide over the fold-down tray to give you a place to store all the essentials you need during the flight (i.e. magazines, laptop, snacks, gum, etc.) so you don't have to keep digging through your carry on every time you want something. Plus, you can swiftly take it off when you get to your destination and know that you haven't left anything valuable behind.
Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products.
Promising review: "I used it last week and it was terrific. It fit everything: magazine, iPad, tissues, gum, glasses, phone, earplugs and water bottle. It stretched easily but tightly over the tray and both the flight attendant and my seatmates complimented me on it. I plan to use it every time I fly. It would be perfect for children, too. Highly recommend it." —Sue G.
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
Some reviews have been edited for length/clarity.