We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. 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.
BTW — Truffle is a women-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 $43.50+ (originally $58+; available in three sizes and five colors).
2. 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.
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Promising review: "I love this gadget ... I fly a lot and this works on the majority of wide-body planes I’ve taken over the past six months. Just plugs into one of the three-prong outlets (or single outlet in economy) and you can connect any Bluetooth device. Doesn’t always connect on the first try as I have multiple devices that my headphones are searching for, but if you turn off all other devices it seems to connect right away. Once connected, it works for many hours. A few planes I’ve taken recently (Qatar Airways) have USB charge points so close to the headphone jack that you can even plug it in while its working and never lose the charge. Highly recommend for travelers." —Joseph Sikorsky
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in four other styles).
3. A Lano leave-on flyer mask made with lanolin, mint, caffeine, ginger — they work together to deeply hydrate your skin, because there's just something in the air on planes that I swear is on a mission to ruin our lives (or at least our skin).
Promising review: "It’s incredibly hydrating, and I love that it’s cruelty-free, with sustainable and clean ingredients. It’s SO refreshing — I like to apply it right after I shower, to lock in moisture and boost the tingle sensation. It picks me up after a long week or a tiring work day." —Anastxia
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
4. A sleeping mask designed with a 3D-contoured shape, which just means there's more space where your eyes go so there's no pressure on them (you can also even open them). It still provides total darkness so you can try and catch some ZZZs when you have a 6 a.m. flight you had to get up at 3 a.m. to catch.
Plus, it comes with a set of earplugs to block out all the noise around you!
Promising review: "These are among the best sleep masks I've tried. I travel a lot so it's important that the mask be room darkening. These are made of high-quality material and excel at this. Additionally, I love the contours for the eyes. Unlike other masks, these don't press against my eyelids at night. One final benefit specific to my needs and those who have dry eyes and too much oil production; I have to place leave-on moistened scrubs over my eyelids at night. Unlike other masks that absorb much of the solution, these hold them firmly in place without too much pressure on my eyes and don't dry them out." —ginsing
Get the set from Amazon for $18.99 (available in four colors).
5. A roll-top dry bag, a must-have for your beach vacation when you want to ~soak up~ every last bit of sunshine before heading to the airport. This bag is made from a waterproof and watertight nylon, meaning you can stick your wet suit in it and not worry about it making everything else in your bag damp (and smelly) as you make the dreaded trip back home.
Get it from Dagne Dover for $25 (available in two colors).
6. A tie-on travel pillow designed to use opposing pull to keep your head in the most comfortable position so you can actually sleep on your red-eye and get to your destination refreshed and ready to go.
BTW — this Los Angeles–based small biz creates luxurious travel and lounge products to help you get to your destination comfortably. The pillow is handmade in the USA.
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work, and this is the only thing that has actually allowed me to sleep comfortably on economy flights. A godsend." —Jessica
Get it from 40 Winks Travel on Etsy for $35.
7. A reusable water bottle with a daily pill organizer on the side of it because when you're on a trip, your whole routine gets thrown off, but this bottle will help keep you hydrated and remind you to take your pills. We love a multifunctional product.
Promising review: "Very nice! I love this bottle. I took it on a trip. It worked beautifully!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.25+ (available in five colors).
8. A compact tote bag designed to fold up into itself so you can store it in your bag without taking up too much space in your suitcase. Then when you get to your destination you can take it with you as you explore and have a place to stash your water, sweater, and all the fun purchases you make along the way.
Plus, it's made out of durable and water-resistant fabric.
Promising review: "I got the blush-colored bag. It is such a pretty neutral color. I packed it in my overnight bag to have an extra bag for shopping. It came in handy when I needed it! I put my water and light sweater in there. Also, I put my shopping items in there also instead of carrying extra store bags that leave a mark on you wrists. This little bag zips up compact and will always be a necessity when traveling anywhere! I highly recommend getting one!" —Nubia C.
Get it from Calpak for $35 (available in three colors).
9. A flying USB port with four places to plug in all your cords so you only need one plug in your bedroom to keep all your electronics (phone, watch, tablet, etc.) at 100% during your whole trip.
BTW — Multitasky is a female-founded and -run small biz that began in 2020 as a way for founder Julia Xu to create products that were both functional and cute.
Promising review: "It does as it says it does, allowing my Dell XPS15 to operate a pair of USB devices from my lightning port! The laptop has two USB ports, one of which is always occupied by my USB mouse dongle and the other by my protected USB drive. If I wanted to plug in my phone to switch data or add another thumb drive to transfer a device, everything might have to be disconnected, but not anymore. It was really worth it." —Liberty
Get it from Multitasky for $25 (available in three colors).
10. An LED neck reading light perfect for anyone who has a later bedtime than their partner (or family) and doesn't just want to lie in bed counting sheep. Put this light around your neck and it will illuminate a book in front of you, without disrupting the people asleep around you. Talk about a game changer!
Promising review: "I couldn't be happier with this light. I use it for reading in bed and when I travel. It's comfortable, has multiple settings, is easy to use, and the battery stays charged for a long time. You can turn on either one or both sides of the light and its flexibility allows the light to be adjusted easily. I highly recommend this light for reading in bed, for outdoor walking at night, and for doing close work that requires good lighting." —Jean G
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors).
11. A luggage-mounted cup caddy so you have a place to hold your coffee (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 $16.99 (available in eight colors).
12. A skyline mini wallet emergency kit filled with so many practical items you may need throughout the trip (e.g., 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.
BTW — 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 writer 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 $22 (available in 46 skylines).
13. 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 incredible 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 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 comfortable. 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 $17.99+ (available in black, purple, and blue).
14. A hoodie made with a built-in eye mask. Talk about a game changer. Put on your hood on your flight, close your eyes, and you'll be at your destination in no time.
Plus, it has a hidden pocket inside the kangaroo pocket to safely hold your valuables (phone, keys, headphone case). Reviewers do say it has an oversized fit, so size down if you want a closer fit.
BTW — Pond Los Angeles is an Asian- and woman-owned small business that creates bags and clothing perfect for traveling.
Promising review: "I fly a lot and am constantly trying to find a hoodie with a big hood to cover my eyes so I can catch up on some beauty sleep on flight. I saw this product on Instagram and knew it would be a game-changer. I was able to use it recently for the first time on an early morning flight and let me tell you, it is EVERYTHING I was looking for and more. It’s comfy, cozy, oversized, and the eye covers make you feel like you’re in a whole other world and not packed like a sardine on a plane. My over-ear headphone fit perfectly under it and I got the best sleep I’ve had on a plane — EVER!" —Heather G.
Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $128 (available in women's sizes XS–XL; also available in black and oak)
15. An anti-blister balm for when you're in a ~pinch~ and want to make sure that you don't get blisters from walking all day.
Promising review: "I don't normally have trouble with blisters or pain from my work shoes, but I travel regularly to Washington, DC, for work. I walk a lot while I'm there, including when it's hot and muggy in the summer, and any kind of shoe I've tried gives me blisters when I walk five miles a day with extremely sweaty feet and no socks. I thought my only options were to coat my feet in Band-Aids or bite the bullet and start wearing tights or socks in the heat, but then I found this stuff. I just got back from a week in DC in shoes that have given me blisters before, and my feet are completely fine. I did reapply in the evenings going out for dinner, but otherwise, just a few swipes on the problem spots and I was ready to go, with no painful rubbing. And, of course, the size is convenient for travel and to keep in my bag in case I do need to reapply." —L. Kelly
Get it from Amazon for $8.
16. A digital luggage scale so you don't have to spend any time worrying that your bag is overweight at the airport and then trying to rearrange while your suitcase is open on the floor, for the whole airport to see. 😳 Maybe this is a very specific fear that I personally have, but owning this scale will ensure that you never have to pay an overweight baggage fee if you buy too many souvenirs on the trip.
Promising review: "This luggage scale is so handy and is great for weighing your luggage. I was a little concerned before I got it because I wasn't sure how accurate it would be. When I used it when I went on vacation, it was dead-on to what the airport said, so I highly recommend this. Plus, it’s easy to pack in your bags." —Teresa Daniels
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in three colors and as a two-pack).
17. A waterproof Kindle so you can take your reading anywhere, yes, even INTO the pool. Plus, it will take up way less space in your luggage than the five books you plan to read on your trip before you realized there are a ton of other fun activities to do and end up only reading one. With a Kindle, those five books will weigh the same as the one you finish.
^ Yes, that is me sitting in a pool in Hawaii holding my Kindle over the water without fear or stress that if it falls in, it will break. Truly living my best life.
I've been an avid Kindle user for the past four years, but when I saw this version, I knew it was time to upgrade. The main selling point is the fact that this one is waterproof. So waterproof, in fact, that it can be in up to 2 meters of fresh water for more than 60 minutes. Plus, it's lighter, has more storage, and the battery last for WEEKS. I took this on vacation with me and was so impressed. I was able to sit on the ledge in the pool and read without worrying about getting the device wet. And I even put it in the water to test, and it still works perfectly. Plus, I used it every day and didn't have to charge it the whole time I was on the trip. That gets a big gold star in my book.
Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in 8 and 32 GB and in four colors).
18. A heat-resistant silicone mat so you can wrap up your hot curling iron and straightener and throw 'em in your bag as you run out the door to catch a cab to the airport because you're late...again.
Promising review: "This is great for travel! I love that I no longer have to wait for my straightener to cool down all the way when we are traveling. Now, I can let it cool a little then wrap it up and pack it away, saving me tons of time. I love that it has the slit to keep the cover on the iron. I also like to rest the straightener on it any time I use it to protect our marble countertops. Definitely recommend it!" —IDesign
Get it from Amazon for $10.95 (available in pink and gray and as a mat or a pouch).
19. A Béis seatback organizer that keeps all your in-flight essentials (e.g., phone, e-reader, magazines, etc.) in the pocket so you don't have to dig around in your bag on the floor throughout the flight.
The seat-back pocket on a plane is great and all, but with all the random magazines and other items, your stuff can get lost. This little thing has a hidden magnetic closure, an interior zip pocket, and four slip pockets to keep your essentials, such as your beloved lip balm, close to you and ready for whenever you need them.
Promising review: "I travel a lot and have been looking for a product to help with the seat-back pocket. I love all the different compartments and spaces to hold everything. The color is a great, and the material is surprisingly soft!" —CJ
Get it from Béis for $34 (available in black and beige).
20. Some odor eliminators you can stash in your luggage or carry-on. Now you don't have to worry about throwing stinky or sweaty clothes in your suitcase after your hike to get the perfect sunset photo for Instagram ends up being a little harder than you originally thought.
The charcoal bag has no smell and absorbs excess moisture to prevent mold, mildew, and bacteria from forming on your clothes and in your bag. You can use them for up to two years, but you should put them outside in the sun for an hour once a month so they can ~rejuvenate~.
Promising review: "These are the best travel buddies! I always pack one of these in my luggage and one in my boyfriend's. While traveling, we sometimes don't get to wash all our clothes, but these bags are brilliant at absorbing the smell of sweat on our clothes and shoes!" —J.L.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.95.
21. A set of six Cadence containers here to revolutionize the way you bring your travel-sized products with you. These lil' cuties are SO useful — they hold a surprising amount of product, are magnetic, and have a removable label you can customize so you don't accidentally put bodywash in your hair because you can't remember which container has your shampoo in it.
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 a long. 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 wants in their luggage.
Get a set of six from Cadence for $70 (originally $84).
22. A USB-chargeable fan you'll be SO grateful you have on your next trip to Disney or any amusement park in the warmer months, really.
BuzzFeed Shopping Editor Heather Braga says: "I picked up one of these bad boys for a recent trip to Walt Disney World and BOY was it worth every penny. It really does make a difference when you're walking around in the scalding hot sun. It also folds up so it isn't super bulky when not in use."
Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (available in five colors).
23. 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 $42+ (available in seven colors).
24. An iPhone dongle case you can attach to your keys (or carry-on bag) because I'm pretty sure Apple designed this dongle so small just so we would lose them easily and have to keep buying more. Well, the joke's on them because this genius invention will make sure that you have the dongle so you can use your headphones properly during your flight/travel.
BTW — Ceebees Cases LLC is a Black-owned small biz!
Promising review: "I love it. I’m always losing my cord or leaving it in my other jacket or pants pocket. Now, all I have to do is put it back on my keyring. Brilliant!!!" —Mel
Get it from Ceebees Cases LLC on Etsy for $14.40 (originally $16).
25. The Airhook – it holds phones and tablets and attaches to the seat in front of you so you can be entertained on every flight, even the ones without seat-back entertainment. Plus, this has a fold-down cup holder, so you don't have to worry about using your tray table and then panicking when you still have half a drink left and need to use the bathroom.
PS This also works just as great in cars for road trips!
Promising review: "Wow! A product that does what it says it will! I’ve found that the easiest way to be distracted during a flight is to watch movies. But holding up my phone for hours is frustrating. Enter Airhook. It's easy to use (I experimented with it before the flight) and held my device securely. There are less expensive phone holders, but they didn’t look like they’d hold the device if the seat back was jostled (e.g., the passenger in front of you suddenly reclines their seat). My only complaint is that it doesn’t store flat, so it takes a bit more space in my carry-on. A minor inconvenience. Otherwise, I’m very pleased with this purchase." —Wilson Moses
Get it from Amazon for $25.95.
26. Suede sneakers specifically designed to be super lightweight — in fact, each one only weighs 1 lb each, which means they won't weigh down your luggage. Plus, they're waterproof, antimicrobial, and have an oh so chic look you'll love because you can wear them day *and* night on your trip in both casual and fancy occasions. No need to pack a variety of different shoes when you can pack one that can basically do it all.
Promising review: "I have had my eye on these shoes for quite some time. They seemed minimal, good quality, and a great everyday shoe that I could throw on yet still look classy. Despite my love for them prior to receiving them, they still blew my expectations out of the water. They are all the things I anticipated, becoming a quick wardrobe staple, but they are also just so dang comfortable. 'Travel' does not just pertain to their packability, I could totally see myself walking 20,000 steps around Amsterdam with these shoes on my feet." —Kristen K.
Get them from Nisolo for $130 (available in sizes 6-10 and in five colors).
27. A sand-free beach blanket designed so that sand rolls right off it, so you can pack it up and put it back in your luggage without worrying that you'll find sand covering everything else in your suitcase weeks later.
Promising review: "I recently purchased this blanket for a family vacation to Florida, and everyone LOVED it! It's lightweight, big enough for the whole family to lay out on, and the sand rolled right off. One of the things I loved most about it is that it rolled up super compact and light so it was easy to pack! When you are going to the beach with kids, you drag along a lot of equipment! It was nice that this was easy to pack and travel with. Fun fact: If you have one of those canopies to bring to the beach, this blanket fits perfectly under it!" —Megan
Get it from Amazon for $33.90 (available in three colors).
28. A portable white-noise machine that'll work hard while you sleep at night to block all the noises that come with staying in a hotel room. (Looking at you, elevator and ice machine!!!!!)
Promising review: "I was skeptical at first about how well this little noise machine would work in my hotel room (I am a frequent business traveler). However, skepticism gave way to satisfaction. This little sound machine blocked out hotel noises very well and helped me sleep through the night. For a little machine, it provides very good volume and different noise options. I highly recommend this product!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.95.
29. 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 used this on four international flights last month and it made all the difference in the world. It's compact, easy to inflate/deflate, very versatile in how you can position it, doesn't rely on the tray table, and works well for bulkhead seats as well as those with someone in front of you. I can't sleep with my head back without snorting myself awake, so this is a perfect alternative. I can very comfortably lean forward in my seat and sleep almost like I can in a bed. I'm 6'2" and this pillow is plenty tall enough to just rest on my lap and let me lean forward into it without feeling crunched over. This pillow will easily let me get enough comfortable periods of sleep on a 9-hour flight that I don't feel completely drained upon arrival. My wife tried mine out before we left on vacation and loved it so much she had me order her one. We both wouldn't travel without them now." —Still Chilly In Colorado
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
30. A mini steam iron ideal for throwing in your checked bag to have ready when you arrive at your destination and realize that the shirt you wanted to wear is wrinkled beyond belief. You'll look more put together and feel great with this.
Promising review: "I took this iron on a 5-week trip to a desert climate, and I used it to iron linen, cotton, and silk. It did a better job than many full-sized irons. Never again will I wear those hot, ugly, "wrinkle-free" travel clothes. It is also lightweight, tiny, easy-to-use, and cute. One of the best travel purchases I have ever seen" —Eliyahu
Get it from Amazon for $20.91.
31. A travel wallet with an RFID-blocking shield material to not only keep all your many important travel documents organized but also safe and ready for you to grab when you need your ID quickly in the TSA line.
The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, a slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a zippered coin pocket, a key holder, and a pen holder.
Promising review: "This wallet is durable, chic, and spacious. The lining is very soft and feels expensive. From the design to the material to the zippers and snaps, it's well made. I ordered it in rose gold, and it's a beautiful color. I travel frequently and love the boarding pass pocket. I recommended it to my sister and mom, who also love theirs! They ordered in yellow and bronze and were also happy with the color." —Brianna graham
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 38 colors).
32. A pair of anti-chafing bands that will do an amazing job of protecting your thighs when you're wearing that beautiful dress you knew the moment you saw had to be worn on your trip. The fear of painful rubbing of your thighs shouldn't stop you from living your best (vacation) life.
Promising review: "I took a trip to Paris and decided to buy these after being on the fence because I knew we'd be walking around the city a ton. I've struggled with red thighs when I walk long distances, and the various powders/lotions I've tried hadn't been doing it for me. I bought these and WOW do they work! My thighs were comfy and secure, and I walked MILES in these. Ladies, if you experience painful thigh chafing then these are for you!" —Shelby Smith
Get them from Amazon for $16.95+ (available in six sizes and 17 colors).
33. 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 when you're out and about all day using your phone as a camera to capture all the memories.
Promising review: "This is an amazing rapid power charger! It charges an iPad faster than plugging it into AC, even while using it! The size is very manageable — about the size of a deck of cards. I travel frequently, and I'm not always near a power source. I just make sure to charge the Anker each evening and then none of my devices will be without power during the day. I was so happy with it, I purchased two more — one for my husband and one for my sister who can't seem to remember to keep her devices charged." —Cathy K
Get it from Amazon for $24.49+ (available in four colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.