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1. A Rockland two-piece set with a carry-on that'll fit perfectly into any overhead bin, and a smaller bag you can comfortably stuff under the seat in front of you. That's right, folks — no more sharing legroom with your slightly-too-large backpack.
2. A set of TSA-friendly travel bottles with pumps because — regardless if you're staying in a 10-person hostel or 5-star resort — complimentary shampoo is almost always trash. These bottles come with pre-printed labels that allow you to bring your favorite hair and body products along for the trip.
Promising review: "It’s a little hard to fill, but if you have a small funnel already it makes it a lot easier. They’re super easy to use and really convenient for packing. I use it for the gym, travel, and I also travel for work often and it comes in handy there." —Kelsey Jacobi
Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99 (available in three colors).
3. Disposable silicone earplugs because ear pain during air travel is real, and babies have every reason to cry because of it.
4. A water-resistant weekender duffel roomy enough to fit the essentials (no fewer than 63 outfit options and seven pairs of shoes). The back strap fits conveniently over suitcase handles, plus it's water-resistant and really darn durable.
5. Cable ties because tangled charging cords and headphones are the second most frustrating thing on the planet. (Forgetting said charging cords and headphones at home is #1.)
6. A portable gel lint roller so that you don't show up to that business meeting covered in pet fur — because hundreds of thousands of miles away and their white hairs still somehow remain on your black blazer.
Promising review: "I travel frequently for work and keep this in my suitcase. Works great, I no longer carry a lint roller." —Liza Przekop
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors).
7. A vacuum-free space-saving compression bag so you don't feel compelled to check a bag, i.e., don't have to wait at baggage claim for an extra 30 minutes after having already traveled several hours for an IRL meeting that very much could have been an email.
Promising review: "I travel monthly for work, usually gone for 4–5 days. Before these, I would have to check a bag. Dress shirts and pants roll up nicely and stay wrinkle-free. It's tempting to want to over-stuff these, but if you're packing golf shirts or cloths with 'slippery' fabric, they slide out of the top of the bag as you get close to the end. The clips take a minute to get used to, but after a couple of times zipping up the bags, it's pretty easy." —BigSkinny
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $15.97.
8. A large travel wallet because there is NOTHING WORSE than losing a connecting boarding pass while on a plane. Is it underneath your seat? In the carry-on you stored in the overhead compartment? DID YOU DROP IT EN ROUTE TO THE PLANE? I don't know, I'm tired — just get this and save yourself the potential headache.
9. A 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger so you can juice up your iPhone, AirPods, *and* Apple Watch at the same. damn. time. Imagine all that saved space. Let's all give a collective sigh.
10. An inflatable wedge pillow you can slip on over your hand for deep sleep that feels genuinely restful (no small feat amidst turbulence). Prop open your tray table, rest your hand, then rest your head. *falls asleep immediately*
Can't sleep while traveling? No worries, because this gem also doubles up as a backrest for optimal comfort.
Promising reviews: "This is the perfect travel companion for frequent travelers. I frequently travel by plane for business and was searching for an alternative to the traditional neck pillow, I'm glad I found this product its allowed to me to get quality sleep on long flights. The little travel bag is very handy, once the product has been deflated allowing for easy storage." —veronique
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
11. A travel backpack here to make like a Marvel character and save the day (by which I mean you won't have to check a bag). This has two laptop sleeves, a shoe compartment, a USB charging port, and an anti-theft pocket for valuables in addition to a plentiful amount of space for clothes, accessories, and toiletries.
Promising review: "Lots of space. I bought this for a business trip so I could carry my laptop and clothes for two nights and not check a bag at the airport. This worked perfectly and looks nice." —Angie Jones
Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in two sizes and 30 styles).
12. A digital luggage scale because it's worth the $8 if you're prone to overpacking and have, on more than occasion, been forced to pay an additional $100 luggage fee.
Check out BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly's TikTok of the digital luggage scale in action.
Promising review: "Great money saver for travelers. It's the best gift I’ve ever given myself. I travel a lot for business and pleasure. Buy it!" —Vacay-Jay
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors and a two-pack).
13. A transparent TSA-approved toiletry bag so you don't have to fish around your suitcase for liquids (and then stuff them in a clear baggy) while going through airport security. Flying is nerve-wracking enough. Let's not be panicking about whether or not our favorite moisturizer will be unjustly confiscated.
Promising reviews: "This bag held surprisingly more than expected. I put tiny travel jars for my skincare creams and other small toiletries in it with room to spare. I definitely feel like it was easier to pack and was also easy to grab out of my bag for security. It feels sturdy with nice, thick vinyl. The double zipper moved easily, and I was pleased that it opened completely for ease of getting the items I needed out of it." —Mrs M Tate
"Perfect for travel. This was perfect to use while traveling on my last business trip when I only brought a carry-on." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
14. A refillable travel perfume atomizer that's TSA-friendly and makes your favorite fragrance transportable, so you don't have to rely on the mini Sephora samples that you've been "saving" for business trips but seldom actually pack.
15. Neoprene handle wraps available fluorescent colors you can hypothetically spot from space. Or at the very least, you can spot them from baggage claim.
16. Packing cubes capable of helping you fit your entire 👏 friggin' 👏 wardrobe 👏 inside your carry-on. Plus, this keeps everything lookin' niiiiice and neat.
17. A pack of laundry soap sheets because have you packed 13 maxi dresses? Yes. But have you packed an ample amount of basics (white tees, underwear, etcetera)? Absolutely not. Simply grab a sheet, turn on the faucet, and hand-wash away.
18. A wrinkle-eliminating spray for the person who maybe doesn't feel like showing up to that business meeting with a button-down that's wrinkled beyond repair. This spray works to eliminate both static and odor, which is especially lovely if you're a bit behind on laundry (hi).
19. An Away carry-on luggage designed with a hidden laundry bag, a TSA-approved combination lock, an ejectable battery to charge your ever-dying cell, and 360-degree wheels. It even has an interior compression system to let you pack. more. stuff.
20. A portable door lock for travelers who want peace of mind (especially if they're traveling alone). Consider this an extra security system that is easy to install on hotel doors.
If you're flying with this in your carry-on, make sure to keep it in an easily accessible place because I've been flagged at security for mine a few times.
Promising review: "This product is a complete game-changer for me when I travel alone on business trips. I’m a young female who travels for work, so this door lock makes me feel safe and helps me sleep soundly through the night in hotels. I think everyone who travels should have one of these, just in case!" —Dev_Carrs
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
21. A portable stand that transforms your train tray table into a personal movie theater. Download some movies onto your phone or tablet, prop 'em on this thing, and BAM! Just break out some snacks and the discomfort of traveling will be completely forgotten.
22. A travel drink caddy if wheeling across terminals with your carry-on and (as the airlines dub it) your personal item aka your purse has lead to several an airport Starbucks drink being spilled. This props iced coffee and water bottles upright so you can pull out your boarding pass with ease.
23. A foot hammock so you can truly ~kick your feet up~ and relax, promoting circulation and helping you feel less cramped in your tiny seat. (We'll get booked on business class one day. I promise.)
24. A contoured sleep mask that helps alleviate pressure and prevent the overhead light from ruining your snooze. Bonus points: the seamless elastic means it won't snag your hair in the process.
25. A Trtl neck pillow, i.e. a pillow-scarf hybrid that prevents sudden upright jolts the second you start to doze off and hunch over. Post-nap airplane neck pain? Say goodbye.
Promising review: "I've worked for a major airline for the past 20 years, so I travel a lot for business and leisure. I feel like I've tried every kind of travel pillow there is. None have worked. I cannot stand those horseshoe pillows that push your neck forward or the micro-bead pillows that don't support your head well enough/high enough when you lean your head sideways. For once in thousands of miles that I've flown, my neck lolling about with no place to comfortably rest was NOT the problem. I think the Trtl is the style of travel pillow that makes the most sense and is the most ergonomically correct of any travel pillow I've used. I'm going to be taking this on every long-haul flight I have from now on." —BethanieKay
Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in five colors).
26. A slim profile phone power bank because you should know better than to rely on the back-of-seat USB plugs to charge your devices since they typically either a: don't work or b: charge at the speed of a snail.
Promising review: "I love this Anker power bank and have bought several of these for my wife and kids. I travel frequently for business and never fail to reach into my bag when the phone or iPad is getting low. It can charge several devices on one charge, and it really seems to charge up my iPhone much quicker than plugging it into a wall outlet." —Fatspatula
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two colors).
27. And a pack of melatonin sleep gummies that promote restful sleep on long-haul international flights plagued by turbulence, crying babies, and seatmates who encroach on your elbow space. It also helps adjust your circadian rythym for when you're jumping time zones.
Promising review: "I use these when I'm jumping time zones on business trips, they really work! So many melatonin supplements are too high of dose and give me sleep paralysis. These give you a nice deep sleep without the hangover. A staple in my travel bag!" —Kristen Hambleton
Get a jar of 50 gummies from Amazon for $12.24 (also available in larger sizes).
Learn more about the link between melatonin and sleep at the Mayo Clinic.
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.