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1. A Trtl neck pillow so you can actually fall asleep on your next flight. Machine-washable and adjustable, this neck pillow will give you all the support you need to survive your next 20-hour flight. This is made from fleece and has plush cushioning, so you can easily drift off to sleep.
Former BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde said: "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: "Used it for a 14-hour flight to Japan last week, and it helped tremendously. This was the first time I was able to sleep on the plane so this helped tremendously. Definitely a must have for travel. It is very light so I was able to easily pack it in my under-the-seat wheeled trolley. I want to emphasize how much the light warmth of the fleece (and I don't like being hot) was just right to help me nod off to sleep. Since this is primarily for sitting upright in the seat or someone in the middle or the aisle seat, this was ideal for me. I just got back yesterday. Again I used it — this time a 12-hour flight." —Ambience
Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in five colors).
2. An RFID-blocking travel wallet that'll hold every single thing you could possibly need while traveling. It'll store your passport, your boarding pass, your credit cards, your ID, a cell phone, cash, keys, and more! BTW, it can also hold your vaccine card and it also comes in a few fun colors! So you can match it with your suitcase!
Promising review: "I absolutely love this wallet. I needed a new travel wallet, and this holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! I can fit my boarding pass, passport, ID, credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, and more in it, yet it doesn’t bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. It's just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese Yen, which are larger. I didn’t use the zippered pocket for coins as I much prefer a separate coin purse for that sort of thing. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" —Anthony Luu
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 30 colors).
3. An acupressure anti-nausea wristband for when you get motion and morning sickness after waiting forever in traffic to get to your destination. If you're going on a cruise for the first time in a long time, this might just help with your sea legs. It puts a little pressure on your P6 acupressure point, to help alleviate nauseousness and vomiting.
Reviewers swear by these non-medicated bands for nausea relief: they've used them while traveling on airplanes, boats, and cars and for morning sickness during pregnancies.
Promising reviews: "I bought these for an upcoming cruise, but thought I would try them out when flying (as I tend to get motion sickness even after taking Dramamine). I was very surprised that I had no motion sickness after wearing these on two different work trips. I also took these on a cruise and only had to use them once. Once I felt the motion sickness coming on, I put on the bands and the sickness was gone in about 15 minutes. They came in a nice plastic case and are reusable." —Jessica
"I have had major 'morning' sickness all day for the last two and and half weeks at the beginning of a pregnancy. I was hesitant to buy these bands, but willing to try anything. I have only been wearing them for a day (non-stop except for bed time/shower time) and I can DEFINITELY tell a difference. My nausea has gone from a 10 to a 2. I will warn—I have small wrists and these are snug. They maybe snug but so far, worth it. For the price, I highly recommend for at least the try!!" —KD
Get a pack from Amazon for $8.52+ (available in six styles).
4. A "Pack this!" checklist that'll help you organize and prepare for your upcoming trip. I love that it has items broken down in the smaller categories, so you can make sure nothing is forgotten, just remember to check off the boxes as you pack, so you don't lose track of everything.
Promising review: "I hate making lists trying to figure out what I need, and this is PERFECT for trying to figure that out. It has a lot more on the checklist than I would ever take on a trip, but it does accommodate for every kind a trip, from a simple vacation across state lines, to a business trip, to a wedding halfway around the world. I'm pretty pleased!" —Alyssa Kauffman
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
5. A pair of soft joggers because traveling in comfort is better than anything else. Lightweight, moisture-wicking, and with an elastic waistband, these will keep you looking and feeling uber comfy throughout your never-ending flight.
Promising review: "Super-soft, stretchy, opaque pants. These are now my go-to comfy pants, and I've even worn them on long flights to not have to deal with a belt through the metal detector. The fabric is smooth on both sides, so hopefully they won't pill like fleece does. The ONLY downside is that I wish the pockets were deeper." —Velvet
Get them from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in sizes S–3X and multiple colors and styles).
6. A genius backpack that is anything but basic. If you're looking for the perfect travel backpack, this 100% deserves a place on your wishlist because it has a laptop sleeve, zippered pouches (they're great for toiletries), a water-resistant lining in case of leakage, and finally, it unzips entirely, so you don't lose anything inside. Bonus fact: It has padded straps and a trolley passthrough (so you can slide it on your other suitcase).
Béis is a woman-owned travel accessories brand founded by actress and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell. You'll find carry-on rollers, weekender bags, packing cubes, and more practical goods for your next trip!
BuzzFeed editor Chelsea Stuart owns this backpack and said: "I just bought this bag for a five-day cross-country road trip and it came in so clutch. First, I flew with it and was able to stow it under my seat so not only did I not have to check a bag, but I didn't even have to deal with overhead storage. Then, it traveled through 10+ states and various hotels with me. My absolute favorite parts of the bag are the compression straps and the fact that it fully unzips. This makes it *SO* easy to pack, unpack, and take through airport security. I was able to fit ~four pairs of leggings, four T-shirts, two sets of pajamas, two pairs of shorts, two bathing suits, a sweatshirt, a week's worth of undergarments, travel toiletries, an iPad, my wallet, and more odds and ends."
Promising review: "I wish I had gotten this backpack sooner! I love everything about it. The size is perfect and there is so much room for all of your items. The trolley pocket is a major plus. There are also two water bottle pockets. I also love how you can zip the main compartment all the way to the bottom so you can see everything you have inside. The clear and mesh interior pockets are also such a bonus. And who could forget about the laptop pocket too! Béis really thought of everything in this design." —ARRIANA P.
Get it from Béis for $88 (available in eight colors).
7. A Bluetooth-enabled eye mask for those who fall asleep best while listening to music (because same). I also want to add that this has built-in headphones, so you can listen to whatever you need to help you fall asleep even if it's an audiobook narrator. Since this is an eye mask too, it helps block out light, which means everything to me! I'm always down for a multi-use product!
BuzzFeed editor Chelsea Stuart loves this travel essential and said: "After a bout of pandemic-induced insomnia I picked up one of these USB-chargeable masks and can honestly say it was LIFE changing. If you're sensitive to light or sound, this mask is where it's at. The contoured, cool-to-the-touch eye pads are super cozy and extra padding on the bridge of the nose ensures no light seeps in. I was concerned about feeling the headphones through the mask and not being able to sleep in my usual position (mountain climber, the hands down comfiest position), but they really are unnoticeable. I can sleep through the night with it on and the Velcro straps have never once gotten stuck in my hair. The battery also lasts for a full 10 hours, so I don't have to worry about my audio going out right as I'm dozing off."
Promising review: "This set of your speakers and eye flaps is a must for spouses who travel together and technically live on different schedules, lol! I like to listen to things while I am sleeping other than my husband snoring. This product has done the trick. It is easy to set up on your Bluetooth and the sound is incredible. I am able to adjust the speakers for my ears and they don’t hurt like having to wear earbuds to sleep in. I highly recommend this product!" —Sandy
Get it from Amazon for $22.69+ (available in four colors).
8. A digital luggage scale so you can 100% make sure you're under the weight limit; because there is nothing worse then oversized luggage fees. All you need to do is hook it on and watch the magic happen. Additionally, you're able to change the unit, so you're good to go no matter where you are.
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 seven colors and a two pack).
9. A TSA-approved, transparent toiletry carry-on that'll help make security lines a breeze no matter how long they are. Easy to open, splash resistant, and with double zippers; this is a wonderful companion for your next trip and also perfect for your next concert.
Promising review: "This thing truly packs a punch. I could fit everything I needed for an overnight hotel stay plus seven-day cruise to the Caribbean. Passed through TSA checkpoints without any problem, too. The sturdy build and tough zipper make this a quality toiletry pouch. Very happy with my purchase!" —Orange Blossom
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
10. And a hanging toiletry bag with tons of room for all your skincare and makeup. Besides taking up minimal space in your suitcase, this has four compartments and you can fill it up to your heart's desire.
Promising review: "Seriously?! Do you see how much this holds?! Full shampoo bottles, face washes, hair brush...everything I could need or want to bring, FITS IN THIS ONE BAG! And it’s so cute! Feels like great quality too — all the hardware came with protective wraps to keep from scratching and the zippers feel very hardy. The hook at the top is also VERY WELL SECURED to the bag, it’s double stitched to the top panel, and almost feels like seatbelt material. And I love the extra pockets and netting inside. I would absolutely recommend this!" —mahea_c
Get it from Amazon for $18.98 (available in six colors).
11. A mini lightweight flat iron because you'll get salon-worthy hair without bulk. Tiny and easy to pack, this hot tool will transform your frizzy vacay hair into something magical.
It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!
Promising review: "I got this nice little and compact hair straightener for my trip to the beach. It is small and lightweight. Perfect for a trip. It heats up really fast, with in seconds it is very hot. It comes with a pouch to tuck it away in. You do need to move slowly through your hair because the heated part is small but it does a good job. I made a little video to show how nice it is. Also I like the comfort of the design to hold it. Fits nicely in my hand. Not heavy like the bigger bulkier ones are. I took my time and shopped around for a travel one. I think this will be good to use every day. It doesn’t take up much space either." —Connie Cunningham
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three colors).
12. And a heat-resistant silicone mat so your styling tools can be cooled down on the go. All you need to do is wrap the mat around the tools and you can pack it up.
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 $10.89.
13. A Dagne Dover carryall duffel bag because it can and will fit everything you could possibly need for a weekend away and still manage to fit under your airplane seat. Another reason I love this is because it's super lightweight compared a backpack or roller piece of luggage. There's nothing worse than your luggage weighting down your shoulder.
BuzzFeed Deputy Director, Emma McAnaw also loves this travel duffel and said: "I use this every time I travel — and I never, I mean NEVER, check bags. I even took this with me to Amsterdam and easily packed about four sweaters, DOC MARTENS, and all my undies and toiletries. To be fair I wore the same pants for four days (I am cheap, guys), but I never felt like I needed more space. And yes — even Spirit lets me take this."
Promising review: "I was long overdue for a new weekender and this was the best money I’ve spent. It’s sleek and has so much space while still being flexible enough to fit under my airline seat (as long as I don’t stuff it to capacity)." —Vivian J.
Get it from Dagne Dover for $125+ (available in five sizes and 13 colors).
Check out Emma's full review in "8 Things You Should Buy Because Your Closet Is Hungry" (it's #2).
14. Leakproof travel capsules for anyone who needs somewhere to store the little things. You can use these TSA-compliant vessels to hold vitamins, creams, and even jewelry. Also, they're magnetic, so you can't really lose them, which is a plus because I somehow manage to lose everything while traveling. Is anyone else or is that just a me problem? LOL.
Cadence is a woman-owned small business specializing in personal care travel solutions. Each mini capsule is created from recycled ocean-bound plastic and is refillable and reusable!
BuzzFeed writer Jasmin Sandal uses these travel capsules and said: "I love my little containers that allow me to downsize but still carry my necessities while I'm traveling. They're not only cute to look at but they're pretty practical. I have used mine to store my vitamins, earrings, face cream and have not run into any issues. They have tight, screw-on tops so you know everything is secure *and* you can customize their labels so you know exactly what's in what. Oh, and the fact that they're magnetic? Genius. This way, they stay tightly together in your case or can be conveniently stored in a makeup bag."
Promising review: "I will be traveling with just a carry-on for 11 days and was a bit concerned about my liquids until I found Cadence. These honey comb-shaped pieces snap together to wasting no space and organization with ease. The shape makes it easier for my older hands to open, the thick sides will not burst under pressure, and the color and tile combinations help to quickly recognize what product I'm for." —Gena H.
Get a set of six from Cadence for $84 (available in individual capsules, multiple sizes, and 14 colors).
15. A lightweight raincoat because it doesn't take up a lot of room in your suitcase and can come in handy for unexpected showers or storms. I might not be able to predict the weather on your next trip but I can predict that if you're wearing this you will be dry and won't get overheated since it's super breathable.
Promising review: "This Columbia windbreaker is perfect for me. I wore it as a top layer on a trip to Iceland. It couldn't have performed better. Waterproof enough to suit my needs during rainy weather (but not necessarily a downpour). Deep, zipper pockets are a bonus. I wear it spring through autumn in Wisconsin, plus it is a staple when I travel; packs small and light. My only complaint is velcro closings are not my favorite, but that's just personal preference. I ordered a size larger than my usual to provide for plenty of layering room." —C. Baltus
BuzzFeed editor Chelsea Stuart also adores this raincoat! She said: "I bought this rain coat — in my go-to color: black — to use on a trip to the Peruvian Amazon and it came in super clutch! First off it did a great job of keeping me dry from rainforest showers, but it also took up like no room in my bag which was key since I had to bring so many random ~outdoorsy~ things that I wouldn't normally. I appreciate that the hood zips on/off, that there are adjustable drawcords at the neck and waist, and, ofc, that it packs up so tiny. If you're headed anywhere rainy, it's an invaluable accessory!"
Get it from Amazon for $52.98+ (available in women's sizes XS–3X and tons of colors).
16. A buckled luggage strap so you can have your hands free while you get all your documents sorted. The strap can attach to any suitcase and then you can attach other bags or even your neck pillow on it.
Promising review: "I love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip. It made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I'm back home, I've been using it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse." —Michele
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in six colors and various packs of two).
17. Or a stylish and durable travel belt to attach your tote onto your suitcase in style. These are as cool looking as they are practical and that's why I am adding every single color to my cart. It will keep your bag in a stable position, so things won't fall out including that really embarrassing romance novel you can't get enough of.
Cincha Travel is a small business based in Oakland, California that designs adjustable vegan leather travel belts. The brand, which is run by a BIPOC couple, donates 100 airline miles for each purchased travel belt to help reunite migrant families.
Promising review: "Such a simple yet brilliant solution for the ever falling bag when trying to juggle all your luggage. It definitely made traveling less stressful." —Samantha
Get it from Cincha for $29.99+ (available in three sizes and in 22 colors).
18. A bar (or two) of solid shampoo and solid conditioners because you're over liquid shampoo/conditioner spilling all over your travel bag. Each shampoo has around 80 uses, so you can basically bring it on multiple trips, but once you use these, there is no going back and over 2,000 reviewers agree with me.
Promising review: "I was definitely skeptical about a bar shampoo and conditioner, but I travel a lot and really wanted to cut down the use of plastic products as much as possible. I honestly am in love! I got the Heali Kiwi shampoo bar and the Wonderbar conditioner, as well as one of their eco-friendly bamboo and sugar cane storage containers, and my very long, fine oily hair, which I do have to wash daily looks and feels great. I recommend anyone on the fence to definitely give it a try! It works! So wonderful for travel too!" —M.A.
Get it from Amazon for $13.50+ (available in 11 varieties).
19. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter that'll allow you to watch TV shows and movies during your flight. Plug it in and connect your earbuds and enjoy all that in-flight entertainment.
Traveling with a family member or friend? They can also sync their earbuds to this gadget!
Promising review: "Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry multiple headsets! Thank you!!!" —Ryan Malloy
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four styles and two colors).
20. A mini wallet emergency kit housed in a bag with your favorite city's skyline. The kit had tools for any minor inconvenience you might encounter such as Band-Aids for blisters, hand sanitizer, and even extra toilet paper. It's so useful, you might just need to pick up one for all your favorite travel buddies. Even when your get home from your trip, this is a great thing to carry in your bag.
Here's what it comes with: Inside your small wallet, you'll find lip balm, a hair tie, a floss pic, Band-Aids, emery board, two safety pins, a sewing kit, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, deodorant wipe, Shout wipe, tampon, hand sanitizer, and pain relief meds.
Anne Cate is a small Ohio-based business that sells city-skyline-themed accessories and journaling supplies. Their product lineup features 100 hand-designed skylines from various cities and colleges worldwide!
BuzzFeed writer Danielle Healy swears by this kit and said: "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 multiple skyline designs).
21. An Away carry-on because you've been thinking about it for years. With room for storing all your clothing and more, this lightweight luggage will make lugging your suitcase through the airport so much easier due its 360 spinner wheels. It also comes with a laundry bag and it even has a TSA-approved lock. What more could you want in a suitcase, this is seriously so *chef's kiss*.
BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde owns this space-saving carry-on. Here's her rave review: "I have had my Away carry-on suitcase for about a year now and absolutely love it! I've been able to fit everything I need for a weeklong trip into this with room to spare. It has two main compartments: one side with an interior compression system so you can pack all your soft clothes, and then a zippered side for all of your loose items. It also comes with a laundry bag for you to store all your dirty clothes as you travel. I like how durable it is — I've definitely knocked it against the wall or a bench a few times and I haven't gotten a scratch or a dent on it. And even if I do end up damaging it, Away has a limited lifetime warranty on their suitcases that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that impairs your use of the luggage. This is definitely a splurge-worthy purchase I feel like I got my money's worth out of. (And then some!)
Promising review: "Bought the carry-on version for my adult son who has decided to travel the world throughout the year. I helped him pack for the first 10 day trip and was in AWE of how much fit in that little carry on luggage. He was too! It is very slick looking, super solid, and well-made. Wheels handle better than any other I’ve used — could not be happier or recommend more!!!!"—Janice C.
Get it from Away for $275+ (available in 11 colors).
22. A Kindle Paperwhite so you don't have to lug several books on your trip. As someone who is forgetful, this is a blessing, so I don't have to worry about accidentally leaving a book behind. Complete with a large display and adjustable light, so you can read without disturbing your travel partner.
Promising review: "I was a physical book snob until shortly before buying this. But the benefits are plentiful:
- It allows you to read in MANY more positions: on your side, one hand, ..., virtually any position is more comfortable with a kindle than with a physical book.
- Reading in the dark - good bye book lights! The screen light is amazing, much easier and effortless to use than bringing a book light with you everywhere.
- Vocab. Anytime you don't know what a word means, you can simply hold your finger on the book and BOOM - you instantly get the definition. If you are connected to wifi, then it also automatically searches wikipedia for things that aren't in the dictionary.
- Reading speed. With physical books, each book has a different font size/type and page/margin size, which I believe has a small but noticeable effect on reading speed. Since Kindle books all look the exact same, your brain gets used to it, and you start to read a bit faster on the Kindle.
- Amazing battery life. A few weeks is plenty. You will always find time to charge it and should rarely have situations where you can't read because your battery is dead." —Vince Nicoara
Get it from Amazon for $149.99+ (available in three colors, with or without kindle limited and with or without ads).
Read more deets in our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite.
23. A set of waterproof packing cubes to keep you organized with everything in your suitcase. You can use each cube to store a different type of clothing for your travels. Plus it makes it a lot easier to find what you're looking for instead of making a mess all over your hotel room.
This set comes with an extra large cube, large cube, medium cube, small cube, roomy shoe bag, and a laundry bag for dirty clothes!
Promising review: "I was traveling for 14 days and dreaded how the neatly packed suitcase usually became the suitcase from hell after a couple of days of travel. These bags were wonderful! I rolled my clothing and had very little wrinkling. I divided the bags into pants, tops, undies, and shoes. We were usually in the city but had plans for a rafting trip as well. I put all my rafting clothing and supplies into another bag. It also came with a laundry bag, which was very handy. It was so easy to move from hotel to hotel because my bag was always neat and orderly. I am thinking of buying more to organize my chest of drawers at home." —jsue2U
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in 12 colors).
24. Or a set of vacuum seal bags so you can maximize your luggage space by minimizing your items. This space saver can and will save my fellow over packers, you know who you are. 😉
Former BuzzFeed Writer, Jasmin Sandal, loves these for packing. She said: "I swear by these bad boys not only for general storage purposes, but also if I know I'm going to be traveling for an extended period of time. As someone who tends to pack for every eventuality (who doesn't like to be prepared?!), I have learned that it's better to travel with them than without — especially since it's more or less a guarantee that my clothes are gonna take up a ~substantial~ amount of room in my suitcase. And if I can use something that's gonna shrink the size of my bulky hoodies and/or big tees in order for me to create more space, I'm sure as heck gonna do it. Plus, the satisfaction is indeed guaranteed because when you see those chunky layers flatten into a pancake...it's just *chef's kiss*."
Promising review: "We needed to travel for a long trip to Japan, which included two days of skiing, and make all our clothes and gear fit in carry on luggage. These bags were incredible. They worked well without any issues, and they were able to compress ski pants and gloves and warm sweaters down to a nearly flat surface. Everyone in our family used at least two in their carry on bag, and that was what allowed us to pack everything we needed. Each bag worked well repeatedly, as we opened and shut them during the trip. Highly recommend when traveling and space is an issue." —whitnch
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five sizes or a variety pack).
25. A portable jewelry organizer to keep all your jewelry organized on your next trip. No one likes to untangle jewelry and this product allows for you to store necklaces, earrings, and rings in individual spots. No one wants to waste time untangling, when they could be exploring their destination for the first time.
This small business also sells handmade necklaces, paperclip bracelets, and more pretty pieces!
Promising review: "Very cute and perfect size to travel and put in a carry-on bag!" —Etsy Customer
Get it from The Silver Wren on Etsy for $27 (originally $36).
26. A pack of lion latches that'll secure your jewelry or pills. One of the reasons why I love it is because it is so easy to use, and this way, you won't end up having to search the ocean for your diamond earring.
27. A Lay-n-Go cosmetic bag because it will be super helpful for your next weekend getaway. One of the reasons I love this is because once you open it, it lays flat and you can see ~everything~ you packed rather than having to toss things aside to find that one product you need.
Lay-n-Go is a woman-owned small business that specializes in storage solutions for home, travel, and personal care.
Promising review: "I was tired of fumbling around in my cosmetics case and saw this. I was skeptical, but...WOW! On my recent two-week trip to Europe, with constant laying out and packing up, this item was wonderful. I could find what I wanted quickly, right away. Packing up was just a matter of pulling the drawstring. At first I wasn’t sure about changing to this bag, but now I could not do without it." —Mojosharkey
Get it from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in three sizes and 30 colors).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.