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 luggage-mounted cup caddy because if you're anything like me, coffee is HIGH on your list of airport priorities and you could likely use an extra hand to carry it.
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 $14.99+ (available in 28 colors/styles).
2. A nifty universal phone mount so you can pass your high-altitude hours catching up on Love Is Blind on Netflix. Seeing as you spent all your time at the gate painstakingly downloading them over airport Wi-Fi, it'd be a total waste if you didn't. 🤷♀️
Promising review: "I recently returned from a trip to Australia and Hawaii and purchased this gadget specifically for use on the plane as I like to watch movies that I download to my phone. In a word, it's awesome! The holding clamp can be rotated to provide more elevation, so your phone can be near eye-level which reduces neck stress. The spring that is used for mounting is pretty heavy duty. It requires a bit of effort to attach. But that's actually a good thing because it ensures that it won't shake off in turbulence. The silicone pads also help to prevent slippage. The holding arm also rotates, so you can set it at the perfect angle. And get this: It folds down small enough to fit into a pocket! I highly recommend this item!" —Brendan
Get it from Amazon for $12.97+ (available in five colors and packs of two ).
3. An I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo that eliminates grease at your roots and keeps your scalp nice and healthy with antioxidant-rich black ginseng and nourishing biotin.
The powder-based dry shampoo works just like spray formulas — apply to the area you're looking to refresh and then shake out excess powder with your fingertips or a brush.
Promising review: "I honestly can't believe this works (at least for me)! I have really fine hair and gets oily fast. I usually have to wash my hair every day because of it. BUT this thing actually works! I was really skeptical because I fall for a lot of gimmicks but I was so hopeful that I gave it a try. Glad I did! I just dab it on my roots a couple of times and then I run my fingers through it and shake it out. I can usually go one to two days longer without the feel of greasiness." —Teresa Dunning
Get it from Amazon for $16.
4. Some tablet-to-gel freeze-dried serums that are both highly potent and exceptionally easy to travel with. Once you get to your destination and you're ready to do your skincare, simply activate the treatment with a few drops of water and you're in business.
Onélogy is a small, sustainable skincare brand from Roxana Bazgoneh.
Current serums include: Niacinamide 2%, Alpha Arbutin 2%, Peptides-CU 0.6%, HPR Retinoid 0.3%, and Pad Azelaic 5%.
Promising review (for Alpha Arbutin 2%): "I absolutely love the Alpha Arbutin. It has made such a difference with my hyperpigmentation spots! I feel much more confident without makeup on where as before I would never leave the house! It has made a noticeable difference evening out my skin tone. I also tried the Niacinamide which really helped control oil and breakouts. My skin feels fabulous after application — super fresh and tight! I love these products and I have tried so many other brands but none of them have worked as well as these!" —Kate
5. A Béis mini weekender with just enough room for a few days of stuff but not so much space that you'll be tempted to throw your entire closet in there.
Béis is a woman-owned travel accessories company from Shay Mitchell.
Promising review: "Love the size of this bag! The mini weekender is the perfect size for weekend trips! When packing, I always reach for it as it fits everything that I could possibly need. I love the functionality of this." —Caitlin S.
Get it from Béis for $98 (available in nine colors).
6. An Apple AirTag so you know where your bag is at all times — especially if you have tight connections to make or are on a trip that involves planes, trains, and automobiles (aka Ubers, Lyfts, and taxis).
After all of the flight cancellations, tarmac delays, and general travel disruptions of 2022, I finally decided to invest in an AirTag for my checked luggage. In my 15 years of international travel, I've only ever had a bag lost once (due to a missed connecting flight), but I figured it was time to stop tempting fate. I'm generally a carry-on-only traveler, but even those have been getting gate-checked more frequently and as my recent trip involved SIX flights, I felt better having this slipped inside. Using the "Find My" app I can see exactly where my bag was last located so when I land, I'll know if it made the flight with me.
Get it from Amazon for $27.28.
7. A seat-back organizer that slides over the tray table so you don't have to touch any icky surfaces or dig around that communal pocket of crumbs looking for your misplaced passport. It's machine washable, so after your flight, you can toss it in the wash and then use it again!
Promising review: "Every time I whip this thing out, someone leans across the aisle, asks what it is, and then makes a note to buy one when they get home. On a long-haul flight, it's simply a must for organizing your reading materials, headphones, sanitizing wipes, etc. My favorite use for this thing, though, is when I've fallen deep asleep along the way only to wake up in a fog and in a rush to deplane. Instead of having to hastily dig things out of the seat back pocket, I just slip the entire thing off of the tray table, pop it in my bag and worry about sorting things out when I get to where I'm going — safe in the knowledge that I didn't leave anything behind. Love it!" —justinglen
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
8. A wedge doorstop alarm with an *extremely* loud 120-decibel siren that'll sound should anyone try to force open your door. If you have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar hotel rooms or Airbnbs, this might just help.
No wiring is required, either, just pick up a 9V battery.
Promising review: "Travel must-have. I use this traveling, and it provides extra peace of mind in motel rooms considering I'm a cheapskate and stay in dives and my dog is getting so old he is likely to refer any criminal who breaks and enters to me for further processing. Works well, as a startled maid in a West Virginia motel can attest when she thought I had checked out and unlocked the door to clean. I gave the second one to my sister, who uses it at home." —QuintessentiallyYours
Get it from Amazon for $13.25.
9. A universal travel adapter because plugs can be hard to come by and let's be real — without access to Google Maps, you'd be beyond lost. Heck, you don't even know your way around your own town, nvm somewhere you've never been!
This adapter covers over 150 countries. Keep in mind this is not a voltage converter!
Promising review: "Used this on a trip to Sweden and London. It worked great. Charged three things at a time with no problems. I love the compact design and not having to keep track of all the adapters." —tiffanyann7
Get it from Amazon for $14.39+ (available in eight colors).
10. A Bluetooth-enabled mask if falling asleep on vacation is not your forte. Slip this baby on, turn on your favorite thunderstorm simulator, and it's like you never left home.
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 hand's 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 is the best thing I have ordered in a long time! I work nights and recently took a travel position. Staying in hotels is fun until your neighbor is loud or the highway traffic is horrible. The speakers on this are quality! The only thing I heard was the rain and thunder from my app. The rain was so clear sounding I could easily visualize each drop hitting the ground. I was about to fall asleep when the thunder kicked in and seriously scared me to pieces! Highly recommend!" —Dana Harris
Get it from Amazon for $16.31+ (available in four colors).
11. A travel jewelry case because last time you threw all of your necklaces in a sandwich bag and ended up with a giant knot that took hours to undo. Like, seriously, you could have solved a Rubik's Cube faster.
Promising review: "I purchased this box for a weekend getaway. In the past I have just thrown all of my jewelry into little make up bags, but then everything gets tangled and disorganized. I love that this box keeps everything organized and leaves all my necklaces tangle free!" —Dogmom206
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 13 colors).
12. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so you can use your Bluetooth headphones to watch all the movies you didn't feel like paying $15 to see in theaters.
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 that 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 $32.49+ (available in three models).
13. A powerful portable charger because you *will* take approx. 1 million photos a day, and your phone's battery *will* drain in what feels like a matter of minutes.
This powerful battery pack weighs as little as a can of soup yet charges the iPhone 8 almost seven times, the Galaxy S8 five times, or the iPad Mini 4 twice.
Promising review: "I travel for a living and have always needed a portable charger. This thing literally never dies. The longest-lasting charger I have ever had. I was out in London all day, phone nearly dead, and had to go straight to the airport for a nine-hour flight back to the USA. This charger charged my phone the ENTIRE flight, and then on my service car, my coworker needed to charge his phone. I had meetings all day and then a dead phone and I charged my phone to a full 100% again! This is a MUST-HAVE PRODUCT." —Kyle G.
Get it from Amazon for $47.99+ (available in two colors).
14. A genius magnetic luggage tag you can use to hold your sun hat because they are notoriously hard to pack, but what is a beach vacay without one??
The Fileist is a Los Angeles-based, woman-owned small biz from Lindsay Albanese. They create fashionable-yet-functional accessories designed to make your life just a bit easier.
Promising review: "Love! Love! Love it! Very sturdy grip, and fashionable! I have had skin cancer numerous times, including melanoma. This is a must-have to keep me safe and fashionable — vacation or otherwise. I have thrown it in the overhead on a plane or shuffled through crowded venues, prior to COVID-19, and never lost my hat. This is a great gift, first to myself, and now to others! Thank you for keeping me safe and on point at an affordable price!" —Emily K.
Get it from The Fileist for $55 (check out all hat holder styles here).
15. A teensy tiny pack of dissolvable laundry sheets if you'll be away from home for a while and might need to hand wash some items while you're away. Yes, lots of hotels have washers and dryers, but that requires a whole lotta quarters, and you gotta watch your stuff like a hawk.
Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops to places with different types of weather. With these laundry soap sheets I was able to wash my clothes in the sink — letting me pack just the right amount of clothes for all the different places I went." —Katie Fujarski
Get a 50-count pack from Amazon for $11.08.
16. A set of compression cubes if — despite your best efforts — you're prone to packing everything but the kitchen sink.
Promising review: "I have lived out of these packing cubes for the last 15 months and they have been SO GREAT! I love their colors and they have held up so well!! The handles have held up great and the zippers!! I've had no problems with the zippers at all. I love the compression feature, makes it easier to get things organized before zipping everything up tight to put into my suitcase! The laundry bag is also the perfect size. At first, I thought it was going to be too big, but the people who made it clearly knew what they were doing. The smaller bags have been great for shoes and my extra shampoo. Overall, I love these and when they eventually wear out, I'll buy them again!" —Ariel Hablewitz
Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in packs of two, four, or six and in 10 colors/designs).
17. A mini white noise machine so you can get a good night's sleep on the road instead of being kept up by unfamiliar noises like creaky Airbnb floors or rowdy hotel neighbors.
The small device has 11 nonlooping sleep sounds (including fan and ocean sounds) and it can connect to wireless devices via Bluetooth so you can use it as a portable speaker and play your own audio.
Promising review: "Bought one of these for my hubby for Christmas and he loved it. Then I bought one for my daughter days later. A few days later, I bought our third — I had to have one also for when I travel. Love all the options to select from with the various sounds, volume control is great, love the Bluetooth. Brought it with us to a hotel on vacation and used it at night to drown out the noise of other guests walking and talking in the halls, and during the day rocked our music on Bluetooth!! Added plus, we used it with our new puppy to get him to sleep and stay asleep through the night. Only downside is I wish the battery life was longer. It lasts about three nights before you need to recharge." —Romeo's Girl
Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in two colors).
18. Some TSA-approved Kitsch travel pouches which pack down to basically nothing at all — saving space for other essential toiletries you *can't* siphon into a travel container.
TBH I bought these on a whim because I saw them while I was standing in the checkout line at TJ Maxx but turns out, they're great! My shampoo and especially my conditioner get stuck in the bottom of traditional travel bottles and it's really annoying to have them taking up space in my bag once they've run out. That's where these come in clutch. I can roll them like a toothpaste tube to get out every last bit and then they pack completely flat leaving me with *extra* room on the way home.
Promising review: "I absolutely love these little pouches. They have worked amazingly for the travel I have done recently. I have heard that some people have issue with them popping, but I think that is avoidable if you don’t fill them up all the way to allow for air expansion on the plane. Also squeeze out excess air. These are so cute and the plastic pouch them come in hold my razor and shower mitt. Most of all, I love how no product gets wasted. That is what I hated about structured travel bottles. Must buy!" —Ashley
Get them from Amazon for $9.99.
19. A dual travel hair straightener/curling iron if you're so dedicated to your 'do, that whether you're at home or on vacation, it gets the same salon treatment.
Promising review: "This little thing is amazing! I have searched high and low for a travel flat iron that was worth saving suitcase space for and FINALLY found it. Switching between flat iron to curling iron is VERY easy...the switch is right by your thumb, but unlike other irons, it doesn't open at the slightest breeze. I haven't noticed any issues with the temp being too high." —bellewithab
Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in two colors; clip the coupon for 20% off this price!).
20. A waterproof Kindle Paperwhite because stuffing your backpack full of paperbacks definitely isn't the move. Instead, this guy lets you download as many titles as you want and there won't be any regret if you don't make it through them all (or even manage to crack the cover of one...).
Promising review: "I'm the kind of person who used to always buy the printed copies (I love the smell and feel of books). But I've got to admit this is a really practical way to carry around your books when traveling (it's really light and easy to take everywhere), and it really does feel like reading an actual book (compared to tablets and reading on your phone). The waterproof feature it's really just a wonderful plus." —Daniela
Get it from Amazon for $149.99 (available in two storage sizes, with or without lock screen ads, and in three colors).
21. A two-in-one travel blanket and pillow sure to make your red-eye flight much more bearable — especially if you're the type to sleep against the window or on your tray table.
Promising review: "I bought this product before taking a six-hour flight, and it was a lifesaver. The pillow has a strap behind it to put it on your luggage so that it doesn't have to be carried. Very convenient when traveling. The blanket kept me warm on the plane, and when the blanket is folded into the pillow, it is also comfortable. Would definitely recommend." —Robynn
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in six colors).
22. A simple yet life-changing felt insert that'll make it easy to find everything in your carry-on. You might not have a whole dang first-class pod to spread your stuff out among, but this will make you feel just as organized and fret-free.
This comes in so many shades, you'll easily find one to match the interior of any of your bags!
Promising review: "Love this organizer so much. It is extremely well-made, measurements are spot on, and it fits several of my large bags. No more rooting through a cluttered purse for a wallet or lip balm. Everything has a place. I can reach in without looking and know exactly where everything is. If you are looking for a little organization in your life, this is a must. Perfect for day-to-day use and for travel." —KentuckyGirl
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 23 colors).
23. An Alleyoop all-in-one razor — a TSA-approved gadget with a refillable spray bottle, shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges. The design is genius, but even better, the moisturizing bar won't melt, so if you're traveling somewhere hot, it'll fare just fine.
Promising review: "I love this product. I took it on a recent vacation and it really is a time saver. The moisturizer bar it comes with is soo nice. I usually get a little itchy after shaving, but the fact that you can rub in the excess product on the shaved area has helped with itch and ingrown hairs. Now that I'm not on vacation I use it right before I go the pool. I seriously take this thing everywhere." —Karlie Hanson
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in two colors).
24. Some best-selling Starface Hydro-Stars! They're made with 100% hydrocolloid which helps absorb icky impurities and the packaging has a built-in mirror so you can apply them on the go cause your skin is gonna pick the most inopportune time — like the first five minutes of a transatlantic flight — to sprout a big ol' pimple.
Starface is a small business that specializes in cruelty-free skincare products.
Promising reviews: "For starters, the package is so adorable and cute. I truly love them. Some people are saying they don’t get rid of your pimples, they just make them smaller, but my experience is totally different. They not only make my pimples smaller, but they completely get rid of them and they stop me from picking at my skin. Again everyone's skin is different and I’m not getting paid to write this but these help me feel beautiful and comfortable in my own skin. 🫶🏼🤍" —Paola Valcarcel
Get them from Amazon for $14.97.
25. A Pashmina scarf ready to be fashioned into a blanket or pillow when flying; a wrap when you're cold or need something modest for visiting cultural sites like temples; or even a shield from the sun as it offers UPF 50+ protection!
Promising review: "I absolutely love this wrap!! It is the perfect weight and size for travel. It didn't leave my side on an 11 day backpack trip through Europe and was used as a scarf, blanket, towel, and wrap all throughout the trip. Fashionable enough to dress up a basic travel day outfit, warm enough to keep away a chill on a cooler night, and light enough to pack away small into a bag or tie around a purse strap. I can't say enough great things! I am buying these as gifts for everyone I know who travels." —Jenn
Get it from Amazon for $44+ (available in nine colors).
26. An inflatable travel pillow that allows you to relax at a perfect 45-degree angle *and* watch whatever you downloaded to your phone from Netflix all at the same time. Once you're done, simply deflate it and pop it in your carry-on where it'll take up next to no space.
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'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. 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 $24.99.
27. A 26-liter Calpak Duffel with soooo many pockets it's basically the bag equivalent of cargo pants.
If you wanna talk about a ludicrously capacious bag, this right here is the winner!! I bought a basic economy ticket — with no baggage allowance other than a personal item — and managed to fit enough in here for an 8-day trip that included London, Oxford, and Edinburgh. I wore it as a backpack the whole time, but it does have adjustable straps that turn it into a duffel bag. It also has multiple carrying handles, a luggage trolley sleeve, a laptop pocket, an interior compression strap, a clamshell opening (so it opens just like a suitcase!), and, one of the best features — imo — a ripstop polyester shell (it's made from 27 recycled water bottles). I stuffed this sucker with not only my clothes and toiletries but a whole bunch of souvenirs on the way home and there was no ripping of seams or weird noises that made me think my bag might explode at any moment. Oh, and the juniper color is just 😍
Promising review: "I recently used this bag for a trip to Florida and managed to pack so many outfits. It worked as a personal item so I didn’t have to pay for luggage. Not to mention, this bag had so many pockets. Definitely purchase if you’re on the fence." —Alyssa C.
Get it from Calpak for $175 (available in 10 colors).
28. A magnetic bag hanger to ensure your purse never touches the ground, subway floor, or any other icky surfaces. It's small, but it's capable of holding up to 8 pounds so even if you're a travels-with-everything-you-can-think-of type of person, it'll deliver.
Get it from our Goodful shop for $14.99 (originally $24.99; available in four colors).
29. An inflatable foot rest that adjusts to three different heights so you don't have to sit in the exact same position for 8 straight hours even if your economy seat has limited space.
Promising review: "This foot rest pillow is essential for those who travel very long distances. It is not only uncomfortable but unhealthy to leave feet dangling down for many hours or days at a time while traveling. I purchased this pillow to situate between my airplane seat and the seat in front of mine. It is wonderful to be able to prop my feet up, with bent knees, while watching movies or sleeping. I regularly fly the same route that is about 30 hours (including layovers), and when I am unable to get a seat upfront, this foot rest pillow keeps me more comfortable at the back of the plane." —Yvonne N
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four colors and two-packs).
30. A fashion-forward Cincha travel belt that can accommodate literally all of your carry-ons as it expands to 45 inches.
Cincha is a BIPOC–owned small business run by a couple based in Oakland, California. They've been making the chic travel belt since 2019.
I own this and love it. Honestly, the designs are what sold me, but the functionality is there. I am someone who walks at a brisk pace and likes to go straight to my gate at the airport, bypassing slow walkers and strollers, so this comes in handy keeping my personal item attached to my carry-on. I've also used it as a compression strap around a backpack and duffel when I've overpacked them.
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 directly from Cincha or from their Etsy shop for $39.99+ (available in 16 colors)/prints.
31. A three-pack of noise-reducing inflight earplugs to naturally regulate air pressure in your ears so don't have to deal with popping or pain during takeoff and landing.
Promising review: "Never fly without these! Before I found these, I endured excruciating pain in my ears upon descent and landing. Felt like a hot poker being driven into each ear. My ears would also be plugged up, and it would often take two to three days for them to resume their normal state of being. I insert them about an hour before landing, as the plane is making its slow descent. I'm comfortable and the most discomfort I experience is a slight adjustment of pressure feeling in my sinus. NO PAIN. NO TEARS." —K. Tombrella
Get them from Amazon for $7.50+ (available in packs of 1m 3, 5, and 10).
32. An inflatable airplane bed for kids that not only gives them a place to peacefully nap, but prevents toys and snacks from going here, there, and everywhere.
The bed — which comes from the small, woman-run biz Flyaway Designs — comes in a portable bag and a pump is included. It takes only 90 seconds to inflate and even less to deflate! And — an important note from the manufacturer — "It meets the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) strict guidelines for inflight comfort devices."
Promising review: "This bed proved to be everything stated in the description. We flew premium economy on a 17-hour flight from SFO to SIN and this product provided a sturdy, flat bed for our toddler across the entire pitch from our seat to the next. It was his first flight ever and he slept comfortably about 10 hours or so (on the return trip as well). The product is also super easy / quick to inflate and deflate. Would highly recommend it." —Sunil N.
Get it from Flyaway Designs for $159.
33. A personalized travel bag you can use to store your bathing suit, dirty clothes, or even toiletries if you're afraid of them leaking on your other stuff.
Sprinkled With Pink is a Dallas, Texas-based shop from Kendra Eaton. They suggest personalizing your bag with two to three letters. You *can* technically do more, but the font will have to be sized down.
Promising review: "Absolutely LOVE these wet bags! I got them to use in the giant L.L. Bean zipper tote (IYKYK that bag is amazing but has absolutely no organization) — one for sunscreen and one for my son's snacks! They were much larger than I thought, currently able to fit five bottles of sunscreen in one bag. Going to order the smaller size to use in my diaper bag. Definitely recommend!" —Bridgebach
Get it from Sprinkled With Pink on Etsy for $9.59+ (originally $11.99+; bags are available in five colors and lettering is available in 20 colors).
34. And a skyline mini wallet emergency kit with 20 individually packaged essentials that can help you with everything from a headache or broken nail to chapped lips or a red wine stain.
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.
Promising review: "I got one for myself and one for my daughter. I love how compact this emergency kit is. It fits in any purse. I would suggest and recommend for anyone. I’m sure it will lighten a purse for many by condensing it into this one small emergency kit." —Eileen M.
Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in 100+ skylines).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.