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 stylish *and* efficient anti-theft backpack to protect your valuables. It opens from the back instead of the front, so you won't be a pickpocket victim anytime soon. If you tend to worry about things getting lost or stolen while traveling, this one is for you!
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Britt Ross says: "I recently returned from Italy, and as someone who prefers a small backpack over a purse most of the time, I thought this would be a great purchase, as it would give me some peace of mind as I spent hours wandering around different cities. I'm happy to report that after two weeks of daily use, I'm convinced I'll be bringing it on every trip I take from now on. It's small enough so that it doesn't feel bulky or uncomfortable throughout the day, but has plenty of space for everything you'd need on the go — I fit my wallet, sunscreen, glasses case, hand sanitizer, water bottle, snacks, and even a small umbrella, with room to spare! And the fact that it opens from the back means someone would literally have to pry it off of you to get to your valuables. I bought the medium size in black pebbled faux leather, and it's actually quite cute for the price!"
Promising review: "I bought this backpack to use as a purse while on vacation, and it worked perfectly. The main pouch is protected when you’re walking around because the zipper is protected by your back. There are also two side zippered pockets, one of which kept my phone and the other perfect for sunglasses and a few other items that I wanted to access more easily. I loved that I could wear it as a purse to dinner but use it as a backpack during the day so that my shoulder didn’t get tired. I highly recommend this item!" —Allison
Get it from Amazon for $20.79+ (available in two sizes and 17 styles).
2. A digital luggage scale that'll give you peace of mind when you leave for the airport. Is there anything better than knowing that you won't incur any overweight bag fees? I'll wait.
Promising review: "Buy this if you travel a lot. I travel with scuba dive gear and this saved me from going over the weight limit both going to the island and returning. I was a hero with my friends. They had no idea how much their bags weighed. I helped them too from going over their weight limit. It's easy to use and worth the money." —Tinadiver
Get it from Amazon for $11.98+ (available in six colors and a pack of two).
3. A set of TSA-approved silicone travel bottles for transferring liquids into smaller bottles so they're ready to take on your next adventure. This set even comes with spray bottles and jars for other products you may bring such as lotions and perfumes.
These BPA-free bottles feature a leakproof design so you won't have to worry about messy spills while traveling. You get four bottles, four jars, and two spray bottles. It also comes with two scoopers to use with the jars, a funnel for transferring liquids, a clear travel bag, a set of labels, and a cleaning brush.
Promising review: "This little set is perfect for your travel toiletries. Instead of paying $3 for those little travel bottles, you can fill your favorite products in these. The taller tubes are silicone and easy to fill. For the circular containers, I used the little scooper to fill them. I didn't use the spray bottles this trip, but I did use everything else, and I'm happy to say nothing leaked. Easy to clean after use as well." —Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $15.95.
4. Or! a lovely set of compact Cadence containers so you can store toiletries and other odds and ends! These handy leakproof containers are great for bath products, pills, smaller jewelry items, etc. Plus, the magnetic design keeps all your containers together for stress-free packing.
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon with the goal of eliminating single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Abby Kass is a fan: "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 along. 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 will want in their luggage."
Get a set of six from Cadence for $76 (originally $84; available in ten colors and many customizable labels).
5. A jewelry organizer if you've been desperately searching for a way to pack your jewelry without it becoming one huge mess. When you're not using it, it folds up into a thin little case that takes up hardly any room.
Promising review: "Great product! First, it’s adorable. I love the color, fabric quilting, and the gold zippers. Second, it is the perfect size for my jewelry when I travel. I don’t usually bring much jewelry, so this is a good size for me. The necklaces stayed tangle-free, and there are enough small zippered compartments for my bracelets and larger earrings. I was concerned about the organizer only having a snap closure and not zipping up all the way, but everything stayed secure and nothing fell out of place, so there’s that. Overall, a great product, and I would assume the other sizes and varieties are of similar quality." —Emily
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and nine styles).
6. A cable and charger organizer because tangled cords are the last thing you need to deal with while traveling. This will help you keep track of all your chargers and cables so everything is easy to find.
Mister Crafter is a small business that creates handmade, personalizable travel products, wallets, and accessories made from 100% top-quality genuine cowhide leather.
Promising review: "Absolutely beautiful! The custom lettering came out perfectly, and it can easily hold two battery packs and all the cords we could ever need for traveling with cellphones, iPads, and our Switch. So pleased with the craftsmanship! Wonderful purchase <3." —Sarah Kavaljian
Get it from Mister Crafter on Etsy for $39.80+ (originally $56.86; available in two sizes and two colors, personalization also available).
7. A collapsible water bottle that'll save space in your bag *and* reduce the stress of remembering to hydrate while traveling. AND you'll avoid the painful price tags of airport water.
Promising review: "Great water bottle for travel. It is durable, compact when not in use, and versatile. One of the main reasons I like this collapsible bottle over others is the sliding band on it. It allows you to hold it firmly without squeezing the bottle and squirting the contents out of the top and all over the place. I bought mine, and a friend liked it so much that she bought one." —Vivian
Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in eight colors).
8. A luggage-mounted cup holder for *those* travel days when you're zipping through the airport with your hands full as you try to make it to the gate *without* spilling your precious iced coffee.
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 $15.99+ (available in 22 colors/patterns).
9. A handy set of packing cubes you'll soon wonder how you ever traveled without. Keep your clothes organized *and* free up more room for more stuff inside your suitcase.
Promising review: "I travel frequently and travel light. My luggage is usually limited to a backpack that slides under the airline seat. For a two-week European cruise, I added a carry-on rolling suitcase. I've used these packing cubes twice so far, and I am hooked. One cube holds everything (including clothing) I take on a three-night trip. The cube slides into my pack, saving massive amounts of room, and everything is easy to find during travel and at the hotel. Taking out one cube and unzipping is much better than digging through a pack! I will never leave home without these!" —Gura
Get a set of four from Amazon for $21.99 (available in 10 colors).
10. Or a genius hanging packing cube to neatly store all your outfits in. When you arrive at your destination, simply take it out of your suitcase and hang it in the closet! No more stress about finding *the* perfect OOTD.
Plus, it has a zipper compartment at the bottom you can put all your dirty clothes in, so they don't get mixed together and you end up just washing everything when you get home (bc that's usually what happens to me).
Promising review: "I just love it. I travel a lot. Now I don’t have to hang anything up but my organizer. I can see what I pack and where everything is. Just love it. I can fit easy seven days' worth of outfits and three pairs of shoes in a carry-on suitcase. Just great." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in four colors; also available in a smaller size).
11. A TSA-approved toiletry bag if you've already got all your travel-size bottles ready to go and just need a place to store them. You'll breeze through security without a worry in the world!
Promising review: "The full zipper that allows you to open the whole bag to utilize all the space is a game changer. I was able to pack all of my toiletries and liquids for a 5-day trip easily and while away I was able to easily access everything in the bag. By far the best liquid carry-on bag I've had." —Linda C Sughrue
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
12. OR a waterproof toiletry bag that can truly hold tons of items. It has four storage compartments so you can pack all your essential toiletries. It also has a handy hanging hook so you never lose track of it.
Promising review: "I. Love. This. Bag. Seriously, I had a cheap toiletry bag from Target that essentially did the same thing, only way worse. It was too small; the hook didn't rotate so you could only hang it at an angle, if anything ever leaked; it would seep right through the bag, etc. But THIS bag has NONE of those issues! It fits everything I need and then some, meaning I don't have to skimp on my 10-step Korean skincare routine when I travel anymore. It never leaks. And I love that the hook swivels so you can hang it anywhere, and your stuff hangs perfectly. I also love the handle and the overall flatter shape. It makes it so easy to travel with! Cannot recommend this bag enough." —KaiEli
Get it from Amazon for $18.39+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).
13. A discreet acrylic luggage tag so your bag will be easy to spot on the carousel. It'll also be especially useful if you experience the unfortunate situation of losing a suitcase while traveling. This will ensure the airline has your contact info.
You can personalize your luggage tag to include a name, address, and phone number or email. The shop also allows you to request a proof before the tag is made to confirm everything looks good. You'll also be able to decide whether you want a plastic loop or metal wire for hanging the tag from your luggage.
Evy Little Design is small biz in California that makes a variety of personalized products.
Promising review: "These are so well made. I love them and how well constructed they are and I will be purchasing these as Christmas gifts for several people." —Rosemary Rotondi
Get it from Evy Little Design on Etsy for $10.75 (available in five colors and two loop options/sizes).
14. Some vacuum storage bags if you're a habitual over-packer...or if you simply need to maximize luggage space. Place your items in the storage bag. suck out the air with the included travel pump, and watch your stress disappear!
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Jasmin Sandal says: "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: "I've used these bags before, and they are so helpful. Even used the medium one for travel, and I have tons of extra suitcase room. The clothes don't come out wrinkled at all as long as you fold them nicely before placing in the bag, then the air sucks out, keeping them safe and sound and very compact. Arrived on time, would use this seller again." —Susie Kochsmeier
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in five sizes, as well as packs of two, five, and eight).
15. A pack of storage scrunchies to store small items you want to keep on you at all times rather than losing them in the deep abyss of your purse. Think ID, cash, lip balm, etc. Unzip the scrunchie, grab what you need, and you're good to go.
See them in action on TikTok here!
Promising review: "I bought this because of someone on TikTok who had purchased this. Extremely convenient and cute! They’re very soft, and I’ve been using mine to hold cash and lip balm. I wish there were more colors!" —Michaela
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three color combinations).
16. A travel wallet for a sensible and stylish way to carry your documents while also keeping them nicely organized. Boarding pass? Check. Passport? Check. Credit cards? Check.
This RFID-blocking 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 $9.99+ (available in 42 colors).
17. A travel belt so you can attach your fave bag to your rolling suitcase. Who doesn't want to stroll through the airport *without* a heavy bag weighing them down?
The travel belt is adjustable to 45 inches so it will fit most bags.
Cincha Travel is a Cali-based small biz started by a BIPOC couple that makes these adjustable straps from vegan leather. The brand also donates 100 airline miles for each purchase, which are used to reconnect separated migrant families.
Promising review: "This travel belt is a game changer! Stylish, high quality, and quick to put on. I will be giving them as gifts this Christmas! I use them every time I travel. :-)" —Michelle
Get it from Cincha Travel for $40 (available in 17 colors and designs; can be monogrammed for an additional $17).
18. A shoe bag that'll store a few pairs of shoes in your luggage *without* getting your clean clothes dirty. The bag is designed for at least three pairs, but some reviewers say they were able to fit up to five!
Promising review: "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (Size 6.5 female shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack; this helped cut down space and stress immensely!" —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in nine colors and patterns).
19. A Trtl neck pillow because you deserve to get comfy and relax on your flight without having to carry around a bulky neck pillow that takes up way too much room.
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: "WOW! Literally life changing; used it on my 11-hour flight to and from Norway to SF and I usually can never sleep on planes, but this did the trick! It’s also super packable and doesn’t take up too much space!" —Julie Cox
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in four colors).
20. Some melatonin sleep gummies made with L-Theanine, chamomile, and lemon balm when you have trouble falling asleep while traveling. These can help boost your natural sleep hormones so you get enough rest to take on the next adventure!
21. A satin-lined Hairbrella if you need to be prepared for a torrential downpour at any given moment. It's small enough to fold up and carry in your bag and it'll protect your hair from rain, wind, snow, humidity, etc.
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that has been creating fashionable hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather since 2016.
Check it out on TikTok here.
Promising review: "I traveled to London last month with a raincoat that did not have a hood, and I wanted something that would protect my head/hair/blowout without lugging an umbrella. This definitely did the trick. Two of the three days were rainy (some quite heavy) and my hair stayed totally dry. It stows nicely, too. I'm still learning how to adjust it while it's on my head (easier to adjust first and then put it on). Also, when I do have it tightened/pulled to the right place, the loop/slack from where I adjusted it sort of sticks out and gets in my peripheral vision. I wish the adjustment/clasp was less prominent. But, all in all, this is perfect for anyone who wants to keep their blowout fresh in the rain." —Miss Information
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two sizes and 10 colors).
22. Or a compact travel umbrella you can quickly open to protect yourself from the rain. The clever inside-out design keeps the wet part inside when you close it, which prevents water from dripping everywhere. It also has a windproof design so it won't turn inside out in windy conditions.
23. A pair of compression socks so you don't have to worry about swelling or excessive sweating while sitting for long periods on a plane. Keep your legs and feet happy so they'll be ready for whatever you've got planned next!
Promising review: "With three weeks of international travel coming up, I purchased these to combat swelling in my feet during the flights. I had noticed swelling after three-hour domestic flights, so I was worried about what almost 30k miles would do! I wore these on every leg of the trip and never noticed any swelling — even after the 10–15-hour flights. They are very comfortable, too!" —J. Beaty
Check out our Physix Gear compression socks deep dive here!
Get them from Amazon for $9.38+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 13 colors).
24. Wireless headband headphones for anyone who struggles to keep a pair of headphones on while traveling. The battery lasts for over 10 hours *and* you won't have to stress about your earbud falling onto the airplane floor!
The headband has a breathable mesh lining on the inside with hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking material to keep you comfortable while you wear them. The soft, stretchy material is designed to fit most head sizes. The headband is machine washable, too! Simply remove the control pod before putting it in the washing machine.
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot! I bought each of us one for our last cruise. They were a Godsend! The headband is easy to use and holds a charge for days. We were able to Bluetooth to our own devices. They are comfortable enough to sleep in, we slept with ours on every night for the seven-day cruise. We find ourselves using them a lot here at home as well. The material is comfortable and breathable. I don't think it would keep your ears very warm in the cold but I also don't think the material is thick enough for you to sweat in either. Overall we are both very pleased and plan to purchase some for Christmas and birthday gifts." —Jenn S.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 14 colors).
25. A travel adapter and voltage converter when you're traveling abroad and need to plan accordingly when it comes to plugging anything into an outlet. It comes with three international adapters, so you'll be good to go!
There are also four USB ports, and it converts 220/240 V to 110/120 V.
Promising review: "Worked perfectly on a recent trip to England and France. I used it to power a MacBook Air, a Windows laptop, two iPhones, and two portable chargers. I like the design of the case. The form factor is so much sleeker than most of the other travel transformers available. One thing I didn't realize when I ordered it (because I was in a hurry and didn't read the specs thoroughly) is that this device has a fan to dissipate heat from stepping down the voltage. While the fan is not extremely loud, neither is it silent. I found it a pleasant source of white noise that actually helped me sleep at night, but you might not." —Lake Mist
Get it from Amazon for $39.98.
26. A set of travel games to entertain the kids in the car or on the plane. The set contains six dry-erase game boards, including classics like Hangman and Tic-Tac-Toe! It also comes with two markers and a carrying pouch for easy storage on the go.
Based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Jonley Gifts is a small biz you should check out for home decor, personalized items, and cheeky T-shirts.
Promising review: "My kids enjoyed this so much. It was a great distraction during our layovers! Very well made and will be enjoyed for quite some time!" —Johanna Manbeck
Get it from Jonley Gifts on Etsy for $27.
27. And a pack of disposable toilet covers perfect for kids who struggle with using public bathrooms and for parents who can't stand germs. Your days of lining the airport toilet seat with flimsy strips of toilet paper are officially over!
Promising review: "I will definitely be using these anytime we travel. It’s super helpful for young toddlers who tend to hold on to the potty. The entire toilet seat is covered and it’s taped under so it doesn’t move, which is perfect and takes the pressure off of having to hold a child over public toilets. Will buy again!" —roberto lebron
Get a 24-pack from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two cover sizes and two pack sizes)
28. A travel-size bottle of Poo-Pourri toilet spray because once you've enjoyed the spray-before-you-go magic at home, you'll never want to travel without it.
Instead of trying to mask bathroom odors after the fact, spray this in the toilet bowl before you go and prevent odors from the start. You won't have to worry about odors when using public bathrooms while traveling thanks to this handy spray!
Promising review: "Love this. Small enough for my pocket, I can use it while traveling on vacation. Have to stop frequently with kids. Works like a charm in public restrooms!" —utz48
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
29. A portable white-noise machine that'll work to provide you with a peaceful sleep environment so you can *actually* get some rest in your hotel.
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 $25.07.
30. An adorable and efficient portable charger to keep your phone juiced up. Listen to all the music and take all the photos without stressing about a dead battery while you're on the go.
Promising review: "This was perfect for when I went to Disney since you have to use the app for most things, even the tickets are on your phone. It really sucks if your phone dies so this was perfect and gave me peace of mind to take all the pics I wanted without having to conserve battery. It is also the perfect size for travel and no cord needed when you use it." —Barbara
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in six colors).
31. OR an Apple Watch and phone charger for charging your two most important devices *at the same time*. If you're worried about having to pack several different chargers for a trip, this will def help!
32. A set of bubble makeup brush covers if you can't handle the thought of using dirty brushes while traveling. The bristles will be perfectly protected in your toiletry bag without picking up any dirt, dust, or germs.
Promising review: "Perfectly protects brushes within my makeup bag during travel. Easy to slide on and off, and will be easy to wash or wipe clean. I fit both a larger and a smaller brush within one cover. Would recommend!" —Kelley
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $12.49 (available in two sizes and four colors).
33. A convenient Alleyoop Pen Pal so you can save space in your nearly-exploding makeup bag. It's a 4-in-1 lip liner, eyeliner, brow pencil, and highlighter, so you'll have everything you need in one sleek pen!
It's cruelty- and paraben-free and it's vegan. Plus, the packaging is recyclable!
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz that is focused on redefining beauty efficiency. Many of their products are compact and have multiple uses!
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Jasmin Sandal loves this thing: "I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my 20s that had the ability to transport me back to something I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multitool pen...for my face. I gotta say, I love the concept of the Pen Pal from Alleyoop! After using all of the functions (eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, eyebrow pencil) and as someone who LOVES makeup but was applying as little as humanly possible during lockdown, I think it’s a great tool for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It's ideal to use for touch-ups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already overflowing makeup bag!"
Promising review: "This is genius. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling and I like to keep my packing to a minimum. Not only is this convenient and travel friendly, but the color payoff is fantastic!" —Stefanie S.
Get it from Alleyoop for $17.50 (originally $25; available in three shades).
34. And finally, a travel pill organizer because you shouldn't skip vitamins or meds when you're traveling! Or worse — carry them in a disorganized plastic baggy situation. It has eight compartments and comes with sticky labels for optimal organization.
Promising review: "I take a daily medication and I like to keep vitamins, supplements, and emergency meds like fever reducer and upset stomach relief with me when I travel. This is compact, feels sturdy, and holds more than I anticipated." —hw65
Get it from Amazon for $5.47+ (available in three colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.