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1. A wheeled carry-on bag if you'd rather die than pay for a checked bag. This one is small enough to fit under the seat, so it can even qualify as your personal item on extra strict airlines that shall not be named (you know the ones).
Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!
Promising review: "If you are a consultant and struggle carrying big carry-ons. This is a perfect one for you. I love this purchase!!! Lightweight. Enough space for 1–3 days of travel. Thank you!" —SS
Get it from Amazon for $105.87 (also available in two other colors).
2. Or a durable travel backpack that is, quite possibly, *the* perfect personal item thanks to its waterproof design, anti-theft pocket, USB charging port, and a dedicated shoe compartment. There's room for everything!
This is super roomy, zips completely open (like a suitcase — so it's easy to find what you need), has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!), and a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport.
Promising reviews: "I bought this backpack for work. It's the BEST backpack I've ever used. I needed one with several pockets and not too big or heavy. I found that with this backpack, I can fill it and still have room! There's even a shoe and clothing compartment for traveling! The straps are just wide enough to stay on your shoulders, especially with the snap straps in front. I also love the color, and it's true to the picture color. If you're looking for lightweight with tons of pockets, this is what you need!" —Kelly Miller
"This is a perfect size backpack for traveling on a plane as your personal item, especially to international destinations. You could fit rolled-up clothes in here for another week, and it has a very handy shoe bag and tons of places for your electronics. This will be an excellent addition to my carry-on suitcase. Best purchase all year. I consider myself an expert on travel bags. I have way too many. It’s smaller than it looks but so roomy." —AP
Get it from Amazon for $36.99 (available in three sizes and 26 colors/styles).
3. A digital luggage scale to help you pack the essentials without incurring any overweight bag fees. You won't be filled with dread when you head to the airport because you already know your bag is under the weight limit!
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).
4. A travel wallet for a sensible *and* stylish way to carry important documents so they don't take up space in your carry-on bag. Passport? Check. Boarding pass? 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 $12.99+ (available in 31 colors).
5. A set of packing cubes you'll soon wonder how you ever traveled without. Your clothes will stay nicely folded (or rolled!) and you'll have more room in your suitcase. Expert packing level 🔓unlocked.
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 12 colors and as a set of eight).
6. Or some vacuum storage bags when you're a serial over-packer...or if you simply need to maximize luggage space. Place your items in the bag and suck out the air with the included travel pump. Who says you can't bring multiple outfit options on vacation?
Former 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: "These are the best packing bags. We used them traveling across the country and... to save space in the suitcase! It's really easy to have the pump right inside the suitcase to flatten the bags when traveling for pleasure. I definitely recommend this for home or travel." —kit
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $32.98+ (available in four sizes and in larger multipacks).
7. A Kindle for bookworms who keep up with their reading habit while on vacation. While packing a giant stack of *actual* books isn't exactly realistic, this compact and lightweight Kindle is a great alternative.
It has a 300-ppi high-resolution display, an adjustable front light, and dark mode. The battery can last up to six weeks on a single charge and it offers 16 GB for storing thousands of books.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer says: "I never thought I'd be an e-reader person, but living in a New York apartment with limited bookshelves changed my ways. I love love (love love love) my Kindle — especially for easily borrowing library books, squeezing in a few chapters on a subway ride, and of course traveling. I lit'rally read 10 times as much with a Kindle in my life."
Promising review: "I was so skeptical about switching from actual books to the Kindle but I have loved it!!! It’s so much more convenient to read and travels well. I’ve only had it like two weeks and have only charged it once (have read three books)!! Its battery life is amazing." —Haley
Get the newest 2022 version of the basic Kindle from Amazon for $99.99 (available in black and blue).
8. A slim and packable Trtl neck pillow that'll take up way less space than the round ones. You don't have to sacrifice your comfort just so there's one less annoying item to pack. Goodbye, sore necks and bulky pillows!
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-hr 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 $60.99+ (available in five colors).
9. A carry-on garment duffle bag for keeping your fancy clothes free of wrinkles while saving room in your luggage for other stuff. If you're attending a formal event and can't bear the thought of ironing or steaming, this'll do the trick.
It's made of vegan leather and includes a 15" padded laptop sleeve, two additional pockets, an external zipped pocket, and a separate shoe compartment!
Promising review: "This garment bag is an exceptional value for the money. Well built, top quality materials, including 'beefy' zippers, should hold up well for airline travel. Minimal wrinkles if any in garments, and a cavernous bag for storing shoes and other items for a trip. Added bonus, it fits easily in the plane overhead storage, similar in size to a standard roller bag. I highly recommend this product." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $57.45 (available in two colors).
10. An amazingly compact travel stroller if one of your major anxieties when packing revolves around your essential parenting items. This stroller is so dang portable *and* it can count as a carry-on item.
The stroller is supposed to accommodate kids from 6 months up to 55 pounds (approx. 4 years old).
Promising review: "This stroller is great! So cool looking, too. I constantly have moms coming up to me asking where I got this! So easy to fold, so light, and barely takes any space in my trunk. We took it on a flight, and the flight attendants recognized the stroller and told me that I can just wheel the baby on and put the stroller in the overhead bin. I wish I had gotten this stroller with my oldest, but I was being cheap. This stroller is so worth the money. I regret not getting it sooner! But at least my youngest can enjoy it." —Nai Len
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in eight styles and four colors).
11. A set of TSA-approved silicone travel bottles so your toiletries are ready for flight in no time. This set also includes spray bottles and jars for storing other products, like lotions and perfumes.
These BPA-free bottles feature a leakproof design so you won't have to worry about messy spills. Each silicone bottle also has the capacity printed on it for TSA purposes! 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 $9.48+ (available in four colors).
12. Or a waterproof toiletry bag designed to hold tons of stuff — it has four compartments so you can pack all your travel-size items. There's also a handy hanging hook so you won't 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 11 colors).
13. A collapsible coffee cup so you can get your fix without bringing your huge reusable cup from home. This is much easier to pack in your bag!
It's also microwave-safe! Note that the 12-ounce size does not include a straw, but both the 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes do.
Stojo is a small biz founded by three New York dads who wanted a better way to get their convenient coffee fix without all the waste. Now they make stylish collapsible essentials in a variety of sizes and colors, including bottles and food storage containers.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Danielle Healy has this and loves it. She says: "This is of the first zero-waste swaps I made and I've never looked back. If you buy to-go coffee – whether you're jet-setting or just grabbing a mid-day pick-me-up — this cup is a must-have. So long as you remember to bring it, it's all the convenience of to-go coffee with none of the waste. It's leakproof and, when you're all done, it collapses down teeny tiny and can be tossed back in your bag. Oh! And it comes with a straw, so all you iced coffee lovers can get in on the action, too."
Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in four sizes and in 24 colors).
14. A space-saving laundry bag for keeping your dirty laundry separate from your clean clothes. The brilliant design lets you release excess air from the bag to save room in your luggage, which is always needed when returning from a trip with a *few* more purchases than you planned.
Just stuff them in and squeeze to release the extra air!
Promising review: "As a frequent traveler, this bag has been great for packing dirty laundry on the return trip home. It will hold much more than I usually put in it and compresses nicely in the suitcase. I toss it in the washer along with the clothes, and it has held up for well over a year now." —CC
Get it from Amazon for $12.15+ (available in two styles).
15. A travel pill organizer to ensure you stay on your daily supplement and medication schedule without having to pack a bunch of big bottles in your toiletry bag. It has EIGHT compartments and comes with labels so you know what's what.
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 $5.97+ (available in five colors).
16. A mini wallet emergency kit that contains pretty much every *tiny* essential you'll need so you don't have to worry about packing the full-size version. It includes hand sanitizer, pain relief medicine, a hair tie, and more. You can choose the skyline of your fave city for the kit, too!
Here's what it comes with: Inside your mini wallet, you'll find a lip balm, hair tie, two floss pics, a bandage, emery board, two safety pins, a sewing kit, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, deodorant wipe, another cleaning wipe, tampon, hand sanitizer, and pain relief medicine.
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 Shopping 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 dozens of styles).
17. A pocket-sized, refillable travel perfume atomizer because you should never have to travel without your go-to scent. It's easy to use and will take up hardly any space. Pump it on your full-size perfume bottle to fill up the atomizer!
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lily says: "^ That's me pumping my signature perfume into one of these travel atomizers I've been using for about a year. As the reviewer down below mentions, it's great to just throw in your purse on the reg for a fragrance re-up throughout the day. As you can see, it's about the size of my thumb and therefore takes up very little room. Plus! It's smaller than most rollerball travel fragrances you can pick up. This first one is working so well, that I just have the other three in storage. But if this one bites the dust this summer during travels, I'll be OK about digging into my stores to use one of the remaining three...especially at this price point."
Promising review: "I bought these due to traveling a lot for work and needing to cut down on the size of things in my carry-on bag for flying. I can bring four different perfumes now instead of one big one. They’re super easy to fill and haven’t leaked so far, but I keep them in a sandwich baggie while traveling just in case. I would 100% buy them again." —Emily
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $7.99.
18. A small jewelry case with enough space for your daily wear items, like necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings. It's very compact so you can even carry it in your purse.
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work, and this jewelry box has everything I was looking for! It’s a nice small size and has plenty of storage for necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and even a watch! Very good quality, and I love the color. Highly recommend!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" —Morgan
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 10 colors).
19. A pack of laundry soap sheets if you just KNOW there's an outfit you'll want to wear multiple times during your trip. This also allows you to pack lighter since you'll be able to wash a few things, which leaves plenty of room for souvenirs!
Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops at 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 it from Amazon for $9.95.
20. A convenient Alleyoop Pen Pal so you can save space when packing 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!
Former BuzzFeeder Jasmin Sandal loves this thing: "I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my twenties 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 (available in three shades).
21. A genius hanging packing cube to neatly store your outfits without having to play a game of Tetris when you pack. This has dedicated compartments for each 'fit! When you arrive at your destination, simply take it out of your suitcase and hang it up.
It also has a zipper compartment at the bottom for your dirty clothes 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 easily 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 two sizes and six colors).
22. A genius Toptote hat clip because surely you don't want to stuff your precious hat in a suitcase where it'll get all deformed — and take up way too much space. This magnetic clip keeps your hat free of damage *and* prevents you from losing it.
The magnetic clip securely attaches to your hat brim (damage-free) — just hook the gold hexagonal clip around the strap/holder of your choosing!
The Fileist is a woman-owned small biz, formerly known as Lindsay Albanese.
Promising review: "So happy I discovered TOPTOTE! As a hat lover, this product is seriously a lifesaver! I never have to carry my hats now when traveling and its’ magnets are SO strong. I’ve used it to carry multiple hats on my travels with no problem! Definitely a purchase well worth it!" —Adrianna
Get it from The Fileist for $55 (also available in black).
23. A travel umbrella you can quickly open to protect yourself from the rain *and* it'll easily fit in your bag. The inside-out design keeps the wet part inside when you close it, which prevents water from dripping everywhere. It's also windproof, so it won't turn inside out on blustery days.
24. A three-piece luggage set so you always have *just* the right size suitcase for your next trip, which makes for an easier packing experience. It comes with a carry-on size, a small checked bag size, and a large checked bag size.
These suitcases have TSA-approved locks, 360-degree wheels, interior mesh pockets, and telescoping handles.
Promising review: "My family travels internationally, which means lots of airplane transfers, rail, ferry loading and unloading. Each member has their own set. Only one cosmetic scuff has appeared. About to order another set for my mother as we are taking her to London, Scotland, and Ireland for the holidays. We rarely use the middle size. The small size we carry on, and the largest size we check. Very pleased with maneuvering and durability of wheels on various rough surfaces. The retractable handle makes for easy storage on ferries and railway. We’ve had zero issues with locking mechanism. We are a family of four with kids ages 8 and 12." —ChiefLaughALot
Get a set of three from Amazon for $159.99+ (be sure to clip the $10 off coupon for this price; available in 22 colors and as a four-piece set).
25. A shoe bag that'll hold a few pairs if you're always questioning how to fit 'em all. You can store it in your suitcase OR use the slide-on strap and secure it on top of your luggage. Bonus: your shoes won't dirty your clean clothes!
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/patterns).
26. A packing checklist to replace that feeling of panic with calm as you prepare for your next adventure. This will ensure you don't forget anything and it'll help you pack more strategically. You'll have a clear idea of what needs to fit in the suitcase as you go down the list.
Promising review: "So helpful! I travel a lot, and so does my husband, and this pad makes packing so much easier and stress-free. The list is quite extensive; while I probably will never need to pack all of it for one trip, it covers everything for a business trip or a pleasure trip. I don't worry about what I forgot to pack anymore. Use a pencil, erase it when done, and one sheet will last 3–4 trips." —Cktine
Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three colors/styles).
27. A mini lightweight flat iron, which is truly the perfect size for traveling. Your hair will stay ~flawless~ and you won't lose a lot of luggage space.
It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!
Promising review: "This fits perfectly in my toiletries travel bag that I take with me as a flight attendant. Anything that comes in small size and still works well is perfect for me." —Kathy S
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three colors).
28. A flying USB port to help you cut down on how many bulky charging blocks you need to pack. This ~super fly~ hub will charge four devices at once!
Multitasky is a small business founded by Julia Xu in 2020. They're known for their adorable and functional tech products, including power banks, laptop accessories, and more!
Promising review: "It does as it says it does, allowing my Dell XPS15 to operate a pair of USB devices from my lightning port! The laptop has two USB ports, one of which is always occupied by my USB mouse dongle and the other by my protected USB drive. If I wanted to plug in my phone to switch data or add another thumb drive to transfer a device, everything might have to be disconnected, but not anymore. It was really worth it." —Liberty
Get it from Multitasky for $25 (available in three colors).
29. A fold-up duffel when you know for a fact you'll be coming home with more than you originally packed. Pack your purse in your luggage on the way home and use this as your personal item instead!
It folds into a tiny pouch when not in use, is tear and water resistant, and even has a separate side pocket for shoes. There's also a side strap that slides easily over your roller luggage handle.
Promising review: "We bought this to take with us when we visited our daughter who is studying abroad for four months. We figured she would not have enough room in her luggage when it was time to come home. Folded up, this bag was so compact and lightweight, it took up almost no room in our own luggage for the trip over. Then, sure enough, she had a ton of clothes and shoes to send home with us and packed this bag full. We checked the bag and it made it through two international flights without a scratch. The BEST feature is the side strap that allows you to slide it over the handle of a rolling suitcase so you don't have to carry it. This is probably the most practical and the best-value item I have purchased in years." —Tosa Mom
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 16 colors/patterns).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.