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1. A wheeled carry-on bag if you refuse to pay for a checked bag but still need to make the most of your available space. It's small enough to fit under the seat, so it can qualify as a personal item on super strict airlines (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 $101.50 (available in three colors).
2. 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 save 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 $19.79+ (available in 10 colors).
3. Or some vacuum storage bags for serial over-packers who are desperate to maximize luggage space. Place your items in the storage bag and suck out the air with the included travel pump. Who says you can't bring multiple outfit options on vacation? You do you!
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).
4. A travel laptop backpack when you're stressin' about how to *safely* pack your computer. This will protect your laptop and has other compartments for more stuff! Don't forget about the handy USB charging port for your external power bank.
This lightweight yet sturdy laptop backpack is made of water-resistant polyester and has a separate compartment for your computer. It can hold laptops that range from 13 to 15.6 inches. There's another spacious packing compartment for any other essentials you need to keep within reach. The front compartment has several pockets and a key fob hook. Don't forget about the USB port so you can plug in your external battery and keep your device charged *and* secure in the hidden anti-theft pocket!
Promising review: "Bought this backpack about a year and a half ago and I use it legitimately every day for work. I’ve traveled to Tahiti, San Diego, and the Dominican Republic and used it as my carry on and the amount of stuff it holds is [wild]. I can fit one to two extra sets of clothes, an iPad, chargers, a couple of books, glasses cases, and a ton of other odds and ends. The main compartments have small holes on the zippers for locks which is nice. The loop on the back to slide over your luggage handle is also super convenient. Definitely recommend this backpack for daily use and travel." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four sizes and 25 colors).
5. Or, a water-resistant mini backpack because sometimes you want to carry fewer items on your person while still keeping the essentials handy. Plus, it can be worn as a backpack or a crossbody bag depending on your mood.
Get it from our Goodful Shop for $89.
6. A three-piece luggage set so you no longer have to panic about whether you have the right-size suitcase for your trips. It comes with a carry-on size, a smaller checked bag size, and a larger checked bag size.
They also 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 age 8 and 12." —ChiefLaughALot
Get it from Amazon for $159.99+ (clip the $20 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in 22 colors).
7. A set of TSA-approved silicone travel bottles that'll have your toiletries ready for flight in no time. This set also includes spray bottles and jars for storing other items, 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 $13.29.
8. Or a lovely set of Cadence containers to store your toiletries and any other odds and ends you need to pack! These handy lil' containers can hold bath products, pills, smaller jewelry items, and more. Plus, the magnetic design keeps all your containers together for easy 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 eight colors and many customizable labels).
9. A Trtl neck pillow for staying extra comfy on your flight without having to pack a huge neck pillow that'll take up a ton of room. 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 $59.99 (available in four colors).
10. A jewelry organizer if you've been searching for a way to pack jewelry without it turning into a tangled mess. When it's not in use, it folds up into a thin little case that takes up barely any space.
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).
11. A genius Toptote hat clip so you don't have to dread traveling with your fave hat. Obviously, you don't want to stuff it in a suitcase, so this magnetic clip will prevent you from losing it *and* it won't cause any damage.
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 (also available in black/gold) or Nordstrom for $55.
12. A digital luggage scale that'll give you peace of mind when you head to the airport — what's better than knowing you won't be charged for an overweight bag after packing so strategically?
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising review: "This scale works and was accurate on four flights. First flight was a test at 46 pounds and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the 4th flight weighed 49 but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low cost must have item for air travel." —Robert
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors and as a two-pack).
13. A shoe bag to hold a few pairs if you're always questioning how to fit 'em all. You can store it inside your suitcase OR use the slide-on strap and secure it on top of your luggage. Bonus: your dirty shoes won't mix with 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 $18.39 (available in nine colors/patterns).
14. A TSA-approved toiletry bag when you have all your travel bottles ready to go but just need a place to store 'em. Yep, you're about to 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).
15. OR! A waterproof toiletry bag designed for storing tons of items. This bag has four storage compartments so you can pack all your must-have toiletries. It also has a handy hanging hook!
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 $22.99+ (available in two sizes and 12 colors).
16. A space-saving laundry bag so your dirty laundry remains separate from your clean clothes. The clever 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 on. Oops!
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 $9.02 (also available as a set of four).
17. 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).
18. And a cable and charger organizer perfect for keeping track of all your cords while traveling. If you're tired of pulling out a wad of tangled cords from your otherwise-pristinely packed suitcase, this organizer has your name written all over it.
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).
19. A packing checklist that'll replace that feeling of dread with calm when you're preparing for your next journey. Whether you're a last-minute packer or you plan ahead, this checklist will help you stay focused on packing the essentials.
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 three to four trips." —Cktine
Get it from Amazon for $7.
20. A brilliant Alleyoop Pen Pal so you can save room in your nearly-exploding makeup bag. It's a 4-in-1 eyeliner, brow pencil, highlighter, and lip liner, so you'll have it all 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 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 or Amazon for $25 (available in three shades).
21. A hanging packing cube to neatly pack your outfits without playing a frustrating game of Tetris. You'll have dedicated compartments for each 'fit and when you arrive at your destination, simply take it out of your suitcase and hang it up!
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 $29.99 (available in three colors).
22. A travel wallet for a sensible *and* stylish way to carry all your important documents so they don't take up valuable space in your carry-on bag. 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 $14.99+ (available in 37 colors).
23. 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 room. 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 $8.65.
24. A collapsible water bottle when you need to stay hydrated without giving up a big chunk of space in your bag. Bonus: you'll save money on those ridiculously expensive airport water bottles.
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 three colors).
25. And if you can't survive without caffeine, a collapsible coffee cup so you can get your fix without bringing your enormous 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."
Promising review: "I've been using it now for almost three weeks and I love the durability and how compact it really is. I tested out if it leaks by adding water almost to filling point and then turned it upside down and no leaks. I even shook it a couple of times and nothing. If you travel a lot or are considering it, this is your go to. Lightweight, compact, durable. This brand is definitely on my top five." —Sunny
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and in 24 colors).
26. A Kindle for bookworms who keep up with their reading habit on vacation. While packing a huge 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). OR get the newest version of the Kindle Paperwhite for $139.99 for poolside or beach reading — it's WATERPROOF *and* has an adjustable warm backlight!
27. A perfectly spacious Everlane weekender bag if you're taking a quick trip but still need a bag with plenty of room for your essentials! It's also perfect for plane travel because the pass-through handle allows you to attach it to your rolling suitcase.
As if that weren't enough, it's also made of 100% recycled polyester!
Promising review: "I bought this bag to bring on my month-long trip to Europe this summer. It served as a carry-on and as an addition to my medium-size suitcase. First of all, the quality of the materials is excellent, very sturdy, and perfect for those hectic travel days. Also, it fits great in a plane or train overhead compartment. In addition, the pass-through is a godsend; it ensured that my bag stayed in place when put on top of my suitcase and as both bags were lugged around those small cobblestone streets. Finally, the bag is super spacious; I couldn't believe the amount of things that I could fit in it, and the compartments allowed for great organization of those items. What more can I say, a great travel companion that I will be using for years to come and that I would highly recommend to anyone who is in the market for one. Thanks, Everlane!" —Sara Anne
Get it from Everlane for $95 (available in six colors).
28. A stash scrunchie to hold small items you want to keep on you at all times instead of stuffing 'em into your black hole of a bag. Think ID, cash, lip balm, etc. Unzip the scrunchie, grab what you need, and be on your way.
Hustle & Sew is a small Etsy shop based in Saint Helens, Oregon.
Promising review: "I bought this as a Christmas gift for my sister. She is loving using this to stash a key and cash in a safe place while she walks her dog." —Tamara H.
Get it from Hustle & Sew on Etsy for $8 (available in 14 colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.