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1. A smart Tile tracker you can attach to your luggage, wallet, and keys so you can keep track of them through an app on your smartphone. Seriously though, this thing is ingenious — if your checked bag ever goes missing (*knocks on wood*), just check your phone and it'll tell you exactly where it is. Crises averted forever.
The starter pack comes with two Mates, one Slim, and one Sticker. The Tile can also make a beeping sound until you find your items.
Promising review: "A must-have. I have these on everything, including my wallet, car, luggage and dog. After being separated from my bag in another country and tracking it down, I swear by these things. Highly recommend." —Izzy Castro
Get the starter pack from Amazon for $79.99.
2. A teeny tiny wireless portable charger so you can doom scroll, text, and listen to SZA's new album to your ~heart's content~ without having to worry about your phone dying before your flight has even taken off, which IMO is the definition of hellish traveling.
Check out a TikTok of the portable charger in action.
Promising review: "iPhone users rejoice. This was the only portable charger I could find on the market that did not require a lightening adapter to charge an Apple product! I bought this for my fiancé since he spends long days on movie sets. This has been a life saver. It charges fast and you get more than one charge out of it. This would be great for travel, long work days, bad service areas (eats up battery faster), or older phones whose battery isn’t that great (this worked on his iPhone 7 and my iPhone XR). It may require you to remove your phone case, but that’s an easy accommodation. Highly recommend!" —Kelly Schuetz
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in six colors).
3. And an international travel adapter because the only thing worse than a dead phone is a dead phone whose charger isn't compatible with any of the outlets in the country you're visiting. 😶 This lifesaving compact adapter has a universal input so you can charge four of your devices at once, wherever you are, and breathe a sweet sigh of relief.
The charger can be used in Mexico, Canada, the UK, the UAE, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and countries in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Promising review: "LOVE this adapter! I travel from time to time internationally and have always used just the 'standard' adapters found in airports. Could not pass up the opportunity to purchase this one after reading the reviews. Exceeded my expectations of what it was capable of. Used on a recent trip to Germany and it handled everything needed — laptop, cell phone (USB ports are so very welcome), alarm clock, dryer, etc. Did not miss a beat on the power provided. And, it is also attractive looking ;-) Thank you for making such a great, dependable product!" —Monkey
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
4. A set of Sea Bands that are clinically proven (!) to help reduce nausea related to motion sickness, morning sickness, migraines, or cramps that you are DEFINITELY gonna want on your next trip. These all-natural bbs target an acupressure point on your wrists, so they start working ASAP to spare you from the *profound* discomfort that is feeling like you have to vomit when you still have seven more hours of a road trip to get through.
To use, put them on *both* wrists.
Promising review: "I was skeptical about these but I was quickly all about them when I put them on. I get really motion sick when flying but this weekend I did not get motion sick at all during a four hour flight! I was even able to read my book for a while on the plane without sickness! I have never been able to do that before. I love these and they are now a must-have whenever I travel again. 10/10." —Rosse
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53 (also available in children's sizes).
5. A unique water-resistant nylon water bottle holder so you can keep your wallet, phone, passport, chargers, hand sanitizer, *and* water bottle easily on hand while you're trekking through security and to your gate without having to tear through your (frankly, frighteningly messy) purse or your stuffed-to-the-brim carry-on. It has an insulated interior that fits bottles up to 40 ounces, a detachable shoulder strap, and four roomy exterior pockets (!) for storing all of your essentials.
I recently bought this and it's my new favorite possession. I either carry my Nalgene or my Yeti everywhere (if I'm not drinking water, you can bet I'm guzzling coffee), which is unwieldy in my tote bag, to say the least. I end up carrying the bottles by hand, which, besides being tiring, makes me prone to losing said bottle. Enter the CalPak holder, which has low-key upgraded my life. I don't even carry a tote anymore — I can pack my lipsticks, scrunchies, wallet, keys, phone, earbuds, and sunglasses in the outside pockets with my coffee, water, or tea snug inside. The strap is adjustable so you can wear it crossbody or over your shoulder. This is an investment, but one that has been well worth it for me. I recently brought it to the airport with me for a flight I was taking, and it's made me love this little thing even more. I am easily frazzled in airports and am constantly anxiously digging around in my carry-on for my ID, charger, wallet, and what have you. The Calpak water bottle holder *shined*, keeping everything I needed close and neatly organized in their own compartments, plus my drink close. I will never travel without this again — mark my words.
Calpak is a family-owned business that makes high-quality travel products that are both innovative and stylish.
Get it from Calpak for $42 (available in seven colors).
6. A chic leather passport case with a protective sleeve for your vaccine card and holders for your other IDs and cards, so all your MVP documents will stay neat, safe, and ready to go – because holding up the security line while you dig through your bag for your documents is no good for anyone.
Promising review: "Shipping was impeccable! The holder is sleek looking. It is nice and large. My COVID vaccine card fits snugly." —Alexandra Tino
Henney's Boutique is a California-based small biz that specializes in passport holders.
Get it from Henney's Boutique on Etsy for $8+ (available in 12 colors).
7. A luggage drink caddy so you can keep your coffee (aka the magic elixir that keeps this show on the road) upright and securely attached to your wheeled luggage. Its two roomy pockets also fit snacks, water bottles, your phone, and whatever else you need to take off your hands while you navigate the chaos that is the airport.
Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels! If you have a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls, just be careful if the drinks are open at the top.
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, when it’s my turn to check my passport and ticket, the coffee cup fell to the ground and coffee sprinkled. It was a nightmare! This time I bought this cup holder, and it did 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 21 colors and other styles).
8. Some travel-sized Vaseline that'll keep your hands protected and chap-free from the vampiric dry, moisture-sucking air in planes.
Promising review: "This is the perfect size for travel, and they last forever. I keep one in the car and another in my toiletry bag for when I'm on the move. I can never find it in the stores so was glad to find it here." —E. Furan
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $4.68 (available in various pack sizes).
9. A pair of chic, comfortable compression socks if your feet and legs often swell on long flights, because there's nothing quite like the discomfort of your feet swelling up so much that your shoes no longer fit (IYKYK).
Promising review: "I absolute LOVE these socks!!! Usually when I travel my ankles swell so bad that I have to elevate my feet for a extended period of time for the swelling to go down. However, I just went on a 10-hour flight while wearing these and my ankles and feet were not swollen!! I was absolutely amazed!! I wish I would have bought these sooner!! I would highly recommend these socks!" —Donnesha
Get it from Amazon for $17.71+ (available in 13 colors and sizes S–XXL).
10. A packing checklist because if you're like me, there's a good chance you're gonna be doing the majority of your packing within a few hours of leaving for the airport — so when you're in a *packing time crunch*, this efficient premade packing list will make sure you grab everything you need (and that you don't forget to pack socks...again).
Promising review: "We travel frequently and have two children. As any parent knows, packing for yourself and your children can be overwhelming (especially for a trip longer than a few days). I have found this list to be a lifesaver and I also give it as a gift for other traveling families. It is easy to plan, organize, and list out items that are easily forgotten. You can also list the quantity of each item needed. It has a variety of clothing options and space to add more. Overall, wonderful purchase and has likely saved me many forgotten items!" —I-really-bought-this
Get it from Amazon for $7.
11. A blissfully comfy, ergonomic Trtl neck pillow that's scientifically proven (!) to prevent stiff necks and sore shoulders, so you can actually rest comfortably while you're sleeping upright. It also doubles as a scarf, because good GRIEF, planes are COLD.
It also easily attaches to backpacks and luggage handles (see the photo on the right), weighs less than half a pound, and is machine washable!
Promising review: "I can't stop recommending this pillow to all of my friends! It has let me comfortably sleep on flights that take place on the most uncomfortable airplane seats. On long flights, I always need to prop up my hand and I rest my head on it. But this method always ends with my arm falling asleep and I end up waking up every 30 minutes. Now this pillow provides that exact same support without needing my arms to prop me up! It's small enough to fit in your bag and doesn't take up much space." —Simona Krifman
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four colors).
12. A digital luggage scale since nothing ruins a flight faster than being charged $75 to check a bag that's two pounds overweight. (Crying...screaming...) This nifty gadget will keep that $75 safe and sound in your wallet.
Just hook the scale to your luggage handle, lift up, and the LCD display will show the weight! You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising reviews: "Took this on multiple overseas trips in the first two months. I can't believe I used to hold my bags and weigh myself and the bag on scales — and then subtract my weight. It was so time consuming, especially when we were either close to the limit or over. This small device literally saved us hours of frustration and possible unpacking at the airport check-in line. We couldn't live without this item now. We bought another one as a backup. Wouldn't hesitate to buy this exact item again." —AB
"Took this for a 10-day trip overseas with lots of flights. Weighed the luggage as things were added to it/purchased, and when we weighed in at the airport it was perfectly accurate. Very important when the airline will charge $70 more for a suitcase that is too heavy or make you open the whole thing up and take stuff out in order to fly with it. Saved so much hassle." —B. M. O'Connor
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in six colors, as well as a two-pack).
13. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter that you can plug into the TV screen on the airplane, letting you use your own wireless earbuds and *not* waste money buying those wired headphones they sell on the plane that you'll almost certainly never use again.
You can even pair two sets of headphones at once to the AirFly! They work on gym and gaming equipment, too.
Promising review: "Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry multiple headsets! Thank you!!!" —Ryan Malloy
Twelve South is a husband and wife-owned biz based in Charleston, South Carolina! They've been designing accessories inspired by and made for Apple products since 2009.
Get it from Amazon for $54.99.
14. Plus a hands-free (rotating!) phone mount designed for use on any airplane. It can mount to the tray table, the arm of a chair, or any flat surface so you can easily tuck in and keep binge-watching Euphoria wherever you are — and hopefully forget for some blissful time that you are in fact still on a five-hour plane flight.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra long haul trip and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well-built and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far it still feels solid and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in three colors).
15. A water bottle cup holder adapter because road trips immediately become bleaker when your coffee mug or water bottle doesn't fit in your car's cup holder. (You're even worse off trying to balance it on *top* of the cup holder, 'cause I can personally attest that your coffee *will* fall and spill everywhere, the cup holder gods laughing all the way). All you need to do is add this adapter to enlarge your current cup holder so your beloved large drinks can ride safely alongside you.
It fits 32-ounce and 40-ounce bottles.
Promising review: "I had to remove the foam wrap that was on it for it to fit in my cup holder, but now it works perfectly. No more having my water bottle in the seat next to me, rolling on the floor, or spilling 'cause I forgot to close it! Yay!" —sprocketnellie
Wine and Whiskey Co. is a small business that makes clothes, phone cases, and car accessories!
Get it from Wine and Whiskey Co. on Etsy for $12.99 (also available in packs of three, four, and six).
16. A rotating magnetic phone mount to spare you the chaos of trying to balance your phone on your dashboard or behind your steering wheel in order to *simply* look at directions.
Promising review: "This product is great and such a bargain! I received everything promised in the advertised description including extra mounting supplies! Installation was a breeze, the magnet is extremely powerful and the 3M adhesive is especially effective if you wait a couple of days before using the device. Follow instructions as given and you will be impressed with the item. I didn't use the metal discs as I already had a metal ring attachment on the back of my phone and it still worked perfectly!" —Rhonda Speak
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four colors).
17. A chic, clever anti-theft backpack that opens from the back — so it can't unzip unless you take it off, making it pretty much pickpocket-proof. 💪 Plus, it's roomy enough to fit a tablet, a water bottle, and all of your day-to-day ✨ essentials.✨
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Britt Ross loves this backpack! She writes: "I went to Italy this summer, 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 $26.99+ (available in 15 styles, including two sizes).
18. A portable white noise machine so you'll actually be able to sleep while your hotel neighbors are up raging in the literal dead of night.
It features 20 nonlooping sleep sounds, 32 volume levels, and a timer — plus, it weighs less than half a pound!
Promising review: "Wonderful sound machine. Compact enough for travel. We took ours on vacation and are so glad we did. This drowns out hotel noises perfectly! I like how small it is when on my dresser at home, too. So thankful for the nonlooping sound. Would recommend over and over again." —Hill.jess
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
19. Silicone travel bottles because trying to sneak a full-sized conditioner bottle past TSA will not work, and having to throw out your favorite (and expensive!) moisturizer because it's over 3.4 ounces will break your heart and the bank.
*Plus,* decanting your creams and liquids into these babies will free up space in your carry-on and spare you weight.
PS: It also comes with pre-printed labels and a handy, clear zipper pouch!
Promising review: "Just took a trip to the Dominican Republic and used carry-on luggage only throughout the entire trip, never once was questioned about the size. The bag they are in seems thin but it worked great to put bottles back in as well as some smaller items fit in the bag too, like lip gloss, mascara, and such. The holes are big enough to get your product in to the bottles without any complications. My fiancé and myself had plenty of shampoo, conditioner, sunblock and lotion for seven days. Highly recommend these bottles, they are perfect for carry-ons!!" —Stephanie Miller
Get a set of four 3-ounce bottles from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in a variety of sizes and colors).
20. A splash-free, slip-free silicone dog travel bowl for the car so you can give your sweet pup some H20 during a long road trip without having to find somewhere to pull over. It has an angled design so it'll stay put on your car seat.
Promising review: "I love this thing. I was definitely skeptical but it is sort of miraculous how the water stays in the bowl. (It is even a little tricky to dump the water on purpose because of the design.) I needed a bowl so my pup could have water at all times during a cross-country road trip. It doesn't slide around, and didn't spill. He has even stepped on it and it barely splashed. Perfect. Totally recommend." —Siena
Get it from Amazon for $12.75+ (available in two colors)
21. A jewelry organizer so your necklaces and bracelets don't inexplicably become so tangled that they are actually unwearable, and to keep your accessories easily accessible without taking up much room in your bag.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this product!! Came exactly as advertised. The feel is nice quality, and zippers and pockets all good quality. My favorite is the necklace compartment! The separate elastic bands really do prevent my necklaces from tangling together. Everything is easy to see and store. I highly recommend buying this for yourself or as a gift!" —Kristid
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).
22. A sturdy, lightweight eight-compartment pill organizer for you to keep your medications and just-in-case medicines in one compact place without having to carry all their bulky bottles in your luggage — or worse, opt to leave some at home.
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.97.
23. A set of travel compression cubes so you can pack as many outfits as you want and still fit everything into a carry-on — basically letting you have your cake and eat it too.
Promising review: "Must-have traveling accessory. Best way to pack a suitcase! I’ll never go back to stuffing everything in on its own. These compartments held way more than I imagined and kept me organized. I will definitely add more to my collection. Makes a great gift for frequent travelers too!" —Lisa
Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in 10 styles and in packs of two, three, or six).
24. A JetKids ride-on carry-on suitcase if the real nightmare of traveling is transporting your tired, cranky children across the airport to make your connecting flight. This inanimate angel-with-wheels is designed for children to sit on so you can just wheel them through the airport!!! IDK who will be more thrilled: your child, who gets to go on a ride, or you, whose day of traveling just became exponentially easier. PS: When you get onto your flight, it transforms into a leg rest or an in-flight bed so your kids will be comfy and content while in the air. I mean!!!!
It's recommended for kids ages 3–7 (and up to 77 pounds) and fits most standard economy seats. Plus, it has an adjustable strap so you can carry it over your shoulder, a top handle, and a mattress inside that can be removed and used while in the flight. Parents also use this product while in the airport waiting for the flight to keep their kids comfy and happy.
Promising review: "So we traveled from JFK to Florida recently and this 'giddy up' (as my daughter called it) made its money just on the walk from long-term parking to Terminal 2. Anyone who's been at JFK's Terminal 2 recently knows the extensive haul that is. The suitcase is easy to pull, easy to maneuver and fit a bunch of snacks, iPad, coloring books, blanket, plushies, and an empty Yeti kids rambler. I plan on buying another for my second child." —Darling Wold
Get it from Amazon for $229 (available in six colors).
25. A transparent waterproof toiletry bag for beauty aficionados whose ~extensive~ routine requires some extra storage *heft* when traveling. It has interior elastic straps to hold your bottles upright and a 360-degree rotating hook for you to hang in the bathroom for convenient, easy access.
Promising review: "We are a family of seven and this held all of our bathroom supplies for a weekend trip. This is a must-have for traveling. The best feature is it being able to hang up on a robe hook or the back of a door. It frees up hotel sinks and keeps you well organized." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).
26. A memory foam seat cushion so you can endure roadtrip traffic without triggering back pain straight from the depths of your nightmares. It'll keep your whole body supported, and its cool gel top layer will keep sweatiness at bay, too.
It's also great for people who sit for long hours at their job!
Promising review: "A few weeks into working from home five days a week I started having a lot of hip/leg/back pain. I have a good Herman Miller task chair that had been fine for 1–2 days of WFH a week, but wasn't working for me full time. In the early afternoons my lower back would start cramping. I did some research and bought this pillow and it immediately helped! I also took it on a two-week road trip since a three-day road trip earlier this year had made a mess of my lower body that lingered for weeks — and no pain! What really drove me to write this review was that yesterday, unknowingly, I worked all day sitting on my chair without my cushion. I had removed it to use as a spare chair at my dinner table and forgot to put it back. At the end of the day hip was aching and I realized why! Today it's back on my chair and I'm already feeling better." —Lorene
Get it from Amazon for $51.95 (available in three colors).
27. A convenient, unassuming luggage strap to give your cramping hands and sore shoulders a break while you dash around the airport trying to find your gate before boarding starts. It hooks onto your luggage handle so you can easily attach your purse, backpack, jacket, or whatever you'd like.
Promising review: "I love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip. It made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I'm back home, I've been using it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse." —Michele
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in three colors and in sets of two).
28. A practical yet stylish personalized acrylic luggage tag so you can actually tell your black suitcase apart from all the other black luggage at baggage claim. Plus, if you ever (*knocks on wood*) do lose your bag, the airline will know exactly how and where to contact you.
Promising review: "Love this luggage tag. I bought my son and his wife two as a wedding gift with luggage and just purchased two for me and my husband. I ordered the bright orange so I could easily spot my luggage, and it turned out great!" —Maggie
Little Dot Studio is a woman-owned, Seattle-based small biz specializing in engraved keepsakes, like luggage tags and bookmarks.
Get it from Little Dot Studio on Etsy for $13.17+ (available in 15 strap options and acrylic color options — personalized engraving included).
29. A crossbody phone holder for keeping your hands free and your phone easily accessible and securely attached to your body, so it can't be plucked from your bag by a pickpocket.
I have one of these and it's one of my favorite purchases, period. I love always having my phone on me without having to carry it by hand (and because my clothes often don't have pockets included). It's a dream for traveling too because it allows me to never misplace my phone, since it's always on me, literally. An amazing travel and TBH life hack.
Promising reviews: "Love the colors I chose!!! Quality is great!! Taking it on vacation, cannot wait to use the lanyard with the case!!!" —Amy Koester
"Fun, bright and it will simplify your life and give you your arms back. Beautiful colors to choose from and received lots of compliments." —Rosey
Your Color Your Style is a California-based small biz that makes stylish yet functional crossbody holders for smartphones.
Get it from Your Color Your Style on Etsy for $29.99+ (available in 14 sizes and in 12 colors, and with customization).
Reviews here have been edited for length and/or clarity.