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 super-soft Trtl neck pillow designed to put an end to the head flop that can wake you from even the deepest sleep. The unique design comes up much higher than traditional neck pillows to help give you that extra support you've been needing.
I am a notorious vehicle sleeper — planes, trains, cars, you name it, I'm asleep almost immediately. And while I can sleep almost anywhere, it's not exactly the most sound sleep since I frequently wake up from the typical head bob situation. I also often end up with neck pain from not having proper support. I just tested this out for the first time and it truly changed the game. I actually felt like my head was supported in a comfortable position. I had some of the best travel sleep I've ever had with this! This is definitely worth the splurge to ensure you get actual rest while traveling.
Promising review: "This was suggested by someone who said that they slept well the first time they used this support. It worked for me. My first use was yesterday on a flight from LA to Boston. I slept well and not even good movies could interfere. I worried about the cost as it was much pricier than the horseshoe-shaped things that I have used off and on over the years. It is worth it. It packs small and is easy to put on. Great support." —Ian Montgomery
Get it from Amazon for $43.79+ (available in four colors).
2. Away's popular The Carry-On so you can skip the bag check lines while still having enough room for allllll the clothes you want. (It fits 5–7 outfits and has a laundry compartment!) Plus, the TSA-approved lock will make sure no one is able to sneak a peek inside your bag.
Promising review: "I'm on my second 'carry-on' bag. The first was replaced under the lifetime warranty after more than seven years of flying almost weekly. The stronger and updated handle is a great improvement. The bag has always been nearly effortless to roll along. Extremely durable and worth the money." —John P.
Get it from Away for $236+ (available in six colors).
3. Or a set of five hard-shell spinner suitcases if you're prone to overpacking or have a biiig trip ahead of you. The double swivel wheels make for easy maneuverability so you can weave your way through the crowd to make sure you get to your gate on time.
This comes with four different size suitcases —16-inch, 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch — plus a cosmetic case.
Promising review: "The performance and quality of the suitcase is great! I’ve had this for about three months now and used it about four round trips since and it’s still in good condition and fits all the stuff that I need and want to bring on my trips. Definitely worth the money and I believe I’ll have this suitcase for a very long time! It has two zippers that meet together at the lock, that’s nice. And the wheels are great rolling over cracks and bumps in and around the airport and train stations." —Nijiah M.
Get the set from Amazon for $169.98+ (available in five colors and single-piece options).
4. A ridiculously soft hoodie combining everything you'd want in a sweatshirt to keep you warm and cozy during your flight, with a built-in sleep mask to help you block out your neighbor's overhead light that they seemingly refuse to turn off even though everyone around is trying to sleep.
Pond LA is a California-based woman-owned, Asian-owned independent product design studio that produces in small, handmade batches from fabrics sourced in Los Angeles.
Promising review: "I had a long flight planned and started seeing ads for this hoodie, it looked very comfortable so I decided to give it a try. I usually wear L or XL in hoodies/jackets and based on the reviews and sizing information, I sized down to a medium. This size was still way too big for me, especially the sleeves (I'm 5'9"). I easily returned that one and purchased a size small, which fits perfectly, maybe not as 'oversized' as it is supposed to, though. However, I love it, it is very soft and comfortable and I love using the hoodie to block the light (even with headphones on). It is pricey, but it will definitely be my go-to hoodie for long trips in the future!" —Leire M.B.
Get it from Pond LA for $102.40 (originally $128; available in women's sizes XS–XXL and other colors here).
5. An AirFly wireless transmitter because finally someone understands that pretty much nobody has wired headphones anymore and the ones they hand out on the airplane just aren't cutting it. Now you can connect whatever headphones you have via Bluetooth and start your movie marathon — no, we won't judge that you're on your third movie of the flight, what else are you supposed to do?!
I always get annoyed about the concept of wearing wired headphones that are stuck in my ears for a long flight. I knew the only way I was going to be even reasonably comfortable on my recent 8-hour trip was if I was wearing my over-the-ear headphones, but of course the problem with that is that they use Bluetooth. Thankfully, I've been writing about this product for awhile so I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to give it a try. It is honestly the perfect answer to being able to use your own Bluetooth headphones. It is worth the splurge to be able to use your own comfortable headphones and I would absolutely recommend these to anyone going on a long flight!!
Promising review: "I've used these many times now and am impressed both with sound quality and battery life from such a small package. They work great for those long plane rides and let you share the audio if you wish. I can also send audio to my car which doesn’t have Bluetooth but does accept an audio aux input. Pairing is easy and quick. The size is perfect for transportability. Well worth the money!!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three variations and two colors).
6. And a pair of over-the-ear headphones that will actually be comfortable to use for the entire 8+ hour international flight. Now you can keep yourself entertained instead of having to rip out those annoying earbuds and get stuck listening to the crying baby and your neighbor snoring.
IDK if I just have incredibly sensitive ears or what but leaving earbuds in for more than an hour or two is always so uncomfortable for me. These are worth the splurge considering I can wear them for more than like 30 minutes without needing to give my ears a break. I decided to bring these along so I could actually watch movies or listen to music for a more substantial part of my flight. I had honestly forgotten about the noise-canceling feature, but when I first put them on on the plane I was shocked by how much of the airplane noises had almost completely disappeared!!
Promising reviews: "Worth the money! Great headphones. Noise cancellation is wonderful and they don’t hurt your ears. Look good and the sound quality is great." —Amazon Customer
"These are the perfect noise-canceling headphones for traveling. Their ability to be folded and put into a small case that takes up very little room is amazing! I loved the set I received, so I bought my husband these for Christmas and he loves them just as much. Not only are these headphones perfect for traveling, but also for school usage and zoom meetings. I have used mine daily for the last seven months and they have not faltered at all. My top favorite headphones I have ever owned, and the best Beats headphones out there." —Taylor
Get them from Amazon for $231.49+ (available in seven colors).
7. A JetKids ride-on carry-on suitcase with so many functions, it will absolutely change the way you fly with kiddos. It has wheels so they can pull it or the option for them to SIT ON IT (!!) and ride if their little legs get tired. Then, once you get on your plane, it transforms into a leg rest so they can stretch out and take a full-on nap. I mean, come on, that's awesome…where's the adult version?!
It's recommended for kids ages 3–7 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 have even used this product while in the airport waiting for the flight to keep their kids comfy and happy.
Promising reviews: "Good quality, worth the money." —Fran
"Traveling with a toddler is always a challenge but comfort is key and this little magic package makes the airport trip that much smoother. We can store small toys, pillow, and one throw blanket for our family of three. Great idea and great buy. We will be using this until it breaks." —TifferTheTrend
Get it from Amazon for $194.65 (available in five colors).
8. A quick-release vegan leather travel belt so you can securely attach your carry-on to the top of your suitcase so it doesn't come flying off while you're running to get to your gate.
Cincha Travel is a California-based small business that specializes in adjustable travel belts made out of vegan leather. The brand donates 100 airline miles for each purchase, which are used to reconnect separated migrant families. You may even recognize this from Shark Tank!
Promising reviews: "Worked perfectly and made traveling a lot easier! Great idea. Well made and worth the cost!" —Lucille
"I just returned from my first trip using my Cincha, and it was fantastic! My backpack stayed on top of my roller bag instead of me carrying it, or falling off. And it was so easy to pop on and off the roller handle when I needed to. I highly recommend!" —Cheryl
Get it from Cincha Travel for $35.99+ (available in two sizes and 22 colors/patterns) or from Amazon for $35.99 (available in 18 colors/patterns).
9. A smart Tile tracker kit if you wanna be extra secure and have ~digital~ eyes on anything from your wallet to your keys to your luggage, and anything else you may be prone to losing.
The essentials pack comes with two Mates, one Slim, and one Sticker. The Tile can also make a beeping sound until you find your items.
Promising reviews: "So helpful! Well worth the cost. Works great! Isn’t bulky and easy to set up." —jo
"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 pack from Amazon for $55.
10. A pet backpack with WHEELS so you can stop flinging your fur baby around while you ~briskly~ walk to your next gate. Now they can just glide right along with you so you save them from motion sickness *and* your shoulder from getting tugged on. Once you've made it to your plane, you can just put them right under the seat in front of you.
The medium size fits pets weighing up to 10 pounds, and the large fits pets weighing up to 18 pounds — that said, some reviewers mentioned that the large size works perfectly well for their 20-plus-pound dogs. It can be wheeled using the telescoping handle, held using the strap, or worn as a backpack.
Promising reviews: "We loved this backpack for our pup. She is a French bulldog, 2-years-old, and she had enough space to do a full turn in it. Best feature is that I was able to pull her instead of carrying her cause my girl is heavy 😆, healthy heavy. Also, it has an opening on the top so she had her head out of the bag while we walked through the airport. I loved the bag and it's worth what we paid for it." —Roberto Molina
"This is the best cat carrier I have ever found. I needed something for when I was flying. It fits under the seat in front of me, and it’s easy to pull because of the wheels. My cats can sit up and watch or they can lie down. I highly recommend." —Jane
Get it from Amazon for $59.95+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
11. Leakproof travel capsules perfect for getting your necessary beauty products, other liquids, or small items through TSA without those annoying travel bottles that are a mess to fill. Plus these are magnetic so they will stick together in your bag so you don't have a mini heart attack when you can't find the bottle of your precious face cream.
Cadence is a woman-owned small business specializing in personal care travel solutions. Each mini capsule is created from recycled ocean-bound plastic and is refillable and reusable!
Check them out on TikTok here.
Former BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jasmin Sandal uses these travel capsules and said: "I love my little containers that allow me to downsize but still carry my necessities while I'm traveling. They're not only cute to look at but they're pretty practical. I have used mine to store my vitamins, earrings, face cream and have not run into any issues. They have tight, screw-on tops so you know everything is secure *and* you can customize their labels so you know exactly what's in what. Oh, and the fact that they're magnetic? Genius. This way, they stay tightly together in your case or can be conveniently stored in a makeup bag."
Promising review: "I bought a couple to start as I only travel with a carry-on and these are awesome. I am going to order some some my husband. Makes traveling so much easier and I can get more in my TSA quart-size bag. Worth the $$" —Kim E.
Get a set of six from Cadence for $76 (available in eight colors and 34 label options).
PS — When you choose your bundle size, each capsule can be a different color and comes with a pre-made label (custom labels are available for an additional charge).
12. An Alleyoop 4-in-1 makeup brush that eliminates the need to pack several brushes because this bad boy does it ALL. It has a makeup sponge, eyeshadow brush, eyebrow/eyeliner brush, and blush/blending brush. We love a good multitasking tool. 🙌🏼
Alleyoop is a woman-owned business that creates compact beauty products that typically have several functions.
Promising reviews: "This is one of my best travel buys. I like the sturdy feel but really like the conversion to different brushes. No searching, no extra space. Pricey, but worth it if you travel, have small space, or misplace items." —Diana Hefter
"I absolutely love this travel makeup brush and sponge combo! It's so convenient for when I'm on the go and need to touch up my makeup. The bristles are soft and the sponge is great for blending. Plus, it's compact and fits perfectly in my purse. I highly recommend it!" —Mary G. Murphy
Get it from Amazon for $28 (available in two versions).
13. A travel adapter and voltage converter so you don't end up at your final destination just to realize you can't charge any of your devices or use the hair appliance you can't live without. Thankfully, this will convert your plugs in more than 150 countries.
There are also four USB ports. It converts 220/240 V to 110/120 V.
Promising review: "Excellent and worth the cost. This product was genius and kept all my devices charged while visiting South Africa. My mom and I roomed together on a family holiday and her international charger didn't work. It had some manufacturer defects, so we were fortunate to be able to use my power supply. This power strip was cool because we could use our USB cords for phones, watches, mobile chargers, etc. The plug was only for the camera batteries or additional devices. A gem and never failed!" —N. Husser
Get it from Amazon for $35.98.
14. An all-encompassing travel blanket because for some reason, planes have become arctic tundras, and a sweatshirt alone just doesn't cut it anymore. This one is insulated to actually keep you warm, and has hand and foot pockets so you can finally feel your toes again. And even though it's 6 feet long, it folds down into a compact pouch — so no room wasted in your bag with a bulky blanket!
P.S. It's also got a neck strap to keep it from slipping off of you during naps, and if you fold it inside out, it turns into a travel pillow! Is there anything they haven't thought of?!
Promising review: "The Gravel travel blanket is lightweight, compact, and comfortable. I like that it can also be used as a pillow. The pockets for your feet and the snap for your neck are unique features. There are less-expensive travel blankets online, but I purchased the Gravel blanket because it has features and elements that the other blankets don’t have. The Gravel travel blanket is also easy to care for; just wash it in cold water and air dry. It air dries quickly too." —Douglas M.
Get it from Gravel for $129 (available in other colors here).
15. A facial moisturizing stone so you don't have to worry about transferring your lotion into a container and praying it doesn't leak during the flight. Plus this is just pretty freakin' cool — nourishing ingredients like blue tansy and tamanu oil are packed into a solid ball that can help reduce facial redness and scarring.
When you rub it (on clean, dry skin), the solid melts into a silky, lightweight oil.
Promising reviews: "This is the only moisturizer you need if you’re trying to live a clean and waste-free lifestyle! The moisturizing bar will last forever and the container is multipurpose after its lifespan for more moisturizer, storing your reusable cotton pads, etc. I love it! It’s worth every penny and helps me live more sustainably." —botanicalmami
"Love this moisturizer. This leaves my face feeling silky and smooth without feeling greasy. Perfectly balanced. And I love that I can take it traveling without worrying it will leak all over the place." —Lynn A.
Get it from Sephora or Kate McLeod for $68 (also available in a refill size).
16. A Dagne Dover carry-all duffel bag reviewers love for all the well-thought-out features: a padded laptop sleeve, two water bottle pockets, a nylon shoe/laundry bag, and more. It also holds even more items than you would think based on the size, and of course, still fits under an airplane seat.
My colleague Emma McAnaw owns this very bag and raves about it. Here's what she has to say: "I use this every time I travel — and I never, I mean NEVER, check bags. I even took this with me to Amsterdam and easily packed about four sweaters, DOC MARTENS, and all my undies and toiletries. To be fair I wore the same pants for four days (I am cheap, guys), but I never felt like I needed more space. And yes — even Spirit lets me take this."
Check out Emma's full review in "8 Things You Should Buy Because Your Closet Is Hungry" (#2).
Promising reviews: "Love it so much! Easy to keep clean, the BEST to travel with, cannot say enough good things. Worth the money!" —Emily L.
"I love this bag for travel. Size-wise it's acceptable as a carry on and I've even brought this bag with my roll aboard and had no problems on Alaska or American airlines. It's pushing the limits on your second personal item, but as long as you don't stuff it too full, you should be okay. This bag has pockets on all sides, a really nice shoe bag and a small zippered pouch that I keep my Lululemon travel shawl in. The grey neoprene is really nice and I get lots of compliments. It is prone to picking up dirt marks, so you need to be careful about putting it on the ground or shoving it anywhere that might be dirty." —CdnNordyFan
Get it from Nordstrom for $215 (available in two colors) or from Dagne Dover for $125+ (available in five sizes, nine neoprene colors, and three air mesh colors).
17. Or a Beis backpack that fully zips open like a suitcase so you can actually find the stuff you stored at the bottom instead of having to shove your hand down hoping you can differentiate everything just by feeling it.
BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly has this and says, "I snagged this backpack after hearing my colleague Chelsea Stuart sing its praises. I had a trusty (now discontinued) InCase backpack I used as a personal item and served me well on dozens of trips for about five years. But I wanted a bag for some upcoming travel (2.5 weeks in Europe with *just* carry-on for five flights) that opens up like a suitcase for easier packing. Since buying, I've taken it on two long weekend trips (Amtrak to Newport, RI, for a wedding and regional train to a CT country lake house) with no complaints. In fact, for both of those trips I packed MORE than I needed.
Inside, you'll find a mesh zippered pocket and a plastic pocket perfect for your toiletries. I can fit enough wet toilet toiletries in the second pocket as I'd be allowed to carry-on for a plane. In the mesh pocket I put other necessities like cotton swabs, medicine, eye glasses, etc. The main compartment is deceptively deep so you can easily roll clothes and Lego-fit them in together without using packing cubes. In fact, I fit all of the stuff in the second picture in that section (a romper, PJs, a bikini, sunscreen, five pairs of undies, a pair of jean shorts, nap dress, three pairs of socks, two pairs of sandals, two T-shirts, a slip skirt, sleep mask, curling iron, mini flat iron, makeup bag, and tote bag). AND it has stretchy X-straps to keep it all secure like you'd see in a roller suitcase so when I unzip it, everything stays put. But before I forget, there's a separate cushioned laptop pocket close to the backpack straps that I found works well for books or a Kindle if your travel leaves you laptop-less.
I love that this backpack has DEEP side pockets so your umbrella or water bottle won't fall out. In fact, I stuck a flashlight and an umbrella in one side pocket. (You could always use a flashlight.) Plus! It has a generously sized pocket on the front of the backpack with easy access for sunglasses, snacks, writing pens...all sorts of those little extras you need to access quickly. To top it all off, the backpack straps and top handle are STURDY. I felt totally secure toting it around and slinging it into overhead storage compartments on the trains. I love the look and construction of it with faux leather and sturdy black canvas, and the trolley passthrough to easily fit on my roller suitcase I'm about to drag through a bunch of airports. At nearly $88, this isn't the cheapest backpack option but if you're a frequent traveler, you'll get so much mileage on it and seriously save on some baggage fees, making it well worth the cost. This backpack and I are going places, for sure."
Get it from Beis Travel for $88 (available in six colors).
18. A stroller so lightweight and compact that it can literally fit into the overhead bin on a plane (!!) so you can keep it with you for your whole journey. I may not have kids, but I do recognize the struggle of having to worry about things getting damaged coming out at baggage claim.
It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and only weighs 9.5 pounds.
Promising review: "This stroller is amazing! We have four boys — 8, 6, 4, and 2. We needed an extra single stroller to take to Disney and this was perfect. It folds up so tiny — it’s amazing really! We were able to fit it under our double stroller and just pull it out when one of the older kids needed a break! It even pushed my 8-year-old (60 lbs) smoothly. In fact — on the way home from Disney we checked the double stroller and just took this! We love that it fits inside the top luggage racks — it’s so nice not having to wait on the gate-checked items! My 2-year-old slept for 1.5 hours in it at Animal Kingdom — I was a little concerned he wouldn’t because the seat doesn’t recline but he didn’t seem to mind! I would say that sometimes it seems a little flimsy in the handles — but it’s obviously not, must just be the way the joints work so that it is able to fold down so small! Now that we’re home, I use this baby way more than I thought I would! It’s just so easy/quick/light! I’m not sure I would want this as my ONLY single stroller (we also have the city mini jogger) but it’s definitely awesome to have in our arsenal of strollers! It was worth the splurge!" —Lane Vorbach
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in four styles and two colors).
19. A mini 2-in-1 hair tool to help you achieve that salon-like style without bringing a bunch of tools that'll take up a whole chunk of your (already limited) suitcase space.
That's right, it's both a hair straightener *and* a curling iron! And it has a carry-on bag. It can be used anywhere because it is dual-voltage! All you need is an adapter and you're good to go!
Promising review: "Honestly this little iron has surprised the heck outta me. Got it for a three week trip so I needed to minimize the weight in my suitcase. I really wasn’t thinking it would be as fantastic as it is. It is as good as my full size! It’s super lightweight and I love the dual feature of flat iron and curling iron. This is worth every penny!" —hapamama
Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in two colors).
20. A portable espresso maker so you never again have to worry about where the nearest coffee shop is or when the next road stop will be so you can get your caffeine fix. Plus you'll be saving up extra $$ for adventures when you ditch your $6 a day (or twice a day…) coffee-buying habit.
Even better, there's no batteries or electricity required so you can really make a cup anywhere. To make, add ground coffee to the filter basket with the help of the integrated scoop, apply slight pressure to level the grind, then add hot water into the water tank. Finally, unlock from its travel position and pump a few times to pressurize and extract perfect espresso.
Promising reviews: "This is absolutely worth your hard-earned dollars! I have a makeshift coffee shop in my office and I really wanted something that could add to it. I can honestly say I will be buying another for my friends and family who I know love coffee!" —Kassandra Lee Castañeda
"This works so well for camping for a quick coffee craving! Took this camping over the weekend and used it a few times at the office. Depending on the grinds you use, it's good for a light single espresso shot or if you reuse the same grinds and purge three capfuls of water through the filter, you'll get a full cup of coffee. Works great without lugging a glass press around in your backpacking or camp gear! Easy to clean and store away with the retractable priming handle." —SocKeTPupPet 🤖
Get it from Amazon for $54.90.
21. A mini white-noise machine because hotel walls are THIN and you are *not* about to miss out on your beauty sleep.
Promising reviews: "Worth the splurge. Barking dogs, traffic noise...may peace be with you! This magic orb drowns out any sound so you can stay totally unconscious and unfettered by the outside world. Sweet dreams, y'all." —whatchoowillis
"I have searched high and low and tried so many sound machines to get that real fan noise. This one comes pretty damn close! The price hurt me a little but it is well worth it for this product if you must have a fan to sleep with! My husband and I and our two daughters all must have a fan (for the noise) to sleep with and the dust that collects on our fans was starting to cause allergies and is just gross to look at and hard to clean. Also, it can get a little cold, so this machine was perfect for us. I bought three and we all sleep great at night! Also it's really small so it's great to pack up in your bag to travel with! It's worth the money!" —MommaJ
Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in black or gray).
22. A glare-free Kindle Paperwhite so you can read allllll of the books you want on your vacation without having to pack an entire suitcase to bring 'em along. Plus, this bad boy only has to be charged once every few weeks (!!!) and is waterproof so you don't have to fear the pool or ocean.
Check out the Kindle Paperwhite in action on TikTok!
This version of the Kindle is incredibly versatile: You can see your screen even in the sun, and you can customize your fonts, size, and layouts.
Promising reviews: "Worth the splurge. I was on the fence about an E-reader for a while. Once I got one my love of reading returned as I am flying through books now as opposed to paperback. Accessibility is great with Kindle Unlimited." —Jason Garcia
"I bought this to replace my old Kindle Fire. I couldn't decide if I wanted to spend the extra money on this waterproof version. I'm so glad I did. While on vacation on the Cape, I put it down on my beach chair and turned my back. A rogue wave dragged my new Kindle out to sea! It was submerged for a minute before I could find it. I took the cover off, dried as best as I could but wasn't hopeful with all the salt and sand. Here to report months later that it still works perfectly and charges just fine. So spend the extra few bucks and get this one. Ever so worth it!!" —James M.
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in two storage sizes and three colors).
The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.