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1. A set of compression packing cubes — these work similarly to a vacuum sealer to save you a *shocking* amount of space...even if you always pack more clothes than you actually end up wearing. They come in different sizes ideal for everything from jackets and sweaters to socks and underwear, and there's even a spot to put a little card on the front so you can label what's in what!
Just be sure to look up any weight restrictions on carry-on luggage!
Promising reviews: "I'm a flight attendant. Great for my 4–5-day trips when I need to pack extra!" —Amazon Customer
"These bags are amazing! Everything fits, and the compression keeps everything in order and leaves space for last-minute additions. No more emptying the suitcase looking for an item. So easy and organized. My travel life just became 100% easier! Highly recommend them." —LYNN vT
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $39.99 (available in a variety of colors and as a pack of two or four).
2. A 4-in-1 makeup brush set that takes up the same amount of room as a *single* makeup brush if you wanna maximize the space in your carry-on bag.
3. Tide sink packets so you can pack lightly without worrying about running out of clean clothes, even on longer trips. If your hotel or Airbnb doesn't have laundry machines, these make it easy to wash your clothes in the sink so you don't have to trudge around in sweaty clothes on day eight of your vacay.
Each pack comes with three packets. And because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag.
Promising review: "I was determined to travel carry-on only, and these were my saving grace. Perfect small package with no issues with leakage. No overwhelming smell and perfect for cleaning my clothes in the hotel sink." —K. P. Vautour
Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.92.
4. A reusable collapsible coffee cup if your gigantic travel mug hogs wayyy too much of your carry-on.
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.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Danielle Healy has this and loves it: "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 midday 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."
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.
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and in 24 colors).
5. A popular, nonaerosol dry shampoo powder in case you'd rather avoid the possibility of your bulky liquid shampoo shampoo container leaking in your bag and getting everything else you packed all sticky. Gently rub it in to absorb excess oil and add instant volume!
The bottle is tiny, but reviewers also note that a little goes a long way, so even a small bottle can last for a long time!
Promising review: "OK so I never leave reviews for anything, but I have to for this dry shampoo! I stopped using aerosols several months ago, and I have tried so many dry shampoo powders since then that have done absolutely nothing and are also really annoying to apply. This one actually works and is just as easy as an aerosol. I usually can get maybe three days out of a hair wash with other dry shampoos, but I got to day five with this one and my hair still looked freshly washed. I never thought I would find anything that worked for me as well as my beloved Batiste, but I think I like this one even more!" —Kennedy
Get it from Amazon for $16 (also available as a pack of three).
6. A universal travel adapter — it'll work in 150+ countries and charge up to five devices at once so you don't have to worry about packing different converters, especially if you're gonna be hopping from location to location.
It's available with up to five USB ports (including a USB-C port!) and works with outlets in over 150 countries, including Australia, China, the UK, Ireland, Japan, Germany, France, and most of Europe. Check the listing for the full breakdown of countries!
Note: This isn't a voltage converter.
Promising review: "I've been using this power plug adapter in China and it works like a charm. I’ve been charging two iPhones, a Mophie and a Dell XPS13 all at the same time. I highly recommend it!" —Gary Matsumoto
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in five colors, and with or without a USB-C port).
7. An impressively effective Hairbrella that allows you to keep your hands free while protecting your flawless vacay hairdo from sudden downpours. It folds up super small, making it a great thing to toss into your bag if you don't have room for an actual umbrella. Plus, it's satin-lined to help avoid dryness and frizz when the time comes to free your locks!
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that specializes in hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather.
Promising review: "Works like a charm! So...of course, the day I get my hair done, an unexpected torrential downpour occurs, and I have NO umbrella. But...I DID have my Hairbrella in my bag! This was the first time I would get to try it out since I purchased it, so I was REALLY hoping it would live up to its hype. I loosely pinned my hair up with a few bobby pins, secured that sucka in place, and took off! While I looked like I just exited a dunk tank after my valiant sprint to my car, my hair was BONE DRY!!! 🙌🏾 Not a drop of moisture hit my hair. Hairbrella is the TRUTH!!!" —Lina
Get it from Amazon for $44 (available in five colors).
8. A pocket-sized, refillable travel perfume atomizer you simply press against the nozzle of your favorite perfume to pump it full of a travel-size portion of your signature scent! Now you won't have to find space to pack your larger perfume bottle and worry about it leaking the entire time.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly loves this: "That's me [above] 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, 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 $8.99.
9. A pack of mini disposable pre-pasted travel toothbrushes that'll easily fit in your carry-on. Plus, they'll let you say goodbye to traveling with leaky toothpaste bottles and toothbrush cases that just get grosser and grosser the longer your trip goes on.
They're also great for freshening up after meals and for folks with braces.
Promising reviews: "PERFECT for travel. When I travel, I always keep a pack of these in my purse/backpack. There is nothing worse than stinky/gritty breath after a long travel day and you can use these super easily and non-conspicuously. I always feel weird brushing my teeth at the airport, so this is a great alternative if you need something quick." —Berea Janzen
"I do lots of traveling and keep a pack of the disposable mini toothbrushes in my backpack and carry-on luggage. Perfect size and I can use them use about anywhere." —Saving4Retirement
Get a 24-pack from Amazon for $17.92.
10. A popular (over 44,000 5-star ratings) and inexpensive pair of flexible ballet flats you can literally fold up and toss into your bag without taking up much room at all! They're super comfy (making them great to bring on trips), easy to slip on and off (a game changer at TSA), and come in a variety of cute colors and styles so you can find the perfect ones to match your aesthetic.
Prime members: You can try before you buy!
Promising review: "I normally cannot wear flats because they give me terrible blisters on the back of my feet. These didn't! Bought these in nude for a city vacation with a lot of walking, but where sandals aren't necessarily worn, and these were perfect! They obviously don't have the support of sneakers, but I am so happy to finally have a cheap pair of flats that don't give me blisters. I did break them in with thin socks on around my house before wearing them out and when possible, I wear them with little sock liners. Also — I was able to fold these in half and fit them in a semi-small purse to change into to dance at a wedding! Score!" —Kate
Get them from Amazon for $23.70+ (available in women's sizes 5–15, including wide sizes, and a variety of styles).
11. A 2-in-1 hair tool — now you only have to pack one tool instead of two! Plus, it's dual-voltage, making it great for international travel!
Promising review: "The international traveler's BFF. Don't be fooled by the tiny price or size, this little baby is serious. If you are looking for a small travel option rather than lugging your big straightener and giant curling iron around the world, then I think you'll love this. It performs really well, turning my frizzy, wavy hair into a smooth and sleek style. The curling iron option also creates shiny, silky lasting curls! It's easy to transition between both. I also like the grippy handle and the fact that the curling iron clip is a different color than the straightening bars because that helps me see how I should be maneuvering it around. The voltage goes up to 240 so you are good using it internationally without a converter (but you will need an adapter just to fit it into various foreign outlets). At this price, definitely give it a try and flaunt your tresses abroad." —Christine
Get it from Amazon for $59.95 (available in black or white).
12. Some rain sneakers available as both high-tops and low-tops if you don't have enough room in your carry-on to pack full-on rain boots. Even if rain *isn't* in the forecast wherever you're headed, it's still good to be prepared just in case.
They're also a popular pick with people who have jobs where waterproof shoes come in handy (like working at a restaurant or dog groomers).
Promising review: "I absolutely love these shoes! I originally bought them for a trip to Washington D.C where it was going to rain most of the time. I have Hunter rain boots, but knew we would be walking a lot and didn't want to be 'weighed down' on the trip. I was four months pregnant and wore these for two of the days where we walked over 9 miles each day (ugh!) and these were SOO COMFORTABLE! My feet didn't have any blisters or sore spots (which I am very prone to) and handled the rain/puddles like a champ! I love that they looked like normal shoes, but wiped clean with a baby wipe!" —AmazonFamily
Get them from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in women's sizes 5–11 and 13 styles, including low-top and high-top options).
13. A 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger that takes up barely any space in your bag or even your coat pocket. If you're traveling with your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, this is an easy and compact way to get them all charged up on the plane or hotel nightstand before you're back on the go.
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review: "I use this product to charge my iPhone 13, AirPods, and Apple Watch. Prior to this 3-in-1 compact purchase, I have purchased three different kinds of 3-in-1 chargers — I frequently travel between school and home with carry-on bags on airlines and all of the previous stand version chargers doesn't fit well in my bags or I am always worried I would break. This is compact and folds so well that I can fit in my carry-on or in any zipper pockets without having to worry about breaking anything. Charger works really well and it is the best compact one you can find in market. Love it and been using it for two months now and no issues!!" —Sbreddy
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in nine colors).
14. A set of three compact pill organizers so you don't have to pack all of your meds in their individual bottles. You can organize them by type, and the lid has a double lock so you won't have to worry about it coming open in your bag.
Promising review: "These travel pill cases are totally worth it! We are always out and about traveling, and this case helps keep the travel pharmacy organized! No more clunky pill bottles. The pill case is very sturdy and has a clasp that stays tightly latched. The compartments on the inside are easy to open with plenty of storage for pills. I was able to fit about 10 larger pills into the smaller compartments. It’s nice to also have the larger compartments too. You can fit wrapped cough drops or other medications in those. Highly recommend!!" —Sydney Harsh
Get a 3-pack from Amazon for $6.97 (includes blue, green, and khaki cases).
15. An Elf multi-stick that does a beautiful job as an eyeshadow, lipstick, *and* blush if you wanna cut down on the amount of stuff you normally try to shove into your toiletries bag.
16. A genius Wallet Ninja — it manages to squeeze *18* different functions into a pocket-sized, credit card-shaped object. Now you'll ready for anything your trip throws at you! It's a bottle opener, can opener, eyeglass screwdriver, regular screwdriver, phone stand, ruler, hex wrench, fruit peeler, box opener, nail puller, and so much more!
The card includes an eyeglass screwdriver, letter opener, nail puller, ruler, bottle opener, can opener, box opener, cellphone stand, hex-head nut and bolts, screwdrivers, and a fruit peeler. Reviewers said it is TSA-approved, but some had to remove it from their bag and put it on the belt by itself just to be safe.
Promising review: "This is definitely helpful to have on hand! The Ninja is small and slim but punches above its weight class in terms of usefulness. The tools are all things you might find yourself searching through a drawer for and are useful in a pinch.
"You obviously aren't going to be able to construct a deck with anything on this credit card-sized device, but it fits comfortably in your wallet and will help you open a beer or tighten a screw. The coolest feature that I couldn't find on most other similar products was the credit card phone stand. It is great for planes and other travel applications (I haven't had trouble bringing this on a plane anywhere I have traveled, FYI)." —Mary
Get it from Amazon for $14.98 (also available in multipacks).
17. A waterproof Kindle Paperwhite for the person who always packs wayyy too many heavy books in their carry-on bag every time they take a trip because they wanna have a variety of options. Now you can catch up on your reading without the extra weight.
And thanks to the backlight, you'll be able to read when all the lights are turned off on the plane without having to turn on the overhead light and disrupt your peacefully snoozing neighbors.
HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian says, "I recently bought a Kindle and it has, no exaggeration, revolutionized my life. I love mine for so many reasons — it's truly helped me incorporate my love of reading into my often hectic life, and all my titles literally live inside of this half-pound wonder gadget, so I can switch between books super easily. For traveling, this is a literal dream. I don't have to pick between titles and then regret the entire trip that I didn't bring the one I left at home — and, as any book lover knows, traveling with books is heavy as hell, and the Kindle literally completely eliminates that weight. Traveling will never be the same for me. BTW, I am also obsessed with the Libby app, which allows you to check out e-books from your local library on your Kindle!! My inner child is *screaming* with joy."
Promising review: "I LOVE reading and being able to access a book anywhere with this thing. It is easy to navigate, very easy to read and adjust the brightness or how warm the light is. It doesn't auto adjust, but I don't need that feature. I've read in bright sunlight to dark rooms, and it's always been so clear. You can adjust the font and use the library to search whatever books you want. Makes packing books for traveling very easy. Battery life lasts me two weeks if I'm reading every day for a few hours." —R@L0
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in two storage capacities, three colors, with or without three months of Kindle Unlimited, and with or without ads).
18. A reversible bucket hat — now you'll have access to two styles *without* having to pack two hats!
Promising review: "Stylish, versatile, and fun! The reversible design lets you switch between two distinct looks, making it feel like you have two hats in one. Its compact and foldable nature allows easy packing, making it an excellent travel companion. The price tag is more than reasonable, given its trendy design, comfort, and versatility." —Sam
(This reviewer left a super in-depth review, so check it out for more deets!)
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in two sizes and 45 prints).
19. A teeny-tiny Gillette Venus travel razor with a convenient compact carrying case for when you need to pack lightly, but still wanna make sure you have all the essentials.
It comes with a little carrying case, and one blade lasts for up to 30 days!
Promising review: "These things are fantastic. Every once in a while you acquire a product people refer to as a 'holy grail' because there's no way it could really be made better and it solves all your problems. This is one of those products for me. I have spent my entire life wondering why razors don't come with good travel cases. I travel all the time and my sister-in-law who also travels introduced me to these when I forgot my razor. Before the end of the trip, I had bought three and a full pack of replacements because they aren't that expensive and they work fantastically.
"First of all the shave is great, which is surprising. Second of all, even though it's got that tiny circular handle, it's surprisingly ergonomic and easy to hold onto. I find it easier to use than a normal razor so I use it at home as well. Third of all, the cases are perfectly sized to slide into pretty much any bag, and the refills come individually packaged in such a way that makes it easy to toss a refill in with it if you are going for a long trip. Fourth, the case has really good ventilation, and you can tell that they were designed to dry out." —INeedAPublicNameIGuess
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
20. A waterproof outdoor Pocket Blanket that folds up small enough to easily fit in your pocket or bag — making it a breeze to travel with! And speaking of breeze, it has tethered corner stakes in case you're trying to chill on a particularly windy beach.
Matador is a small business that creates innovative, durable, and long-lasting travel and outdoor products, and in fact, the Pocket Blanket was the first product they ever created.
My former colleague Ciera Velarde loves this too! Here's why:
"I have this blanket and it really, truly fits in your pocket! When folded completely out, it fits two people lying down and would probably fit up to four people sitting. It's super thin without being flimsy, and any water, dirt, or sand just rolls right off of it. I did get some sunscreen on my blanket the last time I used it, but I threw it in the washing machine when I got home and hung it to dry, and it was as good as new. I took this to the beach this summer, and the stakes in the corner and the sand pockets were super helpful at keeping it from flying away in the wind. It also has a very subtle stitched guide on the blanket that you follow to fold it back up to pocket-sized. This blanket is so great and is a must for spontaneous hiking trips, beach days, or even a date in the park."
Get it from Matador or REI for $34 (available in three colors).
21. The famous Alleyoop Pen Pal, which is a multicolor eyeliner, lip liner, highlighter, *and* an eyebrow pencil in ONE tool so you can stop lugging around jam-packed makeup bag.
It's vegan, cruelty- and paraben-free, and the packaging is recyclable!
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz that takes "beauty efficiency" to a new level. Most of their products are compact and have several functions!
Promising review: "This 4-in-1 touchup pen has been such a lifesaver! It is super compact and convenient for on-the-go. I always make sure to have it in my purse before I head out the door. The colors are pigmented, creamy, and glide on the skin easily. Each color is perfect for what I need. I'm obsessed!" —ana, Alleyoop Customer
Get it from Amazon or straight from Alleyoop for $25 (available in three shades).
22. A compact, carry-on-friendly portable espresso maker that lets you use Nespresso pods to make a perfect cup of coffee no matter where you are! It'll come in handy if you're trekkin' through nature miles away from the nearest cafe *or* if the coffee at your hotel isn't quite up to your usual standards.
Promising review: "Morning espresso essential for travel. Great product for producing good coffee when traveling. I am an espresso drinker, and this meets my needs first thing in the morning. Using Nespresso capsules keeps it clean and simple, which is just what I want when traveling." —Joanna Verdeja
Get it from Amazon for $54.90 (and here are some Nespresso pods to go with it).
23. A folding jewelry organizer so you can keep all your favorite pieces organized in your carry-on without trying to squeeze a bulky hard jewelry case in there.
Promising review: "I saw this recommended on TikTok and bought it on a whim. I never knew a jewelry organizer would be so useful! I absolutely love this organizer and think everyone should have one!!" —Savana Bishop
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors and patterns).
24. A plush microfiber makeup-removing cloth that works super effectively with water so you can avoid having to pack bottles of liquid makeup removers that would just LOVE to leak all over everything else in your carry-on.
Promising reviews: "THIS THING IS AMAZING! Usually, I have to really scrub to get my mascara off, and I’ll typically lose an eyelash or two in the process, but I wet this down and wiped my face once, and everything was off my face and on the towel. And I mean wipe, there was no scrubbing. I literally did a quick wipe expecting it to be just an initial pass, then looked up into the mirror and was like, holy hell, I think it’s all off. There’s got to be some magic going on here...my face thanks you." —anonymous
"I was skeptical. But for less than $10 I tried it. I am traveling with a carry-on only and wanted to limit the amount of liquids so this seemed like a good replacement. I thought about wipes, but I would need so many and the package is a little bulky. I got this and used it for the first time, rubbing in circles like the directions stated. I even used micellar water after to see if any makeup was left...NOTHING!! My face felt super clean. This thing is amazing!!" —volvomom
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in seven colors).
25. A dual voltage mini steam iron because you spent way too much time picking out perfect vacay outfits only for them to be wrinkled beyond recognition by the time you reach your destination.
Promising review: "Best travel iron available. I travel so much and hotel irons are just unreliable no matter what clothes you use them on. This one is a champ; it has a steamer option and fits in your weekender bag or business luggage. Security inspected my carry-on and they couldn’t get over how small it was. Make this your travel go-to!" —Yesenia
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
26. A set of six Cadence containers with leakproof lids and labels so you can bring small amounts of all your essential beauty products instead of the *entire* container!
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon as a way to eliminate single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Abby Kass has these and loves them: "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. 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).
27. A facial moisturizing stone, which is much more TSA-friendly (and less likely to leak in your bag) than liquid moisturizers. Leave those behind and toss this in your carry-on instead!
When you apply it, the solid melts into a silky, lightweight oil.
Promising reviews: "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.
"I had no idea how thirsty my face was until I began using the face stone. I have used so many skin care regimes, packed full with chemicals to mimic the fountain of youth, when all my face was crying out for was moisture! Now I have found a product that feeds my skin the moisture it so desperately craved. The gentle scent is food for your senses, too. My skin is truly grateful." —Suzanne D.
Get it from Sephora or Kate McLeod for $60+ (also available in a refill size).
28. A pack of travel-sized Tide To Go stain-removing pens to save the day when you inevitably wind up with a stain on the *only* white T-shirt you had room to pack in your small carry-on. Now you don't have to stress while exploring (and eating) your way through a fun (but potentially messy) trip with *limited* clothing options.
Promising review: "These were a lifesaver. I was walking to the bus and decided it was a great decision to drink coffee while walking. Like a scene from an infomercial, I spilled coffee all over my white shirt. Yes, the classic coffee on the white shirt. Luckily I had one of these in my bag (I put one in each of my most-used purses in anticipation of my clumsiness). I went into a store bathroom and quickly scrubbed the Tide To-Go on my shirt. All of the coffee blobs went away and once the awkward wet splotches dried up, my shirt was perfectly white again. You've got yourself a big fan, Tide." —NAD
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $7.74.
29. And finally, a *solid* Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen because no one should have to go through the experience of having their liquid sunscreen explode in their bag. Plus, it glides onto your skin easily with no mess!
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly brought this on an international trip and loved it:
"I first bought this for a weeklong Croatian vacation last year when I did carry-on, and as long as you are *thoroughly* reapplying, this stuff stays on pretty well. Since then, I've packed this for any trip I've been on, including a two-day Disneyland trip where I toted this around in my bag and shared with friends. I sometimes carry it with me in my purse on my everyday adventures because I know it's so easy to apply. Also worth mentioning...I am about the palest lady you've ever seen and swear by daily application of sunscreen. But when on a beach trip, I'm constantly swimming in the water and sweating. So yeah, this stuff works. And if you're a bit hesitant about jumping on the solid sunscreen bandwagon, you can pack a stick of this, knowing you have enough sun protection to get you through to finding some spray-on or lotion SPF at your destination."
Get it from Amazon for $9.10.
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.