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    "Fits Perfectly In My Purse": 25 Under-$20 Items You’ll Def Wanna Have On Hand Next Time You Travel

    A super effective sunburn soother, a very comfy sleep mask, a portable cordless electric razor, and other low-cost items that can make a big difference on your trip.

    1. A luggage-mounted cup caddy because trying to juggle your phone, coffee, water, luggage, and other airport essentials all at the same time while darting through the terminal makes things way more stressful than they need to be. This adjustable caddy is easy to attach to your suitcase's handles, and it has three convenient pockets perfect for cups, snacks, phones, passports, and other small items!

    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, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to 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 $14.99+ (available in 17 colors and patterns). 

    2. A set of packing cubes that'll help you fit a LOT more stuff in your suitcase than you thought was possible.

    The packing cubes in a suitcase
    shirts inside a packing cube
    Rachel Dunkel / Via BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com

    The set comes with four packing cubes of various size, as well as a laundry bag.

    Promising review: "I was skeptical about packing cubes, but finally decided to give them a try and I won't travel without them now! It helps with organizing and to prevent wrinkles. Especially helpful when I’m going to multiple destinations so I don’t have to completely unpack or dig through my suitcase at each stop. My son has used them when packing a duffle bag, and I can’t imagine using a duffle bag without them. The quality of the brand is very good, and I love that each cube has their own handles. I ended up buying a second set since one wasn’t quite enough for extended travel." —April

    Get a set of five from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in nine colors).

    3. A pack of Tide To Go stain removing pen to save the day and remove those unexpected stains that happen while you're exploring (and eating) your way through a fun (but potentially messy) trip.

    white shoe with a red stain in a before pic, with the stain gone in the after pic
    reviewer image of three orange pens in the packaging

    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.

    4. A 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.

    reviewer holding the mini iron to the side, showing how small it is
    top view of the iron, showing the buttons

    Promising review: "I took this iron on a five-week trip to a desert climate, and I used it to iron linen, cotton, and silk. It did a better job than many full-sized irons. Never again will I wear those hot, ugly, 'wrinkle-free' travel clothes. It is also lightweight, tiny, easy-to-use, and cute. One of the best travel purchases I have ever made" —Eliyahu

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in packs of two and three).

    5. A sleep mask featuring contoured cups designed for reducing pressure on your eyes while blocking out the light pouring in through the window your seat neighbor *insists* on keeping open for the entire flight while you're trying to rest.

    front of a sleep mask that blocks out light
    back of a sleep mask with contoured cups that cradle eyes

    Promising review: "I’ve been using this mask for over a week now, and I must say that it’s the best mask I’ve ever used yet. I have used a sleep mask every night for... probably the last nine years, and it’s the most comfortable one I’ve ever used. I love the strap. No Velcro to get caught in your hair! It’s got adjustable wide elastic that is soft and comfortable. Not the stiff stuff! The mask has nice memory foam in it which cushions your face when sleeping on your side. It has nice deep eye pockets so there is never any pressure on your eyes or eyelashes, which I love. Overall, this is the best mask I’ve ever had. It’s made so well; I feel pampered in it." —DePlume

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors).

    6. A super slim portable charger that packs enough power to fully charge a wide range of phones over two times, so you can freely use the GPS and take all the photos and videos you want while traveling *without* the constant anxiety of being in an unfamiliar place with a dead phone.

    Promising review: "This unit worked really well on our recent vacation. I really like that it shows the actual percentage of charge remaining instead of the four LED lights that almost every other unit sold has. You always know exactly how much charge is remaining. The battery capacity is as stated in the listing and is more than enough to keep multiple phones charged up all day, which is especially useful when you’re traveling on vacation and outside thing all day and you don’t want to stop somewhere to find a wall socket to charge your phone.
    The size is great, almost exactly the same size as the average iPhone, and if you get a short charging cable you can fit it in your pocket and charge your phone while you walk, or just throw it in a backpack. Very happy with our purchase, we bought two so the group could split up and still have power to go." —J. Leach

    Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three colors and two styles).

    7. Some odor eliminators because no one wants to travel with a carry-on full of stinky, sweaty post-vacation clothes and shoes, especially if you packed light and have been wearing the same thing for a few too many days now.

    reviewer photo of two of the gray odor eliminating bags
    reviewer photo of two of the gray odor eliminating bags in a pair of their sneakers

    Promising review: "Stinky shoes be gone! These guys are on the smaller size (1”x3” each) so I put two each in my size 10 women’s shoes when I pack them up for travel. I LOVE that they make the stinks go away. They don’t add any particular scent either. It’s just a neutral sucking up of the 'stop wearing those shoes' scent blues. I’ve used them in my favorite ballet flats and shiny sneakers. My dog approves." –Izzi

    Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $12.58.

    8. A tiny, portable doorstop with a built-in security alarm designed to 1) emit a loud, high-pitched sound when door pressure is applied and 2) prevent the door from opening or being pushed in. The alarm is loud enough to wake you and possibly even neighbors so you can feel extra secure while staying in a hotel or Airbnb.

    The doorstop under a closed door
    Model putting the doorstop into a bag
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This small, but very capable product out preformed itself on our recent vacation with our grandkids. While his mother and sister slept, our 3-year-old grandson tried to sneak out of their motel room. Fortunately, we had given our daughter one of these alarms. He only managed to pull on the door and the very loud alarm sent him running back to bed. He never tried to get out again. Would highly recommend this product." —evie

    Get it from Amazon for $13.25.

    9. A set of dip clips you can attach to your vents to make on-the-go meals a lot more convenient while road trippin'.

    They'll fit onto horizontal or vertical air vents *and* can hold sauce packs from all popular fast food chains to make eating in the parking lot wayyyy easier!

    Promising review: "Love the design and functionality of it. Even if you aren't really a person who eats in the car, it's great for others to use while you drive. Got this for a coworker's birthday, and she loved it!" —Eden

    Get two from Amazon for $10+ (available in four colors and in multipacks).

    10. Or a clip-on sauce holder from a small biz on Etsy if you're looking for more color options!

    The sauce holder clipped to a vent
    The sauce holder clipped to a vent with nuggets stacked on top
    Limit3DitionShop / Etsy

    Limit3DitionShop is a small business based in Texas that offers a variety of cool 3D-printed items.

    Promising review: "This is the coolest most innovative thing I’ve ever seen. This person needs to go on Shark Tank. So convenient and awesome that it comes in colors." —Julie Jones

    Get it from Limit3DitionShop on Etsy for $8.77 (available in 14 colors and two patterns).

    11. A set of storage scrunchies perfect for whenever you need an extra little pouch to hold your keys, cash, lip balm, and other necessities on the go.

    lip balm, pins, and other small items inside a reviewer's blue velvet scrunchie with zipper closure
    the scrunchie on reviewer's wrist

    See them in action on TikTok here!

    Promising review: "I bought this because of someone on TikTok who had purchased this. Extremely convenient and cute! They’re very soft and I’ve been using mine to hold cash and lip balm. I wish there were more colors!" —Michaela

    Get a pack of three from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two color combinations).

    12. A tube of anti-friction foot balm here to keep your feet happy on those vacations where you put in more steps per day than you usually average in a week. 

    A model applies the BodyGlide Foot Anti Blister Balm to the back of their ankle
    Amazon

    Check it out in action on TikTok here!

    Promising review: "The best! I used this every morning and each night on an 11-day Disney vacation. No blisters! So thankful for this product! There's no awful scent, it's easy to glide on, and it's well worth the money!" —JaeMamaJams

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

    13. A leakproof pet water bottle that makes it easy to keep your pooch hydrated on long hikes and drives. The top even seals shut so you can throw it in your bag without worrying about spills.

    Promising review: "My little guy loves this thing. I love how easy it is to use and easy to carry. I have an extra small dog so the small size is more than plenty for him. I love that the unused water can go back in the bottle without spilling everywhere." —Marie Rich

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors).

    14. A phone holder — now you can keep both hands on the wheel and still be able to see the GPS when driving through unfamiliar locales. This one works with most smartphones, lets you adjust the angle, and makes it super easy to get your phone in and out!

    the phone holder attached to a car vent holding a phone that is in portrait mode rotation
    the phone holder attached to a car vent
    the phone holder attached to a car vent holding a phone that is in landscape mode rotation

    Just attach it to any horizontal vents, and you're ready to go!

    Promising review: "Am happy to say it holds the iPhone 6s inside an OtterBox cover, even though the OtterBox’s thickness exceeds the two bottom feet of this holder. Squeeze the two sides really hard to ensure that they grip the OtterBox tightly. I have already made a long trip of nearly 1,000 miles without the phone falling out. Really love the ball-and-socket joint since you can angle the phone just right to avoid glare." —maiji

    Get it from Amazon for $9.92.

    15. And a universal airplane phone mount that easily attaches to the seatback in front of you to make watching a movie on your phone while flying a heck of a lot more convenient and comfortable.

    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.

    16. A portable, cordless electric razor — it's the perfect compact option to travel with. You can use it on both wet *and* dry skin, and the blades are specially designed to capture hair at all angles while preventing cuts and avoiding skin irritation.

    Promising review: "I love this thing so much! If you are in a rush or if you don’t want to shave your armpits or the hair on your armpits is too short to shave, this thing is perfect. I wear tank tops to work every day so I always make sure that my underarms are shaved and this has saved me so much razor burn. You can also use it on your bikini line, legs, and your arms! It’s super easy to clean, too, and I have taken it on multiple airplanes. Extremely happy with this purchase, I actually just got my coworker the same one!" —Kasey Mogavero

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

    17. A lifesaving sunburn soother you'll be glad you brought on vacation after spending a little too long soaking up the sun. The hydrating combo of aloe and coconut oil will quickly absorb into your skin and instantly get to work, providing you some much-needed, gentle relief. A lot of reviewers even say it helps prevent peeling and itching!

    Promising review: "Pleasantly surprised that this works great. My husband tried on his pale skin that got burnt then I tried on mine that got burnt. Nonsticky, smooth, smells fresh, and the next day I got tanned skin instead of irritated skin. When I get burned, I get red spots the next day all over and start itching like I got a skin rash or allergy to something. With this, none of that happened. Love it!" —S.B 

    Get it from Amazon for $7.69.

    18. An essential-oil migraine stick because nothing ruins a fun trip like a lousy headache. This is a perfect portable option for those moments when you'd rather not rely on prescription meds, but still need something to take the edge off so you can enjoy the day.

    Promising review: "Very impressed with this product, and honestly I didn't think I would be. As a lifelong migraine/headache sufferer, not a whole lot has worked for me other than prescription meds, which I really don't like to take too often but need to because my headaches are incapacitating most of the time. I recently used the roll-on and within 10–15 minutes my headache was gone. It started to come back last night before bed, and used it again and again it took it away. Now, I knew it wasn't going to be a migraine headache — they feel different when they come on, but for a regular headache this worked wonderfully! I still might use the prescription for a migraine, probably in conjunction with this, as it really is soothing and nice." —carrie

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

    Check out BuzzFeed editor Katy Herman's full review of the Migrastil Migraine Stick here for more details.

    19. And a portable bug bite suction tool that reviewers say helps reduce itching and swelling from a mosquito, bee, or wasp sting. It literally SUCKS the venom right out of your skin — making it great to have on hand when your travels take you to the great outdoors.

    Model using the tool on their arm
    Three images from a Reviewer showing a once-swollen bite become not swollen anymore

    Note that the suction can be pretty strong, so use caution and try a small amount of suction first before working your way up if necessary.

    Promising review: "I am a magnet for bites of all kinds and carry topical and medicines with me at all times — so I figured this would be a good product to see if it really works. I woke up with a bug bite on my arm so I used this little tool (three times per the instructions) — immediately after using, it stopped itching! And less than 24 hours later the bump/bite gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing, but a small price to pay IMO. Bottom line: it’s awesome. I’m carrying it with me everywhere!" —Rebecca

    Get it from Amazon for $9.95.

    20. An acupressure anti-nausea wristband if you tend to battle feeling ill on planes, boats, buses, or roller coasters. It'll help you feel less anxious that you'll get sick while everyone else has a grand ol' time.

    A reviewer wearing the gray anti-nausea wristband
    Another angle of the wristband on the reviewer's wrist

    The band applies pressure on the P6 acupressure point that is said to help relieve nausea and vomiting.

    Promising review: "I wished I tried this a long time ago. I used it on a 13-hour drive. Once at Disney World, I wore them for every ride, and it was the first time I did not get nauseous or sick. I was amazed. This is a must-have if you get car sick or can’t ride rides at an amusement park." —E. Kendra

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.54.

    21. Some laundry soap sheets you can use to hand wash your clothes in the hotel sink if you've run out of outfits and can't imagine finishing out your trip without something clean to wear.

    Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops to places with different types of weather. With these laundry soap sheets I was able to wash my clothes in the sink — letting me pack just the right amount of clothes for all the different places I went." —Katie Fujarski

    Get it from Amazon for $7.19.

    22. A travel-friendly retractable lint roller because even if your beloved pets can't join you on your trip, they'll be sure to send a bunch of their fur along with you via *all* of the clothes you packed.

    Model using the lint roller to remove fur from their pants
    Model using the lint roller on their suitcoat
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Fits perfectly in my purse or desk drawer. I have three dogs and wear black slacks almost every day, so this lint roller is a lifesaver for me! No more showing up to work covered in dog hair!" —Texas Mommy of 2

    Get it from Amazon for $6.95+ (available in three colors).

    23. A very, very clever iPhone adapter case for anyone who simply cannot stop losing their dongle, especially while traveling.

    Two of the black, flat, rounded triangular cases with a dongle-shaped slot, one of which is holding a dongle, clipped to a keyring
    Ceebees Cases LLC / Etsy

    Ceebees Cases LLC is a Black-owned small business!

    Promising review: "I love it. I’m always losing my cord or leaving it in my other jacket or pants pocket. Now, all I have to do is put it back on my key ring. Brilliant!!!" —Mel

    Get it from Ceebees Cases LLC on Etsy for $13.60.

    24. A waterproof pouch with a touchscreen window that'll let you bring your phone snorkeling or kayaking *without* worrying about it getting destroyed by all the splish splash. You can even use your phone while it's inside the pouch if you wanna take pics or text the cutie you met at the continental breakfast.

    black joto waterproof sleeve for your phone
    reviewer with the black waterproof case around neck while in the water

    It also comes with a lanyard so you can wear it around your neck.

    Promising review: "This product is incredible. I purchased to use while in Key West for an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 plus, and Galaxy S6 Edge and it fits perfectly for each phone (but a little more snug with the iPhone 6 plus). It is completely waterproof and takes great photos and video through the case but you have to press record prior to submerging the case underwater.

    My family went snorkeling and kept the case with the phone inside submerged almost the entire time and had no issues with leakage. My family and I got stopped numerous times being asked where we purchased this product. Perfect even if just on the beach and you do not want to get sand or sunscreen on your phone and want to still take photos/text/browse the internet while on the beach. I will be purchasing this for everyone in my family as it has become a travel must-have! I highly recommend this product." —Jennifer Roman

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in 14 colors).

    25. And finally, a rechargeable handheld fan because nothing ruins a care-free vacay vibe like sweating your buns off on day three of sightseeing under the blistering sun.

    Here's why BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde loves this:

    "I bought this to take on a summer trip to Disney World and let me tell you — it's the only way I survived!! Every day got well into the 90s, but I kept this pointed at my face whenever I wasn't soaking up air conditioning. I was seriously impressed with how powerful it was and how I instantly felt less sweaty. The charge lasts about a day if you use it sparingly (or a few hours of continuous use), so make sure to charge it nightly if you're on a trip. The fan has three speed settings, and it folds so you can prop it up on a table."

    Promising review: "I have ZERO complaints!!! My sister got married outdoors and I decided I needed a fan as I sweat a lot. Suffice to say I LOVE IT! I was cool the entire time in the sun, it has a handle and is not too big which makes it easy to tag along any- and everywhere. You won’t regret this purchase." —DIONNE HOOK

    Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in five colors).

    Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!

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