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 50-count set of laundry soap sheets that make on-the-go laundry an absolute breeze and can be easily used in a sink. No need to buy liquid bulky detergent when you get there or worry about finding an available washer and dryer.
These work best with hand-washing!
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 a pack of 50 from Amazon for $10.95.
2. A sturdy, lightweight eight-compartment pill organizer so you not only have all your supplements and meds ready to rock during your travels, but you're also organized to a TEE ~and~ have space for extra pills you might need in case of emergency headache, tummy upset, etc.
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 have the larger compartments too. You can fit wrapped cough drops or other medications in those. Highly recommend!!" —Sydney Harsh
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $7.97.
3. A set of travel compression cubes perfect for trips where you need a variety of options but you don't want to take up too much space in your suitcase. Not to worry, light packing has never been so simple and stress-free.
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 a two-pack from Amazon for $18.95.
4. A shoe bag to compactly store shoes in your carry-on with minimal space and without getting street dirt all over your clean clothes. It's designed to fit at least three pairs, but some reviewers say they fit up to five.
Promising review: "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (Women's size 6.5 shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack; this helped cut down space and stress immensely!" —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in nine colors and patterns).
5. An ergonomic Trtl neck pillow scientifically proven to help prevent stiff necks and sore shoulders during your travels so you can get some much-needed rest, relaxation, and shut-eye even if your seat isn't the comfiest place to nest. PLUS, it takes up waaay less space than most other neck pillow options.
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: "Got the regular trtl pillow and so far have just tested at home. It is definitely more comfortable than a standard travel pillow. I like that it is compact and comes with a bag that can attach to your carry-on. It's small enough to fit in a bag but if you need to clip it to the outside you don't have to worry about it falling off or brushing up against stuff in the airport. I'm about to go on a long flight so will update the review after that experience but so far so good." —Dean
Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in five colors).
6. A dual voltage mini steam iron which is *the* compact solution for wrinkle-free clothes on-the-go. This lil' travel essential ensures you always look polished and put-together, no matter where your adventures take you.
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.
7. A packing checklist because there's nothing worse than trying your best to be meticulous when pre-packing the night before your trip ONLY to discover on the way to the airport that you forgot that one thing you told yourself you wouldn't (like socks or dental floss). Say goodbye to last-minute scrambles and hello to smooth sailing.
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+ (available in three colors/styles).
8. A lightweight, water-resistant Neutrogena SPF 50 face and body stick sunscreen if you're seeking a TSA- and carry-on approved solution to protecting your gorgeous face from the harsh rays of the sun, especially if your seat mate insists on keeping the window shades open in-flight.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly brought this on an international trip and loved it: "I first bought this for a week-long Croatian vacation last year when I did carry-on, and as long as you are *thoroughly* reapplying, this stuff stays on pretty well. On a beach club afternoon, I did haphazardly reapply and missed a strip on one arm, but I tend to do that with spray-on or lotion sunscreen, too. 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 $8.82.
9. An all-in-one universal wall adapter so you have everything you need to power up your devices wherever you go without weighing down your luggage or worrying over switching between adapters for multiple countries.
The charger can be used in Europe, the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, Russia, Asia, Central America, South America, and the Middle East.
Promising review: "If you travel a lot, especially internationally, this is a must-have because you have every kind of adapter on one plug and don’t have to worry about constantly buying a certain adapter every time you travel to a different country. This has it all." —Abby Santiago
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four colors).
10. A pack of silicone travel bottles if you're like me and insist on having your extra special shampoo and conditioner with you on your trip even if the full-sized regular bottles of 'em would never ~fly~ with TSA... so to speak.
*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 $12.99 (available in three sizes and a variety of colors).
11. A carry-on friendly travel Gillette razor designed for convenience and performance, allowing for a clean, close shave free of bumps without sacrificing space in your bag or quality. Seriously, don't even THINK of using those ultra cheap ones that accidentally nick your skin.
It comes with one handle, one blade refill, and a carrying case!
Promising review: "I got this for a vacation and it was great! The little carrying container is awesome, and keeps you from having a weird, loose razor floating around in your suitcase. Plus, the heads are the same as a regular-sized razor, so you can keep using it when that one is worn out!" —Tegan H
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
12. A tiny retractable travel lint roller that gets the job of done just as well as a larger, more traditional one in removing lint, fuzz and pet hair from your clothes, plus it comes in a sleek case to make sure it doesn't stick to anything in your suicase.
It's also refillable.
Promising reviews: "Love this! Other lint rollers are horrible for traveling; they always stick to stuff or you have to put them in a resealable plastic bag. I loved this so much I even bought one for my daughter-in-law and her mom!" —Barbara
"Great to give, great to have! Giving this to my wife for a stocking stuffer since she really liked the one I had for travel. It's a beautiful travel-hack item to ensure your black clothes stay lint-free (or animal hair-free). Rolls back up into its own casing and back in the bag. Done! SIMPLE!" —Andrew Marquez
Get it in hot pink from Amazon for $17.59.
13. A compact, carry-on friendly portable espresso maker which not only lets you use Nespresso pods (how cool is that??), it's totally hand-operated with no battery or electricity needed. Enjoy a steaming hot cup of java anytime, anywhere you like it.
Promising review: "The best thing for traveling ever!! I have to have espresso every morning and most small hotels and gas stations don't have espresso coffee so this is perfect! Easy to use. The cleaning takes 30 seconds; just rinse with water and let it dry." —Joanna Verdeja
Get it from Amazon for $54.90 (and here is a variety of pack Nespresso pods to go with it).
14. A plush microfiber makeup-removing cloth to gently remove gunk, grime and all manner of makeup from your face using *only water* — which means even if you don't bring or run out of face wash and makeup remover, you're good to go.
Promising review: "This is incredible! I can't believe how well this works! I travel a lot for work and usually take makeup remover wipes because of the liquid restrictions for travel, but they are expensive and heavy. I have been using this cloth all week and LOVE IT! A bit of warm water and everything comes off in a few easy swipes. I am super excited to travel with this. It weighs nothing and rolls up to take very little space. I am ordering another for my mom who also travels. Highly recommend!" —KT
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in five colors).
15. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount so you can binge all your fave Netflix shows and movies without having to travel with a bulky iPad or laptop. Mount it to a tray table, armrest, or even the handle of your suitcase, and enjoy.
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
Perilogics is a small biz that specializes in tech-oriented travel products and backpacks.
Get it from Amazon for $13.97.
16. A waterproof pouch to keep your smartphone safe and dry even if you plan to be around pools, lakes, rivers, the ocean, and well...any body of water, really (though it also helps prevent dirt, sand, and grime from getting in the crevices). BONUS: You can still use your touchscreen with it on, so get ready for underwater photos galore.
Promising review: "I purchased this case in July for an upcoming canoe trip with a friend, and as luck would have it, we flipped our canoe. Being the rebel that I am, I chose not to wear my phone around my neck, and so it, my ID, and my debit card ended up at the bottom of the river and I just assumed it would be discovered a thousand years from now and placed in a museum as an ancient artifact. Fast forward to this week. I was contacted via FB by an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office diver and guess what he found? Yup, my phone case with all of the contents intact and dry as a bone! He had to cut the case open, but there was not one single drop of water in it and he ended up purchasing a case for himself because he was just that impressed!" —Julie McDonald
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 14 colors).
17. A waterproof Kindle perfect for spending time with a good read in a hot tub or near any body of water without ever worrying about destroying your device. Get ready to zip through your ever-growing TBR list.
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. You have to have internet and it only shows books. This is not a tablet to surf the internet or use other apps on." —R@L0
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in 8GB and 16GB sizes and in three colors).
18. A set of Sea Bands designed to target a specific acupressure point on your wrists that can help ease nausea and motion sickness. It's a great drug-free, holistic alternative to other methods whether you're *trying* to enjoy a cruise, car ride, or airplane ride without feeling sick.
19. A reusable, microwave-safe collapsible coffee cup that's truly worlds better than a bulky thermos that's going to take up away too much room in your carry-on. Sip away in ultimate style.
Psst: 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 writes: "This is of the first zero-waste swaps I made and I've never looked back. If you buy to-go coffee – whether you're jet-setting or just grabbing a mid-day pick-me-up — this cup is a must-have. So long as you remember to bring it, it's all the convenience of to-go coffee with none of the waste. It's leakproof and, when you're all done, it collapses down teeny tiny and can be tossed back in your bag. Oh! And it comes with a straw, so all you iced coffee lovers can get in on the action, too."
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 three sizes and a variety of colors).
20. A lightweight money belt with a hidden zip-up pocket so you can keep your cash and card close and safely tucked away so you can explore the world worry-free.
Promising review: "Wore this belt on a recent 10-day trip, with several hundred dollars neatly folded in its full-length zippered pocket. The bills (USD) had to be folded lengthwise, in thirds, and for practical reasons, in stacks of 4–5 (or less). My belt had room for four such stacks, so theoretically $2,000 could be comfortably carried in complete concealment. The nylon buckle was perfectly adequate for its purpose, and nothing about the belt would indicate its hidden purpose. Well worth it." —Tony B.
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available for pant sizes 20"–50" and six colors).
21. A handy dandy jewelry organizer if you're sick and tired of needlessly untangling your necklaces after they've been in-transit. Ensure nothing gets lost, broken or becomes unwearable on your trip.
22. A satin-lined Hairbrella which won't dry out your hair or cause frizz once you take it off but WILL absolutely protect your locks from rain, mist and moisture. Incredible.
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
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that specializes in hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather.
Get it from Amazon for $39+ (available in nine colors).
23. A multi-tool Wallet Ninja with 18 different functions (um, whoa) that'll allow you to easily open bottles and cans, hold up your cell phone, peel fruit, and even screw in nails on the go. It's the ultimate travel survival tool that takes up nearly NO space.
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 say t 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. 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
"I bought this as a gift for my husband. I can't tell you how many times this little card has come in handy. We take it with us when we travel and we always end up using it." —Andy Aguirre
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in packs of two, three, and five).
24. A portable white-noise machine if you're a light sleeper like me and want to be able to sleep ANYWHERE (even noisy hotels) without worrying over getting proper shut eye.
Promising review: "I was skeptical at first about how well this little noise machine would work in my hotel room (I am a frequent business traveler). However, skepticism gave way to satisfaction. This little sound machine blocked out hotel noises very well and helped me sleep through the night. For a little machine, it provides very good volume and different noise options. I highly recommend this product!" —Amazon reviewer
Get it from Amazon for $25.28+ (available in packs of two or three).
25. A Hackwith Design House shirt so you can wear the same top FIVE different ways on your trip without anyone ever being the wiser. Talk about a light packer's dream.
Promising review: "I’m being honest when I tell you this is the most 'worth-it' top around. I read a review from some frequent flyer who claims this is her go-to for flying. She said aside from the top’s flexibility – which allows much less packing as the top itself looks and behaves like four shirts and a jacket – it’s a savior on planes because it allows you to get into a usually overheated plane, and to weather the transition to iceberg that happens about twenty minutes into most flights, and it holds its shape and looks great. I was skeptical, as I do not have the money to blow on someone else’s opinion, but my husband told me to try it as I have the same issues with temps. Long story short, I got it. It’s a gorgeous fabric despite my usually hating the ribbed thing. It’s nice. REALLY nice. Yes, it’s extraordinarily flexible, and yes, it’s like a jacket,. There is a travel shirt Santa Claus. Ordering in the off-white now. Glad I read the article, and glad I bought the shirt. You should too." —Mary B.
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business that creates made-to-order apparel. This shirt can be worn as a V-neck, off-the-shoulder, boatneck, V-back, and even open as a jacket.
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and five colors).
26. A transparent TSA-approved toiletry bag perf for carrying all your TSA-compliant liquids and toiletries while keeping track of 'em all and preventing accidental sticky suitcase leaks and situations.
Promising review: "This bag held surprisingly more than expected. I put tiny travel jars for my skincare creams and other small toiletries in it with room to spare. I definitely feel like it was easier to pack and was also easy to grab out of my bag for security. It feels sturdy with nice, thick vinyl. The double zipper moved easily, and I was pleased that it opened completely for ease of getting the items I needed out of it." —Mrs M Tate
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
27. And a small power bank charger (with a flashlight so you can easily find it in your bag) to give your smartphone and other devices a quick, much-needed boost anytime, anywhere even if you're nowhere near a place to sit, plug, and wait.
Promising review: "This little gem is amazing! This year we were fortunate enough to do some local traveling and attend quite a few concerts this year. I take a ton of videos and pictures, often draining the battery. This power-packed product charged not only my phone when it was low, but my boyfriend’s AND the girl next to her!! Since you can only take small bags into venues, this slipped right into the pocket behind my phone! We had numerous comments on it because of the little paw charge indicator. The flashing came in handy a few times when we found ourselves in the dark! I will be buying more and giving them as gifts this year!" —Annetastic
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors).
28. Orrrr a 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger if you need something that takes up as LITTLE (get it?) room as possible but still need a spot for your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch to charge *all at the same time*...truly magic. When finished, simply fold into a sweet little square.
Check out a TikTok of the foldable 3-in-1 charger in action.
Promising review: "This is a MUST-HAVE!! I love this charging station - it literally is the best! I use it every day at home and bring it with me when I travel. It's super functional and space friendly. I love how you can feel the magnetic connections to confirm that your device is attached and charging. I appreciate how you can fold it into a triangle to allow your phone to charge while you watch your favorite show too." —Shawna Heck
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in nine colors).
29. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter which allows you to connect your favorite wireless earbuds to the headphone jack on your flight (genius). Don't bother carrying multiple headphones or settling for subpar options onboard and enjoy seamless entertainment without compromise.
You can even pair two sets of headphones at once to the AirFly! They work on gym and gaming equipment, too.
Promising review: "Worked beautifully on a recent eight-hour flight from New York City to Frankfurt! Really easy to pair with my Bose noise-canceling earbuds and charges quickly. The sound quality was excellent. I'm so excited about this product that I'm going to buy one for each of my family members!" —emily p murray
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 (also available in three other styles).
30. A lightweight, waterproof Baboon To The Moon carry-on duffel slash backpack available in a slew of gorgeous colors and featuring a slew of top-tier features: lockable zippers, internal stash compartments, an ultra-wide opening, durable design and more. Easily stash in under your seat when it's time for take-off.
Pssst: It also comes with a lifetime warranty!
Promising reviews: "This bag is amazing. Tons of space. I am an elementary school teacher, and normally have about 3-4 bags I haul around. I originally bought this to be a gym bag, but now it’s my everyday commuter bag. It holds my laptop, snacks, chargers, paperwork, lunchbox, portable speaker, and a bunch of random teacher things. I love the protection of having the zipper against your back so there’s no wondering if someone is opening your bag behind you. Super sturdy, waterproof, oh, and the straps are SO COMFORTABLE! Like, for real, better than any backpacking backpack. 11/10" —Brianna M.
"My go-to bag for travel. As someone who is vehemently against checking in bags at the airport, this Go-Bag is the perfect item. Easy to transport and small enough to be taken as a carry-on, yet still spacious for all your essentials." —David C.
Get it from Baboon to the Moon for $159 (available in 13 colors).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.