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. An ultra-supportive Trtl neck pillow to make the whole falling asleep while sitting upright position thing possible (and comfy). Is there any better way to pass the time on a plane than with a nice, long nap? I don't think so.
Promising review: "I am a terrible flyer who recently took the red-eye from Dubai to Chicago (15 hours). The Trtl Pillow was a mini lifesaver! I was able to comfortably rest my head on the support and felt warm enough to actually doze off...a rare accomplishment for this skittish flyer. The Velcro works wonderfully with regard to adjustment, and I liked wrapping the fabric around my mouth and nose. Sort of felt cozy...even if I did look like a ninja in a neck brace! Overall, this product has changed the way that I fly, and I am so thankful for this invention and the opportunity to support a small company with big ideas." —S.Viruly
Get it from Amazon for $60.99+ (available in four colors and in a breathable style).
2. An airplane phone mount so you can watch your favorite downloaded shows/movies on your flight — because sometimes the airline doesn't offer your comfort characters on their entertainment menu or worse...there's no television at all.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel, too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well-built, and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far, it still feels solid, and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in three colors).
3. A collapsible water bottle because as much as you may love your stainless-steel one at home, leave it there during your trip. It'll be much easier to carry around this lightweight option when you're out and about on excursions and city tours, trust.
Promising review: "These were perfect for three days of trekking around the Universal theme parks. Very handy that they collapse to pocket size, but hold a very generous amount of water. Probably saved us $100 in bottled water costs (at $6 per bottle). Really like this product!" —Clay Weisenberger
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors, and other sizes/pack sizes).
4. A reviewer-favorite Dagne Dover duffel bag small enough to fit under an airplane seat but large enough to hold your essentials for quick weekend trips or long airplane journeys alike.
BuzzFeed's Emma McAnaw says: "My Dagne Dover duffle fits soooooo much more than it seems (especially when you fight to the death to fit everything like I do), and it's a super easy carry-on! I just put it under the seat so I don't have to fight people to get the overhead bin space. Also, I've gotten away with bringing it for free on airlines that try to charge for carry-ons because it looks so small."
Get it from Dagne Dover for $125+ (available in five sizes and six colors).
5. A shampoo bar so you can wave goodbye to the days of having to pour your shampoo into tiny bottles you could get through TSA. Not only are these so easy to toss into your carry-on or suitcase for your next trip, but they're also a good choice for those looking to cut down on their plastic use.
Promising review: "I was definitely skeptical about a bar shampoo and conditioner, but I travel a lot and really wanted to cut down the use of plastic products as much as possible. I honestly am in love! I got the Heali Kiwi shampoo bar and the Wonderbar conditioner, as well as one of their eco-friendly bamboo and sugar cane storage containers, and my very long, fine oily hair, which I do have to wash daily, looks and feels great. I recommend anyone on the fence to definitely give it a try! It works! So wonderful for travel too!" —M.A.
Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in eight varieties).
6. A portable door lock that'll provide some extra security and peace of mind in hotel rooms, hostels, and Airbnbs.
Just be aware that this may get flagged if you bring it through security, so it's best to bring this in a checked bag!
Promising review: "My apartment door has a deadbolt but no lock on the door handle. The latch is also misplaced, so if it’s not dead-bolted, anyone can just push my door open. Took a few tries to get this right but makes me feel much more secure, and it’s easy to use when you get the hang of it! I also take this when traveling as it fits almost all doors. Definitely recommend, thanks TikTok for showing this to me." —Anna
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
7. A travel belt to help free up a hand or some weight on your shoulder by allowing you to clip your personal bag to your suitcase and/or carry-on. Where has this been all my travel life?!
The travel belt is adjustable to 38 inches to fit most bags. The belt itself is vegan leather with elastic accents and a quick-release buckle.
Cincha Travel is a small business in California that develops 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. Plus, they were featured on Shark Tank where they made a deal with Barbara!
Promising review: "Love this! I am constantly struggling between holding my jacket and two carry-ons. This is the perfect solution! I can’t wait to start using it when I’m back to regular business travel." —Allison
Get it from Amazon (available in 17 styles) and Cincha Travel (available in 23 styles) for $39.99.
8. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter that'll allow you to connect your wireless Bluetooth headphones to the airplane entertainment system. It's a heck of a lot better than dealing with the junk headphones the airline tries to sell you.
Promising review: "Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, has very clear and reliable audio, and takes the stress away from having to carry multiple headsets! Thank you!!!" —Ryan Malloy
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two colors and three styles).
9. And a pair of AirPods Pro to make listening to your music, audiobooks, shows, and movies nice and crisp.
Promising review: "I wish I could give more than 5 stars. I’m a very picky person when it comes to what sounds are flooding my ears and I tell you, I’ve owned Bose and thought those were the game changers. I was more than pleasantly surprised at how these sound and fit. I’ve never used any Apple products in my ears, especially with the price of Apple nowadays. These are hands down the best ear buds I’ve ever owned! They stay perfectly in place through some rigorous working out as well!" —Renee N. Raymond
Get it from Amazon for $238.74.
10. A Kindle Paperwhite because when you think about the fact that you can download numerous books before your trip onto this lightweight e-reader that takes up less space than ONE book...well...it's kinda a no-brainer that you'd need to bring it on your vacay.
I did it. I caved on October Prime Day and bought myself this Kindle Paperwhite, and boy am I glad I did. For starters, I always thought of myself as someone who preferred physical books over e-books. There's just something SO exciting to me about unboxing a book order or walking into a book store and spending way too much money. I even spent two years creating a rainbow library on my bookshelf in my apartment. BUT! After taking two vacations this year and realizing how annoying it is to pack physical books and moving somewhere that requires a long train ride to get to the city (aka increased boredom), I decided to just get myself a Kindle. For starters, I'm reading more on this Kindle in the past month than I have all year. It is incredibly lightweight (it fits into my small little BELT BAG WITH ROOM TO SPARE!!!), easy to use, and not to mention, a really great investment! I have three free months of Kinde Unlimited which means access to tons of great books for free, but the best is Libby! I just go on the Libby app from my phone, choose a Kindle book to check out through my local library, and boom, it's instantly delivered to my Amazon account to add to my Kindle library. It's safe to say I'm obsessed.
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available with or without three months of Kindle Unlimited and ads, in 8 GB or 16 GB versions, as well as a kids version).
11. A fanny pack for an easy way to carry around any essentials you may need at your destination. Plus, it features a hidden pocket perfect for discreetly storing your most important belonging!
Promising review: "Very happy with my purchase. Got this for my trip to Colombia. I was looking at more expensive fanny packs but settled on this for the reviews. It’s very well-made for the price. It withstood many hikes to waterfalls, horseback riding, and city tours among others. I wore it as shown in the picture and love the fact that there’s a pocket that’s hidden that sits on my chest at all times where I kept my passport, extra cash, and travel documents. I was able to fit my camera, iPhone, earbuds, shades, charger, and a couple of other knickknacks without a problem. Wasn’t a fanny pack guy before now but I’m a believer LOL." —IWG MD
Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in two sizes and 31 colors).
12. A zipper puller to make the near-impossible task of zipping up your dress by yourself during solo travel SO EASY! FINALLY!
Promising review: "For decades, I've been going through contortions to zip up zippers at the back of my dresses or tops when my husband is not on hand to help me. But recently, I bought a really cute, REALLY snug (at the rib cage) jacquard dress for an upcoming event that I will dress for alone at a hotel. When I first tried it on at the store, I had to ask another customer in the dressing room to zip me up and down...there was just no way I could contort enough to do it myself. But I wanted the dress. So when I got home, I went on Amazon to see what kind of zipper puller uppers were out there. I was hoping to spend $10–12, but after reading all the reviews, I decided I had to have something that would not fail me. So I ordered the Zipuller because it had the best reviews and looked the sturdiest. It has worked every time I have used it. Even on that really snug dress. The zipper tab didn't come out of the clasp when I was zipping past the hardest part. Yay! I'm sold and won't be without it from here on out when I know I will need help." —Southern Gal
Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in three colors).
13. A charging station with SIX USB ports that anyone who has ever shared a hotel room with family or friends knows will be SUPREMELY helpful! There never seem to be enough outlets in the room for your stuff alone. Throw a couple more people and their devices into the mix, and you might as well be stranded on a desert island.
Promising review: "This is a great product! I travel frequently, and I am always challenged with the number of USB ports I can get with the number of outlets available (and where) in hotel rooms. With this product, the number of ports problem goes away, and what's great is that it extends the charger interface out from behind a bed or nightstand, or other inconvenient receptacle location, up onto a work surface for easy access. As far as power, I have had an Asus transformer, two iPads, HTC one M8, and two iPhones connected to it at the same time, charging for hours with no heat on the device whatsoever. It works great at home too. I have always had good luck with Anker products, good quality." —bishop
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in black and white).
14. A hydrating moisturizer if a few hours spent in a metal tube in the sky leaves your skin feeling dryer than the Sahara. Its formulated with rosemary, chamomile, and pansy extract as well as sunflower and sweet almond oils to deliver a delicious dose of hydration. Plus, its 2.5-ounce tube means you can bring it through security, no problem!
Promising review: "I am a flight attendant and this is my go-to hand cream! It is a little greasy when you first start rubbing it in, but it absorbs quickly and that along with the smell (a bit medicinal) dissipates before you know it. It doesn't take much of this at all. I rub a little on my tired feet at the end of the day as well, and trust me I have tired feet after being on them for 14-plus hours. This stuff works great for this as well. Win-win, Weleda!" —Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
15. A clear travel case that not only looks super chic but will allow you to actually see what's inside. It's great for toiletries, cosmetics, medications — you name it, it can hold it!
It's TSA-approved!
Truffle is a woman-owned small business specializing in bags and accessories that are perfect for travel and prevent the utilization of single-use plastic bags.
Promising review: "I love the items I purchased in Dove Grey! I will be buying the rest of the collection and more! Not only am I using them for travel, but for everyday use. Very stylish and great for organization!" —Cassandra S.
Get it from Truffle for $65+ (available in three sizes and seven colors).
16. And on the subject of things to hold your toiletries, this organizer is another great option. It comes equipped with pouches and slots inside to help you organize by category/need. It's also made with a hanger piece on top, so you can put it on the towel hook of the bathroom door, hang it inside the closet when you're not using it, etc.
Promising review: "Seriously?! Do you see how much this holds?! Full shampoo bottles, face washes, hair brush...everything I could need or want to bring FITS IN THIS ONE BAG! And it’s so cute! Feels like great quality, too — all the hardware came with protective wraps to keep from scratching, and the zippers feel very hardy. The hook at the top is also VERY WELL-SECURED to the bag; it’s double stitched to the top panel and almost feels like seatbelt material. And I love the extra pockets and netting inside. I would absolutely recommend this!" —mahea_c
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in six colors).
17. A weighted eye mask that contours to your face and reviewers love for traveling. Finally! Sleeping on a plane IS possible!
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 $16.99+ (available in seven colors).
18. A pair of compression socks for potentially bringing sweet relief to feet that tend to swell during air travel.
Read more about compression socks and swelling on long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "Game changer. I bought these to wear on the plane. Usually when I fly my ankles are swollen for days. These socks kept swelling to a minimum. So glad I bought them." —MeganLucey
Get them from Amazon for $14.32+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and 13 styles).
Check out my colleague's Physix Gear compression socks review for more deets!
19. A cable organizer bag because tossing all your chargers and wired devices into your luggage and having to detangle all of them once you get to your destination is a game no one wants to play — especially when your phone battery is in the red zone and you only have a little bit of time to juice it up before heading out for dinner.
Mister Crafter is a small business that creates handmade, personalizable travel products, wallets, and accessories made from 100% top-quality genuine cowhide leather.
Promising review: "I bought this for my husband before a trip and he loved it! The quality and durability were obvious the moment I took it out of the box. Definitely recommend this company and product." —Maureen Murphy-Weiss
Get it from Mister Crafter on Etsy for $39.80+ (available in two sizes and two colors, personalization also available).
20. A super cool Cadence leakproof containers to hold medication, skincare, and other liquids/creams. They're TSA-approved so you don't need to worry about buying travel-sized versions of products you don't even use, come in a bunch of lovely colors to mix and match, and they're magnetic so feel free to re-arrange them however you'd like!
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.
My co-worker Abby Kass has these and loves them! Here's what she has to say about 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 (like I did from my face wash bottle that will not be making the trip with me next time. SMH). These are an incredibly useful tool anyone who travels will want in their luggage."
Get a set of six from Cadence for $84 (available in eight colors).
21. A waterproof, satin-lined Hairbrella that'll ensure your hair stays dry on your trip and your hands stay free to hold more important things (like a yummy snack or a fun souvenir).
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that has been creating fashionable hats that protect natural hair.
Promising review: "I traveled to London last month with a raincoat that did not have a hood, and I wanted something that would protect my head/hair/blowout without lugging an umbrella. This definitely did the trick. Two of the three days were rainy (some quite heavy), and my hair stayed totally dry. It stows nicely, too. I'm still learning how to adjust it while it's on my head (easier to adjust first and then put it on). Also, when I do have it tightened/pulled to the right place, the loop/slack from where I adjusted it sort of sticks out and gets in my peripheral vision. I wish the adjustment/clasp was less prominent. But, all in all, this is perfect for anyone who wants to keep their blowout fresh in the rain." —Miss Information
Get it from Amazon for $44.
22. A pack of travel-sized antibacterial wipes great for wiping down your seat and tray, as well as your hands before ripping open a bag of airline cookies.
23. A mini handheld fan if your travels take you somewhere hot or the travel part itself (i.e. schlepping your belongings through the airport, sitting in a stuffy mode of transportation for hours) gets you a bit overheated. Ahhh, sweet relief is finally here.
Promising review: "I have ZERO complaints!!! My sister got married outdoors, and I decided I needed a fan as I sweat a lot. Suffice it 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 $14.99+ (available in seven colors).
24. A 4-in-1 makeup pen that's an eyeliner, brow liner, lip liner, and highlighter all in one fabulous little tool reminiscent of those retractable pens you may have used in your school days. What a great (and super fun way) to save space in your makeup bag!
This is cruelty- and paraben-free and vegan! Plus, it comes in recyclable packaging. Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz selling a wonderful assortment of beauty products.
My colleague Genevieve Scarano loves this makeup pen! Here's her review:
"This little pen is a big help, because I don't need to keep a mountain of cosmetics in my drawer *and* it makes quick touch-ups so easy. It comes with four (yes, not kidding here!) makeup products: an eyeliner, highlighter, lipliner, and an eyeliner/eyebrow pencil. Just click each side down, apply to your eyes, lips, and face, and you'll be good to go. If you're going to be out and about, this tiny tool easily fits in a purse or pocket, so you can bring it with you and still have room for essentials. Plus, you won't have to worry if your eyeliner smudges, your lip color comes off, or your brows need a little TLC, because this gem will be there when you need to reapply makeup again."
Get it from Alleyoop (available in three shades) and Amazon (available in two shades) for $20.
25. A pack of odor-eliminators because there's a good chance you're familiar with the experience that is your stinky shoes and sweaty/dirty clothes leaving behind a not-so-desirable stench in your bag or making your clean clothes smell bad. These are here to help prevent that.
The charcoal bag has no smell and absorbs excess moisture to prevent mold, mildew, and bacteria from forming on your clothes and in your bag. You can use them for up to two years, but you should put them outside in the sun for an hour once a month so they can ~rejuvenate~.
Promising review: "These are the best travel buddies! I always pack one of these in my luggage and one in my boyfriend's. While traveling, we sometimes don't get to wash all our clothes, but these bags are brilliant at absorbing the smell of sweat on our clothes and shoes!" —J. L.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.95.
26. An ultra cozy hoodie you'll never ever wanna be without. This comes with eye covers so you can look forward to a comfy trip spent sleeping like a bb.
Pond Los Angeles is an Asian woman-owned small biz that sells luxury travel products!
Promising review: "I fly a lot and am constantly trying to find a hoodie with a big hood to cover my eyes so I can catch up on some beauty sleep on the flight. I saw this product on Instagram and knew it would be a game changer. I was able to use it recently for the first time on an early morning flight, and let me tell you; it is EVERYTHING I was looking for and more. It’s comfy, cozy, and oversized, and the eye covers make you feel like you’re in a whole other world and not packed like a sardine on a plane. My over-ear headphones fit perfectly under it, and I got the best sleep I’ve had on a plane — EVER!" —Heather G.
Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $102.40 (available in women's sizes XS–XL and five colors).
27. A 2-in-1 hot tool if you often find yourself having to choose between a flat iron and a curling iron when packing and ultimately end up regretting whichever one you bring after a few days into the trip. Now you can bring BOTH without having to make room for two tools. Genius!
Promising review: "I really like this curler and flat iron. Heats up fast, cools fast, and the travel bag is perfect with the inside protected from the heat. Size is great and the end of the iron has a place for fingers not to burn. Very much worth the price to have flat iron and curling in one." —Karen Galligan
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
28. An anti-blister balm to apply before putting on your shoes so you can prevent those painful annoyances from even trying to happen — whether you're walking miles a day in a big city or dashing from ride to ride at a theme park, your feet will be happy you prepped them ahead of time.
This is made of allergen-free, plant-derived ingredients and infused with vitamins A and C!
Promising review: "This stuff is amazing! I wore heels that always gave me blisters for eight hours, and I didn't get a single one when using this balm. It really worked! I plan on getting it again and again. I always have it in my bag at work, just in case. I did find it necessary to reapply if I took my shoes off and put them on again." —Donna
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
29. A Gold Bond Friction Defense stick for swiping over areas prone to chafing and hopefully helping stop it in its tracks. There's nothing worse than a day of walking around a theme park ruined by that dreadful pain.
Promising review: "I live in Florida and have thick thighs and this product is a lifesaver! Even after 12 hours at a theme park in 100-degree weather, it held up great and no chub rub afterwards!" —Kira Frascella
Get it from Amazon for $9.17.
30. A set of waterproof phone pouches to help keep your phone dry when braving a storm at your destination or partaking in water excursions/sports.
Before I left for my trip to see Taylor Swift in Nashville earlier this year, the forecast was predicting pretty heavy rain. If you're a Swiftie like I am, then you know that Taylor LOVES a rain show so you better come prepared with everything you need to get through hours of singing and dancing in the rain. I bought these cases because I knew I'd want to take photos and videos (and because I had just gotten a new phone and wasn't trying to water damage it a month later). Alas, I attended the infamous Nashville night three rain show that was delayed several hours and went until 1:30 a.m. because of how bad the storm was. I kept my phone in one of these pouches and was able to get the photos and videos I wanted without ANY damage to my phone. A couple months later, these came in handy yet again when I went to see the Jonas Brothers opening night at Yankee Stadium to pouring rain during intermission. I will always keep these on hand for outdoor concerts in inclement weather as well as any water activities I may find myself doing on future vacations!
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 13 color combos and sets of four).
31. An acupressure anti-nausea wristband that claims to ward off motion sickness and nausea, minus the drowsiness side effect found in most nausea medications.
For more info on how to use acupressure for nausea management, check out this guide from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review: "I wished I had 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." —Mimi145
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.52 (available in adult and children's sizes).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.