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 waterproof Kindle for lounging at the pool and reading the latest Akwaeke Emezi title. No need to waste space packing a dozen books when you can have hundreds of books at the ready and at your fingertips.
BuzzFeed writer Haley Zovickian only has great things to say about this:
"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. 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).
2. A shoe bag if you don't want your dirty hiking boots touching the white pants you packed. This durable and water-resistant bag has three layers that can hold up to size 13 shoes, and two more compartments for holding flip-flops or sandals.
Promising review: "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this (size 6.5 female 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/patterns).
3. A wireless transmitter because now you can use your wireless headphones anywhere there's a headphone jack. Easily watch movies while you're on the plane!
Promising review: “I fly a lot and bought this due to my dislike of corded headphones, as either the cable line breaks during flight and/or it gets tangled up. I just recently flew and used this for the in-flight entertainment, and did not have one issue. I also use these in the gym while connected to my iPhone for music. And I plan to use them on my PC at work for meetings.” —Marky
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three styles and two colors).
4. A waterproof phone pouch so you can go to the beach or pool without worrying about water damage to your phone. Wanna take a picture or send a text? No worries! You can still use your phone's touchscreen through the pouch.
It's designed to fit any phone up to 100mm x 170mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches).
Promising reviews: "A vacation essential. I was skeptical about the case protecting my phone, but while kayaking on vacation, my phone fell in the water and was submerged in 6 feet of water. I was able to recover the phone with no water damage whatsoever." —Will N.
"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 my phone, 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 $6.74+ (available in 14 colors and designs).
5. A rechargeable hand warmer to keep your hands nice and cozy if you're worried that they won't survive the lower temperatures you're traveling to. And with three heating levels, it can be customized to your comfort!
Promising reviews: "My husband and I go to Colorado every winter and when I found these, they became a game changer. They are so helpful, especially on the mountain skiing, or when we went snowmobiling. I didn’t have any trouble with the battery lasting and I would just recharge at the end of each day! I’ll never suffer through the cold elements again without it!" —Amazon Customer
“This hand warmer is amazing! My hands are constantly cold and I've tried all sorts of products to help keep them warm but nothing has worked until now. I charge the hand warmer every night with a standard USB charger and the next day, I have hours of warmth.” —RK
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in nine colors/patterns).
6. A portable stack of 50 games you and the family can play on the go. Whether your kids are tired of watching the same episode of Bluey on their iPad or have no interest in watching the clouds from thousands of feet in the sky, these games will help keep them entertained for the whole ride.
Promising reviews: "Traveled with seven kids and these games were fun and entertaining." —Titaniumgal98
"I got this to play with my kids on a long road trip. Even the 6 year old found games she thought were fun. We have played them during baseball games, on camping trips, while we are hiking, etc. Quite a few classics in there, but there are some I had never played as well. Very portable and convenient." —Tiffany
Get it from Amazon for $7.93.
7. An anti-nausea acupressure bracelet that may help prevent any day-ruining queasiness caused by road trips and boat rides.
Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising reviews: "I recently came back from a three-day cruise and I feel amazing. No nausea and no seasickness all because of these. I wish I found out about them sooner." —Eve
"I have now bought this for the third time. I wear them 24 hours a day, seven days a week because I suffer from extreme vertigo and when I wear this, I experience no vertigo whatsoever. They say not to wear them all the time, but it works!" —C51
Get the pack of two from Amazon for $8.53.
8. A dual voltage travel flat iron because if you want silky, straight hair when you're on the go, then you should be able to get silky, straight hair when you're on the go.
9. An expandable laundry bag perfect for keeping your dirty clothes separate from your clean when you're traveling. Oh and it's tear- and moisture-resistant!
Promising review: "This is great to throw in my suitcase. I unzip it and throw my dirty clothes in it to keep them separate from my clean packed clothes and take it straight to the washer when I get home. Compact and brilliant!" —Kelly Conrad
Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in seven patterns).
10. An easy-to-use Alleyoop 4-in-1 makeup pen if you're trying to pack light but your makeup bag is the size of a carry-on. This pen has an eyeliner, lip liner, eyebrow pencil and highlighter, so you have everything you need to pull off a lewk.
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz making products to help simplify your beauty routine.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jasmin Sandal has this and loves it:
"I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my 20s that had the ability to transport me back to something I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multitool pen... for my face. I gotta say, I love the concept of the Pen Pal from Alleyoop! After using all of the functions (eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, eyebrow pencil) and as someone who LOVES makeup but was applying as little as humanly possible during lockdown, I think it’s a great tool for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It's ideal to use for touch-ups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already overflowing makeup bag!"
Promising review: "The only product you'll ever need. I absolutely LOVE the Pen Pal, especially for travel. It's so nice and convenient to have a tool for brows, highlighter, bronzing, eyeliner, and lip liner all in one. Sometimes you have to 'warm up' the liner a little bit on your skin but it's so smooth and pigmented." —theshirshow
Get it from Amazon for $25 (available in three shades).
11. A contoured sleep mask because you deserve to sleep comfortably at the end of a long day of sightseeing. And since it's made of memory foam, this soft mask won't put any pressure on your eyes as you drift off.
Promising review: "I love everything about this product. I have tried others but the comfort and complete light blockage of this brand make them my first choice. They are very well constructed and because of that fact, they don’t touch your eye at all. The elasticized band holds well and can be adjusted so it doesn’t disturb your 'hairdo'! I highly recommend this mask!" —june
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in seven colors).
12. A travel shawl with UPF 50+ protection that'll block 98% of the sun's rays when traveling through hotter climes AND keep you warm as you check out the city's nightlife on a chilly evening. It's also pretty multi-talented since it can be used as a scarf, a poncho, or a blanket!
Promising review: "I love my new everywhere scarf/shawl. I purchased the silver for travel and am now wearing it almost daily. It is sooooo soft and versatile. Looks great with jeans and a sweater as a scarf. Looks really nice as a shawl with a dress or slacks and blouse. You will love how you feel wrapped up in it on an airplane or in the car on a trip. Don’t pass up owning this great accessory, enjoy it!" —George K.
Get it from Amazon for $46+ (available in eight colors).
13. A Sun Bum SPF 30 sunscreen stick so you can easily apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. This oil-free and water-resistant formula is packed with vitamin E to help reduce inflammation after UV exposure.
Promising reviews: "It works and is not greasy. I used this in Cancun and had no sunburns." —Mike
"This makes it so easy to apply sunscreen to your face! It’s the perfect size to throw in a purse or handbag when heading to the beach. I wore this (and reapplied) for a week in Aruba and didn’t burn once." —Kayla Turowsky
Get it from Amazon for $10.99.
14. A TSA-approved Alleyoop portable razor for giving yourself a little touch-up in the hotel bathroom before you head out for a night of dancing in that amazing mini dress.
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz making products to help simplify your beauty routine.
This pack includes a water spray bottle, a Shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges.
Promising review: "Great essential to have when traveling or on the go! Not to mention the soap smells amazing! Also includes two razor blades. Great value." —Myles Allbee
Get it from Amazon for $14 (available in two colors).
15. A portable cordless phone charger if your device is chronically under 10% when you're out and about. You don't want your phone creeping to 0% while you're using Google Maps to figure out exactly where you are.
Check out a TikTok of the portable charger in action.
Promising review: "The holy grail of portable chargers!!! I was traveling to Disney for vacation and knowing me, I would drain my battery with just taking pictures alone. I wanted a portable battery but didn’t want a carry a cord either, so I was excited when I found this little baby! It does exactly as described, has a pretty pink color, and I get one full charge of battery for my iPhone 11. Get it. You will not be disappointed!" —Meghan Doble
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (don't forget to clip the 15% off coupon; available in six colors).
16. A durable and super-accurate digital luggage scale because you bought a lot of new clothes on your journeys and you need to make sure your suitcase doesn't exceed your airline's weight maximum.
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising reviews: "I cannot imagine how we would have managed a big international trip without this. It saved us so much stress and, I’m sure, surprise charges at the airport." —Potter Freak
"This scale works and was accurate on four flights. First flight was a test at 46 pounds, and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds, and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49, but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost, must-have item for air travel." —Robert
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors and also a two-pack).
17. A pair of ballet flats that are not only super comfortable to walk in, but will also make getting through security just a little bit faster since there are no buckles, laces, or hooks.
FYI, this is included in Prime Try Before You Buy so you can give it a trial run if you're a member!
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 like Tieks and fit them in a semi-small purse to change into to dance at a wedding! Score!" —Kate
Get it from Amazon for $17.43+ (available in women's sizes 5–15, including wide sizes, and 29 designs).
18. A pack of four mini refillable perfume spray bottles for perfume you can safely take on your travels without TSA getting rid of them.
19. An airplane footrest if you need your legs to be slightly elevated to feel any level of comfort while you fly from Point A to Point B. Just hang it from the tray table arms and get cozy!
Promising review: "Purchased two of these for me and my boyfriend before a flight to Maui. I always bring a carry-on bag as a footrest to alleviate knee pain during hauls. This is easy to use and adjustable, which kept my legs from being stuck in one position the entire flight. The product is small and nonobtrusive, which allows adjacent seatmates to enter and exit the row without pause. The memory foam pad is awesomely plush yet still compact to travel. I have traveled to Africa, England, and France this year and I regret not having this product for those long hauls. I promise you I will never travel without it again! It is worth every dollar. Buy one! Gift one!" —Mr. Miners Mom
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in three colors).
20. A pack of 50 portable laundry soap sheets so you can hand-wash your clothes in the sink if ever you land somewhere that doesn't have a washing machine.
Promising review: "These little sheets are great for washing one or two garments in a sink. Worth the carry because they're better than hand soap or shower gel for washing clothes." —Judith B. White
Get a pack of 50 sheets from Amazon for $11.49.
21. And a portable pack of soap sheets because you can't trust gas station bathrooms to have, well, anything. These are also great for use when out hiking and camping.
Promising review: "I bring these with me whenever I travel. I recently got back from Namibia and Botswana. Can't even tell you how many times I found myself in a bathroom with no soap or in a location with no soap and sink after handling animals or about to eat a meal." —Hendo
Get a pack of 50 sheets from Amazon for $7.19.
22. A bug bite suction tool from Shark Tank if you're excited to roll your windows down but not about the fact that you'll be exposed to some nasty bloodsuckers on the road. It pretty much sucks the irritant out from under your skin so you can live an itch-free life.
Promising reviews: "I carried it with me throughout my travels as bugs love to eat me. Lifesaver. I rarely used my anti-itch cream and stuck to this." —Melly
"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. It arrived Monday and Tuesday morning I woke up with a bug bite on my arm, so I used this little tool (three times per the instructions) and immediately after use, it stopped itching! And less than 24 hours later the bite = gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing but that is a small price to pay IMO. Bottom line: it’s awesome. I’m carrying it with me everywhere!" —Rebecca
Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in four colors).
23. A super plush travel blanket perfect for napping with on the plane. Not only does it fold and zip into a bag you can attach to your luggage, but this fleece blanket also has a hood so you can really get comfy on your travels!
Promising review: "I brought this for a 10-hour overnight layover flight, and it was amazing. I take it with me on all my flights now. It attaches very easily to my carry-on and has a zipper section you can use to keep your important items. It definitely helped me take an easier rest knowing my phone, passport, and money were right on my chest. I’m getting another color now." —LeshawnT
Get it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in five colors).
24. Some noise-reduction earplugs to help prevent any in-flight discomfort. Don't let painful air pressure changes start your journey off on the wrong foot.
Promising review: "Never fly without these! Before I found these, I endured excruciating pain in my ears upon descent and landing. Felt like a hot poker being driven into each ear. My ears would also be plugged up, and it would often take two to three days for them to resume their normal state of being. I insert them about an hour before landing as the plane is making its slow descent. I'm comfortable and the most discomfort I experience is a slight adjustment of pressure feeling in my sinus. NO PAIN. NO TEARS." —K. Tombrella
Get three pairs from Amazon for $18.49 (also available in packs of five and 10).
25. A windproof packable puffer jacket that's lightweight enough to stuff in your bag but warm enough for a breezy day.
FYI, this is included in Prime Try Before You Buy so you can give it a trial run if you're a member!
Promising reviews: "It fits in the travel bag well and packs well in a suitcase." —Carrie Weidle
"I am so pleased with this jacket! Super lightweight and keeps you plenty warm. I REALLY love the pocket on the front which holds my cellphone comfortably and the bonus pockets on the inside. Love it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $59.97+ (available in women's sizes XS–3XL and in eight colors/patterns).
26. Flushable toilet seat covers because public bathrooms simply cannot be trusted to be clean or free of germs. These biodegradable paper seat covers will help give you a little peace of mind.
27. A portable door lock if you're scared of a potential break-in and need the added security to feel safe and comfortable in your hotel or Airbnb. This easily installs within seconds!
Promising review: I’m a flight attendant who basically lives in hotel rooms and I needed extra security. These seem to be the talk in the airline world so I ordered myself two. It took me a YouTube video to figure out how to install them, and yes, they're very easy and very secure. Safe sleeping is important and I’m glad I have these." —Elizabeth C. Breton
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in packs of two and four).
28. A classic Hanes fleece sweatshirt so comfy, you'll probably wanna get it in every color available. This a perfect layerable staple to keep in your carry-on!
Promising review: "Loved everything about this sweatshirt. Bought it for layering and it did not disappoint. Was warm without being too bulky. Washed up very nicely, no fading or shrinkage. For the price, I found it to be a good value." —Laura Hill
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in men's sizes S–5XL and 16 colors).
29. A universal travel adapter that'll allow you to charge your devices almost anywhere in the world. You promised you'd still be available to answer emails and you can only do that if your laptop's not dead.
This adapter covers over 150 countries. Keep in mind this is not a voltage converter!
Promising review: "Used this on a trip to Sweden and London. It worked great. Charged three things at a time with no problems. I love the compact design and not having to keep track of all the adapters." —tiffanyann7
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two styles and three colors).
30. A compact and refillable retractable travel lint roller because you only packed black clothes and you didn't expect the amount of hair, fur, and fuzz you've encountered on this trip. This discreet gadget will keep you looking immaculate no matter where you are.
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 from Amazon for $17.24+ (available in two colors).
31. A pack of mini hand sanitizers if you feel the need to wash your hands after touching literally anything at the airport or amusement park. These scented sanitizer mists will become your new favorite thing.
Each one is good for up to 500 mists!
Promising review: "The scents are wonderful! They are subtle enough that they don’t trigger my asthma. They don’t dry out my hands, or leave my fingers feeling sticky like the gel hand sanitizers. I keep one in my purse, travel case, work desk, and home office. I recommend these to everyone I meet." —CrC
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $49.99 (available in two scent combinations).
32. A portable white-noise machine that'll help you when you're missing the sounds of a bustling city while you vacation in the countryside. Designed for travel, this compact machine has three soothing sound settings that'll help usher you to sleep.
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 Customer
Get it from Amazon for $25.35+ (available in two styles, with a travel case, and in multi-packs).
33. Or a wireless headphones headband if you need a specific calming soundtrack or podcast to lull you to sleep while you're away from your bed.
It's even got a built-in microphone so you can take calls in between pump-up jams!
Promising reviews: "I've used this on airplanes when traveling. Earbuds become uncomfortable after awhile, and headsets are bulky for travel. THIS product is great. I have it in my purse. It knocks out the sound around me while I listen to music or watch a show on a plane." —Kevin & Kim
"I love love love these! I have been suffering from insomnia for over a year, partly because my husband snores so loudly. I’ve tried regular earbuds, which fall out, sleep aids, you name it. Nothing else was working, so I finally broke down and bought these. I’m so glad I did! Last night I wore these sleep headphones for the first time and fell asleep so fast! I put white noise on my Amazon Prime music and it completely drowned out the snoring! Definitely try these if you have trouble falling asleep. They were super comfy and easy to sync with my phone. The instructions were quite detailed but they were so easy I didn’t need to read the instructions." —Julie Simbto
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 17 colors).
34. A pair of super cozy joggers whose fabric stretches in all directions to provide you with the comfort you deserve while traveling. It's also got moisture-wicking properties so you can hike without getting drenched in your own sweat.
Promising reviews: "Super comfortable especially during long flight and travel. My go-to leggings!" —sk
"I love everything about these joggers! I want to live, die, and be buried in them! The material is so soft and comfortable. I love the combination of leggings and joggers that these offer. I loved these so much I ordered three more pairs." —Michelle Hukill
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in women's sizes S–3X and lots of colors and prints).
35. A pair of period-proof underwear because the last thing you need is a ~flow breach~ ruining your new white sundress while you sleep on a 14-hour flight. These are also great for wearing overnight or duing physical activities since they're leakproof, breathable, and can hold up to two tampons' worth of liquid!
Heads up — reviewers love these undies, but suggest sizing up!
Promising reviews: "I use it all the time, especially when traveling and overnight. It prevents leakage." —ruth
"I deal with PCOS and endometriosis, which make my periods HEAVY for the first three to four days. I ordered two pairs of these underwear. They absorbed better than a pad, were comfortable, and the top layer stayed dry. Amazing. I had been thinking about buying the really expensive version of these underwear, but the price was ridiculous. These underwear do exactly what I need them to do for half the price. They are easy to hand wash and hang dry. I plan on ordering more. The stitching and waistband are solid and they don't bunch, don't ride up, and don't roll. They provide front and back coverage. They're literally perfect. If you're on the fence about these, I urge you to give them a try. They'll save you money (no pads or tampons needed, and you won't stain your regular underwear and have to replace them)." —drsmaw
Get it from Amazon for $12.80+ (available in women's sizes 4–13, four color combinations, and in packs of one, three, and six).
36. A loose-fitting, flight attendant–approved off-the-shoulder jumpsuit that'll keep you looking cute while you run to your gate because you slept through your alarm. Again.
Promising review: "I am obsessed with this jumper! I have worn it to a wedding! I have worn it on the airplane for travel. Wore it in Alaska on our cruise. I have worn it just out and about. Sandals, boots, or dress shoes — it looks amazing! Loved it so much I bought it in black and in a berry color." —Dezra Edwards
Get it from Amazon for $36.99 (available in women's sizes S–3XL and in 36 colors/patterns).
37. A pack of Dr. Frederick's Original blister bandages in case all your walking around a new city has caused a little pain. These help protect and prevent blisters!
Each pack comes with bandages to fit your heel, toe, and foot.
Promising review: "So glad I thought ahead to buy these before going to Italy. I had new fashionable shoes and low-cut socks and we did 10 times more walking that I had anticipated. I tried the shoes on for an hour and got a blister. Wore these for 10 days in Europe and had zero issues, total comfort, left them on for multiple days through showers. I’ll never travel without these again." —Paul Hinman
Get the 12-count variety pack from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four types of packs).
38. A water bottle with a built-in pill organizer if travel-brain often causes you to forget to take your daily vitamins.
Promising review: "Very nice! I love this bottle. I took it on a trip. It worked beautifully!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in two colors).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.