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1. A three-piece luggage set so you no longer have to worry about whether you have the right-size suitcase for your trips. It comes with a carry-on size, a smaller checked bag size, and a larger checked bag size.
They also have TSA-approved locks, 360-degree wheels, interior mesh pockets, and telescoping handles.
Promising review: "My family travels internationally, which means lots of airplane transfers, rail, ferry loading and unloading. Each member has their own set. Only one cosmetic scuff has appeared. About to order another set for my mother as we are taking her to London, Scotland, and Ireland for the holidays. We rarely use the middle size. The small size we carry on, and the largest size we check. Very pleased with maneuvering and durability of wheels on various rough surfaces. The retractable handle makes for easy storage on ferries and railway. We’ve had zero issues with locking mechanism. We are a family of four with kids age 8 and 12." —ChiefLaughALot
Get it from Amazon for $161.49+ (available in 22 colors).
2. A set of packing cubes you'll soon wonder how you traveled without. Your clothes will stay nicely folded (or rolled!) and you'll save substantial room in your suitcase. Expert packing level 🔓unlocked.
Promising review: "I travel frequently and travel light. My luggage is usually limited to a backpack that slides under the airline seat. For a two-week European cruise, I added a carry-on rolling suitcase. I've used these packing cubes twice so far, and I am hooked. One cube holds everything (including clothing) I take on a three-night trip. The cube slides into my pack, saving massive amounts of room, and everything is easy to find during travel and at the hotel. Taking out one cube and unzipping is much better than digging through a pack! I will never leave home without these!" —Gura
Get a set of four from Amazon for $21.99 (available in 10 colors).
3. Or a set of vacuum-free, space-saving compression bags because packing your suitcase shouldn't be a science experiment. Stick your clothes in the bag, zip it up, roll it, and watch the excess air disappear. You'll save space, time, and stress. Yes, please!
Promising review: "These were the things I never knew I needed for traveling. They work just as advertised and are really useful when going on a trip. I always hate at the end of a trip having to mix dirty and clean clothes — a 'laundry bag' or plastic shopping bag never really felt like a good enough separation. These bags seal up and conceal the most stinky, wet clothes from your clean unused clothes. They are going to be one of my new necessities for my big family when traveling." —Sarbello
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $14.97.
4. A gorgeous weekender handbag destined to become your go-to travel bag because it can fit ALL the essentials. There's an interior zippered pocket, a 15" padded laptop pocket, two interior mesh pockets, *and* a zippered pocket for attaching it to your luggage handle.
Get it from our Goodful shop for $140.
5. Or a spacious duffel bag made for both weekend adventures and those trips where, despite your best efforts, a single suitcase simply isn't enough. This water-resistant bag has long handles and a sleeve on the back so you can secure it to the top of your luggage.
It has a long adjustable carrying strap, and there's even a wet pocket to keep dry/wet items separate when packing!
Promising review: "I recently went camping and was able to pack a lot into this bag. It zipped up easily. I love the color, it's almost a 'neutral pink' and not too 'look at me, I'm Barbie in the woods!' The shoulder strap was comfortable; the handles were comfortable, too. It was snowing while unloading from the truck to the cabin, and despite this bag getting wet (and VERY cold), everything inside was very dry." —Smile Saurus
Get it from Amazon for $21.49+ (available in dozens of colors).
6. A waterproof toiletry bag for holding tons of stuff — it has four compartments so you can pack all your travel-size items with ease. There's also a handy hook for hanging it up in hotels. No lost toiletries in 2023.
Promising review: "I. Love. This. Bag. Seriously, I had a cheap toiletry bag from Target that essentially did the same thing, only way worse. It was too small; the hook didn't rotate so you could only hang it at an angle, if anything ever leaked; it would seep right through the bag, etc. But THIS bag has NONE of those issues! It fits everything I need and then some, meaning I don't have to skimp on my 10-step Korean skincare routine when I travel anymore. It never leaks. And I love that the hook swivels so you can hang it anywhere, and your stuff hangs perfectly. I also love the handle and the overall flatter shape. It makes it so easy to travel with! Cannot recommend this bag enough." —KaiEli
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and 12 colors).
7. A shoe bag so you can store a few pairs of shoes in your luggage *without* getting all your clean clothes dirty. The bag is designed to fit at least three pairs, but some reviewers say they were able to fit up to five!
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 $18.39 (available in nine colors and patterns).
8. And some laundry bags that'll keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones so things don't get stinky. They can also be used when doing laundry to protect your delicates!
Promising review: "What a great find for such a small cost! These bags are well made, vary in size from small enough for under garments to large enough to put clothing items like tops that are washable but need to be keep away from other garments that would tie it into knots. These would be great to take when you travel and have to wash something out in the hotel. Just put them in the sink in the bag, add some laundry soap swish, run under cold water to rinse and take item out of the bag and hang. No catching on the corners of the sink. Fully protects the garment. The zipper is well made and does not catch on other clothes in the washing machine. For that matter when you travel just use them as travel bags for your small garments that tend to get lost in a suitcase!" –JD
Get a set of five from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four sets of various sizes and three colors).
9. A cable and charger organizer perfect for keeping track of all your cords while traveling. If you're tired of pulling out a wad of tangled cords from your otherwise-pristinely packed suitcase, this organizer has your name written all over it.
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: "Absolutely beautiful! The custom lettering came out perfectly, and it can easily hold two battery packs and all the cords we could ever need for traveling with cellphones, iPads, and our Switch. So pleased with the craftsmanship! Wonderful purchase <3." —Sarah Kavaljian
Get it from Mister Crafter on Etsy for $39.80+ (originally $56.86+; available in two sizes and two colors, personalization also available).
10. A digital luggage scale so you can pack wisely and never incur an overweight bag fee. You won't be in panic mode when you head to the airport because you'll already know your bag is under the weight limit!
Promising review: "Buy this if you travel a lot. I travel with scuba dive gear and this saved me from going over the weight limit both going to the island and returning. I was a hero with my friends. They had no idea how much their bags weighed. I helped them too from going over their weight limit. It's easy to use and worth the money." —Tinadiver
Get it from Amazon for $11.98+ (available in six colors and as a two-pack).
11. A set of TSA-approved silicone travel bottles that'll have your toiletries ready for flight in no time. This set also includes spray bottles and jars for other products, like lotions and perfumes.
These BPA-free bottles feature a leakproof design so you won't have to worry about messy spills. Each silicone bottle also has the capacity printed on it for TSA purposes! You get four bottles, four jars, and two spray bottles. It also comes with two scoopers to use with the jars, a funnel for transferring liquids, a clear travel bag, a set of labels, and a cleaning brush.
Promising review: "This little set is perfect for your travel toiletries. Instead of paying $3 for those little travel bottles, you can fill your favorite products in these. The taller tubes are silicone and easy to fill. For the circular containers, I used the little scooper to fill them. I didn't use the spray bottles this trip, but I did use everything else, and I'm happy to say nothing leaked. Easy to clean after use as well." —Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
12. OR, a set of magnetic Cadence containers to store toiletries and other odds and ends you can't travel without. These compact leakproof cuties can be used for bath products, pills, small jewelry items, etc., and they'll always stick together.
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon with the goal of eliminating single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Abby Kass is a fan: "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."
Promising review: "I will be traveling with just a carry-on for 11 days and was a bit concerned about my liquids until I found Cadence. These honeycomb-shaped pieces snap together to waste no space and organize with ease. The shape makes it easier for my older hands to open and the thick sides will not burst under pressure. The color and tile combinations help to quickly recognize what product I'm looking for." —Gena H.
Get a set of six from Cadence for $76 (originally $84; available in eight colors and many customizable labels).
13. A Trtl neck pillow with more than 15,000 5-star reviews — need I say more? You'll get some shut-eye before arriving at your destination without having to pack an annoyingly bulky pillow.
The Trtl pillow is adjustable — you wrap the pillow around your neck and secure it with Velcro, and if you find it's too loose, just make it a bit tighter! I've truly never slept better on a plane than with this pillow.
Promising review: "WOW! Literally life changing; used it on my 11-hr flight to and from Norway to SF and I usually can never sleep on planes, but this did the trick! It’s also super packable and doesn’t take up too much space!" —Julie Cox
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four colors).
14. A compact pill organizer because you shouldn't skip vitamins or meds on vacation! Or worse, carry them in a flimsy plastic baggy. Yikes! This has eight compartments and comes with sticky labels so you know what's what.
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.97.
15. A mini wallet emergency kit that contains basically every *tiny* essential you might need. No more full-size bottles taking up way too much room in your luggage. You can even choose the skyline of your fave city for the kit!
Here's what it comes with: Inside your mini wallet, you'll find a lip balm, hair tie, two floss pics, a bandage, emery board, two safety pins, a sewing kit, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, deodorant wipe, another cleaning wipe, tampon, hand sanitizer, and pain relief medicine.
Anne Cate is a small Ohio-based business that sells city-skyline-themed accessories and journaling supplies. Their product lineup features 100 hand-designed skylines from various cities and colleges worldwide!
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Danielle Healy swears by this kit and said: "I, your resident forgetful person, bought the NYC skyline version of this at the start of COVID-19 to keep in my work tote. Unfortunately, I haven't touched my work tote in months because...*gestures at the world around*...but it's a really handy kit I know will save me a ton whenever I regularly leave the house again. Everything from Anne Cate is super high quality. The wallet on its own is adorable and could be used for a million different things."
Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in dozens of styles).
16. A Kindle for bookworms who must keep up with their reading habit on vacation. Packing a huge stack of *actual* books isn't realistic, but this compact, lightweight Kindle is a great alternative.
It has a 300-ppi high-resolution display, an adjustable front light, and dark mode. The battery can last up to six weeks on a single charge and it offers 16 GB for storing thousands of books.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer says: "I never thought I'd be an e-reader person, but living in a New York apartment with limited bookshelves changed my ways. I love love (love love love) my Kindle — especially for easily borrowing library books, squeezing in a few chapters on a subway ride, and of course traveling. I lit'rally read 10 times as much with a Kindle in my life."
Promising review: "I was so skeptical about switching from actual books to the Kindle but I have loved it!!! It’s so much more convenient to read and travels well. I’ve only had it like two weeks and have only charged it once (have read three books)!! Its battery life is amazing." —Haley
Get the newest 2022 version of the basic Kindle from Amazon for $99.99 (available in black and blue). OR get the newest version of the Kindle Paperwhite for $139.99 for poolside or beach reading — it's WATERPROOF *and* has an adjustable warm backlight!
17. A stylish anti-theft backpack to protect your valuables while looking extra cute. It opens from the back instead of the front, so you won't be a pickpocket victim anytime soon. If packing for a trip usually involves anxiety about things getting lost or stolen, this one is for you!
Former BuzzFeed Shopping writer Britt Ross says: "I recently returned from Italy, and as someone who prefers a small backpack over a purse most of the time, I thought this would be a great purchase, as it would give me some peace of mind as I spent hours wandering around different cities. I'm happy to report that after two weeks of daily use, I'm convinced I'll be bringing it on every trip I take from now on. It's small enough so that it doesn't feel bulky or uncomfortable throughout the day, but has plenty of space for everything you'd need on the go — I fit my wallet, sunscreen, glasses case, hand sanitizer, water bottle, snacks, and even a small umbrella, with room to spare! And the fact that it opens from the back means someone would literally have to pry it off of you to get to your valuables. I bought the medium size in black pebbled faux leather, and it's actually quite cute for the price!"
Promising review: "I bought this backpack to use as a purse while on vacation, and it worked perfectly. The main pouch is protected when you’re walking around because the zipper is protected by your back. There are also two side zippered pockets, one of which kept my phone and the other perfect for sunglasses and a few other items that I wanted to access more easily. I loved that I could wear it as a purse to dinner but use it as a backpack during the day so that my shoulder didn’t get tired. I highly recommend this item!" —Allison
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in two sizes and 13 styles).
18. A collapsible water bottle because you need to stay hydrated without giving up a big chunk of space in your bag. Bonus: you'll save money on those expensive airport water bottles.
Promising review: "Great water bottle for travel. It is durable, compact when not in use, and versatile. One of the main reasons I like this collapsible bottle over others is the sliding band on it. It allows you to hold it firmly without squeezing the bottle and squirting the contents out of the top and all over the place. I bought mine, and a friend liked it so much that she bought one." —Vivian
Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in eight colors).
19. And if you need caffeine to survive, a collapsible coffee cup so you can get your fix without bringing your enormous reusable cup from home. This is much easier to pack!
It's also microwave-safe! Note that the 12-ounce size does not include a straw, but both the 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes do.
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.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Danielle Healy has this and loves it. She says: "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."
Promising review: "I've been using it now for almost three weeks and I love the durability and how compact it really is. I tested out if it leaks by adding water almost to filling point and then turned it upside down and no leaks. I even shook it a couple of times and nothing. If you travel a lot or are considering it, this is your go to. Lightweight, compact, durable. This brand is definitely on my top five." —Sunny
Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in four sizes and in 23 colors).
20. A bar of natural, plastic-free solid shampoo if your one and only goal is to travel with fewer bottles and liquids! This bar won't take up much room and is less likely to cause a mess.
Promising review: "I love this shampoo bar. I was a little hesitant as I have never used a bar before. It works better than my home shampoo. Simply rub it on and watch it generously lather up. My thin hair looks much fuller and doesn’t get oily as soon so I can go an extra day or two between shampooing. A travel plus. Great product." —Wanda Daily
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 11 varieties).
21. A pack of laundry soap sheets when you just KNOW there's an outfit you'll want to wear several times during your trip. This means you can pack lighter since you'll be able to wash a few things, so you'll have plenty of room for souvenirs!
Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops at 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 $12.49 (also available as hand soap sheets).
22. A tote organizer insert to keep your bag in order while you're traveling. Empty out that nightmare of a purse and turn it into an organized dream! It has multiple compartments of different sizes so you'll find a place for everything.
Promising review: "This thing is great! I have a large bag I use as a carry-on when I fly by plane. Unfortunately, it has very few pockets and is just like a bottomless pit. This fit in perfectly. I was able to organize all of my items quite well. They were easy to retrieve in flight and in the airport. I didn't use the zipper compartment at all but did put that piece in to use it as a divider. It is well-made and sturdy. Be sure to measure your inner bag space first!" —Susan
Get it from Amazon for $15.88+ (available in six sizes and 22 colors).
23. A small jewelry case with enough space for storing your daily wear items, like necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings. It's very compact so you can even carry it in your purse.
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work, and this jewelry box has everything I was looking for! It’s a nice small size and has plenty of storage for necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and even a watch! Very good quality, and I love the color. Highly recommend!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" —Morgan
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in nine colors; be sure to clip the $2 off coupon on the product page for this price).
24. A convenient Alleyoop Pen Pal so you can save space when packing your nearly-exploding makeup bag. It's a 4-in-1 lip liner, eyeliner, brow pencil, and highlighter, so you'll have what you need in one sleek pen.
It's cruelty- and paraben-free and it's vegan. Plus, the packaging is recyclable!
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz that is focused on redefining beauty efficiency. Many of their products are compact and have multiple uses!
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Jasmin Sandal loves this thing: "I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my twenties 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: "This is genius. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling and I like to keep my packing to a minimum. Not only is this convenient and travel friendly, but the color payoff is fantastic!" —Stefanie S.
Get it from Alleyoop or Amazon for $25 (available in three shades).
25. A TikTok *and* TSA-approved Alleyoop portable razor that'll take up hardly any space thanks to the compact design! It comes with two triple-blade razors, a moisturizing bar, and a spray bottle for shaving on the go.
Promising review: "I found out about this razor on TikTok, and I’m officially obsessed! I’ve been using it for the last week, so here’s my honest opinion. It’s perfect for missed spots or touch-ups, your gym bag, vacations, and I can see this being great for camping trips. The razor is not meant for full shaves or to replace your regular shower shaving routine, it’s very obviously for when you just need a quick touch-up here or there.
I love that it has everything you need for a close shave — the refillable water spray bottle, a shea butter moisturizing bar that doubles as a pre-shave lotion and an after-shave moisturizer, and two three-blade razors. The product is super compact for everything that it holds. If you’re considering buying this to replace your regular shower razor — don’t. But if you’re looking for a smart, convenient solution for a quick shave or touch-up, or something more convenient to travel with, then this is your new go-to travel razor!! I think everyone should have one of these in their car, purse, gym bag, travel bag, etc. Honestly can’t go wrong with it, it’s a 10/10 for me!!" —Helen Mantilla
Get it from Amazon for $14 (available in pink or navy).
26. A mini lightweight flat iron, aka the perfect travel item when you can't sacrifice your preferred hairstyle just because you're on a trip. Your hair will stay ~flawless~ and you won't lose a lot of luggage space.
It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!
Promising review: "This fits perfectly in my toiletries travel bag that I take with me as a flight attendant. Anything that comes in small size and still works well is perfect for me." —Kathy S
Get it from Amazon for $15.97+ (available in three colors).
27. A genius Toptote hat clip so you don't have to agonize about how you'll travel with your hat because obviously you don't want to stuff it into a suitcase! This magnetic clip prevents you from losing your hat *and* it won't cause damage.
The magnetic clip securely attaches to your hat brim (damage-free) — just hook the gold hexagonal clip around the strap/holder of your choosing!
See it in action on TikTok here.
The Fileist is a woman-owned small biz, formerly known as Lindsay Albanese.
Promising review: "So happy I discovered TOPTOTE! As a hat lover, this product is seriously a lifesaver! I never have to carry my hats now when traveling and its’ magnets are SO strong. I’ve used it to carry multiple hats on my travels with no problem! Definitely a purchase well worth it!" —Adrianna
Get it from The Fileist for $55 (available in black/black or black/gold).
28. A clever "Pack this!" checklist to replace that feeling of dread with calm as you prepare for your journey. You'll lower your chances of forgetting anything and you may even pack more strategically.
Promising review: "I hate making lists trying to figure out what I need, and this is PERFECT for trying to figure that out. It has a lot more on the checklist than I would ever take on a trip, but it does accommodate for every kind of trip, from a simple vacation across state lines, to a business trip, to a wedding halfway around the world. I'm pretty pleased!" —Alyssa Kauffman
Get it from Amazon for $7.
Rest easy knowing this will never be you again:
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.