32 Travel Items To Help You Make Smart Packing Choices

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.

I bet you'll feel so much better knowing everything is gonna fit in your suitcase for a change.

BuzzFeed Staff

Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead bin!

Promising review: "If you are a consultant and struggle carrying big carry-ons. This is a perfect one for you. I love this purchase!!! Lightweight. Enough space for 1–3 days of travel. Thank you!" —SS

Get it from Amazon for $118+ (available in colors purple or ocean, and in black).

This is super roomy, zips completely open (like a suitcase — so it's easy to find what you need), has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!), and a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport.

Promising reviews: "I bought this backpack for work. It's the BEST backpack I've ever used. I needed one with several pockets and not too big or heavy. I found that with this backpack, I can fill it and still have room! There's even a shoe and clothing compartment for traveling! The straps are just wide enough to stay on your shoulders, especially with the snap straps in front. I also love the color, and it's true to the picture color. If you're looking for lightweight with tons of pockets, this is what you need!" —Kelly Miller

"This is a perfect size backpack for traveling on a plane as your personal item, especially to international destinations. You could fit rolled-up clothes in here for another week, and it has a very handy shoe bag and tons of places for your electronics. This will be an excellent addition to my carry-on suitcase. Best purchase all year. I consider myself an expert on travel bags. I have way too many. It’s smaller than it looks but so roomy." —AP

Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in four sizes and 23 colors/styles).

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 $10.99+ (available in six colors and as a pack of two).

This RFID-blocking wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, a slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a zippered coin pocket, a key holder, and a pen holder.

Promising review: "This wallet is durable, chic, and spacious. The lining is very soft and feels expensive. From the design to the material to the zippers and snaps, it's well made. I ordered it in rose gold, and it's a beautiful color. I travel frequently and love the boarding pass pocket. I recommended it to my sister and mom, who also love theirs! They ordered in yellow and bronze and were also happy with the color." —Brianna Graham

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 29 colors).

It includes an extra large cube, large cube, medium cube, small cube, a shoe bag, laundry bag, toiletry bag, and accessories bag!

Promising review: "Using these packing cubes definitely makes packing easy and efficient. They hold an amazing amount of clothing, or whatever you want, and then your suitcase is neatly organized and ready to go. Also keeps things together when unpacking. A worthwhile purchase." —Amazon Customer

Get a set of eight from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 19 colors).

Former BuzzFeed Shopping writer Jasmin Sandal says: "I swear by these bad boys not only for general storage purposes, but also if I know I'm going to be traveling for an extended period of time. As someone who tends to pack for every eventuality (who doesn't like to be prepared?!) I have learned that it's better to travel with them than without — especially since it's more or less a guarantee that my clothes are gonna take up a ~substantial~ amount of room in my suitcase. And if I can use something that's gonna shrink the size of my bulky hoodies and/or big tees in order for me to create more space, I'm sure as heck gonna do it. Plus, the satisfaction is indeed guaranteed because when you see those chunky layers flatten into a pancake...it's just *chef's kiss*."

Promising review: "These are the best packing bags. We used them traveling across the country and... to save space in the suitcase! It's really easy to have the pump right inside the suitcase to flatten the bags when traveling for pleasure. I definitely recommend this for home or travel." —kit

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four sizes and in various multipacks).

It's also glare-free and has a battery life that lasts for up to six weeks on a single charge!

Check out a TikTok of the mini Kindle in action.

Promising review: "This is such a great Kindle! It’s lightweight, the perfect size for going in a purse or bag, and the matcha is SUCH a great color. I already have a Paperwhite SE that I love, so I decided to get this Kindle for travel purposes. The battery life isn’t as great as my Paperwhite, but it still lasts me a while with daily reading! It fits perfectly in my hands and makes reading very comfortable. The only thing it is missing is the warm light option, but that is not a deal breaker for me. If you are looking for a lightweight and comfortable Kindle, this is the one for you." —Christine Heath

Get it from Amazon for $109.99 (available in black or matcha, and with or without an ad lock screen).

Unlike the regular U-shaped pillows, Trtl Pillows are machine-washable and fast-drying.

Check it out on TikTok.

Promising review: "Used it for a 14-hour flight to Japan last week, and it helped tremendously. This was the first time I was able to sleep on the plane so this helped tremendously. Definitely a must-have for travel. It is very light so I was able to easily pack it in my under-the-seat wheeled trolley. I want to emphasize how much the light warmth of the fleece (and I don't like being hot) was just right to help me nod off to sleep. Since this is primarily for sitting upright in the seat or someone in the middle or the aisle seat, this was ideal for me. I just got back yesterday. Again I used it — this time for a 12-hour flight." —Ambience

Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in six colors).

The stroller is supposed to accommodate kids from 6 months up to 55 pounds (approx. 4 years old).

Promising review: "This stroller is great! So cool looking, too. I constantly have moms coming up to me asking where I got this! So easy to fold, so light, and barely takes any space in my trunk. We took it on a flight, and the flight attendants recognized the stroller and told me that I can just wheel the baby on and put the stroller in the overhead bin. I wish I had gotten this stroller with my oldest, but I was being cheap. This stroller is so worth the money. I regret not getting it sooner! But at least my youngest can enjoy it." —Nai Len

Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in three styles and three colors).

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 $9.99+ (available in eight colors).

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).

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.

Former BuzzFeeder Abby Kass loves them! Here's what she has to say: "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 absolutely love these! I ended up buying more of the labels and extra containers on the website. These are perfect for a first-time set and the perfect size for flying. 100% makes my packing lighter and more contained overall." —Sara

Get a set of three from Amazon for $42 (available in six colors and in larger sets; also available in a haircare and daily routine set).

BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly says: "I bought this water bottle before a 2.5-week trip to Vietnam (where you don't drink tap water) and Malaysia (where you do). I didn't want to bring one of my ride-or-die S'well bottles because it would take up extra room in my bag when I wouldn't be able to use it during the majority of the trip. This handy silicone bottle did just the trick! It's very easy to roll up and *stays* rolled up thanks to the just-stretchy-enough loop. Said loop was also very handy while walking through airports and just around sightseeing. The bottle is easy to clean and doesn't make my water taste weird. I'm now using it as my daily water bottle and feel confident it'll serve me well for a long time. Plus! With a collapsible water bottle, it's easier to remember if you left water in it before you go through security."

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes and 13 colors/styles).

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 editor 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 $14.99+ (available in four sizes and in 26 colors).

Just stuff them in and squeeze to release the extra air!

Promising review: "As a frequent traveler, this bag has been great for packing dirty laundry on the return trip home. It will hold much more than I usually put in it and compresses nicely in the suitcase. I toss it in the washer along with the clothes, and it has held up for well over a year now." —CC

Get it from Amazon for $8.

Promising review: "These were the perfect size to hold all our medicine. We didn’t need a Monday through Friday organizer. We just needed something to help consolidate medicine for travel. It held way more than I was expecting and came with labels so no confusion of medicine." —Momof3

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.97 (available in two color combos).

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).

Promising review: "This reminded me so much of the Scentbird packaging, so I got this set for my husband and me for our upcoming trip. It comes with attachable spray pieces and funnels to easily put your cologne/perfume into the travel-size bottles. Sleek packaging. Good quality. Love the different colors. I will DEFINITELY be buying more of these!! TSA and carry-on friendly!!!" —Rohanie B

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 12 color combos and as a seven-piece set).

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 $23.99 (available in nine colors).

Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. I've packed these on international trips to much success!

Promising review: "Taking these out of the country to wash under things is exactly the right size." —Laura Wilson

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $6.35 (available in various multipacks).

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!

Former 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 for $15 (originally $20; available in three shades) or Amazon for $20 (available in three shades).

Check it out on TikTok.

Promising review: "I bought this a few months ago when I knew I'd be flying across the country (more or less) twice this past spring/summer; it was the first new luggage I had bought in about 25 years. I've taken the set on several trips now — two round-trip flights with plane changes, a couple of two-night road-trip hotel stays, a six-day 1,800-mile road trip, and a mandatory wildfire evacuation, and I really, really like it. It rolls like a dream on hard floors, sidewalks, and parking lots — makes it easy for two people to manage three suitcases, each with a laptop bag or duffel attached. The bright red color (my favorite shade of red) really pops and makes it easy to pick out of a luggage carousel. It's lightweight and goes in and out of a hatchback with ease. This set truly makes travel even more fun. Well worth the money." —Rachel

Get a set of three from Amazon for $179.99 (available in 22 colors and as a set of four).

It also has a zipper compartment at the bottom for your dirty clothes so they don't get mixed together and you end up just washing everything when you get home (bc that's usually what happens to me).

Promising review: "I just love it. I travel a lot. Now I don’t have to hang anything up but my organizer. I can see what I pack and where everything is. Just love it. I can fit easily seven days' worth of outfits and three pairs of shoes in a carry-on suitcase. Just great." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (available in two sizes and nine colors).

It's made of vegan leather and includes a 15" padded laptop sleeve, two additional pockets, an external zipped pocket, and a separate shoe compartment!

Promising review: "This garment bag is an exceptional value for the money. Well built, top quality materials, including 'beefy' zippers, should hold up well for airline travel. Minimal wrinkles if any in garments, and a cavernous bag for storing shoes and other items for a trip. Added bonus, it fits easily in the plane overhead storage, similar in size to a standard roller bag. I highly recommend this product." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $40.99+ (available in three colors).

The magnetic clip securely attaches to your hat brim (damage-free) — just hook the gold hexagonal clip around the strap/holder of your choosing!

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 many other styles).

Promising review: "This is the best travel umbrella I’ve ever owned! It’s very easy to open and close one-handed with the push button. It’s very sturdy and fits nicely in a carry-on or backpack." —C.J.

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four sizes and 36 colors/styles).

Promising review: "Let me start off by saying I've never been a beach hat type person...until now! I love this hat!!! When I bought it I wasn't sure if I could pull it off. (You know, it looks good on others but not so good on me.) Well, I just got back from Belize and this hat was amazing. I love how adjustable it is. I was able to comfortably wear it while riding a golf cart, all day at the beach, and even out on a kayak without it blowing off or being too tight. And it was just the right coverage for me. Enough to protect my sensitive eyes and fair skin from the sun yet not so large that it was in the way. I wore it much more than I thought I would because it was so useful, cute, and comfortable! Great buy." —JJL

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three sizes and 20 colors).

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 $14.99 (available in nine colors/patterns).

Promising review: "So helpful! I travel a lot, and so does my husband, and this pad makes packing so much easier and stress-free. The list is quite extensive; while I probably will never need to pack all of it for one trip, it covers everything for a business trip or a pleasure trip. I don't worry about what I forgot to pack anymore. Use a pencil, erase it when done, and one sheet will last 3–4 trips." —Cktine

Get it from Amazon for $7 (also available in two other styles).

Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok a bunch of times and finally decided to get it. I hate the paper lint rollers, they never seem to work that well and I hate that I have to throw them away. This is awesome because it fits right in my bag, and I’m able to reuse it over and over. It’s super sticky and works great!" —Ella

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors and in multipacks).

Multitasky is a small business founded by Julia Xu in 2020. They're known for their adorable and functional tech products, including power banks, laptop accessories, and more!

Promising review: "It does as it says it does, allowing my Dell XPS15 to operate a pair of USB devices from my lightning port! The laptop has two USB ports, one of which is always occupied by my USB mouse dongle and the other by my protected USB drive. If I wanted to plug in my phone to switch data or add another thumb drive to transfer a device, everything might have to be disconnected, but not anymore. It was really worth it." —Liberty

Get it from Multitasky for $25 (available in three colors).

It folds into a tiny pouch when not in use, is tear and water resistant, and even has a separate side pocket for shoes. There's also a side strap that slides easily over your roller luggage handle.

Promising review: "We bought this to take with us when we visited our daughter who is studying abroad for four months. We figured she would not have enough room in her luggage when it was time to come home. Folded up, this bag was so compact and lightweight, it took up almost no room in our own luggage for the trip over. Then, sure enough, she had a ton of clothes and shoes to send home with us and packed this bag full. We checked the bag and it made it through two international flights without a scratch. The BEST feature is the side strap that allows you to slide it over the handle of a rolling suitcase so you don't have to carry it. This is probably the most practical and the best-value item I have purchased in years." —Tosa Mom

Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 12 colors/patterns).

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.