1. A neat little packing checklist notepad perfect for all you fellow overpackers who want to be sure you don't forget anything at home in your haste to fit everything into a carry-on. Think of it as your new cheat sheet! Promising review: "I hate packing.
I mean, I really hate packing! I am always afraid I am going to forget something and the entire ordeal is a stressful one for me. Since I have to travel to many of my cases, this is a real problem for me. Not anymore.
..someone brilliant made these pads.
This is a game changer for me. No more guessing if I forgot my underwear; everything I need is on this list." — Dr.
Oceanfront Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in three styles). 2. A portable digital luggage scale because the year is 2024, and it's time we put an end to that gut-wrenching moment the airline counter tells you your suitcase is a few pounds over the weight limit.
Being forced to transfer your things from your suitcase into your carry-on in the middle of the terminal for everyone to see is dreadful. I simply do not need the entire JetBlue terminal judging me for being so indecisive that I felt the need to pack my entire closet into my suitcase. Promising review: " This has been a game changer to make sure our luggage is underweight for airline limits.
It allows us to shuffle clothes at home or from a hotel before we get to the scales at the airport." — Susu Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in six colors and a two-pack).
3. 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: "With three weeks of international travel coming up, I purchased these to combat swelling in my feet during the flights. I had noticed swelling after three-hour domestic flights, so I was worried about what almost 30,000 miles would do! I wore these on every leg of the trip and never noticed any swelling — even after the 10- to 15-hour flights. They are very comfortable, too!" — J.
Beaty Get them from Amazon for $14.59+ (available in sizes S–XL and in 13 colors). Check out my colleague's Physix Gear compression socks review for more deets! 4.
A 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: "If you travel a lot, buy this!! Even if you don't travel, this phone holder would be useful. My hubby and I fly fairly often, and I'm always tired of holding my phone or figuring out how to set it up during plane rides.
This is a game changer for flights. Makes it so easy and convenient to watch movies or shows during trips. A few people even asked me where I got it from.
Definitely recommend!" — Alex Norman Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in three colors and as a two-pack). 5.
A TSA-approved clear case perfect for holding your travel-sized containers of liquid and smol toiletries. Plus, it comes in a variety of fun colors! Promising review : "Everything I needed fit perfectly, and I had no issues in TSA/China security. So far I have been through MSP, IAD, NKG, and PEK airports using this pack already, and it's a life-changer! I will never again have to worry about having to scramble to buy baggies just for liquids , and it is much more durable.
" — Courtney Swanson Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors). 6.
A set of packing cubes that will not only make packing feel less overwhelming (because all your stuff will have a place!!!) but will also make unpacking a breeze because you'll actually know where your stuff is! Think about how nice it's gonna be to open your suitcase and see some order rather than an overflowing mess! The set includes three different size packing cubes, one bra and underwear bag, one shoe bag, and one bag for your toiletries. Promising review: "When I first became aware of packing cubes, I thought they seemed completely unnecessary and a waste of precious suitcase real estate. Then, a friend gave me these as a gift to celebrate my impending trip to Iceland.
I'm now a devout convert! These little devils saved me so much time and aggravation I still can't believe it. When I got to my hotel room, it took me exactly six minutes to unpack and put stuff away. Getting dressed in the morning was faster because used items were in cubes separate from fresh ones.
Packing to return home was faster because, well, I was already basically packed. I just popped the cubes back in the suitcase, and voila." — Robin Osbourne Get the six-piece set from Amazon for $13.
99+ (available in 13 colors). 7. A pack of travel shoe bags because tossing your footwear into your luggage is NOT doing you any favors.
Why risk getting dirt from the bottom of your shoes all over your clothes before you've even had the chance to wear them on your trip?! Promising review: "These are perfect for packing shoes when traveling. They are reasonably priced. Exactly what I was looking for.
" — PB from Pennsylvania Get a set of five from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in medium and large and four colors). 8.
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. Promising review: "I purchased two of these for our one-week Disney World trip.
I knew I’d be walking around A LOT, and my feet weren’t used to the many miles of walking a day in the hot and humid environment, so I didn’t want to be uncomfortable. I'm happy to say I put it on once in the morning, slipped on some socks and comfy shoes, and I didn’t get one blister or issue with my feet! I wish I knew about this a long time ago!" — Michelle Get it from Amazon for $8.99 .
9. 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: " Simple game changer! My car sickness has been getting worse for years. I drive often with my family back to my hometown about five hours away. I put these on and was finally able to ride without constantly fighting nausea.
They fit comfortably and I quickly forgot they were on. This feels like a simple, cost-efficient fix." — Breya Porter Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.
85 (available in adult and children's sizes ). 10. An RFID-blocking wallet designed to hold all of your important travel documents because every time you're at the airport, you swear you'll have your license, passport, and boarding pass easily ready to show and every time you're at the airport you end up fumbling all of those things and holding up the line.
Promising review: "Just returned from Paris, and this wallet is a game changer! I was able to quickly retrieve everything I needed to survive TSA and border patrol, felt safe traveling on the metro, and it was super cute. It even had a tiny pocket for my metro tickets so I was able to quickly find those as well without rummaging around. LOVE this wallet!!" — Jocie Get it from Amazon for $11.
99+ (available in 33 colors). 11. 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: " This product is a complete game changer for me when I travel alone on my business trips. I’m a young woman who travels for work, so having this door lock makes me feel safe and helps me sleep soundly through the night when I’m in hotels. I think everyone who travels should have one of these just in case!" — Dev_Carrs Get it from Amazon for $14.
99 . 12. Or a wedge doorstop to serve two important purposes: It prevents your room door from opening when you don't want it to, and it sounds a loud alarm to alert you if someone is trying to open said door.
Promising review: "This small but very capable product outperformed itself on our recent vacation with our grandkids. While his mother and sister slept, our 3-year-old grandson tried to sneak out of their motel room. Fortunately, we had given our daughter one of these alarms.
He only managed to pull on the door, and the very loud alarm sent him running back to bed. He never tried to get out again. Would highly recommend this product.
" — evie Get it from Amazon for $13.99 . 13.
A set of silicone luggage wheel covers that'll not only help protect your suitcase wheels when wheeling it through some potentially rough ground/bad weather conditions, but can also help minimize the noise level as well. Not to mention, they come in some really fun colors, so if nothing else, they'll just look really neat! Promising review: "These [wheel covers] are fire! Definitely provides a little grip, moves quietly, doesn’t mess with the luggage wheel rotation , and causes a little less vibration, I guess, because rubber is absorbing. Love the bright red color that goes well with my carbon fiber luggage.
Easy to install, and it’s funny they have directional lines/arrows like car tires LOL. Details count for me." — Tieng Nguyen Get an 8-pack from Amazon for $9.
99 (available in eight colors). 14. A luggage caddy so making a pit stop at the airport coffee shop for a caramel latte and a breakfast sandwich doesn't mean having to juggle your food/drink on the way to your gate.
Promising review : "This cup holder is a game changer for traveling solo or with kids! It holds a large coffee cup and a large McDonald’s beverage at the same time! It doesn’t tip over! But I would suggest using it with a four-wheel rolling suitcase! Worth it! Would recommend!!" — Emily rose Hudson Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 25 patterns/styles). 15.
A compact pill organizer complete with six compartments for keeping your medications separate and preventing you from having to pack multiple pill containers. 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 $8.
97 (available in two color combinations). 16. A daily facial spray that's gonna come in super handy for anyone who tends to get irritated skin after spending a few hours on a plane.
Give a few spritzes before, during, or after, and enjoy some sweet relief. Tower 28 is an Asian woman-owned small business and clean beauty brand designed for sensitive skin. Their products are nontoxic, nonirritating, vegan, and cruelty-free, so you can rest easy when applying.
Promising reviews: "So, I love this thing. I usually end up with horrible skin after flying. Especially if it's a long-haul flight.
So now I spritz this on my face during the flight a few times, and I arrive at my destination with fantastic skin. One day, I boarded the plane with my skin already bad, some pimples and all, and by the end of the flight, it was all gone. It's a miracle worker!!! " — FabsConti Get it from Amazon (available in two sizes) and Sephora (available in three sizes) for $12+.
17. A set of Tide sink packs if you have a goal to pack less clothes and re-wear more of the items you're bringing. These will make it so simple to do so.
No washing machine required! Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. Promising review : " Game changer for travel! We were gone for two weeks, and I was able to wash all the clothes I had packed! Helped with using only a carry-on for the trip and kept my clothes fresh and clean! So easy to use and smelled nice! Will never travel without them again!" — Kristy Get nine packs from Amazon for $8.
49 . 18. A foldable jewelry organizer that'll take up less space in your bag than a clunky jewelry box AND also serves as a better method than just tossing your jewelry into your bag and having to untangle it once you reach your destination.
Promising review: "I would give this more stars if I could. It's exactly what I've been looking for forever!!! It has plenty of room for my clunky jewelry and enough separate pouches that things don't get tangled. I LOVE it.
" — Carrie Minturn Get it from Amazon for $9.09+ (available in two colors). 19.
A super smart reusable bottle bag to help protect wine, perfume, olive oil, and more in your checked bag. Whether you're bringing back a souvenir for a loved one or going on a cruise where you can bring on a bottle of your favorite vino, this will def come in handy! Promising review: "I love these bags. I frequently travel overseas and always want to bring olive oil, wine, or the like back.
These bags are perfect for protecting my finds, and I am comfortable that they will absorb the liquid if it does get broken. My husband actually put a bottle of cracked-open wine in the bag to test it, laid the bag on its side, and it absorbed the liquid!" — JHN Get a set of three from Amazon for $14.99 (available in four styles).
20. A folding toothbrush because while you probably don't think of your toothbrush as a cumbersome item while packing, saving a little bit of room here and there really does make a difference (especially when your goal is to pack light). Promising review: "These are great! I travel around a lot for work, and I also have Invisalign, so I like to keep one in my work bag as well as my travel bag.
The best part is the convenience. I used to carry a toothbrush in a case that took up a lot of room in my work bag as well as my travel bag. Now, I just use these.
They are small, durable, and easy to use, and the brush is fully covered when it is fully closed, which is what I was a little worried about at first. It was exactly what I was looking for in a travel toothbrush. I highly recommend it, and I will be purchasing it again.
" — Demetri Get the two-pack from Amazon for $5.99 . 21.
And a set of toothbrush covers — ya know, for a hygiene tool you PUT IN YOUR MOUTH, tossing it into your toiletries bag without any other protection is...
gross...
to put it lightly. Do yourself a favor and get these covers!!! Promising review: "Fits my double brush electronic toothbrush perfectly. Cleans easily.
A perfect accessory for the health and cleanliness of the toothbrush. Great idea, and I like the way they look." — a l brock Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.
99 (available in two color combinations). 22. And a pack of chewable toothpaste tablets — there are just SO many liquids you have to ensure are under the 3.
4-ounce limit. Having to remember a travel-friendly toothpaste tube on top of it is just plain ANNOYING! These will make your next trip (and all future trips) a little easier. Promising review : "I took these on a three-week trip to Europe.
Didn't have to put them in my liquids bag. You chew them (don't swallow), then brush. It doesn't seem like they'd work, but they did.
My teeth felt clean after using them. Good purchase." — Pattipeg S.
Harjo Get a 60-count from Amazon for $14.98 . 23.
A pack of foldable hangers because the five hangers (if that?!) the hotel provides just isn't enough. You shouldn't have to risk getting your favorite blouse all wrinkled up because all the hangers are already being used to hold the dresses you brought. Promising review: "These worked well for drying clothes in hotels during an extended international trip.
Durable and easily stored in luggage when folded. Highly recommend for travel." — DD Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $12.
95 . 24. A makeup remover cloth that only requires WATER to take off your makeup at the end of the day.
No wasteful wipes, no cotton rounds, and no travel-friendly cleansing liquids, no hassle! Promising review : "This is incredible! I can't believe how well this works! I travel a lot for work and usually take makeup remover wipes because of the liquid restrictions for travel, but they are expensive and heavy. I have been using this cloth all week and LOVE IT! A bit of warm water and everything comes off in a few easy swipes. I am super excited to travel with this.
It weighs nothing and rolls up to take up very little space. I am ordering another for my mom, who also travels. Highly recommend!" — KT Get it from Amazon for $3.
99 (available in four colors). 25. A collapsible water bottle — 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 .
26. A 2-in-1 case that'll hold your glasses on one side and your contacts, lens solution, and a tweezer on the other. And it's all about the size of one glasses case.
Promising review: "Because of my job, I live out of a suitcase, and I am always worried if I need an extra set of contacts or a spare pair of eyeglasses. This is perfect, because I just put it in the bottom of my suitcase, and I am confident I have them both in one place. I got the pink case, and it’s very cute.
Very happy with this purchase." — N. Rivera Get it from Amazon for $14.
85+ (available in 11 colors). 27. A pack of perfume atomizers for bringing your signature scent on your next trip without needing a checked bag just so you can bring a reg.
perfume bottle, purchasing the expensive travel-sized version, or settling on a scent you don't typically use or particularly like just because you can get it through TSA. Promising reviews: " TikTok made me buy it . One of my favorite purchases.
It is compact, easy to use, and my favorite color. The scent is still great." — Pii E "This travel-size perfume carrier is a game changer! Super easy to use and did not leak at all.
Easy to travel with or even take in my purse if I'm gonna be out late, and the colors are pretty and good to differentiate which perfume is in which." — Anamika Khosla Get a four-pack from Amazon for $6.99 .
28. A Wallet Ninja — a card-sized tool that can be used as a bottle/can opener, a phone stand, a screwdriver, a fruit peeler, and more! It's gonna have you wondering how you ever got by on trips in the past without it! Just note that while this is TSA-approved, some reviewers said they did have to remove it from their bag and put it on the belt by itself to be safe! Promising review: "This is definitely helpful to have on hand! The Ninja is small and slim but punches above its weight class in terms of usefulness. The tools are all things you might find yourself searching through a drawer for and are useful in a pinch.
You obviously aren't going to be able to construct a deck with anything on this credit-card-size device, but it fits comfortably in your wallet and will help you open a beer or tighten a screw. The coolest feature that I couldn't find on most other similar products was the credit card phone stand. It is great for planes and other travel applications (I haven't had trouble bringing this on a plane anywhere I have traveled, FYI).
" — Mary Get it from Amazon for $14.98 (also available in packs of two, three, and five). 29.
A luggage gripper perfect for holding onto things like a travel pillow, a sweatshirt, or a light jacket because when you're already fussing your way through the airport with a carry-on, the last thing you feel like doing is holding onto additional necessities. Promising review: "I love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip.
It made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I'm back home, I've been using it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse." — Michele Get it from Amazon for $7.
99+ (available in six colors and packs of two). 30. A travel-sized razor that's a wayyyy better solution than just taking the head off your razor and hoping for the best on your trip.
Plus, this comes with a handy case. You're welcome! It comes with one handle and one blade refill! Promising review : "I got this for a vacation, and it was great! The little carrying container is awesome and keeps you from having a weird, loose razor floating around in your suitcase. Plus, the heads are the same as a regular-sized razor , so you can keep using it when that one is worn out!" — Tegan H Get it from Amazon for $9.
99 . Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity..
