1. A bendy pillow capable of contorting itself to meet your ever-changing needs. Neck rest? No prob.
Pillow to keep your face off the gross bus window glass? Of course!!! Round pillow to make sleeping on your cousin's floor more bearable? Almost! Promising review: "There are so many options with this travel pillow. It can move in any direction to your liking and it feels very soft and cushy. There is the metal coil inside of it, but you can only feel it if you were to squeeze it really hard.
I keep the pillow in my car at all times and it has been a lifesaver for long car rides. I would definitely recommend." — Tammy Zevenbergen Get it from Amazon for $24.
99+ (available in eight colors). 2. A U-shaped pillow you'll love cuddling up with even more than the stranger sitting next to you.
When you're done using it, you can deflate it and roll it up for easy storing. Promising review: "This was the best travel pillow ever. It worked perfectly on the plane and while we were cruising on a motor coach around Spain it came in handy again.
I wanted to tell people on the plane using different brands that they were missing out but I decided they would notice how relaxed I was with my travel pillow." — AnitaW, Los Angeles, CA. Get it from Amazon for $29.
95 (available in two colors). 3. A portable charger so you can watch Law and Order: SVU for the entire trip without Stabler and Benson having to come figure out why your phone died.
The 10,000mAh power bank provides almost three-and-a-half iPhone 8 charges or two-and-a-half Galaxy S8 charges. It has USB and USB-C charging ports, but you'll need to supply your own charging cord. Promising review: "I bought this for my wife whose phone battery drains quickly.
This small, lightweight backup battery fits comfortably into her purse and gives her plenty of reserve power. Unit has enough reserve power for several day's use. It does take a while to be recharged, so be prepared and maybe recharge it overnight.
" — asgood Get it from Amazon for $26.99 . 4.
A LifeStraw that allows you to drink pretty much any water you can find in nature. Hiking trips are now just icky water scavenger hunts. Note: If you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you.
The microfiltration membrane removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.
Check out our closer look at the LifeStraw for more. Promising review: "I frequently hike and camp in the backcountry all over the United States. Carrying the amount of water that I need to survive during these trips is just not feasible due to the weight.
I recently took a LifeStraw out for a test on a backcountry hike in the Rocky Mountains. Every stream, lake, and every other water source that I came across I stopped for a drink. The one drawback to the LifeStraw is that it does take a bit of suction to start and keep the water flowing.
When you're at high altitudes in the mountains this leads to longer 'drink breaks' since you can get winded pretty easy while trying to suck up water through the LifeStraw. However, its size and weight advantages when hiking in mountainous terrain vastly outweigh this minor drawback." — Charlie Get it from Amazon for $12.
99 (available in three styles). 5. A school-inspired 4-in-1 makeup pen with everything you need — eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, and eyebrow filler — so you can free up some space in your bag.
This thing has all the benefits of four makeup items and all the fun of those four-color clicky pens. Click to your heart's content and travel with a lighter load. Promising review: "I bought this to help make my travel makeup bag not so bulky.
I really like how smooth every product is. The colors were nice and pigmented. I probably wouldn't use this on a daily basis but when I travel, it'll be really nice and compact in my suitcase!" — Kara E.
Get it from Alleyoop for $15 (available in three colorways). 6. A wireless transmitter that'll connect your AirPods (or any other wireless headphones) to the headphone jack on the flight so you can get access to the free entertainment without having to use those tinny-sounding earbuds they offer during flights.
The standard edition allows you to connect one pair of headphones and lasts for 20+ hours on a single charge. It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. Promising review: "This product worked flawlessly! I travel often for work, and hated that I couldn’t use my Apple AirPods on the airplane to watch in-screen entertainment movies, until I discovered the AirFly Pro.
I paired these with a dummy device before traveling in order to create the initial connection. Once I got on the airplane, I plugged the AirFly Pro transmitter into the headphone jack, turned on my AirPods, and it instantly connected. I would happily recommend these again.
Thanks again!" — Bill Get the standard model from Amazon for $34.99 (also available in a Pro version that allows you to connect two headphones and has longer battery life, and a Pro Deluxe version that adds a receive mode and comes with extra accessories). 7.
Or a hands-free rotating phone mount you can install onto your tray table or chair arm so you can watch your own entertainment — because sometimes the in-flight options are reminiscent of a DVD bargain barrel. This can mount onto almost any surface, so it'll also come in handy pre-boarding when they delay your flight yet again. Promising review : "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multileg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration .
I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table . It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer .
At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards, and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well built, and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time.
Thus far it still feels solid, and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" — Earendil Get it from Amazon for $12.57+ (available in seven colors and multi-packs).
8. A travel knitting bag to keep your crafts all together when jumping on a plane or train. Last thing you want to do after a hectic trip through security is have to worry about detangling yarn or wondering where your other needle went.
Promising review: "I travel and knit in chaos...
dogs, kids, cats who want to play with yarn ball...
and now, I am self contained, comfortable, and mobile! The best!" — Mom the knitter Get it from Uncommon Goods for $35 . 9. A shockingly cute hardshell suitcase that's lightweight, glides like an Olympic ice skater, has 360-degree spinning wheels, *and* boasts a TSA-friendly combination lock, making it perfect for all your upcoming trips.
Since the fall is a super popular time to travel, you're gonna need something agile to weave through the crowds! Promising review: " So cute and well made! I bought this suitcase based on looks alone. It is just so adorable and a perfect carry-on size. I traveled with it for the first time last week and was very impressed with the quality and construction.
I dragged it all over Manhattan, and the wheels worked like a dream. The zippers are also very hardy and the handle extension is very smooth. Everywhere I took it, I got compliments from strangers on the street.
I will definitely consider buying more sizes from this brand." — Anne Lindeberg Get it from Amazon for $134.99+ (available in three sizes, four colors, and a set of two).
10. A teeny-tiny razor for travelers who like to shave on the move. The kit comes with an extra five-blade razor and a travel case.
Promising review: "The perfect razor for traveling! Easy to use and very practical, Totally recommend it; the razors might be a little expensive, but at least you don't have to change the whole razor every time." — Maria Claudia Get it from Amazon for $9.99 .
11. A bunch of Sriracha packets to help make the bland airplane food taste sliiiiightly more edible. Promising review: "I travel extensively and often desire to spice up the food along the way.
Carrying a bottle of hot sauce is precarious so I welcomed these individual packets which are TSA-compliant and easily packed." — Randy Becker Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $13.21 .
12. A mini trash can that fits in the cup holder because you can't just leave wrappers all over the rental car like you do your own car. Promising review: "It’s ridiculous how much I love these! The push part is on a spring so it stays closed when you aren’t pushing it, and of course it perfectly fits in the cup holder of our vehicles.
Pro tip: a quart-sized Ziploc is the perfect size to add as a liner and fold over the top to keep the inside clean!" — Chaos Coordinator Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four colors). 13.
A portable espresso maker so you can enjoy a nice hot drink while enjoying the view (whether that's from on top of a mountain or a motel room). The manually operated device is lightweight and doesn't require batteries to function. Just add hot water and ground coffee, then pump to extract the perfect cup of espresso.
Promising review: "This works so well for camping for a quick coffee craving! Took this camping over the weekend and used it a few times at the office. Depending on the grinds you use, it's good for a light single espresso shot or if you reuse the same grinds and purge three capfuls of water through the filter, you'll get a full cup of coffee. Works great without lugging a glass press around in your backpacking or camp gear! Easy to clean and store away with the retractable priming handle.
" — SocKeTPupPet 🤖 Get it from Amazon for $54.90 . 14.
A cocktail tin with everything you need (syrup, bitters, mixing tools, etc.) to make an amazing drink — just add an airplane bottle and you're basically an in-flight bartender. The kit makes three drinks.
Promising review: "A neat kit to have on hand, take to a hotel, or give as a gift. All of the tools and ingredients you need to make the drink are in the kit (except the alcohol and ice). I found the kit to be cheaper than purchasing the individual ingredients for an old fashioned.
I would definitely buy this again." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $22.89 (available in more flavors here ).
15. A hoodie made with a built-in eye mask so you can pull the hood up and get right to sleep before your chatty plane neighbor starts showing you pictures of their time at Coachella. Plus, it has a hidden pocket inside the pouch to safely hold your valuables (phone, keys, headphone case).
Reviewers do say it has an oversize fit, so size down if you want a closer fit. Pond Los Angeles is an Asian- and woman-owned small business that creates bags and clothing perfect for traveling. Promising review: "I fly a lot and am constantly trying to find a hoodie with a big hood to cover my eyes so I can catch up on some beauty sleep on flight.
I saw this product on Instagram and knew it would be a game-changer. I was able to use it recently for the first time on an early morning flight and let me tell you, it is EVERYTHING I was looking for and more. It’s comfy, cozy, oversized, and the eye covers make you feel like you’re in a whole other world and not packed like a sardine on a plane.
My over-ear headphone fit perfectly under it and I got the best sleep I’ve had on a plane — EVER!" — Heather G. Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $128 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and five colors). 16.
Delish blackberry-flavored gummies , which are formulated with melatonin, l-theanine, lemon balm, and chamomile to help you sleep through your next flight. The light-touch supplement has only 3 mg of melatonin so you can have restful sleep without feeling groggy. And reviewers say these taste like blackberry candy, so it doubles as a nice in-flight snack! For more info on melatonin, visit The Mayo Clinic .
BuzzFeed editor Maitland Quitmeyer has this to say about these gummies: "After taking a higher dose of melatonin a few times in college and having some fun and INTENSELY VIVID NIGHTMARES, I recently tried these instead. The lower dose of melatonin and the other ingredients have definitely help me get drowsy faster. A few Amazon reviewers mention their gummies melted in shipment, so if you're experiencing hot weather, you can stock up on them IRL at a local store.
" Promising review: "I can’t believe how well these worked. Sleeping pills and things to help me sleep haven’t been very helpful in the past. So being skeptical, I took twice the dosage.
I ate four of the gummies instead of two. I figured it would help me get a much-needed nap and instead it might as well have caused me to go into a coma. LOL.
I don’t know what you guys created but...
I’m a huge fan. Knocked me right out! P.S.
Only take the correct amount." — Austin M Get it from Amazon for $11.94+ (available in five sizes).
17. An Ostrich head pillow to fully block out the visual horror that is the airport. The helmet-like pillow is filled with microbeads that are lightweight but oh-so-comfortable.
This quilted travel pillow completely surrounds your head so you can block out most sights and sounds. There are two side pockets to keep your hands nice and toasty. The pillow doesn't have the best neck support, but it's great for straight-up conking out on the floor.
Promising review: "I love my ostrich pillow. I’ve been on several flights recently and have been able to sleep comfortably on each one. On the way to Hawaii, I slept the entire 15-hour trip.
It was wonderful and I will never travel without my Ostrich." — Christina Get it from Amazon for $99 . 18.
A packing checklist for people who are simply garbage at packing. Never again forget all your socks but somehow remember to bring eight different hats. Promising review: "We travel frequently and have two children.
As any parent knows, packing for yourself and your children can be overwhelming (especially for trip longer than a few days). I have found this list to be a lifesaver and I also give it as a gift for other traveling families. It is easy to plan, organize, and list out items that are easily forgotten.
You can also list the quantity of each item needed. It has a variety of clothing options and space to add more. Overall, wonderful purchase and has likely saved me many forgotten items!" — I-really-bought-this Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in three colors).
19. A set of bendy small containers perfect for face creams, pills, or any other small items. They're easy to clean at the end of your trip so you can use them over and over.
Promising review: "I packed enough shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste for a week. I was afraid they would leak but surprise, they didn't. Love the small size.
Would hold more than a weeks worth of product." — maryd Get a pack of four from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six colorways).
20. An in-flight foot hammock that hangs on the arms of your tray table so you can kick your feet up and pretend you have the ability to stretch out. Many reviewers (especially the vertically challenged) say it helps with soreness and swelling on long flights.
Promising review: "I debated buying a foot hammock for literally eight months. It just felt soooo EXTRA. I am here to tell you just buy it.
The difference it makes to be able to put you feet on something and not just dangle for 4+ hours is immeasurable. This one is very simple and does the job. Easily adjustable and fairly sturdy.
It folds up very small as well. It will not sit flat and is def hammock style which took some getting used to but is still better than heels off the ground. A literal lifesaver for long haul flights.
" — KalicoKat Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 21.
A Dagne Dover duffel bag with a sleeve to neatly fit over your rolling luggage for easy travels. It's even small enough to fit under your plane seat! BuzzFeed's Emma McAnaw says: "My Dagne Dover duffel fits soooooo much more than it seems (especially when you fight to the death to fit everything like I do), and it's a super easy carry-on! I just put it under the seat so I don't have to fight people to get the overhead bin space. Also, I've gotten away with bringing it for free on airlines that try to charge for carry-ons because it looks so small.
" Promising review: "This is by far my absolute favorite purchase of 2024! I love this neoprene material and the color is absolutely gorgeous! I am so glad I bought this particular one." — Lou B. Get it from Dagne Dover for $125+ (available in five sizes and 10 colors).
22. A pair of charcoal deodorizing bags that are ready to eat up all the bad smells lingering in your suitcase. These can be reused for up to two years and you can also use them in your closet or in your shoes when you're not traveling.
To rejuvenate, simply place the bags in the sun once a month for at least one hour. To learn more, check out a review of the bamboo charcoal shoe deodorizers . Promising review: "I was skeptical about these when they arrived because I've never used anything like it before.
I did NOT want something to cover up odors or make my feet smell like a robust dryer-sheet. I just wanted the odor gone. We've been having temperatures here over 100 degrees lately and although I wear socks with my Vans, they were getting a bit "pungent".
I slid one of these into each sneaker and hoped for the best. Less than 12 hours later, the odor was gone..
. GONE! When a product works like it says it should = happy customer. I've only used them for about a week now, so I haven't had to recharge them yet, but I'm really happy I bought these.
" — CW Get them from Amazon for $9.95 . 23.
A foldable hair dryer so you can have your most essential hair tool nearby without sacrificing your entire carry-on. Reviewers say this dual-voltage gadget works just as well as the full-sized version. Promising review: "As a flight attendant, I can't always be sure my hotel has a hair dryer so I bought this one and it hasn't disappointed me! It folds up to about the size of a roll of toilet paper so it doesn't take up much room.
It's powerful, too!" — Billy H. Get it from Amazon for $15.99 .
24. A pair of shoe covers for when you only have room for one pair of shoes and they are NOT rain boots. One reviewer said they held up during a 6-mile walk .
Promising review: "This product was a life-saver!! Unfortunately I didn’t get to try this out in the rain but it DEFINITELY protected my new white shoes when I went to a music festival where there was lots of dirt, rocks, sand, and other people near by to step on my feet. As you can see my shoes were perfectly preserved! I didn’t get any blisters or uncomfortable rubbing around my ankles which was nice since I was wearing those for about 10 hours straight!" — Aly Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in sizes S–XL, seven colors, and two heights).
25. A set of packing cubes that will bring peace and order to your messy luggage. They provide space for enough clothing to last a 14-day vacation Each set comes with different packing cubes, bags, and a laundry bag to accommodate different items.
Promising review: "I am officially sold on packing cubes!! These things are amazing! I can believe I've been packing without them my whole life. The mesh lining allows you to peek inside, and I was able to pack all my clothes, shoes, and toiletries for a 10-day trip to Europe (full contents listed below). I packed them as I normally would first, and then packed them in the packing cubes.
There was SO much more room in my luggage after packing everything in the cubes! Items I fit in the cubes and bag include two jackets, one jean vest, four pants/capris, two pairs of shorts, one romper, four dresses, one maxi skirt, seven tank tops, four shirts, three camisoles, three pajama sets, 15 undies, six pairs of socks, and four pairs of shoes. But why are you still reading?? Go buy these cubes!" — Tiffany Get them from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in 14 colors and two pack sizes).
26. A cup holder adapter to accommodate those larger drink vessels that don't quite fit. Gotta stay hydrated! This was designed for 32- and 40-ounce Hydroflasks, but you can use it for any bottles up to 3.
67 inches in diameter. Wine and Whiskey Co is a small biz creating clothes, phones cases, and car accessories . Promising review: "I had to remove the foam wrap that was on it for it to fit in my cup holder, but now it works perfectly.
No more having my water bottle in the seat next to me, rolling on the floor, or spilling 'cause I forgot to close it! Yay!" — Etsy Reviewer Get it Wine and Whiskey Co from on Etsy for $12.99 . 27.
A digital luggage scale so there are no surprises when it's time to check your bag. Nothing more annoying than having to wear three sweaters and two hats while carrying an extra pair of shoes onto your flight. 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).
28. A set of Sea Bands for anyone still working on getting their sea legs. They apply pressure to a specific acupoint on your wrist, which many reviewers say is the key to a successful, barf-free boat trip.
Reviewers swear by these nonmedicated bands for nausea relief; they've used them while traveling on airplanes, boats, and cars and for morning sickness during pregnancies. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center . Promising reviews: "I flew on a four hour plane ride using Dramamine and then a 30+ minute car ride to my hotel.
I was so nauseous and wiped out, I spent the next day feeling like I had a hangover. Yesterday I took the same car ride and flight home (but using the Sea Bands), and I was unaffected by any of it! Any time in the stop-and-go traffic that I thought I was feeling motion sick, I rubbed the button against my wrist and immediately felt better . These bands are going with me anytime I travel from now on!" — Kindle Customer "These work.
They’re amazing. Complete game changer for car rides for me. People are like, 'iT’s ALL In YOuR HeAd.
' If that’s true and it’s a placebo effect, I really do NOT care. They work and that’s all that matters." — Broadwaygirl Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.
42+ (available in six colors and packs of two). 29. A luggage-mounted cup caddy so you can keep your smoothie or coffee secured while you run to your gate.
The last thing you need is to be sticky for a six-hour flight. Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels so you don't tip over your drink. It'll still work for a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls; just be careful if the drinks are open at the top.
Promising review : "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too.
" — Philip Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in 25 colors and patterns). 30.
An LED neck reading light to illuminate your current vacation read without bothering the sleeping people around you, whether it's on a plane or in a small hotel room. It has three color settings and six brightness levels, and can last on a single charge for up to 80 hours — almost enough time to read all of Stephen King's It! Promising review: "I couldn't be happier with this light. I use it for reading in bed and when I travel.
It's comfortable, has many different settings, is easy to use, and the battery stays charged for a long time. You can turn on either one or both sides of the light and its flexibility allows the light to be adjusted easily. I highly recommend this light for reading in bed, for outdoor walking at night, and for doing close work that requires good lighting.
" — Jean G Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in two widths and eight colors). 31.
A portable cutlery set in a beautiful matte color for meals on the go. Last thing you want to do is eat your salad with a comb . VIS Paradise Goods is a small business that sells travel-friendly items.
Promising review: "The cutlery set was exactly what I was hoping for! A perfect set of utensils to stick in your car for emergency use during lunch! They look great!" — Cole Get it from VIS Paradise Goods on Etsy for $14.65+ (available in four colors and a personalization option). 32.
An anti-blister balm to protect your feet while walking on your trip. Sure, new shoes for vacation seem like a good idea, but beware the breaking-in period. 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 aren’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 .
33. And a travel icon shirt so you can just point and nod when trying to speak to locals in a foreign country. Get it from Iconspeak for $32 (available in unisex sizes S–2XL and five colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity..
