We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A waterproof pouch here to protect your phone and keep it safe whenever you're near water. Plus, you can still use the touchscreen with it, which means you can take as many underwater pictures as your heart desires.
It's designed to fit any phone up to 100mm x 170mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). And not only will it keep your phone protected from water, but it will also keep sand and dirt out.
Promising review: "This item is a must-have for family vacations anywhere near or in the water! I had no problems whatsoever with this product and many people during our last vacation kept asking us where we got them. My phone stayed dry, and I could take pictures, text, and surf the web without any problems! I would highly recommend this product to anyone!" —Zatanna Winters
Get it from Amazon for $7.99Â (available in 14 colors).
2. A Béis seatback organizer that keeps all your in-flight essentials (e.g., phone, e-reader, magazines, etc.) in the pocket so you don't have to dig around in your bag on the floor throughout the flight.
3. A portable lock box you can secure around two beach chairs to stash your wallet and phone in as you head into the ocean to snorkel — no more worrying about someone grabbing your stuff when you're face-first in the water.
You can also use this in your room to keep valuables protected.
Promising review: "This is a must-have for vacations. We took it to Atlantis in the Bahamas. It worked perfectly. Held our phones, room keys, etc while we were out enjoying the beach or pool. Just looped it to beach chair or table. Highly recommended." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $49.95+ (available in four colors).
4. A water bottle cup holder adapter because the fact that your water bottle doesn't fit in your cup holder is one of the main annoying factors on your road trip. You can add this to your current cup holder to accommodate your bigger bottle so you stay hydrated the whole time.
5. A Trtl neck pillow specifically designed to keep your head in a comfortable position while you sleep so you can actually get some shut-eye.
Promising review: "This thing is the greatest thing invented since chicken and biscuits. It's like a nice scarf with just enough support to keep your neck just in the right position. I highly recommend it. Works great with big headphones, too." —Deana Hero
Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in two colors and a junior size).
6. A compact portable charger you do not need a cord to make work. Simply plug your phone into the dock, and it will give it the juice it needs after you drained it by taking 58,357 pictures. Also, you can charge the dock while it charges your phone!
It's able to charge an iPhone 8 1.5 times and a iPhone X one full time on a full charge.Â
Promising review: "This is so much better than those stupid heavy bar chargers and require you to bring alone a cord as well. I love that it fully charges your phone. It's a must-have for vacations and days at the beach." —Heather J. Mangrum
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in five colors).
7. A travel wallet with an RFID-blocking shield material to not only keep all your many important travel documents organized but also safe and ready for you to grab when you need your ID quickly in the TSA line.
The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, key holder, and pen holder.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this wallet. I needed a new travel wallet, and this holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! I can fit my boarding pass, passport, ID, credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, and more in it, yet it doesn’t bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. It's just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese Yen (¥), which are larger. I didn’t use the zippered pocket for coins as I much prefer a separate coin purse for that sort of thing. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" —Anthony Luu
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 39 colors).
8. Alleyoop's pen pal you may think is one of those super-cool multicolored pens you used in grade school, but is actually a super-cool four-in-one makeup tool. Throw this in your bag, and you'll have eyeliner, brow liner, lip liner, and a highlighter right at your fingertips. No need for so many makeup products to weigh down your bag.Â
Promising review: "This pen is amazing. I travel a lot for work, and it's so nice to just have to grab this rather than four different pieces of makeup. The less things I have to remember, the better!" —Rachel B.Â
Get it from Alleyoop for $25 (available in three shades).
9. Or a Subtl Beauty Stack, so you can keep up to *eight* makeup products in one convenient stack. You can customize your picks and stack anything from blurring face powders to brilliant lip and cheek tints! And while it's a great travel companion, you'll prob find yourself using it on the day-to-day, too.
Promising review: "I absolutely love how compact this product is. I have been pleasantly surprised at how natural the makeup feels and I love the natural look it provides. I originally purchased for traveling, but have been using it daily and love it!" –Paula Bowie
Get the Starter Stack from Subtl Beauty for $60 (available in 19 shades), or customize your own stack starting at $12 per layer.
10. AirFly, a wireless transmitter that'll connect your AirPods (or any other wireless headphones) to the headphone jack on the flight so you can enjoy all the free entertainment without being forced to bring two sets of headphones or use the crappy ones they have the AUDACITY to charge for on some flights.
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Promising review: "If you have a wireless earpiece and fly frequently, this is a must-have. Most newer planes have a monitor on the seat backs which enable you watch movies, etc. This unit enables you to do it using your wireless earpiece. Connection is simple and automatic once you have initially paired your device or devices. It's convenient. I'm happy with the purchase." —JCE
Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in three styles).
11. A travel belt made so you can attach any bag to the top of your suitcase because sometimes the best carry-on bags are not designed with that handy sleeve on the back. With this, you won't have to lug your bag through the airport when your gate is the absolute last one at the end of the longest corridor.Â
The travel belt is adjustable to 38 inches so it will fit most bags.
BTW — Cincha Travel is a small Cali-based biz started by a BIPOC couple that makes these adjustable straps from vegan leather. The brand also donates 100 airline miles for each purchase, which are used to reconnect separated migrant families.
Promising review: "Love this! I am constantly struggling between holding my jacket and two carry-ons. This is the perfect solution! I can’t wait to start using it when I’m back to regular business travel." —Allison
Get it from Cincha Travel for $40 (available in 11 colors and designs; can be monogrammed for an additional $17).
12. A Béis suitcase with one of the coolest features I've ever seen — when you pick up the suitcase, the indicator on the side will turn red if it weighs more than 50 lbs. No need to wait till you get to the airport, praying the whole time that your bag is underweight. You can check your luggage with confidence knowing you won't have to pay any extra fees.Â
See founder Shay Mitchell showing how the weight indicator works.Â
Promising review: "I love this bag so so much, it has an amazing amount of storage that is well thought out and spacious. The bag's color is also the perfect color of beige and did not pick up too many scuffs while traveling. The sections inside of the bag were also thought out well and helped me utilize the space as best as possible." —Hannah Z.
Get it from Béis for $298 (available in four colors).Â
13. Or a digital luggage scale if you already have a suitcase you love but can't tell if it's over 50 lbs. This tiny device will calm your anxiety that your bag is overweight, and that you won't have to redistribute your belonging with your suitcase open on the floor, for the whole airport to see. 😳 Maybe this is a very specific fear that I personally have...
Promising review: "This luggage scale is so handy and is great for weighing your luggage. I was a little concerned before I got it because I wasn't sure how accurate it would be. When I used it when I went on vacation, it was dead-on to what the airport said, so I highly recommend this. Plus, it’s easy to pack in your bags." —Teresa Daniels
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+Â (available in three colors and as a two-pack).
14. A travel pouch that attaches to your bra so you can keep the most important things closest to you (such as your money, credit cards, and a copy of your passport) without fear of some pickpocketing wizard breezing past you, barely touching you but somehow getting away with your stuff.
Promising reviews: "This was a LIFESAVER while traveling. I kept my cards and cash in it and had no stress about thieves lifting my essentials while traveling heavily pickpocketed cities. I loved it so much, I actually continued to use it when I got home instead of carrying a purse! The top flap did start to unravel after about six months — but this was also after six months of everyday use." —Krista Hinz
Get it from Amazon for $19.82Â (available in black and pink).
15. A beach pillow actually designed with a super cool feature — the back opens to reveal a secret storage space. You can stash all your essentials (i.e. phone, wallet, keys) and close your eyes knowing that nobody will swipe your stuff if you drift off to sleep. Plus, there's even a headphone port inside so you can listen to music without keeping your phone out in the hot sun.
LA Wedge is a small business started by Bruce Moorehead who wanted to make a travel pillow that could be used on any surface!
Promising review: "This is a must-have when I cruise now. We cruise three times a year, and I tote this around with me everywhere. It's great for laying pool side, and I also bring it ashore for all my land excursions. It's great because many times we take kayaking tours and things of that nature, and this is perfect to toss the water proof camera in. I'm so glad my friend discovered this two years ago and recommended it to me!" —Tamra T
Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in four colors).
16. A chic carry-on suitcase that will basically become your new travel BFF. Not only does this suitcase have an ejectable portable battery, it also has a "crush-proof" shell with bumpers for extra protection, a hidden laundry bag that is odor-proof, and a compression system that makes it so you can fit everything you need in your bag. This bag might really have it all.
Promising review: "I've been looking for a carry-on replacement for some time. My last carry-on was from 2007, so it was super old and not very good. Now that I have my July Carry On, I couldn't be more pleased. It's so good from functionality to style. I love the laundry bag — it's great that I don't have to remember to take my own separate laundry bag with me anymore — and the charging is so useful. The wheels are silent and smooth — so much so that on the slightest decline the bag will 100% roll away from you. The bumpers are a bit scratched after some use, but it's hardy/designed to protect what's inside, and I accept that there will be some of that happening on long-haul flights. I really enjoy the personalization as well — I had my name and a little frog etched on the top — so cute!" —Ameeka N.
Get it from July for $295 (available in nine colors; plus you can add personalization for $50).
17. A portable neck fan for a hands-free option that will still keep you cool as a cucumber, even if it's 90 degrees outside. It charges via USB, has three speed options, and also lights up — how cool is that?!?
Promising review: "A++++++. This was a lifesaver during my WDW vacation this week. Temps felt like 105 degrees, and I was so happy to have this to help keep me cool. This made walking around the parks very manageable, and I am so happy with my purchase. Charged it every night at bed, and it was ready to go in the morning. Folds up nicely and the lights are so nice!!! Walked around the parks at night with my fan and lights on! A must-have!! I love this fan so much." —Jacquelyn
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in six colors).
18. A compact tote bag designed to fold up into itself so you can store it in your bag without taking up too much space in your suitcase. Then when you get to your destination you can take it with you as you explore and have a place to stash your water, sweater, and all the fun purchases you make along the way.Â
Plus, it's made out of durable and water-resistant fabric.Â
Promising review: "I got the blush-colored bag. It is such a pretty neutral color. I packed it in my overnight bag to have an extra bag for shopping. It came in handy when I needed it! I put my water and light sweater in there. Also, I put my shopping items in there also instead of carrying extra store bags that leave a mark on you wrists. This little bag zips up compact and will always be a necessity when traveling anywhere! I highly recommend getting one!" —Nubia C.
Get it from Calpak for $35 (available in nine colors and designs).Â
19. An international power converter here to make it a breeze to plug in your electronics in 150 countries. The converter has a 5-foot detachable power cable and four different sockets, plus voltage converters so you don't short your curling iron...again.
Not talking from experience...not at all. 😬
Promising review: "This is a must-have item for travelers. It looks and works great! As an international traveler, this is very useful for me. I love that I can use it when I’m in the US as an extension with four USB ports. It also comes with handy bag to keep everything together including the plugs for different country standards. I highly recommend this product." —Mary Panam
Get it from Amazon for $41.98.Â
20. Some biodegradable hypoallergenic wipes because flying can make you feel gross and these give you the chance to freshen up when there's not a shower in sight.
21. A flying USB port with four places to plug in all your cords so you only need one plug in your bedroom to keep all your electronics (phone, watch, tablet, etc.) at 100% during your whole trip.Â
Multitasky is a female-founded and -run small biz that began in 2020 as a way for founder Julia Xu to create products that were both functional and cute.Â
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 $18Â (originally $25; available in three colors).Â
22. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount you can use on more than just the airplane — it can mount on basically any surface from the tray table, arm of a chair, or even a suitcase handle for easy viewing wherever you are.
Promising review: "I travel a lot and this (with my AirPods) are my must-haves. I download a couple movies to my phone, clip it up, and sit back and relax. Fits with the tray table closed. I have had so many people ask me where I got it. I bought it after seeing another passenger with one. 10/10" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12.97.
23. A LifeStraw that's basically magic because it makes water drinkable by removing 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites so you can enjoy a fresh drink when you're on a hike or camping and are out of fresh water.
24. A swimsuit specifically designed to stay in place during water activities (e.g., surfing, wakeboarding, etc.) *and* look super cute while relaxing by the pool. Gone are the days you have to pack multiple suits for vacation. Get you one that can do both.
25. A portable espresso maker because caffeine is an essential, even while traveling, and this lil' thing lets you use Nespresso pods to make a delicious pick-me-up, no matter where you are in the world.
26. An inflatable foot rest both adults and kids love because it gives them the ability to keep their feet up while on long flights. The foot rest can be inflated to three heights and comes with an eye mask, earplugs, dust cover, and drawstring bag.Â
Promising review: "This is a must-have for long flights! If you can't afford first-class seats like me, get this! I took a flight from LA to South Africa, and this saved me! It's easy to blow up and works great to elevate your feet to sleep. It does take up most of your space so if you don't have under-seat room, you will not have much other space. It is a little challenging it get it back in the travel bag, but I did it." —RSJ
Get it from Amazon for $25.99Â (available in four colors and as a two-pack).Â
27. A magnetic luggage tag made to be clipped to your tote bag for a super-easy (and convenient) spot to keep your hat while you travel. It uses a magnet to keep your hat in place so it will make it to your destination in one piece. Say goodbye to ever having to pull out a crushed and wrinkled hat from your luggage again!
Lindsay Albanese is an LA-based woman-owned small business that creates fashionable and functional accessories to make your life easier.
Promising review: "Love! Love! Love it! It has a very sturdy grip, and fashionable! I have had skin cancer numerous times, including melanoma. This is a must-have to keep me safe and fashionable — vacation or otherwise. I have thrown it in the overhead on a plane or shuffled through crowded venues, prior to COVID-19, and never lost my hat. This is a great gift, first to myself, and now to others! Thank you for keeping me safe and on point at an affordable price!" —Emily K.
Get it from Lindsay Albanese for $69.
28. An LED neck reading light perfect for anyone who has a later bedtime than their partner (or family) and doesn't just want to lie in bed counting sheep. Put this light around your neck and it will illuminate a book in front of you, without disrupting the people asleep around you. Talk about a game-changer!
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 multiple 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 $19.99 (available in seven colors).Â
29. A foot hammock made out of memory foam because we can't all afford to fly first class, but this little gadget will make you feel like you can (even if it doesn't come with free champagne).
30. A Hackwith Design House shirt actually made to be worn six different ways so you can totally pack light and still feel like you're not wearing the exact same outfit every day of the trip.
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business that creates made-to-order apparel. This shirt can be worn as a V-neck, off-the-shoulder, boatneck, V-back, and even open as a jacket. And the color is simple, which means it can be paired well with many different bottoms.Â
Promising review: "I’m being honest when I tell you this is the most 'worth-it' top around. I read a review from some frequent flyer who claims this is her go-to for flying. She said aside from the top’s flexibility – which allows much less packing as the top itself looks and behaves like four shirts and a jacket – it’s a savior on planes because it allows you to get into a usually overheated plane, and to weather the transition to iceberg, ho! that happens about twenty minutes into most flights, and it holds its shape and looks great. I was skeptical, as I do not have the money to blow on someone else’s opinion, but my husband told me to try it. I have the same issues with temps, and he’s probably self-protecting so as not to hear me complain so much. Long story short, I got it. It’s a gorgeous fabric despite my usually hating the ribbed thing. Not for my pleasure, thank you. But it’s nice. REALLY nice. Yes, it’s extraordinarily flexible, and yes, it’s like a jacket, and Yes, Virginia. There is a travel shirt Santa Claus. Ordering in the off-white now. Glad I read the article, and glad I bought the shirt. You should too." —Mary B.Â
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $125 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in five colors).Â
31. A collapsible water bottle capable of taking up wayyy less space in your bag presecurity, but also help you avoid paying approximately $20 for one water bottle *and* help you stay hydrated = all very important things.
32. A super-cool duffel bag that actually starts out as a garment bag, so you only have to pack one bag with everything you need *and* not worry about your suits or other clothes getting wrinkled during the journey.
Plus, the bag is water-resistant and has two exterior zip pockets, two interior shoe pockets, and a padded handle wrap. Yes, this one bag really can do it all.
Promising review: "I purchased this in preparation for some day trips for work and it sure did the job. My suit stayed crisp and I was able to fit everything I needed. The bag feels very durable, which I can't say for some of my other bags that cost five times the amount. Although many bags have a separate compartment for shoes, be careful not to overlook the importance of this feature when shopping for luggage. The last thing you want is to wake up and get dressed, only to find that something on the bottom of your shoes found its way onto your clothes. The side pockets make it easy to get essentials out of your bag, including when it's in the overhead bin on a plane." —Ronald
Get it from Amazon for $37.99+Â (available in five colors).Â
33. A sand-free beach blanket designed so that sand rolls right off it, so you can pack it up and put it back in your luggage without worrying that you'll find sand covering everything else in your suitcase weeks later.
Promising review: "This is a must-have beach item. When we are on vacation where there are beaches, we always bring this product. It has been to Hawaii as well as European beaches and is still in great shape after numerous uses. Storage is easy and compact, so it doesn't take up space in luggage. The material is comfortable and the anchors work just fine wherever we have gone. I'd buy this product again." —STR
Get it from Amazon for $28.90+ (available in two colors).
34. A portable rain hood you can wear with any jacket, so you don't have to try and pack both your cute and practical jackets when you're tight on space.
All it is is a hood attached to a vest you wear under *any* jacket to protect yourself (and your hair) from whatever the weather has planned.
Promising review: "I love this! The quality is very nice and it fits great. Wore it last week in the rain with a coat I love that doesn't have a hood and it was perfect. It slips right under your jacket so all you see is the hood, so it pretty much blends in with your jacket. Such a great idea! Wish there were more colors and patterns, I'd order more." —Jill Hammel
Get it from Amazon for $29Â (available in two sizes).
35. A luggage-mounted cup caddy so you have a place to hold your coffee (and water or snacks!) while you make your way through the never-ending terminal to find your gate. You'll never spill your coffee while trying to answer a text again!
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 $14.99+ (available in 23 colors and patterns).Â
36. A retractable lint roller in a super-sleek case you can keep stashed in a bag or purse to grab at a moment's notice when you realize that you're covered in hair.
37. A pack of collapsible pails to bring along on your next beach vacation so you don't have to ~shell~ out too much money. Since the pails collapse, they'll take up way less space in your luggage and can be used over and over and over again.
Promising review: "We travel a lot, carry on back pack only style. I try to find ways to not over stuff my bag as I don’t like to check bags. With this collapsing bucket, my son is now able to take beach toys to the beach. Before we didn’t pack sand bucket because they took up too much space. These are perfect for travel." —Khrys Monet
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $15.99+Â (available in three sizes).
38. A portable door lock designed to help you feel extra secure in your room. If triggered, this lets out a loud alarm sound which will wake you (and maybe everyone else around you) up.
39. A makeup sponge holder anyone who uses a beauty blender to apply their makeup should just add to their cart right now. This genius product will keep your sponge from mixing with your other makeup. It also has air holes on each side so the sponge can breathe, which means no weird smells!!
Promising review: "This keeps my blender clean, especially when traveling. The silicone itself is easy to wash if it gets makeup on it. I love that it has the slits so that it 'breathes'. I travel at least once a week, and I love that it protects my blender but because it isn't hard plastic and is flexible. It fits in my regular makeup bag." —Erin - TN
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three colors).
40. And a bubble makeup brush holder providing you a way to protect your makeup brushes when you stash them in your toiletry bag. You never really think about how many germs get on them when they're just rolling around with all your other makeup products, do you? Not to mention the powder stains left in the inside of your bag. These holders are made of silicone and slide right over your brush (or multiple brushes, if they're smaller) and completely protect the bristles.Â
41. A JetKids ride-on carry-on suitcase I'm pretty sure is about to become your new favorite product for traveling with kids. Not only does it have wheels, but it's designed so your toddler can sit on it, making it easy for you to wheel them through the airport. Then when you get on the flight, it easily transforms into a leg rest or in-flight bed to keep your kids comfy while in the air. How neat is that???
It's recommended for kids ages 3–7 and fits most standard economy seats. Plus, it has an adjustable strap so you can carry it over your shoulder, a top handle, and a mattress inside that can be removed and used while in the flight. Parents have even used this product while in the airport waiting for the flight to keep their kids comfy and happy.Â
Promising review: "This is a wonderful kiddy luggage/sleeper. My 2-year-old traveled with her luggage over the Thanksgiving Holiday. She loved riding on the luggage thru the airport. It was very stable, and we were able jog thru the airport while pulling her. I wish the handle was longer, my husband is 6 feet 8 inches, so he had to 'bend' downward to pull it. Opening and closing the unit is very easy to do. Our flight was only 40 minutes, so she did not get a chance to sleep on it. We did unfold it and tested it in her airplane seat. I wish it had a little more padding to make it comfortable. I was able to wipe it clean using bleach wipes. It did not mess up the unit either. Our unit is a grey color, very stylish!" —Littlelexus2003Â
Get it from Amazon for $149.25 (available in five colors) or JetKids by Stokke for $199 (available in six colors).Â
42. A pair of compression socks to stop your feet and legs from swelling up as much as Violet Beauregarde did in Willy Wonka's factory.
43. And a short version actually designed for anyone who suffers from plantar fasciitis. This style will help give you the arch support you need to keep your feet from hurting when you end up walking 20,000 steps a day (because somehow that always happens on vacation).
Promising review: "I'm dealing with falling arches and one foot attempting to develop a heel spur. I had some travel coming up that was likely to involve a good bit of walking, so in addition to trying to make sure I had decent shoes, I thought some compression socks might be a nice addition to my travel bag. I was pleased to find this toe-less variety, as I'd heard of compression socks causing toe problems. I'm really happy to say the fit and comfort on these is perfect — in addition to being large, my feet also have pretty sensitive skin on top and these socks don't bother me even after several hours of wear. I've even slept wearing them with no irritation! They also definitely make my feet feel better; soon after I put them on, my aches and pains will fade off (not always completely but always noticeably!) and my feet are much happier. I was glad to have them on my trip, and I really enjoy wearing them around the house after a tiring day." —A. Phillips
Get them from Amazon for $10.95+ (available in four sizes and nine colors).
44. A velvet jewelry case for storing your earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings because the last time you just threw your accessories into your bag you were met with a giant knotted mess.
Me to all the items in this list:
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!
