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1. A portable digital luggage scale to ensure you're on track to meet the weight requirements of your next flight. Pro tip: Bring it on your trip so you're set for your return flight after your post-vacay shopping spree.
You can also switch between pounds and kilograms.
Promising review: "We used this on a six-flight trip across Europe, and it made it easy to know that we repacked our bags according to the various weight limits. Some bags had a 10-kilogram limit, and some had a 50-pound limit, so it was convenient to switch back and forth between units (even though dividing by 2.2 isn't exactly rocket science)." —Zac
Get it from Amazon for $8.88+ (available in three colors and a two-pack).
2. A tiny Hydro Flask — awwwwww — that holds 6.7 ounces of water, coffee, tea, or whatever you think you'll need on your journey to give you a little boost. Big water bottles are great, but boy, can they be heavy. This cutie holds the perfect "just in case" amount of water and won't bog you down.
Promising review: "Adorable, and way more useful than you'd think. I've been using it for water; it fits perfectly in my purse or pants pocket, and it holds more than you think. I bought a second one for my daughter, and it was great at Disney the other day, not too heavy or cumbersome. It fit perfectly in the side outer pocket of her Loungefly mini backpack and kept her drink cold, and she just refilled it as needed." —erinm51
Get it from Amazon for $19.70+ (available in 26 colors).
3. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount, so whether you're traveling by plane, train, or anything in between, you can stay entertained hands-free.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, 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." —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in seven colors and in two-packs).
4. A luggage-mounted cup caddy, because chances are your hands are gonna be full no matter where or how you're traveling. No need to forgo a tasty bev with this handy-dandy invention around.
Promising review: "So handy. We travel all the time, and this is perfect for holding drinks at the airport. Love it." —Bruce V. Hartley
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 11 colors).
5. A few anti-pickpocketing clips that attach to your luggage zippers, making it trickier for anyone to get into your precious cargo without you noticing.
Promising review: "Perfect for international travel! Easy to use and protect against theft/pickpockets. Used it on my recent trip to Europe!" —Rachel Bristol
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four color combos).
6. A belt bag to keep your essentials right next to ya, helping to keep valuables and IDs safe and sound, and things like phones, lip balm, and headphones available in an instant.
Promising review: "Perfect size, fits all the essentials for going on a walk or just running errands. What I like about this one is that the adjustable strap doesn’t slide all over the place. It stays put where you like it. Minimalistic, understated, yet perfectly functional and stylish." —kathleenHoff
Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in 29 colors).
7. A Calpak Luka Duffel, which is far and away my favorite travel bag. I once spent three weeks in Europe with just this bad boy, and it handled beautifully. Its best quality? It's the exact dimensions needed to count as an under-seat "personal item" on a plane, which is a game changer for booking cheap flights and traveling light.
When I decided to tag some time onto a trip to France to travel around Europe and do the hostel thing, I knew I needed to pack super light so I could book cheap commuter flights and overall avoid the whole endeavor feeling like a slog. I had some doubts as to whether such a — I'll say it — trendy bag could handle that kind of weight, and wear and tear, but to my utter delight it did. And it looked damn good while doing so.
The laptop sleeve is slightly padded and fits my MacBook Air, which I depend on for work, nicely and safely. Its water bottle sleeve is handy not just for bottles but also for keeping essentials like sunglasses and headphones at your fingertips. It has many interior pockets to keep things like electronics, notebooks, cash, etc., safe and separate, and it even has a separate shoe compartment if you bring more than one pair and want to keep the rest of your goods from getting dirty. Wheeled bags have their place, but as someone traveling alone and doing a lot of walking, I appreciated that I could sling this over my shoulder and head to a café or just stroll without looking out of place while waiting to check in at a hostel or to board a train. You don't need to put this bag through the ultimate test, like I did, to enjoy it. Even just as an overnight bag, it's an amazing addition to any travel setup. It may be pricey, but not needing to pay an arm and a leg to add a carry-on on cheap flights makes the bag pay for itself.
Get it from Calpak for $138 (available in six colors).
8. A simple luggage strap that'll give you another spot to clip travel essentials like neck pillows, packable jackets, zippered pouches, or anything else you'd rather transport hands-free.
Promising review: "I have a travel backpack that I really like, but it has no easy way to attach to the top of a roller bag for travel. I tried a carabiner, but it lets the backpack move too much, making it unstable on the roller bag. These straps are adjustable, so you get a much better, more secure fit. Of course, a backpack with an elastic strap on the front to fit over the rollerbag's handles would be perfect, but this is the next best thing for a fraction of the cost of a new backpack." —S. McCallister
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in five colors and in two-packs).
9. A combination 3D eye mask/travel pillow to ensure you get some much-needed shut-eye on your long-haul flight. Is there any better feeling that timing your plane sleep schedule juuuuust right?
This contraption provides 360-degree support thanks to a wraparound design and clips that connect it to your seat's headrest.
Promising review: "Just took a 15-hour flight with this travel pillow, and this was the best travel pillow by far. I've used inflatable and memory foam neck pillows before; the major problem is that they don't secure your head and torso, so either your muscles have to hold up your body, or your head and torso will end up swinging around, and both are disruptive to sleep. With this travel pillow, my muscles can relax, and the padded eye mask will hold up my head and torso. One minor downside is that the pillow needs to be mounted on your seat's headrest; if someone bumps your seat, it can be disruptive, but this rarely happens. Its size and weight are also much less than memory foam neck pillows, and I don't have to bring an extra eye mask, so it is very travel-friendly." —Sky
Get it from Amazon for $17.63+ (available in 10 colors).
10. An airplane pocket tray cover for staying organized, entertained, and hydrated on long-haul flights. A secondary benefit is keeping your hands from rooting around in the seat-back pocket that's always kind of sticky. Bleh.
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says about it:
"I used this on a round-trip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my little odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff, and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!"
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
11. An airplane foot hammock so you have a few more options for sitting methods other than "feet on the floor" and "cross-legged but bothering your neighbor."
Promising review: "Great purchase. My ankles always swell a little on long flights, but this little foot hammock made all the difference on my flight to and from the UK last month. The gentle rocking nature of the sling kept my feet gently moving, increasing my circulation. This is a must-have for long coach or economy-plus flights! It would work great on a long train or bus ride, too. Worth it!" —AR
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
12. A cable and electronics organizer pouch to prevent your cords from joining forces and forming one ultra-evil knot in your bag that's impossible to detangle. Save your time and sanity by keeping them separate in these nice little compartments.
Promising review: "I used this pouch on a recent trip, and it made a huge difference in keeping my things organized. I was able to store my cords, power bank, and other small items all in one place, which made it so much easier to find what I needed quickly. The material feels sturdy and durable, and it looks like it will last me a long time. For the price, this was a great buy and very practical for travel." —J Hernandez
Get it from Amazon for $9.85+ (available in four sizes and 23 colors).
13. An AirFly wireless transmitter that allows you to connect your Bluetooth headphones to the airplane audio jack. Not being literally tethered to the seat in front of you and covered in wires while you attempt to relax is gonna be a small but mighty improvement to the flying experience.
Promising review: "This is the second version of this product that I have purchased, and I’m very happy with it. I bought the first one so my hard-of-hearing mother could watch TV using her wireless headphones instead of blasting the volume. It worked so well for her that I decided to buy another one for myself when I fly. It is super easy to set up and pair, and it worked perfectly on my flight a few days ago." —VMB
Get it from Amazon for $34.97+ (available in four models and up to 10 colors in certain models).
14. A travel wallet to keep all of your documents and cards in one handy place. No more checking every nook and cranny of your suitcase to make sure you have everything you need.
Promising review: "This is a great wallet! Fits all cards/passports/money comfortably. You can use this on its own or as a wallet (which I personally do). It’s perfect for travel, also." —Lisa Michelle
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 14 colors).
15. A set of under-$20 wireless Bluetooth earbuds, because cutting the cord during travel gives you so much more freedom of motion (but not at the cost of an arm and a leg).
Promising review: "So many things to rave about with these! Quality of the design and feel of these is amazing. I could literally wear these all night while on vacation with a roommate who snored; they were that comfortable and good at noise canceling. I use these most often to listen to music, and the sound quality is superb. I have a pair of AirPods that I was *thankfully* gifted, and I hardly ever use them because they just aren't as good as my Tozos!" —Alexis Arnold
Get them from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in six colors).
16. A cute and compact portable pill container that has seven compartments so you can keep your essential medications and supplements with you in your personal item bag, just in case.
Promising review: "This is the best pill container I have found. It holds a month’s worth of pills in each compartment and is compact and easy to store and travel with. It is very sturdy, and I don’t have to worry about the cap opening accidentally. The enclosed labels are a bonus, and the see-through exterior makes it easy to see how many pills are left. I keep it on my nightstand, and it doesn’t take a lot of space." —TA
Get it from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in seven colors).
17. A pair of Loop Quiet 2 "hidden" earplugs if the constant noise of travel gets to you and you want a little peace and quiet for once. I use my earplugs way more than I ever would've guessed for concerts, trips, and beyond. They're nice to have on hand! They also come with four tip sizes to ensure the perfect fit.
Psst — Loop makes a variety of "hidden" earplugs for concerts, focus, and even for kids. Check them all out on Loop's Amazon storefront!
Promising review: "This is my third pair of Loop earplugs. I like using them in the car, on planes, at concerts, in class, and while sleeping. This is my first pair of the silicone ones, which are much more comfortable to sleep in. If you are more sensitive to noise, I definitely recommend keeping these on you." —Cash Tieman
Get them from Amazon for $24.95 (available in four colors).
18. And a set of silicone "EarPlanes" whose twisty design helps relieve the painful pressure that builds up in your ears during flights. Trade in chewing gum you don't even want, hoping to pop your ears, for these.
Promising review: "This product has changed my life. I travel fairly frequently and always have issues with ear pressure on the plane. My ears will be clogged up, and it is painful to swallow for a day or two after short-distance flights. But now, I use these and fly incident-free. You are supposed to insert them before the plane takes off and then before landing. I have found that it works best if I leave them in the entire flight from before takeoff until landing, but they work almost as well if you take them out once you reach cruising altitude." —Thomasina
Get them from Amazon for $8.49 (also available in multipacks).
19. A subtle amber reading light so you can read your real, live paper books on the plane without having to use the overhead light that low-key annoys everyone around you or at *least* makes you scared that's the case. This is a simple and elegant upgrade, especially if you tend to read right before bed.
Promising review: "This is a fantastic light! I use it every evening to continue reading while my son sleeps; it doesn't wake him or interfere with my sleep once I’m ready to go to bed. Great product." —Brian Masters
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three colors).
20. A pack of basic travel tissues, because you *always* need one when you don't have one. You know Kleenex. You love Kleenex. Bring a pack or two with you for any sneezing emergencies.
Promising review: "Love these little packs. They’re nice to have in your purse. Small detail, but I love that you open these from the side and not from the top. Much easier to get one out. The tissues are soft and as durable as tissue can be, and for the price, this is a great deal!" —Bunny
Get a pack of eight on Amazon for $2.48 (also available in larger pack sizes)
21. A Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask to treat your skin to pure, moisturizing luxury anywhere you need it — yes, even after a long, drying flight. Use it as a mask or as a moisturizer. It's up to you! I have a mini tube and genuinely love tucking it into my travel bags when my skin is at its most sensitive, and a blend of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide in a silky smooth cream is just what it needs.
Promising review: "This stuff works amazingly. I didn’t want to like it because of the price tag, but I knew I’d fall in love. It’s rich and thick and absorbs well. My skin absolutely looooooves this. It’s a staple now. I have sensitive skin, and I had zero irritation with using this product." —Courtney Rae
Get it from Amazon for $26+ (available in two sizes and sets).
22. A Monos carry-on roller bag — simply put, the nicest carry-on I've ever used! Its wheels never stick, and the handle never wiggles; the finishings feel luxe, and it just looks slick. Especially since I typically vow to never check a bag if it can be avoided, I think it's well worth the splurge-worthy price.
This really is just the nicest luggage I've ever had. The price tag is high, but considering how much having the right equipment can make or break a trip, I really think it's worth it. In the past, I've always struggled with sticky wheels, wobbly handles, and zippers I was afraid to really push. Monos' carry-on has a durable exterior (it moved with me across the country via a moving company and survived an experience on a banged-up pallet), interior straps to keep everything tightly in place, and is really just a good-looking bag. Three-plus years in and I highly rec.
Promising review: "I bought one for my husband and one for me. We used them to travel through four countries in 10 days. We carried it on the plane, several trains, a rental car, and rolled it over miles of cobblestone streets through snow and ice! We were able to pack everything we needed for 10 days in the luggage and a backpack. I can’t express how pleased I am with this purchase! If you’re on the fence, buy it! You won’t be sorry!" —Jennifer S.
Get it from Monos for $275 (available in 14 colors).
23. A Baseus Picogo power bank with a super slim profile that holds a surprising amount of power. I'm talking about getting you above 50% battery after just half an hour of charging. That can really come in clutch when you need it for entertainment, and the plug at your plane seat is busted.
While this power bank is designed for iPhones, some Android-owning reviewers note that it works for them if they have a MagSafe-compatible case. The included USB-C braided cable is also compatible with most Android phones for wired charging.
Check out a TikTok of the Baseus power bank in action.
Promising review: "One of my favorite portable MagSafe chargers. Nice and slim, light, and the capacity is better than some others I have claiming the same capacity. Might be buying another one just to have a couple around." —Beau Steward
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in seven colors).
24. A pair of compression socks to keep swelling at bay when you're on long-haul flights. Woof, that's the worst feeling, especially on overnights.
Physix Gear Sport is a family-owned small business that specializes in gear for sports, travel, comfort, and business.
Read more about compression socks and long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "I have been traveling almost every week for business for the past six years, and about five years in, I realized my legs would often hurt after some longer flights. My physician told me to try wearing compression socks while flying. After using these for many months and wearing them on a few international flights, I have to say this is definitely worth the money! They are very comfortable and do not feel too suffocating while on longer flights." —Lopa Desai
Get them from Amazon for $18.82+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 11 colors).
25. A Trtl neck pillow with a structured body to give you more of a side-sleeping position than a traditional travel pillow, without the dreaded threat of nodding off onto your neighbor's shoulder.
Promising review: "I have never, and I mean NEVER, been able to sleep on planes. Traditional neck pillows always left me with a dropped head, a super sore neck, or both. Bought this for a trip to Sicily from NYC (9-hour flights) and it was the best! Comfortable, easy to get on and set up, and most importantly, I slept! Now, did I sleep the whole flight? No, but I slept for two three-hour chunks, which is six hours of sleep I would not have gotten otherwise. I read a bunch of reviews about it not being for people with short necks, and I did not find that to be the case. I have a pretty short neck, and it worked perfectly. Once it's on, you can 'turn it' so your head doesn't droop forward. Absolute game changer and worth every penny!" —Elizabeth J. Cusick
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in four colors).
26. A pack of Touchland hand sanitizers to keep yourself nice and clean, and smelling good, even when you're suspended midair. Can't say an airplane sink has ever REALLY done it for me.
Promising review: "Best hand sanitizer by far. I found this brand a few years ago, and it's now all I ever buy. The mist is so fine that it doesn't make a mess and comes in great scents (or unscented, if you prefer). I always have one clipped to my work bag or backpack, and it is great for travel. Never makes a mess — it won't leak or break. Also, I've never had an issue going through TSA at any airport with it clipped to the outside of my travel/carry-on bag. Lavender is still my favorite, but I have others that I like similarly." —Dawn C.
Get it from Amazon for $30+ (available in 17 multipacks).
27. An inflatable travel pillow for anyone FULLY committed to getting some ZZZs while en route and via any mode of transportation. If you fall asleep better while you're watching something, you can even tuck your phone inside and peek at it through the pillow's little window.
Still need to grab a few more things before your next trip? Let us help:
* Things That’ll Make An Airplane Middle Seat Feel Almost Comfortable
* Reviewers Are Singing The Praises Of These 28 Travel Gadgets
* You’ll Be Glad You Packed These 29 Things When You Hit The Road With Your Family For A Vacation
* Practical Travel Finds Worth Packing Every Time
* Packing Essentials If You Like To Be Organized...But Somehow Never Are When Traveling
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Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.