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I am a former editor and contributor to the BuzzFeed shopping team with over seven years of experience testing and recommending products that help make life a little easier, whether that’s ultralight gear, holy grail serum, jeans that fit just right, or anything in between.

Promising review: "This carry-on luggage is an exceptional choice for a four- or five-day trip. It is highly portable and constructed from high-quality materials. Notably, it includes a laundry bag and additional pockets for storing smaller items. My preferred luggage for any getaway!" —Special K.

Price: $275 (available in nine colors as well as in a bigger size)

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 (nine-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

Price: $59.99+ (available in four colors)

Promising review: "I’ve bought a few different types of packing cubes, and for me, these have been the best. Was able to pack everything I needed for a 10-day trip to Europe and used the suitcase size above the carry-on. I also like the paper labels." —Nickalette

Price: $39.99+ for a set of six (also available in sets of 2, 4, or 14, and in tons of colors)

They're also great to keep in your gym bag for a post-workout pick-me-up if you don't have time to shower.

Promising reviews: "These are excellent for travel and camping. I appreciate that they have no odor and are gentle enough for my sensitive skin." —Cherise

"I bike a short distance to work, and I don't usually get sweaty enough to justify a whole shower, but I do want to freshen up some. These are the perfect answers! The packets of 10 are lightweight. They are nicely moist, and each wipe is bigger than a baby wipe, so one is enough to freshen my entire body. The scent is just right: fresh, but not overly strong. I get to my desk at work feeling clean and professional, not worried that I stink or that I smell like baby wipes. I will be ordering more!" —Kimberly Sandbulte

Price: $24.99 for five packs with 10 wipes each (also available in a 10-pack or 20-pack of 10 wipes and in a 40-count or 80-count individual sheet pack)

Promising review: "I have tried all kinds of travel bags. I bought the hanging kind, divided ones, etc. I love this bag. It has gone with me on several trips. It fits my product bottles, hairbrush, meds, and more. I liked it so much that I purchased one for a Christmas gift." —TXgirl4life

Price: $23.99+ (available in two sizes and dozens of colors)

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 littler 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!"

This one checks all the boxes: super roomy and has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!) and a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport. And reviewers say it meets even Spirit and JetBlue's personal item rules and fits under airplane seats!

Promising review: "One bag handled a week of travel! This bag is like magic! I fit four pairs of shorts, four shirts, underwear, socks, and a couple of workout outfits with sports bras, two pairs of sandals, four bathing suits, a coverup, a sun hat, toiletries, cosmetics, a laptop, a notebook, three device chargers (computer, phone, and Fitbit), and an electric toothbrush. Even when packed to the max, the weight is comfortably distributed so it doesn’t break your back. It fits under the seat perfectly, too. I bought it when it was 50% off, but I’d pay full price knowing how awesome this bag is for travel." —AlexanderK

Price: $29.99+ (available in five sizes and 26 colors and styles)

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

Price: $24.95 (available in four colors)

Promising review: "Great size, color quality, and amount of storage!!! I pack two when I go on vacation, one for daily medicines and the other with a variety of necessary medicines and supplements. The smallest snap-close holds about five pills, and the larger holds quite a bit more. I love the second snap closure that keeps the entire case from spilling." —Brandi M

Price: $5.99 for a three-pack (available in three color sets or as a two-pack)

Promising review: "I love it so much I'm ordering more in other colors. The pocket sizes are just right, the quality is great, and the strap is fantastic. I feel like I can dress this up or down and still look fashionable. I love having full use of both hands/arms while still holding all my things." —frizzle

Price: $18.18+ (available in 15 colors/styles)

Promising review: "I’ve been buying this (and telling friends to buy) for years. I have yet to find a stain this can’t get out. From 20-year-old grease stains to blood and grass, I never expected the results I got! Everyone I’ve shared this product with loves it and is a repeat customer, too! 100% worth the cost, doesn’t leave a weird smell behind, and the bottle lasts me months and months." —W

Price: $6.98+ (available as a spray, pen, or refill, and in various pack sizes)

Check out a TikTok showing how someone used a similar neck pillow to just take that and a personal item onto a RyanAir flight that was charging for hand luggage. 

Promising review: "The Tube Pillow was a savior on my last trip. It held a surprising amount of clothes and doubled as a dirty laundry bag. I used it as an on-the-lap pillow... for extra storage without extra fees, it's worth it!" —Sharon

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.

Price: $30+ for a pack of three (available in 18 multipacks).

The band applies pressure on the P6 acupressure point, which is said to help relieve nausea and vomiting. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Promising review: "I wish I had tried this a long time ago. I used it on a 13-hour drive. Once at Disney World, I wore them for every ride, and it was the first time I did not get nauseous or sick. I was amazed. This is a must-have if you get car sick or can’t ride rides at an amusement park." —Mimi145

Fomin is a small business that specializes in travel soaps and wipes. 

Promising review: "Best thing ever. I work outdoors, and I use this for my job. Doesn’t require lots of water either, but gets the job done. I actually bought it for my fishing trip and can’t wait to see how well it does." —Amazon Customer

Price: $11.99 for a set of three (available in single-scent packs, unscented, and larger packs)

Promising review: "Perfect for international travel! Easy to use and protect against theft/pickpockets. Used it on my recent trip to Europe!" —Rachel Bristol

Price: $12.99 for a four-pack (available in four color combos)

Former BuzzFeeder Abby Kass used these on a trip: "My mom and I both used these when we went to Paris in January 2020 and loved them. They're super convenient to use, and since we visited in the winter, we actually kept them under our coats, so nobody (especially pickpockets) could see them. I like how nice the case and strap looked, and that I could hold my phone out over the ledge of the Eiffel Tower for an epic sunset shot, and not worry about it falling to its death. Plus, the attached wallet is perfect to stash a credit card, ID, and even a subway ticket. Can you see it chilling at my side in the right photo? Yep, that's where it was the entire trip and will be every other trip I take."

Promising review: "The Bandolier is just slightly bigger than my iPhone 14 pro.....compact, lightweight, and comfortable to wear all day! My only displeasure is that the envelope-snapped pocket on the back is very tiny...it will only hold three thin items like credit cards, driver's license, OR cash. But I love the crossbody!" —Amazon Customer

Price: $112 (available in eight iPhone sizes and two color combinations)

It also comes with a lanyard so you can wear it around your neck.

Promising review: "This product is incredible. I purchased it to use while in Key West for an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Galaxy S6 Edge, and it fits perfectly on each phone (but a little more snug on the iPhone 6 Plus). It is completely waterproof and takes great photos and videos through the case, but you have to press record before submerging the case. My family went snorkeling and kept the case with the phone inside submerged almost the entire time and had no issues with leakage. My family and I were stopped numerous times and asked where we purchased this product. Perfect even if just on the beach, and you do not want to get sand or sunscreen on your phone and want to still take photos/text/browse the internet while on the beach. I will be purchasing this for everyone in my family as it has become a travel must-have! I highly recommend this product." —Amber Smith

Price: $6.99+ (available in 10 colors and in two-packs)

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

Price: $20.99 (available in nine colors)

Each pack comes with three packets. And because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag.

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

Price: $8.61 for three sets of three (available in six pack sizes)

Promising review: "This safe has become a MUST-have on all our vacations. We no longer travel without it. We put two iPhones, cash, and car keys in this little safe, locked it to a beach cabana, threw a towel over it, and took off for an hour of snorkeling. Never once worried about our belongings. We now use several of these as room safes AND as 'hide a key' lockboxes outside our vacation condo for teens who come and go throughout the day. They are invaluable!" —KeepIT Reel

Price: $16.17+ (available in two colors and two- and four-packs)

Promising review: "Love these! These are sturdy and large. I used them on a recent trip to pack boots and sneakers that I didn't want to touch my clothes. They also came in handy for putting in my backpack on hikes to keep food and drinks separate and safe from leaking. I used one for storing a wet bathing suit after a swim. So many uses and take up little space!" —Amazon Customer

Price: $6.99 for a five-pack (available in four colors and in a 10-pack)

Promising reviews: "We bought this for a road trip. My toddlers love it. I just wish more came in a bottle. We made a wolf and Red Riding Hood. They played for at least an hour in the car." —Gina Laffler

"To my surprise, these things have kept my 3-year-old and 21-month-old busy for up to an hour. We brought them on the airplane and also played with them at home. They have been used many times and are still in decent shape. I was very surprised at how well they have held up and also at how long they kept my toddler's attention. Will be buying again as gifts!" —Amazon Customer

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

Price: $12.99+ (available in seven colors and in two-packs)

Heads up that this may get flagged by TSA, so try to check it in your luggage if you're flying. 

Promising review: "This simple gadget makes a big difference for safety. Highly recommended. I travel to many places for work, and this is ideal." —Harvey

Price: $11.99 (also available in a two- or four-pack)

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

Price: $7.99+ (available in five colors and in two-packs)

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

Note that the Apple AirTag is meant for Apple device users who can access the Find My app.

Promising review: "I love AirTags! These are very handy when traveling to make sure you always know where your luggage, purse, and backpack are. Keep in mind, there is sometimes a slight delay in getting the data. I have logged in to 'Find My' and seen my luggage at the last airport because it hadn’t updated the information yet, but it does eventually update, and then you can breathe a sigh of relief that your luggage made it! Unless it didn’t make it, but then at least you know where it is!" —Paul and Ann

Promising review: "This travel bottle is awesome!! You can fold it up to store it in your carry-on until you get through airport security, and afterward unfold and fill with water (or a beverage of choice)! The screw-on lid is secure and won't allow liquids to escape, even when the bottle is turned on its side. Words of caution: it's so convenient that you may forget to empty it before heading back to the airport. It WILL BE detected in the X-ray machine, and you will be stopped in the pre-flight line while they rummage through your bag, remove the culprit, and have you walk it over to the nearest trash can to empty it. 🤦🏾‍♀️" —JettaJoy

Price: $8.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors)

Promising review: "I purchased this razor for a recent trip to Europe, and it was absolutely perfect! Its compact size made it easy to pack in my carry-on without taking up too much space. Despite being travel-friendly, it provided a close and smooth shave every time. Lightweight, convenient, and efficient — exactly what I needed for traveling. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a reliable travel razor!" —Amazon Customer

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

Price: $20+ (available in four models and up to 10 colors in certain models)

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: 

"HELLO, I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE. Despite all the rave reviews, I was definitely skeptical of space-saving bags that didn't require a vacuum, and even as they were actively squishing my clothes into oblivion, I still couldn't quite believe it. I had easily two suitcases worth of clothes I wanted to pack for a three-week trip to London, and I managed to neatly pack the entirety of my wardrobe in one roller carry-on bag. Truly, all I had to do was put my clothes in the bag, push them to the bottom, and then sit on it to get the air out before sealing it up. I had tons of extra bags and made a habit of taking them with me in case other people joining me on trips need them to be able to pack souvenirs on the way home. I'm never taking a long trip without these again — these are worth every damn penny. Psst — just note that airlines will still enforce weight limits, so don't fly TOO close to the sun packing these up!" 

Promising review: "I recently bought these, and I'm upset that it took me so long! I travel (fly) to my friend's condo regularly and only pack a 'weekender-type' bag. I used these for the first time, and they are an absolute space saver! Easy to use. Stayed compressed. Bags fit a lot! No complaints." —Nicole S.

You can also switch between pounds and kilograms. 

My colleague Elizabeth Lilly tested this luggage scale out when packing for a trip to Iceland — check out her demo of how it works on TikTok!

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

Price: $9.99+ (available in three colors and a two-pack)

Promising review: "Hotel rooms and cruise ships never have enough hangers. Taking these along made a huge difference in the closets and folded up to practically nothing. Lightweight. Love them!" —sb44

Price: $9.99 for a 12-pack (also available in 24- and 36-packs)

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

Price: $8.09+ (available in two sizes and seven colors)

* Things You Can Wear Multiple Ways On Vacation If You’re Tight On Suitcase Space

* Things That Are More Exciting To Do On A Plane Than Stare At The Flight Tracker

* Planning To Travel More This Year? Check Out These 30 Products

* If You Want To Be The Smuggest Person On The Flight, Give These 33 Handy Products A Try

* "I Can't Stress Enough How Handy This Product Is": 33 Travel Products That Are Like Little Life Hacks

Plus, finds from Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

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