29 Products So Traveling Won't Be A Complete Nightmare
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
What if I told you there was carry-on luggage that could wheel your kid through the airport.
BuzzFeed Staff
The starter pack comes with two Mates, one Slim, and one Sticker. The Tile can also make a beeping sound until you find your items.
Promising review: "A must-have. I have these on everything, including my wallet, car, luggage and dog. After being separated from my bag in another country and tracking it down, I swear by these things. Highly recommend." —Izzy Castro
Get the starter pack from Amazon for $79.88.
Check out a TikTok of the portable charger in action.
Promising review: "iPhone users rejoice. This was the only portable charger I could find on the market that did not require a lightening adapter to charge an Apple product! I bought this for my fiancé since he spends long days on movie sets. This has been a life saver. It charges fast and you get more than one charge out of it. This would be great for travel, long work days, bad service areas (eats up battery faster), or older phones whose battery isn’t that great (this worked on his iPhone 7 and my iPhone XR). It may require you to remove your phone case, but that’s an easy accommodation. Highly recommend!" —Kelly Schuetz
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in six colors).
The charger can be used in Mexico, Canada, the UK, the UAE, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and countries in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Promising review: "LOVE this adapter! I travel from time to time internationally and have always used just the 'standard' adapters found in airports. Could not pass up the opportunity to purchase this one after reading the reviews. Exceeded my expectations of what it was capable of. Used on a recent trip to Germany and it handled everything needed — laptop, cell phone (USB ports are so very welcome), alarm clock, dryer, etc. Did not miss a beat on the power provided. And, it is also attractive looking ;-) Thank you for making such a great, dependable product!" —Monkey
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
To use, put them on *both* wrists.
Promising review: "I was skeptical about these but I was quickly all about them when I put them on. I get really motion sick when flying but this weekend I did not get motion sick at all during a four hour flight! I was even able to read my book for a while on the plane without sickness! I have never been able to do that before. I love these and they are now a must-have whenever I travel again. 10/10." —Rosse
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53 (also available in children's sizes).
I recently bought this and it's my new favorite possession. I either carry my Nalgene or my Yeti everywhere (if I'm not drinking water, you can bet I'm guzzling coffee), which is unwieldy in my tote bag, to say the least. I end up carrying the bottles by hand, which, besides being tiring, makes me prone to losing said bottle. Enter the CalPak holder, which has low-key upgraded my life. I don't even carry a tote anymore — I can pack my lipsticks, scrunchies, wallet, keys, phone, earbuds, and sunglasses in the outside pockets with my coffee, water, or tea snug inside. The strap is adjustable so you can wear it crossbody or over your shoulder. This is an investment, but one that has been well worth it for me. I recently brought it to the airport with me for a flight I was taking, and it's made me love this little thing even more. I am easily frazzled in airports and am constantly anxiously digging around in my carry-on for my ID, charger, wallet, and what have you. The Calpak water bottle holder *shined*, keeping everything I needed close and neatly organized in their own compartments, plus my drink close. I will never travel without this again — mark my words.
Calpak is a family-owned business that makes high-quality travel products that are both innovative and stylish.
Get it from Calpak for $42 (available in 21 colors).
Promising review: "Shipping was impeccable! The holder is sleek looking. It is nice and large. My COVID vaccine card fits snugly." —Alexandra Tino
Henney's Boutique is a California-based small biz that specializes in passport holders.
Get it from Henney's Boutique on Etsy for $8+ (available in five colors and in a combo pack with a luggage-tag).
Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels! If you have 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, when it’s my turn to check my passport and ticket, the coffee cup fell to the ground and coffee sprinkled. It was a nightmare! This time I bought this cup holder, and it did 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 29 colors and other styles).
Promising review: "This is the perfect size for travel, and they last forever. I keep one in the car and another in my toiletry bag for when I'm on the move. I can never find it in the stores so was glad to find it here." —E. Furan
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $4.93 (available in various pack sizes).
Promising review: "I absolute LOVE these socks!!! Usually when I travel my ankles swell so bad that I have to elevate my feet for a extended period of time for the swelling to go down. However, I just went on a 10-hour flight while wearing these and my ankles and feet were not swollen!! I was absolutely amazed!! I wish I would have bought these sooner!! I would highly recommend these socks!" —Donnesha
Get it from Amazon for $9.23+ (available in 13 colors and sizes S–XXL).
Promising review: "We travel frequently and have two children. As any parent knows, packing for yourself and your children can be overwhelming (especially for a 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.
It also easily attaches to backpacks and luggage handles (see the photo on the right), weighs less than half a pound, and is machine washable!
Promising review: "I can't stop recommending this pillow to all of my friends! It has let me comfortably sleep on flights that take place on the most uncomfortable airplane seats. On long flights, I always need to prop up my hand and I rest my head on it. But this method always ends with my arm falling asleep and I end up waking up every 30 minutes. Now this pillow provides that exact same support without needing my arms to prop me up! It's small enough to fit in your bag and doesn't take up much space." —Simona Krifman
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four colors).
Just hook the scale to your luggage handle, lift up, and the LCD display will show the weight! You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising reviews: "Took this on multiple overseas trips in the first two months. I can't believe I used to hold my bags and weigh myself and the bag on scales — and then subtract my weight. It was so time consuming, especially when we were either close to the limit or over. This small device literally saved us hours of frustration and possible unpacking at the airport check-in line. We couldn't live without this item now. We bought another one as a backup. Wouldn't hesitate to buy this exact item again." —AB
"Took this for a 10-day trip overseas with lots of flights. Weighed the luggage as things were added to it/purchased, and when we weighed in at the airport it was perfectly accurate. Very important when the airline will charge $70 more for a suitcase that is too heavy or make you openithe whole thing up and take stuff out in order to fly with it. Saved so much hassle." —B. M. O'Connor
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in six colors, as well as a two-pack).
You can even pair two sets of headphones at once to the AirFly! They work on gym and gaming equipment, too.
Promising review: "Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry multiple headsets! Thank you!!!" —Ryan Malloy
Twelve South is a husband and wife-owned biz based in Charleston, South Carolina! They've been designing accessories inspired by and made for Apple products since 2009.
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three styles).
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. 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 $12.97 (available in three colors).
It fits 32-ounce and 40-ounce bottles.
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!" —sprocketnellie
Wine and Whiskey Co. is a small business that makes clothes, phone cases, and car accessories!
Get it from Wine and Whiskey Co. on Etsy for $12.99 (also available in packs of three, four, and six).
Promising review: "This product is great and such a bargain! I received everything promised in the advertised description including extra mounting supplies! Installation was a breeze, the magnet is extremely powerful and the 3M adhesive is especially effective if you wait a couple of days before using the device. Follow instructions as given and you will be impressed with the item. I didn't use the metal discs as I already had a metal ring attachment on the back of my phone and it still worked perfectly!" —Rhonda Speak
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four colors).
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Britt Ross loves this backpack! She writes: "I went to Italy this summer, and as someone who prefers a small backpack over a purse most of the time, I thought this would be a great purchase, as it would give me some peace of mind as I spent hours wandering around different cities. I'm happy to report that after two weeks of daily use, I'm convinced I'll be bringing it on every trip I take from now on. It's small enough so that it doesn't feel bulky or uncomfortable throughout the day, but has plenty of space for everything you'd need on the go — I fit my wallet, sunscreen, glasses case, hand sanitizer, water bottle, snacks, and even a small umbrella, with room to spare! And the fact that it opens from the back means someone would literally have to pry it off of you to get to your valuables. I bought the medium size in black pebbled faux leather, and it's actually quite cute for the price!"
Promising review: "I bought this backpack to use as a purse while on vacation, and it worked perfectly. The main pouch is protected when you’re walking around because the zipper is protected by your back. There are also two side zippered pockets, one of which kept my phone and the other perfect for sunglasses and a few other items that I wanted to access more easily. I loved that I could wear it as a purse to dinner but use it as a backpack during the day so that my shoulder didn’t get tired. I highly recommend this item!" —Allison
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in 14 styles, including two sizes).
It features 20 nonlooping sleep sounds, 32 volume levels, and a timer — plus, it weighs less than half a pound!
Promising review: "Wonderful sound machine. Compact enough for travel. We took ours on vacation and are so glad we did. This drowns out hotel noises perfectly! I like how small it is when on my dresser at home, too. So thankful for the nonlooping sound. Would recommend over and over again." —Hill.jess
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
*Plus,* decanting your creams and liquids into these babies will free up space in your carry-on and spare you weight.
PS: It also comes with pre-printed labels and a handy, clear zipper pouch!
Promising review: "Just took a trip to the Dominican Republic and used carry-on luggage only throughout the entire trip, never once was questioned about the size. The bag they are in seems thin but it worked great to put bottles back in as well as some smaller items fit in the bag too, like lip gloss, mascara, and such. The holes are big enough to get your product in to the bottles without any complications. My fiancé and myself had plenty of shampoo, conditioner, sunblock and lotion for seven days. Highly recommend these bottles, they are perfect for carry-ons!!" —Stephanie Miller
Get a set of four 3-ounce bottles from Amazon for $9.59+ (available in a variety of sizes and colors).
Promising review: "I love this thing. I was definitely skeptical but it is sort of miraculous how the water stays in the bowl. (It is even a little tricky to dump the water on purpose because of the design.) I needed a bowl so my pup could have water at all times during a cross-country road trip. It doesn't slide around, and didn't spill. He has even stepped on it and it barely splashed. Perfect. Totally recommend." —Siena
Get it from Amazon for $13.95 (available in two colors)
Promising review: "I absolutely love this product!! Came exactly as advertised. The feel is nice quality, and zippers and pockets all good quality. My favorite is the necklace compartment! The separate elastic bands really do prevent my necklaces from tangling together. Everything is easy to see and store. I highly recommend buying this for yourself or as a gift!" —Kristid
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.97.
Promising review: "Must-have traveling accessory. Best way to pack a suitcase! I’ll never go back to stuffing everything in on its own. These compartments held way more than I imagined and kept me organized. I will definitely add more to my collection. Makes a great gift for frequent travelers too!" —Lisa
Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in 10 styles and in packs of two, three, or six).
It's recommended for kids ages 3–7 (and up to 77 pounds) 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 also use this product while in the airport waiting for the flight to keep their kids comfy and happy.
Promising review: "So we traveled from JFK to Florida recently and this 'giddy up' (as my daughter called it) made its money just on the walk from long-term parking to Terminal 2. Anyone who's been at JFK's Terminal 2 recently knows the extensive haul that is. The suitcase is easy to pull, easy to maneuver and fit a bunch of snacks, iPad, coloring books, blanket, plushies, and an empty Yeti kids rambler. I plan on buying another for my second child." —Darling Wold
Get it from Amazon for $183.20 (available in six colors).
Promising review: "We are a family of seven and this held all of our bathroom supplies for a weekend trip. This is a must-have for traveling. The best feature is it being able to hang up on a robe hook or the back of a door. It frees up hotel sinks and keeps you well organized." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and 12 colors).
It's also great for people who sit for long hours at their job!
Promising review: "A few weeks into working from home five days a week I started having a lot of hip/leg/back pain. I have a good Herman Miller task chair that had been fine for 1–2 days of WFH a week, but wasn't working for me full time. In the early afternoons my lower back would start cramping. I did some research and bought this pillow and it immediately helped! I also took it on a two-week road trip since a three-day road trip earlier this year had made a mess of my lower body that lingered for weeks — and no pain! What really drove me to write this review was that yesterday, unknowingly, I worked all day sitting on my chair without my cushion. I had removed it to use as a spare chair at my dinner table and forgot to put it back. At the end of the day hip was aching and I realized why! Today it's back on my chair and I'm already feeling better." —Lorene
Get it from Amazon for $47.95+ (available in three colors).
Promising review: "I love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip. It made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I'm back home, I've been using it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse." —Michele
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in five colors and in sets of two).
Promising review: "Love this luggage tag. I bought my son and his wife two as a wedding gift with luggage and just purchased two for me and my husband. I ordered the bright orange so I could easily spot my luggage, and it turned out great!" —Maggie
Little Dot Studio is a woman-owned, Seattle-based small biz specializing in engraved keepsakes, like luggage tags and bookmarks.
Get it from Little Dot Studio on Etsy for $11.62+ (available in 17 strap options and 19 acrylic color options — personalized engraving included).
I have one of these and it's one of my favorite purchases, period. I love always having my phone on me without having to carry it by hand (and because my clothes often don't have pockets included). It's a dream for traveling too because it allows me to never misplace my phone, since it's always on me, literally. An amazing travel and TBH life hack.
Promising reviews: "Love the colors I chose!!! Quality is great!! Taking it on vacation, cannot wait to use the lanyard with the case!!!" —Amy Koester
"Fun, bright and it will simplify your life and give you your arms back. Beautiful colors to choose from and received lots of compliments." —Rosey
Your Color Your Style is a California-based small biz that makes stylish yet functional crossbody holders for smartphones.
Get it from Your Color Your Style on Etsy for $29.69+ (available in 14 sizes and in 12 colors, and with customization).
Reviews here have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Promising review:After being separated from my bag in another country and tracking it down, I swear by these things.Promising review: This would be great for travel, long work days, bad service areas (eats up battery faster), or older phones whose battery isn’t that greatPromising review:Exceeded my expectations of what it was capable of. Used on a recent trip to Germany and it handled everything needed — laptop, cell phone (USB ports are so very welcome), alarm clock, dryer, etc.Promising review:I love these and they are now a must-have whenever I travel again.Enter the CalPak holder, which has low-key upgraded my life. I don't even carry a tote anymoreI recently brought it to the airport with me for a flight I was taking, and it's made me love this little thing even more.Promising review:Promising review: It was a nightmare! This time I bought this cup holder, and it did do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! Promising review: the perfect size for travel, and they last foreverPromising review: I just went on a 10-hour flight while wearing these and my ankles and feet were not swollen!! Promising review: As any parent knows, packing for yourself and your children can be overwhelming (especially for a trip longer than a few daysYou can also list the quantity of each item needed.Promising review: It has let me comfortably sleep on flights that take place on the most uncomfortable airplane seats.Now this pillow provides that exact same support without needing my arms to prop me up! It's small enough to fit in your bag and doesn't take up much space.Promising reviews:This small device literally saved us hours of frustration and possible unpacking at the airport check-in line. Weighed the luggage as things were added to it/purchased, and when we weighed in at the airport it was perfectly accurate. Very important when the airline will charge $70 more Promising review:I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing!Promising review. 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 tableHowever, 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 computerIt's extremely well-built and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time.Promising review:Promising review:Installation was a breeze, the magnet is extremely powerfulFollow instructions as given and you will be impressed with the item.It's small enough so that it doesn't feel bulky or uncomfortable throughout the day, but has plenty of space for everything you'd need on the go And the fact that it opens from the back means someone would literally have to pry it off of you to get to your valuables.Promising review: I loved that I could wear it as a purse to dinner but use it as a backpack during the day so that my shoulder didn’t get tiredPromising review:This drowns out hotel noises perfectly! I like how small it is when on my dresser at home, too.Promising review:My fiancé and myself had plenty of shampoo, conditioner, sunblock and lotion for seven days.Promising review:It doesn't slide around, and didn't spill. He has even stepped on it and it barely splashed.Promising review:The separate elastic bands really do prevent my necklaces from tangling together.Promising review:I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully.Promising review:Promising review:we traveled from JFK to Florida recently and this 'giddy up' (as my daughter called it) made its money just on the walk from long-term parking to Terminal 2.Promising review:This is a must-have for traveling.Promising review:I also took it on a two-week road trip since a three-day road trip earlier this year had made a mess of my lower body that lingered for weeks — and no pain! Promising review:Promising review:It's a dream for traveling too because it allows me to never misplace my phone, since it's always on me, literally.Promising reviews: it will simplify your life and give you your arms back.