the best travel accesories

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The 13 best travel accessories, chosen by our editors.

Discover our editors' favorite finds for making every adventure better.

The Best Travel Accessories

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U.S. News Travel editors and contributors recommend you pack these must-haves for your next getaway.

When packing for a trip, you of course have to decide what to pack in your carry-on bag and checked luggage, including what clothing, toiletries and other essentials to bring. Having the right travel accessories can make your packing process and travels smoother. From noise-canceling earbuds to condensation-free water bottles, the travel editors and contributors at U.S. News have compiled a list of their favorite travel accessories that make every journey more comfortable.

S'well Stainless Steel Traveler

Staying hydrated while traveling is essential, so it's always a good idea to pack a reusable water bottle. This S'well travel bottle is made of stainless steel with triple-layer insulation. Featuring special technology to keep the exterior free of condensation and an ergonomic design, this bottle is ideal for travelers to put in their backpack or carry-on. The bottle is designed to keep cold drinks cool for up to 60 hours and hot beverages warm for 20 hours, making it the perfect on-the-go companion.

What our travel editors say: "I never fly without a refillable water bottle so I'm not at the mercy of in-flight service to stay hydrated. While it's not as large as other travel bottles, S'well's skinny design makes it easy to slide into my (usually overstuffed) purse or the side pocket of a backpack. The silicone loop attached at the top holds the lid when my hands are full, and water refills at the airport stay cool for the full travel day. I've used mine for four years, and aside from a few scratches, it doesn't show any signs of wear." – Elizabeth Von Tersch , Senior Editor

Price: $50 or less

Lug Mini Swizzle Jewelry Case

This compact jewelry case is perfect for travelers who like to pack extra earrings, rings and small accessories. The case comes in a variety of colors, including metallic shades like silver and walnut (a warm gold), and has a light gray lining that makes it easy to see its contents. The interior organization maximizes space with five soft-lined sections for rings, hoop earrings or cufflinks; a removable mesh pouch; and a soft-lined pocket. The petite design and pliable exterior helps to save space in your travel bag.

What our travel editors say: "I got this as a gift and it's one of the very first things I get out when I'm packing for any trip. I always pack a pair of pearls, some statement earrings to dress up for evenings, and a necklace or two. Once I'm traveling, the ring slots are the perfect safe place to store my rings at night. I love the top handle, which makes it easy to grab out of your bag, and the colorful exterior makes it stand out in any space so I never leave it behind. Plus, it's just so cute!" – Rachael Hood , Senior Editor

Price: $33 or less

Holii Daily Pill Organizer

This compact daily pill organizer allows quick access to your medications – which are vital to have on hand while traveling – as it can be easily tucked into a pocket, purse or backpack. Small but durable, the organizer features eight compartments: two large and six small. Its locked lids mean your pills will stay safe and secure even if you drop the container. The organizer is made with high quality food-grade plastic and is available in khaki, pink, purple and blue.

What our travel editors say: "As someone very prone to motion sickness, I needed a lot of different seasickness medications for my last cruise trip. This pill organizer securely fit everything I needed and more. It's also easier to pack than typical daily pill box dispensers that are too lengthy. Note: The included plastic accessory that looks like a guitar pick is for opening each of the compartments. It's a lifesaver for fingernails!" – Leilani Osmundson , Digital Producer

Price: $12.99 or less

Apple AirPods Pro Wireless Earbuds (Second Generation)

The Apple AirPods Pro wireless earbuds are the perfect travel companion for those who like to listen to podcasts or music, or watch videos on their phones or tablets while traveling. The standout feature of these earbuds is the noise-canceling capability, which is twice the strength of the first-generation AirPods Pro earbuds. These AirPods, which are resistant to dust, sweat and water, come in a small MagSafe charging case (USB-C) and stay charged for up to six hours of listening time (with noise-canceling enabled); if you use the charging case, they last for up to 30 hours of listening time. Touch controls on the side of the earbuds allow you to adjust volume and press pause or play, as well as mute, unmute and end a call. Four pairs of silicone tips come with the earbuds so you can choose the perfect fit.

What our travel editors say: "I was skeptical about moving on from my beloved and generic wired Apple earbuds but the AirPods Pro wireless earbuds have been an extremely pleasant surprise. The noise-canceling quality is exceptional; it's truly wild how loud an airport or plane is and how quiet it gets just by putting in the AirPods and using the noise-canceling feature. These fit comfortably in my ears and it's nice that the product comes with several silicone tip options so you can select the right fit for you. The sound quality of music or podcasts I listen to is great and I find I don't need to charge them that often even though I use them frequently. With more airlines also trending toward using Bluetooth technology for seatback entertainment, I think these AirPods are a great investment for any traveler." – Erin Evans , Managing Editor

Price: $249 or less

QuietOn 3.1 Sleep Earbuds

Courtesy of QuietOn

If you're looking for an alternative to Apple's noise-cancelling earbuds, these by QuietOn are compact and designed for sleeping with active noise cancellation (ANC) technology and passive noise reduction. Perfect for when you encounter thin walls in a hotel or late-night partiers on a cruise ship , these earbuds help to block out the noise to get a good night's rest. The company touts them as the world's smallest ANC earbuds, making them more comfortable than many other options, especially for side sleepers. They come with soft comfortable tips in four sizes. These earbuds also have a long battery life.

What our travel contributors say: "I never leave home without my noise-canceling earbuds when traveling. They're compact and one of the first items I put in my carry-on bag. They've made all the difference in getting a great night's sleep or staying awake and listening to sounds that you can't block out with other earplugs when staying in a hotel or sailing a cruise ship." – Gwen Pratesi , Contributor

Price: $289 or less

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Anker 325 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K)

Courtesy of Anker

Worrying about your phone battery is the last thing you want to be doing on vacation. This Anker power bank is roughly the size of a cellphone, making it easily portable, and it can charge a single device four to five times. You'll even be able charge two phones at once with this power bank, since it has two USB ports. Anker also sells power banks for laptops and even magnetic batteries that can charge your phone without a cable.

What our traveler editors say: "I rarely step foot outside the house without my Anker portable charger. It's especially convenient for long travel days, so I can ensure my phone is always fully charged for displaying my digital boarding pass, playing music or consulting Google Maps. But even when I'm just relaxing at home or at the hotel, it's so nice not to be tethered to a wall outlet." – Catriona Kendall , Associate Editor

Price: $49.99 or less

Apple AirTag

Courtesy of Apple

AirTags aren't the most exciting product Apple has released since 2021, but they've changed how many travel. A bit larger than a quarter, an AirTag allows you to determine the approximate location of an item and set up alerts if you become separated (about 30 feet), so it's perfect as a luggage tracker . The features prove particularly useful in an airport when you misplace your carry-on at the food court or want to track your checked bags after a tight connection. AirTags last about a year and use easily replaceable CR2032 batteries. (You'll find the same batteries in most car key fobs.) They also need an Apple product such as an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, but alternatives such as the Tile Pro are also available for Android users.

What our travel editors say: "Apple AirTags alleviated travel stress I didn't know I had. Before I trek to the airport, I double-check the trackers in all of my bags, as well as in my wallet. Quickly confirming everything's location provides the peace of mind to rest easy in any terminal." – Zach Watson , Senior Editor

Price: $29 or less

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

For any book lovers, traveling with a Kindle Paperwhite is a must. You can download and store thousands of stories, so you'll never run out of reading material mid-trip. Since a single charge can last up to 10 weeks, you might not even have to bother packing a USB-C charging cable. Super lightweight and waterproof, this e-reader also boasts a glare-free, 300 pixels per inch display that makes reading on the device feel like reading from pages of a book. There are even highlight and note-taking features, should you want to keep track of your thoughts while reading.

What our travel editors say: "No matter where I'm traveling or for how long, I always make sure to grab my Kindle before heading out. It's a great way to pass the time before boarding and during flights, plus it makes it easy to relax anywhere." – Christina Maggitas , Editor

Price: $139.99 or less

Worlds of Wonder: A Coloring Book for the Curious

From a long flight to a lengthy layover, having something to focus on can help to pass the time. This coloring book has 80 pages of gorgeous designs, filled with rich imagination. Users will be able to color everything from houses to mushrooms to bicycles to flowers. The book is made from a cardstock-like material and measures 10 x 10 inches.

What our travel editors say: "Coloring is one of my favorite hobbies and this coloring book is my absolute favorite. I find that coloring especially helps to pass time on long flights since it keeps my hands and mind busy (and I don't check the time as much). If you decide to use colored pencils, buy the twistable kind so you don't need to worry about a sharpener." – Marisa Méndez , Senior Editor

Price: $17.95 or less for paperback

BeeGreen Reusable Grocery Bags 5-Pack

These reusable grocery bags from BeeGreen are a great addition to any traveler's packing list. Not only are they a more sustainable alternative to plastic bags, but they are also machine-washable and can be easily folded up to fit into your backpack, purse or pocket. Although they are lightweight, the large volume bag can carry up to 50 pounds. This is due to their durable design, which is reinforced with bias tape. What's more, the bag can be folded into the attached mini pouch for easy transport.

What our travel editors say: "Whether I'm buying souvenirs or shopping for the toiletries that I've inevitably forgotten to pack, I frequently find myself in need of a bag when I'm traveling. These reusable bags are great alternatives to plastic bags; I especially love that they come with their own mini bag for easy storage. I usually clip mine onto a lanyard with my keys – this way I never leave home without it." – Alissa Grisler , Associate Editor

Price: $17.99 or less

Magicteam Sound Machine

Whether you're traveling with little ones or just want to block out noise from the hotel hallway, this portable sound machine is a game-changer. Powered by USB, the Magicteam Sound Machine offers 20 non-looping sounds to soothe you and your travel companions to sleep, including white noise, brown noise, rain and a crackling bonfire. It also has 32 levels of volume. You can easily set it for continuous play or program it to stop after one hour or several; its memory function will automatically restore your previous settings.

What our travel editors say: "This sound machine is small but mighty. It works just as well (if not better) than the more expensive Hatch Rest sound machine our toddler has in his bedroom, and its compact size makes it so convenient for travel." – Amanda Norcross , Content and SEO Strategist

Price: $29.99 or less

Aquasphere Defy.Ultra Swim Mask

One of the most compact swim masks available on the market today, the Aquasphere's Defy.Ultra Swim Mask small enough to throw into your beach bag or carry in your pocket. This mask is ideal for keeping water out of your eyes, snorkeling, and getting an up-close and personal view of the sea on vacation. Not only is the mask made to be comfortable and leak-free, but it also boosts underwater sight capabilities and makes it easy to see colorful fish and other wildlife.

What our travel contributors say: "I use this swim mask for all our family beach vacations since it's the only one I have ever owned that doesn't take up a ton of space." – Holly Johnson , Contributor

Price: $99.99 or less

Wander & Perch Wander Wet Bag

Courtesy of Wander & Perch

These wet swimsuit bags by Wander & Perch are perfect for vacations that will include swimming in a pool or the ocean. Even though you may hang your gear to dry after a swim, your suit may still be wet when the time comes to pack your suitcase. The wet bag solves this problem by allowing you to store your swimsuit inside its own decorative, zippered pouch. The bags are machine-washable and come in a variety of fun designs.

What our travel contributors say: "This bag is such a great essential for travel because you can pack your wet swimsuit without getting your other clothes wet! And it comes in great patterns." – Sharael Kolberg , Contributor

Price: $38 or less

You might also be interested in:

• Vacation Packing List: Top Essentials for Any Trip
• The Top Travel Gifts
• The Top Luggage Tags
• The Top Toiletry Bags
• The Top Packing Cubes

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

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• # 4 Bora Bora

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The Best Travel Accessories to Make Your Trip Easier

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Charge Ahead Nimble Champ (Series 2) Read more

Charge Everything at Once Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger With MagSafe Read more

Learn to Adapt Ceptics World International Travel Plug Adapter Read more

Tag, You’re It Artovida Neoprene Luggage Tag Read more

Travel isn’t always as luxurious as the brochures make it seem. Sure, the destination may be intoxicatingly gorgeous, but the journey to get there is often one of cramped seats and uninterrupted noise. Traveling can be a gauntlet to be endured or, if you equip yourself properly beforehand, a mere speed bump to glide over. From travel pillows and noise-canceling headphones to luggage trackers, it turns out you actually can purchase peace of mind. These are the best travel accessories after years of traveling and testing.

Don't forget to check out our Best Travel Bags and Best Travel Adapters guides for more recommendations.

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Charge Ahead

Don't count on always finding an outlet. You never know when the café or airport you’re in will be outlet-deficient, and it's almost a running joke at this point at how often the airliners' onboard outlets are broken. The Nimble Champ Series 2 is our top recommendation in our Best Portable Chargers guide because of the company's environmentally friendly efforts in its manufacturing and packaging . Its light at 6.2 ounces, and we recommend the medium-size 10,000-mAh option, which can recharge a smartphone several times. There's a smaller version and a larger one too.

Charge Everything at Once

For the Apple devotee who travels complete with an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, consider picking up this 3-in-1 charger that can top off the juice in all three of your devices at the same time. No more prioritizing which one of your devices gets the precious outlet. No wonder WIRED senior reviews editor Julian Chokkattu raved about it in our Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers guide . It comes with a felt pouch, plus a charging adapter and cable. There are three pads, one with a grooved spot for holding AirPods, one magnetic pad for MagSafe iPhones, and another for the Apple Watch.

Learn to Adapt

When I'm traveling, there are never enough power outlets. WIRED reviewer Simon Hill gave this model top marks in his Best Travel Adapters guide because of how securely plugs stick into this outlet. It has enough built-in outlet styles to charge devices in 200 countries. It also offers three USB-A ports, which deliver a maximum charging rate of 15.5 watts, and two USB-C ports, which deliver up to 18 watts through one PD and one QC 3.0 port. That's enough to juice up iPads and smartphones, but stick to the outlet for your laptop.

Tag, You’re It

Any little thing that makes a bag stand out from the acres of look-alikes on the baggage carousel, the better. These come in a snazzy rotating collection of designs by select artists, and they attach surprisingly securely by slipping the larger end through the hole after looping it around a baggage handle. Even after tens of thousands of airline miles, mine have held up without wear or tear. Call me paranoid, but you should have two luggage tags, in case one gets torn off. Good thing these come in a two-pack.

Boone Ashworth

Henri Robbins

Keeping Track

We have mixed thoughts on AirTags, but if you have an iPhone, they are among the best ways to keep a digital eye on your bags. These trackers utilize the sheer number of iPhones and Apple devices out there to regularly report their location back to your device. Even if you don't plan on checking your bag, you might end up having to gate-check it on crowded flights. Drop an AirTag into an interior pocket to make sure you and your luggage are reunited at your destination.

AirTags don't work with Android devices, so if you use an Android phone , our recommendation is the Chipolo One ($25) . We have more details about it in our Best Trackers guide , but the setup is simple, and you can even get alerts if you leave the house without it.

Catch Some Z’s

I've never been one to fall asleep on a plane. It's not that the audience bothers me—I'll never see these people again—but rather that it’s impossible to fall asleep in a near-vertical seat. The Travelrest ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) is the ultimate neck pillow because it remedied this problem. Thanks to its high, contoured sides and a flat back that keeps it square against the seat, I can reliably nod off on any flight. The Travelrest easily beats those rounded, doughnut-shaped neck pillows for comfort and support.

To Safeguard Your Electronics

Some countries have less reliable electrical infrastructure, and you never know how well-wired that discount hotel's outlets are. Protect your device from getting fried with this compact, one-outlet surge protector. It has a lifetime warranty and $5,000 of coverage if your device is damaged from a power surge while using it. I haven't had to test that aspect of it, but the two USB-A ports are convenient when I've had to charge earbuds, battery banks, and other accessories.

A Better Pillow

Hotel pillows tend to have all the firmness and support of a wet roll of toilet paper that's been stomped on for 30 minutes. That tends to mean that vacation memories are accompanied by a stiff neck. Side sleepers like me need a firm yet poofy pillow. I've caught more good nights of sleep on this Therm-a-Rest than I can count. It rolls up into an integrated pouch, and a cinch compresses it into the size of a large water bottle for storage.

Tip the Scales

A scale is handy to have when you're packing a heavy bag for an upcoming trip. Avoid those enormous surcharges and make sure your bag is under the airlines’ weight limits before you arrive at the check-in counter. International airlines are sticklers for carry-on weight, and even US airlines will be unforgiving about the weight of checked bags. I've used this scale for years, and I prefer the simplicity of not needing any batteries. It's accurate, easy to read the gauge, and the strap is strong enough in the long term to handle some seriously heavy luggage without fraying or breaking.

To Protect Your Laptop

Travel through enough airports without a case and it’s only a matter of time before a bare laptop or tablet picks up nasty scratches and dents. Protect your devices from banging around in the security bins against keys, phones, and belts with this slim laptop sleeve, available for laptops of several common sizes. The water-resistant zippers are smooth and slide easily, and the padded, non-scratch material protected our MacBooks from a few bouts of rough handling by over-eager TSA agents without any exterior damage. Even if you don't normally use one, consider picking one up just for travel. For tablets, check out the Zugu iPad Case for $50 . We have guides for choosing the best laptop backpacks and laptop totes , too.

Mosquito Guard

In much of the world, mosquitoes aren't just pests. They carry life-threatening diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Japanese encephalitis. Even in hotel rooms in certain places, you're not safe from them. When I traveled through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos last year, I brought this mosquito bed net with me. It's large enough for most two-person mattresses, and an elastic rim tucks underneath the mattress so that there are no gaps for critters to sneak through. The World Health Organization says a minimum of 156 holes per square inch are needed to keep mosquitoes out. This model has 500 tiny holes per square inch, making it that much more secure.

A Good Book, or 20

There's nothing like tackling a long ride on a train or plane with a good old book. But if you're a voracious reader or traveling on a long trip, a few books can take up a lot of room in your luggage. The Kindle Paperwhite's glare-resistant E Ink display is less harsh on your eyes than a typical tablet screen, so you can read for a long while before fatigue sets in ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). With 8 GB of storage, there's room for thousands of books. You can find more recommendations in our Best Kindles and Best Ebook Readers guides.

Top Up Your Devices

Not all USB cables are made equal. This Cable Matters cord came out on top in our testing (read more in our Best USB Cables guide ), thanks to its ability to handle 100 watts—enough to charge a power-hungry laptop. It also can transfer data at an impressive 40 Gbps. The 6.6-foot cable is an active cable too, which means it has a chip inside to push data further without degradation. It supports DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP Alt Mode), meaning you can use it to connect your laptop to a portable monitor, along with USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) and Programmable Power Supply (PPS), so that certain devices will fast charge through the cable. Seriously, it's the one USB-C cable to rule them all.

Maintain Your Sanity

Anyone who's spent time on public transportation knows that the cacophony of shouting, crying, and other people's loud devices can be maddening when you're stuck in your seat for the next few hours. The Sennheiser Adapt 660 ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) are our favorite value noise-canceling headphones . WIRED associate reviews editor Parker Hall says they are comfortable and one of the lightest headphones he's tested. You can count on excellent sound quality for up to 30 hours of usage.

For Compact Peace and Quiet

WIRED reviewer Simon Lucas praised these Bose earbuds as having hands-down the best noise-cancellation. It's the top pick in our Best Wireless Earbuds guide, though they are expensive. He says their “naturalistic, vivid sound” is untouched by any counter-signal or audio evidence that the noise cancellation is working to muffle unwanted background sounds. That means you can enjoy that movie or album without jet engines and passenger chatter disturbing your peace.

Whether you'd like to plug directly into the seatback entertainment system or just don't feel like juggling one more device that needs frequent charging, wired headphones are by no means obsolete. These nabbed the top spot in our Best Wired Headphones guide , thanks to the excellent sound quality of the two 7-mm, full-range dynamic drivers that deliver punchy, finely detailed audio at a reasonable price. WIRED associate reviews editor Parker Hall reports that they're comfortable and secure in his ears, and the detachable cable is braided for durability.

A Nice Travel Sling

You don't want to tote around a heavy bag when you're seeing the sights at your destination. Pack the small version of the Wandrd Roam ( 3 liters ) and you'll have plenty of space for a compact camera, a spare lens, cables, a phone, a wallet, and more. The YKK weather-resistant zippers ensure things will stay dry in the rain. Available in 3, 6, and 9 liters , you can size up if you feel like you want to carry a little bit more on your journey. Read more about it in our Best Camera Bags guide .

An All-Day Stash

Think past the journey to the destination and consider how you'll keep your devices, maps, snacks, and charging accessories handy when you're at your destination. The Tour is our best all-day waist pack and another great mini bag to consider aside from the Wandrd Roam. Thanks to pockets galore, WIRED editor Michael Calore says he can fit a change of clothes and a couple of ready-to-eat meals in there, with room to spare. Two water bottle pockets and a zippered phone pouch maintain the essentials, and when the pack gets too heavy, an included shoulder strap turns it into a sling.

Entertainment is awfully limited if you rely on the seatback video system of an airplane, and its absent on trains, most buses, and some low-cost carriers. If you're feeling particularly active and want something other than a book or movie, delve into any fantasy world of your choosing with the Nintendo Switch OLED ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu found the 7-inch OLED screen fantastic and the kickstand much-improved over the old model. It’s stable, secure, easy to pull out, and adjustable to a wide range of angles, and you can get that long gaming session in by propping it on your meal tray, no matter how far back the guy in front of you reclines his seat.

Bring Your Best Friend

More of us are taking our four-legged pals with us on our journeys these days, but the trials of travel are no easier on them than they are on us. WIRED senior reviews editor Julian Chokkattu loves this pet carrier for how stable and soft its base is. He says the straps are thicker than most competing bags, and they stayed on his shoulder securely. You can clip a leash to the built-in carabiner, and there's a small stash pocket for poo bags. The best part is how well-ventilated it is, and there are multiple ways to open the bag and check on your pet. It's compliant with most major airlines’ policies.

Make Yourself Understood

It's tough to learn a new language, especially if it's just for a vacation booked a few months in advance. But you really should know the basics of conversation to be a good guest. WIRED contributor Christopher Null reviewed the Pocketalk Plus Voice Translator ( 7/10, WIRED Review ), which translates conversations between different languages in real time. He praised how reasonably quickly it provided translations, its intuitive interface, and the number of supported languages. This kind of device makes sense only if you're traveling to multiple destinations in a year. Otherwise, you can probably get by with Google Translate.

If you want to work toward learning a new language yourself, check out our Best Language Learning Apps guide .

Connect the Unconnected

Love your wireless earbuds but hate that you can't connect them to the screen embedded in the airplane seat in front of you? The AirFly is a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into a standard headphone jack and connects to your wireless buds. I used the AirFly SE model, and I found no noticeable change in audio quality, at least from a few feet away when I took it on a flight. You get volume control buttons so you don't have to tap on the screen, and a double-tap mutes the audio too. Twelve South claims 20 hours of battery life, and although battery life can differ based on usage, it felt like a pretty accurate estimate in my experience watching movies and listening to music on the plane.

For Chilly Flights and Nights

You can't count on your hotel being as warm as you might like, and don't get me started on how cold they keep airplane cabins. Forget the scratchy blankets they sell on board and bring this lightweight, packable travel blanket if you're prone to the chills. I like how my feet fit in the “leg pockets,” my hands in the hand warmers, and how securely it stays around my neck with the button snap. The zippered pocket was perfectly sized for my AirPod case and for at least a few of those free snacks I felt like saving for later. It's also a great blanket to bring for road trips, in case you plan on sleeping in the car.

Don't Forget the Toothpaste

Consider this alternative to conventional toothpaste, especially if you find yourself butting up against the TSA's 3-1-1 rule . WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano enjoyed these toothpaste tablets while she was running tests for her Best Electric Toothbrushes guide. You just bite down on them and start brushing. You also get bonus points for reducing the amount of plastic waste you'd otherwise generate via toothpaste tubes—the packaging here is all glass bottles and compostable pouches.

Stay Hydrated

Travel, especially air travel, puts you in a bit of a bind when it comes to cutting down on your usage of single-use plastics. While you can't show up at the airport with your own drinks, you can do your part after you've passed through security. In my search for the best travel mugs , this Hydro Flask Coffee Mug came out on top. It's insulated, so it'll keep your coffee warm for longer than any flight. It's narrow enough to fit any cupholder, and no matter how much I banged it around, the tough powder-coated metal showed neither a scratch nor a dent. Unlike many water bottle manufacturers who use lead in their bottle construction , Hydro Flask has been lead-free since 2013.

Get Steamed

Hotels often have an iron and ironing board available, but I find it quicker and easier to steam my clothes. WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano and I both have been using Urpowers for years. For a tiny thing, it's powerful and effective at steaming practically anything in a minute or two. You just need to refill it often; one reservior is enough for one or two garments, at most. If you're going to another state or country for an important event, like a wedding, this is a must-have.

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Louryn Strampe

Ryan Waniata

Scott Gilbertson

Eric Ravenscraft

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The Best Gear for Travel

By Wirecutter Staff

Traveling well can be one of life’s great pleasures, whether you’re alone or with family and friends.

But what does it mean to travel well? We’d say that along with traveling safely (of course), traveling well involves avoiding hassle, carrying a single bag (if possible), and bringing only the necessities.

“Traveling well is a fine balance between finding inspiration in the unknown while being grounded in something,” said Wirecutter founder Brian Lam. “Sometimes that is a memory of home, a family, a significant other, friends, etc. Sometimes it’s just the familiar, reliable stuff in your bag.”

Over the past 10 years, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing dozens of products to find the most dependable items that will help you travel well. On top of that, we sought the advice and wisdom of Doug Dyment, author and creator of OneBag—a traveling businessman and public speaker, he has logged millions of miles over the past few decades—as well as travel-gear reviewer Eytan Levy, the Snarky Nomad.

And we relied heavily on the experiences of Wirecutter staff, an especially mobile group of individuals. Our staffers have worked remotely from every continent except Antarctica—the five most frequent flyers among us travel about half a million miles in any given (normal) year.

The research

Flying/riding, just in case, travel tips.

A well-packed bag is one that contains less than you think you need but everything you actually need. If possible, fitting everything into one carry-on and personal item will give you more freedom compared to checking a bag or two. You’ll be glad you did if (and when) things don’t go according to plan. While carry-on-only isn’t feasible (or advisable) for every trip—especially extended business trips or weddings where you need multiple outfits to maintain appearances—if in doubt, it’s better to cut.

Carry-on backpack (non-roller)

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

The Allpa’s clamshell design makes organizing your things simple. The strap design lets you easily wear this durable bag on your back or carry it in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind, but most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility and clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts depending on how much you’ve packed. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

We spent six months testing 22 bags, and in the end we chose two as our top picks for travelers determined to never check luggage again: the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L (for most trips) and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L . Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L features an easy-to-pack clamshell design and highly adjustable straps that make it a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. Handles on all four sides of this bag make it easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it, and the Allpa’s straps are contoured to comfortably fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The bag is protected by a full lifetime warranty and has the build quality to back that up. Its front panel is made of a waterproof, TPU-coated 1,000-denier polyester (a strong fabric covered in a flexible plastic coating), which means you can lay it on its back in a wet field or in gravel without worrying about moisture soaking through or jagged edges ripping the fabric. The rest of the paneling is made with 1,680-denier ballistic nylon, which feels similar to a strong canvas but with a more prominent weave. After four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item to store under the seat) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage that Kit Dillon, Wirecutter’s senior staff writer who covers luggage, uses.

One caveat: The Allpa has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth—which is where the personal item comes in handy. As the name suggests, “personal items” are very, well, personal, and no one bag will work for all travelers; we offer a range of recommendations in our full guide to them .

The larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. Not so with the Peak Design: It looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack. You can access the bag through a back panel, which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch, as well as through a front one, if you unzip the pass-through divider. You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps that run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters.

If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. It still feels larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for the ability to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400D nylon and polyester fabrics—it feels tough, but not as tough as the Cotopaxi Allpa. As for flaws, it is expensive, especially if you commit to the entire system of packing cubes and camera cubes . The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses, though Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty.

Finding the right bag is a personal choice, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we have picks in our full review of carry-on travel bags that can double as traveling offices , bags that are easy to carry while you’re walking long distances , and budget options for travelers who want to give the one-bag strategy a try.

Carry-on bag (rolling)

Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner

Great features, great value.

This spinner carry-on offers the best balance of size, value, reliability, and durability, with high-end details. It’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

Since 2015, we’ve researched several dozen suitcases and gone hands-on with the 67 most promising candidates in a variety of tests—including having active flight attendants test bags for us in a fake plane fuselage in their training facility. We determined that for most people the  Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Expandable Spinner  offers the best balance of features, durability, and price for most flyers who log less than 25,000 miles annually.

It features smooth-rolling, user-replaceable wheels; solid and comfortable, telescoping handles; and a hard-wearing nylon exterior propped up by a solid internal chassis. The Elite only improves on past iterations in the Platinum line by reducing the size of the stowed handle (which used to jut out about an inch) and adding a second zippered, exterior pocket for easy access on the go and a USB pass-through extension that lets you insert your own battery pack for charging your phone. And at 7.8 pounds when empty, this carry-on bag is about half a pound lighter than its predecessor. Compared with other bags in this price range, you also get surprisingly high-end components and a warranty that covers anything, even airline damage, for the life of the bag (as long as you register the suitcase within 120 days of purchase, which is easy to do on any smartphone).

Upgrade pick

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

For frequent flyers.

If you fly more than 25,000 miles a year, invest in a bag with unique features, superior details, and plenty of expandable room. This manufacturer guarantees your satisfaction.

If you fly more than 25,000 miles annually and you’re willing to invest in a higher-quality product, we recommend the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner. It can fit more clothing than any bag we tested, thanks to a cavernous interior and clever expansion and compression system that can adjust to variable levels beyond open and shut. Over a five-year period before the pandemic, Wirecutter’s founder, Brian Lam, put more than 150,000 miles on his. His only complaint was that longer pants will need an extra fold, or to be rolled. In taller bags, pants will only need to be folded over once.

Checked luggage

If you need to pack more stuff than a carry-on and a personal item can hold, our first piece of advice would be to reconsider whether you need that extra outfit “just in case.” But you’ll have times when you need to travel with several pairs of shoes, formalwear, a winter coat, special equipment (like diving or camping gear), or all of the above. In these cases, there’s no way to avoid checking a bag.

Osprey Farpoint 55 Men’s Travel Pack

The best travel backpack for those with taller torsos.

Comfortable, adjustable, and carry-on capable, the Farpoint has everything we needed for a week, or even months, of travel.

Osprey Fairview 55 Women’s Travel Pack

The best travel backpack for those with shorter torsos.

Comfortable, adjustable, and carry-on capable, the Fairview has everything we needed for a week, or even months, of travel.

If you’re going somewhere where you’ll need to walk a lot (particularly if there’s dirt or cobblestone roads), we recommend a travel backpack. We like the Farpoint 55 and the sized-for-smaller-torsos Fairview 55 because they’re comfortable and have plenty of room to store, and separate, our essentials. The front of the main pack unzips like a suitcase, so you can easily fit and access a week’s worth of clothes and toiletries. The daypack, which attaches to the front of the larger pack, has room for camera gear, daily essentials, and a small laptop (via a built-in sleeve). It’s also easy to stow. The main pack’s straps can tuck behind a zippered flap, so they won’t catch on anything if you check your luggage.

These bags are made of a heavy-duty recycled polyester that stands up even to long trips–one of our testers has traveled with a Farpoint 55 for years, across dozens of countries for months at a time, without damaging it. If something does happen, though, Osprey has a lifetime warranty.

Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner

The best checked bag for most travelers.

The bag provides a luxury feel at a reasonable price, with a capacity, warranty, and reliability that should suit most travelers. The 25-inch model should offer plenty of room for most people without going over airline weight limits.

If you don’t plan on walking around while carrying all your stuff, the  25-inch Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Spinner Suiter is our favorite piece of checked luggage for all of the same reasons we loved the carry-on size: It has excellent organizational features, it’s especially durable, and it has a better warranty than anything in its price range.

Luggage tags

Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag

Strong and easy to see.

Rugged silicone and a metal cable mean this tag (which comes two to a pack) may well outlive your luggage. The brightly colored case displays its owner’s name but keeps other personal information out of sight.

A good luggage tag should be durable, simple to use, and discreet. Ultimately, a tag should allow someone to get your luggage back to you quickly and easily, and it should withstand the wear and tear of being thrown onto conveyor belts time and again. After researching the top-rated and best-selling models, reading existing luggage-tag reviews, and comparing fourteen tags , we recommend the Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag for most travelers because it’s the only one we’d trust to survive being smashed by other bags, jammed into walls, and generally abused by baggage handlers. It’s the most durable tag we tested, and it comes in a wide selection of colors to help any bag stand out from the rest.

The Ovener tag’s silicone body seems nearly indestructible and is available in a rotating selection of colors (you get two tags per pack). Whereas other tags also feature metal cables, this tag has a metal grommet to keep the cable from eventually wearing through the silicone case.

Should you lose your bag, the Ovener makes it easy for a Good Samaritan to find your contact information. To fully access the info card, you have to unscrew and remove the metal strap; this lets the card slide out of the case. Most luggage tags we tested secure their info card in this way. It isn’t a difficult or time-consuming process, but it is an extra step compared with using a tag that displays all of your information openly. Still, for anyone who wants to keep their contact information out of view, the extra step is worth it.

Another approach to increasing privacy is to hide information in a QR code, as the Dynotag Smart Deluxe Steel Luggage Tag  does, or to provide a user ID number, as the Okoban UID Luggage Tags do. But these seem like overly complex solutions to a problem that doesn’t really exist.

Compression sacks

Originally designed for reducing the bulk of lofty sleeping bags, compression sacks are stuff sacks modified with additional nylon end caps that can be pulled together by strings or straps to remove air and create a smaller, denser package that’s easier to pack. Most travelers use compression sacks to condense socks, underwear, and other stuff you don’t mind getting wrinkled into a package with half as much overall volume. For example, an 8- to 12-liter sack can compress a fleece jacket and a long-weekend’s worth of socks and underwear into something that fits in one hand. They also make a decent pillow in a pinch.

Osprey StraightJacket (8L)

Easier access, less compression.

It has a full-length zipper on its side that allows access to the bag’s entire contents. However, it doesn’t compress as tightly as traditional designs.

Most compression sacks require you to empty out the stuff at the top to get to the stuff below it, but the side-zipper design on the Osprey StraightJacket allows access to the entire contents of the bag at once. The compression straps attach sideways, and are less likely to get tangled and twisted like on most compression sacks with lengthwise straps. It can also sit up on its own, and the handle design lets you break it out as a last minute carry-on to avoid an overweight-baggage fee. However, it doesn’t compress down as compactly as the traditional designs we tested so it’s not the best option if compression is your top priority.

GobiGear’s SegSac takes a different approach to solving the same access issue: It has four inner dividers that run the length of the sack in order to keep your socks separate from your underwear, winter accessories, towel, what have you. This means you don’t have to take out your T-shirts to get to your socks. Unlike the Osprey, it compresses just as much as a normal compression sack, but it loses points for versatility because the segmentation prevents it from handling large items like a down jacket or sleeping bag.

Packing cubes

Packing cubes could change your life. (Okay, maybe just your traveling life.) Packing cubes are basically bags to hold your clothes that you organize within your luggage. Though seemingly superfluous, they’re brilliant in action. If you imagine your suitcase as a dresser, you can think of these cubes as individual drawers: Put all your underwear and socks in one container, all your shirts in another, and your workout clothes in yet another. Then pull out only the cube you want. They make packing and repacking wonderfully simple.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set

Well built with easy access.

Simple and solidly constructed, these packing cubes keep your bag organized while you’re traveling.

The three-piece Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set keeps a week’s worth of clothes organized and moves easily from suitcase to hotel dresser. We’ve been recommending the previous version of these cubes for years, and after testing this updated set, we now recommend this version.

The full-size cube is great for shirts, shorts, and insulating layers. The half-cube and quarter-cube are perfect for underwear, socks, and other thin fabrics such as stockings or sleepwear. These cubes are made of 300-denier polyester (a strong fabric) and stay upright when empty, so they’re easy to pack. The Pack-It cubes’ windows are made of the tightest mesh link we tested—better for resisting snags—and the smooth zippers close easily around all corners, even when a cube is overstuffed.

The Eagle Creek cubes have the ability to unzip fully to allow full access to their contents while sitting in a dresser drawer. That means your clean clothes stay protected against some potentially dicey motel dressers. In 2022, Eagle Creek updated the design of these cubes, and now the company no longer uses YKK zippers, which are widely accepted as the best around . That said, we couldn’t tell any difference between Eagle Creek’s zippers and other brands’ YKK zippers, even with a magnifying glass, and their performance was indistinguishable. (For what it’s worth, an Eagle Creek product manager assured us that the proportion of zipper-related warranty claims hasn’t changed since the company made the switch from YKK.)

Most travelers are likely to be well served by the Reveal set. But if you value lightness above all, the more expensive Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube Set is about 50% lighter than similar-size competitors (just over 1 ounce for a medium cube, whereas the Eagle Creek classic style weighs about 4 ounces). Unlike the Reveal set, this set is water resistant. However, the Isolate design’s thin sides—which don’t allow the cubes to stand up on their own—make those cubes a bit more challenging to pack than the Reveal cubes.

Buying the right gear can help organize your existing travel kit, but it’s a red herring if your goal is better portability. “It’s mostly the clothing that allows you to reduce what you need to carry,” explains veteran traveller Eytan Levy, better known as the Snarky Nomad . That’s because clothing, which is very voluminous, makes up the bulk of what’s in your bag. He recommends traveling with basic-looking clothes because you can always buy or rent something nice in a pinch, whereas lugging around formalwear just in case will always be a pain. It also helps if you can avoid cotton and stick to merino and synthetic fabrics, which dry faster. This allows you to do laundry by hand in the sink as needed to reduce the amount of clothes you need to carry.

Travel underwear

Good travel underwear keeps you feeling fresh and clean, even when your destination is gritty.  To find the best , we researched an array of underwear designed for men and women to find 37 pairs meeting our criteria: moisture-wicking and breathable, quick-drying, odor-resistant, stretchy, stylish, and cut to fit a variety of body types.

We then conducted rigorous pretesting (wearing the underwear for two days at a time, machine-washing them repeatedly, and tracking their drying speed when hung on a clothesline) before taking them out into the real world. Our testers went backpacking 215 miles throughout Portland, Oregon; hiking in the Canadian Rockies, including walking from the lowest point in the Continental US to the highest; and road-tripping to the national parks of the West. Testers who flew to their destinations wore the underwear on the plane, too.

Afterward, we checked for signs of wear, such as seam breakage and pilling on the fabric. As we continued to test the finalists, we repeatedly checked for durability problems. In addition to comfort and fit, we noted whether each pair seemed lightweight and packable.

ExOfficio Men’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief

Best for most men.

Durable, quick-drying, and relatively inexpensive, this soft-fabric version of ExOfficio’s time-tested Give-N-Go undies will get the job done for years.

The ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief is the best men’s underwear for travel because it balances fit, comfort, odor-proofing, and value better than anything else we’ve tested. The Sport Mesh fabric excels at breathing and wicking and has better odor-resistance than other fabrics. It feels soft on the inside and smooth on the outside so it slides against your pants instead of creating friction, reducing potential for chafing. It also features a sculpted crotch area that gives wearers some much-appreciated support, without feeling stifling. These boxer briefs dry quickly, pack compactly, and weigh less than almost all the other boxer briefs we tried—basically they’re everything you’d want from a pair of excellent travel underwear.

Patagonia Women's Active Hipster

Best for most women.

These light, stylish, quick-drying hipsters stay in place whether you’re walking, flying, or hanging upside down.

The Patagonia Active Hipster doesn’t appear special upon first glance. Only after trying everything else and living through their failures to stay put did we remember what “special” really means in a pair of underwear: Feeling as if you’re wearing nothing at all. The Patagonias have the best fit, comfort, and style out of all the panties we tested. The nylon material is fast-wicking and better than most synthetics for odor-proofing, making it well suited for athletic activities. The Active Hipster is lightweight and packable, and is the fastest-drying underwear we tested—making them perfect for minimalist travelers who go weeks at a time with just one or two pairs. But these same characteristics make them great for any traveler looking for comfortable, packable panties, regardless of where you’re going or what you’re doing.

Budget pick

Uniqlo Men Airism Boxer Brief

Comfortable, compact, and fast-drying, these are a great value but don’t fit quite as nicely and aren’t as supportive in the crotch.

Uniqlo Women Airism Ultra Seamless HipHugger

Similar fabric to the Men’s Airism, with a no-ride cut for women, these underwear are the least expensive of any we tested and among the best performing.

May be out of stock

If you want to spend as little as possible without sacrificing performance, the Uniqlo Airism line has long been a great choice for men and women who can wear sizes small and medium. In recent years, both lines have expanded their size range somewhat (men to 3XL, and women to XL). If these fit, you can replace an entire underwear drawer on a tight budget, as long as you can deal with the slightly odd cut and less-effective odor-control treatment.

If you’ve never traveled with merino wool socks, you’re missing out. These aren’t the scratchy wool socks your grandpa wore in the army; they are soft and stretchy ones that have natural sweat-wicking and odor-resisting properties that keep your toes comfortable under all conditions—even when wet. This combination of odor, moisture, and temperature regulations makes them ideal for traveling. "Because of its natural anti-bacterial properties, washing merino wool on a daily basis isn’t absolutely necessary,” explains Snarky Nomad , "after letting it air dry overnight while you sleep, it’ll seem brand new.” The only major downside is that merino tends to be a bit pricier than synthetic counterparts. But it’s a worthy trade-off, since you can go for longer with fewer pairs.

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (Women’s)

The best quality for women.

The best mix of comfort, durability, and cushioning in a versatile height.

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (Men’s)

For the best quality.

The same great versatile sock as the women’s model, but in different color options and more sizes.

Darn Tough’s Light Hiker Micro Crew socks (both the men’s and women’s versions) have been our favorite hiking socks for years. Darn Tough made its name through its quality guarantee : “Our socks are guaranteed to be the most comfortable, durable, and best fitting socks you can buy. In a nutshell, if you wear a hole in them, we will replace them free of charge, for life.” Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers (hardcore backpackers who walk from Mexico to Canada in one continuous trip) praise them for their durability, comfort, and blister resistance. When you hold a pair of Darn Toughs next to a pair of Smartwools (which only have a two-year guarantee ), the difference is clear. The Darn Toughs are more tightly knit, the yarns are finer and feel sturdier, and the stitching is tighter.

Darn Tough Women's Coolmax Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock

The best non-wool women’s hiking sock.

This midlevel cushioned sock for women is the best synthetic option for most climates and terrains.

Darn Tough Men's Coolmax Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock

The best non-wool men’s hiking sock.

This synthetic men’s sock is perfect for day hiking in most weather.

If you are sensitive to wool, prefer a vegan product, or want a cooler option for the summer, we also like the Darn Tough Coolmax Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock, which comes in women's and men’s sizes.

We appreciated how breathable this sock felt. While wearing the Coolmax Micro Crew in hot summer weather, our testers’ feet stayed dry and sweat-free. The shorter micro-crew height makes the Coolmax Micro Crew suitable for both boots and shoes, too. And like all Darn Tough socks, this model comes with a lifetime warranty.

Indosole Flip Flops (women’s)

A quality flip flop in women’s sizes.

These stylish beach sandals come in a wide range of colors. Be careful, though: Indosole sizes tend to run a little small.

Indosole Flip Flops (men’s)

A quality flip flop in men’s sizes.

These beach sandals are the same as the women’s version but cut a bit wider; we still think they run a little smaller than regular shoe sizes.

A good pair of travel flip-flops should be lightweight, comfortable, and waterproof. The men’s and women’s Indosole Flip Flops offer the best combination of quality, comfort, and easy packability. Unlike many flip flops, which slap against the ground with every step, the subtle arch support of this flip flop kept it secure against our feet. Plus they’re made from waterproof, recycled materials. Keep in mind, though, that our testers found these shoes to run a bit small, so we suggest sizing up for the best fit.

Clothesline

While doing laundry at home can be a large weekly event, OneBag author Doug Dyment recommends approaching travel laundry as a part of your daily routine, especially if you’re trying to pack as little as possible: “The laundry should be more like cleaning your teeth—something you do everyday. It only takes about five minutes to do it. Every night, do your socks and underwear and you’ll have clean socks and underwear everyday.”

A secure, hassle-free option

The Flexo-Line attaches easily to a door handle or faucet and grips garments securely between its loops.

Check out OneBag’s laundry packing list if you want specific tips on how to do it and what you’ll need, but it’s a pretty simple setup: All you need is a toiletry bottle of powdered detergent, a towel to help expedite drying, and a travel clothesline to finish the drying process while you sleep at night.

Specifically, you want a braided—not twisted—surgical latex clothesline with looped ends, which means you want a Flexo-Line . The Flexo-Line can stretch up to 7 feet long, which is enough to span most hotel bathtubs, and it has loops that you can attach easily to a door handle, bath spigot, or faucet. The braided construction is superior to twisted designs made from other materials because the latex does a better job of gripping garments securely between the loops, which means you don’t need any additional clothespins.

Dyment has tried them all, but the Flexo-Line is the one he comes back to. As he explained to me in an interview, “There are others that are fine, but there are far more that are not fine.” More specifically, Dyment says to avoid anything that’s not made of latex , because clothes will inevitably slip out of them. He also says to never, ever trust a suction cup: “They don’t work, period.” If the Flexo-Line is unavailable, Dyment says that the Rick Steves collection from Kiva Designs also makes a nice braided line that is a bit more expensive. If you have a latex allergy, Dyment recommends going with a length of cord ( paracord is nice because it’s durable and you can use it for other things as well) and stainless steel safety pins meant for cloth diapers , because they take up far less space than a clothespin and won’t rust. In fact, it’s worthwhile to get these items even if you can use a latex line because they’re great for making luggage repairs and performing other MacGyver-ish tasks in a pinch. To hang up the clothesline, we recommend using a bowline knot on one end and a taut line hitch on the other. These knots work well together because the bowline creates a simple, slip-proof loop to anchor one end while the taut line hitch allows you to adjust for tension and locks tightly in place. If you could commit any two knots to memory forever, these are the ones to learn.

Laundry detergent

Minisoak Travel Packs

A travel size version of the best delicates detergent.

Perfect for traveling because you don’t even need to rinse it out.

When you’re washing your underwear in a hotel sink, you want a fast and easy experience. For this, we recommend the no-rinse detergent Soak . That’s right, we said no rinse . You just add a drop to the sink, fill with water, and leave your garments to soak. Then press out the water and hang. Done.

In our tests of delicates detergents , Soak cleaned almost as well as our top laundry detergent, Tide; plus, it comes in individual packets of powder  that are great for traveling, as well as in  travel-size bottles of the liquid version . In addition to unscented, it's available in a variety of scents, although Lacey and Celebration are not the most descriptive of scent names. They all smell nice, not overpowering. Soak also comes in an assorted travel pack with two single-use packets of each scent, if you want to test-drive one or two before you buy. In that mini size, you get eight packets for $11 currently, but you really need only a squeeze, not the the whole packet, to wash a couple of pairs of socks and underwear.

One downside to Soak is that you won’t find it in a grocery store or big-box store. But it is available online at Soak’s site . And if you really want to walk into a store and put your mitts on a bottle, you can find it at most local yarn stores.

Don’t feel like buying Soak or bringing along a bit of your own detergent? Shampoo also works pretty well for cleaning garments in a pinch, so make use of that free bottle from the hotel. But a caveat: Neither Soak nor shampoo contains enzymes , which are biological molecules in laundry detergent that break down certain stains. If you have especially stinky or stained clothes, you might need to break out the Tide .

When we first published this guide, this section addressed only toiletry kits and bottles, razors, and packable towels. The times, and traveling, became more complicated. One thing we've learned in the past few years is that face masks can be useful whenever you’re sick and don’t want to share your misery. Fortunately, compared with early 2020, medical-style N95s and KN95s (which many experts recommend as the best protection) are widely available. They’re easy to tuck into a bag, which we do now whenever we travel. 

Toiletry kit

We’ve researched dozens of travel toiletry bags and dopp kits over the past several years, and we tested 23 of the top-rated contenders in our most recent round of tests. After packing and unpacking a week’s worth of travel-size toiletries, conducting spill tests, and living out of the top performers on the road, we have a few different picks that stand out thanks to their style, packability, and quality of construction.

Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag (small)

A space-saving hanging bag.

This lightweight, well-organized bag fits a week’s worth of travel-size toiletries into a compact package. It’s meant to be hung, which makes it good for tight spaces, but it doesn’t have much in the way of internal structure.

The Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag (small) is compact and durable. It’s small enough to stash in a backpack or laptop bag, but it holds enough travel-size toiletries to keep us supplied for a week. You can open it and hang it from a shower curtain or towel rod to easily see and grab your items. It comes with a shatterproof mirror, two micro-mesh zip pockets and an open pocket for toothbrushes, lip balm, and tweezers, and a large compartment for bulky lotions and hair-care items.

L.L.Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag

For more stuff and longer trips.

With a 6.4-liter capacity and over a dozen compartments, this toiletry bag has a place for everything—and everything will stay put during transit, too. It can also accommodate non-travel-size bottles.

The L.L.Bean Personal Organizer (medium) is a great option for longer trips and people who travel with full-size bottles. Its 6.4 liters of storage spread across a dozen compartments means there’s a dedicated place for pretty much everything you could want to bring on a trip—it even has a removable mesh shower caddy for shampoo and body wash. This level of organization is crucial for larger toiletry bags because, as we discovered after years of traveling with our picks, contents that aren’t securely fastened can shift around in transit, which increases the chance of spilling. The downside of all this organization is that the L.L.Bean weighs 14 ounces when empty, so it’s not ideal for carry-on travel.

If neither of these bags seems right for you, read our full review of the best toiletry bags and dopp kits to learn more about our picks and everything we tested.

Toiletry bottles

Sea to Summit TPU Clear Zip Pouch with Bottles

These six TSA-friendly bottles are sturdy and smartly designed, dispensing liquids more precisely than any of the other bottles we tested.

For traveling with liquids in your carry-on, the Sea to Summit set is your best bet. All six bottles conform to TSA size limitations; three of them can hold 3 ounces of liquid each, and three can hold 1.5 ounces each, for a total of 13.5 ounces. Despite the set’s name, the bottles themselves are made not of thermoplastic polyurethane—“TPU" refers to the zip pouch—but a high-density polyethylene material, much like what you’d see used in most plastic milk jugs. It has an almost-smooth, semi-transparent surface just textured enough that it’s not slippery when wet. The plastic is also flexible enough that you don’t have to squeeze very hard to get your shampoo or liquid soap or whatever going. An insert at the mouth of each bottle helps regulate the flow, and the screw tops prevent liquids from leaking in transit.

Razor (faces)

Gillette Mach3

The best manual razor for most faces.

This classic razor’s three widely spaced blades provide the best balance of speed, smoothness, and safety. Its handle is comfortable and well designed, and replacement blades can be had for a fair price.

We researched more than 100 and tested 11 manual razors for our full razor guide , concluding that the Gillette Mach3 is our top pick for manual razors. Although the three blades require a little extra time for a closer shave, it performs comparably to the latest and greatest offerings for as little as half the price.

The Gillette Mach3 provides the best balance of speed, smoothness, and safety. The Mach3’s simple, round handle is easy to grip and maneuver, and its three blades offer a close shave without over-irritating the skin or getting clogged with hair. And the price of Mach3 blades—$2 per cartridge or less, whether you buy them online or in a store—came close to, or even beat, the pricing of shave-club rivals, and the Mach3 shaved better than those competitors.

Razor (legs/body)

Gillette Venus Smooth

The best body razor.

This classic Venus is one of the easiest razors to grip and maneuver and its three-blade design keeps the blades remarkably free of hair.

Disposable razors (both the completely disposable and replaceable-cartridge variety) are fine to take through airport security , and among them we like the Gillette Venus Original best for traveling. Although it’s now the runner-up pick in our guide to body razors —it was formerly the top pick—we believe that its simple aloe lubricating strips, which don’t become tacky when wet, make the Venus more travel friendly than our new top pick . Plus, as with any Venus, the Original’s body is compatible with any other Venus head and many heads from Gillette’s facial razors, making replacement heads easier to find when you’re on the road.

The Original’s head has three blades separated by considerable slats of space, making it far easier to clean the head between strokes. The Original is intuitive to hold and secure to maneuver, thanks to a contoured handle with corrugated chevrons of rubber. Though our testers have a wide range of hand sizes, no one found the Original difficult to grasp. Despite the significant ribbing, it doesn’t feel too bulky. Gillette claims its razors have lasted for five weeks; we think one razor for a weeklong trip should be fine.

(Know that, confusingly, the Venus appears for sale on some retail sites under the name Venus Close and Clean or Venus Smooth. It’s the same razor. If you’re unsure which Venus model you’re looking at, check for the Original’s three blades and trademark sea-foam blue color.)

Towel (packable)

PackTowl Personal

The best all-around packable towel.

The PackTowl Personal Towel is lightweight, soft, absorbent, quick to dry, and odor-resistant.

We put 20 top-rated towels through a battery of tests including regular shower use, a trip to the beach, camping, and a 48-hour stay in a ziplock bag under the hot Hawaiian sun. After all was said and done, the Packtowl Personal Towel is still the best all-around travel towel for most people. In addition to being the softest lightweight towel we tested, it was more absorbent than competitors made of similar materials. It had the best odor-resisting abilities and comes with a convenient mesh carrying pouch. We also have alternate picks for ultralight and all-natural towels below.

The Personal Towel’s suede-like material was the softest of the thinner towels. The Personal Towel also had superior absorption when compared with other similarly constructed towels such as the Sea to Summit DryLite —in our tests, it absorbed 2.8 times its weight in water, while the others absorbed between 2.3 times and 2.7 times.

One of just two we tested that featured an added antimicrobial treatment, the Personal Towel was only a little musty smelling after 24 hours in a sealed ziplock bag, and remained unchanged at 48 hours.

If you’re looking for a budget option, consider the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel , which is a tad smaller than our other picks and is made from a seemingly lighter-feeling fabric. Unlike most budget options, it has an antibacterial coating and still managed to carry a pleasant smell after being testing in different environments.

Regardless of how you get to your final destination, it’s likely you’ll be stuck in a seat that’s less than ideal. Travel gadgets that claim to reduce this misery, such as compression socks, are popular. But when they take up precious luggage space for the duration of your trip—not just the flight or train ride–they need to be worth every cubic inch of space. The less you can make do with, the better off you’ll be.

Neck pillow

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

More support for most necks.

Its tall memory-foam walls let it offer more support than any other pillow we tested. It’s also shaped to sit flush against a headrest, and it compresses to a manageable size.

The uniquely angled back on the Travelrest Ultimate sets it apart from other travel pillows we tested because it can lay flat against the seat back. Most other pillows have a rounded back, which pushes your head away from the headrest. The Travelrest also has rubber grip dots to prevent slipping while sleeping. This pillow’s spongy memory foam cushions the entire circumference of your neck, preventing your head from leaning far in any direction, and its adjustable Velcro strap ensures it can fit most necks. The pillow’s cozy velour exterior is removable and machine-washable. Although it doesn’t pack flat, the Travelrest weighs less than a pound and compresses to a quarter of its size when rolled into its Velcro-strapped carrying case. Our only complaint is that the Travelrest’s high walls, though supportive, can push over-ear headphones off of the ears of people with shorter necks.

Noise-cancelling headphones

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

The best over-ear noise-cancelling headphones.

The Bose 700 headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation in a comfortable, lightweight design that’s traveler friendly—but they carry a high price.

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 over-ear set has the most versatile active noise cancellation we’ve ever tested. With 10 levels of noise reduction to choose from, everyone should be able to find a setting that meets their needs. We also enjoyed the lightweight and comfortable design and the easy-to-use controls. What distinguishes the Bose 700’s ANC is the amount of adjustability it gives you: Most noise-cancelling headphones offer controls for only on/off or maybe high/low/off, but with the Bose 700 pair you can set the ANC level from 0 to 10, so you have more flexibility to dial in the ideal setting for your comfort. The 20-hour battery life, while not the best we’ve seen, is more than sufficient to get you to most destinations. We have additional options—including earbuds and surprisingly good budget options for  over-ear headphones and earbuds —in our full guide to noise-cancelling headphones .

Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs

For blocking out the most noise.

These blocked the most noise in our controlled testing and got the most votes from our subjective sleep panel.

When you’re traveling, it can be difficult to fall asleep to unfamiliar noises. That’s why we spent several hours researching new contenders and tested four top-rated models while sleeping in a house that was next to an airport in order to determine that Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam earplugs are the best earplugs  for sleeping.

The Mack’s 37.1 dB noise reduction rating was the highest among the models we tested. According to Cooper Safety , that’s enough to reduce the volume of a gas lawnmower to that of a normal conversation. What made the Mack’s earplugs so effective is the fact that we could insert them and rest assured that they would stay in the whole night. Meanwhile, the Howard Leight MAX1 might be a favorite from crowdsourced sleep-aid review site Sleep Like the Dead , but the earplugs would inevitably fall out in the middle of the night. Thus, they failed to block out the noise of planes landing and taking off throughout the night, despite the MAX1’s 33 dB noise reduction rating. The Howard Leights also made our ears ache on occasion, whereas the Mack’s has a tapered shape that was consistently comfortable night after night.

The Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs cost about 20¢-35¢ per pair when purchased in a 50-pair pack. They come in a plastic case is about the size of a large coffee mug, which is small enough to toss in a large bag or suitcase. Many other ear plugs like our runner-up, the 3M’s E-A-Rsoft OCS1135 , can only be ordered in industrial-size lots that, while perhaps appealing to those who travel constantly (or run a hostel), are annoying to store and often lack a reusable container of any sort.

Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask

For air travelers and back-sleepers.

The lightweight and contoured Nidra mask is a light-blocking win for most face shapes, with deep eye cups that allow the wearer to blink freely and arrive feeling refreshed.

When bright lights hamper peaceful shut-eye, we recommend the light-blocking, contoured Nidra Deep Rest sleep mask. Of the 14 masks we tested , the Nidra blocked the most light on the most faces. It’s contoured to rest on your face like a pair of soft goggles, with fabric lenses that sit around your eyes (instead of directly over them). This design provides more space for your eyes to flutter during REM sleep, ensuring that you come through red-eye flights with less redness in your eyes. Makeup wearers will also appreciate that, with the Nidra’s elevated eye cups, there’s a smaller chance of smudging.

Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask

A flat, silk mask.

A silken exterior material, a flat design, and an adjustable strap make this mask a fit for almost any face, but it puts pressure on the eyes.

Mzoo Sleep Mask

A smooth, contoured eye mask.

Soft, structured, and contoured, this mask stays on all night and prevents any light from seeping through

If the Nidra Deep Rest doesn’t fit your face quite right, we also recommend the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask and the Mzoo Sleep Mask . The Alaska Bear mask lacks contoured eyecups and thus applies some pressure to the eyes overnight like any regular eye mask does. But its flat design easily conforms to fit your face, and its silk exterior feels smooth and soft against skin (the padding is made of cotton). Its relative lack of structure makes it more difficult to knock off when you’re tossing and turning.

The Mzoo mask’s eyecups have a convex gap so your eyes can open and close. That gap is surrounded by a memory foam padding that rests on the perimeter of your eye sockets. The effect is such that you don’t feel like your eyes are being forced closed, but there is a bit of compression near your temples, eyebrows, and cheekbones. Most—though not all—of our testers found this sensation soothing. One liked how the contour of the eyecup kept the mask from brushing against their eyelashes, which makes it a good choice for people who wear eyelash extensions.

Few things are better than landing at an airport, turning on your phone, and having it just work. No hassles, no stress, no worries about brutal roaming fees. You can check in with loved ones, scope out the route to your lodgings, and maybe post an Instagram story or two—because your phone works just like it does at home. This is especially freeing, and it makes travel so much easier. (Of course, phones aren’t the only useful tech to bring: Check out our accessories reviews for guides to the best cables ( USB-C , Lightning , and Micro-USB ), Wi-Fi hotspots , Bluetooth speakers , and more.)

Unlocked mobile phone

One of the most useful gadgets for international travel is an unlocked smartphone that’s compatible with cheap, prepaid phone plans you can sign up for at your destination. Unless your carrier offers plans including high-speed data that you can access internationally (i.e., you’re with T-Mobile or Google Fi), traveling with a phone under contract with a major carrier means paying an arm and a leg for data. Being able to access data-guzzling apps like Google Maps or Google Translate on the fly is worth the hassle to unlock a phone. Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp are free, easy ways to communicate with people you meet on your trip and people from home. Plus there’s checking email, TripAdvisor, banking, social media, and so on.

An “unlocked” phone means you can buy prepaid SIM cards in the country you’re visiting, letting you access their local network for significantly less money than the roaming fees incurred by your home carrier. With a prepaid SIM, your phone effectively becomes a new phone with a new (now local) phone number. Instead of seeing “Verizon,” “AT&T,” or “Sprint” at the top of your phone, you might see “Vodafone,” “Yes Optus,” “M1,” or whatever provider you choose in the country you’re visiting. The first thing to check is if your phone will work where you’re going. If you’re unsure if your phone will work where you’re going, check the Wikipedia page for your phone or contact your provider.

Your phone will also require a removable SIM. (If your phone has an eSIM, as all new iPhones do, check out our blog post about those.) Most countries require a passport or other ID to buy a prepaid SIM without a contract, but switching the SIMs is easy. Most stores will do it for you while you’re there. Depending on the country/provider, this could take as long as 10 minutes but is often faster. The next question is easily the most complicated: Can you unlock your phone? Each carrier has different rules and criteria. Generally, if you have a brand new, expensive phone, they may not let you unlock it (there’s usually a waiting period after the purchase date). But if it’s a little older, or if you’ve paid it off, they probably will. The thing to remember is that a provider can deny an unlock request without giving a reason. You might be lucky, though; certain phones on certain providers are unlocked by default. Here are Verizon and AT&T’s pages on unlocking. Alternately, you can buy a pre-unlocked phone just for travel. Amazon and Best Buy, for example, sell unlocked phones. This is also a good option if you think you might lose your expensive phone and a cheaper one will suffice while you travel.

Plug adapter

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

Best universal travel adapter.

With four plugs that will work in most countries, plus faster-charging USB ports (and more of them) than its competitors, this adapter is the best all-around choice.

In a sea of almost-identical travel adapters, the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter stands out, combining the best of the features we look for. It contains the three most common international plugs and a US-style plug, which should cover you in the majority of countries around the world. It has the most USB ports—four of the standard USB-A and one USB-C—of any universal adapter we tested, and it charged more of our devices faster. A replaceable fuse and an included spare should take the brunt of any accidental, unfortunate, or shockingly bad connections. The Epicka is fairly compact and well built, and it even comes with an extra USB cable and a nylon case.

However, no universal travel adapter is truly universal, and they’re all a lot bulkier and more expensive than simple plug adapters. If you want the smallest adapter possible, or if you’re going someplace where a universal adapter won’t work (more on that in a minute), a plug adapter could be what you need.

Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter 5 Piece Set

The best plug adapter.

Individually, these tiny plug adapters are smaller, lighter, and cheaper than any universal travel adapter. To juice up multiple devices, though, you’d need a separate multiport charger too.

The tiny plug adapters from Ceptics are barely larger than the prongs they convert. Small, simple, and cheap, they’re perfect for someone who wants to carry only the adapter they’ll need and who already has a multiport USB wall charger they like. Like our universal adapter picks, this set contains the three most common international plugs and the US plug. However, it also includes a somewhat rarer plug used in some European countries that has two thick, cylindrical prongs. This means that the Ceptics set will likely cover you in even more places—as long as you pack the appropriate plug adapter. These charts should help you find the shape you need before you order.

However, getting your gear to work in different countries isn’t quite as simple as it should be, and there’s no single solution that’s guaranteed to work for everyone. Our picks should work for you, but you may have some random piece of equipment, or be traveling to some country, for which our “good for most” picks just won’t work. (Case in point: One Wirecutter editor visited Iceland a few years back. The house she stayed in had outlets unlike anything on those charts, and the plug adapters she had used elsewhere in Reykjavik didn’t fit at all. It turns out the mystery sockets belonged to an obscure Italian system from the 1960s that was popular in Iceland for a time. Luckily, the hosts had power strips in the house that her adapters fit into.) The world is a big place, and when it comes to electricity and wall outlets, there’s a lot of variation. That’s important to keep in mind.

Whether two-prong or three-prong, an adapter just changes the shape of your plug, not anything about the electricity coming through the wires. However, this usually isn’t a problem because almost every power brick that comes with modern electronic gear is capable of accepting both the 110-volt standard used in the US and the 240-volt commonly used abroad. If your device has a power block on the cord, it likely says something like  “100-240 V ~ 50/60 Hz”—that’s the all-clear to use it without a voltage converter so long as the range covers the voltage of the country you’re visiting . This includes the vast majority of modern laptop and USB chargers.

Products without some sort of power block at the end or with a non-detachable cord—in particular, things with heating elements like hair dryers and curling irons—are more likely to need a voltage converter. Putting 220 V through a US 110 V device would be like attaching a firehose to a drinking fountain—you’re likely to blow your face off. But voltage converters are tricky devices, and most of the inexpensive ones have awful (or dishonest) reviews. Since hotels and hostels will often have hair dryers and most newer gear can do the full range of voltages, we strongly recommend that, whenever possible, you only bring items that work with a much simpler (and more reliable) adapter.

Wire/gadget organization system

Now that every device has a battery, every battery has a charger, and every charger has a cable—never mind power-plug adapters if you’re traveling abroad—the sheer quantity of accessories needed just to keep your gadgets running can take up more space than the devices themselves. And unless you organize them, you can bet on having to blindly fish them out of the least convenient spot at the bottom of your bag. Recently, our pick for carrying tech necessities, the Incase Nylon Accessory Organizer, which had been out of stock for a few years, returned to the Incase website and appears to be in stock. If you prefer mesh to easily see your contents, , we also like the Container Store Micro Mesh Pouches .

The Incase cable organizer is a poly-nylon blend, so it’s durable. It is a soft-shell bag, however, so its contents can distort the bag’s shape when it’s full. But the bag’s edges remain rigid—so the seams don’t pucker—its contents don’t fall out, and zipping and unzipping the bag is still easy. We have other picks in our full guide to bag and cable organizers , including a roll-up bag and a stylish duo of cosmetics travel pouches ; we’ll also start testing other options to replace this one.

USB battery packs

A USB battery pack (also called a power bank) can keep your small electronics—from phones and cameras to tablets and more—going while you’re on the road. Although the length of your trip will determine exactly how much extra juice you’ll need to have on hand, whatever your requirements, we have a great USB battery recommendation for you. The Belkin Boost Charge Plus 10K weighs about half a pound, and its rounded edges make it easy to hold or slip into a pocket. Its USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port can charge most handheld devices and recharge itself at top speed (with the right USB-C cable and wall charger), and it can pass power to another device while being recharged from a wall outlet. It only comes in one color, but it has enough capacity to fully charge most smartphones up to three times, as well as built-in USB-C and Lightning cables that are easy to slide in and out of their holsters.

If you’re traveling for leisure, try not to get too wrapped up in technology because you might miss what you’re actually there to do: experience a new place. OneBag’s Doug Dyment said in an interview, “Wearing headphones and staring at a screen is like putting a digital wall around yourself when you’re traveling. It makes you seem unapproachable and uninterested in what’s around you.” That may be a good thing if you do truly want to be left alone, but Dyment went on to say that some of his most memorable traveling experiences were the result of just looking lost and getting help from the locals. “One minute, you’re a lost foreigner in an unfamiliar village, then someone asks if you need directions. Before you know it, you’re eating dinner with his family.”

Travel binoculars

Athlon Optics Midas ED

The overall best binoculars.

Amazingly affordable with great optics, these binoculars have performance comparable with that of many models that cost thousands more.

Our top pick for binoculars is durable and great for near-home hikes. In hot or dusty environments that may call for a clearer optical boost, the Athlon Optics Midas ED 8×42 binoculars deliver top quality. Its focus dial offers a wide range of depths that makes it easier to see whatever it is you desire—birds, grass or darkened areas of the forest. Our recommendation comes with the assistance of a professional ornithologist who spent over 100 hours putting 17 pairs of binoculars to the test in the mountains of Southern California and the rain forests of southern Mexico.

Although the Celestron TrailSeeker ED binoculars don’t offer a clear edge-to-edge view to the same degree of the Athlon Optics Midas EDs , they’re a comparable runner-up model that’ll be lighter on your wallet if having binoculars while traveling is a must. The TrailSeekers are equipped with great light-gathering qualities, close focus, and impressive optical resolution. Or, if you’re concerned about saving space, we liked the Pentax AD 8x25 WP binoculars. While not quite as powerful as our other picks, this compact pair of binoculars is well made and easy to fit into a carry-on while traveling via plane.

Ebook reader

Amazon Kindle (2022)

The best e-reader for most people.

Amazon’s most affordable Kindle is also its most portable, and it’s finally been upgraded with sharper text on its 6-inch screen and support for USB-C charging. Those features bring it in line with much-pricier e-readers.

The entry-level Amazon Kindle finally got an upgrade and is now our favorite e-reader , with the same crisp display and USB-C charging as the pricier Kindle Paperwhite has (and with double the storage space of the previous entry-level model). Amazon’s well-stocked ebooks store remains its biggest selling point, along with the ease of checking out library books via Libby and sending them directly to a Kindle.

Even if you don’t have time for pleasure reading on your trip, it’s worth investing in a Kindle because many major travel guides are available in fully searchable ebook formats now. Furthermore, e-texts will also work on your phone, tablet, and computer, thanks to the Kindle ecosystem.

Packable daypack

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack

A pack that fits in your palm.

Toss this lightweight, phone-sized packable bag into your luggage or coat pocket, and you’ll never get caught without a spare bag again. If you need something to carry every day, though, we think you’ll prefer one of our more-structured picks.

Packing a stowable daypack, one that stuffs down to fit in your luggage when not in use, is a relatively small investment of space in exchange for a high return of function and flexibility. After researching dozens of packable daypacks across a spectrum of portability, features, and prices, and then packing, unpacking, loading, wearing, and drenching the top-rated finalists during multiple rounds of testing, the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack is the smallest and lightest packable backpack we recommend. Packed up, it is very discreet: nearly the size of a keychain accessory.

The bag itself is a no-frills sack made from a paper-thin siliconized Cordura nylon, which means it’s very light and water-resistant. It has reinforced stitching at stress points, allowing the Ultra-Sil to carry more weight than you would expect. That said, since this pack is made of such thin, light material, carrying large or awkwardly shaped loads is somewhat uncomfortable, especially when compared with our more structured picks.

If comfort or waterproofing is important to you, check out the alternative picks in our review of packable daypacks for travel .

Field Notes 3-Pack Original Kraft Memo Books

For ultimate portability.

Field Notes are cheap but contain high-quality paper that earns praise from pen and stationery geeks across the web.

For writing your adventures as you travel, you can’t beat the portability, practicality, and romanticism of a pocket notebook. There’s nothing better in that category than Field Notes (three-packs available in a variety of styles and types ). These pocket-sized notebooks are widely praised for their excellent paper quality, and the Pen Addict’s Brad Dowdy tells me “Field Notes is pretty much the runaway pocket notebook champ.” Dowdy has praised it for the lack of feathering or bleedthrough with almost any pen, as well as for the light brown ruled lines, which are easier to write over than solid black. Austin Smith of Art Supply Critic told us in an email that his recommendation is “Field Notes has it, no question.” The Well-Appointed Desk has reviewed a slew of different Field Notes variants for those looking for something a bit more interesting.

Field Notes Expedition

A weather-resistant option.

Weather-resistant Expedition Field Notes are great if you’re writing in wet conditions, but don’t get them if you don’t need them. The synthetic paper feels weird and can cause some inks to smear.

If you think you’re going to be writing in foul weather, Field Notes also has the waterproof Expedition version with pages made from a synthetic water-and-tear resistant paper. You should only get these if you really need them, because otherwise, they just feel unnaturally slick and are more prone to smearing ink. At least one user has said that the paper shows less soaking through when wet than the similar Rite in the Rain books . The one caveat is that the synthetic paper will only work with pencils and certain inks ; thankfully, the Uni-ball Jetstream RT , our pick for best pen , definitely makes the grade.

Things can go wrong while you’re traveling, both where you are and where you’re not. Though you can’t prepare for every worst-case scenario, the peace of mind that a little bit of preparation grants will allow you to focus on what’s in front of you, instead of having to worry about what could go wrong. But preparation doesn’t simply mean buying more stuff just in case; it also means making efficient use of what you already have.

Merchant & Mills for Purl Soho Rapid Repair Kit

For the best combination of sewing tools.

The Merchant & Mills Rapid Repair Kit is the only travel kit we found that had objectively high-quality thread and scissors.

There’s nothing quite like a wardrobe malfunction to put a damper on vacation, especially when traveling with limited clothing. A good travel-size sewing kit allows you to mend a popped button or ripped seam on the fly—or even tackle more pressing issues like fixing a tent, sleeping bag, or backpack. After 15 hours of research, interviews with sewing teachers and avid home sewers, and tests of six travel and full-size kits, we found the Merchant & Mills for Purl Soho Rapid Repair Kit had by far the best tools and was the easiest to keep organized. Standard travel sewing kits usually contain mediocre thread and plastic-handled scissors that break easily. They can also be hard to keep organized (a truth we confirmed when testing six top-rated travel and full-sized kits). The Merchant & Mills set was the only one that had high-quality thread, all-metal mini scissors (don’t worry, the TSA shouldn’t stop you ), and a durable tin case (about the size of a deck of cards) to keep everything well organized.

Because the sewing pins are neatly stuck into paper inside a slim envelope and the three needles are housed in a mini glass vial, this kit also limits the risk of losing a sharp object in your bags. We found the Merchant & Mills needles easier to thread than others (no need for a fussy needle threader!) and we also like the vintage-looking safety pins that come clipped together along with two small white buttons. Although this kit only comes with black and white thread, the thread is strong and there’s more of it than you’d get in a flimsier set with shorter strands of multiple colors. We do think it would be nice if the kit included a more durable measuring tape than the paper one included, but overall everything about this kit is leagues ahead of anything else we considered. We didn’t find editorial reviews for any of the kits we tested, but the Merchant & Mills rapid repair kit was recommended by several sewing bloggers and is sold in many reputable indie fabric shops.

Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella

The best umbrella for most people.

This is a solidly built, easy-to-find umbrella that holds up in high winds. It also comes in a variety of colors.

price may vary by color or style

An umbrella you take traveling should be small, light, sturdy, and affordable. After putting in 66 hours of research and evaluating a total of 48 umbrellas across five rounds of testing (including one thunder-snowstorm), we found that the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella is the best umbrella for most people. Its durable, nine-rib construction held up admirably against gale-force winds, and it’s as sturdy as umbrellas that sell for more than twice as much.

The Repel folds up to an 11½-inch long, 14-ounce package that fits easily into most bags and glove boxes. And it forcefully expands at a touch of a button to reveal an ample 37-inch-diameter canopy that protects your head and torso from precipitation in all but the windiest of conditions. Its lengthy, textured handle is easy to grip for hands of all sizes. We also appreciate that the Repel comes in a wide variety of colors, so it’s easier to pick yours out of a crowded umbrella bucket. Finally, despite its affordable price, it’s backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee, but only if you purchase directly from Repel and register the item under the company’s warranty.

Packing method for clothes

While packing cubes and other organization tools are helpful for maximizing your bag’s usable space, efficient packing is also achievable without the aid of tools and compartments. One Bag’s Doug Dyment tried all manners of folding aids and compression products but was unsatisfied with their claims of compression and wrinkle prevention. Frustrated, he developed his own method of packing clothes compactly called the Bundle Method, which he’s used and perfected over several decades of traveling.

The Bundle Method involves layering your shirts and pants at opposing angles on a flat surface, then wrapping them around a small “core” parcel (e.g. a packing cube full of underwear and socks). We won’t get into details, but Dyment does on his website ; you can watch this easy-to-follow video from NBC . The resulting bundle is compact and has no sharp creases that will require ironing out later on. Additionally, Dyment explains that “the slight tension created in the fabric by the wrapping process, along with the anchoring of the resulting bundle, greatly reduces the chances of wrinkling.” You then put it in your bag and use the tie-down straps to provide just enough pressure to keep it together.

While simple to perform, this packing method isn’t something you can master in one go. It takes a bit of practice, but once you get it, it’s like riding a bike. The downside is that you can’t just leave your clothing packed and expect to be able to access your underwear without fully unpacking your clothes first. But unpacking is a good habit to get into anyway, as it allows your clothes to breathe and avoid wrinkles or mildew. Wirecutter founder and frequent traveler Brian Lam says that unpacking the moment he enters a room has a grounding effect that allows him to feel a bit more at home in a new environment.

If this sounds like too much of a hassle for you, you can do what we did before we found out about bundling: roll up your socks and underwear tightly and place them in packing cubes, then put your wrinkle-prone items (shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets) in a garment folder—we used the Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Garment Folder . This is also travel guru Rob King’s preferred method of packing. Though the garment folder is not quite as space-efficient as the bundle method due to the added bulk of the folder and folding board, the plastic backboard does go a long way towards preventing wrinkles. Just be aware that if you leave your clothes in there for longer than a day, they’ll begin to develop unsightly creases that require an iron to get rid of.

A big thank-you to the Hotel Lucia in downtown Portland, Oregon, for lending us a suite to use for the photos in this guide.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guide

Wirecutter Staff

Mentioned above

• There’s more to a great in-flight personal item than being small enough to stuff under a plane seat. Here’s how to choose the right one for your travel needs. The Best Underseat Luggage and Personal-Item Bags  
• The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is our backpack pick for most travelers. We also have picks for other travelers, including those who want to carry a bit more. The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks  
• After 10 years of airport dashes and overhead-compartment stashes, the Travelpro Platinum Elite is still the suitcase we want to carry. The Best Carry-On Luggage  
• After researching 30 models, we found that Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is the best suitcase for most travelers who check bags. The Best Suitcases for Checking  
• We chose five luggage tags that will help you identify your belongings in a sea of similar suitcases. The Best Luggage Tags  
• After researching and traveling with packing cubes for more than five years, the Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set is what we keep in our luggage. The Best Packing Cubes  

Further reading

How to Sleep Well (or at Least Better) While Traveling

by Christine Ryan

Our sleep and travel editors recommend gear for coping with travel-induced insomnia, vetted through hours of testing and years of personal experience.

The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

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The best travel accessories to pack on every trip

By Madison Flager

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Packing lists will vary based on where you're going and how long you're travelling for, but the best travel accessories can improve every trip. From tech gadgets to keep your electronics powered up and luggage accessories that ensure you're not hit with an overweight baggage charge, having the right gear means a smoother journey, every time. Below, we've rounded up 27 essential items to pack inside your carry-on bag , weekender , or checked luggage . Consider these the travel gear staples to bring on your next trip – and all your future holidays after that.

• A trusted tote
• A travel wash bag
• Packing cubes
• Jewellery case
• Reusable travel bottles
• Hydrating skincare products
• A portable charger
• A power adapter
• A luggage scale
• A way to find your luggage
• An e-reader
• A portable fan
• A portable steamer
• An eye mask
• A neck pillow
• A shawl or blanket
• Hand sanitiser and wipes
• A reusable water bottle
• Snack containers
• A passport holder
• A back-up travel bag
• An umbrella

1. A trusted tote

A tote bag is the ideal personal item. It's roomy enough to store all your odds and ends, and everything you'd want with you during a flight, and is usually pretty pliable, meaning you can squeeze it under the seat without taking up all of your foot room. Look for one with comfortable shoulder straps, should you overload it with snacks. A trolley sleeve is a nice feature, too, so you can slide it over your suitcase while cruising through the airport.

2. A travel wash bag

A travel wash bag is key to staying organised — and avoiding spills in your luggage. We like these options from Away and Bagsmart for their water-resistant materials and ample space for your toothbrush and toothpaste, razor, soaps, and more. A hanging bag, like those below, also allows you to keep items tidy and off the bathroom counter.

3. Packing cubes

Don't underestimate the power of a good packing cube . Articles director Lale Arikoglu has waxed poetic about her love of Paravel's packing cubes (other editors are fans of Away's set ), which come in a range of sizes to store everything from bathing suits and socks to T-shirts.

4. Jewellery case

A rule to live by: never check your valuables, especially jewellery. Keep necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings safe and neatly organised inside a jewellery case. We like Monica Vinader's for smaller accessories; if you're packing sunglasses and watches, you'll want something slightly bigger, like this Smythson option.

5. Reusable travel bottles

Rather than buy plastic travel-sized toiletries , get yourself a set of leakproof travel bottles that allow you to bring your at-home favourites on the go. They're great for storing toiletries and beauty products, and tubs can also be used to keep small items like jewellery or vitamins.

6. Hydrating skincare products

Even if you're not the type of person with a multi-step in-flight skincare routine , a few basics can go a long way in keeping your skin happy and healthy after a long day of travel. Since hand sanitiser remains a travel essential, a hand balm to apply once or twice a day is equally important to keep them moisturised. Aesop's smells incredible, and will last for several trips to come — a little bit of the thick, creamy balm goes a long way. Don't forget a hydrating lip balm, either.

7. A portable charger

There's nothing like a dead battery to slow down a trip. Keep all your accessories charged up with a power bank — Anker is our favourite, but iWalk's mini charger is a great option if you're short on space.

8. A power adapter

For international travel, a power adapter is a must to make sure you can get devices charged up in the airport and your hotel room. Apple's World Travel Adapter Kit comes with seven AC plugs with prongs that fit into different electrical outlets around the world, and each one is labelled with the regions they are compatible with. (As for compatibility, it works with Apple USB-C power adapters; MagSafe and MagSafe 2 power adapters; 10W, 12W, 30 and 35W USB ports; and portable power adapters.) We also recommend this Bluetooth converter , which lets you use your regular cordless earbuds to watch a movie in flight.

9. Headphones

Whether the plan is to listen to music, watch a movie, or just drown out noisy neighbours, most of us won't board a plane without headphones. Make sure you have your go-to on hand, plus a pair of corded earbuds (if you don't have one of these Bluetooth adapters ).

10. A luggage scale

Give yourself some added peace of mind with a digital luggage scale; it’ll let you know how much damage your souvenirs did before arriving at the check-in counter on the way home.

11. A way to find your luggage

Speaking of luggage, the Tile Pro and Apple AirTags can help locate lost bags (or wallets, or keys, depending on what you attach it to). In fact, a luggage tracker is one of the items contributor Harrison Pierce wishes he had when he began travelling full-time .

12. An e-reader

Even travellers with a library full of books at home have to admit it: E-readers are an essential travel accessory for bookworms . They are so much lighter than even one paperback book, and let you bring as many options as you want along for the ride.

13. A portable fan

If you're headed somewhere warm, or just tend to run hot, do yourself a favour and pack a portable fan. Whether you choose a handheld option or one you can wrap around your neck, it'll give you the breeze you need whether you're in the back of a crowded bus or van, standing in line at Disneyland, or kicking back in a beach chair .

14. A portable steamer

If you're travelling to a wedding or heading out on a business trip, you may want to bring a portable steamer along to make sure your formalwear looks its best after you take it out of your suitcase. Traveller contributor Erinne Magee put nine travel steamers to the test to find out which ones are the best options for travellers — below are two of her favourites.

15. A tech kit

All of those tech items mean you're going to have plenty of charging cubes and cables to keep track of. Save space in your backpack — and save yourself the headache of digging through your bag — by keeping everything wrapped up in a tech kit like the ones below.

16. An eye mask

For a comfortable journey at 30,000 feet — especially one where you hope to get some shut-eye —an eye mask is crucial. For more help sleeping, try the Bluetooth sleep headband recommended by US contributor Iona Brannon, which lets you listen to music or white noise without anything in or around your ears; in a pinch it can even double as an eye mask, she says.

17. A neck pillow

Another comfort essential: a travel pillow . It can take some time to find the style you like best, and your pick might vary depending on whether you're in-flight or in a car. Two we like: The classic memory foam wraparound neck pillow, which can be tightened or loosened per your preference, and the innovative fleecy neck wrap recommended by commerce writer Charley Ward .

18. Cosy socks

We love a good pair of compression socks to fight that pins-and-needles feeling that comes from sitting still for too long, be it on a long-haul flight  or a road trip . For those who prefer a cosier option, we recommend socks from Barefoot Dreams .

19. Earplugs

When you need some peace and quiet, swap your noise-cancelling headphones in for earplugs. This set comes with multiple sizes, so you can find the right fit, and share with any family members you're travelling with.

20. A shawl or blanket

For those who run cold, an oversized scarf will get plenty of use in transit, and can even double as a blanket. Opt for a quality material you can pack for years to come, like cashmere.

21. Hand sanitiser and wipes

As for general wellness, hand sanitiser is a must — buy a set and drop one in all your most-used totes and sling bags so you're never without. Some biodegradable wipes are nice to have on hand too, especially if you're travelling with little ones .

22. A reusable water bottle

Rounding out our collection of the best travel accessories are some odds and ends, like a good reusable water bottle, so you can stop buying overpriced bottles at the airport (and be kinder to the environment).

23. Snack containers

If overpriced airport snacks aren't your jam, come prepared by filling reusable Stasher bags with popcorn, crackers, fruit, or whatever else you'd like in-flight before you leave your house. A reusable utensil set is another nice-to-have travel accessory that'll allow you to turn down the plastic cutlery you might be handed in the airport or elsewhere on the road. The spoon and chopsticks are particularly TSA-friendly (while utensils are technically allowed through security , it's at the discretion of the agent if they'll let plastic knives or forks).

24. A passport holder

Also handy: a high-quality passport holder (bonus points if it has space to hold your credit cards) to keep your most important document protected. Aspinal's can be personalised with your initials for an added £20.

25. A back-up travel bag

For trips where you plan to shop, something lightweight, like Paravel's Fold-Up Bag or Baggu's Cloud Bag , is a smart addition to your packing list. Stuff it with souvenirs on your way home, or use it for overnight or weekend trips within a longer holiday.

26. A travel umbrella

Depending on your destination, a travel-size umbrella might be worth the space in your luggage. And if you're driving, tossing one in the backseat is a no-brainer. Contributor Claire Volkman tested out around a dozen options on our US sister site to determine which are the sturdiest and most compact. Shop two of her favourites, both available in the UK, below.

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The Best Travel Accessories We Never Leave Home Without

Sure, you’d never travel without your toothbrush—but what about a refillable toothpaste tube.

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When packing, there are things we all reach for: toiletries , clothes, shoes. But then there are also various travel accessories some of us would never leave home without. The small things we wouldn’t consider as essential as, say, our passports, but nonetheless make travel easier. Things that solve (or at least lessen) the little problems that pop up along the way—like sleeping in uncomfortable airplane seats, dealing with tangled cords, or reducing single-use plastic waste.

At AFAR, our staff has spent many hours searching for and testing travel accessories that help us along every leg of the journey—many of which are sustainably made, several from small businesses. This list reflects our tried-and-true favorites, the items that, now we’ve traveled with them, we never leave home without.

Whether you’re hopping on a plane to a far-flung destination, or taking a short road trip close to home, consider packing these essential travel accessories.

Matador’s refillable toothpaste tubes come in a set of two sizes for shorter and longer trips.

Courtesy of Matador

Matador Refillable Toothpaste Tubes

• Problem it solves : Buying single-use travel-size tubes
• Buy now : $10 for two, matadorequipment.com ; containerstore.com

Sick of buying those tiny plastic tubes of toothpaste and tossing them after just a few uses, but don’t like the texture of chewable toothpaste tablets? Thankfully, travel gear brand Matador came up with a brilliant ecofriendly alternative. This set of reusable toothpaste tubes comes with a one-week capacity tube and a larger two-week capacity tube that can be filled (and refilled) infinitely with the Crest or Colgate you keep at home. Just remove the sliding clip at the back end, add toothpaste to the “max fill” line, fold at the “fold line” and replace the clip. The sliding clip can be a little finicky to use at first, but once you do it a few times, it gets much easier.

Eliminate packing single-use devices with ones that are multipurpose like this 3-in-1 charger.

Courtesy of Amazon

Anker 3-in-1 737 Charger

• Problem it solves : Packing multiple charging bricks for your electronics
• Buy now : $80, anker.com ; amazon.com

Whether you’re traveling or simply bringing your laptop to the local coffee shop, this charging brick from Anker has three ports—two USB-C and one USB-A. That means you can charge your computer, iPhone, and one more device all at the same time so you don’t have to pack multiple charging bricks.

Better safe than sorry.

Carbon Monoxide Detector

• Problem it solves : Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning while traveling
• Buy now: $23, amazon.com

Although many states require carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in private residences, not all hotels are required to have such safeguards in place. To be safe, pack a plug-in model with battery backup like the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector . It’s about the size of a (very thick) iPhone, so it doesn’t take up too much space in a carry-on. The Kidde emits four beeps in quick succession when it detects CO, while other carbon monoxide detectors may have verbal alerts. (A smoke alarm will sound different; it might have a three-beep pattern, for example.)

The Trtl Travel Pillow is also available in a smaller size for kids.

Courtesy of Trtl

Trtl Travel Pillow

• Problem it solves : Sleeping comfortably on planes, trains, and long car rides
• Buy now : $45 (was $50), trtltravel.com

Finding a travel pillow that actually works can be tricky, but several AFAR editors swear by the Trtl travel pillow. Any qualms about looking silly instantly disappear as soon as you use this ergonomically designed travel pillow (which keeps your head from bobbing around). “It feels a little strange putting it on the first time and sort of looks like a neck brace,” said Rosalie Tinelli, AFAR’s former senior audience development manager . “But who cares how it looks when you’re getting peaceful sleep on an airplane and waking up with zero neck stiffness?”

Available in a variety of colors, as well as a kids’ version (ages 8+), and an adjustable, more-breathable Trtl Pillow Plus , this travel pillow is easily one of our favorites.

These portable pill cases come with six small sections for just-in-case meds and two larger ones for daily vitamins.

Travel Pill Case

• Problem it solves : Packing bulky bottles of over-the-counter medicine
• Buy now: $6, amazon.com ; $22, mypillypal.com

Plenty of products go viral on TikTok , but these compact pill cases that act as a portable pharmacy are probably one of the most practical items to get millions of views on the video-sharing platform. Instead of packing a dopp kit with multiple bottles of Tylenol, Dramamine, and other over-the-counter meds, these space-saving pill cases let you decant them into eight small sections. Just be sure to label the sections so you tell your vitamins apart from your other meds.

These little headphones come with a myriad of travel-friendly features.

Courtesy of Apple

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

• Problem it solves : Noisy public spaces
• Buy now : $200 (was $249), amazon.com

You may have already heard rave reviews of Apple’s AirPods Pro for everyday use, but they’re also fantastic travel headphones . These compact, cordless earbuds come with travel-friendly features like noise-cancellation , a 30-hour battery life, and flexible silicone tips that help the earbuds stay in your ear (and not, say, lost inside your airplane seat).

The Eagle Creek Pack-It Packing Cubes come in a variety of colors and styles.

Courtesy of Eagle Creek

Eagle Creek Pack-It Packing Cubes

• Problem it solves : Staying organized on the go
• Buy now : Pack-It Starter Set, $41 (was $55), eaglecreek.com

If you’re not a packing cube convert yet, give it a go: The cubes really do keep the contents of your luggage neat, folded, and well organized. Although there are many options to choose from , several AFAR editors cite Eagle Creek’s popular Pack-It packing cube system as their go-to choice. The starter set comes with a garment folder, a medium-size cube, and a small cube. Added bonus: Eagle Creek designs its products to have minimal negative environmental impact by keeping them PVC free and incorporating recycled materials.

This clever device allows you to watch movies on airplanes with wireless headphones.

Courtesy of Twelve South

Twelve South AirFly Pro

• Problem it solves : Having to use wired headphones to watch airplane movies
• Buy now: $55, twelvesouth.com ; amazon.com

It’s possible to use wireless headphones to watch movies on in-seat screens on airplanes with the Twelve South AirFly Pro wireless transmitter. It plugs into the headphone jack in airplane seats and sends audio signals via Bluetooth to your headphones. (It also works as an AUX IN adapter in a rental car.) It has a 16-hour battery life and is roughly the size of a matchbox.

These Baggu pouches can be used to organize anything, but the two bigger ones are great for shoes.

Courtesy of Baggu

Baggu 3D Zip Set

• Problem it solves : Keeping your dirty shoes separate from everything else
• Buy now : $36 for three, baggu.com

If the thought of letting the crud on the soles of your shoes come into contact with your clean clothes, your toiletry bag, or even a hat inside your luggage makes you queasy, invest in travel shoe bags . The quickest fix—that you likely already have in your home—are plastic grocery bags or large Ziplocs. But there are a few sturdier and more sustainable options like the Baggu 3D Zip Set . Made from recycled ripstop nylon, this trio of zip pouches can fit a variety of items. But the medium and large pouches are perfectly sized for stashing flip-flops, flats, and even sneakers. (The small pouch is best for organizing toiletries or charging cords.)

Prevent leaks in your toiletry bags with the Matador Flatpack bottle.

Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle

• Problem it solves : Leaky, single-use travel containers for gels, liquids, and creams
• Buy now : $14 for one, $38 for three; matadorequipment.com

Rather than buy disposable, travel-size toiletries that might leak or explode in your bag, invest in good-quality reusable bottles for your lotions, shampoo, soap, and other liquids. For this, AFAR contributor Maggie Fuller recommends the Matador FlatPack toiletry bottles, which—despite the name—look more like little bags. These TSA-approved, three-ounce bottles are compact, leak-proof, and easy to squish into your toiletry bag.

These leather cord tacos contain unruly charging cords.

Courtesy of This Is Ground

This is Ground Cord Taco

• Problem it solves: Tangled cords taking over your bag
• Buy now : $25 for three, etsy.com

Whether it’s headphones or chargers, we all travel with cords that all too easily tangle into knots or with each other and other small items in our bag. To keep them in order, AFAR editor at large Laura Dannen Redman recommends the Cord Tacos by This is Ground. Handmade in Los Angeles, these tiny leather “tacos” wrap around your cords and snap closed to keep them neat and coiled up on the go.

This eye mask comes in a variety of colors, including purple seen here.

Courtesy of Asutra

Asutra Eye Pillow

• Problem it solves : Sleeping comfortably, wherever you are
• Buy now: $20, asutra.com ; amazon.com

The Asutra Eye Pillow is ideal for when you’re trying to sleep on a plane or in a too-bright hotel room. It’s made with ultra-comfortable silk, it blocks out all light (so it won’t matter if your seatmate insists on reading the whole flight), and it’s filled with lavender and flax seeds, giving the effect of a calming weighted blanket for your face. You might want to wear this one every night—even when your PTO days have come to end.

The Vapur Anti-Bottle folds down to next to nothing when it’s empty.

Vapur Anti-Bottle Water Bottle

• Problem it solves : Staying hydrated on the go
• Buy now : from $9, amazon.com

Packing a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated while reducing waste is a no brainer these days. For those of us who don’t need a bulky 32-ounce bottle taking up precious room in our carry-ons, the Vapur Anti-Bottle —a BPA-free plastic water pouch that can roll up into practically nothing when empty—is a must pack item.

Travel Tube Blanket

• Problem it solves : Cold airplanes, trains, or destinations
• Buy now : $64, etsy.com

Why pack a blanket and a scarf when you can have a blanket scarf? To keep warm on planes, dining outside, and everywhere in between, reach for one of the versatile blanket scarves by Seattle-based and women-owned Travel Tube Blankets . Made from a soft, stretchy knit fabric, the Classic Travel Tube Blanket can be worn like an infinity scarf when rolled up. Unraveled, it transforms into a 4.5-foot-long, tube-like blanket (kind of like a sleeping bag without the bottom seam) or a shawl to toss over your shoulders.

The Aesop hand sanitizer contains aloe vera, to keep from drying out your hands.

Courtesy of Aesop

Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist

• Problem it solves : Germy public spaces
• Buy now : $13, nordstrom.com , aesop.com

Hand sanitizer has always been an essential travel accessory, but it is even more so following the COVID pandemic. Fortunately for travelers, Australian brand Aesop has a spray version of its popular Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash. Featuring the same refreshing citrus scent, this alcohol-based sanitizer also contains aloe vera so your hands don’t dry out.

Snow Peak’s chopsticks fold down into an included carrying case.

Courtesy of Snow Peak

Snow Peak Reusable Utensils

• Problem it solves : Relying on single-use plastic cutlery on the road
• Buy now : Titanium Fork and Spoon Set, $27, snowpeak.com ; Wabuki Chopsticks, $50, snowpeak.com

Reusable utensils may not be the first thing you reach for when packing, but they can be surprisingly handy—for takeout, picnics, or eating an emergency pack of ramen in a hotel room after all the restaurants have shut for the night. “I always pack my Snow Peak cutlery set , while my husband takes their collapsible chopsticks , so we can skip the disposable utensils,” says Jessie Beck, AFAR’s associate director, SEO, product & video. Both come with a dedicated carrying case so you can keep your utensils separate from the rest of the things in your bag.

This universal travel adapter fits plugs in over 150 countries.

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

• Problem it solves : Charging electronics in other countries
• Buy now : $23, amazon.com

For international travel, a universal travel adapter is a must-have accessory. This compact one from Epicka comes with plugs that you can use in more than 150 countries, including the United States, Australia, England, and most of those in the EU. With an AC socket, four USB-A ports, and one USB-C port, it also lets you charge up to six devices at once—saving you the need for multiple adapters.

This rich face cream quenches dry skin on long flights.

Courtesy of Blue Lagoon Iceland

BL+ the Cream

• Problem it solves : Dry airplane air wreaking havoc on your skin
• Buy now: $85, skincare.bluelagoon.com

Prevent feeling like a dried out husk on your next long flight by layering on an ultra rich face cream like the BL+ the Cream from Blue Lagoon Iceland. It’s made with microalgae and silica sourced from the same geothermal source as those famous blue pools. The travel-friendly 15-ml pot may be pricey—but a little goes a long way.

This article was originally published in 2021; it was updated on December 14, 2023, with new information.

23 Best Travel Accessories for Every Kind of Trip

Whether you’re crammed in economy class or on a long drive, these gadgets and accessories will make the time pass quickly.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or you save up for one trip every few years, chances are you already know that what you pack impacts your comfort, your enjoyment, and, perhaps most important, your stress levels both while traveling and when you’ve actually settled in at your new destination. That’s why it’s critical to pack useful, helpful travel accessories. Take the wrong ones, and you may find yourself carrying extra weight for gear you never end up using.

As a full-time travel writer, I enjoy the wonderful perk of being able to travel quite a bit. While chasing down stories, I’ve stayed in five-star suites in the Maldives and slept on the top bunk of a 15-hour budget sleeper train in Vietnam . So I’ve experienced quite a variety of travel conditions while using what’s likely hundreds of travel accessories in the process.

Over time, I’ve been able to narrow down my must-have travel accessories to include a perfect blend of ones that are useful, easy to carry, and multifunctional. For example, a packable mini- backpack can serve as a lightweight bag for day hikes or as an extra carry-on if you buy too much abroad.

These are the 23 best travel accessories I recommend to all my friends planning their next weekend or bucket-list getaways.

Best Travel Accessories

• Best In-Flight Bluetooth Audio Adapter: Twelve South AirFly Pro
• Best Travel Footrest: Airplane Footrest
• Best Cord Organizer for Small Items: Bellroy Classic Pouch
• Best Containers for Toiletries: Cadence Weekender Bundle
• Best Blanket for Cold Flights: Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket

The Expert: I’m a freelance travel writer and editor who usually focuses on adventure travel. That’s led me to take some pretty lengthy flight patterns (most recently, 54 hours of travel on the way to Rwanda) and fairly remote road trips (through central Alaska). But traveling frequently doesn't mean anything goes. Like everyone else, I have my personal annoyances while traveling: I get cold easily, I’m sensitive to noise when sleeping in new places, and I always need to be able to work on-the-go. What all of that means is that my experience with travel accessories isn’t just about finding those that make flights more comfortable, but also those that improve my productivity, help me enjoy myself in new destinations, and make packing as painless as possible. I think I've used just about every type of travel product out there, and truly feel the ones I have selected are the best of the best.

What to Consider When Buying Travel Accessories

The best travel accessories eliminate the inconveniences and annoyances of life on-the-go. For me, this includes headphones that drown out engine noise (or crying babies), containers that allow me to bring my favorite soap and shampoo on flights, and anything that makes long trips more comfortable. Consider what you value most and look for accessories in that space.

No matter what you’re in the market for, don’t overlook size, especially for liquids. The TSA limits your liquids to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) per container and prefers them all packed into one quart-size bag. As for luggage, make sure any travel bags you intend to carry on are no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches, and checked bags no heavier than 50 pounds. Even if you aren’t checking a suitcase, you’ll have an easier, more comfortable experience with less to lug around. Most of the accessories below are relatively lightweight, but they’ll add a few pounds combined.

Finally, a word on price. Some travelers don’t want to spend too much money on items they might accidentally leave in a seat-back pocket, whereas other people tend to take better care of things that cost more. I generally recommend ruling out the very cheapest items in most categories, lest you find your shampoo bottle started leaking mid-flight.

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How We Selected These Travel Accessories

In addition to my own experiences using these products as a travel writer and gear tester, I weighed consumer reviews, investigated market research, and did a thorough evaluation of each product's price, features, and overall value. If you’re looking for stuff to make your next trip easier and more comfortable, start with these recommendations.

Twelve South AirFly Pro

Given how small and lightweight this Bluetooth adapter is, I make sure to pack it for every flight where I expect to watch a movie. The adapter plugs into airplane screens and pairs via Bluetooth so you can use your preferred noise-canceling earphones with the in-flight entertainment.

It has excellent battery life, but the connection does suffer from some lag. I’ve noticed a very slight audio delay in older planes—and you may need a two-prong adapter on older entertainment systems.

If you plan to use the AirFly only for sending audio to your headphones, you can get by with the less-expensive AirFly Classic, which has slightly better battery life. But if you want to use Bluetooth to send audio to the AirFly (for example, to play audio from your phone in a car without built-in Bluetooth), you’ll need the Pro.

Sekoess Airplane Footrest

My foot hammock is probably the nerdiest travel accessory I own, but it's a lifesaver—or should I say leg saver. The adjustable-length hammock attaches to your airplane seat's tray table and eases pressure on your low back, knees, and glutes.

I'm much less stiff after flights when I use the foot hammock and have never noticed it bothering the person in the seat in front of me, even while making adjustments. You can also buy versions with more rigid footrests, though I find the more flexible, hammock-style footrest is easier to stuff into a carry-on.

Bellroy Classic Pouch

Whether it’s a road trip or an international flight, I always use a small, simple zippered case for my tech gear so I don’t have to fish around for it in the bottom of my bag.

Cord organizers have become trendy lately, but some have so many straps and pockets that I still have to search for the exact item I need. Instead, I just use a small case like the Bellroy Classic Pouch. Since I have a separate case for my computer charger and cord, this one has enough space for most of my other small items, including the AirFly and Bose earbuds in this roundup. It has a few basic organizational pockets and zips wide enough so you can find what you need in a hurry.

Oh, and if you want a case to fit your computer charger as well as all your other travel accessories, never fear: There’s a larger option. The Bellroy Tech Kit is deeper and longer, with a clamshell-style opening, so it can hold slightly larger accessories like computer charger cubes or a GoPro camera.

Cadence Weekender Bundle

Carry-on-only travelers are familiar with packing small amounts of their favorite toiletries, but mini squeeze bottles make it challenging to use gels and creams that get stuck to the bottoms.

Fortunately, you can alleviate that issue with Cadence’s magnetic honeycomb-style capsules, which stick together and take up little space. These convenient containers are made from ocean plastic cleaned from beaches, and you can customize the tile labels and colors of each capsule. I recommend the six-pack for carrying both hair and skincare products, but you could connect three times that number if you so desire.

Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket

I carry a packable insulated blanket on almost every trip, even to tropical destinations. Aside from being useful as a plane blanket, it comes in handy in hotels where the A/C is definitely working or when there’s only a sheet on the bed.

I like the Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket since the fill is light and compressible. It’s on the smaller side at roughly 4.5-feet by 3-feet, but it’s worth the trade-off for the packability (less than 4-inches wide when packed.) I usually carry it in one of the bottle pockets on the side of my carry-on backpack.

Because it’s not a full-size blanket, the NanoLoft is best as a lap blanket on cold flights or car rides, and works well as a pillow when packed. For more coverage, consider the full-size NanoLoft (6- by 14-inches packed, $179+). I recommend getting a tiny stuff sack or compression packing cube to make it into a more manageable carry-on size.

Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack

The Osprey Ultralight Stuff Sack is proof that the best travel accessories don’t have to be high-tech or overly complex—just useful. This is a water-resistant, packable backpack with mesh straps, a side pocket, and one small internal pocket. That’s it.

Because it’s so simple, it folds down incredibly small to about 5- by 5- by 3-inches. I often wear it when sightseeing around a city when I don’t want to carry a purse or shoulder bag.

But even if I don’t have a plan for using it, I toss it in my luggage every time. It can come in handy when you’re packing in a hurry and can’t fit everything as neatly into your bag as you did the first time, or if you’re road tripping and want to pull over and walk to a quirky roadside attraction. Most of my other ultra-packable bags are totes, but I prefer the security of a zippable backpack.

Cabeau S3 Evolution

These pillows are phenomenal, and reviewers say they're the only way they can ever get some sleep when crammed into a middle seat.

An adjustable headrest strap keeps the pillow upright and in place, and the comfortable foam never seems to lose its shape. Though most people wear the Evolution around their neck as intended, it works well as a traditional pillow, especially considering the gap in the middle leaves room for bulky over-ear headphones.

Alongza Portable Charger

I take thousands of vacation photos per trip, and often, the only camera I’m carrying is the one in my cell phone. To avoid running out of battery before getting back to my hotel room, I carry the ridiculously small Alongza charger.

It holds about two phone charges, and it won’t power bigger devices like laptops. But because it’s roughly the size of a credit card (though a smidge thicker), it’s easy to carry and is able to charge my phone while walking around.

I find most power banks too big to fit in my pocket, but this is probably the tiniest one I’ve ever used. I also like the built-in UBC-C and Lightning connectors so I can leave my cords at the hotel.

HiBar Maintain Shampoo and Conditioner Set

If carrying a 3-ounces of shampoo won’t get you through a whole trip, consider using a solid shampoo and conditioner bar that won’t raise any eyebrows going through the TSA checkpoint.

There are five different sets for different hair types, each safe to use for color-treated hair. Be sure to toss them into a plastic bag if you’re planning to pack them before they’re dry.

I have very thin, fine hair, and find the HiBar Volumizie set works just as well as the far more expensive salon set I use in my home shower.

Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Earbuds

I love my over-the-ear headphones, but on long flights, they can start to feel a bit sore on my ears. I took a risk on the Bose QuietComfort headphones, since at nearly $300 they’re even more expensive than Apple AirPods. But I’m glad I bought them.

They provide a level of noise-cancellation I never thought would be possible from an in-ear headphone, and the case can fully charge the headphones three times before it needs to be plugged in again—enough to get you through even the longest of trans-Atlantic flights and chatty seatmates.

The only real minus is the size, as they don’t sit as closely to your head as the popular Apple AirPods. But the sound quality more than makes up for it.

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Flex Sip Lid Bottle

At this point, it’s a given to carry a reusable water bottle, but I’ve started bringing my own coffee mug too, especially since I like my coffee piping hot. In many countries, coffee is served in a teacup and not guzzled like I’m used to, and having my own mug is a great way to fill my coffee once at the hotel without bothering the staff to bring more and more.

I’ve recently been using the Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Mug. It keeps coffee hot, but most important, it has a tight seal. I can buy coffee in the airport, put the mug in my carry-on, and pull it out mid-flight without worrying that it leaked in the bag I have shoved under my seat.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Over-Ear Headphones

When it comes to audio, two big names still reign supreme, at least in my book: Sony and Bose. Bose makes my favorite in-ear headphones, but Sony’s WH-1000XM4 is far and away the best over-the-ear option. The battery life is impressive at 30 or more hours per charge, and the charging is quick—20 minutes powers about 8 hours of listening.

The noise canceling is fabulous, as I’ve learned when trying to talk to someone wearing them, and they fold into a flat case. That said, they’re still a bit on the bulky side, stored or worn, but if you’re planning to carry over-the-ear headphones, their size probably isn’t your top priority.

JBL Clip 4 Speaker

I work remotely and set my own schedule, which means I’m often working for a few hours here and there in hotel rooms on vacation. I also love to listen to podcasts when I’m getting ready in the morning, so I always make sure to pack a small Bluetooth speaker.

The JBL Clip 4 has better sound than expected for its size, including strong bass. The built-in clip makes it easy to hang on a shower rod or suitcase handle, and because it’s waterproof, it’s ideal for use around pools, beaches, hot tubs, and whatever other amenities you may avail yourself to on vacation.

The negative: it uses a lithium ion battery, which means you have to take it in your carry-on, not in your checked bags.

Panasonic Lumix G7 4K Camera

I’m constantly amazed by the quality of photos you can get from an iPhone, but when it comes to shooting in suboptimal conditions (or trying to show depth and scale in landscapes), you’ll probably want a more advanced camera.

The Lumix G7 is a ridiculously good camera with a surprisingly low price, especially considering it’s mirrorless, which makes it lighter and smaller than non-mirrorless options. It shoots photos and videos in 4K, has Wi-Fi so you can send your photos straight to your phone or computer, and has multiple auto settings for beginners, including one specifically for night-sky photography.

It’s packed with features and is the number one camera I recommend to all travelers who want to take better travel photos without spending more serious money on a camera, even if you don’t have any actual interest in using its more professional features.

Peak Design Packing Cube

I’ve become a big fan of Peak Design. The brand's packing cubes are the its first item I ever tried. They have strong zippers that don’t seem to get caught in the fabric while compressing as much as other cubes, and you can fit far more than you’d expect into each one.

I prefer the small size, as it’s easier to stack in a suitcase and fits better in a backpack or shoulder bag. These packing cubes are also light and thin, so you can throw an empty one in your bag (as I found especially useful in Patagonia) just in case you end up buying an extra sweater during your travels.

Pro packing tip: Don't pack small clothing items like underwear, socks, and swimsuits in the cubes. Instead, shove them into negative space around the cubes to maximize all available luggage areas.

Thule Subterra Carry-on Roller

Hard-sided carry-on spinners have become all the rage in the last few years, and while I do love my July bag, I’ve found two drawbacks to hard-sided bags: the second set of wheels eats into the luggage space and there’s no ability to stuff them into an overhead bin or car if they don’t quite fit.

Fortunately, I’ve had the Thule Subterra for a while now and it’s become my most-used bag. That’s thanks to a built-in compression panel with pocket; a small front pocket for passports, keys, and sunglasses; and durable back wheels that seem to have no problem crashing over curbs and steps.

I’ve also come to appreciate its slightly smaller size. While some travelers may balk at the idea of not maximizing their carry-on capacity, I find that it's actually easier for travel, especially when I see my fellow travelers’ larger bags getting forcibly gate checked on smaller planes.

Baseus Blade

I’ve used plenty of backup chargers while traveling (who hasn’t?), but the Blade from Baseus is the one I rely on most. That’s partially because I have a computer with a USB-C charging port, and the Blade is optimized for quick charging of USB-C computers.

I can charge my MacBook Pro from 0- to 100-percent with about a 20-percent charge left on the Blade (which is enough to almost fully charge my iPhone).

Other features I appreciate are its slim design (so I can travel with it in my laptop pocket), a display that shows you both how much battery is left and how much time until the Blade is fully charged, and the fact that it takes only about 1.5 hours to fully charge it.

If I use the entire capacity on a flight, as long as I have at least a 1.5-hour layover, I can be back up and running on the next flight.

Ombraz Armless Sunglasses

I've broken more than a few pairs of sunglasses by shoving them into the pocket of an overstuffed bag or sitting on them at dinner if I put them in my back pocket after a day of sightseeing. That's why when traveling, I nearly always carry Ombraz sunglasses. If I bring a fancier pair, it stays in a hard case in my luggage.

The smartly designed Ombraz shades have a soft adjustable cord in place of arms, so they’re nearly impossible to break or bend. They slide into a flat padded case and come in five unisex styles. You can also buy side shields (ideal for reflective surroundings, like snow or water) and have your prescription added.

The only downside is that you’ll need both hands to put them on, but to me, it’s worth it. I’ve had the classic pair for about three years, and they haven’t showed much wear or abrasion—but there’s a lifetime guarantee on the cord and frame if they ever do.

CM Pack of Two Mini Pouch Case Bag

I almost always have my laptop with me when I travel, and since the chunky MacBook charging cube and long cord are too bulky to store with the rest of my small cords, I used to just toss them into my bag. But then I found these tiny travel pouches sized for a computer power adapter.

I can easily fit my computer power adapter and cord in one pouch, and now, I don’t have to pull everything out of my bag to untangle the laptop cord, or use tweezers to remove dirt from the bottom of my backpack that got stuck in the charging port.

The pouches in this set are as simple and lightweight as can be, which is why I like them. They’re also useful for other small items such as GoPros, flash drives, memory cards, and camera batteries.

Originally from the East Coast, Suzie Dundas is a Lake Tahoe-based freelance writer and editor who now splits her time between enjoying the outdoors and writing about them—she's the senior outdoor editor at Matador Network and a regular adventure and travel contributor at TripSavvy.com . She has written feature stories for publications like Outside Magazine , SkyLife Magazine , Playboy , Frommers, INSIDER, and more, and contributes couples travel and honeymoon content for TheKnot.com . Suzie co-authored Lonely Planet Sustainable Travel Guide and is the author of 2021's "Hiking Lake Tahoe." She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in media and political communication from George Washington University. Follow her on Instagram at @HikeUpYourSkirt or find more of her work at suziedundas.com . 

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Rest, Play, and Relax With the 30 Best Travel Accessories [2023]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

798 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

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Table of Contents

The best travel accessories, final thoughts.

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The trick to really enjoying every trip is being able to take control of your own well-being from the outset.

From keeping your important documents neatly organized in transit to finding accessories that will make your life so much easier while you are away, there are lots of awesome bits of gear out there that will help you to rest, play, and relax a little more easily on the go.

1. Travel Organizer

Keep your passport, cards, and cash all in 1 place with a handy and secure travel organizer . Compact and slim, they offer practical and well-thought-out storage space throughout.

Made from tough and durable material, a travel organizer features oversized slots to keep your passport, boarding pass, and travel documents neatly organized, as well as cardholders and zippered compartments.

A good travel organizer will not only keep your most important items close at hand, but it will also keep your cards and data safe from theft or fraud by offering RFID-blocking linings . Make it easier to access your passport, cards, and other essentials on the go by investing in a dedicated travel organizer for your next trip.

2. Passport Holder

Protect your most important travel document with a dedicated passport holder . Designed to help protect your passport from the wear and tear of regular travel , these holders come in a huge variety of styles and designs to make them easy to find in your bag.

Not only does a passport holder offer protection for your passport, but they can also offer additional storage space that lets you keep your boarding pass, tickets, and even your credit card close at hand.

Made from durable materials, a passport holder will last you through many adventures to come, and for super style-conscious travelers, you can even buy passport holders that match the style and design of your travel bag or carry-on.

3. Power Bank

With more and more backpacks and carry-on cases now offering USB charging ports as standard, a portable power bank is fast becoming a must-have accessory for tech-loving travelers.

Small, lightweight, and easy to use, a power bank will give you the extra charging power you need to give your phone or tablet a reliable power source on the move. Simply charge your power bank using a USB before leaving home to deliver anything between 1 and 4 full charges in transit .

Compact and highly capable, you can find power banks that are as slim as a credit card for emergency top-ups or invest in a slightly larger model that lets your phone, camera , or tablet charge up as you travel.

Bottom Line: These super-useful little packs of power can also be used to charge your phone while you are out sightseeing, chilling back at your hotel, or simply for portable charging back at home.

4. Neck Pillow

Avoid a stiff neck and enjoy a more comfortable sleep with a dedicated neck pillow . Made with memory foam or beaded interiors and soft and washable covers, these ergonomic and easy-to-carry portable pillows will help to support your head and neck while you snooze, read, or relax.

Designed to help relieve pressure points , these travel pillows are perfect for use on long flights or road trips, and the lightweight design makes them super easy to attach to your luggage or slip inside their own compact carry case. With lots of colors and designs to choose from, it’s easy to find the right travel pillow to keep you feeling comfortable no matter how long your journey is.

5. Sleeping Mask

Another great way to stay comfortable and relaxed in transit is by adding a sleep mask to your travel kit.

Designed to shut the world away, these easy-to-wear face masks completely cover the eye area to help you regulate your sleeping pattern. Keep bright light to a minimum and recreate a relaxing nighttime vibe, even in the middle of the day, while also helping to alleviate jet lag as you travel across different time zones.

Available in a variety of different styles and made from a wide range of materials, your eye mask needs to be thick enough to keep the light out while still feeling lightweight enough to avoid putting any pressure on your eyelids.

6. Earplugs

Earplugs are another great addition to your travel kit, and there are many different types to choose from. Wearing earplugs while you fly can help to relieve the discomfort associated with the air pressure changes that you can experience during the flight.

They also help reduce noise levels, which can offer you more peace and quiet to help you enjoy a much-needed sleep along the way. If the discomfort of “popping” in your ears while you take off and land is really uncomfortable for you, filter earplugs can equalize the pressure against your eardrum to help reduce the pain.

Easy to use and incredibly portable, there are earplugs out there to suit all ages, preferences, and budgets.

Traveling can feel like a dirty business, and sometimes it’s nice to be able to just freshen up on the go. Face and hand wipes can make you feel clean and fresh again after a long flight, are compact to carry, and are super easy to use and dispose of.

Without the need for access to water, you can carry handy packs of wipes with you on the plane to clean your hands before and after you eat or to freshen up before you land. Made from skin-friendly formulations with fresh, natural scents , a pack of hand and face wipes is a must-have for every travel bag.

8. Compression Socks

These specially designed, tight-fitting, knee-high socks are designed to help reduce the risk of developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis) while you are flying.

If you are likely to be in the air for more than 5 hours at a time, investing in a pair of compression socks can help to not only mitigate the risk of DVT in pressurized cabins , they can also be used when back at home as well.

Perfect for use by men and women, compression socks can reduce the pain and discomfort of swollen legs that can be caused by a lack of movement, help with the pain of swollen legs, and even aid with faster recovery after exercise and surgery.

9. Hand Sanitizer

A little bottle of hand gel, foam, or spray makes light work of staying clean and hygienic. Easy to use and available everywhere, hand sanitizer is a must-have item for your travel bag.

Perfect for use when you have no easy access to water or just want to keep clean without leaving your seat, these specially formulated hand sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol and have been designed to kill many viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms on the hands .

Quick and effective, you only need to rub the sanitizer together on your hands until they are dry for a quick clean-up. A bottle, a pump, or a spray sanitizer should be a priority item for frequent travelers.

Hot Tip: Due to COVID-19, hand sanitizer containers of up to 12 ounces are now allowed through TSA. Learn more about nearly 500 items you can and cannot bring through TSA Security in our detailed guide.

10. Travel Adapter

Wherever you are headed, you will probably still want to keep in touch with the folks back at home. Depending on your destination, you may need to take a dedicated travel adapter away with you .

With a range of different plug styles available, you can power your phone, laptop, tablet devices, hairdryers, and other electronics with ease, provided you choose the right type of travel adapter.

Designed to work with different voltages, you may find that a simple travel adapter or plug-to-plug adaptation is all you need, but in some cases, it may not be enough to safely power your personal devices. If this is the case, you will need to invest in a travel power converter, too.

11. Travel Converter

Not only do different countries and continents favor different-shaped power sockets, but in many cases, they also have a different range of electrical voltages charging through their wires. In the U.S., for example, power runs on 110-120 volts, whereas many other countries run at 220-240 volts .

The higher the voltage, the more at risk your appliances are from frying, so it is important that your converter makes them safe to use. There are many dual and multi-voltage appliances and converters out there, so carefully research before you buy.

12. Luggage Tags

Make your suitcase super easy to identify with a personalized luggage tag . From simple leather fobs through to brightly colored, witty, and whimsical patterns and slogans, your luggage tag offers a personalized appearance that is easy to identify at the reclaim bay .

What’s more, these tags can also be used to make a record of your personal information, so should your cases or bags go astray, they can easily find their way back to you.

Without a luggage tag, it is very easy for bags to be the innocent victims of mistaken identity, and before you know it, your personal effects could have made it home with somebody else! Be kind to your luggage, and keep it close with its very own luggage tag.

13. Money Belt

Keep your cash close at hand as you go with a tight-fitting, super-secure money belt . With some designed to weave their way through your belt loops, these super discreet storage belts offer just enough room to keep your notes and cards safe from would-be pickpockets.

Made from tough and durable materials, they function well as a regular belt, and with modern-day criminals not just looking for cash, some of these belts even come with RFID-blocking protection built into the fabric of the belt that will protect your cards from being cloned while you roam.

Bottom Line: Stylish, practical, and easy to use, a money belt is an excellent choice for busy airports and crowded tourist destinations.

14. Electronics Organizer

Long journeys can fly by with the help of your laptop, cell phone, tablet, or other electronic devices to keep you amused.

With more and more travelers taking a wide range of devices away with them, including cameras and GoPros, keeping your charging cables, power cables, and other accessories neatly organized is more important than ever.

An electronics organizer offers plenty of mesh and zippered compartments, storage loops, and dedicated pockets to keep your cables, SD cards, USBs, adapters, and other accessories easy to find and nice and safe.

Compact enough to keep close at hand in your carry-on, a well-designed electronics organizer will allow you to shoot, play, and stay entertained wherever you are headed.

15. Travel-Size Bottles

Stay on the right side of the TSA travel restrictions by investing in a set of travel-size bottles . Designed to fully comply with the TSA 3-1-1 rule , you can purchase specially-made sets that allow you to carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. These containers can fit in a 1-quart-size bag that complies with the U.S. carry-on rules, making it easy to breeze through security without being stopped along the way. Suitable for use on both domestic and international carriers, these TSA-approved travel bottles will quickly become one of your most trusted travel items.

16. Toiletry Bag

Enjoy a few home comforts even while you are away by taking your favorite shower gel, shampoo, and other cosmetics and toiletries with you.

Whether you choose to take full-size products or decant your best-loved lotions and potions into smaller containers, these toiletry bags come with waterproof, wipeable linings and lots of zippered compartments to help you keep your toiletries well-organized.

Some come with hangers that let you easily see and access all of your products in the bathroom, and others are sizable enough to let you carry brushes and other cosmetic items with you, too.

17. Travel Hairdryer

If you don’t want to leave your crowning glory to the mercy of a hotel hairdryer, take your own hairdryer away with you. More compact than your regular full-size dryer, there are plenty of small yet incredibly powerful travel hairdryers that offer superior performance in a smaller package.

Choose from foldable models or those with reduced dimensions , and look for dryers that come complete with diffuser and nozzle attachments for even greater versatility.

Offering high-end features such as ionic technology, multiple heat and speed settings, and even a cool shot button to fix your style, these portable appliances won’t take up too much room in your suitcase. Remember, you may need a travel adapter/converter to use your dryer, so check the voltage details before going.

18. Jewelry Organizer

Get dressed up and glow with your very best bling kept carefully tucked away in your travel-size jewelry organizer .

Made with protective exteriors, these reduced-sized jewelry boxes come with soft-lined interiors and zoned areas for different items , as well as secure clasps or zippers to prevent them from opening up and spilling out.

With multi-layered inserts, lots of space for bracelets, brooches, necklaces, rings, earrings, and even more, a travel jewelry box will let you look your best without weighing you down as you go.

19. Travel Laundry Bag

Keep your clean clothes clean and away from unwanted dirty odors with a dedicated lightweight travel laundry bag . With the ability to fold up super small when not in use , these super practical bags can be used to store your dirty undies, wet socks, and other nasties neatly out of the way until you can reach a washing machine.

Made from breathable fabric, they come with drawstring closures that can also be used as carrying handles for trips to and from the laundromat and may have additional pockets for keeping smaller items organized.

20. Packing Cubes

These different-sized packing cubes are perfect for organizing your clothes and belongings before you put them in your suitcase or rucksack.

Available in a selection of sizes, these nylon bags let you group together items by type or use and let you maximize your packing power to suit the size of your suitcase. Lightweight and easy to store when not in use, these super useful packing cubes can also help to compress your clothing to let you store more in them while reducing overall space in your suitcase .

If you are traveling light, a packing cube can also double up as a pillow or a laundry bag, and they are an excellent way to keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones on the way home.

21. Travel Towel

Sometimes you want to have your own towel with you while you travel. Made from super-absorbent microfiber materials, these travel towels can be folded up really small and are lightweight and easy to carry around with you .

Suitable for showers at the airport, hostels, camping grounds, and wherever you need a quick freshen up, they can also be used to sit on while you’re at the beach or as an emergency blanket should you start to feel the chill. With superfast drying properties, you won’t need to worry about carrying a damp towel around with you, either.

22. Daypack

When you reach your destination, you will want a smaller bag that you can use on daily excursions and sightseeing trips.

A dedicated daypack will be able to fold up nice and small when not in use and offer the space you need to keep your wallet, cell phone, camera, snacks, and other essentials close at hand on city streets and out on the trails.

Made from water-resistant materials, these bags usually have a capacity of around 20 to 25 liters , and with lightly padded shoulder straps, internal pockets, and even space for a hydration bladder, a dedicated day pack is a must-have for eager adventurers.

23. Water Bottle

Stay hydrated wherever you are headed with a travel-size water bottle . Made from food-grade, BPA-free plastic materials or stainless steel, these water bottles are perfect for keeping close by your side.

Leakproof and lightweight, having your own personal water bottle with you alleviates the need for buying single-use plastics while you travel, and with a huge variety of designs and styles to choose from , you can even add ice or fruit to cool and flavor your water.

If you are really short on space in your travel bag, you could consider looking at a collapsible water bottle that flattens and condenses when empty to ensure it only takes up a tiny bit of room in your rucksack.

24. Bug Spray

No one likes itchy bug bites, and a reliable bug repellent will help to keep them at bay. If you are traveling to hot and humid conditions or camping out in the open, there is every chance you could end up being a bug’s favorite dinner.

These repellent sprays or creams will help to repel insects and mosquitoes by making your skin less attractive to them. Using either chemical repellents such as DEET or natural oils doesn’t just help avoid unwanted nibbles. They can also help to protect you against the more serious side effects of bug bites, including severe allergic reactions, Lyme disease, and even malaria.

25. TSA-Approved Lock

The Transport Security Administration suggests that you lock your checked baggage using a TSA-approved lock . Baring the Travel Sentry logo, you can choose from dial or key locks that are designed to be easy to open by agents to enable them to inspect your baggage and relock your bags should they need to.

Easy to use and readily available, there are lots of brilliant TSA-approved locks to choose from, and many suitcases come with them already built-in. Ensuring that your luggage has the right kind of lock on it will prevent the risk of damage from TSA agents eager to have a good look at your belongings for security purposes along the way.

26. First Aid Kit

A portable first aid kit is a must-have accessory for every traveler, regardless of where you are headed. Suitable for use both at home and away, a compact first aid kit will keep you well-protected. Consider what you may need before you go and pack your kit accordingly .

As a bare minimum, you should pack care supplies like cleansing wipes, gauze pads, bandages, Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, Tylenol, a cold compress, and anything else that you or your family may need while traveling.

Hot Tip: You can buy a premade kit or make your own, but do keep all of your emergency medical supplies in a dedicated first aid case or pouch if you can, making it easy to identify when you need access to it in a hurry.

27. Luggage Scale

Avoid the stress of overweight baggage fees by taking your own portable luggage scale with you when you travel. Easy to use and incredibly accurate, these small and highly portable luggage scales will let you know just how heavy your bag is before you hit the road .

With easy-to-use hanging hooks, highly accurate sensors, digital display units, tare and load functions, lock weight results functions, backlit functions, and easy-to-read weights and measurements, you can keep an eye on the weight of your checked luggage. You will never get stung with overweight baggage fees at the airport again.

28. Portable Safe

Suppose you are worried about leaving your most valuable possessions such as your passport, cash, ID, and credit cards back at your accommodation while you are out exploring. Why not consider investing in a travel safe ?

Lightweight and easy to carry with you , you can choose from bags and boxes that are made from steel wire mesh fabric that can be securely locked using a TSA-approved lock. With cut-proof wire locks that can be attached to a stationary object, you can safely leave your most precious items back at the hotel without having to worry about their safety.

29. Footrest

If you have a long flight ahead of you, you might want to look at ways to increase your comfort without having to upgrade to business class. These portable foot hammocks can be hung from the seat in front of you while allowing you to raise your legs and feet for increased comfort while you fly.

Easy to use and incredibly comfortable, these sling-style portable footrests come with their own carry bag and can be set up super quickly to help you elevate your legs for increased blood flow and comfort.

Take more pictures and let your memories last forever with a dedicated tripod . Made from versatile and durable materials, a small standing tripod will hold your cell phone or tablet to let you take awesome photos from a wide range of angles .

With 3 legs and adjustable holders, you can take incredible pictures or videos without having to worry about camera movement, for improved picture quality.

Capture breathtaking landscapes, fun family snaps, and a wealth of images with a travel-size tripod that is lightweight, portable, and suitable for use with smartphones, GoPros, and cameras alike.

Keep your important belongings close and your favorite items closer still with this brilliant list of travel accessories that will help you sleep better, play harder, and enjoy every second of your next big adventure.

From passport covers to footrests and packing cubes to jewelry boxes, all of these items will help you to stay organized and comfortable on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What accessories do you need to travel.

There are many accessories on the market that make travel easier, safer, and more comfortable. Some recommended buys include a power bank, compression socks, neck pillow, travel adapter, luggage tags, and packing cubes.

Are packing cubes really worth it?

Packing cubes are a worthy investment for your travel gear as they help keep your belongings tidy, can reduce creases, and can protect your clothes from spills.

What are the best travel accessories for electronics?

There are a few great travel accessories that are a must for anyone traveling with electronics. These include a power bank, a travel adapter, a voltage converter, an electronics organizer for cables, and a Wi-Fi hotspot .

Where can I buy travel accessories?

You can buy all the travel accessories you could need from Amazon, but you can also try places such as Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and Samsonite.

Was this page helpful?

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The 21 best carry-on accessories that travel writers say they never fly without

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A stocked carry-on bag is a lifeline while traveling. From mid-flight entertainment to post-landing refreshment, having the right products by your side is a must for flying comfortably. Since most airlines have luggage size restrictions, it's a challenge to find the right cocktail of essential items that will maximize every inch of your carry-on bag and personal item.

To find the best carry-on accessories, we spoke with Insider Reviews reporters and editors as well as travel writers and travel content creators. According to our well-traveled experts, these are the must-bring items for your next big trip, from portable bidets to stylish headphones.

A tool for tracking your belongings

Apple AirTag

Losing important items can be especially stressful while traveling. Some smart travelers have opted to use AirTags to keep close track of suitcases, wallets, and more. "An AirTag is something that you really need in case you have to check in your luggage. Especially with non-American airline companies." said Ivonne Morales , a travel content creator.

A small but powerful charger

Baseus Portable Laptop Charger

Seeing your phone or laptop battery drain while traveling is a nightmare, whether you're watching a movie or getting in a last minute email. TikTok travel content creator Adam Boro uses the Baseus Portable Charger when trying to do work on the plane — it can charge three to five devices simultaneously and is strong enough to charge a laptop.

A portable bidet

Brondell GoSpa Travel Bidet

James Brains has reviewed several bidets for Insider and has them installed in all the toilets in his house. Now, he never travels without this travel bidet. "Since bidets are still pretty rare in the United States, I make do with this travel bidet. It doesn't do as good as the bidet attachments I have at home, but it's much better than using toilet paper on the road," Brains says.

A stylish set of headphones

Apple AirPods Max

Headphones can be used when flying to drown out loud noises and to wear while moving around an airplane. Our former senior tech correspondent, Lisa Eadicicco, reviewed the Apple AirPods Max and found them to be stylish with excellent audio and noise cancellation. 

Briona Lamback received the headphones as a Christmas gift and plans to use them while traveling. "I need to go back to over-the-ear headphones, specifically for travel. I've been on a plane at least two times, fallen asleep with my AirPods in, woke up [and] the AirPods are nowhere to be found."

A one-size-fits-all travel wallet

Bellroy Travel Folio

Finding a travel wallet that can fit your passport, boarding passes, and foreign currency can be difficult. Luckily, Bellroy's Travel Folio can hold travel documents, credit cards, and even a notebook and pen. 

Execute editor Sally Kaplan always travels with this passport holder from Bellroy. "It fits my passport, my wife's passport, all the IDs and cards that we need to keep handy for the airport, and has room for cash, boarding passes, and more. It also comes with a little notebook and micro pen for jotting down confirmation numbers or anything else you want written in one place. It even has RFID protection, so I use it as a wallet while we're out and about on trips."

A chocolate flavored melatonin

Good Day Chocolate Natural Melatonin

One of the best ways to pass time on long flights is to sleep, but it can be difficult to fall asleep on a loud and tightly packed plane. Luxury travel content creator Daniel Mann uses Good Day's Chocolate Melatonin to catch some zzz's on flights. 

"Those have been helpful in terms of sometimes taking red-eye flights and having to stay up later than I would like to before traveling. And then when I get on the plane a lot of the times I want to be able to knock out so that I can arrive refreshed at the destination, so to me that's a must-have," said Mann.

A TSA-friendly refillable water bottle

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Cap

Airports are notorious for expensive prices on food, drinks, and water. Bring your own empty water bottle to skip buying an overpriced one. Most of the editors and reporters on the Insider Reviews team swear by Hydro Flask's wide selection of water bottles, including the Wide Mouth bottle. 

"Do not underestimate the importance of bringing your own water bottle to the airport!" said deputy editor, Lauren Savoie. "You can take it through security empty and then fill it up before you board the plane. I love my Hydro Flask because the metal interior feels much cleaner than plastic, it keeps my water frosty cold for hours, and it fits a whopping 32 ounces of water."

An inflatable travel pillow

Cocoon AIR CORE Hood/Camp Pillow

Another key to getting better sleep while flying is having a comfortable neck pillow . While most neck pillows can take up a lot of space in your carry-on, this inflatable travel pillow can be folded down, making it a favorite for frequent flyers. 

"I got this inflatable travel pillow and it compacts down to a really small size. And then you can blow into it and it becomes a neck pillow," said Adam Boro.

An in-flight entertainment connecting device

Twelve South AirFly Pro

The AirFly Pro connects to the plane's in-flight entertainment system using Bluetooth instead of a wire. The connector also has a 16-hour battery life, making it a great choice for long-haul flights. 

Travel content creator Ivonne Morales is a big AirFly fan: "It's so annoying when someone needs to go to the bathroom and you need to move or you have to go to the bathroom and you have to move and figure out how to dangle your headphones[...]. With my AirPods, I just leave them in and I love that."

A duffel bag for your souvenirs

Nike Brasilia Small Duffel Bag

Another quick and easy way to double your packing space is to bring along an empty duffel bag and fill it with souvenirs, dirty clothing, or other items on your trip back home. The Nike Brasilia Bag was also selected as our pick for the best duffel bag due to its durability and storage capacity. 

"Sometimes if I'm really going to be gone for a while or going a far distance I'll bring a duffel bag," said Daniel Mann. "Typically I'll put my drone in there and any electronics and snacks in the duffel bag. I like the duffel bag too because it's not a set shape, and it can kind of shift and mold and it's easy to maneuver."

Space saving packing bags

Ziploc Vacuum Sealer Storage Bags

While some travelers swear by packing cubes, compression bags can be useful for packing extra items of clothing in a small carry-on suitcase. Invonne Morales swears by vacuum bags for cold weather trips especially: "I went to France and it's obviously cold there so I have sweaters and chunky coats, and that was a lifesaver for me, especially in a carry-on."

To get your clothes compacted, simply use a vacuum to pull out extra air. Hand-rolling the bag can also do the trick if you don't have a vacuum on hand at your destination.

A pair of comfortable slides

Under Armour Men's Locker IV Slides

Get even more comfortable on your next flight by keeping a pair of slides in your carry-on bag. "I love traveling with slides instead of wearing my shoes. It's more comfortable on the plane. I have these slides that I swear by they're lightweight [and] you can put it into your backpack pretty easily," said Adam Boro. This pair from Under Armour is flat enough to tuck in between your laptop and toiletries case. 

Circulation improving socks

SB SOX Lite Compression Socks

Compression socks are a must for long haul flights, and can improve your leg circulation while sitting in a plane seat. This set was our pick for the best budget compression socks , making them a great option for travel — they're easy to replace and perform just as well as more costly options. 

"On short flights or especially long flights, your feet always swell, your body always swells when you're up there. So having compression socks has been so good. I wear them and then I take off my sneakers." said Ivonne Morales.

A multifunctional pocket fan

Portable Pocket Fan wth Flashlight

If you're planning to travel to a warm destination, a portable fan will help you keep cool. Both deputy editor Lauren Savoie and travel writer Briona Lamback strongly recommend picking up a fan before your next trip. This model from Amazon can also be used as a phone charger and a flashlight.   

"If you're like me and run hot, a portable fan is a must for long plane rides. I like this little one because it folds away compactly, can be placed on your seat tray, and has a backup battery bank for charging your devices. Plus, a handheld fan is inevitably helpful when you get to your destination, especially if you're traveling in the summer," said Savoie.

Hydrating flavored water packets

Liquid I.V. Hydration Supplements

Instead of trying to keep up your water intake and having to constantly use the airplane bathroom, these supplement packets will keep you hydrated throughout your flight. Adam Boro also recommends the packets and enjoys the caffeinated version for a boost in energy. 

Ivonne Morales agrees: "I use Liquid IV because you get dehydrated every time you're on a flight and you're thirsty. I hate going to the bathroom, especially on an airplane."

A refreshing face spray

Evian Facial Spray Travel Duo

Airplanes are notorious for being extremely dry, making it super important to use hydrating skincare products while in the air. 

Executive editor Sally Kaplan takes this mist everywhere. "The super-fine mist is so refreshing and it brings me to life whenever I feel like I'm overheating or drying up like a slug. It's a great pick-me-up on the plane, but it also comes with me in my purse whenever I'm out and about."

An old school way to capture travel memories

Kodak 35mm Disposable Camera

To capture memories from the moment you step into the airport, consider picking up a disposable camera. While most disposable film cameras are okay to go through airport scanning machines, you may want to ask a TSA agent to hand scan your camera if you're looking to be extra cautious. 

"Kind of old school, but I always bring a disposable camera," said Briona Lamback. "I've been doing it for a few years. You know film is kind of back and I just think it's fun. So I usually bring a disposable camera and my instant Polaroid camera too."

An organizer for tangled tech wires

Calpak Tech Organizer

Keeping chargers, headphones, and other wires organized can be tricky when traveling. This organizer from Calpak will help keep all of your cords in order and stop you from accidentally leaving any behind. 

Insider travel reporter Monia Humphries loves her cord organizer. "I recently brought a cord organizer on a 20-day trip abroad, and I'm never traveling without one again. I used to get so frustrated digging through my backpack in search of the right cord to charge my phone, headphones, battery pack, or laptop. Typically, I'd pull out a tangled mess of all of the above. One like this Calpak organizer is large enough to store all my chargers while compact enough for a small backpack."

A secret travel stash bag

Kapai 1.5L Hip Pack

Sometimes no matter how big your carry on and personal item are, you may find yourself needing a little bit more space. Insider's Sally Kaplan uses this Cotopaxi bag to sneak a third bag onto flights. 

"I just wear a small fanny pack under my sweatshirt, and then I take it out during the flight. I use it to stash things like headphones, my phone, lip balm, Advil, and a snack so I always have my most-used items close by. I have a lot of fanny packs, but this one from Cotopaxi is my current go-to," said Kaplan.

A set of cooling eye masks

Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks

Arrive at your destination feeling and looking refreshed thanks to these patches from Topicals. The set includes six eye masks, which contain cooling hydrogel and can be worn for as short as 15 minutes or as long as your entire flight. 

For her upcoming trip to Ghana, Briona Lamback is trying to get her hands on these. "It's a straight flight but I'm trying to look cute and fresh off the plane."

A spacious convertible bag

Baboon To The Moon Small Go Bag

Baboon To The Moon's Go Bag is an attractive option for travelers looking to travel light or maximize their carry-on space. The brand's small bag can hold enough items for a three to five-day trip and be carried as a duffel bag or worn as a book bag. 

Founder of Buoyant Travel and travel writer Briona Lamback loves the Go Bag: "You can just fit so much stuff in there and [have] it still be a carry-on...I've used it as my full bag and not taken anything else, because it's pretty deep. But I've also used it as a carry-on in addition to a hard suitcase. I love the colors too."

What size is carry-on luggage?

Carry-on luggage size requirements can vary widely by airline and location. For most US-based airlines such as Delta , JetBlue , American Airlines , and United Airlines , the standard size allowance is 22 inches long by 14 inches wide by 9 inches high. This includes the handle and wheels on the suitcase. Many luggage companies have measurement guidance listed on their websites, which typically compare the brand's products to airline standards. When flying with international and budget airlines, we strongly recommend checking the airline's website for measurement guidance to avoid paying extra baggage fees.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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The 23 Best Travel Accessories for Type-A Personalities

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "A week in a bamboo beach hut on India's Andaman Islands."

Travel Motto : "Travel light, often, and in good company."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window—best view in the house."

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

If you, like me, have a small panic attack at the thought of packing for a trip, then these travel accessories are for you. Not only do they keep your suitcase and items organized, but they’ll also make packing easier for every trip.

The Best Travel Accessories for Stress-Free Packing

Packing cubes.

Packing cubes are an overwhelmed traveler’s best friend. They help with outfit organization, folding, and fitting everything in your suitcase. Plus, once at your accommodations, all you have to do is unzip the packing cubes and neatly place their contents in the dresser.

I recommend these two from Amazon:

• Pro Packing Cubes, 6-Piece Lightweight Set
• Packing Cubes Compression Set

6 Best Packing Cubes Ever

Like packing cubes, organizational pouches are great packing hacks for folding and organizing clothes.

You can use good old plastic baggies, or invest in some sturdier, reusable and washable options, like these:

• SimpleHouseware Mesh Wash Bag
• Rezip Reusable Storage Bag Kit
• Lekors Travel Space Saver Compression Bags

Undergarment Organizer

Undergarments can take up precious packing space, and just throwing them in your suitcase risks damaging or tearing the delicate material.

Here are two travel organizers specifically made for packing undergarments:

• Origami Unicorn TUO
• JJ Power Travel Undergarment Organizer

Toiletry Bag

If you travel with lots of travel-sized beauty and toiletry products, you might want to make sure they stay organized and don’t spill out.

These three travel organizers are ideal for storing and traveling with toiletries:

• ODESSA Hanging Toiletry Bag
• JJ POWER Toiletry Packing Cube Set
• Tancendes Waterproof Travel Bag

Electronic Cord Organizer  

Every time I take a trip it seems like I’m packing more and more electronics.

To help manage your devices and chargers, I recommend traveling with a cord organizer like one of these:

JOTO Electronics Organizer

• BUBM Electronics Organizer Bag

Pill Organizers

If you’re traveling with medication , a pill organizer can save space and help keep your medications organized.

These two travel accessories are great for both prescription medication or for a traveler’s first-aid kit:

• Silicone Cream Jars Set of 3
• LazyMe Weekly Pill Box Set of 3

Passport Wallet

Keep your boarding pass, passport, money, cards, and identification all in one place to streamline your time at the airport.

I love these three travel organizer options:

• Men: RFID-Blocking Leather Passport Holder
• Women: Multi-Purpose RFID-Blocking Travel Passport Wallet
• Unisex: Mygreen Waterproof Document Pouch

17 Essential Passport Wallets and Holders for Travelers

Car Seatback Organizer

For busy families and those who take frequent road trips, a seatback organizer is one of the best travel accessories out there:

• Backseat Car Organizer

Laptop Case

Help organize business travel items with a travel organizer laptop case.

These two bags fit everything in one compact space:

• Laptop Handbag Sleeve
• Mosiso Laptop Tote Bag

Bags and Luggage

These bags make packing and organizing a breeze:

• ASA Headphone Nest Bag
• Genius Pack Carry-on Spinner
• Laptop Backpack

What to Wear While Traveling This Season

Women's spring travel outfit, shop the look.

Lightweight Cardigan

Capri Pants

Tanktop 2-Pack

Traveler Tote

Men's spring travel outfit.

Denim Jacket

More from SmarterTravel:

• 7 Things Not to Do When Packing a Carry-on Bag
• 6 Tips for Surviving the Middle Seat
• 6 Ways to Feel Like You’re on Vacation at Home

Shop the Best Travel Accessories on Amazon:

Anti-Theft Backpack

Packing Cubes Compression Set for Carryon Travel- Luggage Organizer Bags

Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Codey Albers contributed to this story.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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Travel in style with these five essential pieces

by Laurie Brookins

June 6, 2024

Tried & Tested

Travel in style / Photo: Seligaa/Shutterstock

Raise your hand if the first task you like to accomplish upon your hotel arrival is to organize everything so the process of getting ready each morning is effortless and your temporary digs exude a homey vibe. The latter could mean anything from a folding picture frame on the nightstand to travel-sized bath accessories that convey a luxe sensibility transcending the hotel’s amenities. Ultimately any road warrior will agree that touches both posh and cozy go a long way toward transforming a room into a sanctuary-like space, while investing in design-driven quality also ensures your travel accessories will log considerable miles with ease. With that in mind, we’ve gathered five travel accessories that could easily find their way into many carry-on bags, enabling seasoned travelers to feel organized while also indulging their passions with unabashed style.

Dior’s Saddle Watch Case

If you’re a watch fan, chances are you care not only about the timepieces themselves, but also about their housing, especially during travel. That makes this case by Dior nothing less than stunning, for multiple reasons. So named because its shape evokes the iconic French house’s legendary Saddle bag, the case blends black-grained calfskin with Dior’s coveted Oblique jacquard motif to create a vessel that may be as beautiful as the watches it’s designed to contain. A pair of removable cushions is included; depending on the case sizes of your watches, they can house up to four timepieces with ease. A dust bag is added for extra protection in packing. $1,650, at dior.com

Monos’ Compressible Packing Cubes

Myriad reasons exist to adopt cubes in your carry-on strategy, starting with the ability to compress them, enabling you to fit more into your suitcase. They also make unpacking easy. After reviewing a wide variety of packing cubes, we’ve settled on these by luggage maker Monos. They’re crafted of a tear-resistant nylon twill on the exterior, while the interior is lined with a soft, antimicrobial fabric. The double zipper, meanwhile, is designed to be catch-free, but perhaps the best element is the mesh panel that tops each cube. It not only ensures breathability but also allows easy viewing of what’s contained within each of the four or six pieces available in a Monos set. Finally, forget about basic black, as Monos partnered with New York’s Magnolia Bakery to create sets in delicious colors, such as the Purple Icing seen here. $90 for a set of four, at monos.com

Gucci’s Jumbo GG Small Toiletry Case

The best leather pieces get better with age, and that includes a toiletry kit designed to withstand constant wear and tear and the inevitable spillage from what has been packed into it. That’s just the start of the practical reasons we love this toiletry case by Gucci, though its style undeniably supersedes practicality. The oversized double-G motif of the Gucci Jumbo GG Small Toiletry Case puts the heritage of founder Guccio Gucci on steroids, certainly an idea any fashion fan would happily celebrate. The all-black leather case, meanwhile, evokes timeless style, while the four elastic interior pockets ensure bottles will be secured with ease within a nylon lining that also can be wiped clean if needed. Tuck TSA-friendly products into this case and ready yourself for envious looks from airport security and fellow passengers alike. $1,290, at gucci.com

Wolf’s Sophia Travel Zip Case

Compact jewelry cases are often never quite large enough to serve the purposes of the aficionado who desires multiple options in gold and sparkle while on a business trip, which is why this model by Wolf scores high marks. The oblong leather Sophia case offers multiple roomy compartments for rings, earrings, bracelets and more, all arranged within a lining crafted of Wolf’s LusterLoc fabric, a proprietary material designed to prevent tarnishing for up to 35 years. Sophia’s alluring colors, such as the Jade seen here, also result in a case you’re happy to include as an attractive piece on any hotel dresser. $135, at wolf1834.com

Stitch’s Shoe Bag

Golf shoe bags are available in abundance—and guess what? Many of them are boring. Brands have gone by the premise that a) most golfers are men, so b) bags designed to hold their shoes ideally should be black and minimalist in their look. Yawn. Thankfully a small grouping of design-intensive companies has rebelled against this notion, including Stitch, the North Carolina-based brand that from its start believed fans of the sport could love style and function in equal measure. Taking its cue from vintage Porsche and Gulf Oil motifs, Stitch has excelled at creating accessories that blend practicality with unexpected color and thoughtful details. That’s true of this Shoe Bag, which is sleek in its look, but also vibrant in a blue dubbed Steel Skies. The tab near the handle at the bag’s top can be personalized with two or three initials, while a side pocket can hold gloves or your favorite golf balls. $128, at stitchgolf.com

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23 Best Toiletry Bags to Keep Your Beauty and Skincare Products Organized

By Teddy Minford and Paris Wilson

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Packing your bathroom essentials can be a hassle. It's tempting to take all those tiny toiletries, throw them into a plastic bag, and call it a day. But with the right toiletry bag, you can avoid spills, simplify your  packing routine , and stay organized—no more digging around to find what you need. Even better, Dopp kits make it less likely that you'll forget any of the essentials at home.

While toiletry bags come in numerous categories, shapes, and sizes, the ones that work best for Traveler editors and our readers are water-resistant, roomy, and suitcase-friendly. Below, find 23 of the best toiletry bags and Dopp kits for women, with a mix of new brands and resounding favorites from Away ,  Monos ,  Everlane , and  Calpak , starting with the ones our editors travel with regularly. They'll keep your  bathroom essentials organized on the go, whether you’re packing for a  weekend trip or headed on a multi-week expedition.

Editor favorites

Amazon bestsellers.

• More recommendations

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Used by: Madison Flager , senior commerce editor

How long I’ve been using it: Since 2019; I use this one when I'm traveling with just a carry-on.

Why I like it : The Peak Design bag is water-resistant, making it easy to clean up any spills, and I like that there is a specific compartment for my toothbrush and another for my razor. Inside, there are a ton of small pouches to keep items organized. It’s my go-to for a long weekend trip.

3 products you’ll always find inside :  Cadence Capsules , my  Quip toothbrush , and  contact solution .

How long I’ve been using it: Nine months; it is the one I use when I'm checking a bag.

Why I like it : If I’m traveling for a week or more, I’ll bring Calpak’s clear cosmetic case in the large size. I’ll admit, I was overwhelmed by the size when it first arrived, but it does fit absolutely everything—toiletries, skincare, make-up, even my hairbrush, vitamins, and full-size contact solutions—and it’s nice to have everything in one place. Plus, the clear design means I can double-check that everything’s there at a glance.

Used by: Meaghan Kenny , associate commerce editor

How long I’ve been using it: Eight months

Why I like it : This floral toiletry bag is so functional and versatile: it works just as well to organize makeup products and tech accessories as it does toiletry essentials. I recently brought it with me on a weekend trip and I was so impressed with how much I could fit inside this seemingly small bag. I was able to keep my travel-size face wash and moisturizer laying flat inside, along with other must-haves like sunscreen and deodorant. I used the two elastic slip pockets to keep Q-tips and my contact lenses separate from everything else. I also utilized the thin slip pockets on the top of the bag for my go-to lip balm and lip liner. The bag is compact enough that it didn’t take up much room in my weekender bag, but still tall enough that some products can stand up straight inside, like my contact solution and small Vaseline tub. Bonus: It’s made of water-resistant fabric and features a top handle to easily carry it around.

3 products you’ll always find inside : I never travel without my  Supergoop! Unseen sunscreen ,  Vaseline , and a  travel-size CeraVe hydrating face wash .

Used by: Talia Abbas , senior commerce editor at Glamour

How long I’ve been using it:  A year and a half

Why I like it:  There’s something about Ceremonia 's colorful "market" pouch that puts me in instant vacation mode. It’s more of a makeup bag than a traditional Dopp kit, with a single main zippered compartment and no internal pockets, but that’s why I love it. Well, that and the fact that it’s also very cute and handmade from upcycled materials. It has a spill-proof lining—ideal for throwing greasy sunscreen bottles and my smudgy Marvis toothpaste in—and can fit about a weekend’s worth of product, which is really all I need and tend to use anyway (even on longer trips). Did I mention it’s also a great beach bag companion?

3 products you’ll always find inside: Victoria Beckham's Future Lash , which gives the prettiest natural lift and rinses off with warm water; the  fragrance oil I wear every day; and extra  slip silk scrunchies , because you never know when one will vanish into the void.

Used by: Paris Wilson , commerce producer

How long I’ve been using it: 10 months

Why I like it:  The space inside surprised me the most. I travel very light, and that applies not only to my carry-on but my toiletries as well. I take only the necessities. The toiletry case comes with five individual pockets that line the interior which is surprisingly roomy; if that’s not enough, then I can always stack my toiletries on top of one another in the center. I’ll often worry about my toiletry bottles becoming loose and leaking onto my clothes, but the one time I did have a mishap my anxiety was quelled once I saw the bag kept it contained.

3 products you’ll always find inside:   Sol de Janiero Brazilian Bum Bum Cream ,  La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV SPF Moisturizer, and the  Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Parfum in the travel-size bottle.

This toiletry bag has four separate compartments and a metal hook inside, providing ample storage space for your items and an easy way to keep it off the hotel bathroom counter. With two main compartments and two foldable side panels, you'll be able to store bulkier items inside while using the side panel pockets for smaller essentials.

Pros -Optimal space for longterm travel -Top handles make it easy to carry -4.8 stars

Cons -The space inside is very compact

The Telena toiletry bag is made of a durable, waterproof polyurethane leather. The quick-drying material is easy to clean and can survive any humid bathrooms or shower areas. It has one main compartment with four smaller pockets inside. Thanks to the double zipper and button design, you can have peace of mind that your items won't tumble out.

Pros -Waterproof and abrasion-resistant PU leather  -Easy to clean -4.8 stars

Cons -Limited pocket space so some items will lay on top of each other

If you're looking for a more reliable replacement to plastic bags, look no further. These clear, TSA-approved toiletry bags come in a pack of two and are a much sturdier clear bag option—they have metal zippers and plastic framing to keep the case's shape.

Pros -Water-repellent  -Easy to clean -4.6 stars

Cons -Very small at 5.9" H x 7.7" W -Only one compartment

These color-blocked kits are a must-have for spontaneous trips. When you find yourself in a rush and shoving things in your weekender , you'll want to have this small toiletry bag that will easily slide in to your last corner of space. The Topo Dopp kit has a simple design of one main compartment and a zipper on the front panel. The triangular shape helps everything to stay upright while sitting on the bathroom sink or in transit, without the bulkiness of other options.

Pros -Easy to clean -4.1 stars

Cons -Has a water-resistant lining but isn't completely waterproof

With six colors and patterns to choose from, you'll find a perfect match to go with the rest of your luggage. The toiletry kit features multiple exterior compartments, including a small front pocket and two zippered pockets on the side. Inside, you'll find a hanging hook as well as nylon latches that can hold slender, rounded items such as toiletry bottles, makeup brushes, and your toothbrush.

Pros -Easy to clean -Multiple storage compartments -4.1 stars

Cons -It's wide and not ideal for those with limited packing space

More Dopp kits we recommend

“I don’t own this bag yet, but I think I need to. I spotted it on Instagram, and it’s the exact type of Dopp kit I’ve been looking for. With toothbrush and razor holders, an interior mesh pocket, a side pocket, and even elastic straps to stick in Chapstick, mascara, or whatever, it feels like a super smart organizing system (especially in contrast to my current method of throwing everything haphazardly into a roomy  Baggu pouch ). I love that it’s water-resistant, and the squared-off shape makes so much sense among my packing cubes. I also think the Terra collection this bag is a part of, which includes earth-toned, rugged-ready bags with tons of straps and compartments, is what might finally get me into  Calpak luggage —this Dopp kit feels like  Patagonia and  Baboon to the Moon  got together and decided to make a toiletry set for women who like a “gear” look but also want to organize their skin care products.”  — Megan Spurrell , senior editor

Inside this neutral-hued pouch you’ll find a large zippered mesh pouch that can fit makeup essentials, dental care items, or skincare products. The top of the Lululemon kit has a zippered pocket that can store flat, slim items (like a comb or toothbrush) for easy access. Made from 100 percent recycled polyester, it's easy to spot-clean on the go.

Pros -Water-repellent fabric -5-liter storage capacity

Cons -Only two compartments

Away has long been one of Traveler editors' go-to brands for luggage and travel accessories. Away is now offering its Large Toiletry bag in a smaller, more compact version. The newer version is still made out of the same water-resistant, durable nylon. Although compact, the bag is fitted with two interior compartments; one of mesh and the other a clear, plastic. This is the ideal toiletry bag for those traveling light and only toting a carry-on.

Pros -Under warranty  -Water-resistant fabric -An additional pocket on the backside for slim items

Cons -Things tend to rattle on the mesh side

This durable Monos Metro toiletry bag comes in nylon and vegan leather; spills and smudges won’t be an issue as both materials are water-resistant. Both are fitted with three internal pockets that can fit your favorite  hand creams ,  lip balms, and a set of Q-tips. The center compartment will easily keep your  skincare routine upright and side by side, no matter the path ahead.

Pros -Choices in color and material -Easy to clean -Scratch-resistant fabric

Cons -Not much room in the interior pockets -Non-flexible fabric, so no wiggle room for items

Pink will definitely be your color when it comes to this Dopp kit from  State Bags . Not only does it incorporate three compartments for you to store everything from medicine to makeup, but it also has a collapsible hanger that adds to the locations where it can be stored.

Pros -Detachable interior pouch -Very roomy -Has a handle for easy carrying

Cons -The hanger is small so there may be racks it won't be able to hang from

Dagne Dover's Mila toiletry organizer takes the Dopp kit to another level with a vertical design that gives you a bird's-eye view of your essentials. The clever design of this recycled polyester zip case makes it easy to see everything at once, so there’s no digging around for what you need. The case comes with a removable padded divider to keep items upright and protected and has convenient interior elastic pockets. Aside from the main compartment, a zippered mesh pocket on the lid is perfect for storing contact lenses, tweezers, medicine, and other small necessities.

Pros -With the divider there are over five compartments to place items -Easy to clean -Upright design

Cons -Bulky

A sleek design makes Lojel's  travel case perfect for minimalists. The case—which comes in gray or black—is made from water-repellent polyester and has a leak-proof base. Budget friendly and durable, this is the ideal case for travel pros only carrying the essentials, or everything you might need for a weekend trip. Four interior pockets will help keep you organized, too.

Pros -Lightweight  -Has a handle for carrying and hanging -Four pockets

Cons -The large shape (11.8" × 7.3" × 4.2") isn't quite carry-on friendly

The  Go Pouch bag set from Baggu brings a fun and playful design to the basic travel kit. These roomy recycled nylon pouches fit much more than you'd expect, creating an easy way to organize toiletries (or electronics, or accessories) while traveling. Great for those  traveling with kids , the best part of these lightweight and packable cases is that they’re machine washable—no need to worry about spills.

Pros -Lightweight and foldable -Machine washable -Multi-purpose uses

Cons -No structure, so certain items can create a bulkiness to the bag -Not water-resistant, so spills can leak through

Though pricey, this timeless  leather toiletry bag from jewelry brand Miansai might be the last toiletry bag you ever need to buy. Crafted from premium Italian leather, it's the perfect accessory for travelers who value both form and function. Three interior pockets keep your bathroom accessories organized, while the cowhide exterior looks better with every use.

Pros -Durable -Under warranty  -Has a handle for carrying

Cons -Non-flexible fabric, so no wiggle room for items -Pricey

REI's  shower roll is the most practical way to organize your toiletries on the go, whether you’re  camping , road tripping, or hotel hopping. The roll design and hanging apparatus makes all of your bathroom accessories available at once—without taking up precious counter space. Made of light and durable ripstop nylon, the hanging toiletry bag has three zippered pockets and a mirror, creating a convenient vanity, no matter where you are.

Pros -Comes with a mirror -Three large pockets -Easy to store

For travelers who value a streamlined airport security experience, Stasher is the bag for you—this set of infinitely  reusable silicone storage bags won't hold you up at TSA checkpoints. The clear pastel pouches are big enough to hold everything you need, from shower essentials to makeup to medications and more.

Pros -Easy to clean and can be put in the dishwasher  -Water-resistant  -Sealable design

Cons -Slightly less storage space overall

This  leather travel case set from Cuyana perfectly embodies the brand’s ethos of fewer, better things. The right size for makeup, shower items like shampoo and conditioner, and toiletries, the cases are also great for electronics and can even be used as a clutch or  wallet . Available in 16 colors, Cuyana's cases are handmade in Argentina from premium leather.

Pros -Customizable  -Comes with a large and small option for versatility -Easy to clean the exterior

Cons -Liquid in the interior can wear down the fabric and decrease longevity, so extra thought will have to be put into the travel bottles used

This  embossed croc wash bag from Ted Baker brings some luxe glamour to your travel accessories. The fully lined case has a zip closure and comes in red (as shown), black , nude , or light blue . Bonus points: It could double as an  evening bag in a pinch.

Pros -Small and packable -Choices in colors -Versatile

Cons -Non-flexible fabric, so no wiggle room for items

37 Best Car Accessories on Amazon That Are (Almost) All Under $50

Spruce up your car's interior with the most popular gadgets that have thousands of five-star reviews.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

When curating this list, we considered car products experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute have evaluated over the years as well as read through satisfied (and unsatisfied) customer reviews to find the best accessories worth adding to your car. You’ll find helpful all-weather necessities like a set of floor mats , to niche products you didn’t realize you needed. We left out a few trendy gadgets that may pose safety concerns when operating a vehicle; we recommend referencing the original equipment manufacturer's manual before purchasing a car accessory to ensure it's safe to use when operating your vehicle.

If you've gone through our round-up of the best Amazon car accessories and are looking for more top-rated picks, check out our guides to the best windshield wiper blades , best car paint sprayers and car cleaning kits .

Loncaster Car Phone Holder

Priced under $15 and available in six colors, reviewers say this best-selling car phone holder makes it easy to insert and remove your smartphone. It stays attached to your dashboard via a silicone pad on the bottom, and users appreciate that it offers a strong hold without leaving any sticky residue .

Limitless Innovations JumpSmart 10-in-1 Portable Car Jump Starter

If you ever find yourself with a dead car battery, you'll be grateful to have this handy jump starter in your trunk. According to Good Housekeeping's auto expert Rachel Rothman , this tool is a game-changer. “It’s so portable, compact and easy to use. If you’re ever in the position where your car battery has died, like in the cold winter months, this is a lifesaver.” In addition to being able to jump-start your car, it provides four modes of light and can power up your phone or other devices.

Super-Cute Emergency Automotive Escape Tool

While having a clean and organized car is important, so is road safety. This emergency tool features a glass-breaking hammer and a blade for cutting your seatbelt off in dangerous situations. It comes in pink or black and includes an adjustable car visor strap for easy access.

LIFELINE AAA Premium Road Kit

All sorts of accidents can happen, so it's best to be prepared. This AAA-approved emergency car kit comes with 42 unique items for all sorts of unfortunate situations. It includes jumper cables, first aid supplies, a flashlight and other disaster preparedness essentials to keep you safe on the road.

HOTOR Car Trash Can With Lid

Keep your car garbage-free with this $10 trash can featuring a built-in lid and side storage pockets. Hang the #1 Best-Seller from the back of your front passenger seat headrest for easy access — just don't forget to dump it once it gets full!

Drive Auto Products Trunk Organizer

Whether your car is full of beach gear during the summer, ski accessories during colder months or camping gear for an upcoming trip, the trunk can get disorganized real quick. This collapsible organizer can be adjusted to fit small and large cars with large open sections and four side mesh pockets. We appreciate the sturdy tie-down straps that will help keep the organizer in place. One five-star review writes, "Works great and looks great. I can’t imagine not having this in my trunk now."

Motor Trend Floor Mats

Per a Reddit thread discussing car accessories you need , a top contender was all-weather floor mats to more easily collect mud, slush and other dirt or debris so your interior stays clean. We like this Amazon's Choice set available in six different colors. It's designed to withstand wear and tear and has rubber nibs on the bottom to help keep the mats in place. You can also trim the frontseat and backseat mats to fit your car.

Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler (Set of 2)

Dropping items in the cracks of your car seats is a total headache. To prevent things from ending up in Car Narnia, try these neoprene fillers designed to stop items from falling into seat gaps. Based on our testing, we can confirm these seat gap fillers fit around most seatbelt catches, and the squishy, stretchy material works in most cars. We've tested it in over two dozen vehicles and have yet to have a problem.

ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner

It's time to finally get rid of those snack crumbs your kids have left all over your back seat. This popular car vacuum cleaner features an extension tube for getting into cracks and crevices, a brush cleaner for carpets and a flathead attachment for other hard-to-reach areas . It plugs right into your 12V outlet and its 16-foot cord makes cleaning rear areas easier. Once you're finished, pack up your tools into the handy travel bag.

LAICOMEIN Bluetooth Aux Receiver

Plug this little gadget into your car's audio input port to transform your older vehicle into one that's Bluetooth-equipped . Once installed, you can ditch all cables and connect your smartphone wirelessly to enjoy hands-free calls and audio streaming. No more fiddling on your phone so you can pay attention to the road.

Car Chap Lip Balm Holder

Keeping a spare lip balm or chapstick in the car is essential, as is having a nifty place to store it so it's always within reach. An Amazon #1 Best-Seller with a 4.3-star rating, this mini holder sticks onto your dashboard and is 3/4" wide. (Keep this dimension in mind when adding to your cart as you want to make sure your balm will fit. One five-star reviewer says, "I looked all over for a solution for my chapstick... I hate having it loose, rolling around, having to dig for it when I'm driving, etc. This was such a perfect solution!"

Snow Joe 4-In-1 Snow Broom

When there has been a snowstorm, cleaning off your car is paramount to your safety and the safety of others on the road. You'll want this snow scraper to do the job. Equipped with a non-abrasive foam head as well as a built-in ice scraper on the other end, you'll be able to tackle both soft and hard snow or ice. We like that you can expand and contract the handle so you can reach the top of a tall vehicle and then store it in your trunk.

AVID POWER Cordless Tire Inflator Air Compressor

If you've been on the road for a while now, then you have probably had a flat tire once or twice. That's where a portable tire inflator comes in handy to help get you out of a sticky situation. This affordable pick has a comfortable handle and multiple features including a digital pressure gauge, USB port for charging other electronics and a built-in light so you can inflate your flat tire at night if needed. We also appreciate that you can power it via the included 20-volt battery or plug it into your car's outlet.

Enovoe Car Window Shade (4 Pack)

Whether you want to write an email on your laptop or read a book from the passenger's seat, it can be frustrating when the sun is shining directly on you. This car window shade not only helps protect you from the sun and keep the car temperature down, but it fits most larger car windows (SUVs, minivans and full-size cars). We found it super easy to install — just stick it on the window, run your hand over it and you're ready to go.

ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion

If your back or bum tends to feel achy after long commutes or road trips, this gel seat cushion will feel like a cloud . Made from memory foam with a non-slip bottom, it provides comfort for hours. We like that you can throw the cover in the wash when it gets dirty and that it features a handle so you can transport it with you from the car to your desk chair should you desire.

WixGear Magnetic Phone Holder for Car

Nothing feels easier than hopping into your car and sticking your phone onto a phone holder that magically keeps everything in place. We like this pick for its strong magnetic hold that keeps your phone attached even on bumpy roads . All you have to do is pop the phone holder into your car's air vent and stick a metal plate between your smartphone and your phone case. You can even rotate your smartphone as you drive for the best viewing angle!

AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

Some of the best car accessories are the most practical — including this gadget that lets you check your tire pressure at a moment's notice. View the reading via the digital display that's clear and easy to interpret. We appreciate the accurate readings down to 0.1 PSI. You can purchase the gauge in sets of three or four if you have more than one vehicle at home.

Amazon Echo Auto

This awesome Echo smart home device can be a game changer for long car rides. The slim design will look sleek in your car and you can ask Alexa to stream a playlist or your favorite podcast as well as make calls, reply to texts and even turn off the lights at home if you forgot when running out the door that morning. No more fumbling with your phone to change the music or relying on a passenger for help!

CAT MeshFlex Automotive Seat Covers

Similar to a sofa slipcover, car seat covers help protect your seats from stains and offer an added layer of comfort if you find your seats to be less than ideal during long drives. These covers by the popular construction company, CAT, have over 7,300 Amazon customer reviews, are made from 100% polyester for durability and have a foam backing to help improve comfort and breathability.

Amooca Car Seat Headrest Hook (Set of 4)

Keep your car neat and clean with these organizing hooks. The set comes with four hooks so you can hang multiple items in your car. Simply hang them from the headrest to keep your bags from spilling over during sharp turns . One of the more than 38,400 five-star reviews writes, "They are the item you never knew you needed so much until you had it."

Raena Loper (she/her) is a fashion journalist and product analyst based in New Jersey whose work has appeared in Forbes, Good Housekeeping and O, The Oprah Magazine. Raena is a graduate from Montclair State University where she earned a degree in fashion studies as well as gender, sexuality and women's studies. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, cooking BBQ and spending time with family. 

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Finds on Amazon From the GH 500+ Club

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Away and La Ligne Team Up on Exclusive Summer Travel Collection — Shop the New Luggage and Accessories

Shop the new Away x La Ligne collection with luggage, clothing and accessories in summer-ready colors.

Just in time for a summer filled with adventures, Away teamed up with  timeless women's fashion brand La Ligne for an exclusive capsule collection. Away, known for their must-have  luggage , and La Ligne, known for their iconic stripe and effortless style, just dropped 20 travel essentials  that easily transition from your weeklong beach-escape to your day to day.

Shop Away x La Ligne

From Away's best-selling  Bigger Carry-On to new accessories like The Sunglasses Pouch , the new limited-edition offerings are now available in summer-ready colors. You can choose between Spritz' vibrant orange stripes and Cabana's classic navy stripes.

The Away x La Ligne collection is rounded out with an exclusive 10-piece La Ligne assortment consisting of women’s, men’s and kids clothing. Perfect for summer travel, there are tees, sleepwear, lightweight knits and more to comfortably jet-set in style just like Emmy-winning actress Natasha Lyonne who stars in Away's campaign.

As with all Away luggage , the new suitcases are outfitted with 360-degree spinner wheels,TSA-approved combination locks, and an interior organization system featuring a compression pad and water-resistant laundry bag. Marrying form and function, Away luggage is popular for a reason. Ahead, shop some of the best pieces from the Away x La Ligne collection.

The Bigger Carry-On: Orange Spritz

Away's best-selling, standard size Carry-On now features a hand-painted stripe. Designed to maximize packing space and sized to fit in the overhead bin of most airlines, it will instantly get you in that vacation state of mind.

The Bigger Carry-On: Cabana

The Bigger Carry-On features a lightweight, durable hard shell and a signature interior compression system that helps you pack, organize and protect more.

The Sunglasses Pouch

With Away's all-new Sunglasses Pouch, you can keep your shades safe while coordinating with your luggage in seamless style.

The Insider Packing Cubes (Set of 4)

Compress and organize everything inside your suitcase with this set of packing cubes. These travel must-haves are designed with a mesh panel to make it easy to find what you need without fully unpacking.

The Micro Everywhere Bag

Crafted with water-resistant nylon and eco-friendly materials, the Micro Everywhere Bag is perfect for earbuds, credit cards, and keys. The extended zipper and non-detachable strap make access a breeze.

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Things to Do in Monino, Russia - Monino Attractions

Things to do in monino.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Kids
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• Hidden Gems
• Good for Big Groups
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• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. The Central Air Force Museum

2. Church of St. George

The 13 Best Travel Accessories, Chosen by Our Editors

W hen packing for a trip, you of course have to decide what to pack in your carry-on bag and checked luggage, including what clothing, toiletries and other essentials to bring. Having the right travel accessories can make your packing process and travels smoother. From noise-canceling earbuds to condensation-free water bottles, the travel editors and contributors at U.S. News have compiled a list of their favorite travel accessories that make every journey more comfortable.

S'well Stainless Steel Traveler

Staying hydrated while traveling is essential, so it's always a good idea to pack a reusable water bottle. This S'well travel bottle is made of stainless steel with triple-layer insulation. Featuring special technology to keep the exterior free of condensation and an ergonomic design, this bottle is ideal for travelers to put in their backpack or carry-on. The bottle is designed to keep cold drinks cool for up to 60 hours and hot beverages warm for 20 hours, making it the perfect on-the-go companion.

What our travel editors say: "I never fly without a refillable water bottle so I'm not at the mercy of in-flight service to stay hydrated. While it's not as large as other travel bottles, S'well's skinny design makes it easy to slide into my (usually overstuffed) purse or the side pocket of a backpack. The silicone loop attached at the top holds the lid when my hands are full, and water refills at the airport stay cool for the full travel day. I've used mine for four years, and aside from a few scratches, it doesn't show any signs of wear." – Elizabeth Von Tersch , Senior Editor

Price: $50 or less

Button Enhancement : Travel - S'well Stainless Steel Traveler

Lug Mini Swizzle Jewelry Case

This compact jewelry case is perfect for travelers who like to pack extra earrings, rings and small accessories. The case comes in a variety of colors, including metallic shades like silver and walnut (a warm gold), and has a light gray lining that makes it easy to see its contents. The interior organization maximizes space with five soft-lined sections for rings, hoop earrings or cufflinks; a removable mesh pouch; and a soft-lined pocket. The petite design and pliable exterior helps to save space in your travel bag.

What our travel editors say: "I got this as a gift and it's one of the very first things I get out when I'm packing for any trip. I always pack a pair of pearls, some statement earrings to dress up for evenings, and a necklace or two. Once I'm traveling, the ring slots are the perfect safe place to store my rings at night. I love the top handle, which makes it easy to grab out of your bag, and the colorful exterior makes it stand out in any space so I never leave it behind. Plus, it's just so cute!" – Rachael Hood , Senior Editor

Price: $33 or less

Button Enhancement : Travel - Lug Mini Swizzle Jewelry Case

Holii Daily Pill Organizer

This compact daily pill organizer allows quick access to your medications – which are vital to have on hand while traveling – as it can be easily tucked into a pocket, purse or backpack. Small but durable, the organizer features eight compartments: two large and six small. Its locked lids mean your pills will stay safe and secure even if you drop the container. The organizer is made with high quality food-grade plastic and is available in khaki, pink, purple and blue.

What our travel editors say: "As someone very prone to motion sickness, I needed a lot of different seasickness medications for my last cruise trip. This pill organizer securely fit everything I needed and more. It's also easier to pack than typical daily pill box dispensers that are too lengthy. Note: The included plastic accessory that looks like a guitar pick is for opening each of the compartments. It's a lifesaver for fingernails!" – Leilani Osmundson , Digital Producer

Price: $12.99 or less

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Apple AirPods Pro Wireless Earbuds (Second Generation)

The Apple AirPods Pro wireless earbuds are the perfect travel companion for those who like to listen to podcasts or music, or watch videos on their phones or tablets while traveling. The standout feature of these earbuds is the noise-canceling capability, which is twice the strength of the first-generation AirPods Pro earbuds. These AirPods, which are resistant to dust, sweat and water, come in a small MagSafe charging case (USB-C) and stay charged for up to six hours of listening time (with noise-canceling enabled); if you use the charging case, they last for up to 30 hours of listening time. Touch controls on the side of the earbuds allow you to adjust volume and press pause or play, as well as mute, unmute and end a call. Four pairs of silicone tips come with the earbuds so you can choose the perfect fit.

What our travel editors say: "I was skeptical about moving on from my beloved and generic wired Apple earbuds but the AirPods Pro wireless earbuds have been an extremely pleasant surprise. The noise-canceling quality is exceptional; it's truly wild how loud an airport or plane is and how quiet it gets just by putting in the AirPods and using the noise-canceling feature. These fit comfortably in my ears and it's nice that the product comes with several silicone tip options so you can select the right fit for you. The sound quality of music or podcasts I listen to is great and I find I don't need to charge them that often even though I use them frequently. With more airlines also trending toward using Bluetooth technology for seatback entertainment, I think these AirPods are a great investment for any traveler." – Erin Evans , Managing Editor

Price: $249 or less

Button Enhancement : Travel - Apple AirPods Pro Wireless Earbuds (Second Generation)

QuietOn 3.1 Sleep Earbuds

If you're looking for an alternative to Apple's noise-cancelling earbuds, these by QuietOn are compact and designed for sleeping with active noise cancellation (ANC) technology and passive noise reduction. Perfect for when you encounter thin walls in a hotel or late-night partiers on a cruise ship , these earbuds help to block out the noise to get a good night's rest. The company touts them as the world's smallest ANC earbuds, making them more comfortable than many other options, especially for side sleepers. They come with soft comfortable tips in four sizes. These earbuds also have a long battery life.

What our travel contributors say: "I never leave home without my noise-canceling earbuds when traveling. They're compact and one of the first items I put in my carry-on bag. They've made all the difference in getting a great night's sleep or staying awake and listening to sounds that you can't block out with other earplugs when staying in a hotel or sailing a cruise ship." – Gwen Pratesi , Contributor

Price: $289 or less

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360 Kiosk Email : Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Anker 325 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K)

Worrying about your phone battery is the last thing you want to be doing on vacation. This Anker power bank is roughly the size of a cellphone, making it easily portable, and it can charge a single device four to five times. You'll even be able charge two phones at once with this power bank, since it has two USB ports. Anker also sells power banks for laptops and even magnetic batteries that can charge your phone without a cable.

What our traveler editors say: "I rarely step foot outside the house without my Anker portable charger. It's especially convenient for long travel days, so I can ensure my phone is always fully charged for displaying my digital boarding pass, playing music or consulting Google Maps. But even when I'm just relaxing at home or at the hotel, it's so nice not to be tethered to a wall outlet." – Catriona Kendall , Associate Editor

Price: $49.99 or less

Button Enhancement : Travel - Anker 325 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K)

Apple AirTag

AirTags aren't the most exciting product Apple has released since 2021, but they've changed how many travel. A bit larger than a quarter, an AirTag allows you to determine the approximate location of an item and set up alerts if you become separated (about 30 feet), so it's perfect as a luggage tracker . The features prove particularly useful in an airport when you misplace your carry-on at the food court or want to track your checked bags after a tight connection. AirTags last about a year and use easily replaceable CR2032 batteries. (You'll find the same batteries in most car key fobs.) They also need an Apple product such as an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, but alternatives such as the Tile Pro are also available for Android users.

What our travel editors say: "Apple AirTags alleviated travel stress I didn't know I had. Before I trek to the airport, I double-check the trackers in all of my bags, as well as in my wallet. Quickly confirming everything's location provides the peace of mind to rest easy in any terminal." – Zach Watson , Senior Editor

Price: $29 or less

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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

For any book lovers, traveling with a Kindle Paperwhite is a must. You can download and store thousands of stories, so you'll never run out of reading material mid-trip. Since a single charge can last up to 10 weeks, you might not even have to bother packing a USB-C charging cable. Super lightweight and waterproof, this e-reader also boasts a glare-free, 300 pixels per inch display that makes reading on the device feel like reading from pages of a book. There are even highlight and note-taking features, should you want to keep track of your thoughts while reading.

What our travel editors say: "No matter where I'm traveling or for how long, I always make sure to grab my Kindle before heading out. It's a great way to pass the time before boarding and during flights, plus it makes it easy to relax anywhere." – Christina Maggitas , Editor

Price: $139.99 or less

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Worlds of Wonder: A Coloring Book for the Curious

From a long flight to a lengthy layover, having something to focus on can help to pass the time. This coloring book has 80 pages of gorgeous designs, filled with rich imagination. Users will be able to color everything from houses to mushrooms to bicycles to flowers. The book is made from a cardstock-like material and measures 10 x 10 inches.

What our travel editors say: "Coloring is one of my favorite hobbies and this coloring book is my absolute favorite. I find that coloring especially helps to pass time on long flights since it keeps my hands and mind busy (and I don't check the time as much). If you decide to use colored pencils, buy the twistable kind so you don't need to worry about a sharpener." – Marisa Méndez , Senior Editor

Price: $17.95 or less for paperback

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BeeGreen Reusable Grocery Bags 5-Pack

These reusable grocery bags from BeeGreen are a great addition to any traveler's packing list. Not only are they a more sustainable alternative to plastic bags, but they are also machine-washable and can be easily folded up to fit into your backpack, purse or pocket. Although they are lightweight, the large volume bag can carry up to 50 pounds. This is due to their durable design, which is reinforced with bias tape. What's more, the bag can be folded into the attached mini pouch for easy transport.

What our travel editors say: "Whether I'm buying souvenirs or shopping for the toiletries that I've inevitably forgotten to pack, I frequently find myself in need of a bag when I'm traveling. These reusable bags are great alternatives to plastic bags; I especially love that they come with their own mini bag for easy storage. I usually clip mine onto a lanyard with my keys – this way I never leave home without it." – Alissa Grisler , Associate Editor

Price: $17.99 or less

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Magicteam Sound Machine

Whether you're traveling with little ones or just want to block out noise from the hotel hallway, this portable sound machine is a game-changer. Powered by USB, the Magicteam Sound Machine offers 20 non-looping sounds to soothe you and your travel companions to sleep, including white noise, brown noise, rain and a crackling bonfire. It also has 32 levels of volume. You can easily set it for continuous play or program it to stop after one hour or several; its memory function will automatically restore your previous settings.

What our travel editors say: "This sound machine is small but mighty. It works just as well (if not better) than the more expensive Hatch Rest sound machine our toddler has in his bedroom, and its compact size makes it so convenient for travel." – Amanda Norcross , Content and SEO Strategist

Price: $29.99 or less

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Aquasphere Defy.Ultra Swim Mask

One of the most compact swim masks available on the market today, the Aquasphere's Defy.Ultra Swim Mask small enough to throw into your beach bag or carry in your pocket. This mask is ideal for keeping water out of your eyes, snorkeling, and getting an up-close and personal view of the sea on vacation. Not only is the mask made to be comfortable and leak-free, but it also boosts underwater sight capabilities and makes it easy to see colorful fish and other wildlife.

What our travel contributors say: "I use this swim mask for all our family beach vacations since it's the only one I have ever owned that doesn't take up a ton of space." – Holly Johnson , Contributor

Price: $99.99 or less

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Wander & Perch Wander Wet Bag

These wet swimsuit bags by Wander & Perch are perfect for vacations that will include swimming in a pool or the ocean. Even though you may hang your gear to dry after a swim, your suit may still be wet when the time comes to pack your suitcase. The wet bag solves this problem by allowing you to store your swimsuit inside its own decorative, zippered pouch. The bags are machine-washable and come in a variety of fun designs.

What our travel contributors say: "This bag is such a great essential for travel because you can pack your wet swimsuit without getting your other clothes wet! And it comes in great patterns." – Sharael Kolberg , Contributor

Price: $38 or less

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You might also be interested in:

• Vacation Packing List: Top Essentials for Any Trip
• The Top Travel Gifts
• The Top Luggage Tags
• The Top Toiletry Bags
• The Top Packing Cubes

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Accessories in Elektrostal,Moscow Oblast,Russia

Get accessories for your car, SUV, truck or Jeep in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast . We have all the best truck accessories for off-road adventures, towing, and hauling. Our selection is unbeatable for car, truck, SUV and Jeep accessories, and we ship directly to Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia . We've got tonneau covers to keep your pickup truck's bed dry and secure. We have billet grilles to elevate your vehicle above the bland stock look. We've got rugged tough aftermarket off-road bumpers as well as a ton of other bumper styles to protect your vehicle from scrapes. If you want running boards or nerf bars for that extra step up into your lifted truck or Jeep, we've got plenty to choose from at low prices.

Need to do some towing or hauling? We have receiver hitches to boost your vehicle's towing capacity. When your Jeep's soft top is getting worn out, come to us for a replacement. We carry it all: door skins, bikini tops for open-air off-road driving, mesh tops for maximum air flow without sacrificing sun protection, and full OEM-style replacement soft tops that keep your Jeep looking as good as new. Need to protect the inside of your vehicle? Floor liners guard the interior of your truck or Jeep from the dirt and mud of your off-road journeys. And the best part is, we ship all these things right to your door in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia with no hassle.

Call us today at 1-800-232-0734 to get car, truck, Jeep or SUV accessories in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast . Our team of experts will help you find the parts you need to upgrade your vehicle. Make your vehicle stand out with some of these accessories and you'll be the envy of everyone else in the cities or on the trail in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia .

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The 23 Best Luxury Travel Accessories of 2024

Pick up these accessories from Hèrmes, Naadam, and NuFace to elevate your next trip.

In This Article

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa

No matter where your seat is on an airplane, a luxurious travel accessory can upgrade your experience en route to your destination. Premium travel items can come at a cost, but there are also plenty of additions to your carry-on that won’t break the bank. In fact, every accessory on this list is under $500 including an Hèrmes Apple Watch strap and a cashmere blanket travel set from Sofia Cashmere. Keep scrolling through to find the 23 best luxury travel accessories that are worth the investment.

LARQ Bottle PureVis

The bottle is self-cleaning and UV sanitizes water.

It doesn’t have a top handle to carry it easily.

The LARQ PureVis water bottle offers unique features that set it apart from a typical water bottle. Dubbed as a self-cleaning and water-purifying bottle, it uses UV-C LED technology to rid water of germs like E. Coli and cleans the inside of the bottle to prevent bacteria from building up. The bottle also looks sleek and comes in several colors like navy, mint, granite, and pink.

Sensate Relaxation Device

The device uses stimulation therapy to calm the nervous system.

It requires the use of an app to pick soundtracks.

Traveling is stressful, so investing in this mini therapeutic device could be worth it for some mid-flight relaxation. Using subtle vibrations on the chest to target the nervous system, this device emits soundscapes to relax the body in a non-invasive way. Plus, the device isn’t bigger than a hand which makes it convenient to travel with. 

Cadence Toiletry Organizers

The capsules connect magnetically to save space in a toiletry case.

The one-ounce capacity of the capsules might be too small for longer trips.

Cadence capsules are small but mighty and completely leakproof — as we learned during our own toiletry bottle testing in the lab. You can customize the label of each capsule for the intended liquid that the jar will hold and the colors of the set can be mixed and matched.

Aberdeen Oak Travel Bartender Kit

The 18-piece kit comes with everything you need to make cocktails on the go.

You’ll have to supply your own glassware.

For making craft cocktails while traveling, this impressive bartending kit has everything you need to mix up delicious drinks. The set includes items like a muddler, shaker, jigger, corkscrew, and liquor pourers so you can create almost any drink you want. Everything fits inside the compact roll-up bag to keep track of all of the items. 

Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Eye Patches

The eye masks target dark circles, which is perfect after (or during) a long-haul flight.

 It comes with 30 pairs of eye masks.

Elevate your skincare routine at 30,000 feet with these premium 24-karat gold gel eye masks. The pack of 60 masks can be carried on an airplane without taking up much space in a personal item , and the eye masks can be applied en route to your destination to avoid dark circles while lifting the skin around the eyes.

Hermes Apple Watch Band

The sleek band is made with the iconic Hermès checked canvas material.

It’s compatible with 41- and 45-millimeter cases only.

For those hopping on the quiet luxury trend, this timeless Hermès Apple Watch Band should be in your shopping cart. The collaboration between Apple and Hermès makes it the perfect time to pick up one of the timeless checked canvas bands to accessorize your watch. The checked canvas comes in green, gold, and denim colorways. 

Twelve South 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger

Twelve South 

The compact device is smaller than an Apple AirPods Pro case.

It can only charge an iPhone and Apple Watch.

Avoid tangled cords during trips with this tiny MagSafe charger from Twelve South. The charging pad measures 1 x 2.25 inches, so it can basically fit anywhere (even in a pocket). It can charge an iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously, but you’ll want to make sure both of your devices are MagSafe compatible. 

Kaai Mini Bowler Bag

The square-shaped bag is made with a premium leather material. 

It has a structured shape, so it shouldn’t be squashed in a suitcase.

This miniature bowler-style bag from handbag brand Kaai is the only purse you’ll need to bring on a trip. It’s casual enough to wear in the daytime, but it can easily be paired with a fancier nighttime outfit for going out on the town. The crossbody bag is made with a luxe matte leather material with a matching adjustable strap. 

NuFace Mini+ Starter Kit

This miniature face sculpting device is ideal for a quick facial on the go.

You may want to consult a doctor or esthetician before using a microcurrent device. 

This facial toning device from NuFace is the miniature version for giving yourself microcurrent facials away from home. The mini starter kit comes with the toning device, aqua gel activator, silk crème activator, and applicator brush. You’ll have everything you need to tighten and brighten your face without having to worry about making a spa appointment. 

Leatherology Tie Case

The slim leather case is designed to keep ties neat and wrinkle-free in a suitcase.

It only fits two ties.

If you’re traveling for work or to a fancy event like a wedding, a tie case like this Leatherology one will ensure the accessory arrives without any creases or wrinkles. The stunning leather case can fit up to two ties on either side and it’s slender enough to fit in a carry-on or personal item with ease.

Sofia Cashmere Emilia Travel Set

Saks Fifth Avenue

This upscale travel set comes with a cashmere blanket, pillow, and eye mask.

  All of the items need to be dry cleaned carefully.

Bundle yourself up in this luxurious three-piece cashmere travel set that includes a cozy blanket, eye mask, and pillow. You can opt for a neutral gray color or bold red shade. Either way, be sure to have these dry cleaned only to ensure the set lasts a long time.

Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask

The mask is made with a soft and cooling silk material.

It’s a little bulky to travel with. 

The Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask feels like wearing a pillow around your eyes since the material is soft, lightweight, and cushioned. The adjustable velcro straps make it easy to change the tightness of the eye mask without letting light filter through the corner of the mask. It is a bit oversized, so expect the mask to take up a bit more room than usual in a bag. 

Versace Biggie Black Sunglasses

Sunglass Hut

The black sunglasses are sleek and effortlessly stylish. 

They only come in one size. 

You can never go wrong with a pair of designer sunglasses. These Versace ones are the perfect, stylish-yet-versatile option. Designed to be gender-neutral, any traveler can toss these in their suitcase to elevate a daytime outfit. The sleek black frame and matching lens are elevated by the elegant gold branded hardware on the sides of the frame. 

SteamLine Luggage The Alchemist Vanity

SteamLine Luggage 

It can be used as a purse, camera case, or hat box. 

 It doesn’t offer much organization. 

This vintage-style vanity from SteamLine luggage is both glamorous and practical for traveling. The hardside vanity can be worn as a purse filled with personal items for flying, used as a camera case, or a transformed into a good ol’ fashioned makeup vanity to store skincare and cosmetics.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Over-ear Headphones

Bang & Olufsen

The headphones come in sleek colors like silver, copper, maroon, and black.

Over-ear headphones can take up more room in carry-on bags.

Over-ear headphones have had a trendy resurgence in the last few years, so these sleek Bang & Olufsen ones should be on your radar. The lightweight headphones are made with soft leather and feature metallic hardware on the sides of each earphone. They also come in stylish colors like copper, maroon, silver, and black. 

Ted Baker Matee Twill Retro Sport Flight Bag

Ted Baker  

The crossbody bag is the perfect size for storing essentials.

  It only comes in one color. 

This Ted Baker crossbody offers a more elevated look than a fanny pack but it still boasts the sporty and practical design you want in a travel bag. The compact bag can store items like a wallet, passport, and phone in the main compartment and the wide webbed shoulder strap is ideal for added comfort when carrying it around.  

Lunya Washable Silk Tee Set

The PJ set is machine washable for easy upkeep.

The T-shirt is oversized.

Wearing a pair of luxurious silk pajamas is the best way to crawl into bed after a long day of traveling. This set from Lunya doesn’t take up much room in a suitcase thanks to the thin silk material. It's entirely machine-washable, so you can pop the set into the machine after a trip and the top and bottom are ready to be worn again.  

Bellroy Pod Jacket Pro

The leather case comes with a lanyard to help keep track of your AirPods.

Be sure to double check that the case will fit your earbuds’ make and model.

AirPods can get lost easily while traveling, so this buttery leather case with a lanyard can easily be located in your bag. The Bellroy cover is made with a high-end leather that is designed to get softer the more it’s used, and the 150-millimeter lanyard is made with durable cord rope to withstand the test of time. 

Frankie4 Saint Loafer

The shoes have a podiatrist-designed footbed with four layers of cushioning and support.

Not all sizes are offered in half sizes.

Loafers might not be the first pair of travel shoes you think of, but these ones from Frankie4 are just as comfortable as a pair of walking shoes. They have four layers of podiatrist-designed cushioning and support. The shoes come with the brand’s Sole Saver pack that boasts various types of insoles to get the most comfortable and individualized fit for each foot. 

AirFly Bluetooth Headphones Adapter

The transmitter allows you to use your headphones with an airplane entertainment device.

It can only pair one set of headphones to the device.

This little transmitter device is the travel accessory you never knew you needed. T+L editors always bring the AirFly SE as a carry-on essential (since it’s easy to pair) and use noise-canceling earbuds or headphones of our own instead of the wired headphones airlines occasionally provide.  

Cuyana Travel Jewelry Case

The case is compact but can fit plenty of jewelry items.

It could use a few more latches to secure jewelry into the case. 

Jewelry cases are an essential travel accessory for women , and this one from Cuyana is one of our favorites. It's made with premium leather material and a unique oval shape that fits much more jewelry than meets the eye. It’s smaller than the average jewelry case, but we were able to fit various jewelry pieces in the case with lots of room to spare. 

Espro Ultralight French Coffee Press Water Bottle

This compact bottle has a built-in french press for making coffee on the go.

It can only make one cup of coffee at a time.

Coffee lovers will love this compact bottle for making a fresh cup on road trips or at the airport. It guarantees a tasty cup of coffee up to your standards every time, and it can be easily transported thanks to the 16-ounce capacity and convenient top handle for carrying it around hassle-free.

Naadam The Essential Cashmere Socks

The socks are made with luxe 100 percent Mongolian cashmere.

The socks come in one size. 

For a cozy and comfortable journey to your destination, consider investing in these lavish cashmere socks from Naadam. The crew socks are made with Mongolian cashmere and come in various shades of black, navy, and gray. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure , where she writes about and reviews travel products. Anna enjoys a first-class seat of a flight (with a free upgrade, of course) and with her love of shopping, she’s racked up quite a few luxury travel accessories she can’t travel without (including a few added to this list).

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Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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