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1. An anti-blister balm to protect your feet while walking on your trip. Sure, new shoes for vacation seem like a good idea, but beware the breaking-in period.
Promising review: "I purchased two of these for our one-week Disney World trip. I knew I’d be walking around A LOT, and my feet aren’t used to the many miles of walking a day in the hot and humid environment, so I didn’t want to be uncomfortable. I'm happy to say I put it on once in the morning, slipped on some socks and comfy shoes, and I didn’t get one blister or issue with my feet! I wish I knew about this a long time ago!" —Michelle
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
2. A set of Sea Bands for anyone still working on getting their sea legs. They apply pressure to a specific acupoint on your wrist, which many reviewers say is the key to a successful, barf-free boat trip.
Reviewers swear by these nonmedicated bands for nausea relief; they've used them while traveling on airplanes, boats, and cars and for morning sickness during pregnancies. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising reviews: "I flew on a four-hour plane ride using Dramamine and then a 30+ minute car ride to my hotel. I was so nauseous and wiped out that I spent the next day feeling like I had a hangover. Yesterday I took the same car ride and flight home (but using the Sea Bands), and I was unaffected by any of it! Any time in the stop-and-go traffic that I thought I was feeling motion sick, I rubbed the button against my wrist and immediately felt better. These bands are going with me anytime I travel from now on!" —Kindle Customer
"These work. They’re amazing. Complete game changer for car rides for me. People are like, 'iT’s ALL In YOuR HeAd.' If that’s true and it’s a placebo effect, I really do NOT care. They work, and that’s all that matters." —Broadwaygirl
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.24+ (available in six colors and packs of two).
3. A wireless transmitter that'll connect your AirPods (or any other wireless headphones) to the headphone jack on the flight so you can get access to the free entertainment without having to use those tinny-sounding earbuds they offer during flights.
The standard edition allows you to connect one pair of headphones and lasts for 20+ hours on a single charge. It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Promising review: "This product worked flawlessly! I travel often for work, and hated that I couldn’t use my Apple AirPods on the airplane to watch in-screen entertainment movies, until I discovered the AirFly Pro. I paired these with a dummy device before traveling in order to create the initial connection. Once I got on the airplane, I plugged the AirFly Pro transmitter into the headphone jack, turned on my AirPods, and it instantly connected. I would happily recommend these again. Thanks again!" —Bill
Get the standard model from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in two colors and also a Pro version that allows you to connect two headphones and has longer battery life, and a Pro Deluxe version that adds a receive mode and comes with extra accessories).
4. A set of bendy small containers perfect for face creams, pills, or any other small items. They're easy to clean at the end of your trip, so you can use them over and over.
5. Or a TSA-approved 16-piece travel toiletries set featuring a whole slew of different mini containers for every toiletry you can think of. It comes with pre-printed labels and little spatulas to make transferring your various goos a lot easier and more organized.
The set comes with four bottles, four jars, two spray bottles, two spatulas, one funnel, one cleaning brush, a page of labels, and a bag that everything fits in.
Promising review: "I’ve purchased a lot of different travel sets for my toiletries over the years. Inevitably, they are hard to fill and tend to leak. This set was magic! The wide mouth made it easy to fill from a larger bottle, and the little scoops made transferring creams to the jar containers very easy and with much less mess. The only con (hardly worth mentioning) is that once you squeeze the bottle, it takes a few minutes to expand with air again, so the sides are a bit sunken. I solved that by unscrewing the top just a bit for a quick release of the vacuum pressure. I had no leaks, and plenty of containers for every toiletry." —MDC
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in eight colors).
6. Orrr travel bottles with built-in pumps for an elevated showering experience. They come in a grippy travel case to keep them secure. Your fancy shampoo and conditioner deserve nothing less.
Reviewers say the pumps struggle with thicker consistencies.
Promising review: "These make travel so easy and cute. First, it’s the perfect amount for what’s allowed on flights. No questions were asked, and I got through security with no problems. I bought two and had my shampoo and conditioner in one and face wash and sunscreen in the other. I will admit that you can’t use a very thick soap in them, though. My shampoo, conditioner, and sunscreen pump out fine, but my face wash was too thick to use the pump." —Amazon Customer
Get a set of two from Amazon for $6.99 (available in three colors).
7. A digital luggage scale so there are no surprises when it's time to check your bag. Nothing more annoying than having to wear three sweaters and two hats while carrying an extra pair of shoes onto your flight.
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising reviews: "I cannot imagine how we would have managed a big international trip without this. It saved us so much stress and, I’m sure, surprise charges at the airport." —Potter Freak
"This scale works and was accurate on four flights. The first flight was a test at 46 pounds, and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds, and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49, but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost, must-have item for air travel." —Robert
Get it from Amazon for $7.64 (available in four colors and also a two-pack).
8. A bunch of Sriracha packets to help make the bland airplane food taste sliiiiightly more edible.
Promising review: "I travel extensively and often desire to spice up the food along the way. Carrying a bottle of hot sauce is precarious, so I welcomed these individual packets, which are TSA-compliant and easily packed." —Randy Becker
Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $9.99.
9. A school-inspired 4-in-1 makeup pen with everything you need — eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, and eyebrow filler — so you can free up some space in your bag.
This thing has all the benefits of four makeup items and all the fun of those four-color clicky pens. Click to your heart's content and travel with a lighter load. Alleyoop is a woman-owned small business that specializes in functional makeup products.
Promising review: "I bought this to help make my travel makeup bag not so bulky. I really like how smooth every product is. The colors were nice and pigmented. I probably wouldn't use this on a daily basis, but when I travel, it'll be really nice and compact in my suitcase!" —Kara E.
Get it from Amazon for $20 or Alleyoop for $15 (available in three colorways).
10. A roll of aloe wrap is infused with aloe vera, green tea, and vitamin E to help soothe and moisturize sunburnt skin and prevent excessive peeling. Just slap these forbidden Fruit Rollups wherever needed and marinate for 20-40 minutes for best results.
You can cut these into the perfect shape to best cover your sunburnt body.
Promising review: "I got absolutely FRIED at the beach this past weekend and tried everything under the sun (literally) to provide some relief for my sunburn. I was in so much pain, and every over-the-counter aloe gel, lidocaine, and cold shower was not helping. I found this wrap on my TikTok and immediately bought it. As soon as I put this on my burn, I was immediately relieved of any burning or irritation. I am wearing four patches right now, and I plan on wearing them all day, every day until this burn heals. I will say the only downside is they slip off the aloe has worn off! And it is a little bit hard to maneuver to cut since it is so slippery. But overall, I love this product and will be a forever customer!" —Nick
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
11. A travel-sized Bounce wrinkle release spray to freshen up clothing after it spent a few hours jammed in your suitcase. The 3-in-1 formula straightens out wrinkles, deodorizes, and removes static with just a few spritzes. More than a hotel iron could do, thank you.
Promising review: "Hate dragging out the old hotel iron and board, so I just spray my wrinkled clothes with this, and viola! Takes the wrinkles out, and off I go — no wrestling while putting the iron and board away. I even have a small travel iron or use my hair styling irons if I want a better finish, but this usually does the job nicely." —Audie
Get it from Amazon for $6.05.
12. A teeny-tiny razor for travelers who like to shave on the move. The kit comes with an extra five-blade razor and a travel case.
Promising review: "The perfect razor for traveling! Easy to use and very practical, Totally recommend it; the razors might be a little expensive, but at least you don't have to change the whole razor every time." —Maria Claudia
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
13. An LED neck reading light to illuminate your current vacation read without bothering the sleeping people around you, whether it's on a plane or in a small hotel room.
It has three color settings and six brightness levels and can last on a single charge for up to 80 hours — almost enough time to read all of Stephen King's It!
Promising review: "I couldn't be happier with this light. I use it for reading in bed and when I travel. It's comfortable, has many different settings, is easy to use, and the battery stays charged for a long time. You can turn on either one or both sides of the light, and its flexibility allows the light to be adjusted easily. I highly recommend this light for reading in bed, for outdoor walking at night, and for doing close work that requires good lighting." —Jean G
Get it from Amazon for $17.58+ (available in two widths and seven colors).
14. A pack of Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes sooo much easier to pack than a giant bottle of cleanser. They're compact and won't leak all over your stuff, so you might as well throw a bunch in every bag.
15. A cocktail tin with everything you need (syrup, bitters, mixing tools, etc.) to make an amazing drink — just add an airplane bottle, and you're basically an in-flight bartender.
The kit makes three drinks.
Promising review: "A neat kit to have on hand, take to a hotel, or give as a gift. All of the tools and ingredients you need to make the drink are in the kit (except the alcohol and ice). I found the kit to be cheaper than purchasing the individual ingredients for an old fashioned. I would definitely buy this again." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in more flavors here).
16. A bendy pillow capable of contorting itself to meet your ever-changing needs. Neck rest? No prob. Pillow to keep your face off the gross bus window glass? Of course!!! Round pillow to make sleeping on your cousin's floor more bearable? Almost!
Promising review: "There are so many options with this travel pillow. It can move in any direction to your liking, and it feels very soft and cushy. There is a metal coil inside of it, but you can only feel it if you were to squeeze it really hard. I keep the pillow in my car at all times, and it has been a lifesaver for long car rides. I would definitely recommend." —Tammy Zevenbergen
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
17. A gel lint roller designed to fit in the palm of your hand, making it easy to throw in a bag for quick refreshes. It's reusable (just wash the lint and fur off), making it way more convenient than a paper roller, too.
Promising review: "I am really glad I purchased this product. It's just the right size to fit into a purse or glove compartment, and it's the perfect solution for quick touch-ups when you're on the go. I have a golden retriever, so the struggle to leave the house without any stray dog hair on my clothes is real! The roller ball is very sticky and allows you to clean up a decent amount of lint or hair, but it's not a large device, so bear in mind you won't be able to use it a ton before having to clean it. Cleaning is very easy. You just pop the sticky ball part out and rinse it. I loved mine so much I bought one for my mother and mother-in-law. Each of them has pets in the house, and my mom told me the other day that she has used hers many times and loves it." —Susan
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in four colors and multipacks).
18. A portable espresso maker so you can enjoy a nice hot drink while enjoying the view (whether that's from on top of a mountain or a motel room).
The manually operated device is lightweight and doesn't require batteries to function. Just add hot water and ground coffee, then pump to extract the perfect cup of espresso.
Promising review: "This works so well for camping for a quick coffee craving! Took this camping over the weekend and used it a few times at the office. Depending on the grinds you use, it's good for a light single espresso shot, or if you reuse the same grinds and purge three capfuls of water through the filter, you'll get a full cup of coffee. Works great without lugging a glass press around in your backpacking or camp gear! Easy to clean and store away with the retractable priming handle." —SocKeTPupPet 🤖
Get it from Amazon for $54.90.
19. A 2-in-1 hair tool capable of both curling *and* straightening so you only have to bring one device on your next trip. AND it's dual-voltage so you can bring it abroad. Great hair knows no borders.
Promising reviews: "Don't be fooled by the tiny price or size; this little baby is serious. If you are looking for a small travel option rather than lugging your big straightener and giant curling iron around the world, then I think you'll love this. It performs really well, turning my frizzy, wavy hair into a smooth and sleek style. The curling iron option also creates shiny, silky lasting curls! It's easy to transition between both. I also like the grippy handle and the fact that the curling iron clip is a different color than the straightening bars because that helps me see how I should be maneuvering it around. The voltage goes up to 240m, so you are good using it internationally without a converter (but you will need an adapter just to fit it into various foreign outlets). At this price, definitely give it a try and flaunt your tresses abroad." —Christine
"Took this to Europe. It worked great. The barrel is a bit short, but I have short hair, so it worked. My hair is extremely curly and it worked great. There is only one setting of heat, which is hot." —Barbara
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two colors).
20. Or a foldable hair dryer so you can have your most essential hair tool nearby without sacrificing your entire carry-on. Reviewers say this dual-voltage gadget works just as well as the full-sized version.
Promising reviews: "As a flight attendant, I can't always be sure my hotel has a hair dryer, so I bought this one, and it hasn't disappointed me! It folds up to about the size of a roll of toilet paper, so it doesn't take up much room. It's powerful, too!" —Billy H.
"I ordered this for a recent international trip and loved it. For a small dryer, it has a great output and did wonders on my thick, curly hair. It has a dial that allows you to change the voltage and is very compact. A perfect handheld dryer to take with you when the hotel dryer just isn't enough." —TexasAggie
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
21. A set of packing cubes that will bring peace and order to your messy luggage. They provide space for enough clothing to last a 14-day vacation!
Each set comes with different packing cubes, bags, and a laundry bag to accommodate different items. Shacke is a small business that sells travel solutions.
Promising review: "I am officially sold on packing cubes!! These things are amazing! I can believe I've been packing without them my whole life. The mesh lining allows you to peek inside, and I was able to pack all my clothes, shoes, and toiletries for a 10-day trip to Europe (full contents listed below). I packed them as I normally would first, and then packed them in the packing cubes. There was SO much more room in my luggage after packing everything in the cubes! Items I fit in the cubes and bag include two jackets, one jean vest, four pants/capris, two pairs of shorts, one romper, four dresses, one maxi skirt, seven tank tops, four shirts, three camisoles, three pajama sets, 15 undies, six pairs of socks, and four pairs of shoes. But why are you still reading?? Go buy these cubes!" —Tiffany
Get them from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 25 colors and two pack sizes).
22. Anti-pickpocketing clips to keep your zippers in place and immune to sticky fingers. You'll still have to be alert, but maybe you can now stop hugging your backpack like a baby while you waddle through town.
Promising review: "Prefect for international travel! Easy to use and protected against theft/pickpockets. Used it on my recent trip to Europe!" —Rachel Bristol
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four color combos).
23. A pair of quick-dry water shoes that pack flat in case there's a body of water near your next walking trail. These are also great for when the beach has more rocks than sand.
Reviewers note that these don't have a ton of traction, so they're better for easy walks.
Promising review: "So glad I got these for my trip to Hawaii. These shoes saved my feet getting into the coral-covered beaches of Kaua'i. Great on the hot sand, too. Much more comfortable than the ones I got for my daughter at Target." —jaspy106
Get it from Amazon for $5.94+ (available in women's sizes 4-13.5/men's 3-12 and 43 colors).
24. A satin-lined Hairbrella that'll keep your hair protected from rain, humidity, and anything else that's out to ruin your perfect hairdo. When the sun reemerges, the Hairbrella folds up neatly into a pouch small enough to throw in your bag.
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business established in 2016 that specializes in hats combining fashion and function to protect against all types of weather.
Promising review: "I never carry an umbrella 'cause they’re too bulky, so when I saw the Hairbrella, I was so excited. It keeps my hair dry and my curls nicely quaffed, rather than me looking like I stuck my fingers in a light socket. I’m telling everyone I know about it; it’s an amazing alternative to those wide-brimmed hats or a briefcase, LOL! Truly it’s never going to leave my side from now on! I definitely recommend it." —Gina C.
Get it from Amazon for $39+ (available in 15 colors) or Hairbrella for $44+ (available in two sizes and 14 colors).
25. A hair tie keychain that fits up to three elastics and takes up exactly zero bag space because you can clip it anywhere. Bon voyage, annoying intents on your wrists!
Promising review: "I have left the house on numerous occasions and needed a hair tie and could never find one. I could dig through my purse, diaper bags, and car, and there was never a hair tie lying around. I have had to refill this hair-tie holder on about five occasions because of how many times I've taken hair ties off for myself and the friends who need one. Great invention." —Samantha
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three colors).
26. A Cincha travel belt so you can take a load off your tired shoulders. The Shark Tank-famous strap attaches your tote, backpack, or weekender to the top of your wheeled suitcase. Unlike a run-of-the-mill belt, this one has an elastic slip that fits securely around most trolley handles, so it won't slip as you run to catch your flight.
The luggage belt is adjustable to 45 inches. Cincha is a small business that, yes, did get the Shark Tank deal.
Promising reviews: "An essential item for frequent travelers like myself. This amazing product has changed my travel experience by eliminating the frustration of constantly readjusting my tote on top of my suitcase. No more worrying about it slipping off. It has made maneuvering through airports and train stations with luggage and a large tote a breeze, saving me from the hassle and strain on my shoulders and wrists." —sks47
"We bought the Cincha so that we wouldn’t have to lug around (hand carry) our kid’s booster seat in the airport. It was the PERFECT purchase for this, and I can see us using it in the future for other items as well. So glad to have this. Highly recommend!" —Amazon Momma
Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (available in 13 styles).
27. A crossbody bag designed to keep your water bottle upright and in arm's reach while you're out exploring. And don't worry about having to bring another bag: There's also a front zippered pocket to hold all your nonhydrating stuff.
This works best for Stanley Quenchers and other handled tumblers. There are holes for the handle, a carabiner clip, a straw topper, and a pouch that fits most phones.
Promising review: "Great when you’re on vacation or outdoors and don’t want to carry your Stanley around. Love the extra storage. The cellphone pocket is a bit snug; I had to take my iPhone case off in order to fit it inside." —Mandy
Get it from Amazon for $14.96+ (available in two sizes and 10 colors).
28. A viral "Soft" perfume in a convenient rollerball style so you can still smell good, even if your carry-on bag doesn't have room for an entire fragrance bottle. Reviewers compare this $5 scent to caramel, lemon cupcakes, warm vanilla scones, and cotton candy.
Promising review: "Like so many, I found this scent on TikTok. I was a bit skeptical at first but finally got around to trying it. First off, this scent smells amazing! Almost every time I've worn it, I receive compliments. It has a sweet smell, almost like warm cake or sugar cookies with a hint of lemon. With such an affordable price, I would definitely recommend this to anyone curious about trying it." —Chrissy
Get it from Amazon for $7.56 (available in two styles).
29. A children's camera that beats taking pics on your phone: It's lightweight, adorable, has 15 photo frames, and boasts filters that put Instagram to shame. Amazon didn't have good review pictures, so I beg you to watch the TikTok.
It's charged with a USB port and comes with a memory card.
Promising review: "Love it! Gonna document my summer on it, LOL! Got it because of a TikTok — video quality and pic quality look OK, but sound is awful, haha. Still cute and fun. I'm gonna order one for my little sister too!" —Sarah
Get it from Amazon for $23.79 (available in six colors).
Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.