We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A waterproof Kindle so you can delve into the fantasy land of ACOTAR while relaxing by (or in!) the pool. It’s compact, glare-free, and has a ton of storage for thousands of books, plus a battery life that lasts much longer than your seven-hour flight — up to 10 weeks!
www.amazon.com, Abby Kass / BuzzFeed
It also features adjustable warm light that’s much easier on your eyes.
Former BuzzFeeder Abby Kass swears by her Kindle as a travel must-have: “Yes, that is me [above] sitting in a pool in Hawaii holding my Kindle over the water without fear or stress that if it falls in, it will break. Truly living my best life.”
Promising review: “I love this! It’s small enough to easily carry anywhere, and the lighting aspect is perfect for reading in bed. The battery lasts incredibly long as well, so there is no worry of it dying on a road trip or anything like that. It’s SO much easier on the eyes compared with a tablet or other screen device. It feels very much like reading from a piece of paper. The addition of Bluetooth also allows for audiobook listening. Absolutely worth every penny.” —KingOcho
Get it from Amazon for $149.99 (available in three colors, with eight or 16 GB, and with or without lockscreen ads).
2. A set of energy-restoring shower steamers to turn your hostel shower into a mini spa experience. Just set one on the floor (not *directly* in the flow of water, but to the side), and it’ll release a soothing scent, enhancing the experience with some lovely aromatherapy. It’s great for anyone who loves a little self-care after a long day of sightseeing.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “I purchased these for my daughter and daughters-in-law for their stockings. I broke the package up and put them in a Ziplock bag (the scents are very strong) and then placed them in a nicer bag for each person’s stocking. They were excited. The bath bombs are nice, but most of them rarely get time for a luxurious bath, so these were a great alternative for their shower.” —A M B
Get a pack with 18 steamers from Amazon for $21.99 (available in four packs).
3.A travel journal that’s got your back before you even take off and long after you get back. You can plan your itinerary, budget, and packing list, keep tabs on your expenses, organize your flights and stays, jot down your adventures as they happen, and reflect on it all once you’re home.
It also comes with two sheets of stickers and has an inner pocket, an attached bookmark, and a pen holder!
Promising review: “Love this notebook! I used to plan trips with apps on my phone (still have important dates on it), but nothing beats a pen and paper! It’s much more convenient for me to refer back to a physical notebook when booking new things, and this is perfect for it! Love the map to check your route, reflections for each day, and the stickers are a nice touch. Recommend!” —Eddie Pena
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in A5 size or pocket size and 15 colors)
4. A compact watercolor palette for when you have some downtime because painting in a café sounds way better than doom-scrolling in bed. This kit even comes with water brush pens, so you won’t need to deal with finding a cup for water!
If you’re looking for watercolor tutorials using this very palette, you can check one to help you paint a sunset here.
This kit comes with the 100 watercolor shades in a compact case, three water brush pens, a sketch pencil, a sponge, and a swatch sheet.
Promising review: “I’m starting to hate TikTok because it’s making me buy all these products, but I absolutely love this one!!! I travel for a living and love to paint, and this set is wonderful. I love that it comes in a metal tin, so I don’t have to worry about it breaking, like most plastic ones. The colors are vibrant, and I love that there are so many within the container. The container itself is the size of two makeup eye palettes, so you can definitely fit it in a purse or backpack. It comes with a swatch section, too, so you can paint the colors and compare later on when you paint. I’m a huge fan now of this brand.” —pixxi88
Get the set from Amazon for $29.99 (available in packs with 50 colors, 100 colors, or 168 colors).
5. A 2-in-1 hair tool that curls and straightens so you can achieve the perfect balance of texture and shine with just one tool. It’s easy to pack for trips and dual-voltage so you can have gorgeous hair no matter what country you’re visiting.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Just be sure to still pack a plug adapter if you’re traveling to another country!
Promising review: “Traveled with just a carry-on and personal item from USA to Italy and this worked perfectly. Convenient size for luggage and worked perfectly as a curler or straightener! My hair looked cute the entire trip so I was happy!” —Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two colors).
6.A digital camera for anyone who loves capturing memories in a way that feels way more personal than just snapping pics on your phone. This one has autofocus that makes it easy to capture clear photos and a flip screen, so you won’t have to take 100 selfies to get ~the one.~ The quality is so much better, and it’ll make a huge difference when you’re looking back at photos later.
This camera comes with a charging cable, a neck strap, two batteries, a Micro SD card, and a protective bag.
Promising review: “I bought this camera mainly to record content for my YouTube channel and take it on my travels, and the truth is that it has exceeded my expectations. The image quality is very good: the 64 MP is really noticeable in the photos, and the 4K videos look sharp and professional, even in low-light conditions. 😍😍” —Nikole
Get it from Amazon for $59.98 (available in black or white).
7. A weighted sleep mask so you can sleep on the plane without being blinded by the sun from the window the person next to you refuses to close. 🙄 They’re truly so good at blocking out light, you might even forget it’s daytime; plus, they have a slightly contoured shape so they don’t put any pressure on your eyelids!
Amazon
Promising review: “Very comfortable and not too tight on your head. I mostly use it when I have headaches, and it helps relieve the pressure. I now wear it to sleep and on long flights.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two colors).
8. A versatile, lightweight scarf if you’re fancy, and because the plane is somehow *always* colder than expected. But this lovely pashmina will also come in handy throughout your trip: Wear it around your neck while walking to dinner, then drape it around your shoulders for some added warmth inside the chilly restaurant.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “I absolutely love this wrap!! It is the perfect weight and size for travel. It didn’t leave my side on an 11-day backpack trip through Europe and was used as a scarf, blanket, towel, and wrap all throughout the trip. Fashionable enough to dress up a basic travel day outfit, warm enough to keep away a chill on a cooler night, and light enough to pack away small into a bag or tie around a purse strap. I can’t say enough great things! I am buying these as gifts for everyone I know who travels.” —Jenn
Get it from Amazon for $48 (available in 11 colors).
9. An AI-powered smartphone stabilizer with three-axis stabilization, a built-in tripod, selfie stick, and up to 10 hours of battery life — it’s basically like having a film crew in your carry-on. Whether you’re capturing bustling markets or serene landscapes, this gadget ensures every shot is smooth and post-worthy.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “The Insta 360 is small and compact and works well with the app. It’s intuitive and easy to handle, not bulky or heavy. Perfect size and takes all movement out of videos while walking or moving. Love this item.” —Thomas
Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in six styles).
10. A pack of ~tingly~ warming foot masks that can help soothe, revive, and nourish tired feet, leaving them feeling refreshed and pampered. They’re made with Epsom salt and menthol to penetrate deep into your foot muscles for instant relief, while the shea butter and essential oils moisturize and soften your soles. Just slip your feet into these “booties” after a week of exceeding your step count and let them work their magic to ease the aches, so you’re ready to do it all over again next week.
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord also has these: “I’m a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn’t quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that, my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they’re usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days!”
Get three pairs from Amazon for $11.97.
11. And some 24-karat gold collagen under-eye gels formulated with hyaluronic acid and snail mucin — perfect for plopping on while you look through all the photos you took during the day. The cooling sensation feels incredibly refreshing and helps rejuvenate the delicate skin under your eyes.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes loves using these: “If I’ve had a particularly exhausting few days, I love to pop on these bad boys and let my under-eyes drink in the hydration. The cooling sensation feels incredible, and I look and feel so much more refreshed after (and less like a zombie). And you get 20 pairs in one pack, which feels like a great deal!”
Promising review: “This is really an amazing product, for such a good price too. These feel so refreshing under my eyes. It’s really relaxing having them on and just letting them do their magic! I don’t have so much of the puffy eyes but I have been noticing slight dark circles lately. Just after using this one time, I can really see a difference under my eyes and these left my under eyes so soft!” —Kayleena
Get 20 pairs from Amazon for $14.95 (also available in three sets).
12. A slim-profile phone power bank for when you have a super short layover with no time to sit and charge your battery. This one is small but mighty (it can fully charge an iPhone up to three times!) and perfect to have with you on long days.
Promising review: “Originally bought this for a business conference I had. What a life saver. Not only did it get me through the conference, but it got me though a six-hour travel day while listening and participating in Zoom meetings. It is lightweight and fits in your jacket pocket.” —Allison Graham
Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in two colors and in a pack of two).
13. A compact I Dew Care “Tap Secret” mattifying powder shampoo with a sponge applicator — it’s not a liquid, so you don’t have to take it out of your bag when going through security! It’ll really come in clutch when you’re vacationing in places with hard water and want to minimize the number of times you wash your hair.
Amazon
This powder shampoo is benzene-free!
Promising review: “I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn’t have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I’m not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again.” —Teresa
Get it from Amazon for $17.60 (available in six shades, packs of two or three, and with refills available).
14. A compact, foldable Hairbrella to keep in your bag for when the weather app lies, and it IS, in fact, raining, and you don’t want your freshly styled hair to get ruined. Plus, you can’t let a little rain stop you from exploring the streets of Paris!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that has been creating fashionable hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather since 2016.
Promising reviews: “I wore this on a rainy work trip and was so glad I had it! I walked to my office in the rain one morning (15 minutes in moderate rainfall) and my silk press was PERFECT after I got into the building and took it off. I even took some headshots later in the day. When walking back to the hotel after work I neglected to put it on because it wasn’t actively raining. Well, I forgot about humidity, so when I stepped into my hotel room my hair was reverting and poofed up! I truly believe in this product now; it is a must during silk press season! It’s well made, comfortable once you adjust it, and silky soft on the inside.” —Olivia Danae
Get it from Amazon for $44 (available in eight colors).
15. Some Tide sink packets that allow you to wash your smelly clothes in the sink so they don’t stink up your bag. These can easily fit in your toiletries bag — even when it’s packed to the brim — and you’ll be so glad you brought them when you run out of clean underwear.
Tide
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly is a big fan of these: “Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they’ll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. I’ve packed these on international trips to much success!”
Promising review: “I bought these just in case. I’m the overly prepared type. And then I was sitting there in Florence eating this incredible sandwich for lunch, and it all came pouring out the bottom onto my linen pants. Olive oil, liquid from sundried tomatoes…. FUUUUUUUUDGE. Luckily, we were eating in our room, so I immediately stripped my pants off, put them in the tub, and dumped in two of these Tide packets. We’d packed carry-on only, so I needed these pants frequently! The Tide saved the day. They also came in handy to refresh my husband’s socks after walking around in the heat all day. GET THEM. It’s an easy pack and a no-brainer.” —NolaForever
Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.14 (available in two scents and four pack sizes).
16. And a Tide stain removing pen to save the day when your only white shirt ends up with coffee on it. Just keep it in your bag, because the last thing you need is a rogue stain ruining your meticulously planned outfit rotation.
To use, blot off any extra residue, press the tip to the stain to get the cleaner flowing, then gently rub it in. And just repeat if the stain’s being stubborn!
Promising review: “I have many in bag, car, office, home… anywhere I need to be covered. This pen is an absolute lifesaver for spills and unexpected stains, especially on the go. It fits perfectly in my purse or backpack, making it super convenient for travel or just daily use. While it’s not magic on every type of stain, it works wonders on most food and drink spills. Highly recommend having one of these around for those ‘uh-oh’ moments!” —Emine Arikan
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $13.79 (available in five scents, unscented, and in various pack sizes).
17. A set of “wine wands” if you love wine, but can’t seem to enjoy it without your head pounding in the morning. This clever little device comes with filters that help remove histamines and sulfites — common culprits behind headaches and hangovers. It’s super portable, so you’ll be good to go for any spur-of-the-moment “we’re on vacation” drinks!
Amazon
PureWine is a small business that specializes in wine accessories.
These are single use and disposable, so you can just toss it when you’re done!
Promising review: “I’m a wine lover and migraine sufferer. Wine plus migraines do not work. Some wines give me headaches, and some give me migraines. Some wines also made my chest red and itchy. Kinda scary. I had to stop drinking certain wines altogether. This wand is incredible. The first thing I noticed was that the wine tasted ‘fresher.’ I don’t know how to explain it. No headaches since using it. I also gifted packs of these for Christmas to family members.” —J. K.
Get a set of three from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in larger packs).
18. A universal travel adapter made to work in 160 countries, so you can rest assured your devices will stay charged on all your international adventures. It has four USB ports and one outlet socket, so you can charge up to five devices at once! I’d bet money that if there were a modern-day Indiana Jones, he’d have this in his travel bag.
But remember that this is not a voltage converter!
Promising review: “I am a digital nomad, so I travel full-time around the world. I have a lot of devices to charge (laptop, Kindle, phone, backup battery, portable wi-fi device, camera, the list goes on). A lot of times, hostel bunks or hotel rooms only have one outlet, and with the previous adapter I was using, I had to charge one device at a time. I used to literally set my alarm to wake up in the middle of the night and switch devices so that I could get more than one device fully charged overnight. I did my research, finally, and settled on this one because it is universal and has four USB ports. What a GAME-CHANGER. On my latest trip, I was able to charge all my devices at once, and it made traveling so much smoother. It seems well-made and good quality, too. Definitely recommend for my digital nomad and traveling peers. Happy travels! :)” —Maggie A.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in two colors and one with a USB-C port).
19. A compact but mighty 2-in-1 wall charger and portable power bank meaning you can juice up your devices at the hotel and then keep them going strong while on the go. It’s got two USB-C ports and a USB-A port, so you can charge your phone, tablet, and earbuds all at once. No more outlet scavenger hunts at the airport or panicking when all the cafe outlets are taken.
Amazon
Promising review: “I traveled for four weeks and this nice unit was perfect — charged everyone’s iPhones during the day, and my iPad and my computer while taking the train for a few hours at a time. Other than it being a little heavy for all-day carrying, it was a perfect unit to buy.” —Julie
Get it from Amazon for $109.99 (available in two styles).
20. A flowy tank dress with all the comfort of nightgown but the look of a daytime dress. Plus, it’s super versatile — wear it with heels and jewelry to a destination wedding, or pair it with sneakers for the morning after when you’re nursing that post-wedding hangover.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “This dress has adjustable straps. It hugs you but isn’t bodycon, which I liked. I paired it with a denim jacket for versatile temps of the airport, and it was great for travel.” —Keeli
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and in 39 colors and patterns).
21. And a Hackwith Design House shirt because there’s nothing more travel-friendly than a top you can wear *five* different ways (that we know of — but you might discover more playing around with it). It’s timeless because you can always change how you style it, and it’s made from a high-quality fabric that’s soft, breathable, and can last for years.
Hackwith Design House
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business that creates made-to-order apparel. This shirt can be worn as a V-neck, off-the-shoulder, boatneck, V-back, and even open as a jacket. And the color is simple, which means it can be paired well with many different bottoms.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart says: “I have this shirt and I *love* it. All credit for its discovery goes to TikToker @jennifer.bianca who I happened to stumble across on my FYP. It checks all my boxes: black, comfortable, versatile, and durable. My initial worry was that I wouldn’t feel secure in it (I have a 38DDD chest and most wrap tops/dresses I’ve tried haven’t stayed where they’re supposed to), but I haven’t had an issue with this! I’ve worn it tied in the front giving me a square neck (like the middle picture) and tied in the back giving me a V-neck up front (just like the photo on the right) — both were super comfortable, and I didn’t have to adjust myself at all. As someone whose weight fluctuates, I also appreciate that this piece can handle pounds gained and lost. The fabric is medium weight, so I’ll be wearing it season to season, and there’s just enough elasticity in the arms that if you roll up your sleeves, they won’t fall back down. All that is to say trust that I will be buying additional colors!”
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women’s sizes XS–4X and in three colors).
22. A pack of 30 aluminum-free deodorant wipes made with a blend of coconut milk and essentials oils to remove any unwanted odors while leaving behind a fresh coconut scent. They’re perfect for road trips, camping, long flights, or anywhere you might not be near a shower for a while.
Amazon
Promising review: “I have always suffered from bad odor on my underarms since I have very delicate skin, so I can’t use strongly scented deodorants. I’m always trying out cream deodorant or gels, but it either irritates my skin, or it doesn’t stop my bad odor. THIS IS THE BEST INVENTION EVER. I LOVE IT! I can’t believe that something finally works! My armpits don’t smell bad. I can finally move my arms freely. The scent is wonderful; I love the smell, and it’s not harsh on my skin. Even after a long day, my underarms are still smelling like coconut.” —Vicky Reyes
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in a pack of two, four, or eight).
23. A Stow-N-Go travel organizer that’s basically a portable closet. You can arrange everything while you pack, and when you get to your destination, just hang it up and that’s it! You’ll have perfectly organized clothes for the whole trip.
Plus, it has a zipper compartment at the bottom for putting all your dirty clothes in so they don’t get mixed with clean items (forcing you to end up just washing everything when you get home).
Promising review: “I just love it. I travel a lot. Now I don’t have to hang anything up but my organizer. I can see what I pack and where everything is. Just love it. I can easily fit seven days’ worth of outfits and three pairs of shoes in a carry-on suitcase. Just great.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and six colors).
24. A Subtl Beauty Stak for condensing up to nine makeup products into one small stack. You can customize yours with anything from lip tints to face powder. And as convenient as it is for travel, it’s also perfect to keep in your purse for any on-the-go touch-ups!
Subtl Beauty
Each stack also includes a mirror lid, a base, and a mini brush.
Promising review: “I absolutely love how compact this product is. I have been pleasantly surprised at how natural the makeup feels, and I love the natural look it provides. I originally purchased it for traveling, but have been using it daily and love it!” –Paula Bowie
Get the Starter Stak from Subtl Beauty for $68 (available in 19 tones), or customize your own stack starting at $14 per layer, with up to 10 product types available.
25. A reusable gel lint roller to keep your clothes looking pristine — even when your friend’s cat turns your suitcase into their new nap spot. It’s compact, easy to throw in your bag, and all it takes to restore its stickiness is washing the interior. If you’re someone who wears a lot of black, this will definitely make your life better.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “Super easy to use and helpful during travel. You’ll know when the lint roller is full as it will not pick up only more hair/lint. All you have to do is rinse the ball and rub off any excess, wait for it to dry, and then it will be good as new.” —Zalayahg
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in four colors and in packs of two or four).
26. A travel-sized wrinkle release spray because while rolling all your clothes into a tight ball may be convenient for packing, it does leave them looking a little crumpled. Now you don’t need to hunt down an iron or go to dinner with a crinkled shirt.
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.
27. A fast-drying microfiber towel you can fold into a compact square and fit into the smallest of carry-ons. It’s perfect for travelers who aren’t staying in hotels, and reviewers love to bring it camping because of how lightweight it is!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “I bought this for a trip to Mexico, during which we moved from pool to beach to ocean a lot. This towel was the perfect travel companion to keep me somewhat dry and get me to the next stop. I especially appreciated taking it on our snorkeling trip because it could fit easily in a waterproof bag with my other things and not get wet. It was a great blanket when it was chilly as well. And it dries so quickly so you can be ready for your next adventure. I like the bag it comes in to keep it contained within your tote bag too.” —dmw
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 16 colors and six sizes).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.
