1. A *mini* Kindle because knowing that this lightweight guy holds thousands of books, has a battery life of up to six weeks, AND has a glare-free screen makes you wonder why you ever let books take up so much space in your carry-on. Now you can tackle your "to be read" list without sacrificing precious suitcase space! 

www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the mini Kindle in action. 

Promising review: "This is such a great Kindle! It’s lightweight, the perfect size for going in a purse or bag, and the matcha is SUCH a great color. I already have a Paperwhite SE that I love, so I decided to get this Kindle for travel purposes. The battery life isn’t as great as my Paperwhite, but it still lasts me a while with daily reading! It fits perfectly in my hands and makes reading very comfortable. The only thing it is missing is the warm light option, but that is not a deal breaker for me. If you are looking for a lightweight and comfortable Kindle, this is the one for you." —Christine Heath

Get it from Amazon for $109.99(available in two colors). 

2. An airplane seat back organizer — if you've ever tried squeezing a full-size water bottle in the seat back pocket, you know the struggle. With these many pockets, you can keep snacks, water, and your phone all in a secure spot without having to annoy your seatmates when you get up for the fifth time to get something from the overhead bin.  

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Very useful, especially when traveling with kids. Provided easy access and storage to things like a water bottle, hand sanitizer, snacks, wipes, and headphones. I didn't have to access my carry-on." —JJ

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

3. Plus, a drink holder for all you window seat lovers who want to utilize every inch of space possible when you're on a flight, no matter how long or short it is. Those too-tiny tray tables never have enough room, but this thing can hold your drinks and other things, like your phone or glasses! 

Amazon

Heads up — you can only use this if you're sitting in a seat that has access to a full window!

Promising review: "I used this for the first time on a 737. It was fabulous! It didn't intrude into my sitting space nearly as much as I expected. Because the actual window is recessed from the side wall, this only sticks out from the side wall about an inch. If you're considering this, you likely fly enough to know that seats aren't always aligned with the windows. If your window happens to be right beside your seat or the seat in front of you, this won't be of much use. But because it doesn't just come out as much as I thought, you can use it in more situations than I expected. And when you can use it, it's great! I love not having to have my entire tray table down just to hold a 3-inch cup. My only suggestion would be to add a place to hold trash until the flight attendant picks it up. This is very small, very lightweight, and very useful. I'll be taking it on every flight from here on." —JBC

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

4. A universal travel adapter perfect for international travelers who always find a way to make it to multiple countries with different plug types. This is designed to work in 160 countries and it lets you plug up to five devices at once.

www.amazon.com

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 of good quality, too. Definitely recommend for my digital nomad and traveling peers. Happy travels! :)" —Maggie A.

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in two colors and three styles).

5. A set of silicone "EarPlanes" for those who are tired of always having to deal with the annoying pressure in their ears felt during takeoff and landing. No more constant gum chewing, ear tugging, or yawning to get rid of that "popping" feeling. AND, they'll even work for road trips with high altitude changes. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This product has changed my life. I travel fairly frequently and always have issues with ear pressure on the plane. My ears will be clogged up, and it is painful to swallow for a day or two after short-distance flights. But now, I use these and fly incident-free. You are supposed to insert them before the plane takes off and then before landing. I have found that it works best if I leave them in the entire flight from before takeoff until landing, but they work almost as well if you take them out once you reach cruising altitude." —Thomasina

Get a pack of one from Amazon for $7.89.

6. A 4-in-1 makeup brush set that saves so much room in your makeup bag because it's only the size of ONE brush. You get a foundation, eye shadow, concealer, AND powder brush! Any wannabe makeup artists on the go, this one's for you. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "The bristles are soft, and they apply the product very well. Love that it has a case, which is perfect for traveling. Now I don't have to travel with 10+ brushes." —Yashira

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 10 styles). 

7. An eight-compartment pill organizer so you don't have to take up room in your toiletry bag with all your important medications. This compact little guy is great for travel, and some have even used the empty compartments to store smaller items like jewelry! 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment, and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $7.97 (available in two color sets).

8. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter, because that time you had to suffer through that long flight without using your fancy-schmancy earbuds was brutal, and you'd like to never do that again. This allows you to connect via Bluetooth and prevents you from having to settle for those uncomfortable plastic earbuds.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "If you have a wireless earpiece and fly frequently, this is a must-have. Most newer planes have a monitor on the seat backs that enables you to watch movies, etc. This unit enables you to do it using your wireless earpiece. Connection is simple and automatic once you have initially paired your device or devices. It's convenient. I'm happy with the purchase." —JCE

Get it from Amazon for $41.99+ (available in three colors and four styles).

9. A 2-in-1 straightener and curling iron — a must-have if you're all about a multifunctional tool that doesn't take up a lot of room in your carry-on. This is also dual voltage, which is so handy when traveling internationally. 

Amazon

Promising review: "I randomly bought this little curling iron/straightener to save space for travel...and after trying it out, I now find myself reaching for it over my big, expensive, full-sized regular curling iron and straightener. It just heats up so fast and does the best job, especially curling. It curls quickly, and the curls last all day. On both regular hair and extensions. If I could change anything about it, it would be to have it in a full-sized version, too, with the same effectiveness. Not sure if one exists, but if it does, I will buy it." —Melanie

Get it from Amazon for $37.77.

10. A simple luggage strap so your travel pillow, jacket, or personal item has a designated place, other than being flailed over your arm while you're trying to juggle your plane ticket and all those airport snacks you bought from the Hudson News kiosks. 

Amazon

Promising review: "Definitely what I needed for my luggage as a flight attendant. Very heavy duty and perfect for me. Works great with my extra luggage and lunch bag to hang on my suitcase. Thank you so much. Will definitely buy again." —Mary

Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in five colors).

11. A trifold travel wallet that keeps all your important documents in one secure, RFID-blocking place. Now you'll never be the one rooting through your bag in front of the TSA agent or gate agent when it's finally time to show your passport and boarding pass. 

www.amazon.com

The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, key holder, and pen holder. 

Promising review: "This was a great travel wallet to have on a recent overseas trip. I have no idea if that RFID stuff actually works, but the zippers were easy to use, and the wallet snapped securely. Just the right amount of pockets and didn't add too much bulk to my carrying bag! Simple design, decently made and a good buy." —nostalgia88

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 27 colors).

12. An electronics organizer with different compartments for your cords, charging blocks, and portable chargers. If you're guilty of leaving charging cords tangled at the bottom of your bag, this is going to be a lifesaver for your travel game. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I am a flight attendant, and I LOVE this organizer! I keep my iPad, passport, cords, paperwork, and hand sanitizer in here. It keeps me organized! Definitely recommend to anyone who travels and needs to keep organized." —amazonislife

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes).

13. A bendy travel pillow for window seat lovers who need a soft place for their head, because the side of the plane is just not cutting it. This twists in different ways, so you can get comfortable and not wake up from your nap with a twist in your neck. 

Amazon

Promising review: "I’m a flight attendant, and I travel with this pillow all the time! In hotel rooms, I use it to support my neck, on the plane, I use it to support my lumbar area. When I drive, it helps my lower back. I love that it has a liner that can be removed to wash. I bought my boyfriend one too, and it goes everywhere we do!" —Debbie

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in seven colors and four sizes).

14. Or a Trtl travel pillow because you somehow always get stuck in the middle seat, and you want something that will actually support your head during the flight. The internal support system keeps you upright, while the super soft fleece helps you get in those well-deserved Zs. 

Amazon

BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Ciera Velarde loves this! She says: "I've used this for the past few years and swear by it! Before this, I always found traditional neck pillows uncomfortable and would end up ditching them halfway through the flight and getting frustrated. The Trtl pillow is adjustable — you wrap the pillow around your neck and secure it with Velcro, and if you find it's too loose, just make it a bit tighter! I've truly never slept better on a plane than with this pillow." 

Promising review: "As a flight attendant, I travel all the time. This makes getting stuck in a middle seat palatable. I’ve used this in cars, planes, trains, etc. It is great. My sister was so jealous on our last trip to Italy that she kept trying to steal it off me. Ordered her one for Christmas." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in five colors).

15. A collapsible silicone water bottle to save you from purchasing an "I can't believe this is $7" plastic water bottle at the airport or the only one-off store after your long hike in the mountains. This is refillable and rolls up to be super compact when you're done sipping. 

Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed

Elizabeth Lilly on our BuzzFeed Shopping team says: "I bought this water bottle before a 2.5-week trip to Vietnam (where you don't drink tap water) and Malaysia (where you do). I didn't want to bring one of my ride-or-die S'well bottles because it would take up extra room in my bag when I wouldn't be able to use it during the majority of the trip. This handy silicone bottle did just the trick! It's very easy to roll up and *stays* rolled up thanks to the just-stretchy-enough loop. Said loop was also very handy while walking through airports and just around sightseeing. The bottle is easy to clean and doesn't make my water taste weird. I'm now using it as my daily water bottle and feel confident it'll serve me well for a long time. Plus! With a collapsible water bottle, it's easier to remember if you left water in it before you go through security."

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 13 colors/styles).

16. A luggage-mounted cup caddy because the thought of a spilled macchiato on the airport floor right before you're trying to make it to your gate is not how you want to start the vacation of your dreams. Keep your drink (and snacks) hands-free and make your travel day just a teeny bit more hassle-free. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’m a flight attendant, and I love this one! I love the Velcro 'quick detachment.' It’s the best! I had one before without the Velcro opening that just stretched over the handle, and it was a PAIN! This one is great! There’s room for two large drinks and a slim pocket for my phone or wallet. Many people see it and ask where I got my clever little caddy!" —Debra G

Get it from Amazon for $11.39+ (available in 26 colors and patterns). 

17. An on-the-go Gillette razor that proves that all the best things in life come in small packages. This five-blade razor saves space and saves you from using those cheap disposable razors that just don't step up to the plate. 

www.amazon.com

It comes with one handle and one blade refill!

Promising review: "The travel-size shaver is definitely a space saver, along with a lovely case that has holes to help ventilation and prevent mold. Don’t let the cuteness fool you. Despite its much smaller size, the handle is easy to handle and grasp." —Sight Seer

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

18. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount because I simply cannot get over that some airlines don't have screens!!! Just because you're taking a Hopper flight doesn't mean that you shouldn't enjoy those 40 minutes of Jane the Virgin. Clip this onto the tray table or even your luggage to heal your inner iPad kid. 

Amazon

Promising review: "I used it on a round trip. It is has a powerful and sturdy clip that will attach to almost anything. I didn’t have to attempt to balance it on the food tray or strain my neck. It remained at eye level and never attempted to sway or fall. I’d buy it again. Also I’d consider it as a stocking stuffer for a frequent traveler. This is definitely a thumbs-up!" —Kara

Get it from Amazon for $11.18+ (available in seven colors). 

19. A Beis backpack that will put all your other past bags you used for your personal item to shame. It looks like a regular old backpack but has all-around zipping so you can open it up like a mini suitcase. This has sooo many pockets, padded straps, and a space for your water bottle, too.

Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed

Elizabeth Lilly on our shopping team says: "I snagged this backpack after hearing my colleague Chelsea Stuart sing its praises. I had a trusty (now discontinued) InCase backpack I used as a personal item and served me well on dozens of trips for about five years. But I wanted a bag for some upcoming travel (2.5 weeks in Europe with *just* carry-on for five flights) that opens up like a suitcase for easier packing. Since buying, I've taken it on two long weekend trips (Amtrak to Newport, Rhode Island, for a wedding and regional train to a Connecticut country lake house) with no complaints. In fact, for both of those trips, I packed MORE than I needed. 

Inside, you'll find a mesh zippered pocket and a plastic pocket perfect for your toiletries. I can fit enough wet toilet toiletries in the second pocket as I'd be allowed to carry on for a plane. In the mesh pocket, I put other necessities like cotton swabs, medicine, eyeglasses, etc. The main compartment is deceptively deep, so you can easily roll clothes and Lego-fit them in together without using packing cubes. In fact, I fit all of the stuff in the second picture in that section (a romper, PJs, a bikini, sunscreen, five pairs of undies, a pair of jean shorts, nap dress, three pairs of socks, two pairs of sandals, two T-shirts, a slip skirt, sleep mask, curling iron, mini flat iron, makeup bag, and tote bag). AND it has stretchy X-straps to keep it all secure like you'd see in a roller suitcase so when I unzip it, everything stays put. But before I forget, there's a separate cushioned laptop pocket close to the backpack straps that I found works well for books or a Kindle if your travel leaves you laptop-less. 

I love that this backpack has DEEP side pockets so your umbrella or water bottle won't fall out. In fact, I stuck a flashlight and an umbrella in one side pocket. (You could always use a flashlight.) Plus! It has a generously sized pocket on the front of the backpack with easy access for sunglasses, snacks, writing pens...all sorts of those little extras you need to access quickly. To top it all off, the backpack straps and top handle are STURDY. I felt totally secure toting it around and slinging it into overhead storage compartments on the trains. I love the look and construction of it with faux leather and sturdy black canvas, and the trolley pass-through to easily fit on my roller suitcase, I'm about to drag through a bunch of airports. At nearly $80, this isn't the cheapest backpack option, but if you're a frequent traveler, you'll get so much mileage on it and seriously save on some baggage fees, making it well worth the cost. This backpack and I are going places, for sure."

Get it from Beis Travel for $118 (available in eight colors). 

20. An adjustable universal travel harness seat to make traveling with a little one just a tad bit easier, since it magically converts pretty much any regular chair into a secure high chair. You'll find that this thing is so handy that you'll be wondering why you didn't get this sooner.

Amazon

FYI, this is suited for little ones from the ages of six months and up. 

Liuliuby is a New York-based small business that specializes in stroller and car seat accessories. 

Promising review: "This thing was amazing! I give it 10 stars — it fits every type of chair we encountered on our Kenyan vacation! Kept our toddler controlled and made feeding on the go so easy. Very lightweight and packable, a vacation must-have!" —Kireme1

Get it from Amazon for $26.99.

21. A 3-in-1 foldable wireless charging pad that charges your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at the same time. You can stay organized by getting rid of tangled cords *and* the high-quality magnets in the pad make sure your items don't slip away. And when folded up, it easily fits into your pocket.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Lift up the circle on the watch charger that doubles as a watch stand. Green lights pop up when fully charged, but that feature can be turned off for those with sensitivity to light. 

Promising review: "Super compact and sleek, so far no issues with charging my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, and performance remains consistent. This charger has eliminated at least two additional cords, and I deeply appreciate not having to shuffle chargers around when packing for travel. The charging light has an on/off feature by the watch pad, so I’m able to keep it on the bedside table at night without a bright green light shining in my face. Overall, a great value for the money and such a great tool for staying organized during travel." —Cassandra

Get it from Amazon for $29.99. 

22. A pack of LeakLocks Toiletry Skins — yeah, they might look like a funny-looking sock over your shampoo and face wash, but what you won't find funny is a big ol' liquid mess in your suitcase. These fit full-size and travel-size toiletries and prevent those cute white jeans from being stained with your purple shampoo. 

www.amazon.com

Rinseroo is a small business specializing in problem-solving cleaning, pet, and travel products. 

Promising review: "These covered various sizes of products — hair care, body wash, etc. Nothing leaked out of these whatsoever, even after a lid popped open during a flight. These prevented it from leaking out on the other contents of my luggage. Easy to use. Not flimsy. Very flexible. LOVE THESE!" —TAG

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two color sets and also available in an eight-pack). 

23. A digital luggage scale, a beacon of hope for the over-packer, the shopaholic, and the just-in-case suitcase stuffer. Don't make it hard on yourself, and play the guessing game of how much your bag weighs. Reviewers say the scale is easy to use and pretty darn close to the scales at the airport. 

Amazon

I used this digital luggage scale when packing for a trip to Iceland — check out my demo of how it works on TikTok! —Elizabeth

Promising review: "We use this in every trip to avoid paying for extra weight as we travel internationally quite often. I have tested in several ways and also always note the weight number at the airport. After several trips, I can say that the accuracy of it is right within 2 lbs. I have it for almost two years, and I am still using the same batteries." —Cass Young

Get it from Amazon for $8.76+ (available in seven colors).

24. A travel-friendly blanket-slash-pillow for those who wish they could personally ask the pilot to turn down the freaking AC on the plane. This is a BIG step above the thin fabric that the airlines call a blanket since it's made from super soft microfleece, AND it even has a trolley pass-through pocket so you can slide it over your carry-on.

Amazon

EverSnug is a small business that sells travel sleeping care kits.

Check it out on TikTok here. 

Promising review: "I ordered two of these and my daughter and I both use them numerous times while flying recently. They compact nicely, have a loop that can go through the handle of a carry-on, and are the perfect size for snuggling up and sleeping on the airplane. It is lightweight and I will not fly again without it!" —SweetMama

Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in seven colors).

25. A combination 3D eye mask/travel pillow that straps onto the headrest so you can get some rest without doing the whole bobblehead act and jerking yourself out of a deep sleep. You'll be feeling like a certified genius for adding this to your travel arsenal. 

www.amazon.com

This contraption provides 360-degree support thanks to a wraparound design and clips that connect it to your seat's headrest. 

Promising review: "Just took a 15-hour flight with this travel pillow, and this was the best travel pillow by far. I've used inflatable and memory foam neck pillows before; the major problem is that they don't secure your head and torso, so either your muscles have to hold up your body, or your head and torso will end up swinging around, and both are disruptive to sleep. With this travel pillow, my muscles can relax, and the padded eye mask will hold up my head and torso. One minor downside is that the pillow needs to be mounted on your seat's headrest; if someone bumps your seat, it can be disruptive, but this rarely happens. Its size and weight are also much less than memory foam neck pillows, and I don't have to bring an extra eye mask, so it is very travel-friendly." —Sky

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in nine colors).

26. Or a cooling, memory foam contoured sleep mask for when all you wanna do is catch some Zs on your flight, but your neighbor with a reading light or open window has other ideas. 🙄 This puts no pressure on your eyes and completely blocks out light while still allowing you to freely blink so that you can get some beauty sleep before you land!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "The BEST BEST BEST and most comfortable sleep mask I’ve found. Night shifter for years, and have tried everything. Many other sleep masks have some qualities but not all. This one is AMAZINGLY SOFT, VERY THICK, plush, high quality material, quality stitching that won’t come apart like so many others that are cheaply made, and it’s EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE even though it’s a good price. Very impressed and pleasantly surprised." —Amazon Customer

"I loved it so much, I bought a second for my boyfriend! We both travel so much that sometimes you end up in a hotel room where the blinds still let in light, and this blocks it out without compressing your eyelids where it feels like you’re being forced to keep them shut. I love that the compression contours around your eye so that you can open your eyes without feeling like you’re restricted. I love it so much I sleep with it at home now and I never travel without it!" —Jordann

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in eight colors).

27. A Pashmina scarf that's basically a 4-in-1 since it can be used as a comfy blanket or pillow, a scarf or wrap while you're out and about, and even as a shield to protect yourself from the sun since it's got UPF 50+ protection!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

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 $36+ (available in nine colors).

28. A travel jewelry case because you're tired of untangling that giant knot that your necklaces, bracelets, and rings got themselves into. No more throwing your jewelry into a sandwich bag or in your toiletry bag when this keeps them neatly organized.    

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I purchased this box for a weekend getaway. In the past, I have just thrown all of my jewelry into little makeup bags, but then everything gets tangled and disorganized. I love that this box keeps everything organized and leaves all my necklaces tangle-free!" —Dogmom206

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in eight colors).

29. A Tushbaby carrier since your little one is always wanting "uppies" and you might not always have a stroller on every adventure during your trip. This wraps around your waist and supports your kid to ease the weight on your back and arms. It even has extra pockets for diapers, bottles, and your phone!

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "We bought this for a cruise and used it every day. We loved it so much, we now only use this instead of our other, more expensive chest carrier." —Tyson Bowers

Get it from Amazon for $67.99+ (available in two colors/designs). 

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