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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. 27 Products That’ll Make Those Chaotic Holiday Travels Feel A Whole Lot Easier You deserve products that'll make packing simpler and traveling more enjoyable. 1. A portable digital luggage scale because the year is 2025, and it's time we put an end to that gut-wrenching moment the airline counter tells you your suitcase is a few pounds over the weight limit. Being forced to transfer your things from your suitcase into your carry-on in the middle of the terminal for everyone to see is dreadful. I have been writing for BuzzFeed for almost nine years now and have written many travel articles where I have included this reviewer-loved luggage scale. Heck, reviewers (and the BuzzFeed audience) love it so much that I put it in non-travel articles because I just thought it was genius. With that being said, every time I pack for a trip, I have done one of two ridiculous options: 1) use a mechanical bathroom scale to weigh my luggage, even though said mechanical bathroom scale is nearly 20 years old and is definitely broken; 2) weigh myself on a digital bathroom scale, then step onto the scale again holding my luggage and do the math. Last summer, I went on a trip to Cabo and, upon leaving the hotel, did this second option thanks to a scale in the bathroom. When I found myself sitting on the bed trying to convert kilograms to pounds, I knew I needed a better system going forward. I purchased this prior to a recent trip to Puerto Rico, and I am SO glad I did. First of all, I am amazed at how accurate this is. I mean, I knew from the reviews that it was, but this is kinda one of those products where you really have to see to believe. Shy of .02 of an ounce from the airport scale weight, this thing really gave me an accurate measurement (and that's no easy task with the way I pack — a very large suitcase, 50-pound capacity reached for a three-day weekend, oops). Best of all, it's small enough to store in your suitcase or carry-on (mine went through TSA just fine!), so if you're like me and ALSO enjoy getting souvenirs wherever you travel, then there won't be any surprises when you head to the airport to go back home. Highly recommend!!! Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in six colors, a two-pack, and a version with a backlit LCD display). 2. A useful, gorgeous, and AFFORDABLE duffel bag that'll make you wonder how you ever took weekend roadtrips or packed a carry-on for your flight without this baby. The interior features four compartments and the bag itself is made of water-resistant nylon because a little rain can't come between you and your much-needed rest and relaxation time. I purchased this duffel as a personal item–sized bag for a weekend trip to Nashville two years ago to see The Eras Tour. For starters, it's sleek and holds a nice amount of stuff. I used it for my laptop, a book, and some snacks for my flight. I also love that it's water-resistant. I flew to Nashville on a rainy day and didn't have any issues with the bag getting wet or anything of the sort. This is just a trusty duffel. I bought it in black, but I have some weekend trips already lined up for the summer and want to purchase it in another (more fun) color soon; that's how much I love this bag. Promising review: "I can't say enough good things about this travel duffel bag; it's been an absolute game changer for my trips. I've taken it on several journeys, including some rough adventures, and it still looks as good as new. The size is just perfect — it holds a surprising amount of stuff while remaining compact enough to fit in overhead compartments or under seats on flights. The compartments and pockets help keep everything organized, which is a lifesaver when you're on the go. The quality of the zippers and handles is top-notch. The shoulder strap is comfortable, and the option to carry it as a backpack is a fantastic feature. It's great for weekend getaways, business trips, or even as a gym bag. I've used many travel bags in the past, but this one truly stands out in terms of quality and functionality. It's become my go-to travel companion, and I wouldn't travel without it. If you're in need of a reliable, stylish, and spacious travel duffel, look no further. This bag is a winner!" —Liz Get it from Amazon for $15.59+ (available in two sizes and 48 colors/styles). 3. A set of Tide sink packs if you have a goal to pack fewer clothes and re-wear more of the items you're bringing. These will make it so simple to do so. No washing machine required! Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. Promising review: "Game changer for travel! We were gone for two weeks, and I was able to wash all the clothes I had packed! Helped with using only a carry-on for the trip and kept my clothes fresh and clean! So easy to use and smelled nice! Will never travel without them again!" —Kristy Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.26. 4. A pack of EarPlanes — earplugs designed to help ease the pain that comes with the sudden pressure change during takeoff. These are also great if you're driving to a destination at high altitude or if you're simply just trying to drown out the sound of the passenger next to you snoring a lil' too loudly. 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 it from Amazon for $7.29 (available in multipacks). 5. A luggage caddy, so making a pit stop at the airport coffee shop for a caramel latte and a breakfast sandwich doesn't mean having to juggle your food/drink on the way to your gate. Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels! If you have a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls, just be careful if the drinks are open at the top. Check it out on TikTok here. Promising review: "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too." —Philip Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 25 colors and patterns). 6. An infinity neck pillow you'll never want to travel without again. Trying to take a nap when you're on a plane, on a bus, or in the backseat of a car is TOUGH! Trying to find a comfy position, the crying baby a few rows up, etc. While this pillow can't take care of the crying baby, it can help you get into a more comfy position for the ultimate travel nap. This thing is basically a plush infinity scarf made with breathable, soft bamboo fabric. It's machine washable, so you can keep it fresh between trips. Promising review: "We got a few different types of travel pillows for a red-eye to Europe, and this was overall our favorite due to its versatility. The loop actually allows you to have various self-supporting positions, and this will contort all sorts of ways to be a pillow, neck rest, arm rest… anything. It’s actually just good for any type of travel in general and got a lot of use on the whole trip. The material is soft and comfortable." —Tom Shaw Get it from Amazon for $54.50 (available in 10 colors). 7. A suitcase cover because you didn't spend your hard-earned bonus on swanky new luggage just to be too scared that baggage handlers might nick it that you never actually put it to use. Plus, thanks to the fact that it's clear, your fellow travelers will still be able to 👀 you have expensive taste. Promising review: "I bought an off-white carry-on and realized how easily it could get dirty and scratched. So, I purchased this protector. It’s clear, is a nice thick durable plastic cover, and has Velcros at the bottom. It fits perfectly. I did measure my bag without including the wheels as recommended. Love it!!!" —MsLucy Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in six sizes and in five colors). 8. A phone mount so you can watch your favorite downloaded shows/movies on your flight — because sometimes the airline doesn't offer your comfort characters on their entertainment menu, or worse...there's no television at all. Perilogics is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on the go. Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers." —Earendil Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in seven colors and various two-packs). 9. A pet backpack with wheels to make getting through the airport with your tiny BFF a more seamless experience. Not to mention, thanks to the compact size, it'll fit comfortably underneath the seat in front of you once you get on the plane, and the mesh window will allow you and the little fluffer to keep an eye on one another. The medium size fits pets weighing up to 10 pounds, and the large fits pets weighing up to 18 pounds. That said, some reviewers mentioned that the large size works perfectly well for their 20-plus-pound dogs. It can be wheeled using the telescoping handle, held using the strap, or worn as a backpack. Promising review: "First time flying with my dog. I bought a large one. He is a 21-pound Cavalier King Charles spaniel. He was able to sit and lie comfortably in the carrier. When on the plane, remove the hard-back bottom to fit beneath the seat. It is easily removable and reattached. I got a window seat, which allowed me to wedge the bottom at the edge of my seat/arm rail when detached." —Karen Get it from Amazon for $69.95+ (available in two sizes and three colors). 10. An electronic accessories organizer because traveling in modern times means having to pack chargers, and flash drives, and cables, and whatever else you could possibly think of. Instead of having to go on a scavenger hunt for each of these items in your suitcase as you unpack, just keep them all in this handy spot! Promising review: "I travel a fair amount and am an admitted tech gadget enthusiast and became tired of dragging around a jumbled bag of cables, connectors, adapters, earbuds, thumb drives, card readers, MP3 players, and other necessities that resembled an episode of Hoarders. This little pouch tamed the beast — a place for everything and everything in its place. The other side of the double-sided pouch holds a power pack, a multi-port USB charger, and even a short extension cord. This is a great setup if you're frequently on the road, and you don't have to worry about forgetting that 'critical' connector..." —Snowbound Get it from Amazon for $16.01+ (available in two sizes and four colors). 11. A Hackwith Design House Everything Top designed to be worn more than five different ways. It'll look like you brought numerous trendy tops with you, but all you really need is this one garment. We won't tell your secret if you don't! 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. Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in three colors). 12. A travel belt that'll help free up a hand or some weight on your shoulder by allowing you to clip your personal bag to your suitcase and/or carry-on. Where has this been all my travel life?! Cincha Travel The travel belt is adjustable to 38 inches to fit most bags. The belt itself is vegan leather with elastic accents and a quick-release buckle. Cincha Travel is a small business in California that develops adjustable travel belts made out of vegan leather. The brand donates 100 airline miles for each purchase, which are used to reconnect separated migrant families. Plus, they were featured on Shark Tank, where they made a deal with Barbara! Promising review: "Love this! I am constantly struggling between holding my jacket and two carry-ons. This is the perfect solution! I can’t wait to start using it when I’m back to regular business travel." —Allison Get it from Amazon (available in two colors) or Cincha Travel (available in five colors) for $39.99. 13. A mini Kindle because not having to pack all those physical books is a win, but take everything you love about the Kindle and turn it into an even TINIER travel companion? I'm not saying I can see the hearts in your eyes through the screen, but you do resemble this 😍 emoji right now. 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). 14. An acupressure anti-nausea wristband that claims to ward off motion sickness and nausea, minus the drowsiness side effect found in most nausea medications. Because what you don't need is to show up to the family holiday gathering already nauseous. For more info on how to use acupressure for nausea management, check out this guide from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Promising review: "Simple game changer! My car sickness has been getting worse for years. I often drive with my family back to my hometown, about five hours away. I put these on and was finally able to ride without constantly fighting nausea. They fit comfortably, and I quickly forgot they were on. This feels like a simple, cost-efficient fix." —Breya Porter Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.85 (available in adult and children's sizes and six colors). 15. A TSA-friendly toiletries kit featuring four travel bottles, two little jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers for transferring creams, one funnel to transfer liquids, one cleaning brush, a set of labels, and a clear pouch to store them all. Keeping all of your liquids contained in this kit should help make getting through security a bit smoother. Promising review: "This is essential for flying! I fly pretty often throughout the year, and after having numerous leakage issues with regular plastic travel containers, I decided to go the silicone route and am so glad I did. I love that this set includes different sizes of bottles and tools to help fill/empty them, so reusing them is a breeze, and there is no wasted product. The variety of colors is great, so I can easily tell apart my toiletries, even without the included labels! Love this set and highly recommend it!" —Hennie S. Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in seven color combos). 16. An RFID-blocking wallet designed to hold all of your important travel documents, because every time you're at the airport, you swear you'll have your license, passport, and boarding pass easily ready to show, and every time you're at the airport, you end up fumbling all of those things and holding up the line. 17. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so you can connect your wireless earbuds to the airplane entertainment system. Watching your favorite shows/movies with clear sound is a heck of a lot better than the static that comes with the junk headphones the airline tries to sell you. It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. BuzzFeed editor Chelsea Stuart used it on a European trip — check out her Twelve South AirFly Pro review. Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009. Promising review: "I loved being able to move around in my seat, eat, and stretch and not get bothered by a cord from my Bluetooth headphones to the video screen on the airplane. It's a game changer for sure. The battery lasted from Accra, Ghana, all the way to Texas in the US — 18+ hours in the air! Buying a second one for my son for our next flight!" —Stephanie Schmidt Get it from Amazon for $34.97+ (available in four styles and colors). 18. A stroller that *actually* folds up small enough to fit as a carry-on in the plane's overhead compartments. Let's be real: You and your kiddo who has been screaming their head off since takeoff do NOT wanna wait to retrieve a checked stroller, and now you won't have to. It folds up so small that it was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and only weighs 9.5 pounds. Promising review: "We used this for our 11-month-old across western Europe and it was incredible! It folds up small enough for the overhead bin on the airplane. Handled the cobblestones great. Our son was able to nap in it. Overall, highly recommend! You do need two hands to fold/unfold it, so maybe not best for traveling solo with a baby, but it was a great stroller for what we needed at a better price than some of those luxury travel strollers." —Daniel Yako Get it from Amazon for $188.97+ (available in two colors and three styles). 19. A freezable snack box because airplane travel when you're a picky eater or have allergies can be quite stressful. This lovely pouch makes it easy to bring your favorite snacks along for the ride. Reminder: You CAN bring food through airport security! Reviewers also say it helps to keep breast milk cold/frozen, which is super helpful for short flights. Promising review: "This will carry four frozen breastmilk bags and keep them frozen six to eight hours, which is perfect for domestic airport travel or small outings. I like to bring a few extra bags with me on trips for a night out or if it will be hard to nurse somewhere. Awesome product and less bulky than other cooler bags." —Joshua Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in a variety of sizes, 21 colors and prints, nd various multipacks). 20. A pair of Bose QuietComfort headphones whose noise-canceling capabilities are so impressive, you won't even flinch at the sight of crying babies at the airport gate before boarding. Not to mention, these make listening to your favorite songs, podcasts, audiobooks, shows, and pre-family time meditations SO crisp and clear, you might just forget you're sitting in the middle seat of a 12-hour flight and not at the center of a Taylor Swift music video. These headphones had been on my wish list for AGES, and Bose was kind enough to send them to me recently, and they're even better than I imagined they'd be. I have tried MANY earbuds/headphones over the years — classic AirPods, Tozo headphones, Beats headphones, etc. The fit is just perfect — snug enough that they don't feel too big, without being too tight. They're SO COMFY! The sound quality on these is chef's kiss!!! When I tell you that there are lyrics in songs I've known for years that I'm realizing I was singing wrong because I hear them more clearly with these headphones, I'm not kidding (I'm too lazy to look up lyrics sometimes, sorry). And the noise cancellation? Let me just say, as a girl with sensory issues, these truly block out every sound. I am veryyyy noise sensitive, and even the sound of someone breathing near me when I'm feeling irritable and need to concentrate on something is enough to make me lose my focus. These headphones truly keep me ~in my zone~ and I am very grateful for that. 🙌 Promising review: "I used to be an AirPods guy, but after getting my hands (and ears) on these Bose QuietComfort wireless noise-cancelling headphones, there’s no going back. I travel a lot for work, and these things are an absolute game changer. The noise cancellation is next-level, making flights and noisy cafes feel like peaceful retreats. They’re super sleek, incredibly comfortable, and the sound quality is unreal. Plus, I feel cool wearing them — at least in my mind, I do. If you’re still rocking in-ear headphones, do yourself a favor and upgrade to these. Highly recommend!" —Grumpy Veteran Get them from Amazon for $359 (available in 10 colors). 21. A compact pill organizer complete with six compartments for keeping your medications separate and preventing you from having to pack multiple pill containers. 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 $5.97+ (available in four color combos). 22. A set of packing cubes that'll not only make packing feel less overwhelming (because all your stuff will have a place!!!) but will also make unpacking a breeze because you'll actually know where your stuff is! Think about how nice it's gonna be to open your suitcase and see some order rather than an overflowing mess! The set includes three different size packing cubes, one bra and underwear bag, one shoe bag, and one bag for your toiletries. Promising review: "I travel for work frequently and, over the years, have become a packing genius, but these have upped my game. I can easily use the large cube to pack an entire week of clothes and put it in my carry-on with room to spare. I’ll use one of the smaller ones for my intimates, and I’m good to go! I have recommended these to lots of people and even bought some as gifts for fellow travelers. Get these if you’re on the go! You won’t regret it." —abel Get the six-piece set from Amazon for $12.34+ (available in four colors and packs of eight and nine). 23. A universal travel adapter you're gonna be grateful for if your travels involve hopping to various countries that all use different outlets. Now you won't need to buy and pack different adapters for each country you plan on visiting over the holidays. Phew! The charger can be used in Mexico, Canada, the UK, the UAE, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and countries in Europe, Asia, and South America. Promising review: "LOVE this adapter! I travel from time to time internationally and have always used just the 'standard' adapters found in airports. Could not pass up the opportunity to purchase this one after reading the reviews. Exceeded my expectations of what it was capable of. I used it on a recent trip to Germany, and it handled everything needed — laptop, cellphone (USB ports are so very welcome), alarm clock, dryer, etc. Did not miss a beat on the power provided. And it is also attractive looking ;-) Thank you for making such a great, dependable product!" —Monkey Get it from Amazon for $17.99. 24. A carry-on case designed to comfortably fit under your seat. Sure, you might be lucky enough to have plenty of room in the overhead bin, but there's just something really humbling about having to fight your way out of your row and into the aisle just for everyone behind you to watch you have a wrestling match with your carry-on. We're leaving those days behind thanks to this genius invention. Promising review: "This works out so well for me. I’m a flight attendant, and I’ve had an infinite number of day trips over the summer. I got tired of carrying around my regular TravelPro spinner, so I finally ordered this. SOOOOO MUCH BETTER FOR ME. It’s light, has enough pockets, and can easily fit under a seat if needed. The ONLY picky thing I can think of is how loud it sounds going across rough concrete. The wheels aren’t as silent as others, but that won’t stop me from buying another in the future." —Kayla T. Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four colors). 25. A 2-in-1 hot tool if you often find yourself having to choose between a flat iron and a curling iron when packing, and ultimately end up regretting whichever one you bring after a few days into the trip. Now you can bring BOTH without having to make room for two tools. Genius! It's also dual-voltage, so all you'll need is a plug adapter if you're traveling internationally! Promising review: "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 240V, 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 Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in black or white). 26. A membership to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to help make getting through airport security and returning home from international trips a breeze. If you travel frequently for leisure or work (especially abroad), then you probably don't want to feel like you're spending the majority of your time on these trips standing in lines at the airport! Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed My colleague Elizabeth Lilly travels A LOT. Here's what she has to say about the perks of signing up for this membership: "I put off getting TSA PreCheck and even Global Entry for YEARS despite flying ~10x a year because I'm a person who likes to get to the airport early and has getting through security down to an efficient routine. However, my breaking point was July 2021, when I had to wait soooo long at the airport when coming back to the country from Croatia (I had Mobile Passport at the time, but the machines were broken, so I had to wait in line with everyone else). I went to Italy about a month later after signing up for Global Entry, and coming back to the country was a breeze. I just had to let a machine take my picture, print out a receipt with said picture, and then place it in a nearby TSA agent's open palm. Then, onto baggage claim! I've since used the Global Entry portion six times and the TSA PreCheck about a dozen times since getting it. So I feel as if I've already gotten my money's worth in less than two years." Apply with the Department of Homeland Security for $120. Once you're approved, you have to do an in-person interview, and if approved on the spot, you can have your TSA PreCheck and Global Entry privileges available immediately. 27. Plus a CLEAR membership, which will allow you to skip the whole song and dance of digging through your carry-on to find your license or passport to prove your identity. Thanks to this helpful program, physical features such as your eyes and fingerprints will help get you to your gate in less time. Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping? 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. Samantha Wieder is a freelancer and former editor who has been writing for BuzzFeed Shopping since 2017, with a focus on beauty, travel, and practical products. In addition to writing, she’s in the process of getting her master’s in speech-language pathology and enjoys spending her free time going to concerts, cooking/baking, and watching reality TV. Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
