21 Genius Amazon Products For Pro Travelers
Traveling is rarely a smooth and seamless process, though you're likely aware of that. Regardless of how well-prepared you are for your journey, it's uncommon not to encounter a bump (whether literal or figurative) along the way. Whether it's TSA confiscating your oversize shampoo bottle or struggling to zip your filled-to-the-brim carry-on luggage, we've all felt the frustrations of traveling by plane, train, bus, or even your own car. So, to make your next trip more efficient and less stressful, we turned to Amazon to find some travel items that can help solve your expedition woes and land on your doorstep in a pinch.
Before diving into the list of recommended travel items, it's worth heeding the advice of Lydia Mansel, a travel writer and the founder of justpacked.com. She suggests investing in products that specifically address the challenges you face. For instance, if you typically travel with only a few outfits, there may be no need for multiple sets of packing cubes or an expandable suitcase, as Mansel points out. Being a frequent flyer herself, traveling anywhere from three to six times a month, she focuses on items that enhance the efficiency and comfort of her airport experience without burdening her. Two items that have proven invaluable for her are a luggage scale and an Apple AirTag, as they address her biggest concerns of overpacking and losing her luggage.
So whether you're embarking on a tropical vacation or planning a European getaway, we rounded up 20 ingenious travel finds from Amazon. Our curation includes a specialized shoe bag to safeguard your footwear within your luggage, foldable and travel-friendly slippers, and even a collapsible travel cup that conveniently slips into your bag once you finish your beverage. No matter the nature of your upcoming adventure, there's certainly an item among our options that'll enhance your journey. Keep reading to shop the best travel products from Amazon, including options our editors and Mansel adore.
Best Ice Roller
Huefull Ice Roller ($6, originally $10)
Depuff and unwind with this travel-friendly ice roller. You can store it in your hotel's minifridge so it stays cool to help you soothe your skin and relieve fatigue from a busy travel schedule. Use this to massage your jaw or forehead to ease muscle tension, on your eyes and temples to revive dull eyes, or even help reduce inflamation on a breakout.
Best Compression Socks
Laite Hebe Compression Socks ($19-$20)
Compression socks have been shown to enhance blood circulation in the legs and thighs, making them an excellent choice for situations involving extended periods of sitting, such as long flights or drives, which can impede blood flow. This specific set comes with eight (!) pairs of comfortable and machine-washable socks, so you'll be stocked for all your upcoming travels.
Best Cord Ties
Reusable Rubber Twist Ties ($5)
These practical rubber twist ties prevent cords from becoming an unruly mess (as they often do) during travel. They come in vibrant neon colors, so you can easily spot them in your bag.
Best Clip-On Book Light
Energizer LED Book Light ($6, originally $10)
Read your favorite book on the plane with this clip-on book light. It has a flexible neck, so you can adjust it how you want, and it runs for 25 hours (!) on just one charge, making it great for long trips.
Best Travel-Size Toiletry Kit
Convenience Kits International Women's Herbal Essence Kit ($7, originally $10)
Mansel recommends sticking to toiletries under four ounces so you don't have to worry about getting them through security. This popular set on Amazon comes with all the essentials, including a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, a comb, body lotion, floss, and even a clear travel bag for convenience.
Best Audio Splitter
Belkin Rockstar 5-Jack Multi-Headphone Audio Splitter ($11)
This audio splitter can connect up to five sets of headphones to a single device, so you and your family or friends can enjoy the same audio simultaneously. Shoppers love it; one person who gave it a five-star rating wrote: "I bought a couple of months ago to use so my family and I could watch movies while we were travelling and all have audio in our own headphones. It worked great and is simple to use. Great value for your money."
Best Luggage Scale
Etekcity Luggage Scale ($12)
"My luggage scale is probably my favorite travel purchase to date," Mansel says. "I packed a smaller suitcase on a recent trip to London, but I was still concerned the contents of the bag had pushed it over the weight limit. The morning before my flight, I quickly weighed the suitcase and felt a sense of relief when I saw the numbers flash '42.' Anything over 50 pounds could have resulted in the completely avoidable overweight luggage fee."
Best Travel Bottle Set
Silicone Travel Bottles Set ($12, originally $15)
We all know full-size bottles on a plane quite literally don't fly, so instead of buying travel-size bottles that get thrown away, it's good to consider this silicone bottle set. It comes with bottles, spray bottles, jars, spoons, and more that are all TSA-approved. Simply fill them up and pack them away for your next trip to make your life easier.
Best Travel Jewelry Box
Smileshe Jewelry Box ($13)
This jewelry box features compartments for all types of jewelry. Open it up to reveal necklace hooks, an elastic pocket, an ear-stud panel, ring slots, and more. The box is secured with a button closure to ensure none of your pieces escape.
Best Passport Holder
Zoppen Mulitpurpose Rfid Blocking Passport Holder and Wallet ($14, originally $15)
No more rummaging through your bag to find your travel documents; this dual passport holder and wallet streamlines the process with room for credit cards, IDs, passports, boarding passes, phones, cash — you name it.
Best Foldable and Washable Slippers
Portable Travel Slippers ($16)
These portable slippers are a great travel accessory for plane rides and hotel rooms. They have a hard, waterproof sole that can handle outdoor wear, and they come with a storage bag that makes them easy to take with you anywhere.
Best Collapsible Travel Cup
Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup With Straw ($20)
Designed for convenience, this compact cup collapses to a mere two inches, allowing you to effortlessly stow it in your bag when you're not using it. It makes it so you don't have to carry a massive refillable bottle on the go or purchase plastic water bottles on repeat. Plus, it's editor-approved; read our review of the Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup With Straw for more.
Editor Quote: "Whenever I'm airport bound, I'll fill it up with water to drink on the car ride over, have it emptied before going through security, then immediately fill it back up afterward to ensure I'm staying hydrated on even my longest travel days." — Kyley Warren, assistant editor, Commerce
Best Universal Adapter
Universal Travel Adapter ($20, originally $25)
This versatile adapter is designed to work seamlessly in more than 150 countries and boasts a compact size, making it highly portable. What sets it apart is its ability to accommodate multiple devices simultaneously, thanks to its five USB ports and one convertible and universal AC outlet.
Best Shoe Bags For Travel
Shoe Bags For Travel ($22)
Keep your dirty shoes away from the rest of your belongings with this set of three travel bags. They're all mesh, waterproof, and sturdy enough to hold sneakers, heels, boots, and more. Their translucent design makes it easy to find the shoe you're looking for, and they can easily be unzipped for quick access.
Best Toiletry Bag
Bagsmart Toiletry Bag ($23-$28)
Instead of having several overflowing cosmetic bags, this one will help keep everything organized and in one place. It has a section for makeup brushes, toiletries, skin-care products, and more. It even has an easy-access front pocket to hold miscellaneous items like hand sanitizer or hair ties.
Best Tracking Device
Apple AirTag ($24, originally $29)
Ensure the safety of your valuable belongings with the Apple AirTag. Whether you place it discreetly inside your checked baggage to prevent loss during international travel or attach it to your frequently misplaced keys, this handy device helps you keep track of your most important possessions. Learn more about it via our Apple AirTag review.
Editor Quote: "Using the Find My app that's installed on all iPhones, I was able to track our bags from check-in until takeoff, and again when we landed back in the states. I saw them all together in the European airport, and I was even able to track, based on an airport map, that they moved with us when we had to change planes due to an electrical issue." — India Yaffe, former associate editor, Commerce
Best Travel Backpack
Bagsmart Laptop Backpack ($26)
"If you're someone who travels for work, you should also think about purchasing a do-it-all personal-item bag, one that can carry your essentials along with your laptop and changers," Mansel says. She loves the Lo & Sons Rowledge Backpack ($326, originally $465) and the Cuyana Small Easy Zipper Tote ($228), though this one's highly rated on Amazon, with a spacious interior and a stylish stitched exterior.
Best Duffel Bag
Travel Duffel Bag ($29)
This duffel bag is airplane-friendly, featuring plenty of pockets to hold all your belongings and a sleeve on its back to secure it to your suitcase for hassle-free transportation. It's available in a range of colors, so you can select your favorite and add a touch of personal style to your travels.
Best Battery Pack
Portable Charger Power Bank ($30, originally $50)
Don't let the inconvenience of a dead phone ruin your travel experience. A power bank is an essential must-have item that can give all your gadgets juice, including phones, tablets, watches, earphones, and any other USB-capable device.
Best Portable Steamer
Conair Hand-Held Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer ($61)
This steamer is a great alternative if you're unsure whether your hotel or Airbnb will have an iron. You don't need an ironing board to use it, and according to one of our editors who loves it, the entire de-wrinkling process should take less than 10 minutes. Read our Conair Hand-Held Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer review for more.
Editor Quote: "I appreciate the fact that this steamer is so much easier to use than a traditional ironing board, yet it manages to deliver just as excellent results — and also cuts the time that it would normally take me to manually iron a shirt or sheet in half." — Kyley Warren, assistant editor, Commerce
Best Comfy Earphones
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones ($530)
These headphones feature memory-foam ear cushions that are comfortable for hours of wear and help cancel out unwanted sounds. Not only are they functionally superior, but they also boast an aesthetically pleasing design, making them a favorite among fashion influencers. However, their appeal goes beyond style, as attested by one of our editors who invested in a pair and has no regrets. Read her in-depth review of the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones for more.
Editor Quote: "The sound on the AirPods Max is extremely clear — I've never had any issues with music sounding far away or 'tinny.' I can hear every single word of Death Cab For Cutie's 'Title and Registration' as if Ben Gibbard himself were singing into my ears." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer