17 Great Travel Essentials That Make Even Better Gifts

Vibrantly patterned pouches are one way to stay easily organized while traveling, and this three-piece set from Baggu is equal parts functional and attractive. The pouches are versatile and perfect for storing everything from swimwear and light cover-ups to tech accessories and beauty products. Oh, and they’re machine-washable, too. Choose from a variety of fun colors and prints.

Regardless of where your travels are taking you, a durable yet versatile bag can go a long way. For managing editor Ginger Cowles, that comes in the form of this MZ Wallace duffel. “This is the perfect personal item because of its many accessible pockets and compartments. It can hold my necessities, including my laptop, iPad, water bottle, over-the-ear noise-canceling Bose headphones, snacks, books, and wipes. Just everything. I don’t travel without this bag!”

Here’s an idea for the one whose love of adventure takes them to destinations off the grid. Constructed from water- and abrasion-resistant recycled polyester, this duffel is light, packable, and comfortable. It converts into a backpack with adjustable, padded backpack straps that make the bag comfortable and easier to carry, especially over long distances.

For more options: Best Weekender and Duffel Bags

This collapsible tote may be earmarked for the beach, but it can easily go beyond it. No more trying to decide between your beach bag and carry-on luggage—you can take both. It’s spacious and holds up to 40 pounds and is made of soft EVA, which means cleaning it can be a cinch. We love that it comes in a wide array of fun and vibrant colorways, which means you can personalize it perfectly to your giftee’s taste. And yes, this is made by the very same brand that makes one of our favorite water bottles.

For more options: Our Favorite Beach Bags

A spacious yet compact toiletry bag is a must for many travelers, and this is one of our favorites. Made from recycled ripstop polyester—a fabric composed of thick, interwoven reinforcement threads that help prevent tearing—this Calpak hanging toiletry bag is soft to the touch and has a laminate coating and water-resistant interior. Its surprising capacity is due to the fact that it has many internal and external pockets, and several elastic bands inside to hold your toothbrush and makeup brushes. The bag also comes with a hook that lets you hang it on doorknobs to save counter space.

Our evaluators found that these Veken Packing Cubes provide a great bang for your buck. This set has the largest capacity among the cubes we tried, and you get eight different ones to stay organized: four main cubes (small, medium, large, and extra-large), a laundry bag, a shoe bag, a toiletries bag, and an accessories bag. The laundry bag in particular is on the larger side, which can be a real asset when you’re on a longer trip.

These Baggallini compression cubes are essential for Anne McAlpin, a travel pro and author of “Pack It Up: The Essential Guide to Smart Travel.”. She considers the long cube option a favorite because of its clever design. It fits comfortably on the bottom of luggage in that awkward space between the handles. “Simply pack items, close the main zipper, and ‘compress’ down with the second zipper along the outside edge,” she says. “Voilà! Extra space!”

Clear panels on top make it a cinch to see what’s packed inside, while the ventilated mesh helps air circulate throughout the pack. The best part? These cubes can serve another purpose. “They are the solution to my sock drawer chaos,” McAlpin says.

Although we didn’t evaluate this specific bundle, check out our favorite packing cubes.

With a built-in anti-theft security system, this compact sling bag can be a saving grace for those traveling with valuables. “This bag has a slash-resistant mesh barrier in front, sides, and bottom body panels, plus a slash-resistant strap. And the RFID-blocking organizer on the front locking zippered pocket is perfectly sized for a phone,” says McAlpin. Blocking RFID, or radio frequency identification, prevents skimming theft, which can occur when illegally installed devices capture personal data like PINs for ATMs.

A travel wallet that has plenty of room for cash and cards is another staple for McAlpin, who recommends this version from Pacsafe. Made from tech material that blocks RFID, this wallet is curved for a more comfortable fit in your front pocket, and it even has a small zip pocket for coins. If you’re looking for something a bit more discreet, check out our slim wallet rankings.

When it comes to traveling with a wallet, McAlpin recommends keeping it in a front pocket because the back pocket is more easily accessible to pickpockets.

Give the gift of peace of mind. This chirping alarm, easy to use and available in 10 colors, was our favorite travel product for safety. Remove the top of the device from the main body to trigger a piercing chirping sound and a flashing light. To stop the sound and light, put the top back on. The two replaceable CR2032 batteries last about 40 minutes, according to the company’s FAQ page. 

For anyone who has trouble falling asleep away from home, these headphones can offer a bit of solace. Embedded in a comfortable, lightweight headband, the Perytong headphones can play soothing sounds for up to 14 hours on a single charge. They don’t completely block out noise, but that can be a plus for those who wish to remain aware of their surroundings—like hearing the beverage cart roll down the aisle of a flight.

For more options: Best Sleep Headphones

Staying on top of your vitamin and supplement routine while on the go is made easier with this travel-friendly pill organizer. Discrete, minimalist, and easy to fill, this modular pill organizer features a sliding lid that opens smoothly when you grip both sides. There are no dividers or separate compartments for morning and evening pills, which might be a deal breaker for some. But for those looking for a no-frills option, this colorful and budget-friendly version is worth getting.

For more options: Best Pill Organizers

Staying hydrated while traveling is always a good idea. This Yeti water bottle is comfortable and easy to hold and carry, thanks to its textured underside. The bottle requires only one hand to open, and our evaluator was confident enough in its leakproof properties to slip it into a bag alongside her wallet and phone without worrying they would get wet. It was our top-rated bottle in our lab tests, too. We found that it still had ice after 24 hours and that it was one of the least-damaged bottles when we dropped it down a flight of concrete stairs.

For more options: Best Water Bottles

With a travel bag in tow, this Chi handheld garment steamer is a voyager’s best accessory. Roughly the size of a flat iron, it offers 8 minutes of steaming. It has a manual button on the handle and was the fastest steamer to heat up in our lab test, ready to go in just 40 seconds. The compact device is compatible with tap water, which eliminates the stress of having to track down distilled water when on the go.

After a long flight, this Nektek massager, made famous on TikTok, should come in handy. In our evaluations, one reviewer found that the nodes pressed uncomfortably into their neck, but two others who tried it loved it, so you might find the massager is just right. When it comes to heat, this massager really shines. You can use it on various body parts, and it even comes with a car adapter, making it a boon for road trips.