10 Genius Travel Products You'll Wish You Had 10 Trips Ago—From $7

Travel + Leisure

a day ago

Many pieces need to fall into place to make a travel day run smoothly, but while so many factors are out of your control, there's one thing you can take into your own hands: your packing list. Having the right gear can make the stresses of the day fade away, and while seasoned travelers may already have a collection they swear by, there are a few key items you may be missing that you'll wish you'd been packing all along.
In preparation for the rest of the summer trips and adventures you have planned, we've rounded up the 10 travel essentials your repertoire could be lacking, with everything coming in under $35 and many of them being tested and vetted by this travel writer. From items to keep you comfy to packing hacks that will maximize your storage space, these travel must-haves will change your trips for good, with prices starting at just $7.
After an hours-long train ride in a car with no air-conditioning, I was delighted that I'd remembered to pack my Jisulife Handheld Portable Fan—and was even asked by another passenger how much I would sell it to them for. If you're not already traveling with a portable fan, this handheld beauty will be a lightweight and long-lasting addition to your personal item; it's not only a game-changer for travel days but also for summer sightseeing excursions, hikes, long attraction queues, and more. It's programmed with five speeds that are whisper-quiet and impressively effective, and it can even provide up to 16 hours of cooling on a single charge. Best of all? It's now on sale for under $20.
You may have already hopped aboard the packing cube train, but if you haven't tested out compression cubes yet, get ready to free up an unfathomable amount of space in your luggage. This set of six bags from Bagail comes with five cubes of varying sizes, as well as a designated shoe pouch to keep everything neatly tucked away. Mesh exteriors make it easy to determine exactly what's packed inside, so you don't need to unpack entirely to find your outfit for the day, plus they're fitted with durable handles at the top for smooth removal from your luggage. Now on sale for under $4 per bag, your packing experience will never be the same.
Portable chargers have long been a travel must-have, but if you're aiming to do away with the tangle of cords in your carry-on during your next trip, a power bank with built-in cables should be the next addition to your shopping list. Seeing as more than 10,000 people picked up the Sabani Portable Charger in the last month alone, you'll be in good company after snagging this power bank while it's on sale for 32 percent off for a limited time. It's loaded with unbeatable features like the capacity to charge up to six devices at once, a compact design, and a three-times-faster charge than other devices, according to the brand. During long travel days, sightseeing excursions, and even everyday life, this charger is a must-have.
Airplane seatback pockets are one of the least sanitary places on a plane, but skipping them also means leaving yourself with limited storage space—until now. If you aren't already traveling with a hanging organizer, consider this your sign to pick one up before your next trip so you can store your devices, beverages, and snacks in a sanitary, neat compartment. The compact hanging pouch simply attaches to the knob of the seatback tray table, and it's made with a slip-resistant design to stay firmly in place throughout the flight. It's machine-washable to keep everything clean and ready for your next vacation, and it's great for kids and adults alike.
Staying organized really is the best way to keep your travels as stress-free as possible, and once you pick up a designated pouch to store your charging cables, you'll find your personal item to be much easier to navigate. The Fyy Travel Cable Organizer is made with a water-resistant exterior affixed with a handy carrying strap, while the interior is fitted with several mesh pockets perfectly suited for storing charging cords, portable chargers, headphones, and more. The slim design will hardly take up any space in your bag, plus it'll make everything far more accessible in-flight. A best-seller at Amazon, this $10 pouch is one thing you'll wish you'd been traveling with for years.
It's time to do away with airline-issued headphones once and for all—instead, pick up the Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Transmitter before your next flight so you can enjoy in-flight entertainment through the comfort of your own headphones, without cables attached. The compact device plugs into the headphone jack beneath your seatback screen and connects to your Bluetooth headphones with up to 20 hours of charge on a single use. It can connect to up to two devices at once, so you can enjoy a movie with your seatmate, plus it'll do away with excess cords for a tidier travel experience.
Whatever you choose to pack as your personal item should be spacious yet compact and easy to keep organized. For this, a backpack is your best bet since it'll keep your hands free while walking through the airport, and this clam-shell Taygeer bag that opens like a suitcase is the roomiest pick. While it's small enough to slide under the seats of most commercial airlines, this bag will provide so much space to store extra clothes and travel essentials, plus it comes with a built-in wet bag and shoe pouch. If you're tired of lugging around a heavy weekender on shorter trips, this backpack is a genius alternative, and right now it's on sale for an impressive 40 percent off.
Apple AirTags are one of the most valuable pieces of technology to add to your travel packing list to keep track of checked luggage, but now the Bluetooth tracker can serve another purpose: locating your passport. The Pascacoo AirTag Passport Holder is not only a secure and easy-to-locate place to store your essential travel documents—it also comes with a built-in pocket for your AirTag so you'll always know exactly where it is at all times. The exterior is fitted with RFID-blocking technology to keep your cards and personal information safe from hackers, and it doubles as a wallet with a large pocket for cash and smaller slots for cards. With six colors to choose from, this luxe faux leather passport holder may just become your new favorite travel accessory.
When traveling with a personal item and a carry-on, you may find yourself wishing you had the option to eliminate the weight from your shoulder and stack your bags instead. Fortunately, this handy bag bungee does just that—and it's flight attendant-approved. Affixing your smaller bag to the handle of your roller suitcase, this luggage strap will make it easier to navigate through the airport and to your lodgings with your items stacked neatly without risk of the top bag falling off. It's super stretchy to suit luggage of all sizes and ultra-durable, so you don't have to stress about it breaking, either.
Tangled necklaces and lost earrings are now a thing of the past because the one item you've been missing in your travel gear collection is a handy jewelry box designed to keep your favorite accessories in place and intact. Currently on sale for 44 percent off, this cleverly designed jewelry organizer is complete with necklace hooks, ring cushions, suede-lined compartments, and even a place to store dainty stud earrings. It zippers shut to keep everything securely tucked away during transit, and it'll take up minimal space in your suitcase thanks to its compact size. Once it's in your collection, you'll wish you'd been traveling with it for years.
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