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The 12 Best Travel-sized Skincare Sets

We love Fenty Skin’s The Glow Around 4-piece Travel Skincare Essentials Set.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T + L

35 Thousand

Despite all the (obvious) positives, traveling can wreak havoc on your skin. Among the culprits: new climates, indulgent food and drinks , fatigue, drying plane cabin air, and more. For this reason, you’ll want to pack a skincare regimen that counteracts these stressors as well as targets your unique everyday needs regardless of the location.

To help you choose the best travel kit for your next adventure , we researched and rounded up selections that address a variety of circumstances and skin concerns, and fall under the TSA 3-1-1 guidelines . Our overall favorite, Fenty Skin’s The Glow Around 4-piece Travel Skincare Essentials Set, stands out for its consolidated product lineup with multifunctional items, a reasonable price point, and the versatility to be used on nearly any type of skin. But, if you want to target specific concerns or environmental stressors, read on. We’ve culled the best items for a multitude of scenarios.

These are the best travel skincare sets to shop:

Best Overall

Fenty skin the glow around 4-piece travel skincare essentials set.

Multiple products in this vegan kit do double duty, and SPF is included.

If you prefer an even more minimalistic travel skin routine, shop the brand’s three-piece set instead.

We’ve long been traveling with Fenty Beauty products in tow, and this skincare assembly — featuring standouts from Rihanna’s Fenty Skin line — is our number one pick. The vegan set, suited for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types, includes four miniature skincare products: an antioxidant-packed cleanser, a toner-serum hybrid, a moisturizer with sun protection, and an AHA exfoliator with a reusable applicator. It has just a little more than the bare necessities to help combat travel-induced skin stress, but it’s not excessive either; it’ll all easily fit inside a clear quart-sized bag, and won’t break the bank.

We especially love that multiple products in the kit do double duty. The 1.5-ounce Total Cleans’r face wash easily wipes away dirt, oil, and makeup, eliminating the need to pack a separate makeup-removing product. The lightweight 1-ounce Hydra Vizor moisturizer contains SPF 30 and also works well as a primer. Furthermore, the moisturizer’s pump-style container is extra sanitary for travel (so you’re not transferring any germs from your fingers into a product tub). For those who prefer a more minimal routine, the brand also offers a three-piece version of the travel kit (sans exfoliator), which comes with a trial-sized body cream.

Best Overall, Runner-up

35thousand all the radiance set.

Four full-sized products (1.7 ounces each) including an SPF 30 serum and bamboo washcloth come in a clear zip case.

It’s on the more expensive side for the size.

If you’ve never heard of 35thousand, it’s a skincare line that was made for travel — literally. All of the brand’s products are travel-friendly in terms of size, containers, and the skin concerns they address. The set is more of a splurge, but that’s because each product in this vegan kit was carefully designed to function in place of multiple other products. For example, the makeup-removing cleansing balm can double as a hydration mask when left on skin for 10-20 minutes. Or, try the refreshing and toning mist in place of water (along with the cleanser) if you don’t have access to a sink.

We love that the day serum includes SPF 30 and a subtle tint hint for added glow while on the move, and the hyaluronic acid-rich cream delivers much needed hydration. The best part? The items come housed in a clear zip case (with room for a few more products) and there’s a mini bamboo washcloth which comes in a smaller zip case to keep it separate from the rest of your stash.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Ren clean skincare evercalm skin zen trio.

Natural ingredients like plant oils can help soothe delicate skin.

You may want to consult your dermatologist first if your skin is highly sensitive.

If your skin tends to be fickle, you may want to follow a less-is-more approach to your routine. Enter this three-piece system, which includes only the essentials. The ultra-gentle cleansing milk is the perfect wash for delicate skin, and the kit follows that with a calming cream for daytime and a recovery balm with an intensely nourishing barrier for bedtime. Even if you don’t generally have sensitive skin, travel conditions (such as plane cabins, new climates, and bedsheet fabrics you’re not used to) can cause your skin to flare up on vacation, and these soothing products featuring sea buckthorn berry, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils can be a welcome relief.

Best for Combination Skin

Caudalie vinoperfect brightening solution set.

The oil-free gel moisturizer is great for warmer climates.

If you prefer a more matte finish, you might not love the pearlescent moisturizer.

Designed to target uneven skin texture, this three-piece set includes a gentle glycolic essence (which the brand recommends applying with a cotton round after cleansing), a dark spot serum (to be used on face, neck, and décolleté), and a brightening moisturizer (to be slathered on morning and night, after serum application). The oil-free moisturizer has a lightweight gel texture, which makes it a great companion for trips to warmer climates. It also has pearlescent minerals which deliver an immediate visible glow to skin.

Best for Oily Skin

Priori the clear skin now kit.

This no-fuss routine is aimed at clearing and soothing blemish-prone skin.

To avoid possible irritation, start slow with the gel perfector only. 

If your skin tends to break out under stress, you’ll need targeted products to combat the effects of a change in daily routine. This small-but-mighty set includes a two-week supply of skincare essentials designed to offer blemish control and clear oily skin. The first step is a calming lactic acid cleanser, which is still tough enough to remove eye makeup. Next comes a salicylic acid gel perfector aimed at balancing oily skin that can lead to breakouts, and that doubles as a mattifying primer. (The brand recommends starting usage at a few times a week to see how your skin reacts and before bumping up to daily application.) Finally, there’s an oil-free, silky-smooth replenishing moisturizer, which can also be used post sunburn to soothe skin.

Best for Dry Skin

Biossance miracle moisture set.

Four squalene-packed products work in tandem to help target parched skin.

The set does not include a cleanser or a product with SPF.

Plane cabins are practically synonymous with dry skin. That’s because an aircraft’s filtration system — which takes in outside air and circulates it in the cabin — causes humidity to drop well below what is comfortable for most people. Each of the four steps in this routine (a soothing eye cream, a plumping serum, a rich moisturizer, and a finishing Vitamin C oil) contain squalane , an ingredient said to have powerful hydrating properties. Not only is the kit a good fit for anyone with naturally drier skin or who may be experiencing abnormal dryness due to time of year or destination climates, but it can be great to boost lost moisture due to the flight alone. We love that this set includes a really creamy eye product, since delicate eye-area skin might need a little extra love after an aptly monikered red-eye flight .

Best for Normal Skin

Olehenriksen find your glow brightening skincare set.

Packed with vitamin C, these products can help brighten dull, travel-stressed skin.

This set does not include SPF, and you’ll want to layer some of top of any areas where PHAs were applied. 

If your skin isn’t fussy, you can focus your routine on products that target long-term skin concerns. Olehenriksen’s four-piece set is anchored by the hero ingredient Vitamin C , which can treat photoaging and hyperpigmentation. An orange fruit water-based daily cleanser, a Vitamin C serum, a nourishing gel cream, and a color-correcting eye cream are designed to help improve luminosity, which can certainly suffer when we put our skin through the stress of traveling. The weightless-feeling gel is cool to the touch, making this set ideal for warmer-weather locations — but don’t forget to pack SPF for vital sun protection, which is not included in this kit.

Best for Lips

Fresh sugar collection lip care set.

These tiny lip balms deliver moisture and a variety of subtle colors.

Depending on the length of your trip, you may not need five different options.

We’ve talked a lot about skin dryness due to travel, but don’t neglect your parched pout. Fresh’s cult-favorite Sugar lip products are famous for delivering moisture along with subtle, buildable color. They’ll do double duty on your next trip by replenishing chapped lips and potentially replacing any lipsticks you might have considered packing. 

This five-piece set includes mini versions of the brand’s best-selling colorless Advanced Therapy lip treatment (a must-have to combat drying plane cabin air), refreshing and softening Mint Rush, and three buildable tinted balms. The color balms — in rosé (a rosy pink), honey (a warm terracotta), and petal (a nude blush) — deliver a subtle tint with one swipe and a deeper shade when layered. If you don’t feel like carrying five lip products, the brand also makes a three-piece set .

Best for Eyes

Charlotte tilbury recovery skin set.

A cult-favorite cream is coupled with two soothing, hydrating serums.

This set is best suited for normal and dry skin types and does not include any cleansing products or SPF.

Jet lag, lack of sleep on red-eye flights, and more can all add up to dryness and redness around the eye area while jet setting. Charlotte Tilbury’s Recovery Skin Set is designed to restore hydration and plumpness with its trio of soothing products. Included is a half-ounce container of the celebrity-loved brand ’s cult-favorite hyaluronic acid-based Magic Cream, a mini serving of a lightweight Vitamin C serum, and a depuffing eye serum containing caffeine. We especially love the eye serum because it has a metal applicator tip which delivers a cooling sensation to your eye area when applied.

Best for In-flight Use

Shielded beauty self defense system set.

We keep these moisturizing minis close while in the air to replenish skin mid-flight.

You’ll need to pack other skincare items for a full routine as this set only has a hydrating mist, facial moisturizer, and hand and body lotion.

Plane cabins are notoriously harsh on skin and just a couple of hours in the air can leave your epidermis feeling parched. Whenever we fly, we love to keep a teeny bottle of hydrating mist — such as the soothing and energizing spritz in this three-piece kit — handy for a little mid-flight refresh. You can even apply it over makeup. Equally essential: the hand and body lotion which can aid any exposed body skin pre-, mid-, and post-flight and the nourishing facial moisturizer. Designed to protect skin against environmental elements, this set is also ideal for packing for new climates that your skin isn’t accustomed to.

Best for Warmer Climates

Image skincare ready, set, discover set.

A minimalistic skincare routine means more time for soaking in your trip .

If you prefer a more radiant finish on your beauty products, the mattifying moisturizer might not be your favorite.

When outdoor activities are on the itinerary, sun protection should be at the top of your packing list (yes, even in colder locations). With ingredients designed to hydrate and brighten — plus SPF — Image Skincare’s three-item set is a great low-fuss find for beach or warm-weather vacations. It starts with a mild cleanser, which is followed by a hydrating and brightening hyaluronic acid- and Vitamin C-packed serum. The last step, a mattifying moisturizer, offers SPF 30 sun protection. A bonus: The products come in a reusable TSA-friendly clear zip case that gives you one less thing to think about while packing for your next adventure.

Best for Colder Climates

Glossier the skincare edit.

The kit comes with two of Glossier’s cult-favorite lip balm minis.

None of the included products have any SPF. 

Cold, dry air can quickly lead to skin dryness and redness as well as chapped lips. If you’re traveling to a climate that’s chillier than you’re used to, Glossier’s Skincare Edit set could be a great companion. It includes mini versions of the brand’s makeup-removing Milky Jelly Cleanser, the hydrating Super Bounce Serum (which they recommend pressing 3-4 drops gently into skin after cleansing), a shea- and murumuru-butter-rich moisturizer (which doubles as a primer), and Futuredew (an oil-serum hybrid that should be applied as the last step in your skincare routine, after sunscreen). We love that this kit also gives you two Balm Dotcom lip balms (one non-tinted and one barely-there pink), which will certainly come in handy if your lips dry out when temperatures drop. A bonus: it includes a nylon-spandex headband that's ideal for washing your face, and everything comes in a molded, recyclable paper case.

Tips for Buying Travel-sized Skincare Kits

Prioritize portability.

When traveling, especially via plane, you’ll want your skincare regimen to follow certain guidelines. First, anything going in your carry-on should adhere to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule (all liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or less and should all fit into a single, clear quart-sized bag). You’ll also want to minimize the number of products you’re hauling as much as possible, per the quart-sized bag. 

Consider your usual skin concerns and the climate at your destination

You’ll also want to think about the specific stressors your skin will be exposed to on your trip and stock up on products that can help combat those: Will you be spending ample time in the sun? Are you entering drying, cold weather? Will you be wearing more makeup than usual? These are all things to take into consideration when shopping for products to pack for your next vacation.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, Talia Ergas used her experience as a beauty editor to curate the best skincare sets to suit most needs.

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Welcome to Minimus, your store for minimum size and maximum convenience.

Minimus is the world leader in all things travel sized and individual sized. Over the course of the last 18+ years, we have worked hard to provide hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers with incredible and reliable service. Today, we carry more than 2,500 travel sized products and single serving items in stock, including more than 100 kits and gift sets. We are continually adding to our inventory, so be sure to check back often. Our new additions can easily be found by visiting our New Products aisle. We invite you to take a few moments to look around our shopping aisles which can be found via drop downs at the top of the page (and then it will also appear on the left), or via the Browse Categories icon on a mobile phone. If you are looking for specific trial size items or travel size toiletries, simply type it in to the search bar just above the category titles (one-word searches work best). And if you are ever searching for something that you don't find here, let us know at and we'll see what we can do to find it.

Wondering what you can do with travel sizes products? Our travel sizes are perfect for those who love camping, backpacking, hiking, RVing and other outdoor sports. For those of you on special diets such as gluten-free, sugar-free, or low carbs, our individual sized food, salad dressing, and condiment packets will help keep you eating right wherever you are. Refill your first aid kits, avoid excess baggage weight fees by using travel size personal care items when packing for your vacation or business trip, or create unique gift baskets with travel-sizes. Send one of our pre-designed care packages to a loved one in the military or to a new college student.

If you are a bargain hunter and love to shop the sales, make time for our Sale Items and Closeout aisle. For businesses and organizations, we offer wholesale travel sized products and bulk pricing on travel sized items (and other wholesale services) through our Wholesale Department .

To get started, take a look at the main categories for travel sizes, individual serving sizes, and other related miniature products on the top of the page and look at some of the sub-categories to find what you might be looking for -- or you can do a search. Happy Travel-Size Shopping!

13 Best Travel Toiletry Bottles: Editor Tested, Leakproof, & Reusable

By Meaghan Kenny

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Beauty and skincare products like shampoo, moisturizer, and face wash are essential on every packing list , whether you're heading to a hotel or are staying with friends or family. Since buying miniature versions of your favorite products can be expensive—and typically means purchasing a whole lot of single-use plastics—having practical and reliable toiletry travel bottles you can pull out for every trip is a must.

To make sure the reusable bottles we're throwing in our Dopp kit are easy to use and don't leak, we tested out a variety of affordable travel sets to see which ones actually get the job done. Below, you'll find 13 of the best travel toiletry bottles that will protect the contents of your luggage—and all of the creams, soaps, and serums you've shelled out for—and keep you organized on the go. Even better, all of these picks are TSA-friendly in size, so you don't have to worry about any of your favorite products being thrown out at the airport. As an added bonus, many of these travel bottles are available on Amazon Prime, so you can get your hands on them quickly before a last-minute getaway.

How we tested

I scoured the internet to find the most popular travel toiletry bottles—searching a variety of retailers, reading hundreds of reviews, and considering online ratings. After my initial research, I put many reusable toiletry bottles to the test, trying out dozens of options that range in price, size, and design. I've had some of these toiletry bottles for over a year and they've accompanied me on a mix of weeklong vacations in checked luggage and short weekend trips in tightly-packed duffel bags .

Over the last several months, I tested another batch of options: I've filled them with a variety of skincare, hair care, and body products—thick body wash, contact solution, and leave-in conditioner included. I've even left these filled containers upside down overnight to see if there were any unexpected leaks. My findings: There are many great options on the market to choose from and you don't need to break the bank to find the perfect set for you. Below, the best travel toiletry bottles to pack wherever you're headed next .

Our top picks

• Best overall: Tocelffe 18-Pack travel bottles
• Best for easy packing: Cadence The Capsule Flex System
• Best for in-shower products: LiquiSnugs silicone travel bottles
• Best for perfume: Vonovo mini refillable perfume bottles
• Best for contact solution: Cauyuan portable contact lens case

Browse reusable bottles for:

Hair and body wash, cleansers and serums, contact lens care, a variety of products.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

No matter how organized I try to stay, my bathroom counter at every hotel always becomes cluttered with my many toiletries and hair products . The LiquiSnugs look like your classic silicone travel bottles, but they feature a clever suction cup on the back that allows you to stick them onto any shower wall—freeing up limited counter space. These are great for in-shower products like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. This set of four bottles features two 3-ounce bottles and two 2-ounce bottles, so you can choose how much product you need depending on the length of your trip. Another smart design feature: Twist the top to adjust the label name so you won't forget what's inside. I've had these for about a year now and I consistently reach for these to pack shampoo and conditioner.

Pros : The unique suction cup design makes them great for shower products.

Cons : These occasionally will fall off shower walls if there's not a little bit of water to keep them in place.

This Amazon bestseller is versatile enough for every type of traveler. The 18-pack from Tocelffe features four silicone bottles of varying size (two 3-ounce bottles and two 2-ounce bottles), four small jars for creams and serums, two spray bottles, two spatulas, a funnel, labels, and a cleaning brush. These all come in a waterproof toiletry bag that you can reuse to carry makeup or tech essentials. In this set, I find myself mostly reaching for the ultra-soft silicone bottles, which are great for products like body wash, face cleanser, and micellar water. Each of these bottles feature three-layer leak-proof tops so you don't have to worry about spills in your bag. Something I love about these bottles is how they can be bent and squeezed easily to get every last bit of product out of them.

Pros: Very affordable, comes in a clear toiletry case, and the bottles' wide opening makes it easy to refill. Cons: The small plastic jars are not as reliable as the silicone bottles in this set.

If you're just looking for a few affordable no-frills travel bottles, these are for you. Available in a variety of colors, the silicone bottles do just what they say they will. They're leakproof, come in a set of four, and are easy to refill and clean. While there’s no bells and whistles, these three-ounce bottles pleasantly surprised me with just how much product they fit compared to some of the other classic silicone bottles we tested, making them an ideal option for a longer vacation. Plus, these have an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon with over 11,000 global reviews.

Pros: Versatility; available in many colorways

Cons : This set doesn't come with labels or a proper toiletry case.

Another solid choice for travelers is this set of four 3-ounce silicone travel bottles. These are squeezable, leakproof, and versatile enough to use for everything from shower products and soaps to sauces and baby food. These reusable bottles are all the same size and each a different color so you can differentiate them. Bonus: This set comes in a transparent toiletry case to keep them all organized in.

Pros : This set is available in a dozen colorways; wide opening makes them easy to refill without needing a funnel. Cons : This set doesn't come with labels.

If you prefer to bring along a bar of soap instead of using what's provided at the hotel, this compact soap box is a great travel companion. Inside, there's a soap mat that absorbs any excess water and prevents the soap from becoming mushy. I've used other plastic soap cases before without a mat and it always leaves a mess. This one features a silicone band that wraps tightly around the box for extra protection, and is about the size of a deck of cards.

Pros : Fits most commonly used soap brands, affordable, and features a simple-to-use design.

Cons : The soap box needs the band to stay secure so be careful not to lose it.

I've been a fan of Cadence's capsules for a few years now. These leakproof, airtight, and watertight magnetic capsules are unlike any other travel bottles I've used and are a true game changer when it comes to packing your own beauty products. The individual capsules magnetically snap together to take up as little space as possible in your Dopp kit and are designed without any right angles or edges, so you get every last bit of product available.

The original .56-ounce individual capsules are great for weekend trips and storing small items like daily vitamins and safety pins. The Capsule Flex System allows you to customize your own bundle with your choice of small , medium , and large sizes, as well as The Extender —an add-on that allows you to increase the size of the bottle when you need more room. This makes it so easy to customize your travel routine, whether you want to pack extra product for longer trips or bring enough body wash for you and your travel buddy. With The Flex System, you can still choose your own label for each capsule (the labels are interchangeable), as well as the color and number of capsules in your bundle.

Pros : It's easy to get every last drop of product inside each capsule and they are so easy to rinse out and reuse. The custom labels can be swapped out depending on what you're packing.

Cons : These are the most expensive option on our list.

I was eager to test out the Ries travel bottles after hearing a lot of buzz about the product and seeing them make their way into retailers like Sephora and Goop. These are a more elevated, aesthetically pleasing take on the classic reusable travel bottles you may have used in the past. Ries prioritized sustainability and design with these essentials: Each bottle is made from recycled plastic and features a large opening at the top, which makes it easy to refill and clean (not to mention, they're dishwasher safe). Travelers can purchases these bottles individually (a 3.4-ounce bottle or a 1.7-ounce bottle) or in a set with both sizes . My favorite thing about these bottles is the airless pump—I feel so glamorous while doing my nighttime skincare routine with these, and it makes it easier to use products like face wash or cleanser on the road. The bottles are pre-labeled (shampoo, conditioner, body, face) and you can twist the top to the side to conceal the opening, so product won't spill out.

Pros : Sustainably made; if you prefer a pump, these are for you.

Cons : On the pricier side; the bottles are a bit bulky and take up a little more room in my makeup bag than most travel-size products I use.

Finally, a solution to my contact lens woes. I can't count the number of times I've stopped into a drugstore to buy a mini bottle of contact lens solution before heading out on a trip, or to pick up rewetting drops because I'm dealing with dry contacts while away from home. This compact case makes cleaning and caring for contacts on the go much easier—it comes with an easy-to-fill reusable dropper that gives me a long weekend's worth of solution, a contact case, and has a mirror to help get them in and out. (I don't like to fly in contacts, so this is particularly handy if I forget to switch to my glasses before leaving home.) It weighs next to nothing, and will fit in all but my smallest handbags, so I've been keeping it on me regularly, not just when traveling. — Madison Flager, senior commerce editor

Pros : It comes with a tiny pair of tweezers to make removing contacts from the case less messy. Cons : The contact solution holder isn't large enough for weeklong trips.

I admit I've also been guilty of buying mini versions of my favorite contact solution. As much as I love reusable toiletry bottles for my skincare and hair products, I've never had anything that felt right for the consistency of my contact solution. I wear daily lenses, meaning I don't need a whole lot of solution with me when I travel, so it is a little frustrating to carry around a bottle that takes up precious space in my Dopp kit. Lately, I've been carrying about the Cauyuan eye glass case which comes with a super small dropper for contact solution. This refillable dropper holds just enough contact solution for weekend trips and shorter vacations and takes up such little space (I've even found myself tossing it in my handbag in case my eyes get a little dry.) This durable case keeps all of my eye care essentials together and protected, with a separate compartment for eye glasses, and another that holds the dropper, tweezers, a contact case, and a mirror.

Pros : All of my eyewear essentials are now in once place and stay organized; the dropper is small enough to fit in a tiny purse. Cons : The compartment for your eye glasses is on the small size—if you have thick or bulky frames, they might not fit.

I've never found a reusable spray bottle for my perfume that I've liked, so I've always relied on buying miniature versions of each of my favorite fragrances. But let's be real—those travel-size perfume bottles are expensive! They're often made of glass, too, making them vulnerable to breaking in your luggage. Enter the Vonovo mini refillable perfume bottles: Each of these holds 0.2 ounces of your favorite scent, more than enough for a long vacation. This set comes with five spray bottles, so you can bring along any of your favorites—or all of them. And they are so easy to use—simply pull off the top of your full-size perfume, press the bottom of the mini bottle on top of it, and keep clicking until its refilled. Each of the bottles have a clear vial inside so you can see how much product you have left. My favorite part: These are so tiny—think the size of a lipstick— meaning I can even bring them with me on a date night when I'm only carrying a small purse .

Pros : Easy to refill and compact enough to fit in even the tiniest of travel bags Cons : These spray bottles wont match the look of your full-size perfume and don't have labels, so you'll have to remember based on the color of the mini bottle you choose. Also, these can be refilled with the same perfume, but I wouldn't recommend reusing them with another scent.

For those with a more rigid skincare or haircare routine, this 16-pack lets you bring along every last product you want—and it all fits into one reusable case. The set comes with four silicone bottles, four jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers, a funnel, and a cleaning brush. The variety means you can pack everything from soap and shampoo to serums and sprays in here, and the cleaning brush makes the bottles easy to clean and re-use. I like this set best for packing my more expensive skincare serums and creams in the small jars that have a scooper to use.

Pros : A variety of types of containers

Cons : The toiletry case the bottles come in isn't the best quality.

The Kitsch Ultimate travel set includes leakproof holders that are compact and lightweight enough to pack in a purse or tote bag . In addition to three flat pouches, this set also comes with two pump bottles, two mini jars, one mini funnel, one mini spatula, and one mini pipette. This set is best for a longer trip—say, a European vacation or a cross-country road trip —as you can store a lot more shampoo, conditioner, and lotions in the pouches without going over any TSA limits (plus, they'll get lighter as you use them).

Pros : The flat pouches are easy to pack and take up less room in a Dopp kit than bulkier bottles.

Cons : The pouches are a little bit harder to refill than bottles with a wide opening.

If you're packing toiletries for your entire family , this 21-pack of travel bottles has you covered. This package comes with four silicone bottles, four cream jars, four toothbrush covers, two spray bottles, two pump bottles, two trowels, a funnel, and labels to keep everything straight. Whether it's a trip to Disney World or multi-generational cruise , this set makes packing for the whole family easy.

Pros : These come with toothbrush covers–a nice travel accessory that none of the other options on our list offers.

Cons : Not ideal for weekend trips or light packers.

The Travel-Sized Toiletries You Won’t Want to Leave Home Without

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TSA-Approved Beauty Products

The TSA is a government agency that enforces the travel-sized toiletries we can store in our carry-on bags. To help, here's a quick reminder on what you're actually allowed to bring on the plane and how it should all be stored:

Carry-on bags

You're allowed one quart-sized resealable bag , and inside of it, you can include liquid, gel, and aerosol beauty products that are 3.4 ounces or smaller. Solid and powder makeup is allowed, but if they're bigger than 12 ounces, you'll need to put them in a bin for an X-ray screening. According to the agency, any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste that triggers an alarm during screening will require additional screening.

Checked bags

You don't need to worry about the size of your toiletries in a checked bag, but you'll still need to store your powder, solid, and liquid travel-sized toiletries in clear resealable bags — the size of these clear bags does not matter.

Stocking up on these travel-sized toiletries before your big trip will make you comfortable and keep you feeling right at home throughout your travels. Each beauty product featured was carefully researched by our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, to ensure they align with TSA guidance. She also considered the ingredients and materials used to make each travel-sized toiletry, and for added reassurance, every item on our list boasts impressive ratings and reviews.

Convenience Kits International Women’s Premium 21-Piece Kit

While we stand behind every single product featured in this guide ( as always ), if you could only purchase one travel-sized toiletry, this all-in-one kit is your best bet. It includes literally everything you could possibly need for traveling, like oral hygiene products, deodorant, and hand cream . There are also hair styling tools like a wide-tooth comb that works for all hair textures and densities. The best part? Everything fits inside of the woven faux-leather zippered pouch.

More: Travel Hair Dryers That Are Way Better Than the Hotel's

Alleyoop Portable Travel Razors For Women

Beyond a pocket-sized razor, this kit has two backup cartridges equipped with three blades and a lubricating strip made with chamomile and olive oil for a smooth feel and finish. This set also comes with a solid shea butter moisturizing bar that creates a skin-softening shaving cream alternative when misted with water from the included refillable spray bottle.

Ancable Folding Hair Brush

Save space in your purse or hand luggage with this full-sized brush that folds down to a compact hair brush. We love that it includes a mirror so you can ensure you look presentable throughout your flight or before snapping flicks in front of far-flung tourist destinations. Plus, it sports ball-tipped bristles that are gentle on your scalp.

JAPONESQUE Go Curl Travel Eyelash Curler

What could be better than beautiful lashes on a budget? Curl your eyelashes in five seconds with this pocket-sized eyelash curler . Despite the compact size, it's capable of getting each lash from every angle with its open-cage design and comfortable rounded silicone pads.

Urban Decay Naked3 Mini Eyeshadow Palette

Let's be real — if we took all of our makeup on a trip, it would require its own suitcase, or at the very least several cosmetic bags . This is why we love the travel-sized version of the iconic Urban Decay Naked palettes.

Each palette includes six best-selling shades from the full-sized eyeshadow palettes, and they work great for day and night lewks . Naked 3 (pictured) includes rose-tone neutrals, Naked 2 offers cool-toned neutrals like taupes and creams, and Naked Heat contains warm browns, burnt oranges, and rich siennas.

Aquaphor Healing Skin Ointment To-Go Pack

Airplanes are notoriously drying, so help lock in hydration by slathering your hands and lips with this soothing treatment.

This handy to-go pack allows you to stash the iconic skin ointment easily, so you can use it on dry, irritated skin without taking up too much real estate in your suitcase.

TRESemme Moisture Rich Shampoo & Conditioner

This set of travel-sized shampoo and conditioner from TRESemme is perfect for your next adventure. This set is sure to keep damaged hair hydrated and properly moisturized while on the go — and priced at just over six bucks, it's equally affordable and effective.

Burt's Bees Essential Kit

Burt's Bees products are known for keeping you cleansed and nourished — and with this set, you can keep five of their fabulous brand favorites with you on the go. All perfectly sized to store in your carry-on, the set literally keeps you covered from head to toe. It includes a lip balm, body lotion, foot cream, and camomille-infused hydrating face and body wash which is safe for all skin types.

BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron

Suitcase size restrictions can mean tough decisions, like leaving your hair straightener behind. Tragic! That's why we suggest investing in this small-but-mighty mini version that fits in the size of your hand. It's even dual-voltage, so you can take it overseas!

FOREO LUNA Play Plus 2 Silicone Facial Cleansing Brush

On vacation or not, you'll love Foreo's facial cleansing brush . The silicone bristles massage your skin to give it an extra- deep clean, and it's small enough to store in a handbag. Trust us, you'll be hooked on the cleansing and massaging capabilities after the first use!

Sun Bum Day Tripper Travel-Sized Sun Care Pack

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen — we can't stress it enough! SPF is even more essential when you're traveling and spending extra time outdoors. This Sun Bum pack will have you set with a bottle of SPF 30, after-sun lotion, and a lip-protecting chapstick. It's also made with a reef-safe formula that won't harm coral reefs or marine life.

Neutrogena Travel Size Makeup Remover Towelettes

Neutrogena's makeup remover wipes are heaven-sent. Just one towelette is all you need to wash away a full day's worth of makeup, so if you're leaving for a weeklong trip, just one container of handy wipes will keep you covered!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Mini

Not into applying a full face of foundation while traveling? We feel you. Grab one of these adorable mini versions of the cult-fave concealer by NARS. Just a few swipes under the eyes will refresh your face and will have you feeling good to go!

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Mini

Red-eye flights have your skin looking dull? Restore its radiance with this five-pack of Dr. Dennis Gross's famed daily peel . Thanks to a combination of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids, it'll have your skin glowing, brighten uneven skin tone, shrink the look of pores, and plump up fine lines and wrinkles in less than 5 minutes!

“I try new products on my face daily, and this is the only one where I’ve ever seen immediate improvement,” says our former beauty editor Ashley Phillips. She especially loves traveling with the chemical peels because they come in individually wrapped packets.

Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray Mini

Keep your hair looking perfectly undone with this amazing texture spray from Bumble and bumble. The mini version allows you to keep it on hand for effortlessly amazing waves while you're jet-setting. It works well on second- and third-day hair as well, perfect for the traveler who has no time for shampooing.

Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.

Ashley is the beauty and style editor at BestProducts.com, and her work has been featured on Cosmopolitan and Town and Country. She has an obsession with designer handbags, Liberty prints, 1960s fashion, and owns more shoes than she’s willing to admit. She's been using her learnings from owning a boutique and her shopping addiction for good since 2015. She’ll never accept that black isn’t a color. Away from the computer, you’ll likely find the Texas native binging on a British period drama or theorizing over Game of Thrones . She has yet to find a real cup of queso in NYC.

Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.

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Over 60 luxury travel size brands.

(MALIN+GOETZ) Essential Travel Set

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Aromatherapy Associates Travel Essentials

Asprey London Purple Water Travel Kit

AVEDA botanical kinetics hydrating face lotion 3pk.

Bliss Citrus Stars Duo Travel set

bliss sinkside six-pack

Bvlgari Eau Parfumee au the blanc Travel Set

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Dayna Decker Travel Set

Ferragamo Tuscan Soul Travel Set

Gilchrist & Soames English Spa Bath Set

Hermes Eau D'Orange Verte Travel Set

The 14 Best Travel-Size Beauty Products

You won’t have to abandon your regimen with these excellent miniature picks.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Shondaland editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Few things are more exciting than traveling, especially after almost two years of doing nearly everything from home. Whether you’re heading home to visit your family or escaping the cold weather and fleeing to a sandy beach in the tropics, there’s a certain thrill that comes with packing a bag and getting out of town for a bit. Exciting as it is, though, there are a few aspects of travel that we’d rather do without — and we’re not just talking about long check-in lines, flight delays, and $7 bottles of water at the airport.

Any beauty aficionado can attest to the challenge of picking from your trusty arsenal of skincare and hair-care products that you’ve tailored to your wants and needs. You’ve likely spent years building and curating your beauty routine. So, when faced with TSA’s confining nothing-greater-than-3.4-ounces size restriction, it can often feel like leaving your beloved toiletries behind is the only real option (after all, who wants to try squeezing serums and toners into travel-friendly bottles only to end up sacrificing lots of expensive product?).

Luckily for the current and future globe-trotters among us, though, more beauty brands are offering travel-size versions of their best-selling skincare, hair care, and makeup than ever before — and their adorably miniature sizes are sure to bring a smile to your face. From individually packaged facial wipes and mini serums to petite perfumes and compact hair dryers, here are the travel-friendly beauty products we can’t go anywhere without.

The best travel-size cleanser: Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser

Between the free-flying germs at the airport and the harsh air quality during your flight, traveling can expose skin to some seriously concerning dirt and grime, so it’s important to have a cleanser you can trust to help restore purity and cleanliness when you finally arrive. The consistently popular Superfood Cleanser from industry-favorite brand Youth to the People harnesses the antioxidant powers of kale, spinach, and green tea to prevent buildup in pores and balance your skin’s pH without drying or stripping.

The best travel-size toner: Glow Recipe Mini Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

Toner can be a game-changing step in any skincare routine, and going on vacation is hardly a reason to skip it. Fortunately, with this mini version of Glow Recipe’s best-selling Watermelon Glow Toner, you won’t have to. The PHA and BHA-infused lightweight toner is rich with watermelon extract to hydrate and soothe skin while delivering essential vitamins and amino acids, and it is suitable for any skin type.

The best travel-size serum: Murad Mini Vitamin C Glycolic Brightening Serum

Vitamin C is a hugely important ingredient to incorporate into your routine, as it protects skin from harmful toxins and free radicals, helps heal blemishes, and reduces hyperpigmentation and dark spots. This serum from Murad is not only rich with vitamin C, but it’s also formulated with glycolic acid to help the antioxidants penetrate more deeply and phyto luminescent extract to visibly illuminate the skin.

The best travel-size moisturizer: Augustinus Bader Mini The Rich Cream with TFC8 Face Moisturizer

In recent years, one moisturizer has risen through the ranks of the skincare world more than any other, becoming an instant favorite of celebrities and beauty insiders everywhere: Augustinus Bader. The super-luxe face cream is intensely hydrating and is powered by the brand’s proprietary TFC8, which has been clinically shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Grab this mini version to help combat the drying effects of flying and keep your skin working overtime, even when you’re on vacation. 

The best travel-size face oil: The Feelist Most Wanted Radiant Facial Oil

Although the moisturizer versus facial oil debate is alive and well, we know that the decision between the two really does come down to personal preference. With that in mind, you should have a travel-friendly facial oil at the ready, and the Feelist’s CBD-infused Most Wanted oil is just that. The best-selling oil is deeply hydrating and helps fight blemishes while calming redness and inflammation to leave you with the best glow of your life.

The best travel-size face mask: onå New York Airplane Mode Intense Hydration Gel Mask

Traveling can dry out skin like almost nothing else, and sometimes it takes more than just your go-to moisturizer to replenish its hydration, which is why the Intense Hydration Gel Mask from onå New York is such a savior. With hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, and camellia japonica, the sheet mask restores the skin’s moisture barrier and prevents dehydration while enhancing skin elasticity to deliver a visibly plumped and energized complexion.

The best travel-size sunscreen: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Whether you’re spending a week on the beach or heading to the snow, any dermatologist will tell you that the most important thing to have in your suitcase is sunscreen. This adorable mini from cult-favorite sun-care brand Supergoop! offers the beloved invisible and weightless sunscreen with SPF 40 protection in a travel-friendly size, and it’s a can’t-miss for your next trip.

The best travel-size makeup remover: Then I Met You Cleansing Balm

Instead of using wasteful makeup wipes, consider using a cleansing balm. There’s a reason that this luxurious balm from Then I Met You has won so many awards. The star of this show, seaberry oil, is an antioxidant and fatty acid that softens skin and gives this balm its beautiful color. Also formulated with grapeseed oil, olive oil, and vitamin E, Then I Met You Cleansing Balm will undoubtedly leave your skin feeling nourished and radiant.

The best travel-size hair-care set: Oribe #OribeObsessed Set

Many folks skip hair care when packing for a trip, instead settling for whatever generic shampoo and conditioner is at their hotel shower, but your locks shouldn’t have to suffer just because you’re on the road. Instead, reach for the #OribeObsessed Set, which features the brand’s best-selling Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo and Conditioner to help heal damaged hair and protect it from future damage and the Dry Texturizing Spray to build volume and texture while absorbing oil at the source.

The best travel-size dry shampoo: OUAI Mini Super Dry Shampoo

There are some occasions when washing your hair simply isn’t an option — and then there are others when it is an option but not one that you’re choosing to take. For those times, a good dry shampoo is an absolute must, and this super-absorbent dry shampoo from OUAI is a surefire way to revive hair’s volume and body while leaving it clean and healthy. No one will ever know you didn’t just come straight from a blowout!

The best travel-size hair dryer: GHD Flight Travel Hair Dryer

Much like shampoo and conditioner, a hair dryer is often something people think to pack when traveling, instead of opting to save space and leave their hair at the mercy of a subpar hotel hair dryer. But with GHD’s Flight Travel Hair Dryer, you don’t have to sacrifice your hair’s health or valuable real estate in your suitcase. The compact hair dryer is as powerful as it is portable and features an array of speed and temperature settings, dual voltage, and a removable nozzle, and it folds up nicely to fit amongst all your other things.

The best travel-size hairbrush: Drybar Lil’ Lemon Drop Daily Detangler

A hairbrush is something you definitely can’t (and shouldn’t) live without, but the one you use at home will likely take up far more space in your suitcase than it really needs to, which is why we love Drybar’s Lil’ Lemon Drop Daily Detangler. The mini brush is suitable for all hair types and uses flexible bristles to detangle wet or dry hair with ease, and it’s small enough to fit in even your smallest purses.

The best travel-size deodorant: Megababe Rosy Pits Mini

There’s a lot of talk about natural deodorants, but if we’re honest with ourselves, we know that none of them seems to do the trick — that is, until Megababe’s Rosy Pits. Instead of using aluminum to block sweat ducts from producing sweat, the antiperspirant helps prevent odor-causing bacteria from forming on the skin without the use of baking soda, alcohol, or parabens. The deodorant goes on smooth and clear and keeps your underarms smelling of roses all day long, and now you can grab the mini size to take it with you on all your travels, near and far.

The best travel-size perfume: Diptyque Do Son Travel Spray

Perfume is often left behind when we travel because of the space it takes up in a bag and its non-essential nature, but really, who wouldn’t want to smell their best when on vacation? For the best of both worlds, try the Do Son Travel Spray from beloved fragrance brand Diptyque. The portable bottle is the ideal travel companion, thanks to its compact size and ability to be refilled with any classic Diptyque perfume. But it’s also a traveler itself, with a design that’s inspired by the vintage noticeboards that once appeared in airports and train stations around the world, and you can even customize the bottle with your own name, word, or phrase.

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Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

The 25 Best Travel-Size Beauty Products on Amazon to Pack for Your Next Getaway

TSA-friendly favorites that fit nicely in your carry-on

It may seem easy enough to throw your most-used items into a toiletry bag and call it a day, but TSA requires anyone traveling by plane to ensure liquids, gels, and aerosols are no more than 3.4 ounces each in your carry-on. (That list encompasses cleansers, facial mists, shampoos, foundations, and more.) And in addition to pint-size liquids, packing a bevy of mini beauty tools for your on-the-go routine makes it easy to stay glam while you’re away from home.

Shop the Best Travel-Size Beauty on Amazon

The Wizard Detangling Primer

Clarifying Cleanser

Whitening Mint Toothpaste

Go Curl Travel Eyelash Curler

The Honest Company

Babe’s mini must-haves gift set.

Superfine Hair Spray

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Dipbrow gel mini.

Malin + Goetz

Travel mini eucalyptus deodorant.

Luna Mini 3 Silicone Facial Cleansing Brush

Hydrabio H₂O Micellar Water

If you’ve waited until the last minute to figure out your vacation-beauty rotation, we can’t think of a more convenient way to get it done than by shopping your product list on Amazon. In the retailer’s Premium Beauty section, we’ve found a treasure trove of best-selling picks from coveted brands like Oribe , Anastasia Beverly Hills , Sol de Janeiro , and many more that won’t give you any issues during security screening—and will arrive in no time.

Here, we’ve handpicked some of the best travel-size beauty products on Amazon to help you secure all of your getaway staples in one fell swoop.

Related: The Best Toiletry Bags for Ultimate Beauty Organization

No need to worry about tangles while on the go: Over 1,900 Amazon shoppers are raving about Amika’s smoothing and detangling spray, which also comes in handy to protect hair against damage from hot tools and UV rays.

If you have acne-prone or combination skin, consider this clarifying cleanser from Murad a travel-beauty staple. It uses salicylic acid as a main ingredient to remove dirt and oil, preventing new breakouts while you’re in vacation mode.

Here’s a bite-size whitening toothpaste that more than 4,000 Amazon shoppers consider one of the best travel-beauty products. One reviewer writes that the toothpaste “is pricey but it’s worth it. Not only does it actually give visible results after just a few uses, but it’s the freshest tasting mint toothpaste I’ve ever tried.”

This sleek, artist-level eyelash curler from Japonesque has an open cage that won’t pinch your eyelids, and includes extra pad refills just in case you need them.

Whether you’re a new parent or just have sensitive skin, this lavender-scented skincare set from the Honest Company is a must-have when traveling. It’s not only hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, but also includes multiuse products like a shampoo and body wash, along with a face and body lotion to help you save space in your carry-on.

Keep flyaways in check with this flexible, medium-hold hair spray from Oribe , which nicely features the brand’s signature Côte d'Azur scent.

Just a few swipes of this popular eyebrow gel hold your hairs in place for up to 12 hours per wear. And since it’s also waterproof, you can seamlessly maintain sculpted brows after a dip at the beach or pool.

If you transitioned to aluminum-free deodorant from antiperspirant during the pandemic, consider adding this best-selling eucalyptus-and-bergamot pick to your shopping cart. As an added bonus, its cooling formula is perfect for warmer weather.

Just because you’re traveling, that doesn’t mean you have to leave all your skincare gadgets at home. Since Foreo’s coveted Luna device comes in a mini version, you can quickly sync it up in your hotel room for an instant facial.

Beauty lovers understand how painful it can be to wipe off an expert-level makeup look, but we have to do it anyway. Help the process move even faster by reaching for Bioderma’s gentle micellar water remover, which is especially safe for sensitive skin.

Fruit Babies Bestsellers Kit

Fans of Glow Recipe’s K-beauty -inspired skin essentials should snap up this bestsellers kit from the brand. You’ll discover travel-size favorites of their Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner, Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser, and more.

Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron

If you love wearing a good blowout no matter the season, here’s a pint-size flat iron to keep it as fresh as possible. This handy tool heats up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit for a sleek finish, and uses titanium plates to leave hair silky smooth.

Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk

Over 7,000 Amazon customers agree: To help manage excess oil and boost volume during your trip, Klorane’s best-selling dry shampoo is worth the buy. It uses oat milk as a primary ingredient to remove dirt and oil from the scalp, and saves your style for a few days longer.

Beauty Elixir Face Mist

Traveling by plane is notoriously drying for the skin. For a quick pick-me-up, consider this highly popular face mist from Caudalie, which helps tone skin while boosting its overall radiance.

Super Soothe Moisturizing Lotion

A dime-size amount of Tula’s probiotic moisturizer keeps any skin type—including sensitive—feeling smoother and more radiant. It contains key ingredients like aloe, cucumber, squalane, and colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritation while boosting moisture.

Stay All Day Liquid Matte Lipstick

You won’t have to worry about your lipstick smudging under a face mask with this liquid matte version from Stila that’s made to stay put for up to 12 hours.

V-Cense Revitalizing Night Cream

No need to worry about your nightly routine while on vacation: This mini version of Ren Clean Skincare’s vitamin C–powered moisturizer works to brighten and hydrate skin as you snooze.

Lil’ Lemon Drop Mini Travel Detangling Hairbrush

This adorable hairbrush from the experts at Drybar has flexible bristles that won’t get stuck in your tangles, and works seamlessly on both wet and dry hair.

Underarm Deodorant Wipes (30-Count)

If you’re strapping in for a long travel day, consider these biodegradable underarm deodorant wipes from Pacifica. They use a blend of coconut milk and essential oils to combat odor, and are easily thrown away once you’re done freshening up.

The Face Mini Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

To take your no-makeup makeup look to the next level in minutes, these easy facial tanning drops mix right in with your go-to moisturizer for a customizable skin tint.

Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.

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Found: The Best Travel-Sized Toiletries The Internet Has To Offer

Packing up your beauty routine shouldn’t be stressful.

Vacation should be something that you anticipate with nothing but excitement, but when it comes to preparing for it, that’s rarely the case. After all, finding a way to pack everything you need to keep up with your regular skin and hair care routine can be challenging—especially if you’re only using a carry-on.

Not to worry, though. Walmart (yes, Walmart!) has an amazing section of travel-sized toiletries. Whether you’re headed to Tulum for some R&R, Colorado to hike a 9er, or just need to shower at the gym post-workout, these 10 tiny products will keep you feeling like your normal self.

$9.99 L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum

We love the look of the perfect tan. But the process of achieving it? Not so much. Sitting out in the sun all day can damage your skin—especially if you ditched the SPF in hopes of scoring a deeper bronze. To stay sun-safe without losing that coveted complexion, pack this streak-free, no-fuss self-tanner.

$36.50 Clinique Moisture Surge Face Moisturizer

Finding a moisturizer that deeply hydrates your skin without weighing it down can be tricky, but this lightweight gel-cream option fits the bill. The 100 percent oil- and fragrance-free formula is made with hyaluronic acid and aloe leaf extract to help hydrate and soothe the skin.

$5.90 Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Cleansing Water and Makeup Remover

Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can slack off when it comes to removing your makeup. To help make the process as quick as possible, add a bottle of this micellar water to your toiletry bag.

 The oil-free, vitamin E-rich formula is made with tiny balls of fatty acids called micelles that attract makeup, dirt, and debris from pores—without robbing your skin of moisture in the process. 

$23.94 L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Hyaluronic acid  holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Since this particular HA is made with two different weights of the ingredients—a lighter one that dives deep into pores and a heavier one that sits on the surface of the skin—a single drop can plump fine lines from the inside out and vice versa. It also helps minimize the appearance of pores. Simply put: It will totally rejuvenate your skin.

$9.00 It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Conditioner Plus Keratin

If your vacation includes dips in the ocean or pool or hours spent shade-less in the sun, you’ll want to bring a leave-in conditioner along for the journey. While many leave-ins are too large for air travel, this bestseller is just the right size. 

Made with aloe leaf extract,  sunflower seed extract , and  hydrolyzed keratin , a few spritzes throughout the day can help strengthen and repair sun-damaged strands by smoothing the cuticle and infusing them with nutrients.

$8.97 Bare Republic Mineral SPF 50 Sport Sunscreen Stick

Regardless of whether you’re heading to the sand or the slopes, sunscreen is a must. Instead of lugging around a large bottle (which, BTW, will likely get snagged by the TSA), bring along this convenient sport stick. 

The mineral formula is reef-safe and offers SPF 50 coverage with 80 minutes of water resistance. And since it’s so tiny, it makes for really easy re-application—an absolute must whether you’re exploring on vacay or just out around town.

$4.47 Secret Freshies Invisible Solid Antiperspirant and Deodorant

Deodorant isn’t usually an issue when walking through security, but traditional tubes can take up unnecessary space. That’s why this sphere of antiperspirant is such a game-changer. It offers odor and wetness protection that can be reapplied in a jiff thanks to its purse-friendly size.

$1.08 Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray

No beach? No problem. With this mini salt spray you’ll be able to achieve beachy waves any time, any place. If you do find yourself along the coast, the texturizing spray can help perfect your fresh-off-the-beach hairdo.

$17.95 Shanty Travel Makeup Bags

Skip the plastic baggie and opt for a set of these TSA-friendly clear plastic toiletry bags. The variety of sizes allow you to sort your toiletries by type to stay organized on your getaway (and every day after). Since they’re rectangular, they’ll make good use of every inch of your carry-on, unlike shapeless or round makeup bags.

$10.67 International Women's Premium 13 PC Assembled Kit, TSA Compliant

At the end of the day, if you simply don’t have the energy to stock your own toiletry bag and instead want to focus all your attention on the adventure ahead, do yourself a favor and buy this have-it-all grab bag. 

The TSA-compliant kit, which features shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, and more, fits easily into any carry-on, gym bag, or daypack, making it a must for those who live their lives constantly moving from point A to B.

Rebecca Ravee Norris is a freelance writer with a decade's worth of lifestyle media experience. Based out of the Washington metropolitan area, she covers everything from beauty and wellness to style and celebrity news. She is a graduate of George Mason University and has a B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. When she's not writing, she can be found with her beloved Jack-Chi, Cash, working through reps at the gym, dreaming up her next home decor project, testing a new recipe, getting lost in the pages of a book, or catching up on her favorite shows. 

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Manufacture

24130 - Bulldog Moisturizer Skincare for Men - 1 oz.

30 Tuft Nylon Toothbrush

Ace Dressing Comb - 7.5 in.

Ace Pocket Comb - 5 in.

Act kids bubblegum mouthwash - 1 oz..

Adult Hairbrush (individually polybagged) - 7.5 in.

Adult Soft Bristle Hairbrush (individually polybagged) - 7.5 in.

All Pure Kids Toothbrush W/Suction Cup & Travel Cap

All Pure Mint Waxed Dental Floss - 164 ft.

Always Radiant Regular w/ Wings Scented Pads - Pack of 15

Always Thin Active Scented Liners - Pack of 20

Always Thin Liners - Pack of 20

Aquaphor Healing Ointment - 0.25 oz. Jar

Arm & Hammer Advance White Toothpaste - 0.9 oz.

Arm & Hammer Ultramax Fresh Scent Anti-perspirant - 1 oz.

Arm & Hammer Ultramax Powder Fresh Antiperspirant - 1 oz.

Assortment of chapstick classic lip balm - 0.15 oz. stick (orange cream burst).

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Conditioner - 1.7 oz.

Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Nighttime Balm - 1 oz.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizer Body Wash - 2 oz.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion - 2.5 oz.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Scrub - 2 oz.

Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion - 2.5 oz.

Axe Body Spray Apollo 1 oz.

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How to Travel with Makeup and Skincare: 12 Dos and Don'ts

@calpak / Instagram

Preparing your makeup for traveling is not an endeavor to be taken lightly. After all, with TSA regulations and baggage handlers who don't care that you have a fragile, limited-edition makeup palette in your suitcase, it's a rather harrowing experience for your beauty products. Okay, so we're being slightly hyperbolic. Packing a travel makeup bag isn't exactly a quest on par with throwing the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom, but it can be tricky. Should you pack that eyeshadow you've never worn before but could suddenly be struck with a need for? What's the best way to travel with a liquid foundation? And seriously, when will we learn how to pack makeup for a flight?

To answer these questions (and more), we turned to celebrity makeup artists Mary Irwin, Gabriel De Santino, and Jamie Greenberg.

Meet the Expert

• Mary Irwin is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City and the co-founder of The Makeup Standard .
• Gabriel De Santino is a makeup artist and founder of Gabriel Cosmetics .
• Jamie Greenberg is a Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist.

Invest in a Padded Makeup Bag

According to Irwin, investing in a padded makeup bag like the Away Large Toiletry Bag ($75), which will help keep all of your precious products safe. Also, when packing your carry-on, she says to put the makeup bag in the middle of your case and surround it with soft items (like clothing). "This assures that it's well-padded and you won't arrive with an explosion of eyeshadow," she says.

Greenberg concurs, saying a padded bag "will protect all of your palettes, lipsticks and other delicate (and often expensive) makeup products, so they don’t break while in transit."

Save Space By Packing Palettes

" When traveling, pack palettes [versus single eyeshadow pans] to save space and give you options for both day and night looks," says Irwin. Sigma Beauty's Ritzy Eyeshadow Palette ($25) hits all the notes—a mix of mattes, shimmers, and metallics allows you to build multiple looks without taking up a ton of space in your bag. And, if you're a frequent traveler, peep the brand's On-The-Go Eyeshadow Palette Set ($87), which contains every color you could possibly need (because let's be real, we need options).

Customize With Magnetic Palettes

Traveling with palettes only makes sense if you know you're going to be using all of the shades. If you'd rather pick and choose which shades to travel with, Irwin suggests using a magnetic palette that you can customize yourself. Try The Pro Palette ($25)—you can build and refill with the exact pans you'd like (translation: you won't be stuck with colors you won't use).

Always Pack Travel-Sized Products in a Carry-On

De Santino has some sound advice when it comes to packing your liquids: Always use a carry-on. "I always like to keep my makeup and skincare in my carry-on, so I stick to solids and travel sizes for all liquids. You'll be able to retouch before you de-board the plane, and worst-case scenario, if your luggage gets lost, at least you'll still be able to wash your face and throw some makeup on to feel a little better," he says.

Irwin agrees, adding that makeup products are delicate and baggage handlers tend to want to make a 50-yard pass with your suitcase. "Protect your makeup investment and make sure it gets there with you," she says.

Pack Multipurpose Products

"I like to use traveling as an excuse to streamline and stick to crossover products, like my   Multi-Pots and Gabriel Cream Highlighter ($21), which can be used on eyes, cheeks, and lips," he says. Packing products that don't require the use of brushes is also a good idea not only for space purposes, but this will also preserve the life of your brushes, as being cramped up in travel bags is not ideal.

Pre-Plan Your Makeup Looks

That baby blue liquid liner you've been meaning to test for the last year? It likely has no space in your travel makeup bag. Before you pack, De Santino suggests actually planning out your looks and assess what actually needs to come with you. That being said, this doesn't mean you can't have fun with your makeup looks while abroad. For example, if you know feathery brows are on the horizon, be smart about your picks: a pack a dual-sided brow product like Kevyn Aucoin True Feather Brow Marker Gel Duo ($32), which will set your brows in place on no-makeup makeup days and help you achieve the fluffy brow trend on more adventurous days.

Use Refillable Travel Containers

If you'd rather remain loyal to your beauty products (versus going with the unknown at a hotel), investing in leak-proof travel containers is a safe bet. There's nothing this one from Palette by Pak ($39) can't store—from liquids and oils to creams and even your face powder, this five-piece container lets you bring your favorites on the go.

DIY Your Travel Containers With a Contact Lens Case

Rather DIY it? De Santino says to put your lotions, serums, and any other liquids, like foundation, into a contact lens cases. "They look tiny but can hold a surprisingly large amount of product and seal up really well, so you don't have to worry about spills in your bag," he says.

Protect Your Powder Compacts With a Cotton Pad

"If traveling with powder compacts, ensure they arrive intact by placing a cotton pad (or, if you still have the puff that came with it) inside and pack on the top of your makeup bag. Pad the top of your bag with additional cotton pad for extra cushion," De Santino says.

Preserve Your Looks With a Makeup Refresher Spray

Travel schedules are busy and sometimes hectic, so it's helpful to have something on hand to refresh your makeup when you're running from A to B. Too Faced's Travel Size Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray ($18) spray hydrates and brightens both bare skin and foundation whenever the jet lag kicks in, as well as sets makeup to keep it in place, no matter what's on your itinerary. (Not to mention, it's the perfect pick-me-up on the airplane.)

Invest in Multi-Purpose Products

"Multitasking products are my absolute favorite for traveling," says Greenberg. "Ultimately, you’ll have less to pack and more room for other essentials, or souvenirs to bring home from your travels." Greenberg recommends a combination tinted moisturizer-SPF product like Younique's BARE·YOU BB Tinted Moisturizer+ SPF 30 ($46). "It's perfect for when you are on the go. Your skin is protected with a SPF 30 mineral zinc sunscreen, plus it is tinted, so it gives a more even-toned appearance," she says. "I also love it because the formula adds an added boost of moisture, with ceramides that hydrate skin and reduce trans-epidermal water loss."

Categorize Your Products

One surefire way to cut back on the number of products you pack (and therefore keep the essentials safe while in transit)? Pack in categories. "Separate your makeup by skin, face, eyes, lips," Greenberg says. "Then try to reduce one product per category, to help save space."

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The Best Gear for Travel

By Wirecutter Staff

Traveling well can be one of life’s great pleasures, whether you’re alone or with family and friends.

But what does it mean to travel well? We’d say that along with traveling safely (of course), traveling well involves avoiding hassle, carrying a single bag (if possible), and bringing only the necessities.

“Traveling well is a fine balance between finding inspiration in the unknown while being grounded in something,” said Wirecutter founder Brian Lam. “Sometimes that is a memory of home, a family, a significant other, friends, etc. Sometimes it’s just the familiar, reliable stuff in your bag.”

Over the past 10 years, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing dozens of products to find the most dependable items that will help you travel well. On top of that, we sought the advice and wisdom of Doug Dyment, author and creator of OneBag—a traveling businessman and public speaker, he has logged millions of miles over the past few decades—as well as travel-gear reviewer Eytan Levy, the Snarky Nomad.

And we relied heavily on the experiences of Wirecutter staff, an especially mobile group of individuals. Our staffers have worked remotely from every continent except Antarctica—the five most frequent flyers among us travel about half a million miles in any given (normal) year.

The research

Flying/riding, just in case, travel tips.

A well-packed bag is one that contains less than you think you need but everything you actually need. If possible, fitting everything into one carry-on and personal item will give you more freedom compared to checking a bag or two. You’ll be glad you did if (and when) things don’t go according to plan. While carry-on-only isn’t feasible (or advisable) for every trip—especially extended business trips or weddings where you need multiple outfits to maintain appearances—if in doubt, it’s better to cut.

Carry-on backpack (non-roller)

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

The Allpa’s clamshell design makes organizing your things simple. The strap design lets you easily wear this durable bag on your back or carry it in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind, but most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility and clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts depending on how much you’ve packed. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

We spent six months testing 22 bags, and in the end we chose two as our top picks for travelers determined to never check luggage again: the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L (for most trips) and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L . Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L features an easy-to-pack clamshell design and highly adjustable straps that make it a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. Handles on all four sides of this bag make it easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it, and the Allpa’s straps are contoured to comfortably fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The bag is protected by a full lifetime warranty and has the build quality to back that up. Its front panel is made of a waterproof, TPU-coated 1,000-denier polyester (a strong fabric covered in a flexible plastic coating), which means you can lay it on its back in a wet field or in gravel without worrying about moisture soaking through or jagged edges ripping the fabric. The rest of the paneling is made with 1,680-denier ballistic nylon, which feels similar to a strong canvas but with a more prominent weave. After four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item to store under the seat) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage that Kit Dillon, Wirecutter’s senior staff writer who covers luggage, uses.

One caveat: The Allpa has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth—which is where the personal item comes in handy. As the name suggests, “personal items” are very, well, personal, and no one bag will work for all travelers; we offer a range of recommendations in our full guide to them .

The larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. Not so with the Peak Design: It looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack. You can access the bag through a back panel, which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch, as well as through a front one, if you unzip the pass-through divider. You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps that run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters.

If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. It still feels larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for the ability to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400D nylon and polyester fabrics—it feels tough, but not as tough as the Cotopaxi Allpa. As for flaws, it is expensive, especially if you commit to the entire system of packing cubes and camera cubes . The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses, though Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty.

Finding the right bag is a personal choice, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we have picks in our full review of carry-on travel bags that can double as traveling offices , bags that are easy to carry while you’re walking long distances , and budget options for travelers who want to give the one-bag strategy a try.

Carry-on bag (rolling)

Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner

Great features, great value.

This spinner carry-on offers the best balance of size, value, reliability, and durability, with high-end details. It’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

Since 2015, we’ve researched several dozen suitcases and gone hands-on with the 67 most promising candidates in a variety of tests—including having active flight attendants test bags for us in a fake plane fuselage in their training facility. We determined that for most people the  Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Expandable Spinner  offers the best balance of features, durability, and price for most flyers who log less than 25,000 miles annually.

It features smooth-rolling, user-replaceable wheels; solid and comfortable, telescoping handles; and a hard-wearing nylon exterior propped up by a solid internal chassis. The Elite only improves on past iterations in the Platinum line by reducing the size of the stowed handle (which used to jut out about an inch) and adding a second zippered, exterior pocket for easy access on the go and a USB pass-through extension that lets you insert your own battery pack for charging your phone. And at 7.8 pounds when empty, this carry-on bag is about half a pound lighter than its predecessor. Compared with other bags in this price range, you also get surprisingly high-end components and a warranty that covers anything, even airline damage, for the life of the bag (as long as you register the suitcase within 120 days of purchase, which is easy to do on any smartphone).

Upgrade pick

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

For frequent flyers.

If you fly more than 25,000 miles a year, invest in a bag with unique features, superior details, and plenty of expandable room. This manufacturer guarantees your satisfaction.

If you fly more than 25,000 miles annually and you’re willing to invest in a higher-quality product, we recommend the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner. It can fit more clothing than any bag we tested, thanks to a cavernous interior and clever expansion and compression system that can adjust to variable levels beyond open and shut. Over a five-year period before the pandemic, Wirecutter’s founder, Brian Lam, put more than 150,000 miles on his. His only complaint was that longer pants will need an extra fold, or to be rolled. In taller bags, pants will only need to be folded over once.

Checked luggage

If you need to pack more stuff than a carry-on and a personal item can hold, our first piece of advice would be to reconsider whether you need that extra outfit “just in case.” But you’ll have times when you need to travel with several pairs of shoes, formalwear, a winter coat, special equipment (like diving or camping gear), or all of the above. In these cases, there’s no way to avoid checking a bag.

Osprey Farpoint 55 Men’s Travel Pack

The best travel backpack for those with taller torsos.

Comfortable, adjustable, and carry-on capable, the Farpoint has everything we needed for a week, or even months, of travel.

Osprey Fairview 55 Women’s Travel Pack

The best travel backpack for those with shorter torsos.

Comfortable, adjustable, and carry-on capable, the Fairview has everything we needed for a week, or even months, of travel.

If you’re going somewhere where you’ll need to walk a lot (particularly if there’s dirt or cobblestone roads), we recommend a travel backpack. We like the Farpoint 55 and the sized-for-smaller-torsos Fairview 55 because they’re comfortable and have plenty of room to store, and separate, our essentials. The front of the main pack unzips like a suitcase, so you can easily fit and access a week’s worth of clothes and toiletries. The daypack, which attaches to the front of the larger pack, has room for camera gear, daily essentials, and a small laptop (via a built-in sleeve). It’s also easy to stow. The main pack’s straps can tuck behind a zippered flap, so they won’t catch on anything if you check your luggage.

These bags are made of a heavy-duty recycled polyester that stands up even to long trips–one of our testers has traveled with a Farpoint 55 for years, across dozens of countries for months at a time, without damaging it. If something does happen, though, Osprey has a lifetime warranty.

Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner

The best checked bag for most travelers.

The bag provides a luxury feel at a reasonable price, with a capacity, warranty, and reliability that should suit most travelers. The 25-inch model should offer plenty of room for most people without going over airline weight limits.

If you don’t plan on walking around while carrying all your stuff, the  25-inch Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Spinner Suiter is our favorite piece of checked luggage for all of the same reasons we loved the carry-on size: It has excellent organizational features, it’s especially durable, and it has a better warranty than anything in its price range.

Luggage tags

Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag

Strong and easy to see.

Rugged silicone and a metal cable mean this tag (which comes two to a pack) may well outlive your luggage. The brightly colored case displays its owner’s name but keeps other personal information out of sight.

A good luggage tag should be durable, simple to use, and discreet. Ultimately, a tag should allow someone to get your luggage back to you quickly and easily, and it should withstand the wear and tear of being thrown onto conveyor belts time and again. After researching the top-rated and best-selling models, reading existing luggage-tag reviews, and comparing fourteen tags , we recommend the Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag for most travelers because it’s the only one we’d trust to survive being smashed by other bags, jammed into walls, and generally abused by baggage handlers. It’s the most durable tag we tested, and it comes in a wide selection of colors to help any bag stand out from the rest.

The Ovener tag’s silicone body seems nearly indestructible and is available in a rotating selection of colors (you get two tags per pack). Whereas other tags also feature metal cables, this tag has a metal grommet to keep the cable from eventually wearing through the silicone case.

Should you lose your bag, the Ovener makes it easy for a Good Samaritan to find your contact information. To fully access the info card, you have to unscrew and remove the metal strap; this lets the card slide out of the case. Most luggage tags we tested secure their info card in this way. It isn’t a difficult or time-consuming process, but it is an extra step compared with using a tag that displays all of your information openly. Still, for anyone who wants to keep their contact information out of view, the extra step is worth it.

Another approach to increasing privacy is to hide information in a QR code, as the Dynotag Smart Deluxe Steel Luggage Tag  does, or to provide a user ID number, as the Okoban UID Luggage Tags do. But these seem like overly complex solutions to a problem that doesn’t really exist.

Compression sacks

Originally designed for reducing the bulk of lofty sleeping bags, compression sacks are stuff sacks modified with additional nylon end caps that can be pulled together by strings or straps to remove air and create a smaller, denser package that’s easier to pack. Most travelers use compression sacks to condense socks, underwear, and other stuff you don’t mind getting wrinkled into a package with half as much overall volume. For example, an 8- to 12-liter sack can compress a fleece jacket and a long-weekend’s worth of socks and underwear into something that fits in one hand. They also make a decent pillow in a pinch.

Osprey StraightJacket (8L)

Easier access, less compression.

It has a full-length zipper on its side that allows access to the bag’s entire contents. However, it doesn’t compress as tightly as traditional designs.

Most compression sacks require you to empty out the stuff at the top to get to the stuff below it, but the side-zipper design on the Osprey StraightJacket allows access to the entire contents of the bag at once. The compression straps attach sideways, and are less likely to get tangled and twisted like on most compression sacks with lengthwise straps. It can also sit up on its own, and the handle design lets you break it out as a last minute carry-on to avoid an overweight-baggage fee. However, it doesn’t compress down as compactly as the traditional designs we tested so it’s not the best option if compression is your top priority.

GobiGear’s SegSac takes a different approach to solving the same access issue: It has four inner dividers that run the length of the sack in order to keep your socks separate from your underwear, winter accessories, towel, what have you. This means you don’t have to take out your T-shirts to get to your socks. Unlike the Osprey, it compresses just as much as a normal compression sack, but it loses points for versatility because the segmentation prevents it from handling large items like a down jacket or sleeping bag.

Packing cubes

Packing cubes could change your life. (Okay, maybe just your traveling life.) Packing cubes are basically bags to hold your clothes that you organize within your luggage. Though seemingly superfluous, they’re brilliant in action. If you imagine your suitcase as a dresser, you can think of these cubes as individual drawers: Put all your underwear and socks in one container, all your shirts in another, and your workout clothes in yet another. Then pull out only the cube you want. They make packing and repacking wonderfully simple.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set

Well built with easy access.

Simple and solidly constructed, these packing cubes keep your bag organized while you’re traveling.

The three-piece Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set keeps a week’s worth of clothes organized and moves easily from suitcase to hotel dresser. We’ve been recommending the previous version of these cubes for years, and after testing this updated set, we now recommend this version.

The full-size cube is great for shirts, shorts, and insulating layers. The half-cube and quarter-cube are perfect for underwear, socks, and other thin fabrics such as stockings or sleepwear. These cubes are made of 300-denier polyester (a strong fabric) and stay upright when empty, so they’re easy to pack. The Pack-It cubes’ windows are made of the tightest mesh link we tested—better for resisting snags—and the smooth zippers close easily around all corners, even when a cube is overstuffed.

The Eagle Creek cubes have the ability to unzip fully to allow full access to their contents while sitting in a dresser drawer. That means your clean clothes stay protected against some potentially dicey motel dressers. In 2022, Eagle Creek updated the design of these cubes, and now the company no longer uses YKK zippers, which are widely accepted as the best around . That said, we couldn’t tell any difference between Eagle Creek’s zippers and other brands’ YKK zippers, even with a magnifying glass, and their performance was indistinguishable. (For what it’s worth, an Eagle Creek product manager assured us that the proportion of zipper-related warranty claims hasn’t changed since the company made the switch from YKK.)

Most travelers are likely to be well served by the Reveal set. But if you value lightness above all, the more expensive Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube Set is about 50% lighter than similar-size competitors (just over 1 ounce for a medium cube, whereas the Eagle Creek classic style weighs about 4 ounces). Unlike the Reveal set, this set is water resistant. However, the Isolate design’s thin sides—which don’t allow the cubes to stand up on their own—make those cubes a bit more challenging to pack than the Reveal cubes.

Buying the right gear can help organize your existing travel kit, but it’s a red herring if your goal is better portability. “It’s mostly the clothing that allows you to reduce what you need to carry,” explains veteran traveller Eytan Levy, better known as the Snarky Nomad . That’s because clothing, which is very voluminous, makes up the bulk of what’s in your bag. He recommends traveling with basic-looking clothes because you can always buy or rent something nice in a pinch, whereas lugging around formalwear just in case will always be a pain. It also helps if you can avoid cotton and stick to merino and synthetic fabrics, which dry faster. This allows you to do laundry by hand in the sink as needed to reduce the amount of clothes you need to carry.

Travel underwear

Good travel underwear keeps you feeling fresh and clean, even when your destination is gritty.  To find the best , we researched an array of underwear designed for men and women to find 37 pairs meeting our criteria: moisture-wicking and breathable, quick-drying, odor-resistant, stretchy, stylish, and cut to fit a variety of body types.

We then conducted rigorous pretesting (wearing the underwear for two days at a time, machine-washing them repeatedly, and tracking their drying speed when hung on a clothesline) before taking them out into the real world. Our testers went backpacking 215 miles throughout Portland, Oregon; hiking in the Canadian Rockies, including walking from the lowest point in the Continental US to the highest; and road-tripping to the national parks of the West. Testers who flew to their destinations wore the underwear on the plane, too.

Afterward, we checked for signs of wear, such as seam breakage and pilling on the fabric. As we continued to test the finalists, we repeatedly checked for durability problems. In addition to comfort and fit, we noted whether each pair seemed lightweight and packable.

ExOfficio Men’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief

Best for most men.

Durable, quick-drying, and relatively inexpensive, this soft-fabric version of ExOfficio’s time-tested Give-N-Go undies will get the job done for years.

The ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief is the best men’s underwear for travel because it balances fit, comfort, odor-proofing, and value better than anything else we’ve tested. The Sport Mesh fabric excels at breathing and wicking and has better odor-resistance than other fabrics. It feels soft on the inside and smooth on the outside so it slides against your pants instead of creating friction, reducing potential for chafing. It also features a sculpted crotch area that gives wearers some much-appreciated support, without feeling stifling. These boxer briefs dry quickly, pack compactly, and weigh less than almost all the other boxer briefs we tried—basically they’re everything you’d want from a pair of excellent travel underwear.

Patagonia Women's Active Hipster

Best for most women.

These light, stylish, quick-drying hipsters stay in place whether you’re walking, flying, or hanging upside down.

The Patagonia Active Hipster doesn’t appear special upon first glance. Only after trying everything else and living through their failures to stay put did we remember what “special” really means in a pair of underwear: Feeling as if you’re wearing nothing at all. The Patagonias have the best fit, comfort, and style out of all the panties we tested. The nylon material is fast-wicking and better than most synthetics for odor-proofing, making it well suited for athletic activities. The Active Hipster is lightweight and packable, and is the fastest-drying underwear we tested—making them perfect for minimalist travelers who go weeks at a time with just one or two pairs. But these same characteristics make them great for any traveler looking for comfortable, packable panties, regardless of where you’re going or what you’re doing.

Budget pick

Uniqlo Men Airism Boxer Brief

Comfortable, compact, and fast-drying, these are a great value but don’t fit quite as nicely and aren’t as supportive in the crotch.

Uniqlo Women Airism Ultra Seamless HipHugger

Similar fabric to the Men’s Airism, with a no-ride cut for women, these underwear are the least expensive of any we tested and among the best performing.

May be out of stock

If you want to spend as little as possible without sacrificing performance, the Uniqlo Airism line has long been a great choice for men and women who can wear sizes small and medium. In recent years, both lines have expanded their size range somewhat (men to 3XL, and women to XL). If these fit, you can replace an entire underwear drawer on a tight budget, as long as you can deal with the slightly odd cut and less-effective odor-control treatment.

If you’ve never traveled with merino wool socks, you’re missing out. These aren’t the scratchy wool socks your grandpa wore in the army; they are soft and stretchy ones that have natural sweat-wicking and odor-resisting properties that keep your toes comfortable under all conditions—even when wet. This combination of odor, moisture, and temperature regulations makes them ideal for traveling. "Because of its natural anti-bacterial properties, washing merino wool on a daily basis isn’t absolutely necessary,” explains Snarky Nomad , "after letting it air dry overnight while you sleep, it’ll seem brand new.” The only major downside is that merino tends to be a bit pricier than synthetic counterparts. But it’s a worthy trade-off, since you can go for longer with fewer pairs.

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (Women’s)

The best quality for women.

The best mix of comfort, durability, and cushioning in a versatile height.

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (Men’s)

For the best quality.

The same great versatile sock as the women’s model, but in different color options and more sizes.

Darn Tough’s Light Hiker Micro Crew socks (both the men’s and women’s versions) have been our favorite hiking socks for years. Darn Tough made its name through its quality guarantee : “Our socks are guaranteed to be the most comfortable, durable, and best fitting socks you can buy. In a nutshell, if you wear a hole in them, we will replace them free of charge, for life.” Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers (hardcore backpackers who walk from Mexico to Canada in one continuous trip) praise them for their durability, comfort, and blister resistance. When you hold a pair of Darn Toughs next to a pair of Smartwools (which only have a two-year guarantee ), the difference is clear. The Darn Toughs are more tightly knit, the yarns are finer and feel sturdier, and the stitching is tighter.

Darn Tough Women's Coolmax Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock

The best non-wool women’s hiking sock.

This midlevel cushioned sock for women is the best synthetic option for most climates and terrains.

Darn Tough Men's Coolmax Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock

The best non-wool men’s hiking sock.

This synthetic men’s sock is perfect for day hiking in most weather.

If you are sensitive to wool, prefer a vegan product, or want a cooler option for the summer, we also like the Darn Tough Coolmax Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock, which comes in women's and men’s sizes.

We appreciated how breathable this sock felt. While wearing the Coolmax Micro Crew in hot summer weather, our testers’ feet stayed dry and sweat-free. The shorter micro-crew height makes the Coolmax Micro Crew suitable for both boots and shoes, too. And like all Darn Tough socks, this model comes with a lifetime warranty.

Indosole Flip Flops (women’s)

A quality flip flop in women’s sizes.

These stylish beach sandals come in a wide range of colors. Be careful, though: Indosole sizes tend to run a little small.

Indosole Flip Flops (men’s)

A quality flip flop in men’s sizes.

These beach sandals are the same as the women’s version but cut a bit wider; we still think they run a little smaller than regular shoe sizes.

A good pair of travel flip-flops should be lightweight, comfortable, and waterproof. The men’s and women’s Indosole Flip Flops offer the best combination of quality, comfort, and easy packability. Unlike many flip flops, which slap against the ground with every step, the subtle arch support of this flip flop kept it secure against our feet. Plus they’re made from waterproof, recycled materials. Keep in mind, though, that our testers found these shoes to run a bit small, so we suggest sizing up for the best fit.

Clothesline

While doing laundry at home can be a large weekly event, OneBag author Doug Dyment recommends approaching travel laundry as a part of your daily routine, especially if you’re trying to pack as little as possible: “The laundry should be more like cleaning your teeth—something you do everyday. It only takes about five minutes to do it. Every night, do your socks and underwear and you’ll have clean socks and underwear everyday.”

A secure, hassle-free option

The Flexo-Line attaches easily to a door handle or faucet and grips garments securely between its loops.

Check out OneBag’s laundry packing list if you want specific tips on how to do it and what you’ll need, but it’s a pretty simple setup: All you need is a toiletry bottle of powdered detergent, a towel to help expedite drying, and a travel clothesline to finish the drying process while you sleep at night.

Specifically, you want a braided—not twisted—surgical latex clothesline with looped ends, which means you want a Flexo-Line . The Flexo-Line can stretch up to 7 feet long, which is enough to span most hotel bathtubs, and it has loops that you can attach easily to a door handle, bath spigot, or faucet. The braided construction is superior to twisted designs made from other materials because the latex does a better job of gripping garments securely between the loops, which means you don’t need any additional clothespins.

Dyment has tried them all, but the Flexo-Line is the one he comes back to. As he explained to me in an interview, “There are others that are fine, but there are far more that are not fine.” More specifically, Dyment says to avoid anything that’s not made of latex , because clothes will inevitably slip out of them. He also says to never, ever trust a suction cup: “They don’t work, period.” If the Flexo-Line is unavailable, Dyment says that the Rick Steves collection from Kiva Designs also makes a nice braided line that is a bit more expensive. If you have a latex allergy, Dyment recommends going with a length of cord ( paracord is nice because it’s durable and you can use it for other things as well) and stainless steel safety pins meant for cloth diapers , because they take up far less space than a clothespin and won’t rust. In fact, it’s worthwhile to get these items even if you can use a latex line because they’re great for making luggage repairs and performing other MacGyver-ish tasks in a pinch. To hang up the clothesline, we recommend using a bowline knot on one end and a taut line hitch on the other. These knots work well together because the bowline creates a simple, slip-proof loop to anchor one end while the taut line hitch allows you to adjust for tension and locks tightly in place. If you could commit any two knots to memory forever, these are the ones to learn.

Laundry detergent

Minisoak Travel Packs

A travel size version of the best delicates detergent.

Perfect for traveling because you don’t even need to rinse it out.

When you’re washing your underwear in a hotel sink, you want a fast and easy experience. For this, we recommend the no-rinse detergent Soak . That’s right, we said no rinse . You just add a drop to the sink, fill with water, and leave your garments to soak. Then press out the water and hang. Done.

In our tests of delicates detergents , Soak cleaned almost as well as our top laundry detergent, Tide; plus, it comes in individual packets of powder  that are great for traveling, as well as in  travel-size bottles of the liquid version . In addition to unscented, it's available in a variety of scents, although Lacey and Celebration are not the most descriptive of scent names. They all smell nice, not overpowering. Soak also comes in an assorted travel pack with two single-use packets of each scent, if you want to test-drive one or two before you buy. In that mini size, you get eight packets for $11 currently, but you really need only a squeeze, not the the whole packet, to wash a couple of pairs of socks and underwear.

One downside to Soak is that you won’t find it in a grocery store or big-box store. But it is available online at Soak’s site . And if you really want to walk into a store and put your mitts on a bottle, you can find it at most local yarn stores.

Don’t feel like buying Soak or bringing along a bit of your own detergent? Shampoo also works pretty well for cleaning garments in a pinch, so make use of that free bottle from the hotel. But a caveat: Neither Soak nor shampoo contains enzymes , which are biological molecules in laundry detergent that break down certain stains. If you have especially stinky or stained clothes, you might need to break out the Tide .

When we first published this guide, this section addressed only toiletry kits and bottles, razors, and packable towels. The times, and traveling, became more complicated. One thing we've learned in the past few years is that face masks can be useful whenever you’re sick and don’t want to share your misery. Fortunately, compared with early 2020, medical-style N95s and KN95s (which many experts recommend as the best protection) are widely available. They’re easy to tuck into a bag, which we do now whenever we travel. 

Toiletry kit

We’ve researched dozens of travel toiletry bags and dopp kits over the past several years, and we tested 23 of the top-rated contenders in our most recent round of tests. After packing and unpacking a week’s worth of travel-size toiletries, conducting spill tests, and living out of the top performers on the road, we have a few different picks that stand out thanks to their style, packability, and quality of construction.

Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag (small)

A space-saving hanging bag.

This lightweight, well-organized bag fits a week’s worth of travel-size toiletries into a compact package. It’s meant to be hung, which makes it good for tight spaces, but it doesn’t have much in the way of internal structure.

The Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag (small) is compact and durable. It’s small enough to stash in a backpack or laptop bag, but it holds enough travel-size toiletries to keep us supplied for a week. You can open it and hang it from a shower curtain or towel rod to easily see and grab your items. It comes with a shatterproof mirror, two micro-mesh zip pockets and an open pocket for toothbrushes, lip balm, and tweezers, and a large compartment for bulky lotions and hair-care items.

L.L.Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag

For more stuff and longer trips.

With a 6.4-liter capacity and over a dozen compartments, this toiletry bag has a place for everything—and everything will stay put during transit, too. It can also accommodate non-travel-size bottles.

The L.L.Bean Personal Organizer (medium) is a great option for longer trips and people who travel with full-size bottles. Its 6.4 liters of storage spread across a dozen compartments means there’s a dedicated place for pretty much everything you could want to bring on a trip—it even has a removable mesh shower caddy for shampoo and body wash. This level of organization is crucial for larger toiletry bags because, as we discovered after years of traveling with our picks, contents that aren’t securely fastened can shift around in transit, which increases the chance of spilling. The downside of all this organization is that the L.L.Bean weighs 14 ounces when empty, so it’s not ideal for carry-on travel.

If neither of these bags seems right for you, read our full review of the best toiletry bags and dopp kits to learn more about our picks and everything we tested.

Toiletry bottles

Sea to Summit TPU Clear Zip Pouch with Bottles

These six TSA-friendly bottles are sturdy and smartly designed, dispensing liquids more precisely than any of the other bottles we tested.

For traveling with liquids in your carry-on, the Sea to Summit set is your best bet. All six bottles conform to TSA size limitations; three of them can hold 3 ounces of liquid each, and three can hold 1.5 ounces each, for a total of 13.5 ounces. Despite the set’s name, the bottles themselves are made not of thermoplastic polyurethane—“TPU" refers to the zip pouch—but a high-density polyethylene material, much like what you’d see used in most plastic milk jugs. It has an almost-smooth, semi-transparent surface just textured enough that it’s not slippery when wet. The plastic is also flexible enough that you don’t have to squeeze very hard to get your shampoo or liquid soap or whatever going. An insert at the mouth of each bottle helps regulate the flow, and the screw tops prevent liquids from leaking in transit.

Razor (faces)

Gillette Mach3

The best manual razor for most faces.

This classic razor’s three widely spaced blades provide the best balance of speed, smoothness, and safety. Its handle is comfortable and well designed, and replacement blades can be had for a fair price.

We researched more than 100 and tested 11 manual razors for our full razor guide , concluding that the Gillette Mach3 is our top pick for manual razors. Although the three blades require a little extra time for a closer shave, it performs comparably to the latest and greatest offerings for as little as half the price.

The Gillette Mach3 provides the best balance of speed, smoothness, and safety. The Mach3’s simple, round handle is easy to grip and maneuver, and its three blades offer a close shave without over-irritating the skin or getting clogged with hair. And the price of Mach3 blades—$2 per cartridge or less, whether you buy them online or in a store—came close to, or even beat, the pricing of shave-club rivals, and the Mach3 shaved better than those competitors.

Razor (legs/body)

Gillette Venus Smooth

The best body razor.

This classic Venus is one of the easiest razors to grip and maneuver and its three-blade design keeps the blades remarkably free of hair.

Disposable razors (both the completely disposable and replaceable-cartridge variety) are fine to take through airport security , and among them we like the Gillette Venus Original best for traveling. Although it’s now the runner-up pick in our guide to body razors —it was formerly the top pick—we believe that its simple aloe lubricating strips, which don’t become tacky when wet, make the Venus more travel friendly than our new top pick . Plus, as with any Venus, the Original’s body is compatible with any other Venus head and many heads from Gillette’s facial razors, making replacement heads easier to find when you’re on the road.

The Original’s head has three blades separated by considerable slats of space, making it far easier to clean the head between strokes. The Original is intuitive to hold and secure to maneuver, thanks to a contoured handle with corrugated chevrons of rubber. Though our testers have a wide range of hand sizes, no one found the Original difficult to grasp. Despite the significant ribbing, it doesn’t feel too bulky. Gillette claims its razors have lasted for five weeks; we think one razor for a weeklong trip should be fine.

(Know that, confusingly, the Venus appears for sale on some retail sites under the name Venus Close and Clean or Venus Smooth. It’s the same razor. If you’re unsure which Venus model you’re looking at, check for the Original’s three blades and trademark sea-foam blue color.)

Towel (packable)

PackTowl Personal

The best all-around packable towel.

The PackTowl Personal Towel is lightweight, soft, absorbent, quick to dry, and odor-resistant.

With store pickup or REI membership (limited patterns)

(limited patterns)

We put 20 top-rated towels through a battery of tests including regular shower use, a trip to the beach, camping, and a 48-hour stay in a ziplock bag under the hot Hawaiian sun. After all was said and done, the Packtowl Personal Towel is still the best all-around travel towel for most people. In addition to being the softest lightweight towel we tested, it was more absorbent than competitors made of similar materials. It had the best odor-resisting abilities and comes with a convenient mesh carrying pouch. We also have alternate picks for ultralight and all-natural towels below.

The Personal Towel’s suede-like material was the softest of the thinner towels. The Personal Towel also had superior absorption when compared with other similarly constructed towels such as the Sea to Summit DryLite —in our tests, it absorbed 2.8 times its weight in water, while the others absorbed between 2.3 times and 2.7 times.

One of just two we tested that featured an added antimicrobial treatment, the Personal Towel was only a little musty smelling after 24 hours in a sealed ziplock bag, and remained unchanged at 48 hours.

If you’re looking for a budget option, consider the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel , which is a tad smaller than our other picks and is made from a seemingly lighter-feeling fabric. Unlike most budget options, it has an antibacterial coating and still managed to carry a pleasant smell after being testing in different environments.

Regardless of how you get to your final destination, it’s likely you’ll be stuck in a seat that’s less than ideal. Travel gadgets that claim to reduce this misery, such as compression socks, are popular. But when they take up precious luggage space for the duration of your trip—not just the flight or train ride–they need to be worth every cubic inch of space. The less you can make do with, the better off you’ll be.

Neck pillow

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

More support for most necks.

Its tall memory-foam walls let it offer more support than any other pillow we tested. It’s also shaped to sit flush against a headrest, and it compresses to a manageable size.

The uniquely angled back on the Travelrest Ultimate sets it apart from other travel pillows we tested because it can lay flat against the seat back. Most other pillows have a rounded back, which pushes your head away from the headrest. The Travelrest also has rubber grip dots to prevent slipping while sleeping. This pillow’s spongy memory foam cushions the entire circumference of your neck, preventing your head from leaning far in any direction, and its adjustable Velcro strap ensures it can fit most necks. The pillow’s cozy velour exterior is removable and machine-washable. Although it doesn’t pack flat, the Travelrest weighs less than a pound and compresses to a quarter of its size when rolled into its Velcro-strapped carrying case. Our only complaint is that the Travelrest’s high walls, though supportive, can push over-ear headphones off of the ears of people with shorter necks.

Noise-cancelling headphones

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

The best over-ear noise-cancelling headphones.

The Bose 700 headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation in a comfortable, lightweight design that’s traveler friendly—but they carry a high price.

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 over-ear set has the most versatile active noise cancellation we’ve ever tested. With 10 levels of noise reduction to choose from, everyone should be able to find a setting that meets their needs. We also enjoyed the lightweight and comfortable design and the easy-to-use controls. What distinguishes the Bose 700’s ANC is the amount of adjustability it gives you: Most noise-cancelling headphones offer controls for only on/off or maybe high/low/off, but with the Bose 700 pair you can set the ANC level from 0 to 10, so you have more flexibility to dial in the ideal setting for your comfort. The 20-hour battery life, while not the best we’ve seen, is more than sufficient to get you to most destinations. We have additional options—including earbuds and surprisingly good budget options for  over-ear headphones and earbuds —in our full guide to noise-cancelling headphones .

Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs

For blocking out the most noise.

These blocked the most noise in our controlled testing and got the most votes from our subjective sleep panel.

When you’re traveling, it can be difficult to fall asleep to unfamiliar noises. That’s why we spent several hours researching new contenders and tested four top-rated models while sleeping in a house that was next to an airport in order to determine that Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam earplugs are the best earplugs  for sleeping.

The Mack’s 37.1 dB noise reduction rating was the highest among the models we tested. According to Cooper Safety , that’s enough to reduce the volume of a gas lawnmower to that of a normal conversation. What made the Mack’s earplugs so effective is the fact that we could insert them and rest assured that they would stay in the whole night. Meanwhile, the Howard Leight MAX1 might be a favorite from crowdsourced sleep-aid review site Sleep Like the Dead , but the earplugs would inevitably fall out in the middle of the night. Thus, they failed to block out the noise of planes landing and taking off throughout the night, despite the MAX1’s 33 dB noise reduction rating. The Howard Leights also made our ears ache on occasion, whereas the Mack’s has a tapered shape that was consistently comfortable night after night.

The Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs cost about 20¢-35¢ per pair when purchased in a 50-pair pack. They come in a plastic case is about the size of a large coffee mug, which is small enough to toss in a large bag or suitcase. Many other ear plugs like our runner-up, the 3M’s E-A-Rsoft OCS1135 , can only be ordered in industrial-size lots that, while perhaps appealing to those who travel constantly (or run a hostel), are annoying to store and often lack a reusable container of any sort.

Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask

For air travelers and back-sleepers.

The lightweight and contoured Nidra mask is a light-blocking win for most face shapes, with deep eye cups that allow the wearer to blink freely and arrive feeling refreshed.

When bright lights hamper peaceful shut-eye, we recommend the light-blocking, contoured Nidra Deep Rest sleep mask. Of the 14 masks we tested , the Nidra blocked the most light on the most faces. It’s contoured to rest on your face like a pair of soft goggles, with fabric lenses that sit around your eyes (instead of directly over them). This design provides more space for your eyes to flutter during REM sleep, ensuring that you come through red-eye flights with less redness in your eyes. Makeup wearers will also appreciate that, with the Nidra’s elevated eye cups, there’s a smaller chance of smudging.

Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask

A flat, silk mask.

A silken exterior material, a flat design, and an adjustable strap make this mask a fit for almost any face, but it puts pressure on the eyes.

Mzoo Sleep Mask

A smooth, contoured eye mask.

Soft, structured, and contoured, this mask stays on all night and prevents any light from seeping through

If the Nidra Deep Rest doesn’t fit your face quite right, we also recommend the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask and the Mzoo Sleep Mask . The Alaska Bear mask lacks contoured eyecups and thus applies some pressure to the eyes overnight like any regular eye mask does. But its flat design easily conforms to fit your face, and its silk exterior feels smooth and soft against skin (the padding is made of cotton). Its relative lack of structure makes it more difficult to knock off when you’re tossing and turning.

The Mzoo mask’s eyecups have a convex gap so your eyes can open and close. That gap is surrounded by a memory foam padding that rests on the perimeter of your eye sockets. The effect is such that you don’t feel like your eyes are being forced closed, but there is a bit of compression near your temples, eyebrows, and cheekbones. Most—though not all—of our testers found this sensation soothing. One liked how the contour of the eyecup kept the mask from brushing against their eyelashes, which makes it a good choice for people who wear eyelash extensions.

Few things are better than landing at an airport, turning on your phone, and having it just work. No hassles, no stress, no worries about brutal roaming fees. You can check in with loved ones, scope out the route to your lodgings, and maybe post an Instagram story or two—because your phone works just like it does at home. This is especially freeing, and it makes travel so much easier. (Of course, phones aren’t the only useful tech to bring: Check out our accessories reviews for guides to the best cables ( USB-C , Lightning , and Micro-USB ), Wi-Fi hotspots , Bluetooth speakers , and more.)

Unlocked mobile phone

One of the most useful gadgets for international travel is an unlocked smartphone that’s compatible with cheap, prepaid phone plans you can sign up for at your destination. Unless your carrier offers plans including high-speed data that you can access internationally (i.e., you’re with T-Mobile or Google Fi), traveling with a phone under contract with a major carrier means paying an arm and a leg for data. Being able to access data-guzzling apps like Google Maps or Google Translate on the fly is worth the hassle to unlock a phone. Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp are free, easy ways to communicate with people you meet on your trip and people from home. Plus there’s checking email, TripAdvisor, banking, social media, and so on.

An “unlocked” phone means you can buy prepaid SIM cards in the country you’re visiting, letting you access their local network for significantly less money than the roaming fees incurred by your home carrier. With a prepaid SIM, your phone effectively becomes a new phone with a new (now local) phone number. Instead of seeing “Verizon,” “AT&T,” or “Sprint” at the top of your phone, you might see “Vodafone,” “Yes Optus,” “M1,” or whatever provider you choose in the country you’re visiting. The first thing to check is if your phone will work where you’re going. If you’re unsure if your phone will work where you’re going, check the Wikipedia page for your phone or contact your provider.

Your phone will also require a removable SIM. (If your phone has an eSIM, as all new iPhones do, check out our blog post about those.) Most countries require a passport or other ID to buy a prepaid SIM without a contract, but switching the SIMs is easy. Most stores will do it for you while you’re there. Depending on the country/provider, this could take as long as 10 minutes but is often faster. The next question is easily the most complicated: Can you unlock your phone? Each carrier has different rules and criteria. Generally, if you have a brand new, expensive phone, they may not let you unlock it (there’s usually a waiting period after the purchase date). But if it’s a little older, or if you’ve paid it off, they probably will. The thing to remember is that a provider can deny an unlock request without giving a reason. You might be lucky, though; certain phones on certain providers are unlocked by default. Here are Verizon and AT&T’s pages on unlocking. Alternately, you can buy a pre-unlocked phone just for travel. Amazon and Best Buy, for example, sell unlocked phones. This is also a good option if you think you might lose your expensive phone and a cheaper one will suffice while you travel.

Plug adapter

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

Best universal travel adapter.

With four plugs that will work in most countries, plus faster-charging USB ports (and more of them) than its competitors, this adapter is the best all-around choice.

In a sea of almost-identical travel adapters, the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter stands out, combining the best of the features we look for. It contains the three most common international plugs and a US-style plug, which should cover you in the majority of countries around the world. It has the most USB ports—four of the standard USB-A and one USB-C—of any universal adapter we tested, and it charged more of our devices faster. A replaceable fuse and an included spare should take the brunt of any accidental, unfortunate, or shockingly bad connections. The Epicka is fairly compact and well built, and it even comes with an extra USB cable and a nylon case.

However, no universal travel adapter is truly universal, and they’re all a lot bulkier and more expensive than simple plug adapters. If you want the smallest adapter possible, or if you’re going someplace where a universal adapter won’t work (more on that in a minute), a plug adapter could be what you need.

Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter 5 Piece Set

The best plug adapter.

Individually, these tiny plug adapters are smaller, lighter, and cheaper than any universal travel adapter. To juice up multiple devices, though, you’d need a separate multiport charger too.

The tiny plug adapters from Ceptics are barely larger than the prongs they convert. Small, simple, and cheap, they’re perfect for someone who wants to carry only the adapter they’ll need and who already has a multiport USB wall charger they like. Like our universal adapter picks, this set contains the three most common international plugs and the US plug. However, it also includes a somewhat rarer plug used in some European countries that has two thick, cylindrical prongs. This means that the Ceptics set will likely cover you in even more places—as long as you pack the appropriate plug adapter. These charts should help you find the shape you need before you order.

However, getting your gear to work in different countries isn’t quite as simple as it should be, and there’s no single solution that’s guaranteed to work for everyone. Our picks should work for you, but you may have some random piece of equipment, or be traveling to some country, for which our “good for most” picks just won’t work. (Case in point: One Wirecutter editor visited Iceland a few years back. The house she stayed in had outlets unlike anything on those charts, and the plug adapters she had used elsewhere in Reykjavik didn’t fit at all. It turns out the mystery sockets belonged to an obscure Italian system from the 1960s that was popular in Iceland for a time. Luckily, the hosts had power strips in the house that her adapters fit into.) The world is a big place, and when it comes to electricity and wall outlets, there’s a lot of variation. That’s important to keep in mind.

Whether two-prong or three-prong, an adapter just changes the shape of your plug, not anything about the electricity coming through the wires. However, this usually isn’t a problem because almost every power brick that comes with modern electronic gear is capable of accepting both the 110-volt standard used in the US and the 240-volt commonly used abroad. If your device has a power block on the cord, it likely says something like  “100-240 V ~ 50/60 Hz”—that’s the all-clear to use it without a voltage converter so long as the range covers the voltage of the country you’re visiting . This includes the vast majority of modern laptop and USB chargers.

Products without some sort of power block at the end or with a non-detachable cord—in particular, things with heating elements like hair dryers and curling irons—are more likely to need a voltage converter. Putting 220 V through a US 110 V device would be like attaching a firehose to a drinking fountain—you’re likely to blow your face off. But voltage converters are tricky devices, and most of the inexpensive ones have awful (or dishonest) reviews. Since hotels and hostels will often have hair dryers and most newer gear can do the full range of voltages, we strongly recommend that, whenever possible, you only bring items that work with a much simpler (and more reliable) adapter.

Wire/gadget organization system

Now that every device has a battery, every battery has a charger, and every charger has a cable—never mind power-plug adapters if you’re traveling abroad—the sheer quantity of accessories needed just to keep your gadgets running can take up more space than the devices themselves. And unless you organize them, you can bet on having to blindly fish them out of the least convenient spot at the bottom of your bag. Unfortunately, our pick for carrying tech necessities, the Incase Nylon Accessory Organizer, has been out of stock for a few years. It will, however, be coming back in 2024, according to Incase. If you prefer mesh to easily see your contents, or simply can’t wait for the Incase organizer to come back in stock, we also like the Container Store Micro Mesh Pouches .

The Incase cable organizer is a poly-nylon blend, so it’s durable. It is a soft-shell bag, however, so its contents can distort the bag’s shape when it’s full. But the bag’s edges remain rigid—so the seams don’t pucker—its contents don’t fall out, and zipping and unzipping the bag is still easy. We have other picks in our full guide to bag and cable organizers , including a roll-up bag and a stylish duo of cosmetics travel pouches ; we’ll also start testing other options to replace this one.

USB battery packs

A USB battery pack (also called a power bank) can keep your small electronics—from phones and cameras to tablets and more—going while you’re on the road. Although the length of your trip will determine exactly how much extra juice you’ll need to have on hand, whatever your requirements, we have a great USB battery recommendation for you. The Belkin Boost Charge Plus 10K weighs about half a pound, and its rounded edges make it easy to hold or slip into a pocket. Its USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port can charge most handheld devices and recharge itself at top speed (with the right USB-C cable and wall charger), and it can pass power to another device while being recharged from a wall outlet. It only comes in one color, but it has enough capacity to fully charge most smartphones up to three times, as well as built-in USB-C and Lightning cables that are easy to slide in and out of their holsters.

If you’re traveling for leisure, try not to get too wrapped up in technology because you might miss what you’re actually there to do: experience a new place. OneBag’s Doug Dyment said in an interview, “Wearing headphones and staring at a screen is like putting a digital wall around yourself when you’re traveling. It makes you seem unapproachable and uninterested in what’s around you.” That may be a good thing if you do truly want to be left alone, but Dyment went on to say that some of his most memorable traveling experiences were the result of just looking lost and getting help from the locals. “One minute, you’re a lost foreigner in an unfamiliar village, then someone asks if you need directions. Before you know it, you’re eating dinner with his family.”

Travel binoculars

Athlon Optics Midas ED

The overall best binoculars.

Amazingly affordable with great optics, these binoculars have performance comparable with that of many models that cost thousands more.

Our top pick for binoculars is durable and great for near-home hikes. In hot or dusty environments that may call for a clearer optical boost, the Athlon Optics Midas ED 8×42 binoculars deliver top quality. Its focus dial offers a wide range of depths that makes it easier to see whatever it is you desire—birds, grass or darkened areas of the forest. Our recommendation comes with the assistance of a professional ornithologist who spent over 100 hours putting 17 pairs of binoculars to the test in the mountains of Southern California and the rain forests of southern Mexico.

Although the Celestron TrailSeeker ED binoculars don’t offer a clear edge-to-edge view to the same degree of the Athlon Optics Midas EDs , they’re a comparable runner-up model that’ll be lighter on your wallet if having binoculars while traveling is a must. The TrailSeekers are equipped with great light-gathering qualities, close focus, and impressive optical resolution. Or, if you’re concerned about saving space, we liked the Pentax AD 8x25 WP binoculars. While not quite as powerful as our other picks, this compact pair of binoculars is well made and easy to fit into a carry-on while traveling via plane.

Ebook reader

Amazon Kindle (2022)

The best e-reader for most people.

Amazon’s most affordable Kindle is also its most portable, and it’s finally been upgraded with sharper text on its 6-inch screen and support for USB-C charging. Those features bring it in line with much-pricier e-readers.

The entry-level Amazon Kindle finally got an upgrade and is now our favorite e-reader , with the same crisp display and USB-C charging as the pricier Kindle Paperwhite has (and with double the storage space of the previous entry-level model). Amazon’s well-stocked ebooks store remains its biggest selling point, along with the ease of checking out library books via Libby and sending them directly to a Kindle.

Even if you don’t have time for pleasure reading on your trip, it’s worth investing in a Kindle because many major travel guides are available in fully searchable ebook formats now. Furthermore, e-texts will also work on your phone, tablet, and computer, thanks to the Kindle ecosystem.

Packable daypack

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack

A pack that fits in your palm.

Toss this lightweight, phone-sized packable bag into your luggage or coat pocket, and you’ll never get caught without a spare bag again. If you need something to carry every day, though, we think you’ll prefer one of our more-structured picks.

Packing a stowable daypack, one that stuffs down to fit in your luggage when not in use, is a relatively small investment of space in exchange for a high return of function and flexibility. After researching dozens of packable daypacks across a spectrum of portability, features, and prices, and then packing, unpacking, loading, wearing, and drenching the top-rated finalists during multiple rounds of testing, the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack is the smallest and lightest packable backpack we recommend. Packed up, it is very discreet: nearly the size of a keychain accessory.

The bag itself is a no-frills sack made from a paper-thin siliconized Cordura nylon, which means it’s very light and water-resistant. It has reinforced stitching at stress points, allowing the Ultra-Sil to carry more weight than you would expect. That said, since this pack is made of such thin, light material, carrying large or awkwardly shaped loads is somewhat uncomfortable, especially when compared with our more structured picks.

If comfort or waterproofing is important to you, check out the alternative picks in our review of packable daypacks for travel .

Field Notes 3-Pack Original Kraft Memo Books

For ultimate portability.

Field Notes are cheap but contain high-quality paper that earns praise from pen and stationery geeks across the web.

For writing your adventures as you travel, you can’t beat the portability, practicality, and romanticism of a pocket notebook. There’s nothing better in that category than Field Notes (three-packs available in a variety of styles and types ). These pocket-sized notebooks are widely praised for their excellent paper quality, and the Pen Addict’s Brad Dowdy tells me “Field Notes is pretty much the runaway pocket notebook champ.” Dowdy has praised it for the lack of feathering or bleedthrough with almost any pen, as well as for the light brown ruled lines, which are easier to write over than solid black. Austin Smith of Art Supply Critic told us in an email that his recommendation is “Field Notes has it, no question.” The Well-Appointed Desk has reviewed a slew of different Field Notes variants for those looking for something a bit more interesting.

Field Notes Expedition

A weather-resistant option.

Weather-resistant Expedition Field Notes are great if you’re writing in wet conditions, but don’t get them if you don’t need them. The synthetic paper feels weird and can cause some inks to smear.

If you think you’re going to be writing in foul weather, Field Notes also has the waterproof Expedition version with pages made from a synthetic water-and-tear resistant paper. You should only get these if you really need them, because otherwise, they just feel unnaturally slick and are more prone to smearing ink. At least one user has said that the paper shows less soaking through when wet than the similar Rite in the Rain books . The one caveat is that the synthetic paper will only work with pencils and certain inks ; thankfully, the Uni-ball Jetstream RT , our pick for best pen , definitely makes the grade.

Things can go wrong while you’re traveling, both where you are and where you’re not. Though you can’t prepare for every worst-case scenario, the peace of mind that a little bit of preparation grants will allow you to focus on what’s in front of you, instead of having to worry about what could go wrong. But preparation doesn’t simply mean buying more stuff just in case; it also means making efficient use of what you already have.

Merchant & Mills for Purl Soho Rapid Repair Kit

For the best combination of sewing tools.

The Merchant & Mills Rapid Repair Kit is the only travel kit we found that had objectively high-quality thread and scissors.

There’s nothing quite like a wardrobe malfunction to put a damper on vacation, especially when traveling with limited clothing. A good travel-size sewing kit allows you to mend a popped button or ripped seam on the fly—or even tackle more pressing issues like fixing a tent, sleeping bag, or backpack. After 15 hours of research, interviews with sewing teachers and avid home sewers, and tests of six travel and full-size kits, we found the Merchant & Mills for Purl Soho Rapid Repair Kit had by far the best tools and was the easiest to keep organized. Standard travel sewing kits usually contain mediocre thread and plastic-handled scissors that break easily. They can also be hard to keep organized (a truth we confirmed when testing six top-rated travel and full-sized kits). The Merchant & Mills set was the only one that had high-quality thread, all-metal mini scissors (don’t worry, the TSA shouldn’t stop you ), and a durable tin case (about the size of a deck of cards) to keep everything well organized.

Because the sewing pins are neatly stuck into paper inside a slim envelope and the three needles are housed in a mini glass vial, this kit also limits the risk of losing a sharp object in your bags. We found the Merchant & Mills needles easier to thread than others (no need for a fussy needle threader!) and we also like the vintage-looking safety pins that come clipped together along with two small white buttons. Although this kit only comes with black and white thread, the thread is strong and there’s more of it than you’d get in a flimsier set with shorter strands of multiple colors. We do think it would be nice if the kit included a more durable measuring tape than the paper one included, but overall everything about this kit is leagues ahead of anything else we considered. We didn’t find editorial reviews for any of the kits we tested, but the Merchant & Mills rapid repair kit was recommended by several sewing bloggers and is sold in many reputable indie fabric shops.

Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella

The best umbrella for most people.

This is a solidly built, easy-to-find umbrella that holds up in high winds. It also comes in a variety of colors.

price may vary by color or style

An umbrella you take traveling should be small, light, sturdy, and affordable. After putting in 66 hours of research and evaluating a total of 48 umbrellas across five rounds of testing (including one thunder-snowstorm), we found that the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella is the best umbrella for most people. Its durable, nine-rib construction held up admirably against gale-force winds, and it’s as sturdy as umbrellas that sell for more than twice as much.

The Repel folds up to an 11½-inch long, 14-ounce package that fits easily into most bags and glove boxes. And it forcefully expands at a touch of a button to reveal an ample 37-inch-diameter canopy that protects your head and torso from precipitation in all but the windiest of conditions. Its lengthy, textured handle is easy to grip for hands of all sizes. We also appreciate that the Repel comes in a wide variety of colors, so it’s easier to pick yours out of a crowded umbrella bucket. Finally, despite its affordable price, it’s backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee, but only if you purchase directly from Repel and register the item under the company’s warranty.

Packing method for clothes

While packing cubes and other organization tools are helpful for maximizing your bag’s usable space, efficient packing is also achievable without the aid of tools and compartments. One Bag’s Doug Dyment tried all manners of folding aids and compression products but was unsatisfied with their claims of compression and wrinkle prevention. Frustrated, he developed his own method of packing clothes compactly called the Bundle Method, which he’s used and perfected over several decades of traveling.

The Bundle Method involves layering your shirts and pants at opposing angles on a flat surface, then wrapping them around a small “core” parcel (e.g. a packing cube full of underwear and socks). We won’t get into details, but Dyment does on his website ; you can watch this easy-to-follow video from NBC . The resulting bundle is compact and has no sharp creases that will require ironing out later on. Additionally, Dyment explains that “the slight tension created in the fabric by the wrapping process, along with the anchoring of the resulting bundle, greatly reduces the chances of wrinkling.” You then put it in your bag and use the tie-down straps to provide just enough pressure to keep it together.

While simple to perform, this packing method isn’t something you can master in one go. It takes a bit of practice, but once you get it, it’s like riding a bike. The downside is that you can’t just leave your clothing packed and expect to be able to access your underwear without fully unpacking your clothes first. But unpacking is a good habit to get into anyway, as it allows your clothes to breathe and avoid wrinkles or mildew. Wirecutter founder and frequent traveler Brian Lam says that unpacking the moment he enters a room has a grounding effect that allows him to feel a bit more at home in a new environment.

If this sounds like too much of a hassle for you, you can do what we did before we found out about bundling: roll up your socks and underwear tightly and place them in packing cubes, then put your wrinkle-prone items (shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets) in a garment folder—we used the Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Garment Folder . This is also travel guru Rob King’s preferred method of packing. Though the garment folder is not quite as space-efficient as the bundle method due to the added bulk of the folder and folding board, the plastic backboard does go a long way towards preventing wrinkles. Just be aware that if you leave your clothes in there for longer than a day, they’ll begin to develop unsightly creases that require an iron to get rid of.

A big thank-you to the Hotel Lucia in downtown Portland, Oregon, for lending us a suite to use for the photos in this guide.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guide

Wirecutter Staff

Mentioned above

• There’s more to a great in-flight personal item than being small enough to stuff under a plane seat. Here’s how to choose the right one for your travel needs. The Best Underseat Luggage and Personal-Item Bags  
• The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is our backpack pick for most travelers. We also have picks for other travelers, including those who want to carry a bit more. The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks  
• After 10 years of airport dashes and overhead-compartment stashes, the Travelpro Platinum Elite is still the suitcase we want to carry. The Best Carry-On Luggage  
• After researching 30 models, we found that Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is the best suitcase for most travelers who check bags. The Best Suitcases for Checking  
• We chose five luggage tags that will help you identify your belongings in a sea of similar suitcases. The Best Luggage Tags  
• After researching and traveling with packing cubes for more than five years, the Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set is what we keep in our luggage. The Best Packing Cubes  

Further reading

How to Sleep Well (or at Least Better) While Traveling

by Christine Ryan

Our sleep and travel editors recommend gear for coping with travel-induced insomnia, vetted through hours of testing and years of personal experience.

The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

by Haley Perry

You don't have to be a digital nomad to travel like one. Here are a few gadgets and accessories to make travel as painless as possible.

Road-Trip Essentials

by Eve O'Neill

We spend a lot of time driving each year, and this is our list of essential road-trip gear to include in your packing list.

Tools and Emergency Supplies to Keep in the Car for Winter Driving

by Rik Paul

Here are the essential—and nonessential—items to carry in your car during winter driving to ensure you get to your destination.

14 Essential Grooming Products for Every Summer Getaway

Here's how to make your daily routine perfectly travel-friendly.

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.

Between summer vacations, weekend getaways, and last minute business trips, it's easy for packing and unpacking to get real old, real quick. Make the process a little more streamlined by crafting the perfect, TSA-friendly grooming arsenal. Keep the products stashed together in a single dopp kit, and you'll never have to think about packing your toiletries again. Here's where to start.

Don't use those terrible free toothbrushes at the hotel. Instead, get a small but sturdy one you can rely on while traveling.

If you like the way ocean water makes your hair look, grab a bottle of sea salt spray to mimic the same roughed-up texture.

$7, verbproducts.com

Ultra Facial Cleanser

If you've ever washed your face with a hotel's bar soap, you can likely remember that tight, itchy feeling afterwards. Save your face with Kiehl's travel-size cleanser.

$10, kiehls.com

Sport Lip Balm

Only chugging water can really fight dehydration, but a lip balm can help relieve it. This one will also prevent your lips from burning.

$12, nordstrom.com

Signature Shampoo and Conditioner

Hotel shampoo and conditioners are unreliable. Grab Oribe travel-sized ones that will keep your hair looking fresh.

SHOP Shampoo $14, oribe.com

SHOP Conditioner $15, oribe.com

Bumble and Bumble

Does It All Hairspray

Bumble and Bumble's hairspray is great in a pinch, and can style pretty much any type of hair.

$16, bumbleandbumble.com

Death Valley Dry Shampoo

To give your hair some life in between washes—or after a long plane ride.

$17, birchbox.com

Sunscreen Stick

Having a sunscreen stick ensures nothing will spill all over your bag while in transit.

$22, nordstrom.com

Recipe For Men

Antiperspirant Deodorant

Do not (repeat: do not ) forget deodorant while you travel. This mini antiperspirant is perfect for stashing anywhere you need.

$22, recipeformenusa.com

Future Rescue Repair Serum

Keep your skin looking bright with Lab Series' serum—it's a concentrated formula that helps fight skin damage and signs of aging.

$25, labseries.com

Mineral Sunscreen

A stick will do for your face, but when you're hitting the beach, you'll want something that can handle your whole body.

$28, nordstrom.com

Dr. Dennis Gross

Marine Dew It All Eye Gel

Use this cooling eye gel mid-flight to pump some moisture into cabin-dry skin.

$48, mrporter.com

La Sélection Boisee Eau de Parfum Set

Save yourself a checked bag and toss a TSA-approved fragrance right into your carryon.

$110, mrporter.com

Want les Essentiels

Kenyatta Leather Trimmed Canvas Wash Bag

And don't forget a reliable dopp kit to stash all of your goods.

$195, mrporter.com

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Bar Soap Is Back—and Better Than You Remember

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The Best Fresh Colognes for Men

6 Best Ironing Boards of 2024

It's not just about the iron. Your board matters too.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab , we do a lot of ironing, especially when we test steam irons, prep for video shoots, assess wrinkle removal cycles on clothes washers and clothes dryers , de-wrinkle test fabrics for laundry detergent testing and even to spruce up our own GH lab coats.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Ironing Board

Brabantia size c ironing board.

Best Value Ironing Board

Household essentials steel top long ironing board with iron rest.

Best Over-the-Door Ironing Board

Honey-can-do hanging ironing board.

Best Ironing Board for Seated Ironing

Brabantia adjustable ironing board, size d.

Best Tabletop Ironing Board

Household essentials tabletop ironing board with iron rest.

Best Wall-Mounted Ironing Board

Iron-a-way built-in ironing center.

When we test ironing boards, we rate them for weight, how smoothly they open and close and how easy they are to store. Our "iron tip-over test" is a way for us to check both the stability of the board and the durability of the iron. Finally, we evaluate the washability and quality of the pad and cover and the functionality of any accessories, like racks, cord holders and iron rests.

At the bottom of this guide, you can read more about how we test ironing boards in our Lab, what to look for when shopping for ironing boards and find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about ironing boards. For more laundry room essentials, check out our guides to the best laundry detergents , stain removers , washing machines and how to do laundry .

Brabantia's Size C board has everything we look for in a quality ironing board: stability, sturdy construction, an adjustable iron rest, a rack to hold your freshly ironed garments and an almost 10-inch adjustable height range. With child and transport locks, plus non-slip caps on the board's legs, you can be sure that the board will not collapse during use or open inadvertently in storage.

While we haven't Lab-tested this model yet, it is virtually identical to our Lab-favorite, Brabantia's Size B ironing board , though it is just over four pounds heavier. However, the Size C provides you with three extra inches of ironing surface, making it especially useful for ironing bed linens or tablecloths, or for sewers, quilters and crafters who need the extra width. For a pop of color, you can purchase the brand's ironing board cover in tons of fun patterns when you're ready for something fun and new.

All the basics at an affordable price plus lots of great user reviews convinced us that this Household Essentials ironing board should be our best value pick. While we haven't tested this board in our Lab, we like the V-shaped double leg construction and the iron rest with a rack to hang the items you've just ironed, something many basic boards don't include.

It's about four pounds lighter than our best overall board, but a few reviewers commented that it was a little more wobbly than they expected and the cover that came with it was a bit thin. At 14 inches wide, it's also slightly narrower than many others. Like more expensive boards though, it has a mesh steel top to permit heat and steam to pass through fabrics and with over 600 Amazon reviewers rating it a 4.4 out of five, many called it "sturdy." One said it's "just what I needed."

The space constraints that come with living in a small home, apartment or even a dorm room often mean that having a full size ironing board ready to use at a moment's notice is the stuff dreams are made of. But living in tight quarters doesn't mean you're relegated to wearing crumpled clothes. If you've got a door, you can still look smooth and professionally pressed with this model from Honey Can Do.

From a company whose organizing products we love, Honey Can Do knows a thing or two about saving space. Its door-mounted ironing board is a generous 14 inches wide and 44 inches long, providing a large ironing surface for a board this compact. We haven't tested this model in our Lab, but it has mostly excellent consumer reviews and is from a brand we know and trust, though some complained it didn't fit securely on their doors, leading to stability issues.

Ironing for hours can be a grueling task for anyone. But if standing for long periods of time is uncomfortable or painful for you or you are in a wheelchair, this Brabantia board can make this laundry task less painful and more possible to do. Infinitely adjustable, it can be set to any convenient height and the legs curve out, making it more comfortable to use while seated.

You won't find extras like a clothing shelf or iron rest here, but the end of the board features a heat-resistant parking zone, so you can place the iron soleplate down without any fear of damaging the cover. This Brabantia boasts one of the largest ironing surfaces we've seen. It is pricey, but we think worth it for the convenience. We love all the products we've tested from this brand and online reviewers agree, with over 9,100 giving it five stars on Amazon.

For those times when you just need to de-wrinkle a shirt collar or press a pants hem, a full-size ironing board may be overkill. It's much easier and faster to pull out and set up a tabletop model for small quick jobs, like this one from Household Essentials. Home Care and Cleaning Lab Executive Director, Carolyn Forté , especially likes this one since it sits higher off the table, meaning your clothes are less likely to wrinkle as they hang over the board.

Unlike others this size, it also has a retractable iron rest to keep your iron handy and off the table while working. When you’re done ironing, it comes with a hook so the board can be stored over a door. Though much smaller than a full-size board, it's perfect for touch-up ironing or if you're not a frequent ironer, could suffice as the only board you need!

Iron-A-Way's all-in-one ironing center was installed after a renovation to our Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab years ago as a space saver and a way to keep our ironing board out of sight. Boy, was that a great decision! It kept our laundry test area looking neat and in order no matter when a tour group passed by. The cabinet — which is mounted onto or recessed into the wall — holds an ironing board that folds down and pivots. There's also a 60-minute timer, a light and an electrical outlet built into the cabinet so you can iron even without a wall outlet nearby. It has a shelf to store your iron and the door has a rod to hang clothes up after ironing. “It's so sleek, self-contained and invisible!” says Forté.

How we test the best ironing boards

Our Cleaning Lab experts have logged hundreds of hours ironing fabric swatches for steam iron testing, cotton shirts for evaluating the wrinkle-preventing performance of clothes washers and dryers, and even the Good Housekeeping Institute Lab coats we wear, so we know a great ironing board when we see one.

In recent years, we've tested high-end and no-frills models as well as full size and tabletop designs. In fact, a new one just arrived as an entry in our 2023 Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards, so we'll be testing and reporting on it soon.

When we test ironing boards, we assess how easy they are to open, close and set up and adjust. We also evaluate how smoothly they operate, if they are stable or wobbly, how many pounds of force it takes to topple them and the weight and bulkiness of the board while carrying it. We look at how much ironing surface they provide, the amount of padding, and how well the cover handles steam and moisture. Helpful add-ons like iron rests, sleeve boards, cord holders and clothes shelves are also taken into account.

What to look for when shopping for the best ironing board

Here are a few things to consider when shopping for the best ironing board.

✔️ Material : Steam irons get very hot, so you want to be sure that your ironing board is not made from a material that can be easily damaged by heat. Plastic iron rests are big no-no; instead, opt for ones with metal iron rests trimmed with heat-resistant silicone to withstand high temperatures. Same goes for the board itself: While the top cover is usually made of sturdy cotton, underneath this cover there should be a thick padding layer and then a final metal mesh frame underneath that.

✔️ Size : There are a several size considerations to take into account when shopping for an ironing board. You not only want to make sure that you have the space in your home to use and store an ironing board, but also that the ironing surface is big enough to iron clothing on comfortably. Most standard ironing boards have an ironing surface that is about 15 inches wide and at least 49 inches long and they adjust up and down to accommodate users of various heights. Ironing boards with retractable or removable iron rests, tabletop options and even ironing blankets are great options for homes with limited available space. Wall or door mounted ironing boards, like our picks from Iron-a-Way and Honey Can Do, are also great, out-of-the-way options that won't take up any precious floor or closet space.

✔️ Extra features : Some ironing boards have extra features that aren't absolutely necessary, but are nice to have, like a shelf underneath the board to hold your to-be-ironed or freshly ironed clothing, adjustable iron rests that can be adjusted for left- and right-handed users, extra stability locks on the board's legs and height adjusters. Wheels, cord holders and sleeve boards are also some add-ons you'll often see. The more customizable an ironing board is, the more likely it will be able to work for a wide variety of ironing needs and the more expensive it will likely be too.

Does a good ironing board make a difference?

It absolutely does! The weight of a steam iron along with the heat and steam that it produces is what irons out the wrinkles and creases from clothing. But try to press your clothing with the best steam iron on a soft, curved or poorly ventilated surface and you'll be disappointed with the results. Your steam iron needs the firm, flat support of an ironing board that allow heat and steam to flow through fabrics to really do its job. Plus the curved, narrow nose end of the board makes ironing shoulders, cuffs and other curved areas so much easier.

How often should you change your ironing board cover?

How often you change your ironing board cover depends on how often you use your ironing board. A board that is used more often will require more frequent changes to the cover. According to Brabantia , an ironing board used once a week will need its cover changed about every three years. Some covers may be machine washable, but always check with your brand to be sure and do so only on a gentle cycle in warm or cold water. If no laundering instructions come with your cover, wash it by hand. Let it air dry (skip the dryer), and put it back on the board while it's still slightly damp so it's easier to tighten into position. Iron the cover to finish drying it and smooth out any remaining wrinkles. Always replace an ironing board cover if it's scorched, burned or torn.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Jodhaira Rodriguez has been testing consumer products for GH as the Home Appliances & Cleaning Products Lab Analyst since 2021. She most recently helped test dozens of laundry detergents , stain fighters and other specialty laundry products for consideration in our annual Cleaning & Organizing Awards.

Jamie (Kim) Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, she has tested products and written reviews across dozens of categories, including cleaning, textiles and kitchen appliances.

Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.

From 2021 to 2023, Jodhaira (she/her) was a product reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute ’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where she tested and wrote about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. Prior to joining GH, she graduated from Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and spent two years as an analyst in an environmental lab in Queens.

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2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

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