The Best Travel Accessories To Bring Along On Every Trip (2024)

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Best Travel Blankets

Lightweight, Insulated And Durable

There is a high probability that your flight’s air conditioning will rival the temperatures found in any cold-weather escape. But if you’re hoping to stave off the inevitable goosebumps and shivers, opt for a lightweight travel blanket that will keep you covered and toasty. Gravel boasts one of the best on the market with an insulated core, kangaroo pockets, and an anti-static, spill-proof nylon fabric. It also folds up into a tiny, easy-to-transport bag that can double as a pillow during long and arduous plane or bus rides. And, best of all, it’s made from recycled materials and backed by a lifetime warranty, re-validating that it’s a purchase you will feel really good about.

A Soft And Plush Option

Another excellent travel blanket is the UnHide Lil Marsh Traveler, which is crafted from 300 GSM polyester (GSM refers to grams per square meter, and a higher number usually denotes a more durable and warm fabric). It’s incredibly soft and comfortable, and it provides warmth without feeling too bulky or cumbersome. It’s machine washable and doesn’t take up too much space when folded or rolled up.

Best Cord Organizers

A Kit With Plenty Of Pockets

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If you’re the type of traveler who packs practically every electronic device that you own, fear not: The Bellroy Tech Kit provides unparalleled organization for all of your wires, chargers and batteries with magnetic slip and mesh pockets, as well as elastic cable loops to keep your belongings safe, protected and secure. The design is also quite snazzy in 10 different color and pattern options, accented with smooth-action zippers, recycled nylon and embossed leather trim. Needless to say, this will be the bag you not only toss into your carry-on, but also your go-to backpack or purse for everyday use.

A Compact And Lightweight Organizer

For a budget-friendly option that clocks in under $15, you can’t go wrong with this compact cord organizer. There are two zippered compartments that open up to reveal smaller mesh pockets for all of your cords, cables and memory cards. The separate mesh compartments ensure your cords stay neatly wrapped and untangled, and the smaller pockets can fit things like batteries or Apple AirTags. It’s available in various fun colors that make it easy to identify if it falls to the bottom of your bag and the wrist strap is a nice feature, too. For longer journeys where you might benefit from extra storage space, opt for the medium size.

Best Toiletry Bags

A Roomy Pick With Plenty Of Pockets

Gone are the days of fumbling through an oversized toiletry bag flowing with random bottles, jars, and tubes deemed as “essential skincare.” Away’s hanging container not only provides see-through compartments to organize your favorite beauty products and grooming tools, but it also unfolds and hangs for quick and easy access. Perhaps its most welcomed feature is its nylon-coated, spill-proof interior. If something cracks or explodes along the way, it won’t ruin what’s in close proximity—a big win if you’re traveling to relax and unwind.

A Compact Bag For All Of The Essentials

Although Dagne Dover is known for its totes, backpacks and duffles, the brand has an impressive assortment of smaller travel accessories including the Seoul Dopp Kit. The spacious interior compartment keeps personal items in the same place and the recycled polyester lining is easy to wipe clean. Other thoughtful features include a separate toothbrush compartment, smaller interior compartments and a hook for hanging this on a door or towel rack. It’s available in four colors and a larger size.

Best Compression Socks

Relieve Aches And Pains On Long Flights

These high compression socks are as stylish as they are functional. Available in a handful of neutral colors and prints, its extra-long staple cotton keeps calves and feet warm and supported, but also protected from the elements of cold air and abrasive footwear. Perfect for long flights to relieve aches and pains and stimulate blood flow, investing in a pair or two is an absolute necessity to ward off potential mobility issues. Also, as part of Bombas’ mission to give back to the community, for every pair of socks purchased, a pair of socks is donated.

A Budget-Friendly Pair With Fun Color Options

With firm compression and durable nylon construction, these socks are a low-cost but effective option for travelers. The elasticized fabric hugs the lower legs, so putting them on might require some effort, but they’re comfortable once they’re on your legs. Users appreciate the bright color options (there are a few patterns to choose from as well) and say they hold up well to frequent use.

Best Water Bottles

A Thin, Stainless Steel Option

Hydration can make or break your general well-being, but nothing is more cumbersome than an oversized water bottle that can’t fit in your bag. Enter Slim’s stainless steel memobottle: the answer to on-the-go water needs. With a minimalist design and slim H2O container, this flask-like novelty can slide into practically any space: backpacks, briefcases, carry-on bags, purses and inconspicuous side pockets.

A Durable, Light And Leakproof Bottle

This 24-ounce water bottle is another great option that’s easy to throw in your luggage or slip into a side compartment on your favorite bag. The 18/8 stainless steel construction keeps beverages cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours and won’t alter the taste of your water. It’s dishwasher safe, and the leakproof lid prevents spills in transit.

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

Crystal Clear Sound With Zero Background Noise

Whether you’re on a noisy plane, immersing yourself in a poignant museum exhibit or simply want to tune out the sounds of other tourists, a pair of noise-canceling headphones is a must. The beauty of Bose’s foray into earbuds is that these do an excellent job of both blocking outside sounds and playing crystal-clear music. The case also comes with three sizes of ear tips to accommodate the shape of your ear canal and every play option, from bass to treble levels, can be custom-tailored through Bose’s easy-to-use app. But our favorite feature is its ActiveSense technology that can be turned on if you want the earbuds to do the work for you and automatically adjust the volume to accommodate your surroundings.

A Sleek Pick With Superior Sound Quality

If you prefer over-ear headphones to earbuds, these sleek headphones offer unparalleled sound, comfort and noise cancellation. The noise cancellation technology works even when you’re not playing music, so you can slip them on to focus while reading at the airport or sending a quick email. A full charge gives you 30 hours of battery life, which is ideal for long flights and road trips, and the memory foam padding on the ear cups is plush and comfortable. Another helpful feature? It has a compact hard-shell case that zippers shut to keep your headphones and charging cable safe.

Best Neck Pillows

Soft, Breathable And Supportive

Not all neck pillows are created equal and Trtl’s take is lightyears beyond the common foam crescents that can sometimes do more harm than good. Designed to look like a scarf, it is proven to be more supportive than most U-shaped pillows. Simply loop it around your neck, wrap it, and adjust so that the internal “flipper” can fit underneath the contours of your face, jaw and shoulder to prevent your head from falling forward. Trtl’s inner material is machine-washable and its fabric is breathable and cool to the touch, making it an in-flight napping experience that may not be perfect, but a whole lot better than a window, stiff piece of foam or a stranger’s shoulder.

A Memory Foam Option With Plenty Of Support

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow is worth the splurge for its 360-degree memory foam neck support. The velcro closure allows you to customize how tight (or loose) it fits around your neck, and it can be worn with the closure facing frontward or backward. When it’s not being used it compresses down to 60% of its size to fit in the included travel bag. Or, you can wrap it around the handle of your luggage.

Best Packing Cubes

A Must-Have For Over Packers

Packing cubes not only make sense for easy storage and organization, but they also help to limit the amount of clothing and personal items you bring on a trip. If you’re a notorious over packer, these zippable compartments are an essential, especially if they come from beloved travel brand July. Available in a set of four sizes with mesh tops and side carry handles, the lightweight space savers are designed to hold anything and everything, from underwear and shoes to jeans and an entire three-piece suit. They’re also 100% stain proof and machine washable, so if a bottle of moisturizer decides to explode en route, you don’t have to worry about shelling out hard-earned cash for a replacement.

A Set Of Six Cubes That's Ideal For Long Journeys

This set of six packing cubes keeps things organized and secure in your suitcase and looks good doing it. The variety of sizes, ranging from 6.9 x 4.1 x 4.3 inches to 17 x 4.1 x 12.8, is ideal for longer trips requiring more garments. The durable nylon is water resistant, and the mesh tops allow you to see what’s inside quickly. If you’re packing for a shorter weekend trip, opt for the four-piece set instead.

Best Luggage Tracker

A Handy Way To Keep Track Of Your Luggage

Using a luggage tracker can give you peace of mind by ensuring your bags make it from one destination to the next. The Apple AirTag is an excellent option that earns top marks for its easy setup, accuracy, and sleek design. Simply pull the security tag to set it up, and it will automatically pair with your iPhone. (It doesn’t require a paid subscription or a separate app as it integrates into the Find My app that’s found on every Apple phone and device.) You can customize the notifications and trigger a sound should you need help locating a lost item.

Best Jewelry Case

Keep Valuables Organized And Safe

Don’t just arbitrarily toss your favorite necklaces, bracelets and earrings into a bag and pray that you’ll find them, unknotted, when the time comes to wear them. They deserve so much better, like being displayed in a Mark & Graham travel jewelry case that can be—best of all—personalized so that fellow travelers won’t mistake it as theirs. The pebbled vegan leather interior also features a built-in mirror so that you can get one final look before stepping out for a night on the town.

Best Power Adapter

Charge Up To Five Different Devices

Another country, another unfamiliar outlet. Not only does the OneWorld100 adapter charge up to five devices simultaneously (two for larger ones like a MacBook Pro), it’s also compatible in over 200 countries. But one feature that makes a significant impact is its over-current, over-temperature and fuse protector so that you don’t burn down your hotel room if left unsupervised. This is precisely the peace of mind needed when you’re traveling in a foreign country.

Best Portable Steamer

Heats Up Quickly And Zaps Wrinkles

The greatest threat to your clothing, other than snags and stains, is wrinkles. And many clothes, especially with more sensitive fabrics like silk or linen, will not emerge from a suitcase unscathed. This portable steamer from Conair will remedy any outfit that looks like it’s been sitting in a ball under your bed for months. Its water tank emits 15 minutes of continuous steam and the device only takes 40 seconds to heat up. A built-in creaser also forms perfect pleats and folds so that pants and skirts will maintain that straight-from-the-dry-cleaner look as you saunter from place to place.