• Search Please fill out this field.
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Sweepstakes
  • Travel Products
  • Travel Accessories

The 7 Best Toiletry Bottle Sets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

These toiletry bottles proved completely leakproof after rigorous testing.

travel bottles kit

In This Article

Jump to a Section

  • Our top picks
  • Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

  • Tips for Buying
  • Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Every traveler knows the harrowing moment when you reach into a toiletry bag and feel the leakage from toiletry bottles that failed to do their job. To help you avoid the frustration of cleaning up potentially expensive liquids on your next trip, we lab-tested 14 sets of toiletry bottles to uncover the best, most leak-proof options for hassle-free travel. 

After we filled up each container with shampoo, lotion, and micellar water, we squeezed, shook, tossed, and dropped the bottles to see which ones prevailed, and which (quite literally) cracked under the pressure. At one point, it looked like the Bellagio fountain show in our lab with micellar water shooting every which way out of a tube. While we don’t recommend that particular bottle, we discovered seven other sets that stood up against our rigorous (but very effective) testing methods.

Best Overall

Liquisnugs premium leak-proof silicone travel bottles.

  • Ease of Use 5 /5
  • Quality 5 /5
  • Design 5 /5
  • Performance 5 /5

The durable and flexible silicone bottles prevent leaks even on long flights.

The suction cups often fall off shower walls.

Simple yet very effective, this set of four toiletry bottles comes with two 3-ounce bottles and two 2-ounce bottles. The lids can be unscrewed to easily fill the containers with all types of liquids thanks to the wide-mouth opening that makes cleaning out and drying the bottles a breeze, too. While watery liquids can be risky to pack, these silicone bottles kept oily and runny micellar water perfectly contained, even after we applied intense pressure to the bottles. Plus, the squishy silicone material is ideal for squeezing out every last drop of the product from the dripless valve, which makes them a money-saving travel product .

We tried several silicone bottles over our six-month test to determine which ones were the best. These stood out by being completely leak-proof, pliable yet sturdy, and durable. One of our favorite features is the removable sticker labels that help identify the contents of each bottle with common products like lotion, conditioner, and shampoo pre-printed. If you’ve been searching for no-frills toiletry bottles that get the job done, these are the best ones.

The Details: 4 pieces | Silicone | Removable labels | Suction cup

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Size Range

Morfone 16 pack travel bottles.

  • Ease of Use 4.5 /5
  • Quality 4.5 /5
  • Performance 4.5 /5

The set comes with different-sized silicone tubes, plastic bottles, jars, and accessories.

The lid on one of the small jars broke when we tossed the containers onto the ground.

For short or long trips and everything in between, the Morfone travel bottle set comes with all of the containers you’ll ever need. The 16-piece kit includes silicone bottles, plastic spray bottles, screw-top jars, a funnel, mini spatulas, and a scrub brush for cleaning but, of course, you can easily mix and match the containers to fit your exact needs. Not all of the bottles are the same size with 1- to 3-ounce capacities for storing as much or little product as desired, and all of the bottles have removable lids and wide openings for pouring liquids in or cleaning them out. Plus if you need some help getting liquids into the bottle or extracting the last drops, the mini funnel and spatulas are extremely helpful extras.

When it comes to durability, most of the bottles had no spillage with some rough handling except for one of the plastic jars where the lid did break off. Still, we brought these bottles in carry-on luggage as well as checked bags during our six months of tests and were impressed by their overall quality and the variety in bottle size.

The Details: 16 pieces | Silicone | BPA-free plastic | Bag included

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Watch How We Test Travel Products

Best lightweight, matador flatpak toiletry bottle.

  • Ease of Use 4 /5

The three containers are made with nylon material that can be hooked to a bag or packed nearly flat.

It’s difficult to get thicker products into the baggies.

Matador’s toiletry bottles are the ultimate space-saving containers thanks to the fabric pouch design that can lie nearly flat after being filled with liquids. Our favorite part of these 3-ounce pouches is the snap hook at the end of the bag to attach to a backpack or bag. We also loved that the hooks double as labels that can be written on with a permanent marker to quickly identify the contents of each bag.

While we had a bit of trouble getting thicker creams into the bottom of the rectangular-shaped pouch, it was effortless to fill the smaller opening with watery liquids like shampoo. After beating up the bags a bit, there weren’t any spills, ruptures, or breakage so we feel confident that these rugged toiletry pouches have a long life ahead.

The Details: 3 pieces | Cordura nylon | Snap loop with labels

Best Budget

Vitog travel bottles kit.

The clear bottles make it easy to see when one needs a refill.

The largest bottle is only 1.3 ounces.

One of the best parts of testing a variety of toiletry bottles is discovering that the least expensive set can still rival a pricier alternative. This 11-piece kit has spray, pump, and screw-top bottles so you can fill each one with various liquids or use the two jars for jewelry and medication. The clear bottles are ideal for being able to see how much product is in each container and when it needs to be refilled. 

We had no issues filling each container with micellar water and shampoo but we had a bit of trouble getting the thicker lotion to filter through the funnel. However, once everything was filled up, these budget-friendly bottles stood up against our drops and tosses without even the tiniest droplet escaping. All of the bottles are 1.3 ounces so we wish there was a bit more variety in the capacities but, considering this set is under $1 per bottle, we’re plenty satisfied with the durable and easy-to-use selection.

The Details: 11 pieces | PET | Removable labels | Bag included

Best Large Capacity

Insfit tsa carry-on approved containers.

Each of the four included bottles can fit 3 ounces of liquids.

During a two-week trip, the provided stick-on labels came off of the bottles.

For longer trips, you may want some toiletry bottles that can hold the maximum capacity to be TSA-approved so we recommend these hefty 3-ounce ones. The four silicone tubes come with handy label stickers and a zippered case that fits all of the containers for excellent organization. With the wide-mouth openings, it was a breeze to fill up each bottle with shampoo, micellar water, and thick lotion. You can even see all the way inside the bottle when the lid is off which makes filling it up and cleaning it out even easier.

We put quite a bit of pressure on these easy-squeeze bottles and we’re happy to report that, even when filled to the brim, the contents remained in the bottles without any spillage. After six months of regularly using these bottles on weekend and long-term trips, we never suffered any spills and found the bottles to hold plenty of product.

The Details: 4 pieces | Silicone | Removable labels | Bag included

Best Color-coded

Mrsdry travel bottles.

  • Ease of Use 3.5 /5
  • Design 4 /5

The bottles are all different colors to keep track of what product is in each tube.

It’s difficult to get all of the product out of the bottle when it’s low and it can be hard to clean the bottles after they've been emptied.

The color palette of this set of four toiletry bottles is one of the prettiest and most helpful of all the toiletry bottles we tried. Each silicone tube is a different shade so it’s easy to designate a specific color to a liquid and tell them apart; and, after six months of use, we loved that we didn't have to worry about missing labels. (There are also additional sets with more colors so you're not limited to just four different hues.) The 3-ounce capacity is ideal for bringing plenty of shampoo, conditioner, or other liquids on both short and long trips, and the squishy silicone material makes it easy to dispense from the no-drip valve.

We did find it a little difficult to squeeze out the remaining product when the bottle was almost empty but that was our only slight issue. However, we’re big fans of the wide-top opening for loading up any product into the tube and cleaning it out after a trip. Best of all, the tubes didn’t leak at all after rough handling, and they’re easy to pack in the included zippered bag.

The Details: 4 pieces | Silicone | No removable labels | Bag included

Best Splurge

Cadence the originals set.

  • Design 4.5 /5
  • Performance 4 /5

The six magnetic capsules make it convenient to change the shape of the set to fit in a variety of toiletry case sizes.

The cap of one capsule cracked after six months of use.

These aesthetically-pleasing magnetic capsules are the most unique set of toiletry bottles we tried. The small capsules each hold 0.56 ounces and the set comes with six hexagon-shaped containers that conveniently stick to one another via magnets on every side. This allows travelers to alter the shape of the set as needed to fit it into a toiletry bag. And, after six months of near-constant use, the magnets and labels are all holding up. The capsules remained completely sealed when we dropped them onto the floor several times and the thick plastic material wasn’t dented or damaged at all. We love that when you order the set of capsules, you can customize the label printed onto each removable tile so they can be switched between the capsules as needed. Our only gripe is that the capsules are very small so you may need to use multiple to bring enough of the same product for a week-long trip, or opt for one of their larger options instead.

The Details: 6 pieces | BPA-free plastic | Comes with custom labels | No bag included

Other Toiletry Bottles We Liked

While the containers below didn’t leak badly, the biggest issue we had with these still-high-scoring toiletry bottles is that their quality felt a bit lower than our top performers. 

Cosywell Travel Containers : These ultra-compact screw-top containers are ideal for thicker products like gel or creams but the micellar water leaked ever so slightly, and we wish the set came with a few other bottle types for variety.

We do some pretty serious testing in our New York City lab when it comes to determining the best of the best travel products and this toiletry bottle test was no exception. For this test, we poured travel essentials like shampoo, micellar water, and lotion into the toiletry bottles, tubes, and capsules to see how easy it was to fill each one up. Then, we squeezed, dropped, tossed, and shook the containers to simulate the rough handling and pressure when you travel by air, car, train, or even on foot with toiletry bottles. Did shampoo explode from one bottle and shoot several feet in the air? Maybe. But don’t worry, we didn’t recommend that one. 

After some rigorous (and occasionally messy) lab testing, we sent each set of toiletry bottles out on real trips with our testers to utilize over a six-month period. Arguably, the most important thing when it comes to toiletry bottles is that they safely contain the potentially pricey skin and hair care products held inside wherever you go, so we closely examined each bottle post-testing for any leaks or damage. Our favorite, winning toiletry bottles are easy to fill up, completely leakproof, and compact enough to pack in toiletry cases. 

Tips for Buying Toiletry Bottles

Prioritize leak-proof containers.

The most important thing to look for in a toiletry bottle is that it performs as expected which means all of the liquid remains sealed in the container. It’s hard to tell whether or not toiletry bottles are leak-proof until you travel with them so it’s important to read reviews and seal the bottles as tightly as you can before you pack them away for a trip. 

Know the types of bottles 

It’s amazing how many types of miniature containers there are for travel these days so it can be helpful to know which type of bottle you need depending on which products you’ll bring. There are silicone squeeze bottles that are ideal for shampoo or conditioner but if you’re packing any type of spray product, you’ll want a hard plastic bottle that comes with a spray cap. For pills, vitamins, or even jewelry, a capsule or container with a screw lid are a great option for storing smaller items. For face wash or lotion, a hard plastic bottle with a lockable pump lid can be helpful.

Consider the capacity 

The TSA restricts carry-on liquids to 3.4-ounce containers so if you’re planning to only carry a bag into the cabin, you need bottles at or below the size limits. Smaller 1- or 2-ounce containers can be easier to pack but that means you’ll have less product to work with so be sure to pack accordingly depending on the length of your trip and the amount of product you think you’ll need.

For carrying liquids onto a plane, the TSA requires all containers to be at or under the 3.4-ounce size limitations. All bottles must fit in a quart-sized bag and, if a bottle is larger than 3.4 ounces, it must be checked before going through security. According to the TSA, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols, all count as liquids and must be in approved bottles.

In general, silicone toiletry bottles are more durable than hard plastic bottles, as they aren’t prone to cracking or breaking like harder plastic materials. However, when it comes to leaking, both can have the potential to expel liquids so it depends on the quality of each product. 

Cleaning out toiletry bottles can be extremely difficult depending on the style of the container. Bottles with wide mouths can be easily rinsed out and dried but other bottles with smaller necks or no cap can make it difficult to switch products. In some cases, it might be easier just to keep refilling the same bottle with the same thing but some sets will come with brushes or spatulas to clean out all of the product. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L commerce writer, Anna Popp , writes most of the team's tested content where we recommend products we got our hands on in the lab or out in the world. Anna participated in this test and evaluated two types of toiletry bottles. She’s currently long-term testing the Cadence capsules while traveling and looks forward to reporting back on how they hold up over time. 

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

travel bottles kit

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

The 10 Best Travel-size Bottles for Your Next Vacation [2023]

Amar Hussain's image

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury's image

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

The 10 Best Travel-size Bottles for Your Next Vacation [2023]

Things To Consider With Travel-Size Bottles

1. best soft-material labeled bottle set, 2. travel-size bottle set for multiple products, 3. silicone travel bottle set with travel bag, 4. squeezable travel set with unique design, 5. toiletry bottle set for beauty products, 6. simple bpa-free travel-size bottle set, 7. versatile travel bottle set for travel and camping, 8. complete travel set for all essentials, 9. stylish option for perfume, 10. travel-size tube set with sleek design, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Whether you plan to travel on a plane or make a camping trip, you can benefit from bringing travel-size bottles. A leakproof travel bottle set can be a lifesaver, especially for delicate liquids like perfume and hygiene products like soap and shampoos.

Not only can you prevent any leaks in your baggage with the right bottles, but you can also reduce the cost of having to buy travel sizes of these products.

Travel-size versions of perfume and care products often cost significantly more, so it makes perfect sense to decant some of your home stash into a travel-size bottle tailored for your trip. Here we look into some of the best options of travel bottle sets to save you time and money.

Travel Sized Bottles 2

Before deciding on a specific set of travel bottles to bring along on your road trip or camping trip, consider some of the most important factors. First, your travel set needs to come with a reliable leakproof seal to prevent spillage onto your personal belongings.

The compact size is also crucial, as are the types of care products you wish to pour in. Some options are specifically tailored for perfume, while others can be used for liquid soap, shampoo, and beauty products. Here are some of the main aspects to consider when buying a travel-size bottle.

Appropriate Labels

Of course, you can try to add labels yourself, but it’s much more convenient if the bottles come with premade labels when you buy them . This way, you can always be sure that you know exactly which type of liquid is in which bottle to prevent misuse.

Hot Tip: It’s also handy if the bottles come in different sizes so that you have another method of identifying their contents in a hurry.

Anti-Spillage Seal

Travel Sized Bottles Anti spill seal

Without a doubt, the seal is crucial for travel bottles. You don’t want the contained liquid to spill all over your baggage or equipment. It’s best to go with options that come with firm seals that prevent leaks .

Some brands even allow you to get a refund if some of the liquid leaks on your belongings. It’s best to buy trusted travel-size bottles that are previously tested for leaks.

Multiple Bottles in a Set

Having several distinctive types of travel-size bottles is one of the most important aspects to look for when buying a set. Chances are that you need individual bottles for beauty products, shampoo, perfume, soaps, and other liquids.

With different types of bottles coming from a single set, it gets easier to organize your care products and store them in a toiletry bag.

Compact Size

Travel sized bottles Compact Size

For carry-on luggage, travel-size bottles will need to adhere to TSA guidelines. Liquids, gels, and aerosols should be in containers no bigger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters . These containers must also fit inside a quart-size bag.

The 10 Best Travel-Size Bottle Sets

For a carefree trip, these travel-size bottle sets are the perfect size for flights and offer spill-free adventures.

BEST OVERALL: Leak Proof Travel Bottles

Dot&Dot Travel Containers for Travel Size Toiletries

If you want a travel bottle set with a lasting design and different labels for conditioner, shampoo, soap, and lotion, among other care products , this is the perfect option. You also get a TSA quart bag for carrying them and 4 bottles that can be selected in different sizes.

Depending on your preference, you can go with 3-, 2-, or 1.25-ounce bottles. Leakproof walls will always keep your belongings protected and prevent any chance of spillage occurring. The silicone valve is only released when you press the body of the bottle, so you won’t have to worry about liquids pouring out of the bottle without your knowledge.

The soft silicone material and colorful design will make this bottle set your travel buddy for many trips to come, and it’s quite simple to clean up and refill for further use. Depending on the exact set you choose, all the bottles come with integrated labels so you won’t mix up the products inside.

What We Like:

  • Fun and durable design with integrated labels

What We Don’t Like:

  • It doesn’t work well for perfume

Hot Tip: Make sure to check out our guides to the best travel toiletry bags for men and women and the best travel dopp kits .

UPGRADE PICK: Kitsch Ultimate Travel Set

Kitsch Ultimate Travel Set

If you’re looking for a complete travel bottle set with 11 different bottles, Kitsch Ultimate Travel Set is the one for you. It comes with a wide range of diverse bottles, including a spray bottle for perfume, 2 pump bottles, mini bottles, a pouch, a pipette , and other bottle types.

The stylish bottles are perfect for travelers seeking both fashion and function. This set stays true to its name as the ultimate travel set of compact bottles for diverse care products. It’s highly durable and can be refilled and reused for multiple trips.

Also, the compact size will make all 11 bottles fit into your toiletry bag, while the high build quality and good looks will keep even the most discerning traveler happy.

  • Up to 11 different bottles for various care products
  • The caps could be more robust

Morfone 16 Pack Travel Bottles Set

Morfone 16 Pack Travel Bottles Set for Toiletries

Made of food-grade silicone, this soft-material travel set comes with all the mini-bottles you need, with 16 distinctive bottles . It provides great value and includes 2 spray bottles for sun lotion or body spray.

It also includes several 3- and 2-ounce bottles, jars of varying dimensions, 2 scoopers, a clean brush, a label, and a travel bag. You can keep all these items in the bag that comes with the product to keep your essentials in one place while traveling.

With a leakproof and TSA-approved design, this set is perfect for air travel and a wide range of other trips. Thanks to the firm seal, the opening is large enough for you to keep all sorts of liquid in it without any chance of spillage. It’s extremely portable and compact, considering how many containers are included.

  • Compact travel set with 16 distinctive bottles
  • The design might not be appealing to everyone

INSFIT Portable Travel Bottles Set

These stylish travel-size bottles serve their purpose splendidly in somewhat of a light bulb design. You get a 3-layer leakproof seal that prevents any possibility of spillage. This function is combined with a stylish design and shape that makes it easy to refill and reuse.

The set is made of food-grade silicone, and it’s perfect for care products, including soaps, conditioners, shampoo, and others. Thanks to the large opening with a secure seal, you won’t have to get messy when filling it up.

These leakproof bottles are one of the best options if you wish to remain secure at all times and save your belongings from accidents. It’s also TSA-approved, which makes it perfect for use in your carry-on.

  • Comes with a zippered carry case
  • Only comes in sets of 4 bottles

Vitog Travel Bottles Kit

Vitog Travel Bottles Kit

Offering 8 travel-size bottles for various care products and a toiletry bag for proper storage, Vitog Travel Bottles Kit is a great option for traveling. It also comes in several colors, so you won’t have any issues finding a set that matches your style.

Aside from the selection of colors, this set is versatile for many other features that it offers. For instance, you get different containers for soap, shampoo, spray products, lotion, cream, body spray, and more.

Along with high usability, there also comes a compact bag for keeping all the bottles together while traveling without consuming too much space.

  • Compact size bag with 8 different bottles
  • The simple look

2oz Clear Plastic Empty Squeeze Bottles with Flip Cap

Chica and Jo Clear Plastic Travel Bottle Set

If you’re looking for a compact-size solution for your travel necessities, the Chica and Jo travel bottle set is quite convenient. The transparent bottles allow you to see the liquids inside to prevent mixing up your products.

The BPA-free plastic material meets criteria even for food storage , so you won’t have to worry about hygiene. The set comes with 2-ounce bottles in a set of 6 plastic bottles for storing liquids like soap, lotion, and shampoo while traveling.

It’s a simple yet efficient solution, with the only downside being the plain look of the bottles.

  • Convenient plastic bottles for trips
  • Insufficient for spray products such as perfume

TSA Approved Silicone Travel Bottles

Globegear TSA Approved Travel Bottles for Toiletries Travel Containers

The Globegear travel bottle set is perfect for different types of travel and even for camping while traveling with an RV. It’s one of the best options on the market, considering the versatility of the bottles and the silicone bag that comes with it .

In this set, you get a travel kit, 3-ounce bottles, and a selection of different-sized travel containers for creams. The TSA-approved bottles are even suitable for flights, while the small containers included are a great option for your handbag.

The travel-size bottles included are lightweight and portable, and you can store them in the clear case that’s provided.

  • The versatile bottles
  • The travel bag is a little too rigid

YICTEK Empty Plastic Travel Bottles Container

A complete storage set for your essentials while traveling, the YICTEK travel kit enables carefree air travel and road trips. You can use the versatility of the bottles to store shampoo, soap, lotions, conditioners, and even perfume .

This set is durable, leakproof, and portable, and it comes with a travel bag for the whole set to fit in.

There are numerous bottle sizes, including 2-, 1.7-, and 1.2-ounce refillable silicone squeeze bottles and plastic containers. There are even several 0.33-ounce jars for cream products and a pipette and spoon with designated labels.

  • Labeled bottles coming in several compact sizes
  • The complete set might be a bit big some some

Portable Mini Refillable Perfume Bottle

VONOVO Perfume Travel Bottles

If you are looking for a stylish design and spray bottles capable of protecting perfume and other spray products, VONOVO travel bottles make a great addition to your travel set.

This set comes with 5 spray containers in different colors and offers compact size and great usability . They are fairly easy to carry and store, and you can count on their capacity to get you through most long weekends.

With a 2-ounce capacity, these high-grade aluminum atomizers are built to last you through many adventures.

  • Great for perfume and spray products
  • All the bottles are of the same size

Gemice Travel Bottles for Toiletries

Gemice Travel Bottles for Toiletries TSA Approved Travel Size Containers

The stylish design of the Gemice travel bottles is an attractive option for those seeking simplicity. The 3-layer design and no-drip valve make this option great for preventing spills and giving you peace of mind.

The set comes with 4 tubes, all of which have a 3-ounce capacity, and you can choose from a variety of colorways. The food-grade BPA-free silicone ensures your safety and hygiene, and the large opening makes it easy to fill and clean.

  • Unique tube shape and design
  • It doesn’t feature diverse bottle sizes

With quality BPA-free plastic and food-grade silicone materials, you won’t have to neglect your health or hygiene with these travel-size bottles.

These sets include multiple versatile bottles perfect for traveling, and with compact packaging and anti-leak seals, it’s one less thing to worry about on your next trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size do travel bottles come in.

You can usually find 3-ounce and 2-ounce bottles, but it all depends on preference and specific sets since some versatile options also include 0.33-ounce jars and containers for creams and other beauty products.

Are silicone travel bottles better than plastic ones?

You can find BPA-free plastic and food-grade silicone to ensure that the materials of your travel bottles are hygienic and good for your health. Materials are among the most important aspects to consider when buying a travel-size bottle set.

How do travel-size bottles prevent leaks?

You can count on a 3-layer valve and large openings with firm seals to prevent any dripping into your baggage and equipment with travel bottles.

Are travel-size bottles useful for camping?

Travel-size bottle sets make a perfect option for travels of any kind, especially camping trips where you need to save on storage space. These bottles prevent any spillage onto your camping equipment and belongings, making them a great budget solution for keeping short amounts of soap, shampoo, perfume, and other care products by your side.

Was this page helpful?

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

The 9 Best TSA-Approved Containers

travel bottles kit

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Even for the most seasoned pro, traveling can feel stressful; one major stressor involves going through airport security. Not only do you want to keep your items safe and secure, but they need to be accessible for any possible searches and, of course, must comply with the 3-1-1 rule for liquids . That's why having TSA-approved containers, bags, laptop sleeves, and more is so important. The right cases can reduce stress and help you breeze through airport security.

Here are the best TSA-approved containers.

  • What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best travel bottles, liquisnugs premium leak-proof silicone travel bottles.

If your at-home shampoo and conditioner bottles are too large to comply with TSA’s 3-1-1 carry-on rule , decant them into these travel bottles instead. The set includes two 3-ounce bottles and two 2-ounce bottles, giving you some size options while staying well under the 3.4-ounce limit. Made from 100 percent BPA-free food-grade silicone, they will store edible items, including baby food, condiments, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Whatever you use them for, these squeezable bottles are designed for convenience with a 1-inch wide mouth for easy filling and a cap that is 100 percent leak-proof. If a bottle leaks or breaks in another way, the company offers full refunds. There are also suction cups on the back of each bottle. No surprise, these also earned the top spot on our list of the best travel toiletry bottles .

Best Toiletry Bag

Cableinthebay tsa-approved clear toiletry bag, 1 quart.

Getting your liquids through airport security will be much easier with this TSA-approved toiletry bag. This clear, quart-sized bag meets all airlines' 3-1-1 rules and regulations so that you won't have issues at domestic or international checkpoints. The 7.7 x 2.2 x 5.5-inch bag is still spacious enough to fit your bottles, cosmetics, containers, and other essential toiletries. And, rather than stuffing your liquids into Ziploc bags, this toiletry bag is durable and is made of waterproof PVC, so your other carry-on items won't get damaged. At under $10, this bag is a total steal, too.

Best Cosmetic Containers

Alink 16 piece travel size toiletry bottles set.

The ALINK Travel Size Toiletry Bottles Set is the perfect purchase for those whose beauty products go beyond a few same-sized bottles. It features 16 bottles and jars of various sizes, all smaller than the 3.4-ounce/100-milliliter limit. These include three flip-cap bottles, one pump bottle, one spray bottle, one squeeze bottle, and six cream jars in varying sizes.

Use the included pipette, funnel, and spatula to transfer products from your at-home containers to your new, travel-sized bottles. All of them feature non-toxic BPA-free plastic and are lightweight and break-resistant. You can wash and re-use them repeatedly and store them together in the included transparent zippered pouch.

Best Backpack

Swissgear 1900 scansmart laptop backpack.

The SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart TSA Laptop Backpack has durable, weather-resistant 1,200-denier ballistic polyester. A key feature is its intelligent design, which allows for rapid, hassle-free movement through airport security . Stash your 17-inch laptop in the heavily padded, separate ScanSmart compartment, which opens up to lie flat on the conveyor belt so that your laptop can stay in your bag through security. The backpack also features a floating pocket for your tablet or iPad, designed to keep it safe while remaining easily accessible. Our tester noted that all the compartments and pockets were easy to access and that the padded straps make this bag comfortable to carry even on hot days. However, our tester did note that the zippers are noisy enough to be a nuisance and the bag tends to be top-heavy when not fully packed.

Also, the backpack includes a large, U-shaped front pocket with slip-in sections for essentials like your passport or boarding pass. The backpack complies with carry-on size restrictions at 18.5 x 13.5 x 9 inches. Choose from various colors, including black, gray, and red.

TripSavvy / Kimberly Holland

Best for Beauty

Convenience kits international store convenience kits international women’s premium 21-piece kit.

Have all of your beauty and toiletry necessities ready in this pre-packed travel kit. With 16, 19, and 21-piece options to choose from, the latter comes with everything you need from trusted brands like Garnier, Dove, Nivea, Colgate, and more. Expect travel-sized items like mouthwash, hairbrushes, and deodorant—so you'll never leave a beauty product behind when traveling. The 7.5 x 3.15 x 5.11-inch bag is TSA-compliant and also makes for a great gift. There's also a men's version available here .

Best Handgun Case

Snapsafe treklite gun safe lock box.

Experience stress-free handgun check-in with the SnapSafe Treklike gun safe. It meets the TSA firearm and ammunition requirements, which state that you may check unloaded firearms into your main luggage in a locked, hard-sided container that completely secures the firearm from being accessed. The safe is made from a blend of polycarbonate and steel and has a standard key lock with two keys. There's also a version with a four-digit combination lock.

The exterior boasts a matte gray finish with black accents, while the interior uses protective foam to prevent your firearm from being damaged in transit. Depending on the design of your suitcase, you may be able to use the included 1,500 pound-test steel cable to secure the safe to the inside of your bag. Otherwise, use it to attach the safe to your car trunk or a fixture at home in between travels. Because it uses a mix of polycarbonate and steel, this lock box weighs a mere 1.7 pounds and measures a relatively compact 10 x 7 x 2 inches.

Best Luggage Lock

Travelmore tsa approved combination cable luggage lock.

Although it’s not a container, this TSA-approved luggage lock is an essential accessory for international travel. It features a keyhole opening that can be unlocked by TSA security staff , allowing them to check your luggage without breaking it open and then re-lock it before sending it on its way. You gain access via the 3-digit combination of your choice. The lock features strong zinc alloy with a reinforced, flexible cable that loops through even the smallest zipper pulls. Available in orange or black and protected by a lifetime warranty, each lock measures 3.15 x 1.6 x 1.18 inches and comes in packs of one, two, four, or six. 

Best Travel Kit

W & p carry-on cocktail kit.

Food52 

Unwind during your flight with this fun, carry-on cocktail kit. The 7 x 4.1 x 2.3-inch tin is TSA-compliant and compact enough to store in your purse or pocket. This specific kit has the tools and ingredients to make two margaritas and two Moscow mules during your flight. Although alcohol does not come with the kit (you'll have to purchase that through the in-flight beverage selection), you get a recipe card, a spoon/muddler, a coaster, ginger syrup, margarita syrup, salt, and a jigger. A great gift idea, W&P also has other kit options for making an old fashioned, gin and tonic, bloody mary, and more.

Best Pet Carrier

Sherpa original travel bag pet carrier.

Traveling with your pet in tow? Ensure a hassle-free travel experience with the Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier. Measuring 18 x 11 x 10.5 inches, this top-rated carrier has approval for use on most airlines. Even more, its spring wireframe can push down on the rear end of the carrier to fit under your seat. It will make your pet feel as comfortable as possible, thanks to its top and side entry with locking zippers, roll-down flaps for privacy, mesh panels for ventilation, faux lambskin liner, and a side pocket for storing treats, toys, and more. In addition, its seatbelt strap ensures your pet's safety. Easily transport your pet via the padded hand carry straps and an adjustable shoulder strap, too. This medium-sized version is perfect for pets up to 16 x 10 inches and 16 pounds.

What to Look for in a TSA-Approved Container

Practicality.

Stuff starts to add up after a while, so although there are plenty of genius innovations that are also TSA-compliant, only pack what you’ll really need. Sure, the set of 16 toiletry bottles looks excellent, but if you just need two, there’s always the temptation to pack more just because you can.  

Everyday Carry

What items will you need to access most while you’re on the go? Plan your container purchases to make sure the items you frequently need to grab are those that are the most accessible. For example, if you plan to shower in a lounge, toiletry bottles will ensure you have your full routine at the ready.

If you’re a frequent traveler, ensuring you can get through the most stressful part of travel as quickly as possible is important. However, if you’re only occasionally hopping on flights, spending a pretty penny on a ton of gear doesn’t make the most sense.

The TSA website at tsa.gov provides the most up-to-date rules about which items and containers are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. Some items are only allowed in checked luggage, so it is best to prepare before arriving at the airport.

Liquids and gels do not have to be stored individually in a clear bottle or container when using a carry-on. You can put them in any container, but placing all your toiletry items in a clear bag is easiest. This makes it easier for the TSA agents to know what is inside, and it’s easy to remove one bag from your carry-on when going through a security checkpoint. 

No, the battery inside your laptop doesn't need removed to go through security. If you are traveling with any spare lithium or ion batteries, those must go in a carry-on bag.

Jessica MacDonald is a freelance writer specializing in travel, scuba diving, and wildlife conservation. She is a two-time winner of The Telegraph's  Just Back  travel writing competition and has written extensively for various magazines, travel agencies, websites, and PR companies. Jessica lives in South Africa's Eastern Cape province and has been TripSavvy's Africa Expert since 2016.

Organize Your Stash With Keokee's Clear Toiletry Bag Set

The 7 Best Travel Toiletry Bottles of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

3-1-1 Rule for Liquids in Carry-on Bags

Liquids Allowed in Carry-On Luggage

The 12 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 10 Best Delsey Luggage Items of 2024

The 7 Best TSA-Approved Locks of 2024

The 9 Best Travel Toiletry Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 8 Best Portable High Chairs of 2024

The 6 Best Beach Lock Boxes

The 10 Best Anti-Theft Backpacks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 9 Best Samsonite Luggage Items of 2024

19 Brilliant Packing Hacks Seen on Pinterest

Packing for Airport Security

Get Ready to Go Through Airport Security

Taking Your Prescription Drugs Through Airport Security

  • Electronics
  • Lawn & Garden
  • All Categories
  • Expert Shopper
  • Gift guides

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best TSA-Approved Travel Bottles

Valourgo TSA Approved Travel Size Containers

These brightly colored bottles come in sets of four and hold 3.4oz of liquid, making it perfect for any travelers.

Reviewers love this bottle for its reliability, leak-proof, and easy-to-clean design. Great for laundry detergent, shampoo, face wash, and more.

Not compatible with all liquids, such as eye makeup remover or mouthwash. Only comes with bottles of the same size and does not include spray bottles.

Morfone 16 Pack Travel Bottles Set for toiletries

This comprehensive kit is ideal for travelers with several different types of products.

This kit includes leak-proof bottles in a variety of colors and sizes, making it great for many liquids. Included is a carrying case for the bottles, cleaning tools, scoopers, and spray bottles. Scoopers and cleaning tools make it easy to fill and reuse, and prevent products from being wasted.

Some reported that the bag’s zipper broke after a few uses.

MoYo Natural Labs 2 oz Travel Bottles

This set of six bottles is perfect to hold liquid for your backpacking or road trip.

These bottles are perfect for holding both food and toiletries. Each has a flip top cap, making dispensing liquid easy. Buyers commented that the bottles are sturdy and easy to fill.

A few reported that the caps become lose in bags. Some who brought these on airplanes reported leakage. It is best used for other forms of transit.

GLOBOGEAR Travel Bottles

All-inclusive TSA kit with matching zippered case with great container assortment.

Convenient kit that includes a rare spray bottle and soap dispenser head. Easy to fill each container with help from included funnel. Spatula for cream jars has good-sized head to scoop out product. Zippered case has a better shape and design for easy opening.

Made of plastic and not silicone, and some reports of damage spray nozzle and leaky bottles.

LiquiSnugs Silicone Travel Bottles 4-pack

Well-reinforced flexible walls and unique labeling system. Quality construction with leak-proof features and easy filling.

Bottles feature turn-dial labeling system that displays content label upon twisting. Comes with two 3-oz. bottles and one 2-oz. bottle. Suction cups make it easy to use in hotel bathrooms and frees up counter and shower space. Food-grade, BPA-free silicone.

Rare instances of leakage have been reported.

travel bottles kit

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

travel bottles kit

Table of Contents

Buying guide for best tsa-approved travel bottles.

When you find the perfect skin care, hair care, or beauty product, it becomes a part of your daily routine. When you’re traveling, there’s no need to interrupt your personal care regimen. TSA-approved travel bottles let you bring your favorite products aboard the plane without worrying whether they’re the right size to meet federal regulations.

TSA-approved travel bottles are designed to be 3.4 ounces or smaller, which is the maximum amount for liquids allowed in carry-on luggage in the United States. Made of durable plastic or silicone, these squeezable bottles are equipped with squirt caps to easily dispense your shampoo, body wash, or moisturizer. There’s no need to worry about confusing your products either, as most TSA-approved travel bottles come with a labeling system. Best of all, when you travel with TSA-approved travel bottles in your carry-on, you’ll still have everything you need in the event that your checked baggage gets lost.

travel bottles kit

Key considerations

Tsa requirements.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict requirements when it comes to air travel with liquids, gels, and aerosols in your carry-on luggage . Liquids are limited to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on, and larger bottles are confiscated when passing through security. TSA-approved travel bottles are 3.4 ounces or smaller, so you can always enjoy hassle-free travel. Additionally, liquids should be packed in a transparent, quart-sized bag with a closure that can be easily accessed if necessary. This expedites the screening process. Most TSA-approved travel bottle sets come with a regulation bag.

The maximum capacity for any TSA-approved travel bottle is 3.4 ounces, though you can find a variety of bottles with smaller capacities, too. Two-ounce bottles are common, and there are some 1.5-ounce bottles. Cream jars are also popular in TSA-approved travel bottle sets, and these generally hold between two and three ounces.

Travel bottle sets

TSA-approved travel bottles are usually sold in sets. All sets include bottles that are ideal for liquids and lotions, including shampoo , conditioner , body wash, and moisturizer . Many sets also include cream jars and spray bottles. Cream jars are perfect for thicker lotions and body butters that are easier to get out of a jar than a squeeze bottle. Jars are also good for holding scrubs, hair gel, and other products that you use only in small amounts. Spray bottles are ideal for hair spray or makeup setting spray.

While the most basic sets include just two to four bottles, other sets also include cream jars, silicone face scrubbers, toothbrush covers, and small spatulas. Spatulas can be used to scrape out the last product from a bottle or to dispense product from a cream jar without using your fingers. Most sets come with a clear zip case that is also TSA-approved.

travel bottles kit

Many TSA-approved travel bottle sets are made of flexible silicone with plastic caps. There are also some sets that are completely plastic. Silicone bottles are popular due to their puncture-resistant, multi-walled construction. However, some ingredients are incompatible with silicone, including alcohol, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and silicone itself. If your products contain these ingredients, use plastic travel bottles and jars instead. Some TSA-approved travel bottles are also BPA-free and food-grade, which means they’re safe enough to hold edible items like salad dressings or condiments.

Convenience features

TSA-approved travel bottles generally have additional convenience features, many of which are geared toward saving space. Some bottles have loops or holes so that they can be hung in a shower or from a towel rack. Others have strong suction cups that can be affixed to a shower or mirror to free up counter space.

There are also different labeling systems to help you identify the bottles. These labeling systems can be as simple as a sticker set or as sophisticated as a turn dial that displays the names of common products. Some travel bottles have large mouths for easy filling or come with a funnel to make filling up the bottles easy.

TSA-approved travel bottles come in dozens of colors, though not every set features a variety of colors. Some sets are clear, some are all the same color, and others feature a different color for each container. There are also travel bottle sets that include caps in different colors for identifying your products.

TSA-approved travel bottle prices

Sets of TSA-approved travel bottles cost between $10 and $20 . At the low end, between $10 and $12 , are bottle-only sets with regular squeeze caps.

Mid-range travel bottles cost between $13 and $15 , and these sets include multiple bottles as well as additional accessories like cream jars and toothbrush covers. They come in clear zip bags.

For $15 to $20 , you’ll find TSA-approved travel bottle sets with reinforced leak-proof walls and higher-quality carrying cases. These sets are often BPA-free, and some are food-grade as well.

Consider which products you’ll actually use. When you’re packing, stick to the essentials. If you’re only going to use a facial scrub or mask once, consider leaving it at home to lighten your load.

Keep gel in a jar instead of a bottle. Hair gel is thick and sticky, and you could have trouble getting it out of a bottle. Add a couple of spoonfuls to a cream jar in your TSA-approved travel set, and it will be much easier to use. The jar will also be easier to clean.

Leave the body wash at home. Most hotels include bar soap or body wash in the room. If you’re not married to your body wash, free up that container to use for something else.

Think of everyday uses. TSA-approved travel bottles are the perfect size for keeping liquids in your purse, briefcase , or gym bag .

Get a set for kids’ overnight visits. If your children are staying with their grandparents or friends overnight, TSA-approved travel bottles are the perfect size for their favorite shampoo and body wash.

  • Check the seals before packing. Once you’ve filled and closed your bottles and containers, double-check that each one is tightly sealed to avoid leaks.

travel bottles kit

Q. What if I need more product than what will fit in a TSA-approved travel bottle?

A. If you’ll be traveling for an extended time or need a lot of one product, fill up two or more containers from your set. To avoid any confusion or accidental product waste, be sure to label the containers when you fill them.

Q. What should I do with product that’s left over in a TSA-approved travel bottle after my trip?

A. If you travel often, just save it for an upcoming journey. If not, simply use up what’s left in the travel bottle before moving on to your full-size products. You could also use a small spatula to scrape out any last bits of product, which will also make cleaning the bottle easier.

Q. The labels on my TSA-approved travel bottles have worn off. What’s the best way to label the containers?

A. You could use a permanent marker, though that’s not ideal if you plan to change the contents with every use. Another option is to use a label maker to print out a label that will hold up to water from the shower and sink. Some of these labels peel off quite easily, or you can simply place a new label over the old one if you want to change the bottle’s contents.

Valourgo

We use cookies and similar technologies to run this website and help us understand how you use it. ( See our policy ) ACCEPT

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

By Meaghan Kenny

13 Best Travel Toiletry Bottles Editor Tested Leakproof  Reusable

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

Chasing The Unexpected

Best travel bottles 2022. The ultimate guide to the top 10 travel containers for liquids

While there are stricter or more permissive airlines, now all carriers must follow the international safety rules for liquids. We reviewed the best travel-size bottles to make it easy for you to pick the best for your needs. When we travel, we always prefer to have our favorite hair product or face cream.

At the same time, we want to protect the clothes and other travel accessories in our suitcase. This is why it’s important that our 100ml travel bottles don’t leak and are strong enough to bear a long trip.

Leakproof, TSA-approved and BPA-free are only some of the necessary features our top travel size bottles feature, making it a great travel gift idea and a must-have whether you are packing for a family trip . Refer to our detailed guide to the best travel size containers and organize a smooth and carefree trip. To help you easily navigate and compare our best travel bottles buying guide, we have created a comparison table below.

Dot&Dot Travel Bottles Silicone Containers Set

Table of Contents

Dot&Dot leak-proof travel bottles

Dot&Dot Travel Bottles Silicone Containers Set

Dot&Dot leak-proof travel containers are the best travel bottles with clear toiletry bag packaging. These leakproof travel containers are available in 3oz, 2oz and 1.25-ounce bottle sets. They are also TSA-approved. This means you wouldn’t have any problem taking them in your carry-on bag along with your travel luggage scale and other staff.

With three leakproof walls on the lid, Dot&Dot travel containers are the best travel-size bottles for toiletries to protect your personal items from leaks and spills. These bottles are made of FDA-approved 100% BPA-free food-grade silicone to ensure they are food safe.

Our 3-oz travel bottles are also easy to clean and refill thanks to their large openings. These leak-proof travel containers are squeezable/soft, reliable and strong. They are available in many colors and sizes. In order to easily identify the contents of your toiletry containers, each travel squeeze bottle has a pre-printed ID label (shampoo, conditioner, soap, sunscreen, lotion). Overall these are some of the best travel containers for liquids boasting hundreds of high-rated consumer reviews.

Valourgo silicone travel containers

Valourgo Silicone Travel Containers

With a clear bag and 3.3 oz TSA-approved travel bottle size, Valourgo are refillable travel bottles for toiletries. Many consider this the best travel bottle package. It consists of four bottles of different colors, a lanyard and a clear bag. Each one of these TSA-approved travel bottles is 5.5″ tall and 2″ wide and has a 3.3oz/98ml capacity.

These clear travel bottles are designed with a hole in one end so that you can hang the bottle on the showerhead or around your neck.

As far as the materials go, the Valourgo leak-proof toiletries travel size bottles are 100% BPA-free. This is why you can store eatable oils in these food-grade silicone bottles. The lanyard dries quickly and makes these refillable shampoo and conditioner containers easy to carry and store.

Another reason why they are the best travel containers for liquids is the soft silicone that allows you to squeeze the very last drop of content. Valourgo leakproof travel bottles also have rotatable labels to allow the user to read what is inside the travel bottle.

A few other features that make these 100ml travel bottles some of the best travel containers for toiletries are the oz numbers embossed on the bottle, triple sealing cap, wide mouth for easy filling, suction cup and no-drip valve. Valourgo leak-proof silicone travel containers are also Amazon’s Choice because they are high-rated by consumers. Bottom line is that these toiletry containers are high-quality and some of the best leak-proof travel bottles that you can find on the market.

Chica and Jo travel-size containers

2oz Clear Plastic Empty Bottles with Flip Cap - BPA-free

On the third place in the best travel bottles review, the Chica and Jo 2oz clear empty travel size containers. The package includes a set of 6 TSA-compliant containers and a convenient clear zip-top bag. There is also a pipette included for extracting liquids with these refillable travel bottles.

In terms of material, the Chica and Jo travel containers are BPA-free and FDA approved. Therefore, in these travel-size plastic bottles, you can store your essential oils as well as cosmetic products.

These TSA-approved containers are made in the US and they are flexible so you can easily squeeze. With the cap on, the Chica and Jo travel shampoo bottles are 4″ tall and 1.4″ wide. They are compact and leak-proof which makes them the best travel tubes for liquids for traveling.

This package of travel shampoo containers is also Amazon’s Choice because of consumer top-rated reviews. If you are looking for US-made travel containers, these 2 oz travel bottles are the best refillable shampoo bottles to consider.

LiquiSnugs Leak Proof – Silicone Travel Bottles

LiquiSnugs - 100% Guaranteed Leak Proof - Silicone Travel Bottles (3 PACK) TSA Approved

LiquiSnugs travel bottle set is one of the best travel containers with 98% consumer 5-star ratings. These toiletry bottles come in white clear color. This makes it easy for the user to see the product inside the bottles. LiquiSnugs package is a set of three travel-size toiletry bottles and a clear toiletry bag. They are 2 three oz travel containers and one 2 oz container. so you won’t have a problem taking them inside the plane with you.

LiquiSnugs silicone travel containers are BPA-free, TSA approved and FDA certified. You can safely store your travel toiletries in them. These travel toiletry bottles feature a triple sealing cap, easily refillable wide mouth, ID window, and suction cup. LiquiSnugs travel liquid bottles are also soft and squeezable and don’t have a drip valve.

They are food-grade silicone bottles with an anti-leak cap to prevent leaks, spills and accidental drops which makes them some of the best leak-proof travel bottles. On these refillable shampoo and conditioner bottles, the capacity is displayed so you won’t be going through any hassle in the airport. These travel-size shampoo bottles are reusable, good quality and definitely some of the best travel bottles for toiletries.

AMMAX TSA-approved toiletries containers

AMMAX Leakproof Squeezable Silicon Tubes Toiletries Containers

In this in-depth review of the best travel containers for liquids, the AMMAX squeezable travel cosmetic bottles occupy a place for multiple reasons. This package consists of four travel containers for toiletries, each of them of a size of 3 fl. oz perfect for shampoo, cream, or liquids like a face toner or eye makeup remover.

AMMAX TSA-approved travel bottles are 100% guaranteed leak-proof and BPA-free which makes them rank among the best travel containers for liquids. We recommend these top-rated silicone travel bottles due to their variety, quantity and leak-proof quality.

Oursunshine travel bottles

Oursunshine Leak proof Travel Bottles

Next in the list of the best travel size containers are the semi-popular Oursunshine travel bottles. The package contains a 4 travel bottle kit in grey and clear colours and two travel jars for creams.

Two of the silicone travel tubes are 5″ tall and 1.3″ wide 3 oz travel bottles. The other two travel-size toiletries containers are 4.1″ tall and 1.3″ wide 2 oz travel containers. The travel jars for cream are 1.1″ tall and 1.3″ wide 10 g travel lotion containers.

Oursunshine travel-size toiletries are in Amazon’s Choice category, which indicates their quality and why they are some of the best travel bottles for toiletries.

These TSA travel bottles are BPA-free and food safe. They don’t have toxin materials and you can use these leak-proof bottles to carry your essential oils, ketchup, salad dressing etc.

Oursunshine leak-proof travel size lotion bottles have triple sealings and cross valves to make sure nothing spills out from the containers inside your luggage. With the wide mouth, these travel lotion containers are easy to refill and wash. This silicone travel bottles package is one of the best travel accessories to carry with you.

Dolovemk luxury travel bottles

Luxury Metallic Travel Refillable Makeup Empty Bottles Set

In the best travel bottles review, a place is for the luxury travel bottles by Dolovemk. Without a doubt, they are some of the best travel size bottles on the market. These luxury travel bottles for toiletries are TSA approved so you can take them with you on board without any hassle.

The package contains six bottles for essential oils, perfume, serums, fragrance, cream, liquid, cosmetics etc. A zip-top clear toiletry bag is also included with these golden color, luxury travel-size spray bottles. You can easily disassemble these glass travel containers to clean or refill them.

They are also leak-proof and the travel size spray bottles feature a rubber ring all around the head to make sure they don’t leak. As far as the materials of these metallic refillable travel makeup containers go, they are tasteless, safe, durable and also reusable. While they are a few dollars more expensive compared to other bottle travel size products, they have good features and are definitely some of the best travel containers for liquids.

Beveetio travel containers

Beveetio Refillable Travel Bottles for Toiletries

Beveetio travel shampoo and conditioner bottles are TSA approved. Each of these travel containers comes in different colors and leakproof caps to ensure there is no leakage. To make sure your bottles don’t leak, only fill the plastic travel bottles with 90% of the capacity. This way, you’ll allow room for expansion during the transportation on the airplane.

Beveetio silicon clear plastic travel bottles are flexible so you can squeeze to get every drop of the liquid out. There are five pre-labeled ID windows and also three blank labels for you to easily identify contents in plastic travel containers.

Beveetio package includes 14 leakproof travel containers, all of them lightweight and easy to carry. The package consists of 5 silicone travel bottles of 2.9oz each, 5 containers for creams, 1 spray bottle the size of 2oz, 1 pump bottle of 2oz and 1 clear bag that makes it perfect for air travel.

You can use Beveetio refillable lotion tubes to carry shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, lotions and body wash. Squeeze and release to get exactly how much you want without globs of excess oozing out. There is also a suction cup on the back of these top travel containers.

Gemice refillable travel bottles for toiletries

Gemice Travel Bottles for Toiletries Tsa Approved Travel Size Containers BPA Free Leak Proof Travel Tubs Refillable Liquid Travel Accessories for Cometic Shampoo and Lotion Soap

Another best travel accessory in Amazon’s Choice Category is the TSA-approved liquid containers by Gemice. This package has 4 3-oz spill-proof travel containers and a transparent quart-sized toiletry bag. These silicon 3.3 oz travel bottles are BPA-free and squeezable. Each travel cream container has a specific color and pre-printed label. You can also change the label if you want a different text on these refillable toiletry bottles.

Another good feature of these empty travel containers is that they are 100% money-back guarantee. So, if you don’t like these top travel lotion bottles, you can always send them back.

The Gemice small plastic bottles for travel are suitable for hair serums, oils, alcohols, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, etc. There is also the capacity embossed on the bottles in case you need to show them at the airport check-in. With hundreds of 5-star ratings, these are some of the best travel jars for creams.

humangear Gotoob+ Silicone Travel Bottle With Locking Cap

humangear Gotoob+ Silicone Travel Bottle With Locking Cap

Last but not least in the best travel container for liquids review is another package of 3.4 oz bottles for air travel by Humangear Gotoob+. The difference between these travel storage containers and the travel squeeze tube mentioned before is in the design. While both of the mini travel containers packages feature the same quality and materials, they vary in colour and shape.

These travel bottles are with a hole on one end of the container so you can carry them using the lanyard. The package of these travel-size bottles for airplanes includes 4x 3.3oz bottles. These silicone shampoo bottles have the same clear color on the bottle but different colors on the lids.

These empty plastic bottles for travel by Humangear Gotoob+ come in a clear travel toiletry bag which is carry-on approved. These best travel containers for toiletries are made in BPA-free and FDA food-safe silicone and feature a lock to hang on a wall through a hook. Not happy? They come with a lifetime warranty!

Things to know and reasons to use travel containers

To comply with TSA rules

The TSA has specific rules in place and if you don’t comply they will confiscate your pricey cosmetic and oils.

Mini travel bottles occupy less space

A toiletry bottle set takes less space in your bag compared to shampoo or other liquid bottles.

They are leak-proof liquid containers

Unlike other liquid bottles, there is very little chance that the travel size makeup containers leak. All our best travel containers for shampoo, oil and other liquids are leak-proof with multiple sealings in the cap/lid.

TSA’s liquid requirements?

The TSA currently allows liquids in containers 3.4 oz or smaller. Here is what TSA says : “You can bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.” Note: If you don’t want your liquid/makeup or oil to get confiscated, make sure they are in containers smaller than 3.4oz.

What is PET material?

It’s the food-grade material used in the major bottled water brands. So, if you see the term PET within the best travel bottle reviews, it means it’s safe to store food in those leak-proof travel containers. However, some of these squeezy travel bottles are not designed for food storage. You can use them only as a travel cosmetic container.

What does BPA-free travel bottles mean?

BPA, the short form of BisPhenol A is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics since the 1960s. According to some research, BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with it. Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects. That’s why we picked the BPA-free best travel containers for liquids.

Things to look for in the best travel bottles

  • Wide mouth opening for easy refilling and cleaning of the travel bottle set.
  • Multiple layers of sealings result in the best leak-proof travel containers.
  • While most of TSA approved travel containers have the capacity written on the bottle, some travel liquid containers may not have it. Therefore, it’s better to check and make sure your travel bottles have the capacity number embossed on the bottle.
  • Physical dimensions of the travel bottles are important. 5-inch tall is normal for the largest travel containers. Compact and small travel containers for cosmetics take less space.
  • It’s easier to see the product in clear travel containers.
  • The number of travel bottles and lid/cap options (spray cap and flip cap). Some of the refillable cosmetic bottle packages have multiple bottle sizes and options. You can use one bottle as a travel perfume container while the others for shampoo, lotion, oil etc.
  • There are flexible silicone travel bottles, hard plastic travel bottle size for airlines, and glass pump bottles for shampoo.
  • You can also look for the small liquid containers that have a pipette for extracting liquids, a spatula to spread or lift the products, and the funnel for easy refilling of airport travel size bottles.

Last Word On Travel Size Toiletry Bottles

While these travel bottles cost as little as $10, they can prevent several unwanted scenarios. Using any of the reviewed leak-proof toiletry bottles in this buying guide, you will be complying with TSA’s liquid rules. That means when you get to the TSA line you are not going to be told your bottles are too large. So, you won’t have to spend extra money to get them shipped or go to the airline counter for your check-in luggage or even worse, throw your favorite shampoo, sunscreen, or expensive essential oils away. Buying the travel-size bottles mentioned above will help you take your liquid on the airplane with peace of mind.

So, you won’t have to spend extra money to get them shipped or go to the airline counter for your check-in luggage or even worse, throw your favorite shampoo, sunscreen, or expensive essential oils away. Buying the travel-size bottles mentioned above will help you take your liquid on the airplane with peace of mind.

They also help you pack efficiently for years to come depending on how often you use them. While using leak-proof travel bottles, it’s also a good idea to keep your liquids in a separate compartment, preferably in your toiletry bag . When using TSA-approved quart-size bags for liquids in the carry-on, make sure they are good quality and leak-proof. Quality bags with a good seal can help to contain any leaks inside your luggage.

about me: Angela Corrias

I'm Angela Corrias, an Italian journalist, photographer, and travel writer located in the heart of Italy's capital. Welcome to my website, your comprehensive source for your travels and expert guidance for crafting your dream travel experience.

How to Make Palak Paneer, Full Recipe of the Delicious Spinach Indian Curry

The 12 best portable travel blenders in 2022, 2 thoughts on “best travel bottles 2022. the ultimate guide to the top 10 travel containers for liquids”.

Hi, your post says “The Vumos small plastic bottles for travel are suitable for hair serums, oils, alcohols, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, etc.: but the link to amazon is to a silicon set that specifically says the apposite. Do they have plastic and silicone? I need them for hair gel and creme, so important to know since I have had leaks in the past. Thanks!

They are leak-proof silicone, as we mention at the beginning of the review. We then call it plastic because silicone is a hybrid between a synthetic rubber and a synthetic plastic polymer so it’s often considered a plastic.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Pack Hacker is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

11 Best Travel Size Bottles for Your Next Trip

Whether crossing the city or the continent, this list will help you find a set of travel size bottles to wrangle your toiletries for your next trip.

11 Best Travel Size Bottles for Your Next Trip

Whether you shower twice daily or have joined the no-poo movement, everyone needs travel size bottles for any trip longer than a day or two. However, there are a few designs to choose from and even more brands to dive into afterward. Don’t worry; we’re here to help!

We’ve seen a few materials most often—namely silicone and plastic. Some silicone models are food safe, which is a bonus if you want to use them for snacks. We’ve also seen metal and nylon models; however, those are few and far between. Every material was chosen for a reason, and we’ll dive into those as we go over each item.

Before you decide which travel containers suit you, you need to decide a few things. First, what are you going to stow inside the containers? Some liquids do better with flimsier materials, and some are too watery for specific caps. Then, where are you going to put them? Some offerings come with a toiletry bag , but you might need to find a Dopp kit to house others.

Briefly, let’s chat about airline security rules with liquids. You can take one quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in the bag you bring on the plane. Each liquid is limited to a travel-sized container, which is 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters.

Once you’ve determined what you’ll put inside your new travel size bottles and where you’ll stow them, you’re ready to rock! Let’s dive in.

  • humangear GoToob+
  • Gravel Soft 3oz Liquid Bottles
  • Eagle Creek Silicone Bottle Set
  • Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle
  • Cadence The Capsule
  • GLOBEGEAR Travel Bottles Kit (GG1)
  • Nalgene Medium Travel Bottle Kit
  • AinDen Travel Bottles Set
  • humangear GoTubb
  • Matador Refillable Toothpaste Tubes
  • D-LOTUS Perfume Atomizer

Best for: Full-time Travelers

Humangear GoToob+ Bottles

Why We Like It: They’re food-safe and have a dynamic locking system.

What You Should Know: The caps can break if handled roughly.

Here at Pack Hacker, we’ve had GoToob containers on the mind for years. Starting with the original model and moving our way up to the GoToob+ a while back, we’ve had our fair share of experience with these travel size bottles. With a range of sizes available, these are the perfect size for getting you through airport security and short to moderate-length trips.

They’re crafted from food-grade silicone, utilize a LoopLock™ system to ensure your toiletries don’t leak, and include a labeling system so you can figure out what’s inside quickly. The caps are somewhat fragile, but if you aren’t rough with them, they’ll last a long time.

Whether you’re stowing shampoo, conditioner, body wash, or your mom’s homemade mayonnaise, these travel containers will do the job. After all, do they even have mayonnaise in Antarctica?!

Gravel Soft 3oz Liquid Bottles 2

Why We Like It: They slot together nicely like a puzzle.

What You Should Know: The interior can be hard to clean.

If you like everything to slot together perfectly inside your pack, from your travel size bottles to your packing cubes , look no further than the Gravel Soft 3oz Liquid Bottles. They’re designed to fit together like a puzzle to make packing more manageable, and you can stack groupings of two like legos. The harsh angles inside can be challenging to clean, but that’s par for the course as far as travel containers are concerned.

These travel size containers are crafted from silicone, and the lids are made of hard plastic. There are two colorways to choose from; however, they’re Speckled Clear and Speckled Grey, which aren’t that unique. The lid is two pieces—the washer and the cap, which creates a tight fit, so your toiletries don’t leak and squeeze out evenly.

These work well if you need an even number of travel containers for liquids. However, they don’t come in singles at the time of posting, so you may have an extra if you only need three bottles. You might as well load up on Aioli while you’re in France with the extra one!

Best for: Relaxed Travelers

Eagle Creek Silicone Bottle Set

Why We Like It: Two sizes come in each pack.

What You Should Know: The 3-1-1 bag lacks durability and is superfluous if you already own one.

We know what you might be thinking. Isn’t Eagle Creek a backpack company? Yes! However, they make other travel goodies, like their Eagle Creek Silicone Bottle Set. This includes everything you might need for a trip, so it’s a great shout if you’ve never purchased Travel size bottles before. You might look elsewhere if you’ve already got a 3-1-1 bag for travel security.

Each set has two larger (3-ounce) and two smaller (2-ounce) bottles, so you can load the goop you need more of into the larger ones. They’re crafted from silicone and have an anti-spill gasket to ensure your toiletries don’t leak all over one another. In addition to the bottles, you get a clear 3-1-1 bag. It’s a simple offering crafted from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), but it’s an upgrade if you use a plastic bag. It has a gusset on the bottom so the bottles can stand up inside.

These travel size bottles get the job done and are an excellent option for those using them for the first time.

Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle

Why We Like It: Gets smaller as you use it, which saves space.

What You Should Know: Small holes can develop near the cap.

When some folks pack for a trip, keeping their pack size and weight down is one of the most important things. If you fit into that category, the Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle is one of the best travel containers on the market. It doesn’t feel as strong as the silicone options on this list, but the CORDURA® Nylon construction isn’t anything to scoff at.

A traditional set of travel size bottles is the same size when it’s empty as when it’s full. The FlatPak Toiletry Bottle gets smaller and lighter as you use it, so your toiletry bag will be lighter and easier to pack as the trip goes on. The flexible form makes packing more straightforward than its bulky silicone competitors, even when fully loaded.

If you’re going on a rugged backpacking journey, you might opt for something heavier, as one of the containers we tested developed small holes near the cap with enough wear and tear. However, if you are staying in a hotel or Airbnb and take care when grabbing and replacing it before and after using it, this is one of the best travel containers for toiletries out there!

Cadence The Capsule Review

Why We Like It: Magnets are satisfying to use and keep toiletries together.

What You Should Know: A tad heavy and not good for storing large quantities.

Magnets. That’s it. Magnets!

Confused? We were, too, when we first got our hands on The Capsule from Cadence. These little travel containers are made of metal and plastic and have magnets inside, so they stick together to form a honeycomb design inside your toiletry container. They aren’t large enough to stow a week’s worth of shampoo (even if you use it ultra sparingly), but they’re ideal for makeup and short trips that don’t require as much goop.

Another highlight of this design over a classic set of silicone travel size bottles is that they’re easy to clean. There’s no bottleneck—just rinse it out. No more special cleaning brushes or trying to reach your finger far enough to get to every corner!

The magnets work well in transit—everything sticks together and is easily located in one place. However, if you’re trying to separate your gear once you arrive, the magnets make that challenging. They clack back together if they’re within a short distance of each other. This isn’t an issue on large counters, but if real estate is scarce, they’ll probably be in formation.

This might be one of the more out-there travel bottles for toiletries, but it will work wonders in certain situations!

Best for: Frugal Travelers

GLOBEGEAR Travel Bottles Kit (GG1)

Why We Like It: Budget-friendly and has a variety of bottle designs.

What You Should Know: You may not have a use for every bottle design.

If you’re looking for a budget set of travel size bottles, look no further than the GLOBEGEAR Travel Bottles. Coming in at under $20, you get a lot of bang for your buck with this set. In addition to a 3-1-1 bag to get you through airport security, there are a few toiletry tools to work with here.

First, there’s a pump-top container. This one works well for the products you want to conserve because you can limit yourself to a single pump, and it even comes with a clip to prevent it from getting pumped on accident in transit. Next, there’s a spray bottle, which works for perfumes and other liquids. Then there are two standard plastic bottles for shampoos and other shower gels. We’re not done yet—there’s another silicone bottle and two small containers.

On top of everything listed, it comes with tools to help you fill every bottle, so loading isn’t an issue. We dig how many options there are, but you might not need everything listed, which is wasteful if you don’t use it. However, these travel size containers are an excellent shout for someone who likes to bring a little bit of everything!

Nalgene Medium Travel Kit Bottle

Why We Like It: Durable, tough plastic construction.

What You Should Know: The largest sizes are too big for airplane security.

If silicone isn’t your thing, but you like the form factor presented by other travel bottles for toiletries, the Nalgene Medium Travel Bottle Kit may be a worthy addition to your travel backpack . They’re crafted from HDPE plastic, which is durable, hard plastic similar to a water bottle. The tops screw on, which is more secure than attaching a cap to silicone. However, writing on them is difficult, so you might mix up what is what.

There are several sizes and colors in the set, which we dig. Some of the larger offerings are too big for air travel, so those will have to stay at home. However, those that are TSA-friendly make for a rugged travel companion. Plus, they’re budget-friendly.

The material can get a little slippery in the shower, but they’re small enough to hold onto with just one hand. If you want a set of travel shampoo bottles that won’t break the bank and isn’t silicone, these are the travel containers for you!

AinDen Travel Bottles Set

Why We Like It: Comes in one unified package of bottles.

What You Should Know: You can’t add more bottles to the set-up.

There aren’t a ton of designs for travel size bottles out there. However, there are a few companies that do things differently. AinDen’s Travel Size Toiletries Travel Bottles are self-contained in a hard plastic shell, so you have everything you need in one container. However, they pop out of their case when it’s time to use something. This combination makes it easier to get from point A to point B without a spill but doesn’t hinder usage.

The materials aren’t the most durable, but if you treat the container with care, there shouldn’t be any issues with spills or cracks. Plus, the plastic is easy to stow somewhere safe in your pack or toiletry bag.

Because of the configuration, you can’t add more bottles to your set-up. You might want to look elsewhere if you need more than four travel containers for liquids. However, AinDen’s design is unique and worth considering if you want a compact set of four travel size bottles.

Best for: Sustainable Travelers

Using A Humangear GoTubb For Cashews

Why We Like It: You can stow everything from medication to macaroni and cheese inside.

What You Should Know: Thin hard plastic breaks easier than silicone.

The GoTubb from humangear, the same company that brought you the GoToob+, can be used for everything from thick lotions to snacks for the plane. The design resembles a contact case, but the materials are durable enough to last years. There are three sizes to choose from at the time of posting—small, medium, and large—and five color combinations. Whether you want to organize your medication, bring along a liquid too dense for a standard set of travel sized bottles, or want a way to bring delicate snacks on the plane, the humangear GoTubb has you covered.

The tubs are BPA-free, PC-free, and Phthalate-free. Plus, they’re FDA food safe, so you can also eat out of them. The top screws on and is easy to remove when you’re ready to access whatever you’ve got stowed inside.

The hard plastic exterior is easier to break than silicone, especially if heavy gear is loaded inside your daypack . However, we haven’t had any issues with these travel containers breaking. Even if you aren’t sure what you’ll stow inside, the GoTubb almost always comes in handy once on a trip!

Matador Refillable Toothpaste Tubes Review

Why We Like It: No more wasteful toothpaste minis.

What You Should Know: Not much use outside of toothpaste.

There are a ton of travel size bottles and travel containers out there, but we haven’t found nearly as many that work for toothpaste. Matador’s reputation for filling the gaps of available travel products continues, enabling you to refill your toothpaste without as much environmental impact.

The Matador Refillable Toothpaste Tubes are designed with toothpaste in mind, so it works as well as one of the mini ones you get at the dentist’s office. However, when it’s empty, you refill it from the larger toothpaste container you have at home instead of buying another mini for your next trip. This keeps excess plastic out of landfills and is cheaper because mini toothpaste containers cost more per ounce. Think about what you can do with all of that toothpaste money!

Whereas most of Matador’s gear can be used for numerous things, there isn’t much use for their Toothpaste Tubes outside of dental hygiene. However, you use it twice daily, so we think it’s worth splurging on.

Best for: Professional Travelers

D-LOTUS Perfume Atomizer

Why We Like It: Makes it easy to bring fragrances across the globe.

What You Should Know: Cap may leak over time.

Finding a set of travel size bottles for your shampoo, conditioner, and other goops isn’t very difficult. However, finding something that will work for your perfume or cologne is another story. Most bottles you have at home are too large to take on a plane, but the D-LOTUS Refillable Perfume Atomizer is TSA-sized and enables you to smell good all trip long.

Bringing some cologne or perfume shouldn’t be a fuss, whether going to a fancy event or struggling with body odors when you can’t shower as regularly. With the D-LOTUS Atomizer, you can use the exact product you use at home, so there are no issues with skin irritation from using a new travel-sized fragrance. The interior container is easy to fill and dump, making packing easy.

Some users report issues with leaking after a few months of use; however, like any other travel container, if you ensure it doesn’t get bumped or knocked too much in transit, you should be all set.

So there you have it! Some travel size bottles that will keep you clean on your next trip, whether you’re washing up at the Ritz Carlton or in the river. Regardless of the trip, one of these travel containers will work for you!

April 4, 2023

mm

Author: Eric Hergenreder

Eric has been across the globe, but his favorite place to explore is his home state of Michigan. His love for photography has taken him all around the Great Lake State, often writing about his travels so that others can enjoy them, too. Eric loves messing around with analog photography, watching soccer, and searching for the world’s best burger in his spare time.

Pack Hacker Logo Small

Free shipping on orders over $20. Contiguous US only.

New around here? Sign Up

  • 0 your cart

Register your Nalgene account

A link to set a new password will be sent to your email address.

Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy .

Sign into your Nalgene account

Username or email  *

Password  *

Remember me Lost your password?

New around here? Join Now

Medium Travel Kit

Medium Travel Kit

( 1 customer rating)

21 in stock

Orders are limited to a maximum of 0 items.

If you are a consumer looking to purchase 0+ bottles, please contact customer service .

If you are a wholesaler, please find more information here .

Frequently Bought Together:

Medium Travel Kit

Travel Kit with Bag

Price for both: $28.29, description.

Contains six guaranteed leakproof, durable bottles ranging from 1oz to 4oz; two storage jars and two handy dispensing caps. Jars are not recommended for liquid storage.

Built to Last

Our durable goods are made to last a lifetime.

Dishwasher Safe

Safe to put in the dishwasher and easy to clean.

Lightweight

Engineered to count for when weight matters most.

You Might Also Like:

Average rating: 5.00.

Good for oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, soap, and one spare for anything you might need (sugar, species?). Perfect size for hiking or eating at the office.

Join Our Newsletter!

New products, exclusive deals and more.

Shop by Use

Shop by product.

  • Water Bottles
  • Accessories
  • Kids Water Bottles
  • Our Promise
  • Born from Science
  • Where were you in 1980?

Inside Nalgene

  • What’s Happening
  • Our Partners
  • Affiliate Program
  • Brand Ambassadors
  • Nalgene Water Fund
  • Customer Service
  • Distributors
  • Co-Branding
  • Email Sign-Up
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Privacy Policy

All materials on this site are © 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Join our newsletter!

Sign-up for our newsletter and save 10% on your next order.

By submitting your data, you agree to our Privacy Policy © 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All Rights reserved.

Write a review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your review  *

Name  *

Email  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Empty Cart

Your cart is empty

Are you hydrating enough?

The Best Gear for Travel

Various travel gear items laid out on a yellow background.

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 nine 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. As a traveling businessman and public speaker, he has logged millions of miles over the past few decades. We also ran our picks by 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 person walking through an airport with the Travelpro Platinum Elite carry-on bag.

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. Consider this example from OneBag’s Doug Dyment: “I’ve been in situations where I’ve landed in Chicago on my way to New York and everything was snowed in, no flights were flying anywhere, but I was able to rent a car or take a train whereas everyone whose bags were being held hostage by the airlines were simply stuck.” 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)

travel bottles kit

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

travel bottles kit

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.

A person standing outside in a light blue short sleeve shirt wears the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack, in black with a gray llama-head logo and aqua accents.

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 .

A tester from behind, wearing the uniformly black, sporty Peak Design bag

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)

travel bottles kit

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 47 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.

A person sitting in an airport chair with our pick for best carry-on luggage in front of them.

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

travel bottles kit

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. Wirecutter’s founder, Brian Lam, has put more than 150,000 miles on his so far, and it’s held up great. His only complaint is 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.

travel bottles kit

REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack (Men’s)

The best travel backpack for people with longer torsos.

Thick padding and highly adjustable straps make this the most comfortable and easy-to-fit pack sized for people with longer torsos.

May be out of stock

travel bottles kit

REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack (Women’s)

The best travel backpack for people with shorter torsos.

Thick padding and highly adjustable straps make this the most comfortable and easy-to-fit pack sized for people with shorter torsos.

If you’re going someplace where you’ll need to walk a lot (or if there’s dirt or cobblestone roads), we recommend a travel backpack. Specifically, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack (Men’s) for men (and tall women) and the REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack (Women’s) for those with shorter torsos. The Ruckpack’s thickly padded, stowable straps are fully height-adjustable. The bag is made from rugged, recycled ripstop nylon and is guaranteed for up to a year. And it holds about 60 liters, which gives you noticeably more space than our other picks while still keeping the overall dimensions manageable. You can read all about why we like the Ruckpack in our review of the best travel backpacks .

travel bottles kit

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

The Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag, our pick for the best luggage tag, shown on a wooden background

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 four bright 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. The Dynotag requires a scanner app that many phone owners don’t want to bother with, and the Okoban requires going online and entering a code, which might deter otherwise-willing Good Samaritans.

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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 newly 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

Men and women's underwear laid out on top of each other.

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 34 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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

Wirecutter’s Michael Zhao once wrote of his Darn Tough socks: “While I haven’t yet owned mine for life, my oldest pair is coming on three years old and I have trouble telling them apart from the newest pair I bought last month. During those same three years, I’ve worn through the heels of two pairs of Smartwool hikers and runners, had three pairs of Icebreaker ankle socks start to unravel, and developed holes in the heels and toes of six pairs of Stoic trail socks. Meanwhile, the Darn Toughs look as good as new. And unlike cheaper socks you can get from Costco or military surplus stores, they’re not so thick that you can’t wear them in warmer climates.”

travel bottles kit

WrightSocks

Light and fast-drying.

Not as durable but much lighter and faster-drying. A dual-layer design prevents blisters better than any other synthetic sock.

If you prefer a vegan product, have a wool sensitivity, or if you’d like something a bit cooler and are willing to sacrifice some durability, WrightSocks (both men’s and women’s sizes at that link) made from synthetic Coolmesh are a great choice (we like them better than Darn Tough’s synthetic option, which felt stifling). Like most synthetic socks, they’re lighter weight and dry quickly, but what sets WrightSocks apart is their dual-layered design, which prevents blisters by diverting friction between your shoe-lining and the sock onto the inner layer of the sock as opposed to your skin. This combination of blister prevention and light weight makes them particularly popular amongst runners in addition to travelers. Popular women’s travel gear review site HerPackingList calls them “the perfect sock for active travelers who will be on their feet for hours or days at a time.” Wirecutter writer Geoff Morrison switched his whole sock drawer out for these since he started traveling seven years ago and hasn’t looked back. “I've never gotten a blister, even after walking over 30 miles in a day during the 2014 Le Mans,” wrote Morrison in an email interview.

But with the WrightSocks, what you lose in weight, you also lose in durability. After just three trips through a washing machine, both the women’s and men’s versions we tested had substantial pilling in several locations. Morrison notes that his tend to start looking worn after about six months and that he replaces them about once a year. Also, avoid the dryer if you can because multiple user reviewers state that they’ll shrink in the dryer over time. (They dry quickly enough without the dryer that this isn’t really a huge issue.) And because they’re not merino, they really start to stink after a full day of walking around; bring extra.

travel bottles kit

Havaianas Top Flip Flop (Men's)

The best flip-flops for men.

Durable, grippy, and squeak-free when wet.

travel bottles kit

Havaianas Top Flip Flop (women’s)

The best flip-flops for women.

Same shoe in women's sizes.

A good pair of travel flip-flops should be lightweight, cheap, and flat. That way they’re easy to take wherever and it won’t matter if you lose them. After testing the super popular Havaianas, Ipanemas, Crocs, and Old Navy flip-flops, our pick is the Havaiana Top (for men and women ). These high-density PVC Brazilian classics are world-renowned for their durability, affordability, and reliable traction, even when wet. They weigh just 150 g, compared to the 220 g Ipanemas. They pack down to almost nothing, unlike the big and boaty Crocs. And while other cheap flip flops can get squeaky when wet, the Havaianas stay mostly silent, which is why they’re so popular in beach towns all over the world. Ultimately, this is what earned them the pick over our previous pick from Old Navy.

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.”

travel bottles kit

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.

travel gear, flexo-line, clothesline

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

travel bottles kit

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: with a cold, the flu, Covid-19, whatever. 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.

The Sea to Summit bag hanging open from a shower shelf.

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.

travel bottles kit

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

travel bottles kit

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)

travel bottles kit

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 and tested 100 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.

Five of our eight testers named the Mach3 among their top three razors, and two named it a favorite.

Razor (legs/body)

travel bottles kit

Gillette Venus Original

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. After testing 22 top-rated body razors and panel testing the five best of them , we prefer its capable, three-blade head and easy-to-maneuver handle to the competition’s. 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 it exceptionally versatile.

The Original’s head has three blades separated by considerable slats of space, making it far easier to clean the head between strokes. And it includes simple aloe strips above and below the blades, allowing the lubricant to ease the shave without transforming your razor into a swamp. 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)

travel bottles kit

PackTowl Personal

The best all-around packable towel.

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

(select 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  and the Shandali UltraSport —in our tests, it absorbed 2.8 times its weight in water, while the others absorbed between 2.3 times and 2.7 times.

travel gear, travel towels

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

travel bottles kit

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

travel bottles kit

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 .

travel bottles kit

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 most travelers .

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.

travel bottles kit

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 20 masks we tried over two rounds of testing , 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.

travel bottles kit

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.

If the Nidra Deep Rest doesn’t fit your face quite right, we also recommend the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask . It 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. Testers also liked that the Alaska Bear’s unobtrusive buckled strap didn’t snag on long hair the way a Velcro strap could. We think the Alaska Bear is a terrific eye mask for sleeping while traveling or in bed—regardless of your preferred sleep position—but we find the Nidra mask’s roomier eyecups more comfortable.

Sleeping bag liner

travel bottles kit

Sea to Summit Premium Silk Travel Liner

For a silky feel and extra warmth.

The Sea to Summit silk liner wicks moisture, doesn’t retain smells, packs down to the size of an apple, and even weighs less than one. It makes scratchy motel and hostel linens a lot more bearable.

A silk sleeping bag liner is a great way to insulate yourself from scratchy, cheap, poorly maintained linens you might find at a hostel or motel. On top of the obvious bling appeal of sleeping in silk, it’s the best performing material, too: absorbent yet quick-drying.  This makes silk superior to cotton, which becomes uncomfortable as soon as it gets moist, and synthetics, which retain smells more readily. Silk is also super strong, and its light weight means manufacturers can give you full body coverage in a compact package.

Our favorite is the  Sea to Summit Premium Silk Travel Liner , which is available in a variety of sizes, including regular, long, and even double for sharing. Whichever you pick, it will pack down to about the size and weight of a medium-sized apple. You won’t need it everywhere you sleep, but you’ll be glad you have it the next time you run into a set of scratchy sandpaper sheets at a cut-rate boarding house. (We have also used this for sleeping on long plane flights with great success.) Cocoon and Rab are the only other options when it comes to 100 percent silk liners available online and backed by a real company with a warranty, but those come in only one size. (Western Mountaineering makes silk liners as well, but they’re mainly available through independent retailers.)

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.

travel gear, cell phone

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 (which most newer phones have). 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

travel bottles kit

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.

You save $3 (13%)

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

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 customizable mesh-pouch setup and a stylish duo of cosmetics travel pouches ; we’ll also start testing other options to replace this one.

USB battery packs

usb-battery-packs-group

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 Zendure SuperMini 20W is about as small and lightweight as a power bank can possibly be while still offering enough capacity to juice up most smartphones up to three times. Its USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port can charge most handheld devices (and recharge the power bank itself) at top speed with the included USB-C cable and a compatible wall charger (the one that came with your phone will work). The USB-A port can handle any older, non-USB-C devices you might have kicking around, too. The SuperMini’s rounded edges make it easy to hold and slip into a pocket.

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

travel bottles kit

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.

Ebook reader

travel bottles kit

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, 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). If you have $20 more to spend, the Amazon Kindle Kids is worth it even if you’re not a parent; it comes with a case, one year of Amazon Kids+, a two-year warranty (compared with the standard version’s one year of coverage), and no ads. Getting rid of ads on the base model costs $20 alone. 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.

Travel water bottle

travel bottles kit

CamelBak Podium 21oz Bike Bottle

A lightweight squeezie.

This squeeze bottle is leakproof, light enough to throw into a carry-on for a flight, and cheap enough that if the TSA forces you to ditch it, the loss won’t break your heart.

If you’re tired of paying for a liter of water every time you take a plane trip, try a lightweight water bottle that you can stuff into your bag and then refill once you get past airport security. For years, we looked for a reliable collapsible travel bottle, but we were disappointed so many times: The HydraPak flopped, the Hydaway tasted plasticky, the Vapur and the Platypus collapsed (in a bad way), and the Nomader didn’t pack down very small. And in our experience, the implied way to carry a full one correctly—clipped to a backpack or belt loop—left them swinging around haphazardly. We’ve recommended all of these bottles in the past, but we’ve always been left wishing there was a better way.

Basic, light, and cheap, a squeeze bottle made for cycling is now our sincere recommendation for airport travel, and we like the CamelBak Podium in particular. It has a twist lock that provides extra assurance that it’s closed tight when you toss it in a bag—plus, it’s dishwasher safe. In addition to its being light and relatively compact, if the TSA takes it, you’ve lost only a few dollars instead of your investment in an expensive insulated bottle. The lid on this bottle is not covered, though, so if you dislike the idea of this bottle swimming around in a bag with the drinking surface exposed, you may prefer another of our water bottle picks, the Thermos Hydration Bottle , although some of our testers didn’t like having to fuss with the lid or flip lock on the Thermos.

Packable daypack

travel bottles kit

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 .

travel bottles kit

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.

travel gear, field notes

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

travel gear, sewing kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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.

A person holding a red Repel Easy Touch umbrella in the rain.

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.

travel gear, travel tips

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.

travel gear

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  
  • After traveling with 22 backpacks, we’d choose to carry our pick—but we offer other great options as well. 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  
  • For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably. The Best Travel Backpack  
  • Learn what we found while searching for the best checked bag. We started with 26 pieces of checked luggage and selected five as our favorites for most travelers. 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  

Further reading

travel bottles kit

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.

travel bottles kit

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 checklist

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.

A person reading a road atlas while sitting on the hood of their car, parked on the side of a road in the desert.

The Best Gear for Your Road Trips

by Kit Dillon and Wirecutter Staff

After 120 hours of research and 1,500 miles behind the wheel, we’ve singled out the gear that’s absolutely essential for your next journey on the open road.

Read the Latest on Page Six

  • Weird But True
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Viral Trends
  • Human Interest
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Food & Drink
  • Personal Care
  • Home Products
  • Health & Wellness
  • Amazon Sales
  • Ticket Sales
  • Gift Guides

trending now in Shopping

BowFlex has filed for bankruptcy – pick up bestsellers at going-out-of-business prices on Amazon

BowFlex has filed for bankruptcy – pick up bestsellers at...

The Body Shop filed for bankruptcy — Shop favorites on sale on Amazon

The Body Shop filed for bankruptcy — Shop favorites on sale on...

We spent years testing  30+ shampoos, and these have the it-factor for every hair type

We spent years testing 30+ shampoos, and these have the...

Score a hole in one with the best golf equipment in 2024, per pro golfers

Score a hole in one with the best golf equipment in 2024, per pro...

Le Creuset who? This Staub 5-qt. enameled cast iron cocotte is somehow 72% off

Le Creuset who? This Staub 5-qt. enameled cast iron cocotte is...

The next-level 'Love Boat,' Sun Princess, has officially set sail — Here's a look at the ship

The next-level 'Love Boat,' Sun Princess, has officially set sail...

You've got the power! Save up to 40% on Anker portable chargers today on Amazon – lowest prices ever!

You've got the power! Save up to 40% on Anker portable chargers...

Over 111 best-selling products you need from Amazon

Over 111 best-selling products you need from Amazon

43 best travel-size toiletries and essentials to breeze through tsa.

  • View Author Archive
  • Email the Author
  • Get author RSS feed

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

A group of different beauty products for traveling.

Ready to hit the skies and get flying to your next destination? Us, too!

Travel is picking up as winter getaways come to an end and spring draws near. But before you throw everything in your carry-on bag and call it a day, it’s important to know about TSA’s approved toiletries guidelines.

First, you are indeed allowed to bring toiletries in your carry-on bag and of course, in your checked luggage .

If you are bringing liquids, aerosols, gels, creams or paste in your carry-on bag, they must all be able to fit in a quart-sized bag, per the official TSA website . Each item must also be in a container that holds 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less.

The only way to get around the 3.4-ounce rule is to pack your goods in your checked luggage.

Aside from toiletries, lugging your accessories through the sky, such as your sunglasses and jewelry , can also come with a few stipulations. After all, it’s such a drag when your favorite necklace gets tangled with your adorable bracelet.

But never fear, as we’ve outlined the best travel-size toiletries, skincare, organizers, and more that put your mind (and TSA’s mind) at ease.

Want to jump to a desired section? Simply click on an option below.

Travel size bottles and organizers

Travel size sunscreen, travel size haircare, travel size makeup, travel size skincare, travel size perfume and cologne, travel size dental care, travel size deodorant, travel size contact care, travel size cleaning and protection, abiudeng large makeup bag.

Makeup bag - a close up of a bag.

The Abiudeng Large Makeup Bag offers spacious storage for your cosmetics, ensuring they’re easily accessible during travels. Its durable material and secure zipper provide protection for your items, while the compact design fits perfectly in your luggage.

BAGSMART Jewelry Organizer Case

A jewelry case.

Keep your jewelry tangle-free with the BAGSMART Jewelry Organizer Case. Its multiple compartments and pouches safely store your accessories, while the soft interior lining prevents scratches. Compact and stylish, it’s a must-have for travelers.

Bumkins Travel Bags

Group of zippered bags

Stay organized on the go with Bumkins Travel Bags. Made from waterproof fabric, they protect your items from spills and leaks. These reusable bags are perfect for toiletries, snacks, and electronics, offering eco-friendly convenience.

DYRENAC Travel Bottles for Toiletries

a group of different colored tubes in a container

These leak-proof silicone bottles are TSA-approved and perfect for liquids like shampoo and lotion. The transparent design allows easy identification, and the wide mouth facilitates refilling.

Warby Parker Travel Case

pink wallet with zipper

Protect your eyewear with the Warby Parker Travel Case. Its sleek design fits most glasses and sunglasses, ensuring they stay scratch-free during travel. Durable and compact, it’s a stylish accessory for your journeys.

Bpluma Travel Bottles

a pink and white device with a white cap and a white plastic cap

These BPA-free silicone bottles are ideal for storing liquids like shampoo and conditioner. Their leak-proof design and TSA-approved size make them essential for any trip.

Sun Bum Travel Sun Care Pack

A yellow box with a white towel and two bottles of cream.

Enjoy sun protection on the go with the Sun Bum Travel Sun Care Pack. It includes travel-sized sunscreen, lip balm, and after-sun lotion, made with reef-friendly ingredients. Perfect for beach trips or outdoor adventures.

Live Tinted Hueguard Invisible Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

tinted-sunscreen - a cream tube with a lid

Get SPF 50 protection without the greasy residue with Live Tinted Hueguard Invisible Sunscreen Stick. Its lightweight formula glides on smoothly, offering powerful sun protection. Compact and travel-friendly, it’s perfect for daily use.

Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense

drunk-elephant, a white tube with black and white text

Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense provides SPF 30 protection with a sheer tint. Its antioxidant-rich formula defends against environmental stressors. Perfect for travel, it keeps your skin protected and glowing.

COOLA Organic Sunscreen and Lip Balm SPF 30 Sun Protection Kit

A blue and white cosmetic bag.

Protect and moisturize your skin with COOLA Organic Sunscreen and Lip Balm Kit. Featuring SPF 30 protection, these organic products nourish your skin while shielding it from harmful UV rays. Compact and convenient, they’re perfect for outdoor activities.

Batiste Mini 1.6 Ounce Variety Pack

A group of bottles of dry shampoo.

Refresh your hair with the Batiste Mini 1.6 Ounce Variety Pack. These travel-sized dry shampoos absorb oil and add volume, perfect for quick touch-ups on the go. Compact and versatile, they’re essential for travel or busy days.

Monday Haircare Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner Travel Pack

A group of pink shampoo bottles

Achieve salon-worthy hair anywhere with Monday Haircare Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner Travel Pack. These nourishing formulas hydrate and smooth your hair, leaving it silky and manageable. Travel-sized for convenience, they’re perfect for your next adventure.

It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Daily Travel Set

Package of shampoo and hair tube. Purple and blue.

Experience luxurious haircare with It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Daily Travel Set. This trio includes travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in treatment, providing everything your hair needs to shine. Perfect for travel, it keeps your hair healthy and beautiful.

NuWay 4HAIR Travel Brush

a pink hair brush with a handle

Keep your hair looking flawless on the go with NuWay 4HAIR Travel Brush. Compact and foldable, it detangles and smooths your hair with ease. Perfect for travel, it fits in your purse or backpack for quick touch-ups anytime, anywhere.

MTCIZI Hair Straightener Curler 2 in 1

A green hair straightener on a white background.

Style your hair effortlessly with MTCIZI Hair Straightener Curler 2 in 1. This compact device features both a hair straightener and curler, perfect for creating versatile looks on the go. Ideal for travel, it ensures salon-worthy hair wherever you are.

Roses ‘N Honey 3-Piece Mini NUDIES Kit

A group of black tube shadows

Get a natural glow with the Roses ‘N Honey 3-Piece Mini NUDIES Kit. Featuring travel-sized multi-use makeup sticks in three flattering shades, it’s perfect for eyes, lips, and cheeks. Compact and versatile, it’s ideal for quick touch-ups while traveling.

Allyoop Stack the Odds Trio

A group of makeup products

Simplify your makeup routine with the Allyoop Stack the Odds Trio. This stackable makeup pen includes concealer, highlighter, and lip color, perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. Its compact design makes it a convenient addition to your travel makeup bag.

Alleyoop Multi-Tasker 4-in-1 Makeup Brush

A close-up of a makeup brush from alleyoop-brushes".

Achieve flawless makeup with the Alleyoop Multi-Tasker 4-in-1 Makeup Brush. Featuring interchangeable brush heads for foundation, blush, eyeshadow, and brows, it’s perfect for travel. Compact and versatile, it’s a must-have for busy travelers.

e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick

A close up of a tube.

Add a pop of color with the e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick. This creamy stick can be used on eyes, lips, and cheeks for a coordinated look. Its travel-friendly size makes it perfect for on-the-go applications.

Kaja 3-in-1 Blendable Sculpting Trio

Close up of a box named kaja.

Define and contour with the Kaja 3-in-1 Blendable Sculpting Trio. This compact palette features three shades for sculpting, highlighting, and bronzing. Travel-friendly and versatile, it’s essential for achieving a polished look while traveling.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Toner

Pink bottle with white label from Glowrecipe.

Refresh your skin with Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Toner. This travel-sized toner exfoliates and hydrates, leaving your skin radiant. Perfect for travel, it keeps your skin glowing wherever you go.

Nécessaire The Body Essentials Trial + Travel Set

a group of body care products

Pamper your skin with Nécessaire The Body Essentials Trial + Travel Set. Featuring a travel-sized body wash, lotion, and exfoliator, it nourishes and hydrates your skin. Compact and convenient, it’s perfect for travel or gym bags.

OSEA Glow to Go Starter Set

A group of small bottles next to a box.

Achieve radiant skin with the OSEA Glow to Go Starter Set. Featuring a travel-sized cleanser, moisturizer, and face oil, it nourishes and protects your skin. Perfect for travel, it keeps your skin glowing on the go.

LANEIGE Besties Set

A group of small containers of cosmetics.

Keep your skin hydrated with LANEIGE Besties Set. Featuring a travel-sized water sleeping mask and lip mask, it locks in moisture for soft and supple skin. Compact and travel-friendly, it’s perfect for skincare on the go.

OUAI Mini Melrose Place Eau de Parfum

Bottle close up.

This travel-sized perfume offers a luxurious fragrance wherever you go. Perfect for travel, it keeps you smelling fresh on the fly.

Clinique Limited Edition Happy Purse Spray

A white bottle with orange writing - Clinique.

This travel-sized perfume offers a burst of citrus scent on the go. Compact and convenient, it’s perfect for travel or everyday use.

Glossier You Eau de Parfum Rollerball

a close-up of a bottle from Glossier

Find your signature scent with Glossier You Eau de Parfum Rollerball. This travel-sized rollerball offers a unique and long-lasting fragrance. Ideal for travel, it fits easily in your purse or carry-on.

REPLICA’ Jazz Club Eau de Toilette

Close up of a bottle.

Transport yourself with REPLICA’ Jazz Club Eau de Toilette. This travel-sized fragrance captures the ambiance of a cozy jazz club. Compact and travel-friendly, it’s perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your travels.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Spray

light-blue" - a white bottle with a silver cap.

Embrace freshness with Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Spray. This travel-sized fragrance offers a crisp and refreshing scent wherever you go. Perfect for travel, it keeps you feeling confident on the move.

JUC 24pcs Travel Size Mouthwash Portable Individual

Packets of mouthwash

Freshen your breath on the go with JUC Travel Size Mouthwash. These individually packaged mouthwash strips are portable and convenient, perfect for travel or daily use. Simply dissolve in water for instant freshness, anytime, anywhere.

SIMPLUT Chewable Toothpaste Tablets with Fluoride

toothpaste-tabs - a box of white pills next to a container of toothpaste

These convenient tablets contain fluoride for effective cavity protection and freshen your breath with every use. Compact and mess-free, they’re ideal for travel or on-the-go dental care.

Holy Rose Dental Floss Picks with Portable Case 4-pack

A close up of flossers.

This 4-pack of floss picks comes with a portable case for easy storage in your bag or pocket. With their compact size and convenient design, you can keep your teeth clean and healthy wherever you go.

Philips Sonicare One Battery-powered Toothbrush

black toothbrush in package

Experience superior dental care on the go with the Philips Sonicare One Battery-powered Toothbrush. This compact and lightweight toothbrush features sonic technology for a thorough clean. With its battery-powered design, it’s perfect for travel or daily use, ensuring a fresh and healthy smile wherever you are.

Billie AHA Deodorant

Blue bottle with black text

This travel-sized deodorant is made with gentle exfoliating acids to keep your underarms smooth and odor-free. Its compact size makes it perfect for travel or on-the-go freshness, ensuring you stay confident and comfortable throughout the day.

Native Deodorant

A white tube with brown text.

This travel-sized deodorant stick is made with natural ingredients and comes in a variety of refreshing scents. Compact and easy to use, it’s perfect for tossing in your bag or carry-on, keeping you feeling fresh no matter where your travels take you.

Lume Whole Body Mini Smooth Solid Deodorant Stick

A white and orange labeled container

This travel-sized deodorant stick is gentle enough for sensitive skin and offers long-lasting odor protection. Its compact design makes it perfect for travel or everyday use, ensuring you feel confident and fresh all day long.

Opti-Free Puremoist Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution with Lens Case

A bottle of opti-free liquid next to a box.

Keep your contact lenses clean and comfortable with Opti-Free Puremoist Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution. This travel-sized solution comes with a lens case for convenient storage and disinfection on the go. Perfect for travelers or those with busy lifestyles, it ensures your lenses stay clear and comfortable wherever you are.

Biotrue Hydration Boost Rehydrating Contact Lens Eye Drops

A container seen up close.

These travel-sized drops provide instant hydration and comfort for contact lens wearers, perfect for long flights or dry environments. Compact and portable, they’re a must-have for anyone who wears contacts.

Lasiyanor Contact Lens Travel Kit

A small contact case with a mirror and container, as described in the Azure Caption, that matches the filename "contact-case".

This compact kit includes everything you need for on-the-go contact care, including a solution, a lens case, and tweezers. Portable and convenient, it ensures your lenses stay fresh and comfortable wherever you are.

Safe Trip Travel PPE Personal Protection Kit

A group of personal care items

This kit includes essential items such as masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer, ensuring you have everything you need to stay safe on the go. Compact and portable, it’s perfect for travelers or anyone who needs to stay protected while away from home.

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes To-Go Pack

a group of yellow packages of wipes

These travel-sized wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, perfect for disinfecting surfaces on airplanes, trains, or in hotel rooms. Compact and convenient, they’re a must-have for travelers or anyone concerned about staying healthy on the go.

Repel 100 Insect Repellent

a green and red package with a small bottle of insect repellent bug spray

This travel-sized spray provides up to 10 hours of protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects. Compact and easy to use, it’s perfect for outdoor adventures or traveling to areas with insect-borne diseases.

Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray

A group of tubes with different colors

Keep bathrooms smelling fresh and clean with Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray. This travel-sized spray creates a protective barrier on the water’s surface, trapping odors before they escape. Compact and discreet, it’s perfect for travel or keeping in your purse or pocket for emergencies.

Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted .

Share this article:

travel bottles kit

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Best in Class

  • The 15 Very Best Protein Powders The 15 Very Best Protein Powders
  • The 25 Very Best Bedsheets The 25 Very Best Bedsheets
  • The 7 Best Baby Carriers The 7 Best Baby Carriers
  • 13 Very Best Black T-Shirts for Men 13 Very Best Black T-Shirts for Men
  • The 12 Very Best Bar Carts The 12 Very Best Bar Carts
  • The Very Best Skin-Care Products for Redness and Rosacea The Very Best Skin-Care Products for Red…
  • The 30 Very Best Mascaras The 30 Very Best Mascaras
  • The 13 Very Best Bluetooth Speakers The 13 Very Best Bluetooth Speakers
  • The Very Best Women’s Underwear The Very Best Women’s Underwear
  • The 9 Very Best Callus Removers The 9 Very Best Callus Removers
  • The Very Best Throw Blankets The Very Best Throw Blankets
  • The Very Best Face Moisturizers The Very Best Face Moisturizers
  • The 11 Very Best Yoga Mats The 11 Very Best Yoga Mats
  • The 12 Very Best Travel Mugs The 12 Very Best Travel Mugs
  • The 5 Very Best Robot Vacuums for Pets The 5 Very Best Robot Vacuums for Pets
  • The 12 Very Best Couches The 12 Very Best Couches
  • The 7 Very Best Cable Organizers The 7 Very Best Cable Organizers
  • The 10 Very Best Mom Jeans The 10 Very Best Mom Jeans
  • The 9 Very Best Products for Preventing and Fading Melasma The 9 Very Best Products for Preventing…
  • The 10 Very Best Men’s Dopp Kits The 10 Very Best Men’s Dopp Kits
  • The Very Best Gym Shorts for Men The Very Best Gym Shorts for Men
  • The 20 Very Best Sunscreens for Your Face The 20 Very Best Sunscreens for Your Fac…
  • The Very Best Area Rugs The Very Best Area Rugs
  • The Very Best Moisturizers for Combination Skin The Very Best Moisturizers for Combinati…
  • The 9 Very Best Umbrellas The 9 Very Best Umbrellas
  • The 14 Very Best Bras for Small Breasts The 14 Very Best Bras for Small Breasts
  • The 13 Very Best Food-Storage Containers The 13 Very Best Food-Storage Containers
  • The 12 Very Best Pregnancy Pillows The 12 Very Best Pregnancy Pillows
  • The 8 Very Best Shampoos for Fine Hair The 8 Very Best Shampoos for Fine Hair
  • The 10 Very Best Face Exfoliators The 10 Very Best Face Exfoliators
  • The 11 Very Best Skillets The 11 Very Best Skillets
  • The Very Best Toiletry Bottles The Very Best Toiletry Bottles
  • The 18 Very Best Dining Chairs The 18 Very Best Dining Chairs
  • 15 of the Very Best Chef’s Knives 15 of the Very Best Chef’s Knives
  • The 11 Very Best Self-Tanners The 11 Very Best Self-Tanners
  • 14 of the Very Best Olive Oils 14 of the Very Best Olive Oils
  • The 14 Very Best Beach Towels The 14 Very Best Beach Towels
  • The 14 Very Best High-Waisted Jeans The 14 Very Best High-Waisted Jeans
  • The 12 Best Pieces of Bakeware The 12 Best Pieces of Bakeware
  • The 9 Very Best Nail Clippers The 9 Very Best Nail Clippers
  • The 10 Very Best Menstrual Cups The 10 Very Best Menstrual Cups
  • The Very Best Men’s Underwear The Very Best Men’s Underwear
  • The 12 Very Best Pillows for Neck Pain The 12 Very Best Pillows for Neck Pain
  • The Best Women’s Long Underwear for Women The Best Women’s Long Underwear for Wome…
  • The 15 Very Best Eye Creams The 15 Very Best Eye Creams
  • The Very Best Boxer Briefs The Very Best Boxer Briefs
  • The 11 Very Best Jeans for Tall Women The 11 Very Best Jeans for Tall Women
  • The 7 Very Best Dutch Ovens The 7 Very Best Dutch Ovens
  • The 10 Very Best Mattress Protectors The 10 Very Best Mattress Protectors
  • 13 of the Very Best Air Fryers 13 of the Very Best Air Fryers

The 8 Best Sinus-Rinse Kits and Neti Pots

Portrait of Arielle Avila

In this article

  • Best overall

Best sinus rinse

Best neti pot.

  • Best ceramic neti pot
  • Best sinus rinse kit with multiple tips
  • Best battery-powered sinus rinse kit

Best sinus rinse for kids

Whether you’re fighting off a cold , the flu, or seasonal allergies , a sinus-rinse kit or neti pot — nasal irrigation tools to help clear sinus congestion — can help loosen thick mucus, which can allow sinuses to clear better. I personally use one during allergy season or whenever I get a stuffy nose, and it clears me up almost immediately. And while the sensation of water running through my nasal passages is deeply unpleasant for me, the ability to breathe easier afterward is always worth it.

Even when your nose isn’t stopped up, neti pots and other nasal irrigation tools can help to clean out dirt, irritants, and allergens from the nose, says Dr. Roheen Raithatha, an ENT doctor at ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP . While not all doctors we spoke to think a nasal irrigation system is necessary for everyday use, they all said it can come in handy for symptoms like allergic rhinitis or chronic sinusitis. Finding the right tool for you, however, can be difficult. To help you find the best sinus rinse or neti pot for combatting congestion, I consulted a panel of experts and tested some recommendations below.

And one note before use: Because all of the sinus rinses and neti pots are making direct contact with the inside of your nose with each use, all of them are meant to be used by only one person and not shared. Also, all of the doctors we spoke to emphasized the importance of cleaning your device after each use. “The tips of the bottles and insides of the bottles can get contaminated or colonized with bacteria, which you do not want to introduce to your nose,” explains Voigt. While always good practice, it’s especially important to clean whatever you use if you’re sick because you don’t want to rinse your nose with contaminated water.

What we’re looking for

“If you’re going to be using these products, start with the most gentle and work your way up to the more pressurized ones depending on how you feel,” says Dr. Erich Voigt, M.D., an associate professor in the department of otolaryngology at NYU Langone Health . Most of the rinses and neti pots listed release a gentle to medium amount of pressure, so they’re safe to start out with. If you know you have thick mucus or have tried gentler methods already, we’ve noted which ones provide more intense pressure.

Nasal irrigation comes in a variety of methods. There are rinses, sprays, mists, neti pots, and even battery-operated devices. Dr. Anne Maitland, a doctor at Clinical Paradigms, LLC , and assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , is a proponent of daily rinsing and says it comes down to preference. “People have to recognize what they’re willing to do. Some people are diligent enough to mix up a solution into distilled water and some aren’t,” she says.

Some of the rinses listed offer different-size tips, which Dr. Clifford Bassett, the medical director at Allergy & Asthma Care of New York , finds helpful. These tips can offer spray or squirt functions, or they can change the amount of water that flows through the nasal passages.

All of the products mentioned use some type of saline solution, and most come with premixed solution packets or pods that require distilled, filtered, or pre-boiled water. All of the doctors we spoke to emphasized that regular tap water should never be used because “there are cases where people have used tap water or unclean water and have given themselves infections inside of their nose and sinuses,” Voigt explains. We’ve noted which rinses and neti pots don’t require mixing and which do. And we also mention how many packets each product comes with, so you know how many uses you can get before having to order more.

Best nasal spray overall

NeilMed Nasa Mist Multi-Purpose Saline Spray All in One

Pressure: Gentle to medium | Method: Pressurized can mist, spray, or rinse | Tips: Three interchangeable tips | Solution: Pre-mixed (no packets necessary)

This mist was the easiest of all the methods I tried because it doesn’t require any prep before use. The pressurized can is ready to go out of the box and comes with three different tip attachments for misting, spraying, and rinsing. The attachments allow for varying pressures, misting being the least amount and rinsing being the most. After trying out all three, it seems that the misting and spraying tips are good for everyday use but less effective for when I was stopped up. On a day I had a stuffy nose, I tried out the rinsing tip, and it helped clear me out almost instantly. Because the tips are detachable, they can be cleaned after every use as recommended.

Maitland, who recommends mists for everyday use, keeps a pressurized can by her toothbrush and uses hers every night after brushing her teeth. She adds that its design is easily portable, too. Raithatha, who recommends NeilMed’s products to patients, says some folks also prefer this to a neti pot because they don’t have to tilt their head to let the saline flow through the nose. Because it’s so versatile and user-friendly and doesn’t require much prep, this convenient NeilMed pressurized can is our best overall pick.

NeilMed SinuFlo Ready Rinse

Pressure: Gentle to medium | Method: Squeeze bottle rinse | Tips: One tip | Solution: Two solution packets for multiple uses

When Maitland has a “full-blown sinus infection,” she employs a NeilMed squeeze bottle. Like the aforementioned pressurized can, this doesn’t require any head tilting, but you will have to mix the provided solution yourself. When I tested the Ready Rinse, I boiled filtered water (to be safe), let it cool to a lukewarm temperature, and mixed the solution in the squeeze bottle. All of this took about 30 minutes, mainly because it took a while to wait on the water to cool. Afterward, I employed the rinse to one of my stuffed up nostrils and watched a steady stream of water and mucus out of the other. It was as effective as using the above with its rinse tip, and I appreciated being able to control the pressure since I was squeezing the bottle myself. Strategist contributor Priya Rao , who suffers from “raging sinus infections,” likes this effortless solution , which requires “no contorting or gagging” that can come with neti pots. Since using it twice a day (and even more in the summertime when her air conditioner is on full blast), she “can literally breathe easier.”

SinuCleanse Soft Tip Neti-Pot Nasal Wash Irrigation System

Pressure: Gentle | Method: Plastic neti pot | Tips: One soft tip | Solution: 30 single-use solution packets

My mom is a firm believer in the neti pot. About 15 years ago, she started running regularly outdoors, and her allergies were so bad that she suffered from sinus infections almost every other month. Her doctor recommended a neti pot, and since then, it’s been her go-to way to prevent sinus infections. She’s also tried sinus rinses, but she swears a neti pot is “much more thorough and effective.” And because she has a deviated septum, the saline solution rinses through her entire nasal passage instead of just flushing out one side. Voigt, who highly advises people to start with a gentler rinse, likes that the “classic neti pot is very gentle. You’re just pouring the water on one side, tilting your head, and letting gravity work its way through.” All of the experts we spoke to emphasized the importance of cleaning the neti pot after each use, with Maitland and Bassett advising to get a dishwasher-safe device for less fuss. This one from SinuCleanse is safe to place on the top rack of a dishwasher, comes with 30 single-use solution packets, and features a no-spill cap and a soft, latex-free nasal tip.

Best porcelain neti pot

NeilMed Classic Porcelain Neti Pot Green with 30 Premixed Packets

Pressure: Gentle | Method: Neti pot | Tips: One tip | Solution: 30 single-use solution packets

When Maitland does use a neti pot, she prefers that it’s made out of clay, noting that the off-gas from plastic neti pots can pose an issue for some people. This NeilMed neti pot is porcelain, so it’s a bit denser and more durable than other ceramic neti pots. Like the plastic neti pot, it’s important to clean this after every use, and this one’s conveniently dishwasher-safe. It also comes with 30 solution packets that you would need to mix with pre-boiled, distilled, or filtered water.

Best battery-powered sinus-rinse kit

Navage Nasal Care Starter Bundle

Pressure: Intense | Method: Suction irrigation system | Tips: Two tips | Solution: 30 single-use solution pods

The Navage may not be for everyday use — it’s for days you’re really stuffy. It’s a machine that “runs the saline solution through your nose on one side and then vacuums it out on the other,” explains Maitland. She owns one herself and takes it out when she’s “feeling industrious.” It’s more intense than the other methods mentioned in the article, but Maitland promises it “works really well” when she has a sinus infection. The Navage uses single-use solution pods, so there’s no actual mixing necessary, but you’ll still have to fill its water tank with distilled, filtered, or pre-boiled water.

Best battery-powered sinus-rinse kit with different tips

SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus Irrigation System

Pressure: Gentle to intense | Method: Pulsating irrigation system | Tips: Four interchangeable tips | Solution: 30 single-use solution packets

This SinuPulse irrigation system comes with four interchangeable tips, which come in handy for “adjusting the actual water flow into your nasal passages,” according to Bassett. Even further, this device has an EZ Touch button that lets you adjust the pressure of the water, so you don’t accidentally cause trauma to your nasal passages. It can also help if you have thicker mucus, according to Voigt. He recommends pressurized devices to patients who have chronic sinusitis, meaning their mucus is “really thick and dense, almost like a flu-like mucus.”

Best less-expensive battery-powered sinus-rinse kit

NeilMed Sinugator Cordless Pulsating Nasal Wash Kit with One Irrigator

Pressure: Medium | Method: Pulsating irrigation system | Tips: One tip | Solution: 30 solution packets

This NeilMed device comes at a fraction of the price of the other battery-operated sinus-rinse kits. It’s not as intense as the Navage, but it’s an inexpensive choice if you want a pulsating nasal rinse with more pressure than the non-battery-powered choices. It comes with one detachable tip and doesn’t allow control over the amount of water released. This makes it a simple, straightforward device. Plus fewer attachments means it takes up a lot less counter space.

NeilMed Sinus Rinse, Pediatric, Complete Saline Nasal Rinse

Pressure: Gentle | Method: Squeeze bottle rinse | Tips: One tip | Solution: 60 premixed solution packets

For kids, Maitland and Voight both say it’s important for adults to administer something that’s very gentle so the child isn’t traumatized by the experience. And while neti pots are gentle, it’s unlikely that a child would tolerate the discomfort and head-tilting that comes with using it. Raithatha recommends NeilMed’s sinus rinse because of how inexpensive, accessible, and effective it is. Also, with the squeeze bottle, the adult administering the solution has more control over the amount of solution getting released, unlike a pressurized can or other methods.

Some more neti pots and sinus rinses we like

Nasopure “Nicer Neti” Pot Sinus Wash System

Our experts

• Marie Avila, supervising physical therapist • Dr. Clifford Bassett, medical director at Allergy & Asthma Care of NY • Dr. Anne Maitland, M.D. at Clinical Paradigms, LLC , and assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai • Dr. Erich Voigt, MD, associate professor in the department of otolaryngology at NYU Langone Health • Dr. Roheen Raithatha, ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP • Priya Rao, Strategist contributor

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans , rolling luggage , pillows for side sleepers , ultra-flattering pants , and bath towels . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.

  • the strategist
  • health and fitness
  • best in class

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Deal of the Day

Micro sales, greatest hits, most viewed stories.

  • The Very Best Face Moisturizers
  • The 15 Very Best Protein Powders
  • The 13 Very Best Bluetooth Speakers
  • I Stopped Strangers on the Subway to Find a Perfect Tote
  • All the Best Walking Shoes We’ve Ever Written About
  • The 12 Very Best Couches

Popular Products From Athleta

Athleta

travel bottles kit

What To Pack In Your Medical Travel Kit

H aving a travel medical kit at hand when you are on a road trip or some other adventure can be life saving, so let's talk about What To Pack In Your Medical Travel Kit . Accidents can happen anytime, so having the tools available to deal with injury before making it to a hospital is essential. 

If you don’t have a travel medical kit or don’t know how to start putting one together, here are a few tips and essentials that should be in it. 

This post may contain affiliate links which means we receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for more information.

What to Remember 

There are some things you should remember to add to a kit that may not seem obvious. If you take chronic medication, have allergies, or simply have a prescription for nicotine vaping , have copies of the paperwork relating to these things in the kit as a reminder, and to hand them to medical professionals if needed. 

The first thing to consider is the size of the kit and where you will store it. It should be no bigger than a backpack and shouldn’t take up too much space as you don’t want to feel like you should take it to make room for other things. 

Essentials Only 

A travel medical kit shouldn’t be a pharmacy or hospital in your bag. Don’t fill it with every possible thing you may need; instead, choose the essentials and items that are multipurpose. A good example is headache tablets, which can double as pain relievers.

Don’t Forget Non-Medical Items

There are also a few non-medical things you should include, such as a small torch, a lighter, a mini sewing kit, and a multi-tool. You never know where you may be when you need this kit, so ensure that you have other tools that will make treatment easier or more effective. 

Keep Going First Aid Kit

First aid on-the-go! The handy, compact  Keep Going First Aid Kit has 130 pieces of essential first aid supplies, from burn relief to bandages, so your child will be ready for anything! TSA approved, the lightweight kit is packaged in an organized, stylish water & stain-resistant case for school days, after school sports & activities.

Created by a mom of four, the Keep Going First Aid Kit is an essential for the entire family. Four kits are available, including the SuperKit (270 pieces), GoKit (130 pieces), Loaded MiniKit (60 pieces) and KidsKit (44 pieces).

  • Travel in Style – Most first aid kits look so clinical—upgrade your small first aid kit for travel to a fashionable one. Your cute first aid kit fits into a suitcase, diaper bag, purse, or backpack.
  • All You Need – Good things come in small packages! Your compact first aid kit has 130 pieces of essential first aid supplies for every ouchie. From burn relief to bandages, you’ll be ready for anything.
  • For Your Family – The average med kit is designed just for adults, but your KEEP GOING kit works perfectly as a baby first aid kit and beyond. Bandage their boo-boos and put smiles back on their faces!
  • Quality Materials – Give your family the care they deserve. Your home and car first aid kit features premium products protected inside a stain- and water-resistant case with a helpful first aid guide.
  • KEEP GOING – Your HSA- and FSA-eligible first aid kit for home and travel is made by a mom for moms. KEEP GOING First Aid is a small, family-owned business passionate about helping families keep the fun going.

The KidsKit can be clipped directly on backpacks, too! A variety of stylish, trendy patterns and colors are available. The kits can be found on Amazon.com . There is a full sized option as well as a mini travel size!

Specialized Kit

If you have a problem needing specialized medication or equipment, make sure that is the first thing you pack. This can range from extra batteries for a hearing aid or an EpiPen if you have diabetes. 

Click here to find out how to get an Emergency Antibiotics Kit without seeing a doctor!

Plasters/Bandages

The first thing you need is a selection of plasters and a couple of rolls of bandages. The bandage length doesn’t matter as you can cut it but have a decent variation in plaster sizes; also, ensure the plasters are waterproof.  

Anti-Bacterial Wipes/Gloves

Anti-bacterial wipes are perfect for cleaning injuries and lowering the chances of infection in the instance of a bite or graze. Combine these with gloves, as you don’t want to touch open wounds with your bare hands. 

You might also want to throw in some Handzies soap and water wipes!

Individually packaged and perfect for packing in your travel bag,  Handzies Soap + Water Wipes  give everyone fresh, clean hands using only natural castile soap, water and essential oils. Say goodbye to harsh hand sanitizers, as Handzies do not contain alcohol, BZK, triclosan, artificial perfumes or dyes. Get them here !

Headache Tablets

Headaches are common and can ruin a day very quickly. Headache tablets not only deal with this but they can also be used as a pain reliever in a pinch. Before using them or giving them to someone, make sure they aren’t allergic to paracetamol.

Travel size medicine packets don't take up a lot of space, but save you time and money when a headache strikes during a trip!

Medication for Stomach Issues

Another common problem would be stomach issues. This can range from acid reflux to constipation and diarrhea. Include a small number of antacids, as well as anti-diarrhea and laxatives, in your kit.

For instance, I always pack a package of Imodium travel size tablets .

Motion Sickness Tablets

People can get motion sickness in a car, on a plane, or on a boat, and therefore it is essential to have motion sickness tablets. While there are tablets for each of these, at the very least, have a generic motion sickness medication at hand. 

In the instance of needing to use bandages, plasters, or tape, you will need a pair of medical scissors. While regular ones will do the job, specialized bandage scissors are designed to make quick and clean cuts without destroying the bandage. 

Medical Tape

Medical tape has a multitude of uses, but the most important ones are that it will keep bandages secure and in place, and it can be used to waterproof injuries. Having a good size roll will ensure you always have enough for the job, and in case you need to redo or replace dressings. 

Antiseptic Spray/Wipes/Gel

Antiseptic spray or wipes should be a no-brainer in your kit. If you get bitten by an insect or animal or get a scrape or an abrasion, the first thing you should apply is antiseptic. This will clean the wound and prevent any bacteria from getting into it. 

Burn Bandages/Gel

In the event of a burn, a regular bandage or cream just won’t do the job. There are specialized bandages that are designed for burns, as well as multiple gels that can be applied to relieve the pain and slow down any damage the burn could cause. 

Allergy Medication

Allergy flare-ups are one of the worst things to deal with, especially when you don’t have any tablets or sprays that can help. Having a sheet of antihistamines or a nasal spray available can offer quick relief. Make sure to keep your travel size otc medication  where you can easily find it if you have an allergy flare up!

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags can be multifunctional, especially in a pinch. If you need to get rid of use bandages or plasters, you can throw them away safely, but bags also have a great secondary function. 

If you need to keep a dressing dry or out of the rain, you can cut a bag, wrap the dressing, and tape it to make it waterproof. 

The post What To Pack In Your Medical Travel Kit appeared first on The Rebel Chick .

first aid kit

IMAGES

  1. [UPGRADED]16 Pack Travel Bottles Set Best Review

    travel bottles kit

  2. Nice! On The Move Travel Bottles 4 Piece Kit 3.4 Ounces

    travel bottles kit

  3. Travel Bottles Containers, TSA Approved Travel Size Toiletry Bottles

    travel bottles kit

  4. Wobe

    travel bottles kit

  5. Silicone travel bottle kit 60ml amd 98ml, travel toiletry bottle kit

    travel bottles kit

  6. Mon Image 3 oz Travel Bottle Pack, Set of 4

    travel bottles kit

COMMENTS

  1. The 7 Best Travel Toiletry Bottles

    Retailing for half the price of our already affordable overall winner, the Vitog Travel Bottles Kit is a no-brainer for budget-conscious buyers. It includes six 1.4-ounce bottles and two 0.4-ounce bottles. The larger ones consist of two pump bottles with a removable clip to prevent accidental deployment, two spray bottles, and two flip-cap bottles.

  2. Kitsch 11 Pack Travel Bottles for Toiletries

    TRAVEL BOTTLES TSA APPROVED: The TSA-approved travel shampoo and conditioner bottles includes one spray bottle, two pump bottles, two mini jars, three flat pouch bottles, one reusable travel pouch, one mini funnel, one mini spatula and one mini pipette, making them suitable for carry-on bags when flying.

  3. Amazon.com: Tsa Travel Kit

    Portable Travel Bottles Kit, TSA Approved Upgraded Leak Proof Toiletry Containers Set, Clear PET Flight Size Cosmetic Containers for Lotion, Shampoo, Cream, Soap, Set of 12. 4.2 out of 5 stars. 39. 300+ bought in past month. $6.91 $ 6. 91. FREE delivery Mon, Mar 11 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon.

  4. Amazon.com: Travel Bottles

    20Pcs Silicone Travel Bottles for Toiletries Kit, 3 Oz Tsa Approved Travel Toiletry Containers Leak Proof, Travel Size Bottles Shampoo and Conditioner, Refillable Squeeze Tubes Lotion Liquid Container. 4.5 out of 5 stars. 54. 900+ bought in past month. $7.29 $ 7. 29.

  5. The Best Toiletry Bottles of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

    Vitog Travel Bottles Kit at Amazon ($9) Jump to Review. Best Large Capacity: Insfit TSA Carry-on Approved Containers at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review. Best Color-coded:

  6. The 10 Best Travel-size Bottles for Your Next Vacation

    Vitog Travel Bottles Kit. Offering 8 travel-size bottles for various care products and a toiletry bag for proper storage, Vitog Travel Bottles Kit is a great option for traveling. It also comes in several colors, so you won't have any issues finding a set that matches your style.

  7. The 9 Best TSA-Approved Containers

    The ALINK Travel Size Toiletry Bottles Set is the perfect purchase for those whose beauty products go beyond a few same-sized bottles. ... Have all of your beauty and toiletry necessities ready in this pre-packed travel kit. With 16, 19, and 21-piece options to choose from, the latter comes with everything you need from trusted brands like ...

  8. 5 Best TSA-Approved Travel Bottles

    TSA-approved travel bottle prices. Sets of TSA-approved travel bottles cost between $10 and $20. At the low end, between $10 and $12, are bottle-only sets with regular squeeze caps. Mid-range travel bottles cost between $13 and $15, and these sets include multiple bottles as well as additional accessories like cream jars and toothbrush covers ...

  9. 13 Best Travel Toiletry Bottles: Editor Tested, Leakproof, & Reusable

    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 ...

  10. 7 TSA-approved toiletry bottle kits that make traveling a breeze

    The Vitog TSA-Approved 11-Piece Leak-Proof Travel Bottle Kit comes with the works. Also, the included pink-lined clear bag is so cute. Buy Now on Amazon. 6. Qianying TSA-Approved Leak-Proof Silicone Travel Container Set, $7.99 ($9.99) Credit: Amazon. These are probably the most beautiful of the bunch.

  11. Best Travel Bottles for Liquids

    The package contains a 4 travel bottle kit in grey and clear colours and two travel jars for creams. Two of the silicone travel tubes are 5″ tall and 1.3″ wide 3 oz travel bottles. The other two travel-size toiletries containers are 4.1″ tall and 1.3″ wide 2 oz travel containers.

  12. Travel Smart By Conair Travel Bottle Set

    This kit of travel-size bottles contains a variety of shapes and sizes that can hold and seal your precious fluids for international flights. From a spray bottle to cream jars, this travel kit enables your hair products, skin cream and other personal care items to be safely stored and dispensed on both sides of customs.

  13. Vitog Travel Bottles Kit, TSA Approved Leak Proof Portable Toiletry

    Travel Bottles Kit, TSA Approved Leak Proof Portable Toiletry Containers Set, Clear PET Flight Size Cosmetic Containers for Lotion, Shampoo, Cream, Soap, Set of 11 . Visit the Vitog Store. 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 4,982 ratings | Search this page .

  14. 11 Best Travel Size Bottles for Your Next Trip

    If you're looking for a budget set of travel size bottles, look no further than the GLOBEGEAR Travel Bottles. Coming in at under $20, you get a lot of bang for your buck with this set. In addition to a 3-1-1 bag to get you through airport security, there are a few toiletry tools to work with here. First, there's a pump-top container.

  15. Travel Toiletry Set With Bottles Kit : Target

    This kit will be the perfect gift for that travel enthusiast in your life! Bag includes three BPA free 2.7 oz. bottles inside for conveniently traveling with your favorite shampoo, conditioner and more. Plenty of room to include your other travel size toiletries in this spacious zippered bag. Bag stays upright on countertops for easy access.

  16. The 8 best toiletry bottles for travel, according to frequent flyers

    When it comes to painless and efficient travel, a little planning can go a long way — especially when it comes to your toiletries. From cleverly labeled bottles to convenient silicone tubes ...

  17. Medium Travel Kit

    Buy Medium Travel Kit. Contains six guaranteed leakproof, durable bottles ranging from 1oz to 4oz; two storage jars and two handy dispensing caps.

  18. Amazon.com: Travel Bottles And Containers

    Portable Travel Bottles Kit, TSA Approved Upgraded Leak Proof Toiletry Containers Set, Clear PET Flight Size Cosmetic Containers for Lotion, Shampoo, Cream, Soap, Set of 12. 4.2 out of 5 stars. 39. 300+ bought in past month. $6.91 $ 6. 91. FREE delivery Mon, Mar 11 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon.

  19. The Best Gear for Travel in 2024

    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 ...

  20. Best travel-size toiletries and essentials to pack in 2024

    Travel size bottles and organizers. ... Get a natural glow with the Roses 'N Honey 3-Piece Mini NUDIES Kit. Featuring travel-sized multi-use makeup sticks in three flattering shades, it's ...

  21. The Ultimate Packing List for Beach Travel, Cruises, Road Trips & More

    Reusable water bottle; Sunglasses; Travel documents, including insurance paperwork; List of emergency contacts, plus contact numbers for credit cards and banks ... First-aid kit (painkillers ...

  22. Conair Travel Sized Toiletries, TSA Approved Travel Bottles, Travel

    Cosywell Travel Size Bottles for Toiletries 13 Pack 3oz TSA Approved Toiletry Bottles Leak Proof Travel Kit for Women Men TSA Clear Toiletry Bag Shampoo Lotion Skincare Cosmetic Container MIAMICA Women's "Plane to See" TSA Compliant Travel Toiletry Bag with 15 Pieces, Clear/Rose Gold 7.5" L x 6.5" W x 1.25" D

  23. 8 Best Neti Pots and Sinus-Rinse Kits 2023

    The 12 Very Best Travel Mugs The 12 Very Best ... The 10 Very Best Men's Dopp Kits The 10 Very Best Men ... "The tips of the bottles and insides of the bottles can get contaminated or ...

  24. Amazon.com: Travel Bottles For Liquids

    5 Pack 3.4oz Empty Plastic Travel Bottles for Toiletries TSA Approved Leak Proof Squeezable Travel Size Containers Travel Essentials Accessories, clear ... TSA Approved Travel Bottles Set for Toiletries Travel Size Containers Kit 4 Pack Portable Leak Proof Refillable Squeeze Cosmetic Airplane Essential Shampoo Hair Conditioner Body Lotion Bath ...

  25. What To Pack In Your Medical Travel Kit

    Travel in Style - Most first aid kits look so clinical—upgrade your small first aid kit for travel to a fashionable one. Your cute first aid kit fits into a suitcase, diaper bag, purse, or ...