Best Travel Accessories of 2021: Our Top Picks
Traveling can open doors to new experiences and allow you to better understand the world we live in as well as its people. That is why so many people love to do it. Of course, there is the standard equipment you need, like luggage, personal hygiene products, and clothes. Along with these, there are tons of other great accessories you can include in your kit to make your travels that much easier.
There are many things to choose from, and what you choose really depends on your destination and the type of traveler you are. With that being said, we have selected over 20 of the best travel accessories for you to consider adding to your gear the next time you venture out into the great wide world.
Tote Bag
A great option to have is a good tote bag, especially for a long weekend or a short day trip. With just enough space for all the essentials and easy to carry, a tote bag can be a great grab and go bag.
It can also be a style statement as well, such as with this tote bag.
Camera Bag
Everyone wants those epic travel pics, and because of this, more and more people are investing in high-quality camera equipment. These pieces are exceptionally delicate, and therefore a great accessory to pick up is a padded camera bag. This will help you keep the cameras safe and organized too.
There are a lot of choices out there, for example, this soft padded camera bag right here.
Suitcase
Maybe the most important big purchase is a good suitcase. For long trips, a piece of good hard-sided luggage could be very useful, especially if you are checking your luggage in. After all, we all know that some airline workers are not as gentle as we would like with our luggage (not to mention turbulence).
There are a lot of great options like this Samsonite Expandable Hard Sided 28” suitcase.
Travel Pillow
Those long haul flights or red eyes can be a good place to get some shut-eye in before you get to your destination. But it is really awkward to find a comfortable sleeping position when you are in a row of three seats with strangers. That is why one of the accessories that should be on your must-have list is a good travel pillow.
They are soft and adjustable and come in many varieties, including a wrap style pillow like the trtl pillow.
Travel Blanket
Many people also get really cold when on a plane. Sure the airline will provide you with a blanket, but you may have to pay for it. So why not carry a travel blanket (check out the BlueHills Soft Travel Blanket) of your own. Many of them fold down into compact carrying cases that make them easy to pack in your carry on. Bonus, if you don’t want to use that blanket like it was intended, many people say you can use it as your pillow instead.
Portable Fan
If you like to take trips into the great outdoors or even just to a hot and humid destination, you will probably sweat. Sweating is a good thing in some ways, but a bad thing in others, and this accessory can help with that. Having a portable USB fan can make your trek outdoors even more fun as you won’t be dying from the heat.
Portable personal fans like this COMLIFE model come in handy so think about adding one into your bag.
Packing Cubes
One of the best ways to ensure you have everything you need is to back neatly and keep everything organized. This can be difficult as you drag your suitcase or bag from place to place. That is why we highly suggest you invest in a good set of packing cubes.
There are many types from options like the OEE cube set to ones that use a vacuum to remove all the excess air. One thing is for sure, though, no matter the type you choose, packing cubes are one of the best travel accessories.
Jewelry Roll
For the lady travelers that just can’t go without their bling, you may find it best to invest in an organization tool like a foldable rolled jewelry case. These little bags allow you to keep all your jewelry easily accessible and untangled.
They are even cute, and most of the rolled jewelry organizers come in multiple colors and patterns, just like the BAGSMART travel jewelry organizer.
Luggage Tags
Sure, most luggage comes with tags, but they are plain and the same as every other traveler who bought the same bag. This can be frustrating when you are at the luggage carousel, and you think it’s your bag only to find out it’s the person’s next to you. So why not color coordinate and make your bag stand out?
You can do this by buying colorful or unique luggage tag labels. For example, these luggage tags from Travel More come in a pack of seven with bright colors to catch the eye.
Money Belt
When you’re traveling, you have to stay alert and keep your money and personal property safe. Most people are honest, but there is always the chance that there is someone who is not. That is why we suggest a money belt. These much thinner fanny packs can be tucked inside your waistband and work as a security measure for your goods.
Many options are out there, and most will have RFID blocking nowadays, kind of like these options from Alpha Keeper.
RFID Card Holders
Like the money belt, there are other ways that RFID technology can be used to protect your information and cards. One of the accessories that can be used to do this is RFID locking sleeves. These are like little cardholders that are crafted with RFID materials.
There are many types, and they can be used in combination with other safety measures like the RFID money belt. Choosing the best one for you may be hard, but we really like these from Boxiki Travel.
Passport Holder
RFID technology can also protect your passport. When you are out and about seeing the world, your passport may be the most important item you have on you. Losing it can cause serious problems and stress. So one of the accessories we suggest you consider is a passport holder.
You can use your money belt or go with an around the neck option like this travel passport pouch from Venture 4th.
Travel Toothbrush
Space is precious in your bags when you are headed out on your next big adventure. But so too is your health and hygiene. This is why one of the best accessories to include in your toiletries is a travel toothbrush.
These toothbrushes fold down to take up less space. One of the best on the market is the GUM folding travel toothbrush.
Moisturizer
Flying can dehydrate your skin badly. On top of that, any exposure to colder climates, wind, or excessive heat can do the same. So when you’re traveling, you should always carry some moisturizer with you.
With the elevated use of hand sanitizer, this is even more important. You need to find one that is right for your skin. One of the most versatile when it comes to skin types is NIVEA Soft Moisturizing Crème. It comes in travel-sized tubes that are perfect for tossing into your cosmetics bag.
Travel Wipes
Speaking of traveling and all the germs you will be exposed to, you should also consider carrying sanitizing wipes at all times. This way, you can wipe down chairs and trays so that any present germs will be taken care of.
The world of travel has changed, and though products like these Purell Hand Sanitizing Wipes were always a good idea, they are vital now.
Hand Sanitizer
Speaking of keeping yourself healthy so you can enjoy your trip, hand sanitizers like moisturizer and wipes have become a standard travel accessory. The best type of sanitizer is the ones that don’t have a sticky film.
When looking for a hand sanitizer, this one from Eco Finest is one of our favorites.
Laundry Bag
For a long trip where there may need to be some laundry days included, having an idea of what is clean and dirty is a nice thing. Laundry bags allow you to separate your clothes as you pack and also protect your clean clothes from getting a little funky.
That’s why we suggest a washable dirty clothes bag. One of the most popular is the HOMEST 2 -Pack. These hold up to 4 loads of laundry, so you should be good for your next trip.
Toiletry Bag
Often when you stay in hotels or hostels, you will not have a lot of room in the restroom and will be unable to leave your toiletries lying around. So with that being said, we can’t suggest a hanging toiletry bag enough.
Not only will this keep all your toiletries together but organized and clean. If you are looking for a good option, we highly suggest the BOACAY Premium Hanging Travel Bag.
Zipper Pouches
The more organized you are, the more you can fit into your suitcase. Also, the easier it is to find what you’re looking for and the safer your stuff will be. One way to do this is by using zippered waterproof bags.
You can get some that you can color code like the JARLINK 18-Pack Mesh Pouches or any other options available today.
Waterproof Phone Pouch
Our phones are our life, especially when we are traveling. They are our maps, tour guides, travel agents, and where most of us snap all our photos. This makes them crucial, and though most modern phones are waterproof, a little extra protection doesn’t hurt.
For this, having a phone pouch that is waterproof and that helps you secure your phone from thieves is an excellent accessory. For us, you can’t go wrong with the Waterproof Phone Pouch.
Pill Organizer
If you are someone who is into their vitamins or on several medications, taking multiple pill bottles can be kind of daunting. One of the best ways to get around that when traveling is to purchase a pill divider.
These mostly come in models that are big enough to handle a week. If you want one that looks stylish, then we think the Mimi Medcessories 7-Day Pretty Pillbox is a good option.
Travel Containers
There are guidelines for the number of liquids you can carry on with you. So if you are traveling light, you will need to be able to pack all the hygiene products you need and still meet the requirements. There is no need to go out and buy travel sizes. Just invest in some reusable travel containers and fill them with the products you have at home.
For us, when we think of what product we should invest in, we think of the Oursunshine Travel Bottles set.
Ear Plugs
When you are trying to sleep, sometimes the noise of the location can hinder your ability. Whether this is on the plane, hotel room, or the bus station, there is a way you can reduce the noise…earplugs.
Finding earplugs is not hard as there are many choices but finding good earplugs can be hard. One of the options we suggest is the Flents Ear Plugs w/ Case.
Universal Adapter
If you are taking any electrical devices with you, then there is one accessory that you will definitely need to invest in. Not every country uses the same plugs, so if you want to keep all your electronics charged, you will want a travel adapter.
These are sold in sets or compact travel options like the NEWVANGA Universal All in One Wall Charger Adapter. (This one even comes with USB ports!)
Charging Station
Speaking of charging, you may also want to look at a portable charging station. You have your phone, your camera, your kindle, your tablet, and any other number of electrical devices that may need to be charged.
So, having a portable USB charging dock might be a good investment. You need one that is compatible with multiple devices and operating systems like this RAVPower 6-port model.
TSA Luggage Lock
Once again, the security of your items is paramount to your enjoyment of the experience. That is why luggage locks may be good investments. There are many types to choose from, but we highly suggest getting ones that are TSA-approved.
Some even come with fun features like inspection indicators like this model from Sure Lock. These little buttons will pop out to let you know that the TSA has inspected your bag.
Travel First Aid Kit
Accidents happen even when you are on vacation. Sometimes they happen when you are nowhere near a medical professional or a store. Having a small emergency first aid available could be a lifesaver.
You want a compact option that is filled with the standard first aid supplies. One that is hard-shelled is also a good idea. So check out the GO 85 pc. Compact First Aid Kit.
Travel Router
Having access to wi-fi is important even when traveling. Most of your smart devices will need it if you plan on streaming a show or googling a location. Wi-fi is not stable nor as readily available in all countries like the US.
This means you may have to deal with ethernet and cables. But with a portable router, that won’t be a problem. If you like to stream your favorite shows to relax after a long day of sightseeing, we highly suggest the TP-Link AC750.
Eye Mask
Sleep is important to your health and so that you can experience everything you have traveled to experience. This may be hard in places like the airport or even in your hotel room. As part of your sleep routine, you should include a sleeping mask.
Block out the light completely with these blackout eye masks from LKY Digital.
Travel Mug
If you are taking a road trip or just want to be more eco-conscious, then a good reusable stainless steel travel mug is the right call for you.
Many varieties of this accessory exist, but in our mind, we think that the Contigo 16 oz. Mug is the way to go.
MOVSOU E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Like we have said, sometimes the hurdle to jump to get some sleep is the noise that is going on around you. You can use earplugs as we talked about above, but if you want to listen to some jams or a podcast while you drift off, you will need a pair of noise-canceling headphones.
To keep the comfort of your setup, you may want to go for a wireless option like the MOVSOU E7.