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Travel plans this holiday season? We've rounded up the 12 best essentials you should have in your bag

Ready to travel? We've rounded up everything you need to hit the road.
Ready to travel? We've rounded up everything you need to hit the road.

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. 

Holiday season is here and brings with it inherent plans of travel. Whether you're going home for the holidays, heading to a winter destination or planning a warmer getaway, this is the time when travelers start dusting off their luggage. But what to pack? No matter if you're planning long-term or a last-minute trip, things like great luggage and useful travel accessories make any journey easier and more comfortable.

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Read on for the best travel essentials every traveler needs this holiday season, from must-haves for your electronics to items that'll keep you afloat on your journey.

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1. Stay charged on the go with this portable charger

A portable charger is a travel must.
A portable charger is a travel must.

Being stuck with a dead phone battery is never a good thing, but it can be especially troublesome when traveling. So it’s no surprise that a portable charger is at the top of the list when planning to journey far from home.

Miady’s chargers (two come in a single order) feature a USB-C and two USB ports. Each charger weighs just under 12 ounces and measures six inches tall, with the capacity to charge a phone up to three times. (The multiple ports means a friend can borrow some juice as well.) A tap of the button on the side shows how much the device is charged, with four LED lights indicating a full battery or one light equating to 25 percent.

$28 at Amazon  

2. Pack efficiently with these packing cubes

Packing cubes will revolutionize your packing game—and this set will fit everything you need.
Packing cubes will revolutionize your packing game—and this set will fit everything you need.

There’s an art to packing, especially if you’re about that carry-on life. Packing cubes can be handy for those struggling to pare down their selections, especially for longer trips. Yamiu's seven-piece set includes one large, medium, two small cubes, a shoe bag and two clear toiletry bags. One side of the cubes has a mesh design so you can see what’s inside, and there’s a convenient handle on one end. The large cube can easily hold 10 outfits.

From $21 at Amazon 

3. A travel pillow that’s actually comfortable for sleeping on a flight

TRTL's neck-brace-style travel pillow is Reviewed-approved.
TRTL's neck-brace-style travel pillow is Reviewed-approved.

A good travel pillow is a must-have for long flights and the TRTL is Reviewed-approved. Most travel pillows have the U-shape design that goes around the back of the neck—not exactly comfortable for many wearers. However, TRTL’s take on the pillow is like a soft brace, allowing you to rest your head in a more comfortable position. Another bonus? It’s less bulky than traditional pillows so it takes up less room in your bag.

$50 at Amazon 

4. A foldable bag for shopping excursions

This lightweight packable duffel will fold up to fit in your luggage—and fit all your overflow on the way home.
This lightweight packable duffel will fold up to fit in your luggage—and fit all your overflow on the way home.

Going to a destination where shopping is a high probability? Then you might (as in, should) want to bring an empty bag with you. This Narwey duffle bag is easily foldable, lightweight (it’s less than 7.5 ounces) and expands to a generous 18 by 13 inches. The interior holds a 25L capacity, making it a great option for any overflow pieces that can’t fit in your luggage—and it fits the dimensions to be classified as a personal item for a budget airline like Spirit or Frontier.

$10 at Amazon 

5. Trendy luggage that’s worth the hype

Sturdy, smooth-rolling and available in fun colors—Away luggage is the luggage you've been looking for.
Sturdy, smooth-rolling and available in fun colors—Away luggage is the luggage you've been looking for.

Away gets a lot of buzz for being trendy, but we think the gear lives up to the hype. The Carry-On bag is made of polycarbonate, with a hard-shell design that can take a few bangs. The interior features a compression divider pad to help pack a few more items and the 360-degree wheels roll smoothly, even when rushing through the airport or over uneven walkways. The Carry-on comes in fun colors like lavender and blush as well as neutrals like black and navy.

$275 at Away 

6. A water bottle to stay hydrated from point A to B

Stay hydrated with our favorite overall water bottle, the Brita BB11.
Stay hydrated with our favorite overall water bottle, the Brita BB11.

Whether it’s remembering to stay hydrated on the go or refusing to pay astronomical prices for pretty much anything in the airport, carrying a water bottle is a great idea when traveling. Reviewed’s best overall water bottle this year goes to the Brita BB11 for holding just enough liquid to keep you hydrated (20 ounces!) without being bulky—major pluses when traveling. It’s also slim enough to fit into a backpack pocket and the secure lid means no spills. A single push of a button reveals a straw that has a filter attached, which is said to reduce chlorine in tap water.

$30 at Amazon

7. Portable tripod to capture your memories

Get those gorgeous pictures—even if you're traveling solo.
Get those gorgeous pictures—even if you're traveling solo.

Of course you need to snap photos for travel memories, and this small 6-ounce device is convenient, especially if you’re traveling solo. When collapsed, it measures just under eight inches, but extends up to 31 inches as a tripod. It had three different height levels and it’s easy to attach pretty much any phone to the secure holder. What’s really cool, however, is that it comes with a Bluetooth remote that conveniently snaps onto and off of the tripod.

$21 at Amazon 

8. An adapter that will keep you powered overseas

This Epicka converter works in more than 150 countries.
This Epicka converter works in more than 150 countries.

A lot of planning goes into an international trips but one thing people forget is an adapter for their electronics. Epicka’s cube-shaped converter has the capacity to charge up to six devices at once. It works in more than 150 countries, and simply requires the user to push a button, which releases the appropriate plug type.

$23 at Amazon 

9. A document holder for all your important things

Keep your vaccine card protected and easily accessible with this slim wallet-style holder.
Keep your vaccine card protected and easily accessible with this slim wallet-style holder.

Depending on your travel destination, having a vaccine passport on hand might be necessary. To keep such an important document safe, a holder like this is a newfound must-have. One side perfectly houses a passport and the other has a clear window for your vax card. Not only does this mean the card is protected, but it also makes it easily visible. The holder has a slim design, so it fits in a purse, backpack or even a pocket—and it’s available in a dozen colors.

From $8 at Etsy 

10. These TSA-approved toiletry holders

Keep all your must-use beauty products TSA compliant with this 11-piece Kitsch set.
Keep all your must-use beauty products TSA compliant with this 11-piece Kitsch set.

Carrying full-size beauty products is a TSA no-no for anyone opting for carry-on only. Kitsch’s travel set includes 11 pieces that all meet TSA’s 3.4 ounce or 100 ml max rule for liquids, creams and gels. There’s a spray bottle, two pump bottles, flat pouch bottles and mini jars, so all liquids (like sunscreens and body wash) can be transported with ease. There’s also a funnel and spatula to transfer your products from their full size bottles to these convenient containers.

$11 at Kitsch 

11. Headphones worth the price tag

We love these Sony over-the-ear headphones for their lightweight design and impeccable sound quality.
We love these Sony over-the-ear headphones for their lightweight design and impeccable sound quality.

If you’ve ever lost an expensive AirPod or teeny earbud in the crevice of an airplane seat, then you know a solid set of over-the-ear headphones might actually be more convenient. A top-rated pair is Sony’s WH-1000XM4, which we loved for its lightweight design, impeccable sound and noise-canceling ability. These aren’t cheap, but you’re sure to get use out of them even when not traveling. The headphones seamlessly connect to two Bluetooth devices, so you can go from your personal phone to your laptop for a work Zoom meeting in minutes.

$348 at Amazon 

12. Long-haul flight footwear

Moisture-wicking and compressive, these Figs socks are comfortable and stylish.
Moisture-wicking and compressive, these Figs socks are comfortable and stylish.

Compression socks aren’t exactly sexy, but they can be a lifesaver when traveling for long periods. The snug socks can help improve circulation to the legs and feet but some brands can be a bit too snug and uncomfortable. Luckily, Figs, a brand specifically marketed towards medical professionals, gets top marks from Reviewed for providing support without being too restrictive. The nylon and Lycra have moisture-wicking properties and as our reviewer noted, the socks “felt as great in the evening as they did in the morning.” Extra points for coming in fun colors and prints.

$28 at Figs 

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Shop the best travel essentials to pack for your next trip