The 35 Best Travel Products We Tested in 2024

If you’re a member of the checked bag-only club, this suitcase from Travelpro is ideal for maximizing weight restrictions. Weighing just 10.9 pounds, it’s one of the more lightweight options we’ve tried for luggage of this size.

“This is much lighter weight than other large suitcases I've tested, so I can fit more inside. Plus, it comes with some good extras like packing cubes and a laundry bag,” says editor Sophie Mendel.

This splurge-worthy trunk from Carl Friedrik comes with various premium features like a polycarbonate exterior featuring aluminum and leather accents, as well as organizational features that make packing a breeze.

“I loved the multiple collapsible dividers in the main compartment, which truly feel like an organization game-changer, and it’s not something I've seen in most other luggage. It also comes with packing cubes and feels overall like a luxury item,” says Updates Editor Hillary Maglin.

Monos is an editor-loved luggage brand that boasts tons of sleek and stylish suitcases for every type of traveler. This medium checked bag is the perfect size for multileg trips since it’s not as large or cumbersome as a full-size checked bag.

“I chose to check a bag for the first time in five years, and the airline lost it during a layover. But while my lost baggage experience was awful, my suitcase experience was not. After being obviously thrown around who knows how many times, this Monos bag kept all of my stuff in perfect condition. I also like the spacious interior; simple but effective pockets and compression pad; and the included shoe bags — they were a nice touch,” says Updates Writer Anne Taylor.

Testing Editor Jackie Cucco tested dozens of suitcases in our New York City lab this year, but this one from Bric’s made a lasting impression. With 83 liters of space to pack, the medium-size suitcase is plenty spacious yet compact enough to wheel through airports and city centers alike.

“I fell in love with this bag when I tested it in the lab: first and foremost for how beautiful it is with its glossy, sage green exterior and luxurious leather details, but also for how well it performed. I love the size for when I want something larger than a carry-on but not a jumbo checked brick that will be annoying to carry,” she shares. “This is great for a midsize checked bag, and it definitely makes a statement through the airport. It comes in four shades of blues and greens for those who want a pop of color in their travel gear.”

Finding the right carry-on suitcase can be difficult, but we’re confident that this one from Aer will pleasantly surprise all travelers. It has more bells and whistles than almost any other bag we tried, including one feature that thoroughly impressed T+L Associate Editorial Director, Morgan Ashley Parker.

“This bag has the largest capacity of any of my carry-on bags at 48 liters. However, the real standout feature is the built-in, lockable wheel brake. I tested this out in Philadelphia airport's decline and on four train rides in Portugal. It was especially useful when one of my trains was so delayed that we couldn't make the connection, so we all had to jam on the second already-booked train, standing-room only,” says Parker. “I was able to hold on and not need to worry about also holding on to my suitcase so it wouldn't roll into someone else. The wheels are also very smooth and sturdy and didn't get caught when I encountered a little cobblestone on my walk to meet the taxi.”

Have you ever bought one too many souvenirs to fit in your suitcase? If you had this expandable backpack from one of our favorite luggage brands, Béis, then you wouldn’t have to worry about overpacking or overshopping.

“It fits so much while still being compact. I love how much more room I can fit with its expandable sides. It has a separate laptop compartment that can fit up to two 16-inch laptops, a keyring leash, a trolley pass-through sleeve, a retractable water bottle sleeve, and so many internal and external organization features. I've brought it to Key West, Washington DC, Rome, and Morocco with me so far,” says Updates Writer Asia London Palomba.

Away is one of the most reliable luggage brands we’ve tried, and this year the brand came out with an all-new Commuter Backpack that has more travel-friendly features than ever before.

“I've tested literally dozens of backpacks, and I've never found one as functional and spacious yet polished like this. It fits an incredible amount of stuff and has great organization with a spacious, padded laptop pocket; zip pockets; and a key holder,” says Senior Editor Lydia Price. “There's a well-cushioned back panel and straps that make it supercomfortable for running through airports (it also has a trolley strap when you need it).”

We’re all in agreement here at T+L that a travel tote bag is an absolute must. This one from Paravel is editor Taylor Fox’s MVP of her tote bag collection thanks to the elegant design paired with travel-friendly features.

“It's so chic and matches everything, including my favorite suitcases. It has a luggage strap so I can easily slip it over suitcase handles while traveling, and the arm and shoulder straps are both comfortable to carry,” says Fox. “I also love the size and shape of the bag: it easily fits my laptop, a book, a bag of accessories, my wallet, and even a water bottle, making it the perfect personal item for me (it's somewhere between using a bulky backpack and just a small purse, perfectly in the middle).”

MZ Wallace is my go-to travel bag brand because it makes a slew of superfunctional accessories that are still incredibly luxurious. I own more than 10 bags from the brand, and the Large Metro Shoulder tote is the one I reach for most. It can fit my 13-inch laptop and all my other necessities, but it still looks and feels like a shoulder bag, which makes it easier to travel with than my oversized totes.

Another frequent-flier who was introduced to the wonderful world of packing cubes, Grant tried these ones from Thule for the first time this year, and now she can’t travel without them.

“I took them with me on a trip to Chicago this summer, and they did an excellent job of compressing my clothing so I could fit more stuff in my suitcase, which is especially helpful for me since I'm devoted to the carry-on-only way of traveling. They're deceptively roomy, and the woven handles on top make loading them in and out of my suitcase a breeze,” she shares.

This year brought many new changes to the travel industry, including an increase in luggage fees from many airlines. One way to combat this is to invest in a portable luggage scale to save yourself time, stress, and money at the airport.

“T+L’s luggage scale test changed my life because I used to literally just lift up my suitcase myself after I packed to guesstimate the weight (which I'm actually kind of good at — that's a good party trick), but now I can know for sure and have peace of mind before playing the price-is-right at the airport check-in counter,” says Cucco. “I've used this at home and then removed items from my bag before heading to the airport to stay under the weight limit. Otherwise, I would have to do that in the middle of the busy airport, which is embarrassing.”

I’m a Calpak-loyalist, as I’ve always loved the brand’s travel accessories. This year, I was super impressed with the brand’s Terra toiletry bag since the ability to hang it up has been particularly helpful for hotel or family guest rooms with little-to-no sink space. I also love how the bag is made with recycled ripstop polyester with a TPU coating, which means water, spills, or any other wear and tear is no match.

This packable jacket is a clothing item that Deputy Photo Editor Skye Senterfeit regularly wears for its lightweight design that still packs a punch in the heat department. Plus, the entire jacket is made with recycled materials.

“I really have been impressed with how much warmth this jacket delivers given how light it is and how little bulk it has. It's been great for traveling because I can unceremoniously stuff it in almost any bag. I thought with the current lower temps I'd have to switch to my heavier-weight winter coat, but so far I've just kept using this jacket instead and have stayed toasty enough,” says Senterfeit.

Columbia is one of the most trustworthy and affordable outerwear brands on the market, so it’s no surprise that this down jacket is one of Taylor’s favorite items of the year.

“I love everything about this jacket. The thing that impressed me most during testing (and I still stand by) is how breathable it is. I walk up and down hills a lot while walking my dog, so normally I get supersweaty under warm coats, and it's really uncomfortable. This jacket keeps me warm in sub-40-degree weather but never overheats me,” shares Taylor. “The breathability is great when you're on the go and when get stuck in warmer-than-expected planes, buses, or taxis. And even though it's a longer coat (great for warmth), it doesn't feel bulky and packs down to a remarkably compact size.”

Another winter jacket worth every penny is Kühl’s Spyfire Parka that keeps Price extra warm thanks to the 800-down goose fill. This keeps her protected from the elements, whether she’s heading up to the mountain to ski or running around New York City.

“I'm obsessed with the fit and warmth of this jacket. It's hard to believe a parka this stylish exists. Although warm, this is superlight, which is obviously great for packing,” she says. “Also, I love that it has an extra zipped pocket on the arm, and the hood actually fits well and comfortably around my face, which perfectly protects me from rain and snow.”

If you’re in the market for a do-it-all rain jacket, this one tested and recommended by Cucco is a great option. Fit for any adventure thanks to the waterproof membrane, this jacket is suitable in the rain, snow, or sunshine.

“Ths is a shell jacket that is highly waterproof and warm without being bulky. I didn't want to get cold while rock climbing on a chilly day, and this was the perfect shell to wear over my other layers while still giving me flexibility in my arms and elbows. Good thing I had it because it started sleeting while I was on the side of a mountain, but this kept me completely warm and dry,” says Cucco. “I also loved the zippered pockets so that I could keep my phone secure without worrying about it falling and getting lost. The hood stays secure and moves with you so it doesn't block
peripheral vision. I had no problem fitting it in my backpack when the rain stopped and packing it in my bag for the flight home while taking up barely any space.”

Platform slippers had a trend resurgence this year (as did many 2000s styles), which means you likely see these booties around airports if you look hard enough. And to be fair, it makes sense: they’re plush, stylish, and easy to slip on and off at the TSA security.

“They're supercomfy (which is good for staying relaxed and cozy on long travel days) and they're also superversatile. I've worn them with everything from athleisure to sweaters, and they look cute. I've also noticed how cushioned they are: sometimes I stand while working and when I wear these, I can stand for much longer without foot pain or tiredness,” says Updates Editor Hillary Maglin.

I never thought heeled boots could ever be as comfortable as these ones from Naturalizer. The kitten heel is just small enough that I still feel completely stable on uneven terrain (the cobblestone streets of SoHo are no match against these boots), and the best part is that they are fully waterproof. The leather shaft packs completely flat, so they get tossed in my carry-on every chance I get.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a T+L editor that doesn’t travel with a pair of earbuds. These new earbuds from JBL have so many travel-friendly features, you might even want to replace your AirPods.

“I've tried everything from Bose Quiet Comfort to Airbods Pro, and these have the best noise-canceling abilities. I'm honestly shocked when I turn the active noise cancelation off on the subway and realize how loud it actually is in there. The sound clarity is off the charts as well, and I love handy features like an audio transmitter for inflight entertainment and the ‘find my bud’ tool,” says Price.

If you’re more of an over-ear headphone fan, these Bowers & Wilkins ones are an excellent option, according to Cucco.

“This was my first time ever trying noise-canceling headphones, and they made my traveling experience infinitely times better,” she says. “These ones in particular are the best overall pair from our noise-canceling headphones test, and they block out noise so well to help me instantly fall asleep on flights, even when I sat across the aisle from a kid who was watching their cartoons out loud and singing along. It also makes New York City commutes an entirely different experience. I also love the pass-through mode when I'm waiting around for a flight or walking alone so that I can hear announcements or people sneaking up on me.”

Another piece of travel technology that Cucco doesn’t leave home without, Anker’s three-in-one portable charger is essential for keeping all of her devices fully charged on the go.

“I've used this charger daily for the past six months, and the design of it is brilliant,” she says. “It has a built-in, foldable plug so you don't have to worry about bringing a separate wall plug that you may lose when you need to charge the charger, and it also says the battery percentage on the side. It has a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a wristlet to carry it and multiple slots for charging cables so I can plug in my USB-B cable for my iPhone — and even charge multiple devices at once. I love that it comes in cute pastel colors, but it’s also available in black or white.”

I am — by no means — a video gamer, but I do get really bored on airplanes, which makes this Nintendo Switch Lite my greatest tech discovery of the year. The Lite version of the device is extremely easy to travel with since it’s compact and lightweight, and I can access as many games as I want. From cooking games to the Oregon Trail simulator, the options of entertainment are limitless.

This portable charging brick also doubles as a flashlight, which can come in handy if you’re traveling solo or camping. It also has quick-charging ports to get your battery from zero to charged in no time.

“This power bank is awesome because it's super lightweight and comes with several different charging cords so you can use it to charge up multiple devices at once while you're on the go. Plus, it comes with a little carrying sack for travel, which is convenient,” says Mendel.

If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, a waterproof backpack is essential for protecting your belongings. This one from ExPed is T+L News Director Paul Brady’s favorite backpack (and our favorite lightweight option) for its functional design and tried-and-true waterproofing.

“Lots of backpacks claim to be waterproof, until you're caught in a legit downpour,” he says. “So I was blown away by the Typhoon 25, which is a full-on dry bag merged with a comfortable, trail-ready day pack. I've carried it through the damp and the rain on multiple occasions and now won't travel without it.”

Every now and then, T+L editors try an unassuming travel product that ends up being a complete game-changer. This drink carrier is a perfect example of a product you might not think you need, but Fox discovered that it’s one of the best and most unique accessories she’s tried this year.

“I love that you can nestle your cups or thin water bottles into the drink holders to prevent spills,” she says. “This has been so fun for both transporting drinks to serve to fellow campers and family members at picnics and barbecues, and it’s also a great accessory when just my husband and I are hiking or going to outdoor events (this was part of our permanent Shakespeare in the Park pack). Even if you're not using this to serve or carry drinks, it's essentially a multidrink cupholder, so we can set it down on the blanket between us and know our wine cups won't spill over.”

If there’s one thing T+L editors are in agreement with, it’s that no one should pay $10 at the airport for water. Instead, bring a reusable water bottle to save your wallet (and the planet) from a single-use bottle.

“Of course, the standout feature of this bottle is the self-cleaning light inside,” says Parker. “If you've ever opened up a water bottle to a questionable musty smell, you need this instead because it can self-clean automatically and purifies water, too. I've used it overseas and at home, and it keeps water cold for more than 24 hours when ice is inside. I often opt for bottled water even when I'm in places with safe, drinkable water, but if I'm using hotel-provided ice, I like the built-in purification as an added bonus.”

I’ve been a backpacker my whole life, and I’m proud of that. However, this year I discovered the art of car camping, and I can’t lie; I really, really enjoy it. This double air mattress from Luno is more comfortable than most regular mattresses I’ve slept on in my life, and it fits in both cars I used (a truck and an SUV) without any problems. The set-up time takes a mere minute, and I’ve never had better sleep outdoors than when I’ve used the mattress.