10 Carry-on Essentials for 2023
In my last blog post, I discussed the top 10 Must-have Travel Essentials that everyone should have. A lot of you really enjoyed that post, so I’ve decided to make a travel essentials mini-series. Today’s blog post will cover the top 10 carry-on essentials for 2023. Whether you’re looking for smart travel gear, or handy gadgets, there’s something on this list for everyone!
Carry-on Bag
This travel carry-on garment bag is one of the most interesting travel essentials I’ve discovered recently. It functions as a normal duffle bag would, fitting up to 3 days worth of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
It’s unique design allows it to unzip and lay fully flat, so you can pack your clothes in the garment zipper compartment.
This ensures your clothes are protected and remain wrinkle-free, and leaves plenty of room for your shoes, accessories, and toiletries. It even has a special hook built in so you can travel with your clothing on their hangers.
This garment duffle bag also comes in a variety of colors if pink isn’t your style.
TSA Approved Toiletry Bag
How many times have you made it to TSA, only to be told that your toiletry bag isn’t TSA compliant, either being forced to throw products away, or rush to stuff everything into a plastic zip lock bag provided by the TSA staff?
I can say this has happened to me on numerous occasions, which is why I switched to a TSA approved toiletry bag.
This one is amazing because not only is it completely clear, but it’s also compact and folds up. I love the buckle and zipper detailing, which ensures everything stays put during travel.
When you arrive to your hotel or Airbnb, simply unzip and hang up to see all your products! Genius and a total game changer for those who prefer to travel with a carry-on and avoid checking luggage.
Sleep Essentials
This inflatable travel pillow is perfect for long flights, and a must have on your carry-on essentials checklist.
Sleeping on planes can be nearly impossible, and we often don’t have a lot of room to move around. I love that this pillow fits right in your lap, and is designed at a 45 degree angle to relieve pressure on your spine.
This completely eliminates the need for those annoying neck pillows, which in my opinion never work.
When you land, simply deflate and pack back into your carry-on! Simple as that.
Satin eye masks are the best thing ever, especially when trying to sleep on the plane. I personally hate being disturbed by the cabin lights, so I always have one of these with me.
You don’t need to spend a ton of money on a real silk one either, this 4-pack from Amazon is $9, and comes in a variety of colors.
Honestly these are so good I use them not only for travel but as part of my nightly routine. I find I get much better sleep, and they also help to protect the skin around your eyes and prevent wrinkles.
So it’s a win-win in my book, and definitely one of my 10 carry-on essentials.
Gadgets
This universal hands-free phone mount is perfect for watching movies in-flight. While many long distance flights have TVs, there are still a surprising number that do not, and most flights under 5 hours don’t have in-flight entertainment.
While this is perfect for flying, it doesn’t stop there! The clamp is super adjustable, and can be clamped on to multiple objects. This makes it perfect for any of your on the go travel entertainment needs.
It also comes in a variety of color options too (I’d personally choose the pink one).
I absolutely LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite to bits, and never travel anywhere without it. It’s just so handy and convenient, and cuts out having to lug around a heavy book.
It’s ultra thin and lightweight, and the battery lasts a surprisingly long time. I can be reading for the duration of a 5 hour flight, and the battery will still be more than halfway full!
Because of its “paperwhite” screen, I never get headaches and there is no glare. You can also adjust the size of the text, which is really helpful.
So if you’re an avid reader, I highly recommend giving this one a go!
This in-flight wireless Bluetooth transmitter is perfect for watching moves on the plane. It streams wireless stereo audio from in-flight entertainment systems to up to two Bluetooth headphones.
Simply plug it into the headphones jack, and it will transmit the audio to your wireless headphones! No need for those annoying cord headphones ever again.
It also connects to up to two wireless headphones, so you can plug it into any device and you and a friend can watch the same movie together on your tablet or phone.
This cuts out the need for headphone sharing, which is inconvenient and not as enjoyable. It works for both Apple and Android headphones.
Personal Care
Maybe this is just a germaphobe thing, but it grosses me out to use my toothbrush on the plane because of all the bacteria it’s being exposed to in the air. However, I also want to be able to brush my teeth after a long flight.
This toothbrush sanitizer uses UV technology to kill 99% of bacteria on your toothbrush. It’s small and compact, which makes it perfect for travel, and fits all toothbrush sizes.
Once your toothbrush is locked it, it will activate and sterilize it in 3 minutes. Never worry about having a dirty toothbrush again!
These portable anti-bacterial paper hand soaps are perfect for on the go. They come in a pack of 3, with 300 sheets total, and a variety of scent options.
Their biodegradable packaging makes them eco friendly and reduces plastic waste. Their slim design also saves space in your carry-on luggage.
I personally hate hand sanitizer. I hate the way it smells, and how it dries out my hands. This is a much better alternative, now I can ditch my bulky hand sanitizer and make room in my liquids bag for something else.
In-flight skincare is extremely underrated in my opinion. When you fly, you’re exposing your skin to all kinds of germs and bacteria.
Flying also causes us to become dehydrated faster, which oddly enough makes my skin first become oily, then super dry.
I like to be able to cleanse and moisturize my face during the flight. This has really reduced any post-flight breakouts that I’m prone too. Plus, I just feel more clean.
These are my 10 carry-on essentials for 2023 that I believe everyone should have. Stay tuned for later in the series where I share other unique travel essentials, as well and specially curated lists for both women and men!
Still looking for more? Check out my blog post on the 10 Must-have Travel Essentials You Need for Your Next Trip!
