10 Best Amazon Carry-on Travel Essentials for 2025

As of April 8, Delta has enacted a new policy calling for travelers to check their luggage at least 45 minutes before their domestic flight departs. Anyone who has ever checked a bag knows the stress that seemingly never-ending line can cause, and this time adjustment only creates even more of a risk that your bag may not make it onto your flight with you — or even worse, you miss the flight altogether.

At Travel + Leisure, it’s no secret our editors are major proponents of flying carry-on-only, and this latest ordinance only solidifies that fact. But if you’re new to the game of traveling with just a smaller suitcase and personal item bag, below, we’ve rounded up the 10 essentials you need to make your packing a breeze. By foregoing the checked bag line, you’ll be able to enjoy your travels stress-free knowing your luggage is guaranteed to make it onto your flight with you. 

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Carry-on Suitcase

If your plan is to travel without checking a bag, the first thing you’ll need to do is invest in a high-quality carry-on that’s up to the task of holding all your vacation essentials. This flight attendant-approved Travelpro suitcase is fit for the job thanks to its impressive packing capacity that’s in large part due to the expandable design that offers an additional two inches of space. It weighs just 5.4 pounds so you can rest assured it’ll be easy to slide into the overhead compartment on your flight, plus it’s water- and stain-resistant, so it’ll remain in great condition no matter how frequently you travel. Right now, it’s also on sale for under $150 at Amazon.

Matein Carry-on Backpack

Should your ticket include a personal item, this spacious Matein Backpack is your best bet for maximizing packing space and improving the ease of your travels. The bag is fitted with an impressive selection of pockets well-suited for storing everything from your passport and travel documents to extra clothing and footwear, and it even opens like a suitcase to ensure no space goes to waste. It’s fitted with a handy shoe compartment to keep your other belongings clean and separated, plus it has a padded laptop pocket to safely store your electronics while on the go. It keeps your hands free, is compact enough to slide under the airplane seat of most commercial airlines, and is now on sale for 47 percent off.

Veken 8-set Packing Cubes

Even overpackers can travel with just a carry-on — all it takes is a good set of packing cubes. This collection of eight includes cubes of varying sizes so you can fit everything from bulky sweaters to socks and undergarments inside with ease. They’ll make staying organized during your trip a breeze, plus you can unpack at your destination while still keeping your belongings contained. More than 10,600 travelers have awarded this packing cubes set with a perfect five-star rating, with one shopper even noting that they were “able to fit so much into my carry-on, maximizing space while keeping everything wrinkle-free and accessible.”

Bagsmart Toiletry Bag With Travel Hook

A jumble of toiletries will only take up valuable space in your luggage, so this compact tote will work wonders to keep everything contained and organized, fitting neatly within your carry-on — especially now that it’s 57 percent off. While it folds up into one packable bag, this cosmetic pouch is actually made with four spacious compartments ideal for storing beauty products, haircare essentials, and other spillable items you don’t want bouncing around in your bag. And if you struggle to stay organized once you arrive at your destination, this handy tote comes with a convenient hook so you can hang it from the back of the bathroom door to free up countertop space. 

Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Of course, a supportive neck pillow will work wonders for improving your comfort in-flight, but if you’re looking to uncover a little extra packing space to avoid checked bag fees, this pillow actually doubles as a genius hack. Since the memory foam fill is removable, simply extract it from the cover and instead stuff the pillow with extra clothing for your trip. Not only will your flight attendant be none the wiser, but it will also save you from checking a bag without leaving clothes behind. Best of all, it’s now on sale for 50 percent off at Amazon thanks to a special on-site coupon. 

Anrabess Women’s Two-piece Matching Knit Set

One of the best ways to avoid checking a bag is to put a little extra thought into your clothing selections, opting for versatile pieces that can be styled in a multitude of different ways. This Anrabess knit set is perfect for spring and a smart choice for pared-down packing since the breathable top and flowy pants look great styled together but are also neutral enough to be worn with everything else in your suitcase, as well. The set can be dressed up or down depending on your footwear and accessory picks, plus the pieces are so lightweight they’ll take up minimal space in your suitcase. Conveniently, they’re also a comfy choice to become your new go-to travel outfit.

Bsubseach Button-down Blouse

Continuing along with the idea of packing multi-functional clothing, an oversized white button-down is always going to be a smart addition to your suitcase if you aim to avoid checking a bag. This lightweight piece can be styled countless ways whether it’s worn over a bathing suit or buttoned up and tucked into a pair of slacks for a nice dinner. Its versatility means you can leave other, less wearable pieces behind, in turn freeing up valuable space in your suitcase, not to mention it’s even on sale for a mere $20 at Amazon. And with it easily accessible in your carry-on or personal item, it also makes for a relaxed layer for in-flight wear, as well.

Rocket Dog Women’s Cheery Comfort Plush Foam Sneakers

Packing one pair of shoes that’s versatile enough to be worn on multiple occasions during your trip is a great way to save space in your carry-on, and you really can’t go wrong with a comfy pair of white sneakers. This well-cushioned, supportive pair from Rocket Dog will carry you from the airport to a day of sightseeing with ease, and they’re stylish enough to be worn with nearly every outfit in your suitcase. If you’ve been on the lookout for a reliable pair of shoes that actually keep you comfortable for long days of walking, rest assured you’ve found the ideal fit as one shopper shared that they feel like “walking on air” and are “the perfect blend of style and comfort.”

Coidea Clear Shoe Bags

Successfully traveling with just a carry-on largely comes down to how organized the interior of your suitcase is, and these shoe bags are a great way to keep your footwear together while avoiding dirtying your clothes. This set comes with five clear bags that are waterproof and secured with a drawstring, and they’re made from durable plastic so you can use them multiple times without worrying about them falling apart. However, these bags aren’t limited to just storing your shoes — they’re also a great way to pack up dirty laundry, keeping everything compact and easy to unpack once you arrive home.

Chelmon Luggage Straps 4-pack

Not only can luggage straps make your suitcase more easily identifiable while you’re traveling, but they’re also a great way to secure your bag shut if you’re an overpacker aiming to take to the sky with just a carry-on. This four-pack of luggage straps is made from a sturdy nylon material that will hold your suitcase closed with ease, and one shopper shared that they “bought these for a friend who was concerned that the zipper on her suitcase might break,” revealing that she was “thrilled to have the extra security these straps provide.” And in the off-chance your bag gets gate checked, you can rest assured your tote will stand out at baggage claim so you can get in and out in a hurry.

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