There are certain necessities that can make traveling a little easier: a suitcase, or if you’re packing light, a carry-on, and maybe even packing cubes if you want to maximize your luggage space. And whether you’re planning a spontaneous weekend trip or vacation, you’ll also want a travel toiletry bag to keep your beauty and personal-care items all in one place while preventing the risk of a toiletry explosion when in transit.
You don’t have to look very far to find a toiletry kit: There area lot of options to choose from, but to help you narrow down your choices, I spoke to well-traveled people for tips on selecting the best travel toiletry bag for every type of jet-setter. Below are eight toiletry bags that professional travelers recommend and use themselves when they’re on the move.
In This Article
Best travel toiletry bags, at a glance
- Best hanging: Nomatic, Toiletry Bag 2.0, $55
- Best with a hook: eBags, Pack-It-Flat Toiletry Kit, $18
- Best pouch: Dagne Dover, Hunter Neoprene Toiletry Bag, $45
- Best budget: Queboom, Travel Makeup Bag, $7
- Best for makeup: Bagsmart, Toiletry Bag, $16
- Best for personalization: The Daily Edit, Black Clear Travel Case, $50
- Best size options: Truffle, Clarity Jetset Case, $98
- Best splurge: Anya Hindmarch, In-Flight Case, $395
What to look for in a travel toiletry bag
Material: When looking for a travel toiletry bag, first think about the material. “A bag that’s easy to clean will last you a long longer,” says New York-based travel journalist Nneya Richards. Richards recommends materials like nylon or neoprene, which are water-resistant. Kim Tate, the Seattle-based travel writer and blogger behind Stuffed Suitcase, prefers options made from vinyl, a material that is durable and more often than not waterproof.
Size and weight: You’ll also want a travel toiletry bag with enough room for the toiletries you’re taking with you. A small toiletry bag will save you space, but if you’re packing larger toiletries or for a longer trip, you may want to opt for a larger kit—keeping in mind that it will take up more room in your bag. Size aside, select something lightweight; many of the options on this list are less than half a pound when empty.
Additional features: Finally, consider the additional features that’ll make traveling easier. For example, a toiletry bag with a hook or handle will allow you to hang it up and maximize counter space, while one with transparent panels can offer a clear view of your essentials for easy access. Some also offer organizational options, like compartments, pockets, or even separate pouches to keep your things in order.
Whatever your preference, there’s something for every type of traveler on this list. Scroll on for the eight best toiletry bags, as recommended by well-traveled experts.
Shop the best travel toiletry bags
Best hanging: Nomatic, Toiletry Bag 2.0 — $55.00
Material: Not specified | Size: 10.5” L x 5” W x 1.7” H (Small) and 10.5” L x 5” W x 3.1” H (Standard) | Weight: 9.5 oz. (Small) and 11.3 oz. (Regular)
Nomatic is a favorite brand of Kesi Irvin, travel writer and owner of the online travel blog Kesi To and Fro, and its toiletry bag has the one thing she typically looks for in a kit—a hanging component. “If I’m moving around from place to place, I like having the option to hang my toiletry bag up so I can see all the products I have,” she shares. The bag boasts a convenient hanging strap to help you save counter space while on your trip and several zippered pockets to neatly store your items. Plus, its narrow profile will allow you to squeeze it into your suitcase without compromising packing space. While the manufacturer doesn’t specify the material of the bag, it’s designed to be water-resistant. It comes in two sizes, and, as an added bonus, a lifetime warranty.
Available colors: 1
- Water-resistant material
- Internal zip pockets
- Lifetime warranty
Best with a hook: eBags, Pack-It-Flat Toiletry Kit — $18.00
Material: Nylon | Size: 14” L x 9.25” W x 2.2” H | Weight: 10 oz.
Tate has long relied on this toiletry bag on her travels. “It has a very slim profile that won’t take up much luggage space,” she explains. While unassuming in size and appearance, it has spacious internal compartments that can hold enough for shorter or longer excursions—something to which Tate can personally attest. “It has a zipper compartment on the left, where I would keep all my skincare products, a larger zipper compartment in the middle for my deodorant and larger items, and then two zipper compartments on the right to hold my toothpaste and eye-care products,” she says. To add to its functionality, it has a hook and removable pocket mirror.
Available colors: 4
- Slim profile
- Packs flat
- Spacious internal compartments
- Can’t stand upright on its own
Best pouch: Dagne Dover, Hunter Neoprene Toiletry Bag — $45.00
Material: Neoprene | Size: 7.5” L x 4” W x 4.5” H (Small) and 9” L x 4.75” W x 5.5” H (Large) | Weight: 5 oz. (Small) and 7 oz. (Large)
I use and love this Dagne Dover toiletry bag. While I’m by no means a travel expert, it’s withstood years of long road trips and international journeys. The bag is made from water-resistant neoprene to contain spills, and it has a sturdy structure and multiple compartments to keep my things from jostling around. Plus, it zips open—and stays open—for easy access. I own the large version, which has enough space for all my beauty and personal-care products, with compartments to keep things like my razor and toothbrush from touching. A bonus: The large version comes with two additional pouches, while the smaller version includes one pouch, and both come in several stylish colors.
If anything, the bag neither has a hook nor a handle to hang it with—and if this is important to you, you might prefer the Seoul Dopp Kit, which has the stamp of approval from Richards. This particular product is made from water-resistant nylon, and it features a swivel hook and multiple storage compartments. You can shop it in two sizes and four colors, including black, gray, green, and pink.
Available colors: 9
- Water-resistant material
- Multiple interior compartments
- Comes with additional pouches for storage
Best budget: Queboom, Travel Makeup Bag — $7.00
Material: Not specified | Size: 9” L x 6” W x 3.1”H (Standard) and 9.4” L x 7” W x 5.5” H (Large) | Weight: 5.3 oz.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, this travel-friendly toiletry bag offers some of the convenient features of pricier options at a lower cost. It also comes recommended by Abigail A. of the blog The Lady Who Travels. It’s made from a waterproof material, and it offers a considerable space for your beauty products and a separate compartment for makeup brushes. The kit comes in two sizes: a smaller, more travel-friendly design and a larger model with more storage space, or for a few more dollars, you can purchase it as a set of two. With 12 colors, you’re sure to find an option to match your personal style. The bag folds flat when not in use to conserve space, but it also lacks the structure and compartments of most options on this list—a tradeoff for the price.
Available colors: 12
- Waterproof
- Separate compartment for makeup brushes
- Folds flat when not in use
- Minimal organizational compartments
Best for organization: Bagsmart, Toiletry Bag — $16.00
Material: Not specified | Size: 10.2” L x 4.3” W x 6.3” H (Basic), 11.8” L x 7” W x 7” H (Standard), 11.8” L x ” 5.9 x 7” H (Large) | Weight: 5.6 oz. (Basic), 10.2 (Standard), 11.7 oz. (Large)
Another recommendation from A. is this toiletry bag from Bagsmart. It’s made from a water-resistant material, and it comes in three sizes, with the standard- and large-size options boasting a separate compartment with elastic loops to hold smaller or more slender items, such as a toothbrush, razor, or makeup brushes. Each of the three options have interior mesh pockets, along with a large exterior zippered pocket lined with a waterproof layer that is great for breakable and spill-prone products. The bag is well-structured too, with a wide base that keeps it upright and prevents it from tipping over even when full. Shop it in four solid colors, including black, navy blue, pink, and gray.
Available colors: 4
- Water-resistant material
- Waterproof exterior pocket
- Multiple organizational compartments
Best for personalization: The Daily Edit, Black Clear Travel Case — $50.00
Originally $99, now $50
Material: PVC (with leather trim) | Size: 8.4” L x 3.3” W” x 3.3” H | Weight: Not specified
Travel journalist and TV host Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon of JetSetSarah recommends and uses this pick from The Daily Edit, which meets all her requirements of a good travel toiletry bag: it is transparent to offer a clear view of packed items; it has a zipper that runs all around the three sides of the bag for easy access; and it is durable to withstand repeated usage. “As an added bonus, you can personalize it,” she says, and you can have the letters of your choosing stamped onto the bag. The bag, constructed from PVC, opens up to two roomy compartments, one of which has an elastic strap to secure smaller items in place. The bag is finished with a black leather trim and gold hardware, and though it only comes in one size, Greaves-Gabbadon says is ideal for carry-on travel.
Available colors: 1
- Water-resistant construction
- Offers a clear view of contents
- Personalizable
Best size options: Truffle Co., Clarity Jetset Case — $98.00
Material: PVC (with leather or nylon trim) | Size: 2.5” L x 7.5” W x 2” H (Mini), 5.2” L x 7.5” W x 2” H (Standard), 6” L x 9” W x 2” H (Large), and 6” L x 9” W x 3.” 3.75” H (Jumbo) | Weight: Not specified
Truffle Co.’s toiletry bags come in four sizes, the most of our picks of the list—and they are recommended by Greaves-Gabbadon. Like the previous recommendation, the bag features transparent windows so you can instantly see what’s inside and a zipper that runs around three sides. Plus, the standard option is just the right size for liquids and gels that comply with the TSA 3-1-1 rules. Size aside, you can choose between a leather and nylon trim and several eye-catching colors for each of the available options. The biggest downside to this bag is the lack of compartments to keep items separate and in place, but if you typically pack light, it shouldn’t be much of an issue for you.
Available colors: 8
- Water-resistant material
- TSA-friendly design
- Available in four sizes
Best splurge: Anya Hindmarch, In-Flight Case — $395.00
Material: Plastic | Size: 3.1” L x 8.4” W x 4.5” H | Weight: Not specified
Anya Hindmarch is known for creating stylish, albeit pricey, storage systems. If money is no object and you’re looking to organize the contents of your carry-on, consider the In-Flight Case, which started Greaves-Gabbadon’s “lust” for travel toiletry bags. The water-resistant bag, made specifically for carry-on use, is fully transparent for easy visibility and features two roomy compartments with zippers that run along the three sides of the bag. According to Greaves-Gabbadon, each section is equivalent in size to a quart-size Ziploc bag to carry 3.4-ounce liquids and gels on board an airplane without risking confiscation by TSA. If you visit the brand’s website, you can also personalize the bag with a phrase or your name—it’ll just cost you a bit extra.
Available colors: 5
- Water-proof material with waterproof fabric lining
- Roomy interior
- TSA-friendly design
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