I never travel without these 11 holiday essentials that make packing lighter and trips easier

There was once a time I’d start my holiday packing and then soon wonder how on earth I was going to fit in everything I wanted to take. But, in 2026, I’ve learnt that packing smarter is better than packing more - and there are a handful of versatile and useful items I now won’t travel without.

I know that no matter where I go in future, whether it’s a week-long holiday in the sun or a weekend away, these are the products I will want to take with me to help me look and feel my best self. And, ultimately, some of them will stop me overpacking too, which I was previously very guilty of.

Firstly to tech as this is a non-negotiable when travelling. Whether you’re about the take a flight, board a train, or set off for a day out exploring a new city, you’re likely to be away from power sockets for a good few hours. And there’s never a good time to run out of battery on your phone. Especially not considering the amount of things that are on our phones now; travel passes, tickets to events and attractions, maps . . . and of course, it’s still vital for texting loved ones or calling a taxi.

So, my first top travel pack is my Groov-e power bank. The 5000mAh portable magnetic charger is a compact, snap-on power bank designed to wirelessly charge smartphones, especially iPhones with MagSafe-style compatibility. I’ve found it will fully charge my phone once and also give me a decent top up on another day occasion before I need to charge the device itself, so it stops me having that panicked feeling when I realise my battery has suddenly depleted. Priced at around £17, depending on the colour chosen.

I also pack the brand’s Flex Buds, which are active Noise Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds for the bargain price of £24.99. I use them during flights and train journeys to listen to music, and they also help me to switch off and go into my own little world while I’m relaxing on a sun lounger or by the pool on holiday. Multiple colours are available.

They may only have a small price tag, but they deliver big sound quality, and I think to get noise cancelling capabilities at this price point is fantastic. The price is also helpful from a practical point of view. Let’s be honest, when you’re travelling around you don’t want to take anything with you that’s too expensive. It’ll push your insurance quote up and you’ll fear the item will end up damaged - although these ear buds do come in their own charging case which doubles as a handy travel case so they will always be protected. But still. Accidents are more likely to happen when you travel, I think, because you tend to be rushing around more. So, I like to know that if the worst happens these ear buds are so affordable I wouldn’t be too upset if I ever had to replace them.

Beauty and grooming are where smart packing really pays off though. I always bring my PRYA jewellery (£64) because many items from the brand are water, sweat and heat resistant meaning you can just enjoy wearing some beautiful pieces and you don’t have to worry about something being accidentally spoiled when you’re in the pool, or at the spa, or just out and about. In turn this means you can always wear your jewellery and keep your look together.

I love the Butterfly Tennis Choker in pink (£64) for easy holiday styling as pink is my favourite colour so it goes with everything I own. The only time I take it off is when I go to bed, and then it is safely tucked into a sleek - and also pink - WOLF Caroline Large Jewellery Portfolio (£205).

This is a refined large jewellery case with lovely soft diamond quilted leather and plenty of space and compartments. It features one earring bar, one ring bar, three zip compartments, and four necklace holders with pocket, so all types of jewellery can be stored safely with no chance of tangling or breakage.

The price of this case is high, but it makes use of LusterLoc technology which allows the fabric lining on the inside of the case to absorb the gases known to cause tarnishing. Under typical storage conditions, WOLF say it can prevent tarnishing for up to 35 years. So, this could save you some serious money in the long-run if you don’t have to replace multiple jewellery items. Plus, it is so stylish I’ve ever been able to carry it with me in the evenings as if it’s a clutch bag and nobody has questioned it so it doubles as a fashion accessory.

Then there’s the Barber Boss women’s 5-in-1 shaver (£28.99) for quick hair removal touch-ups all over the body. It combines five precision tools in one easy-to-use device; a body shaver for smooth legs, arms and underarms, a bikini trimmer for precise shaping, a facial trimmer for cheeks, chin, and upper lip and a nose and ear trimmer and a detail trimmer for defining eyebrows and fine lines. It’s designed for full-body care, and I found it helps me achieve smooth, effortless grooming from head to toe in one handy little gadget, so no need to carry multiple tools or shavers for different areas of the body.

When it comes to oral health, the ORDO Sonic+ Toothbrush and Charging Travel Case is a smart, well-designed choice for anyone who wants a reliable clean no matter where they are. It’s practical, has multiple settings, and genuinely elevates something as routine as brushing your teeth into a much more convenient experience - and it means you don’t have to leave your electric toothbrush at all.

Right now, the best way to buy the the ORDO Sonic+ Toothbrush and Charging Travel Case is to buy them separately as the toothbrush, which also comes with a traditional charge stand, is on sale with £20 off. It's now £39.99 (was £59.99) on Amazon. Meanwhile, the charging travel case is £18.99 via Currys. That's a combined charge of £58.98.

Skincare also takes a hit when travelling, especially after early starts, late nights and dehydrating flights. That’s where the award winning grace & stella Moisturizing Eye Masks come in. (These are also the eye masks used by Emily Blunt’s character Emily Charlton in The Devil Wears Prada 2 when she travels). They’ve become a staple in my wash bag for instantly making me look a little more awake after a long journey or a late evening. I pop them on while getting ready and they help make my eyes look less tired in just minutes. Prices start at £9.95 depending on the pack size chosen.

Hair styling used to be one of the biggest sacrifices for me when packing light, but the T3 Afar travel hair dryer (£159.99) - which is also a lovely blush pink colour - changed that. It’s compact enough to fit neatly into hand luggage, but still powerful enough to properly style hair rather than relying on there being a hotel dryers, and then finding it’s not powerful enough, or even worse there isn’t one. It’s especially handy for trips where evening activities are on the agenda and you don’t have that long to get ready after a day out, but you must wash your hair.

I use mine with the matching T3 Afar diffuser (bought separately, priced at £24.99), to help define my curls and tame frizz, which enivitably happens with my hair type when I’m constantly on the move or in the heat.

Speaking of washing hair, I often found that when I was in warm climates my hair would need washing more than at home - but that’s until I started using the Hair Syrup Lemon-Aid treatment (prices start at £15.95, depending on the size chosen). It’s designed to help clean and revive your scalp, so you can go longer between washes, and I have found it does exactly what it says.

With this in my wash bag during my 2026 trips I have been able to keep the same hair wash routine as I have at home, which is every two to three days. That has meant I can spend more time enjoying myself. It is enriched with lemon oil so it can gently exfoliates to remove impurities and excess sebum, plus is smells just like summer.

Finally, there’s the practical side of travel, because no matter how carefully you pack, clothes will almost always end up creased. That’s why the Philips 3000 Series Handheld Steamer (£49.99) has become a game-changer for me. It heats up quickly, smooths out wrinkles in minutes and saves the hassle of hunting down an iron at your hotel. For linen dresses, shirts and holiday outfits that spend hours folded in a suitcase, it’s one of those items you don’t realise you need until you’ve used it. Plus, it’s actually designed with travel in mind and folds down so it won’t take up too much space in your suitcase and bag.

I have also found it useful to always have one of my own towels with me. Whether I’m going to a spa hotel, a hotel with a pool, or simply staying somewhere for more than one night, there never seems to be quite enough provided and then you’re left waiting for one to dry. Of course, some accommodations don’t even provide towels at all so having one you can easily pack is a must.

I take the OHS Bow Print Beach Towel in a Bag from Online Home Shop with me (£10) because it is lightweight and also easy to transport, given that it comes with its own matching bag. There’s a few pretty prints to choose from also. I use it when I’m laying on a sun lounger, or to dry off when I’ve been relaxing in the pool or sauna.

For me, these are the 11 products that make travelling feel easier and more comfortable. They’re the little luxuries and practical fixes that have become essential in my packing routine. While everyone’s holiday checklist looks different, these are the items I would recommended.

• Please note that delivery charges may apply on all of these products.