Throwing caution to the wind isn’t quite as idyllic when it comes to packing. Rather than tossing all your things in a bag, invest in a toiletry bag that neatly stashes and organizes your cosmetics, skincare and more. You’ll be able to breeze through TSA with a clear pouch for liquids and allot less cleanup time for any foundation spills with a waterproof-lined case.
The Good Housekeeping Institute‘s Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab and Textiles Lab teamed up to find these go-to travel toiletry bag recommendations made with durable fabrics and roomy capacity, including picks from Lab-tested brands like Away and Calpak. Each works perfectly for giving your bathroom essentials, from tinted moisturizers to pretty blushes to skincare staples, a temporary home away from home. Ahead you’ll find the best toiletry bag that matches your need — hanging, zippered and all — no matter if it’s a simple overnighter or a sojourn abroad.
Our top picks:
Keep reading below for more on what to look for in a toiletry bag. If you’re still stocking up on travel essentials, take a look at our guides to the best luggage brands to shop and the best carry-on luggage.
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1
Best Overall Toiletry Bag
Clear Cosmetics Case
Size
11.5 in x 5.25 in x 9 in
Exterior
PU & PVC
Interior
Polyester
2
Best Value Toiletry Bag
Travel Toiletry Bag
Size
8.6 in x 3.1 in x 5.9 in
Exterior
Nylon
Interior
Nylon
3
Best Toiletry Bag for Carry-On
Clarity Jetset Case
Size
7.5 in x 2 in x 5.25 in
Exterior
Leather
Interior
TPU
4
Best Large Toiletry Bag for Makeup
The Beauty Bag
Size
9.5 in x 7 in x 3 in
Exterior
Cotton
Interior
Polyester and rayon
5
Best Large Toiletry Bag
Hunter Toiletry Bag
Size
9 in x 4.75 in x 5.5 in
Exterior
Neoprene
Interior
Neoprene and mesh
6
Best Hanging Toiletry Bag
Large Toiletry Bag with Hanging Hook
Size
12.6 in x 9.1 in x 4.1 in
Exterior
Synthetic suede
Interior
Polyester
7
Best Clear Toiletry Bag
Clear Toiletry Bag (2-Pack)
Size
7.5 in x 5.9 in x 2.2 in
Exterior
PVC Plastic
Interior
PVC Plastic
8
Best Toiletry Bag for Makeup Spills
The Small Toiletry Bag
Size
8.3 in x 3.15 in x 5.5 in
Exterior
Nylon
Interior
Mesh pockets
9
Best Small Toiletry Bag for Makeup
Lilac Oversized Makeup Bag
Size
6 in x 8 in x 3 in
Exterior
Synthetic leather
Interior
Lined vegan leather
10
Best Toiletry Bag with Extras
The Cosmetic Case
Size
9.5 in x 4 in x 7 in
Exterior
Synthetic leather
Interior
Polyester
11
Best Toiletry Bag for Makeup Brushes
Makeup & Pencil Case
Size
7.5 in x 2 in x 2 in
Exterior
Synthetic cushioning
Interior
Lined
12
Best Hard Shell Toiletry Bag
Mini Hard Shell Hard Travel Cosmetic Case
Size
9.05 in x 12.6 in x 5.5 in
Exterior
ABS with rubber detailing
Interior
Mesh pockets
13
Best Toiletry Bag for the Beach
Monaco Toiletry Bag
Size
7.5 in x 6.5 in x 2.25 in
Exterior
Synthetic saffiano leather
Interior
Pristinium
14
Best Custom Toiletry Bag
Milan Case
Size
6 in x 4 in x 3 in
Exterior
Linen
Interior
PVC
15
Most Versatile Toiletry Bag
Travel Pouch Set
Size
Set varies; Includes small, medium and large
Exterior
Polyester satin
Interior
Polyester
16
Best Basic Toiletry Bag
Chapter Travel Kit
Size
6 in x 9.5 in x 4.5 in
Exterior
Nylon
Interior
Mesh pockets
How we chose the best toiletry bags
The GH Textiles Lab is comprised of fiber scientists and travel product experts who test all types of luggage, travel accessories and more. We picked the best toiletry bags from brands that performed well in past Lab evaluations (including tested brands from our college backpacks, packing cubes and fanny packs roundups), come recommended by our Beauty Lab experts or feature useful extras so you can fit everything you need and then some.
What to look for in a toiletry bag
✔️ Sizes: Cut down on unnecessary baggage by finding a toiletry bag that best suits your needs. If you’re going for a short trip, a smaller everyday bag or pouch can handle your toothbrush, toothpaste, contacts and more. For those longer travels that require checked bags, you can usually get away with packing a bit bulkier.
✔️ Material: Fabric options tend to reign supreme among our textiles and beauty experts. The structure is typically more forgiving and thus much easier to pack. Our fabric experts prefer polyester and nylon for their stain-resistant and easy-to-launder qualities. Though, if you’re on the clumsier side or travel with soft duffels or backpacks, a hard shell toiletry bag gives that extra protection for more delicate items.
✔️ Features: We also recommend looking for lined toiletry bags to prevent any liquid spills from seeping through. Transparent bags also means less digging around. When you need a bit more heft, a hanging bag or one with multiple pockets stow away your must-haves in a way that’s efficient and lets you get to them quickly.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH’s Associate Editor of Product & Reviews Jacqueline Saguin regularly collaborates with the Institute and its wide breadth of experts. For this roundup, she sourced picks from our Beauty Lab pros and Textiles Lab pros alike. Several experts contributed their expertise to our guide on how to shop, including Textiles Product Reviews Analyst Grace Wu and Executive Director of the Textiles Lab Lexie Sachs, who relied on previous Lab tests, data and evaluations to make these picks.
Jacqueline Saguin GH Institute Associate Product & Reviews Editor As an Associate Product & Reviews Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Jacqueline Saguin writes about all kinds of top-tested products across beauty, home, lifestyle and more.
