“2025 Travel Trends: 10 Amazon Essentials You Should Skip!”

The festive season has passed, and after generously pampering your friends and family with thoughtful gifts, who could fault you for wanting to treat yourself to something special before the year wraps up? If you have some Christmas cash that needs spending, consider browsing Amazon — it’s a comprehensive destination for everything a traveler might require in preparation for the thrilling journeys that await in 2025. However, there are certainly a few products worth passing on.

To assist you in making the most of your holiday budget, continue reading to discover 10 items you can overlook on Amazon’s virtual shelves, along with 10 alternatives that are worth your investment. Whether you’re prioritizing comfort in the upcoming year, seeking new luggage, or aiming for better organization during your travels, we’ve curated the top products for every need, starting as low as $23. 

Avoid: A Bulky Neck Pillow

Instead Invest In: A Foldable Neck Pillow

Trtl Travel Pillow

Conventional neck pillows are cumbersome to pack, occupy unnecessary space in your luggage, and may not provide the support you desire during long flights. Thus, for 2025, we suggest opting for a more streamlined solution such as the Trtl Travel Pillow, which is ingeniously crafted to support the head and neck from multiple angles, all while keeping your head snugly positioned against the airplane seat. The machine washable fabric offers a significantly more hygienic option — moreover, it has garnered nearly 20,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with users praising its comfort and travel suitability.

Avoid: Pepper Spray

Instead Consider: A Portable Safety Alarm

She’s Birdie The Original Personal Safety Alarm

It’s entirely reasonable to want to ensure your safety while traveling (particularly when embarking on a solo trip in the new year). While pepper spray is not permissible in your carry-on baggage, there are several more travel-friendly substitutes that can provide similar reassurance. For this purpose, T+L editors endorse the She’s Birdie Original Personal Safety Alarm, currently priced at $23 with an on-site coupon. This small device attaches to your keychain, and when you pull the pin, it activates a loud alarm alongside a strobe light to deter potential threats. Female travelers rave about this gadget; it’s simple to use, and you can bring it onto your flight without issue.

Avoid: A Standard Portable Charger

Instead Opt For: A Portable Charger with Built-in Cables

Sabani Portable Charger

There’s no question that a portable charger is essential for your travels in the upcoming year, but if you’re weary of misplacing cords at home or discovering them tangled in your bag, it’s time to consider an option that comes with integrated cables. This compact device from Sabani offers four different cable types — including USB-A, type C, iOS, and a micro cable — enabling you to power your phone, tablet, and even headphones while on the move. The unit also allows you to charge up to six devices simultaneously, thanks to two extra ports, eliminating the need to choose between which devices to charge mid-flight.of different ways. This ensemble is not only fashionable but practical as well; it allows for effortless mixing and matching with other items in your luggage.

Entertainment Choices

Fast Charging Functions

LED Indicator Screen

Investing in an upgrade for more legroom can be quite costly while flying, but you can avoid this expense in the upcoming year thanks to the Everlasting Comfort Airplane Foot Hammock, which offers remarkable benefits — and it’s only $23. The device’s adjustable straps easily secure around your seatback tray table, allowing you to tighten or loosen them for added leg support without infringing on space or disturbing your fellow passengers. Constructed from luxuriously soft memory foam, it provides your tired feet with a well-earned respite in the air, featuring individual compartments for each foot that also alleviates pressure on your hips. Most importantly, it is incredibly lightweight and compact, ensuring you can use your available personal item space for other in-flight necessities.

Refrain from Purchasing: Conventional Packing Cubes

Instead Purchase: Compression Packing Cubes

Bagsmart 6-Pack Compression Packing Cubes

Utilizing packing cubes is widely recognized as one of our favorite strategies for maximizing luggage space while maintaining organization. However, rather than opting for the standard model in 2025, we suggest selecting compression cubes — especially if you tend to overpack. This set of six is currently priced at $39, and with over 8,200 five-star reviews, you can be confident it’s a valuable enhancement to your travel gear. Each cube comes in a unique size designed to accommodate everything from socks and underwear to larger garments like sweaters and sweatshirts, and their ripstop fabric ensures they remain in excellent condition for years ahead.

Avoid: A Cumbersome Weekender Bag

Opt for: A Roomy Travel Backpack

Matein Carry-on Backpack

Weekender bags are undoubtedly spacious; however, to alleviate the strain on your shoulder from a packed duffel, a sturdy backpack is a far superior option. A backpack like the Matein carry-on — available for just $30 at the moment — will distribute your luggage weight evenly, without sacrificing capacity. It opens like a clamshell suitcase, enabling you to utilize every inch of space. According to the brand, it can accommodate enough clothing for up to five days, and the expandable design further enhances your packing options.

Steer Clear: Individual Clothing Items

Instead Choose: A Multifunctional Matching Set

Fixmatti Women’s Knit Tracksuit

We are big fans of stylish knit sets at T+L, and this premium choice from Fixmatti serves as an economical substitute to gathering numerous individual clothing items this season. Not only does it provide an effortless way to look chic without much hassle, but the soft yet roomy material ensures your comfort throughout your upcoming long-distance journey. With wide-leg trousers and a relaxed elastic waistband design, and a neutral hue, this set allows for multiple styling possibilities.of various methods. At $45 with an on-site voucher, it’s a bargain for the chilly seasons.

Avoid Purchasing: A Single Suitcase

Opt for: A Luggage Set

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable 2-piece Collection

If you’re already considering updating your suitcase collection for the upcoming year, it’s much more economical to acquire a discounted set rather than purchasing separate bags. As Samsonite is recognized as one of the top luggage brands in the industry, this two-piece hardside set is a sound purchase — and it’s currently discounted by 37 percent, reducing the cost to $150 per bag. The collection comprises one large, expandable checked bag and a compact carry-on, both equipped with smooth spinner wheels for effortless airport navigation. With this combination, you’ll cut costs and enjoy coordinated luggage.

Avoid Purchasing: A Single Bluetooth Luggage Tracker

Opt for: A Multi-pack

Apple AirTag 4-pack

Apple AirTags serve as an essential tool for travelers, enabling you to monitor your checked baggage throughout your journey. Nonetheless, it’s significantly more budget-friendly to purchase a four-pack — and this bundle is currently discounted by 29 percent, bringing the cost down to just under $18 per tag. With multiple AirTags at your convenience, tracking your keychain, wallet, and favorite purse becomes straightforward using the “Find My” app on your iPhone. Plus, if you purchase four now, you won’t need to think about replacements anytime soon.

Avoid Purchasing: Wired Headphones

Opt for: A Bluetooth Audio Adapter

Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter

With celebrities advocating for bringing wired headphones back into fashion, you might feel inclined to acquire a pair for your next travels. However, while not having to consider battery depletion is an advantage, you do have to deal with the annoyance of tangled wires and the possibility that they might obstruct your seatmates if occupying an aisle seat. As a solution, we suggest acquiring the popular audio adapter from AirFly that simply connects to your seatback screen, allowing you to savor your movie comfortably using your well-cushioned Bluetooth headphones — no wires required.

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