These Under-$30 Amazon Products Have Made Me a Better Packer

As much as I love visiting new places, I tend to fall into the camp of those who describe traveling as “exhausting,” particularly the packing and unpacking parts of it. While the pros of travel far outweigh the cons of packing, I’ve found it critical to optimize the process as much as possible. Over the last few years, I’ve been on a personal mission to find ways to make packing less arduous—whether it’s a pair of sneakers I can wear with everything in my suitcase or a backpack that fits all of my travel essentials. During my search for these travel hacks, I discovered a few specific packing essentials that increase my overall efficiency—and they’re each under $30 on Amazon.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Drawer organizers

Believe it or not, my first packing essential doesn’t actually leave my house. An organized closet and dresser is the key to seamless packing but, unfortunately, organization has never been one of my strong suits. To achieve any semblance of order in my dresser at home, I need some assistance. Enter the SimpleHouseware Organizer and Drawer Divider set. I purchased the four-bin set over a year ago, after spending too much time digging through my clothes ahead of trips. It instantly decreased the amount of time I spend packing. I use the $14 organizers to separate my clothes into categories of pieces I always need to pack; socks, underwear, bras, T-shirts, tanks, and leggings all have their assigned bins, making it easy to grab and go my favorites when it comes time to prepare for a trip.

SimpleHouseware closet organizer

The beauty of an organizer like this one lies in its structured flexibility; the different bin sizes can be used however you see fit (ties, bathing suits, and winter accessories would also benefit from this method of organization), and the material is pliable while still providing plenty of support.

Neaterize drawer organizer, set of 12

If you want this framework to extend throughout the entirety of your dresser, you’ll need more bins. The Neaterize organizer set comes with 12 containers in three different sizes—small cubes, rectangular bins, and large squares—allowing you to play an organizational Tetris game within your drawers.

Vtopmart drawer dividers, set of 6

Those who don’t love the idea of bins—but still want their drawers to feel streamlined—can opt for a set of drawer dividers. These can be adjusted, expanded, and stacked to fit most dressers and keep clothes orderly.

Criusia underwear drawer organizer, set of 6

While the Criusia bins are made to fit within your drawers, they’re sturdy enough to stand on their own; plus, the stitched edges ensure they look aesthetically pleasing in any bathroom, bedroom, or laundry room.

Diommell foldable cloth storage box, set of 4

More voluminous pieces of clothing (like long-sleeved shirts or shorts) may work better in these foldable storage boxes, which measure in at 11″ x 11″ x 4.7″.

Luggage scales

Reaching the 50-pound checked luggage limit always comes quicker than you think, especially if you’re packing thick winter clothes or multiple pairs of shoes. Before I purchased a handheld luggage scale last year, I would do one of two things to attempt to avoid the overweight bag fee: 1) try to calculate the weight by holding my suitcase on a bathroom scale, or 2) hope for the best. Neither strategy was very effective. Now I just hook the scale to my luggage handle, weigh the bag, and receive reassurance that I haven’t overpacked. It’s also small enough to bring with me; if I pick up anything at my destination, I can reweigh my bag and make any necessary adjustments.

If you aren’t sure you need one, think of it this way: Overweight luggage fees can run anywhere from $75 to $400, depending on the airline, and my go-to luggage scale is $12. In just one use, it pays for itself.

Etekcity luggage scale

I keep this small luggage scale in my kitchen drawer, where I can grab it to do a final bag weigh-in before heading to the airport. While it is battery-powered, it also has a convenient auto-off function, meaning you won’t unexpectedly end up with a dead scale when you need it the most.

Electrons rechargeable digital luggage scale

The only issue I have with the luggage scale I own is the fact that I have to replace the battery every so often. This version can be recharged with a USB power cord, and also functions as a power bank for your phone.

Shanje luggage weight scale

What makes this luggage scale stand out is its ergonomically curved handle—and its various chic colorways, including a hunter green and a sleek silver.

Amazon Basics digital luggage scale

This wallet-friendly standard digital scale gets the job done quickly and effectively, and is available on Prime if you need it in a rush.

Packing cubes

If there’s one thing I’ll never travel without again, it’s a set of packing cubes. They’ve had a positive ripple effect on my packing (and unpacking) process. Sorting clothing and accessories into cubes not only encourages me to stay organized while on the road, but it also streamlines the unpacking process. I always bring an extra one to hold dirty laundry, and I’ll empty its contents directly into my washing machine upon return. While packing for an extended trip to England in 2021, I realized I needed more cubes—at the last minute, I ordered a Bagail set. They’re lightweight and durable, and the mesh top panel allows me to see what’s inside without unzipping the cube.

Bagail packing cubes, set of 8

There’s nothing more satisfying than color-coordinated travel gear. With 13 different packing cube colorways, you’ll be able to pick out a set that perfectly matches your luggage.

OlarHike packing cubes, set of 6

If you follow a strict packing formula—and the contents of your suitcase rarely deviate—you need a set of packing cubes like this one. It comes with a large size (for jackets and sweaters), two mediums (shirts or dresses), two small (underwear and bras), and an unexpectedly useful slim cube (for socks or other smaller items).

Veken packing cubes, set of 6

Similar to the Bagail cubes, the Veken set is designed with visibility in mind. The mesh panels—which also aid in breathability—allow you to see the contents of each cube, so you can avoid a situation where you’re opening each one in search of a particular item.

Amazon Basics medium packing cubes, set of 4

Maybe you already own a set of packing cubes and you’re looking to add a few more to your collection. If that’s the case, these four medium-sized packing cubes should round out your arsenal beautifully.

Beauty product organizers

If there’s one part of the packing process I (used to) find most tiresome, it’s getting all of my toiletries together. Not only am I adamant about keeping up my beauty routine while on the road, but I’m also very thorough. Everything from face moisturizer to leave-in conditioner must accompany me—even if they travel in more compact containers. To combat this size issue, I started to collect smaller versions of beauty and skincare products. The free perfume samples you get with an online Sephora order? The mini body lotions and travel-sized toothpaste tubes you find in hotels? Those will eventually make their way into my Dopp kit, especially if I’m only traveling with a carry-on. Instead of tossing them all in my cabinets (where I’d forget about them), I now keep them in an organizer in my bathroom.