I tried $800+ in travel products this month — here's what I kept, starting at $7

I can't travel without my Kindle — I did a couple times and felt like my hand was missing something. At the same time, if you love your e-reader as much as I do, you know that the hand fatigue is real when you're holding it for hours on a flight. These straps took the strain off my palms and kept the device from slipping out of my hands, a win-win.

Each pack comes with two straps, so you can double up or use just one — whatever you find comfortable. Choose from 13 colors ranging from black to candy pink.

"You get two straps in a pack, so you can put both straps on to 'criss-cross' or just use one strap for your primary hand — the versatility is great!" a five-star reviewer said. "The straps hold well and don't even slide off when I'm taking my Kindle in and out of my bag."

If I'm taking a quick trip and don't feel like packing my bulky electric toothbrush, I toss one of these bad boys in my toiletry bag. They fold up small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, so they barely make a dent in my bag. What surprised me most, though, is that their bristles are soft enough to comfortably brush your teeth without any irritation but firm enough to actually get in there and clean your chompers well.

Now, I'll admit that I toss these after each trip since water can accumulate in the crevices when they're folded up, but they're a handy, convenient travel find that I'll continue using.

I'm not the only one who's a fan. More than 3,600 Amazon shoppers feel the same. "This toothbrush is perfect for traveling," one five-star reviewer wrote. "It folds up easily and fits nicely in a toiletry case. No need for those covers that are so difficult."

It doesn't matter whether I'm at home or thousands of miles away — nothing will keep me from my skin care, especially in these dry, cold fall and winter months. I have dry skin, especially this time of year, so I need to keep up with my routine even when I'm away from my own bubble. This set comes with minis of three hydrating products I've used for years.

In the past, I've checked a suitcase just to take the full-size version of these products with me as I travel. So, when I saw that the brand released mini versions, I couldn't snatch them up faster. The trio comes with a facial cleanser, a hydrating serum and a moisturizer. All I add is sunscreen and I'm good to go. 

This is one of my favorite tiny travel buddies. On certain airlines, the in-flight entertainment is pretty top-tier, with recent releases that aren't even available on streaming services. But when I use those low-quality wired earbuds that plug into the seat's headphone jack, I hear the plane's engine more than the movie dialogue. This Bluetooth transmitter, which is the size of an AirPods case, allows me to tune in with my own noise-cancelling headphones. Also, setting it up took me maybe five seconds. 

"It was [a] game-changer for a nine-hour flight," one impressed Amazon reviewer wrote. "The free earbuds they hand out hurt my ears after a while and don't cancel out the loud noise of the plane. This device was exactly what I was looking for."

Today, we live in the age of the AirTag. While they work to track down lost or stolen bags, AirTags are pretty pricey. When I heard of this alternative that's both a tracker and luggage tag in one — especially at this price — I was curious.

It connects with the Apple Find My app like the AirTag but has a QR code on the back that's personal to you. When scanned, it leads to a page that has any identification information you would write on a standard luggage tag, like your name and phone number. Best of all, you can fill all of that out via the app. This thing even has an anti-tamper tether that keeps it in place, so no one can take it off once you've secured it. It's upped my luggage security game for sure.

This is one of the newest additions to my bag, and I'm still amazed by its size and practicality. At home, I use a bulky two-in-one charging station that gives my phone and Apple Watch some juice when I'm asleep. Since it's too cumbersome to take with me when I travel, I found this gizmo, which does the same thing in a compact package that folds up smaller than my palm. Can you tell how impressed I am?

It supports MagSafe charging and nightstand mode on both the Apple Watch and iPhone, so you'll be able to see the full-screen clock on both devices while they charge. Keep in mind, though, that this isn't a portable charger and needs to be plugged into an outlet to work.

"This charger is small, lightweight, but still entirely functional," one five-star reviewer wrote. "It is one less thing to worry about when packing."

If you travel with your family or just need an all-in-one charger that won't leave you with zero battery life to spare, this powerful gadget will keep all your devices good to go. I recently used it while on a trip with my spouse and a friend from New York to Washington, D.C. When all three of our phones (and my laptop) fell below 10% in battery life, it was time to whip out this bad boy.

I connected two of our phones via USB-C, charged one wirelessly using the pad on top and plugged in my laptop using another port. Everything successfully (and quickly) juiced up to 100%. The most impressive part, though, is that all of that barely put a dent in the portable charger's battery. 

I'm a fan of Casetify's phone cases since they offer serious protection without making my phone look gaudy. When I heard that the brand was entering the luggage space, I was slightly confused — but when I saw the same robust, protective elements on the new luggage line, it all made sense.

I decided to try the Bounce Suitcase and immediately got the vision. I've tried my fair share of carry-ons and this is the most substantial and durable of the bunch. It has raised bumpers on the top four corners, similar to the brand's Bounce phone case, that protect it during harsh drops (we're looking at you, baggage handlers). It also has ball-bearing wheels that turn in any direction, a built-in smart tracker pocket and TSA-approved locks. Still, it somehow manages to stay lightweight. To say I'm pleasantly surprised would be an understatement!

I love an affordable bag, but this month, I wanted to invest in one that will last for years. Based on how much I love my Troubadour backpack, I decided to take the plunge and try out this travel bag, and I'm so glad I did. It's made of waterproof fabric and comes with tons of pockets that keep me organized, especially during those moments when it's so easy to get flustered (TSA line, anyone?).

A couple of weeks ago, I took a last-minute weekend trip to visit family and needed to pack my laptop, the BioLite charger I mentioned above, my tech case with all of my cables, my reusable water bottle and a few more items. This small but mighty bag easily, neatly stored everything and somehow managed to look like it wasn't stuffed to the brim.

I particularly appreciated that it has a built-in trolley sleeve that allowed me to slide it over my carry-on handle, so I was able to pull both pieces at once.