I’m an Amazon Shopping Writer, and These Are the 10 Travel Essentials I’m Packing for My Summer Beach Trip

One of my favorite things to do is travel somewhere new, but I can’t say I feel the same when it comes to packing. Luckily, Amazon makes it easy for me to feel prepared while still making the most of my bag space, with tons of clever travel essentials under $35.

My day-to-day job consists of shopping for the best finds, so I’ve pulled the 10 items from Amazon’s Travel section that I’m snagging this summer. And since I’m heading to a few tropical destinations, I’m looking for beach-friendly products like portable fans, quick-drying towels, and waterproof phone pouches. Not only are many of these items Amazon best-sellers and have thousands of five-star ratings, but a few are also on sale, up to 50 percent off.

Amazon Writer-Loved Travel Essentials

• JBL Go2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $33 (was $40)
• TriPole Mini Handheld Fan, $10 (was $20)
• Kalidi Foldable Mesh Bag, $13
• Owala FreeSip Water Bottle, $28
• Packism TSA-Approved Toiletry Bag Pack, $14 
• Apple AirTag, $25 (was $29)
• Furtalk Straw Visor, $20 (was $23)
• Umetass Refillable Travel Bottles, $8
• Dock and Bay Quick-Dry Towel, $30
• Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch, $10

JBL Go2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

My ideal beach day consists of sunbathing in a reclining chair with a book in one hand, and an ice-cold cup of tea in the other. But it wouldn’t be complete without my favorite tunes in the background, which is why I'm snagging this JBL Bluetooth speaker while it’s on sale. The portable speaker connects to my smartphone to play my favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks for up to five hours. Plus, it's waterproof so I don’t have to worry about it accidentally getting wet, and its compact design makes it easy to pack and tote around.

TriPole Mini Handheld Fan

As much as I love summer, I can’t stand being sweaty, so I’m snagging this mini handheld fan while it’s half off its original price tag. The portable fan is designed with seven blades to provide a steady stream of airflow and it has a low or high speed to choose from. I plan to keep the lightweight fan in my purse, but it also comes with a removable lanyard that I can wear around my neck if needed. Plus, it comes in 13 summer shades, including light blue, yellow, and orange.

Kalidi Foldable Mesh Bag

I’ve been on the hunt for a new beach bag for a while, and this best-selling tote checks all of my boxes. The bag is made with a durable nylon fabric that doesn’t rip or stretch and can hold up to 30 pounds at a time. Its spacious interior offers plenty of room to store my towels, books, sunscreen, and other vacation essentials. The bag's mesh material also has holes throughout,  so I don’t have to worry about sand getting stuck inside.

Continue scrolling to see even more writer-loved travel finds for under $35. And don’t forget to head to Amazon’s Travel section to view the full assortment of finds.

Owala FreeSip Water Bottle

Packism TSA Approved Toiletry Bag Pack

Apple AirTag

Furtalk Straw Visor

Umetass Refillable Travel Bottles

Dock and Bay Quick Dry Towel

Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch