Your summer vacation packing list, per travel experts

Going on a longer trip and need to check a bag? It’s hard to go wrong with the Freeform Medium Spinner from Samsonite. It’s our pick for the best budget-friendly checked bag, thanks to its four smooth-rolling wheels, wide-open packing space and expandability. The price is right, too, as it’s often marked down to well under $200.

We’ve regretted using packing cubes to organize our suitcase. This set from luggage brand Away is available in seven colors, and the cubes are made of water-resistant nylon that can protect your clothes, with breathable mesh toppers that allow you to easily see what’s inside.

Don’t worry about your phone dying on your next trip. This budget-friendly power bank has a 10,000mAh capacity — more than enough to charge most modern smartphones — and USB-A and USB-C outputs for maximum compatibility. Plus, it complies with TSA battery rules, so you shouldn’t have any issues bringing it in your carry-on bag.

The second-generation Apple AirPods Pro offer immersive sound with active noise cancellation and personalized spatial audio. A customizable fit and touch controls provide comfort and easy playback management, and they’re dust-, sweat- and water-resistant with long battery life and a feature-rich case for convenience. Plus, they offer seamless device connectivity and features like Conversation Awareness and Siri integration for a better experience.

The Sony XB13 churns out rich, 360-degree sound in a waterproof, dustproof cylinder that weighs less than 1 pound and boasts 16 hours of battery. Our favorite detail? The attached strap is for carrying or attaching to your gear (or beach umbrella).

Having a good e-reader can make reading on the beach a whole lot more convenient. Reading on a smartphone or tablet means you’re subject to glare from the sun, and traditional books are a heavy addition to your beach bag. Instead, bring a Kindle Paperwhite loaded with your reading list. It’s waterproof, a single charge can last for weeks and its e-ink screen means you can read in direct sunlight. Plus, the Essentials Bundle includes a protective fabric case and a 9W USB power adapter.

CNN Underscored’s pick for the best sunscreen, Hawaiian Tropic’s Everyday Active Sunscreen is spray-on and provides 30 SPF protection from the sun. It’s great for the beach, as it’s water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has a pleasant coconut scent. Just note that you’ll have to put this in your checked luggage since it comes in a 6-ounce container.

This sunscreen from Coppertone is great for those who prefer mineral sunscreen. It provides 50 SPF protection and is hypoallergenic, with zinc oxide as its only active ingredient. Our testers found it applies smoothly and more easily than other mineral sunscreens. You might consider this option if you have sensitive skin or want to avoid chemicals.

Exclusive to Edition Hotels, these amenities feature a signature black tea scent by Le Labo and are infused with vitamin E and aloe vera for luxurious hair care and shea butter body lotion for revitalizing moisture. Paraben-free and cruelty-free, this set includes 3-ounce bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion, all packaged in a beige canvas zip pouch perfect for travel.

This versatile toiletry bag holds a surprisingly large number of items. With three elastic loops, a mesh slip pocket and even an additional mesh zip pouch included, this bag is a fantastic — and stylish — way to organize your travel-size essentials.

These budget-friendly women’s flip-flops are perfect for any beach day. They have thin straps and a squared toe, giving them a premium look that you can rock poolside, at the beach or to hotel breakfast. They pack easily, too, taking up little space in your carry-on or beach bag.

Crocs have long been some of our favorite travel shoes despite their controversial styling. They’re super comfortable both at the airport and on the airplane, thanks to being lightweight and breathable, and they can be easily taken off at airport security. Even better, they’re usually on sale for under $50 on Amazon.

Fair Harbor has dubbed itself “the world’s most comfortable beachwear,” and its swimsuits for men are making waves. That’s because they’ve replaced the old-school, chafe-inducing mesh liners with a spandex-like interior short that is supportive, soft and chafe-free. It comes in kids’ sizes too.

This one-piece swimsuit from Andie Swim is designed with comfort in mind, thanks to its adjustable straps, underbust elastic and sculpting fabric. It’s available in a slew of sizes from XS to XXXL.

In our roundup of the best cheap swimsuits, our senior tech editor liked these swim trunks because they can double as regular shorts, thanks to their comfort and just-snug-enough fit. Plus, they have cargo pockets, so you can carry your phone and other essentials to the beach.

Available in three travel-friendly sizes, these colorful squeeze bottles are essential for a family vacation. The different colors are helpful for organizing your shampoo, conditioner and other necessities without worrying about whose is whose.

As the world’s only premium ride-on suitcase for kids, this is a no-brainer for keeping your little traveler happy on long travel days. Better yet, once on board your flight and at a cruising altitude, the suitcase can be brought out to act like an in-flight bed for your kid or as a leg rest. So, not only can you store things in it, but it’ll make for a more comfortable in-flight experience too.

This stylish diaper bag is perfect for parents traveling with little ones. It’s large enough to fit bottles, clothes and other daily essentials, while still having a separate sleeve for your laptop and a zippered shoe bag. It also includes a mini changing mat and even clips to your stroller.

Shelbi Okumura, travel photographer, creator and founder of @bucketlistbums, recommends using this RFID passport holder while traveling. Not only is it stylish and available in over 25 colors but it’s a great way to ensure your information is safe and secure while at the airport.

“This adjustable visor is very stylish, comfortable and really affordable,” Okumura said. Bonus: The foldable design makes this cute sun hat easy to pack.

Okumura also recommends a hat clip to easily attach your hat to your bag and make space for more items while packing. “I simply attach it to my luggage and then clip my sun hat to the super-strong magnet. This prevents my hats from getting smashed inside my luggage,” she said.

Unlike a beach umbrella, the Mini Shibumi Shade works with the wind, not against it. While it only weighs 2 pounds and sets up in minutes, it offers enough UPF 50+ sun protection to provide shade for up to three people. It’s also carry-on compatible, making it incredibly easy to take on your next beach vacation. Sign up for email on shibumishade.com to get 10% off your first order.

Be prepared for any seaside adventure with this lightweight Turkish beach towel that’s compact enough to pack in your carry-on bag. This towel is budget-friendly while still being chic and durable. “They also come in several fun, stylish prints for a beach holiday (you can use them as a towel, blanket, wrap, etc.),” Okumura said.

The Small Toiletry Bag offers a compact solution for travelers and light packers. Made with water-resistant nylon and a coated, wipeable interior, it has multiple compartments, including transparent and mesh pockets for efficient organization. With an exterior zip pocket for quick-access items, it’s designed for convenience on short trips.

The Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts. Made from durable, recycled nylon, it’s waterproof, with double-stitched, taped seams, while a reflective interior, oval base and D-ring attachment point enhance functionality. It’s perfect for backpacking and paddling adventures and backed by Sea to Summit guarantee.

You want to be Instagram-ready on vacation, and wrinkled clothes will ruin that vibe. We recommend this handy travel steamer that weighs less than 2 pounds and can de-wrinkle your clothes in seconds. It also has more than 120,000 reviews on Amazon and is currently on sale for under $30.

Gone are the cumbersome terry towels of yore and replacing them are lightweight, thinner options that are equally absorbent and way easier to travel with. We like Outerknown’s The Beach Towel because it’s comfortable, absorbent and durable.

If you’re flying to your destination, a digital luggage scale is a must-have accessory. This one from Etekcity is small and lightweight, so you can easily toss it in your luggage without taking up much room. With it, you can weigh your bag before heading to the airport to avoid the dreaded overweight bag fee.