From Squishy Tubes to Magnetic Containers, Here Are the 6 Best Toiletry Bottle Sets We've Tested (2024)

Every traveler knows the harrowing moment when you reach into a toiletry bag and feel the leakage from toiletry bottles that failed to do their job. To help you avoid the frustration of cleaning up potentially expensive liquids on your next trip, we lab-tested 14 sets of toiletry bottles to uncover the best, most leak-proof options for hassle-free travel.

After we filled up each container with shampoo, lotion, and micellar water, we squeezed, shook, tossed, and dropped the bottles to see which ones prevailed, and which (quite literally) cracked under the pressure. At one point, it looked like the Bellagio fountain show in our lab with micellar water shooting every which way out of a tube. While we don’t recommend that particular bottle, we discovered six other sets that stood up against our rigorous (but very effective) testing methods.

Other Toiletry Bottles We Liked

While the containers below didn’t leak badly, the biggest issue we had with these still-high-scoring toiletry bottles is that their quality felt a bit lower than our top performers.

Cosywell Travel Containers: These ultra-compact screw-top containers are ideal for thicker products like gel or creams but the micellar water leaked ever so slightly, and we wish the set came with a few other bottle types for variety.

Kitsch Travel Bottles: Designed for saving space and lying flat, these baggie-style containers are super easy to fill with product but the quality feels a bit flimsy and we worried that the bags could break open if too much pressure was applied while traveling.

Our Testing Process

We do some pretty serious testing in our New York City lab when it comes to determining the best of the best travel products and this toiletry bottle test was no exception. For this test, we poured travel essentials like shampoo, micellar water, and lotion into the toiletry bottles, tubes, and capsules to see how easy it was to fill each one up. Then, we squeezed, dropped, tossed, and shook the containers to simulate the rough handling and pressure when you travel by air, car, train, or even on foot with toiletry bottles. Did shampoo explode from one bottle and shoot several feet in the air? Maybe. But don’t worry, we didn’t recommend that one.

After some rigorous (and occasionally messy) lab testing, we brought each set of toiletry bottles out on real trips to utilize over a six-month period. Arguably, the most important thing when it comes to toiletry bottles is that they safely contain the potentially pricey skin and hair care products held inside wherever you go, so we closely examined each bottle post-testing for any leaks or damage. Our favorite, winning toiletry bottles are easy to fill up, completely leakproof, and compact enough to pack in toiletry cases.

Tips for Buying Toiletry Bottles

Prioritize leak-proof containers

The most important thing to look for in a toiletry bottle is that it performs as expected which means all of the liquid remains sealed in the container. It’s hard to tell whether or not toiletry bottles are leak-proof until you travel with them so it’s important to read reviews and seal the bottles as tightly as you can before you pack them away for a trip.

Know the types of bottles

It’s amazing how many types of miniature containers there are for travel these days so it can be helpful to know which type of bottle you need depending on which products you’ll bring. There are silicone squeeze bottles that are ideal for shampoo or conditioner but if you’re packing any type of spray product, you’ll want a hard plastic bottle that comes with a spray cap. For pills, vitamins, or even jewelry, a capsule or container with a screw lid are a great option for storing smaller items. For face wash or lotion, a hard plastic bottle with a lockable pump lid can be helpful.

Consider the capacity

The TSA restricts carry-on liquids to 3.4-ounce containers so if you’re planning to only carry a bag into the cabin, you need bottles at or below the size limits. Smaller 1- or 2-ounce containers can be easier to pack but that means you’ll have less product to work with so be sure to pack accordingly depending on the length of your trip and the amount of product you think you’ll need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a toiletry bottle TSA-approved?

For carrying liquids onto a plane, the TSA requires all containers to be at or under the 3.4-ounce size limitations. All bottles must fit in a quart-sized bag and, if a bottle is larger than 3.4 ounces, it must be checked before going through security. According to the TSA, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols, all count as liquids and must be in approved bottles.

Do toiletry bottles have to be clear to pass TSA?

No, toiletry bottles are not required to be clear to pass TSA as long as they follow the other rules (3.-ounce bottle limitations that all fit in a single quart-sized bag). Keeping your liquids in clear bottles may speed up the screening process if there is an issue with your items during security, but you are allowed to use colored bottles if you wish. Additionally, according to the TSA travel checklist, the toiletry bag that you use to carry your bottles must be clear if you are packing it in your carry-on luggage to go through security with you. Toiletry bags that are packed in your checked luggage are not required to follow this rule, or the liquids sizing rule.

Are silicone or plastic toiletry bottles better?

In general, silicone toiletry bottles are more durable than hard plastic bottles, as they aren’t prone to cracking or breaking like harder plastic materials. However, when it comes to leaking, both can have the potential to expel liquids so it depends on the quality of each product.

How do I clean toiletry bottles?

Cleaning out toiletry bottles can be extremely difficult depending on the style of the container. Bottles with wide mouths can be easily rinsed out and dried but other bottles with smaller necks or no cap can make it difficult to switch products. In some cases, it might be easier just to keep refilling the same bottle with the same thing but some sets will come with brushes or spatulas to clean out all of the product.

You May Also Need

If you're heading on a trip soon, you want to make sure you're as organized as possible. These accessories will help you keep everything in its place.

Away Large Toiletry Bag: This large toiletry bag holds more than you would expect just by looking at it. It has plenty of individual compartments to keep your things organized.

Béis The Cosmetic Case: This easy-to-pack cosmetic case from luggage brand Béis is durable, spacious, and has a luxe look. It also features a large built-in mirror, which is useful while traveling.

Port & Polish AM/PM Pill Organizer: Don't forget to take any of your pills or vitamins with this pill organizer that can fit a week’s worth of medication with clear separation for morning and evening doses.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L commerce writer, Anna Popp, writes most of the team's tested content where we recommend products we got our hands on in the lab or out in the world. Anna participated in this test and evaluated two types of toiletry bottles. She’s currently long-term testing the Cadence capsules while traveling and looks forward to reporting back on how they hold up over time.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.