As a team that's constantly travelling around the world, our editors have strong opinions when it comes to packing. A quality suitcase is a must, packing cubes are the secret key to travelling hand luggage only, and an organised wash bag is an absolute essential. The tricky part is pretty much every accessories brand, hotel and even airline has a wash bag now. Much like the mass of branded tote bags out there, the average bag tends to be a printed canvas zip-up pouch that can look nice but isn't that practical when it comes to travelling.
In our experience, the best way to choose the right travel wash bag depends on the kind of trip you're set to take.
For short trips: I love the ease of a clear case for stashing all of your essentials. Not only is it easy to find everything, but if you're travelling with only carry on luggage, a clear case avoids the need to unpack and repack your items into one of those plastic sleeves when going through security at the airport.
For long trips: Whether you're in one place for a long time or travelling around multiple destinations, hanging wash bags offer the feel of unpacking without having to actually unpack all of your products.
For beauty fans: Regardless of the length of your trip, if you're not one for travelling light consider investing in a cosmetic case, which are larger than your average wash bag and full of compartments and pouches to keep everything organised.
4 piece make-up bag set
Bagsmart toiletry travel bag
The best clear wash bags
4 piece make-up bag set
Why we like it: The three smaller bags all fit in the larger clear bag, but I tend to just travel with the large clear bag only. It can fit a lot and I love the top handle for lifting in and out of my suitcase. If I'm travelling hand luggage only I'll take the clear smaller pouch, and if I'm taking a long trip I'll pack my shampoo and conditioner in one of the black sheer bags. Lauren Burvill
Medium travel bag
Why we like it: If you’re travelling for more than a couple of days, I use theSpace NK Large Travel BagsorMedium Travel Bags. They are brilliant for organising your wares into categories, and because they’re clear, it’s easy to find things fast. Anita Bhagwandas
Paravel mini Cabana cosmetics case
Why we like it: As one of the best luggage brands, Paravel clearly know what they're doing when it comes to packing. With a chic tonal design, this might not be one for airport security, but it is one of the chicest wash bags we've ever seen.
For long trips: hanging wash bags
Bagsmart toiletry travel bag
Why we like it: After hours of research, Bagsmart Toiletry Travel Bag With Hook is the ultimate long-haul travel bag. It may look like any other wash bag, but it is the smallest details that make this a winner. The design ensures that it packs flat, even when it’s stuffed full, there are compartments for everything you’d ever need, and it has a hanger to save valuable space in the bathroom. It’s perfect. Anita Bhagwandas
Away Hanging Toiletry Bag
Why we like it: I recently took this on a two week trip where I stayed at three different hotels. I was travelling with my family and this made storing and organising all of our bathroom items a breeze. I particularly loved the bottom compartment which can be completely detached and has a sheer top so you can store all of your in-flight essentials and take it through security and onto the flight. Very clever. Lauren Burvill
Stackers hanging wash bag
Why we love it: While it's slightly more compact that the standard hanging wash bag, this is one of the few I've found that actually looks nice while still offering a decent amount of space and pockets. It also comes with a clear removable wash bag too that you can take on the flight. Lauren Burvill
For beauty fans: vanity cases
The cosmetic case
Why we like it: Firstly, the colour – when it comes to brightly coloured luggage Beis is the best in the business. Inside there's plenty of storage and pockets including a very clever removable makeup brush holder with hidden magnets – a genius hack to avoid getting your brushes dirty or damaged. My favourite part though is the slip pocket with a removable mirror – ideal for when the lighting in your hotel bathroom isn't the best. Lauren Burvill
Vanity kit
We we like it: We're already a big fan of Anya Hindmarch's In-Flight bag. The British designer's vanity kit follows a similar design, with a smart leather trimmed exterior and an even smarter ‘place for everything and everything in its place’ labelling system in the interior. The case is deep enough so most products can be placed inside the main compartment standing up, while the top compartment has a range of holding straps to keep things like mascara and eyeliner in place. Lauren Burvill
Vanity case in Panama
Why we like it: For a truly luxe option, this Smythson case is crafted in their signature Panama cross grain leather and comes in three shades – black, pale blue and beige. Inside there are two main zip up compartments, as well as additional storage pockets including ruched pockets and elastic straps to keep everything neatly in place. Lauren Burvill
