The 6 Best Things We Bought in 2023

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

See recent posts by Caroline Morse Teel

As frequent travelers, the SmarterTravel team is constantly shopping for the best travel gear out there, along with the best items to make our life at home easier when we’re not on the road. But which items actually live up to the hype? We polled our team to find out what everyone’s number one purchase was this year.

Bose QuietComfort 45 Noise-Canceling Headphones

The sound quality and noise-canceling capability of Bose’s QuietComfort 45 headphones is incredible. They can connect to multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously, so you don’t have to unpair and reconnect whenever you want to swap between devices. My old pair of QuietComfort headphones lasted for 11 years and just started breaking down these past few months, so I feel confident these are a good investment quality-wise. —Carol M.

Car Trash Can

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your car clean, this trash can does wonders. It attaches to your middle console so it won’t get tossed around in the car. It’s a lifesaver for road trips!—Megan J.

Hotel Luxury Fitted Sheets

Bed made up with yellow Extra Deep Cal King Fitted Sheets — Amazon

I’m in love with these deep-pocket California King bed sheets! They stretch to provide full coverage all the way down the mattress. Even with a mattress topper and mattress pad, these sheets don’t pop off. They’re very soft, super cooling, and maintain their softness and appearance after washing.—Jennifer W.

Janji Transit Tech Pants

I really enjoy Janji’s Transit Tech pants—they’re super lightweight and great for going on a hike (even when it’s pretty warm outside). I’ve worn them a bunch on travel days, including when I was changing climates between Norway, Italy, and the United States. But they are also comfortable enough to just wear around the house.—Mike M.

Asics Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes

ASICS GEL GEL-Renma Pickleball Shoes in blue — Zappos

Just bought these Asics Pickleball shoes and am in love! They’re affordable, cute, supportive, and allow for great movement on the court.—Kelly G.

Loop Quiet Earplugs

Ads for Loop’s Quiet Earplugs followed me around the internet for months before I caved and bought them, and I’m so glad I did. Made from soft silicone, these are a million times more comfortable than regular foam earplugs. They’ve helped me block out noise and sleep better while camping, at loud hotels, and on flights full of screaming babies.—Caroline T.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.