We tested several great bags whose features or designs just didn’t have a place in the top spots above. However, everyone has something different they look for in a toiletry bag, so while they aren’t perfect for us, some of these options may be perfect for you.
State Bags Benson Toiletry Kit for $68: This is a solid, simple bag with three mesh pouches and a snap-open plastic envelope that can hold a toothbrush and toothpaste or shower items like soap. The navy version I tried had a wipe-clean polyester-coated exterior and an interior made from recycled bottles, and I liked that it had the option to hang. However, the organization was more rudimentary than similarly rated bags we tested, and it lacked some of the thoughtful details featured on other bags in the same price range, such as a quick-access pouch on the back and a larger hook with a rubber band. tip to avoid slipping. (The small, thick plastic hook on this bag wasn’t even wide enough to hang on a towel rack.)
July Hanging Toiletry Bag for $85: I own and love July’s carry-on suitcaseso I was excited to try the brand’s popular hanging toiletry bag. It’s a great design with a zippered pouch on the back, plus a body that zips closed to reveal PVC zippered compartments and pouch and a large, rubber-tipped metal hook that stows away. It looks well-made and elegant with leather trim and brass hardware, but my husband took it on a business trip and found that its pockets are quite small, confirming a concern I had when I tried it in the bathroom at home . It wouldn’t be a problem if the bag itself was small, but it would take up a quarter of your carry-on luggage.
Fjallraven Kanken Toiletry Bag for $55: I love this, it makes me feel like a Red Cross nurse on the battlefields of World War II. It’s made from Fjallraven’s proprietary fabric blend that combines organic cotton with recycled polyester, so it feels like a fabric but is more waterproof and durable. It has a clamshell design with a sturdy interior plastic hook. My quart bottle bag goes in the huge bottom zipper compartment, my toothbrush and deodorant in the top compartment, and there are mesh pockets and MOLLE straps so your small things are easily visible. However, its dimensions are very large, so this one may not be for you if you are a minimalist and only have a toothbrush and a comb. —Adrienne So
Calpak Clear Cosmetic Case for $85: Constructed largely of water-resistant, wipe-clean PVC, this clear cosmetic case (I tried the medium size) closes completely and folds flat to reveal two zippered compartments and a smaller zippered mesh pouch . It also looks like a cute little bag with its 16 fashionable color options, double handles, and metal studs at the bottom. However, access to the contents is not as easy as other cosmetic cases that simply open from the top: you have to lay the Calpak flat to open both sides, which requires a 16-by-10-inch space, and the completely transparent lid. The construction is not very discreet.
Simple Dopp Kit for $75: I liked this bag’s durable Cordura exterior and the clip that can be stored for hanging, as well as the fact that it has a lifetime warranty. The bag opens in a clamshell shape to reveal four simple waterproof zipper pockets: two slim horizontal ones, one small rectangle, and one larger rectangle. It’s an interesting idea, but in practice, this severely limits usefulness, as the user is restricted to specific toiletry-sized products that fit the shape of each of the pockets. (My deodorant didn’t fit, nor did a toothbrush in a case.)
Lululemon Command the Day Dopp Kit for $48: This simple water-repellent canvas bag has an attractive unisex design (black only). I like that it’s made from recycled polyester and that the spacious bottom mesh compartment can hold full-size products. However, the bag does not hang or open completely to lay flat, nor does it stand on its own, so it is forced to take up considerable space (about 8.5 x 11 inches) on the counter. I was also frustrated on multiple occasions when trying to access my toiletries during the testing period, especially with the bottom mesh compartment. This compartment must be fully zipped open and closed to access, and items frequently fall out due to the bag’s inability to stay flat.