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The 10 Best Purse Organizers to Keep You Organized While Traveling

Your key to staying neat and organized while on the go.

collage of Best Purse Organizers
Photo:

Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa

I’ve always been a handbag person. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been collecting and lusting after cool bags for my day-to-day life and travel as well. However, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I invested in my first purse organizer — and let me tell you, it really did make staying neat and organized while on the go so much easier.

Handbag organizers come in all shapes and styles which makes it easy to find something to fit bags of all sizes. You can also find purse organizers that can be removed and used as a bag in their own right as well as inserts that can be popped into different sized bags. I personally love the latter as it makes changing handbags a quick and seamless procedure.

The following purse organizers are some of the best we found online. These should suit most requirements whether you’re a new parent looking for something to transform your shoulder bag into a baby bag or an outdoor adventurer looking for something water-resistant to withstand the great outdoors.

Why We Love It
  • There are a total of 13 pockets and compartments.

What to Consider
  • The wool blend material is quite heavy.

The Omstyle Purse Organizer Insert for Handbags is my personal favorite handbag organizer and the model that I use the most — both for traveling and throughout my day-to-day life. This insert is crafted from a flexible wool blend material that adds structure to loose tote-style bags but fits just as well in more structured leather bags. It has a total of 13 pockets and compartments that make organizing your gear incredibly simple while the flexible material can be removed from one bag and popped into another very easily.

This purse organizer is available in a whole bunch of cool colorways, from basics like beige and black to luxurious-leaning bright red and forest green. The soft wool blend also allows you to use this on more expensive bags without worrying about scratching or damaging the interior lining of your purse.

The only thing you’ll want to consider is that this purse organizer is quite a bit heavier than other options on the list. While the wool blend does feel luxurious and gentle on your handbag, it definitely will add some heft to your purse.

The Details: 5 x 5 x 0.7 inches | 10 percent wool, 90 percent polyester | 13 pockets

Why We Love It
  • The adjustable drawstring is versatile and convenient.

What to Consider
  • The canvas material is pretty thick.

You might not think you need a handbag organizer for your small purses — but having designated spots for your items is just as beneficial in a small bag as it is a larger tote. The Vercord Canvas Handbag Organizer allows you to easily find designated spots for your smartphone, lipstick, and any other items you’d throw into your small handbag. We also like that it’s equipped with a drawstring that allows you to shrink the organizer in order to fit it into your smallest handbags or expand it for a more medium-sized bag.

The one thing we don't love about this organizer is that the canvas material, while durable, is pretty thick. It’s not a huge deal because of the collapsible drawstring, but it might be a tight squeeze in teeny-tiny handbags.

The Details: 3.2 x 9.1 x 6.3 inches | Canvas | 8 pockets

Why We Love It
  • Its lightweight construction won’t weigh down your purse.

What to Consider
  • The polyester material may not stand up to stains as well as other options.

If you’ve ever tried to find something in the bottom of a large bag, we don’t have to convince you of the merits of a purse organizer. The Container Store Large Purse Organizer is the best option for medium and larger-sized purses and carry-on bags thanks to its lightweight design and ample compartments.

The polyester material won’t add any extra bulk or weight to your large bag (which is likely already pretty heavy!) while the various-sized pockets and compartments means everything from your water bottle to your lip balm will have a designated home.

Though the material isn’t as stain and water-resistant as some nylon options, it's easy to spot clean with soap and warm water. This one will be worth the splurge if you want something lightweight that will fit in a larger-sized purse.

The Details: 4.5 x 10 x 7.5 inches | Polyester | 7 pockets

Why We Love It
  • The modular design makes it easy to fit everything from diapers to bottles.

What to Consider
  • It has a plastic-y smell that takes a while to air out.

If you’ve ever wondered how some parents manage to find stylish and practical baby bags — this is probably their secret. You don’t necessarily need a designated diaper bag when you can invest in something like the Comicfs Baby Diaper Bag Insert Organizer.

This clever water-resistant organizer allows you to transform your day-to-day handbag into a diaper bag with designated spots for all your essentials. The modular design allows this insert to grow with your little one with pockets that can fold and bend based on your specific needs.

Although this purse organizer offers a very convenient water-resistant make, the material does give off a bit of a plastic-y smell when it’s first opened but the smell does go away with time and use.

The Details: 12 x 6.4 x 8 inches | Water-resistant fabric material | 6 pockets

Why We Love It
  • It’s a great price point for the quality of the insert.

What to Consider
  • The material is very thin and not sturdy.

Looking for something suitable for your outdoor bag or backpack? The Vercord Nylon Purse Organizer Insert is an awesome solution for anyone in search of a purse organizer that will withstand the elements. We love that it’s crafted from durable nylon and includes a total of 13 pockets for added convenience. It’s also a huge bonus that this insert is equipped with straps and can be easily removed from one bag and popped into another (or used as a bag all on its own).

The one thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that because of its nylon material, this purse insert isn’t as sturdy as some of the other options. It is not a big deal if you’re using it in a structured bag, but it might not give the results you’re looking for if you want something to add structure to your purse.

The Details: 2.5 x 8.2 x 5.5 inches | Nylon | 13 pockets

Why We Love It
  • The microfiber fabric is very easy to clean.

What to Consider
  • The advertised measurements are slightly off.

You can never be too careful when it comes to keeping your financial and personal information safe while traveling. The Travelon RFID-blocking Classic Purse Organizer offers an added layer of protection while still providing ample organization for your gear. This purse organizer is crafted from microfiber fabric that can easily be wiped clean with a wet cloth. It’s also designed with two top handles that allow you to easily swap out your bag as needed.

You’ll want to consider the fact that the measurements for this purse organizer are slightly off — so when measuring your bag, be sure to give yourself a little wiggle room to ensure the organizer can comfortably fit inside your purse.

The Details: 9.5 x 6.8 x 9.5 inches | Microfiber | 6 pockets

Why We Love It
  • It comes with a USB-rechargeable LED light that helps you find your things quicker.

What to Consider
  • The main compartment is not as spacious as other options on this list.

The Shingone Purse Organizer Insert makes it easier than ever to locate even the smallest items in your handbag. The vegan leather purse insert offers a grand total of 15 pockets and pouches, but the best part is the built-in LED flashlight. The light keychain is just bright enough to use as a spotlight within your handbag in order to locate whatever it is that seems to be hiding.

The one downside is that the main compartment of the organizer isn’t as spacious as some other options we listed, which might make it more fitting for smaller or mid-sized purses. That said, the structured material will hold up well in your handbag. Plus, it’s worth it for the 15 convenient pockets!

The Details: 10.2 x 7.5 x 3.9 inches | Vegan leather | 15 pockets

Why We Love It
  • The fun design options can easily work as a handbag on their own.

What to Consider
  • The silk-like interior lining is quite delicate.

Packing for travel is all about finding items that can serve multiple purposes — and the Btsky Printing Handbag Organizers Inside Purse Insert is a great example of that. The colorful purse organizer functions as a regular insert — but the fun designs, full zip closure, and top handles means you can easily use this bag as a little purse all on its own. We also love that this option is available in a huge variety of different patterns and colors to best suit your style (even if you’re only going to use it as an insert).

The one issue that may arise with this purse organizer is with the interior lining, which is a delicate silk-like fabric. If you have anything sharp that you keep in your bag or if you handle your purse on the rough side, you might accidentally tear the lining.

The Details: 3.74 x 11.61 x 6.3 inches | Nylon | 8 pockets

Why We Love It
  • This elegant option is chic and durable.

What to Consider
  • It’s pricier than other options.

The Clexion Leather Tote Bag Organizer Insert is an awesome purse organizer for those looking for something a little more high-end than your average polyester or nylon organizer. The chic insert is crafted from a buttery soft vegan leather and features a minimal top closure for keeping all your gear in one spot while on the go. It also boasts five roomy pockets that allow you to fit everything from a book to a water bottle.

Keep in mind that this option is crafted from a higher-end vegan leather material and as such the price point is a bit higher. It might be worth the splurge if you want something a little more sophisticated than your average purse insert.

The Details: 5.5 x 11.5 x 9.6 inches | Vegan leather | 5 pockets

Why We Love It
  • There are three zippered separators for organizing your everyday essentials.

What to Consider
  • It might be too bulky for a small purse.

The Cotopaxi Cada Dia Nido Accessory Bag is going to be your best bet if you want a zippered purse organizer that you can easily pull in and out of your bag as needed. This option comes equipped with three zippered compartments that have space for plenty of storage as well as inner pockets for organizing smaller items. We also like that this option is crafted from recycled nylon that is both durable and sustainable and is available in a handful of fun colorways like tamarindo (orange/blue) and spruce (olive green/blue).

This pouch has three zippered compartments and three pockets for organizing your gear, but we recommend measuring your purse size to ensure it's a proper fit.

The Details: 9 x 6 x 5 inches | Recycled nylon | 3 pockets

Tips for Buying a Purse Organizer

Measure your bag first

Before you rush out and order the first purse organizer you think fits the bill, you’ll want to make sure to carefully measure the interior of your bag(s) first. The main thing you’ll want to ensure is that you give yourself a bit of wiggle room when measuring to ensure your insert will fit. Look for an insert with measurements that are at least a quarter of an inch smaller than the interior of your bag.

Determine what items you carry the most

Think about what items you carry the most before buying a purse organizer. If you tend to pack lighter, you probably won’t need something with a dozen pockets and pouches. If you carry larger items, like a water bottle or a book, be sure to look for inserts with pockets that will easily fit the gear you carry so you won’t have to cram anything in a pocket that is too small.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How does an insert help organize a purse?

    The great thing about a purse organizer is that it provides a designated home for each and every item in your bag. This means that you won’t have to dig for smaller items lost in the depths of your purse because you’ll always know exactly where everything is (and nothing will be stuck underneath anything else).

  • Can I use one organizer for multiple purses?

    You can absolutely use one organizer for multiple purses — this is actually a great solution for anyone who swaps out their purse on a regular basis. That said, if you plan to do so, make sure you choose an insert that can fit into each of your bags. You can also opt for a purse insert with a drawstring that can be adjusted based on the different sizes of your bags.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, Kaitlyn McInnis researched the best purse organizers to fit most needs for both travel and day-to-day life. She also used her own shopping experience, having utilized different sizes and styles of purse organizers for her embarrassingly vast handbag collection.

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Edited by
Jasmine Grant
Jasmine Grant
Jasmine is a senior commerce editor at Travel + Leisure, specializing in luggage and travel accessories. Jasmine has over a decade of experience as a writer and editor in lifestyle and travel media. In her spare time, she's probably planning her next voyage to a nearby Caribbean island.
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