Toiletries can get really bulky really fast. If you’re like me and try to pack on the lighter side, then you know that toiletries can take up precious packing space. Does that stop me from bringing my toiletries? That largely depends on where and for how long I’m traveling, but mostly, the answer is no.
Not only do you have to worry about all of your toiletries fitting in your bag, but there’s always the potential for a leak, which can be a mess. When I saw the Lasbottle 4-in-1 Travel Dispenser, I had to give it a go. The idea of having everything I’d need for a shower all packed into one container sounded like the ideal situation. Plus, this handy little travel gadget rings in at an affordable $30.
My immediate impression of the gadget was positive. While it’s got its drawbacks, it is a handy piece of travel gear you may want to consider adding to your traveler wardrobe. Here’s what I thought once I filled it up and put it to use.
Designed to make traveling with liquids and gels a breeze, the Lasbottle Travel Dispenser allows you to carry up to four liquids in one container. The pump tube or spray bottle can work with most kinds of shampoos, conditioners, gels, face washes and more. The kit comes with 24 labels to customize your dispenser, and although it's on the bulky side, it can be great for travelers who are staying at hostels or in accommodations with shared bathrooms.
What we liked about it
It comes with everything you might need
The Lasbottle is just what it sounds like: a single dispenser that has four separate tubes to fill. Each of the four refillable pump bottles fits 1.5 ounces of liquid or gels, meaning each of them passes the TSA’s 3.4-ounce liquid restriction to take in your carry-on bag. In addition, the dispenser comes with 24 label stickers to customize your set, depending on the trip you’re planning to take.
The set also comes with a filling funnel, which makes adding your favorite liquids and gels easier and ensures nothing goes to waste. Finally, it comes with both a cleaning brush that you can use in between uses as well as a spray bottle attachment that may be a better distributor for your liquids than a pump. For just less than $30, you get a lot to ensure you’re traveling with the right tools without spending a fortune. And thanks to the cleaning brush, if you take care of it properly, it’ll last you for many trips to come.
Convenience is key
There’s no denying that the 4-in-1 Travel Dispenser is convenient. You don’t have to juggle a handful of bottles or worry about forgetting one — instead, it’s a one-stop shop. Oftentimes there’s not a ton of storage in hotel, hostel or Airbnb showers or bathrooms, so having it all consolidated into one medium-size container is nice. Simply take it from your suitcase to the bathroom and back again after use.
When it comes time for use, the dispenser has a handy reusable wall hook, which allows you to prop the device up on a shower wall or elsewhere to ensure you have easy access.
Durability
In general, this product felt very sturdy to me. While it was a bit difficult to open, that reassured me that the travel bottles weren’t going to randomly fall out. Everything also fit very snugly inside the device, again reassuring me that the bottles were secured.
During the testing process, I also dropped it a few times and wasn’t necessarily gentle while packing or traveling with it, and it held up without a chip. All in all, I felt comfortable that it wasn’t going to break during travel or if it took an unexpected drop on the ground.
What we didn’t like about it
It’s a bit bulky
The 4-in-1 Travel Dispenser’s biggest downfall is that it’s a bit too bulky to be a travel must-have for me in all circumstances. Depending on what you’re planning to use it for, however, its size may not make a difference.
I really wanted this to replace my assorted travel-size bottles, but instead, it took up too much room in my toiletry bag and made it difficult to pack. Plus, if the goal is to pack this in your carry-on bag and you happen to be traveling through London Heathrow, for example, where security is notoriously strict on liquids, then you’ll likely have to pull the travel bottles out of the carrying case to fit all your liquids in the required clear plastic bag. To me, that’s too much of a hassle.
However, if you plan to use this for your car or gym bag, you likely wouldn’t have the same “bulky” complaint. Likewise, if it’s something you’re planning to put in your checked luggage, this shouldn’t be too much of a drawback.
Poor dispensary
If you’re looking to save your liquids, then the 4-in-1 Travel Dispenser can help, as the amount of product it pumps is very minimal. This may be a good thing depending on the product; however, I was using it for shampoo, conditioner, face wash and body wash — all products I want more than a pea-size amount of.
In all, it took quite a few pumps to get the amount I wanted and I found that a decent amount of it was getting stuck around the edges of the dispenser. The Amazon seller does note that the lid edge is 2mm higher than the press button to avoid potential leakage from an accidental press.
Bottom line
I loved the idea of this product and can still see myself using it for certain use cases like at the gym, but unfortunately, it wasn’t the travel must-have I was hoping it’d be. If you’re packing just a carry-on bag, it can be quite bulky. But, if you’re looking for something to take with you on the go and aren’t worried about maximizing your packing space, then this 4-in-1 Travel Dispenser may be worth trying. It does make a travel problem easier in avoiding bringing all of your individual liquids and gels to the bathroom by taking a single device. And for just less than $30, it’s at a price tag that won’t break the bank.
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