I saw people online obsessing over these really expensive reusable travel bottles and couldn't figure out the draw — so I put them to the test. I regret to inform you that Cadence Capsules really are that good.

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I'm turning 30 this year, and one of my goals for the next decade is to travel more (I know, so original). I just went on my first big international trip last year, though I wish I'd known about Cadence Capsules before I went.

My Instagram algorithm was a little late on the draw for me to invest in these expensive little pods so close to my trip, but I kept getting ads from polished jet-setter types about how amazing they are. So, I decided to test them out between now and my next adventure and see for myself about the hype.

What are Cadence Capsules?

Cadence Capsules are reusable toiletry containers designed to organize pills, lotions, potions, or any other tiny items that can easily get lost in a suitcase mid-travel. They're mostly for storing medications and beauty products, but you can get creative with how you fill them.

A system is made up of matte hexagonal Capsules varying in size, which stack together magnetically (the same way Fenty beauty products do) with a satisfying, ASMR-level click. You can keep easily keep track of what's inside thanks to the several interchangeable magnetic tile labels, which to me look a lot cleaner and more efficient than my smudgy handwriting.

The honeycomb design saves space in my carry-on

Before I went home for the holidays, I packed my petal pink Capsule system in its matching petal pink Cadence Parcel. It's a clear, quart-sized bag that meets TSA requirements (and looks good doing it). It's not my favorite travel makeup bag I've ever used, but I like how it functions like a tray when I'm getting ready with limited counter space.

I take magnesium each night before bed so I brought a week's worth, which fit in one Small Capsule. I take a few other medications as needed, so I brought two extra small Capsules as back up.

Instead I ended up using them for my jewelry, and — if we can be real — they work well for storing cannabis buds, too. I'm also thinking ahead on how to use them in summer, and I think they'd be great for storing herbs and spices when camping. They're not technically food-safe (but only because companies can either be certified for ocean-bound plastic or food-safe, not both).

Why are they so expensive?

A big reason Cadense Capsules are so expensive is because they're made with recycled plastics. It's a costly, laborious process to source recycled plastic and give it a whole new shape, color, and purpose. Cadence claims it uses 20% ocean-bound plastics to form its TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), the same of which Nike uses. The AAPI, woman-led company also keeps it fulfillment and design teams local, so you're paying for an ethically-made product.

They're fun to use, but still not the best method for packing fluids

My dream for the next big innovation in travel accessories is a method that doesn't waste all my expensive hair products. Cadence offers Adapters (which notably, are also quite expensive) to help pour in fluids without spilling, but I hate the fact that I'm wasting even a minuscule amount of my curl defining cream.

That said, the Capsules never leaked on me once. Plus, the curved Spatula made it easy to scoop out every hard-to-reach drop of product. And since every Capsule is labeled with its fluid ounce capacity, you can rest assured you're packing according to strict airline requirements.

The bottom line

If you're a frequent flier who packs a lot of medications, then I say a Cadence Capsule system is worth the splurge. I rarely feel this put-together when I'm traveling, but the sleek, customizable design has put me in control of all my odds and ends.

I didn't find them particularly helpful as someone who struggles the most with packing fluids, but the Cadence Capsules are really satisfying to use and look at. Even though they're pricier than almost any alternative, the aesthetic is unmatched.

Shop all Cadence travel systems here.