TSA 3-1-1 Toiletry Kits and Travel Bottles, Explained (2026)
TSA’s official liquids rule is a quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag, containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, and one bag per passenger. A branded clear toiletry case is not automatically that bag. On official pages fetched November 10, 2026, Away’s Clear Toiletry Bag is $75 and 8.3 × 5.5 × 3.6 in — useful as a clear organizer, not a claimed quart 3-1-1 substitute. Matador’s FlatPak bottle is $15; the same page says both 3 fl oz (100 mL) and a 3 oz (90 mL) volume. Cadence’s Large Capsule is $38 and 2.75 fl oz, with a stated fit of four in a quart-sized bag.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
TSA’s official liquids rule is a quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag, containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, and one bag per passenger. A branded clear toiletry case is not automatically that bag. Best official explanation of the rule itself: Away Clear Toiletry Bag, $75. Best hard capsule with a stated quart-bag fit: Cadence The Large Capsule, $38.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 10, 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best official explanation of the rule itself | Away Clear Toiletry Bag | A clear organizer you can see through, if you still pack liquids in a separate quart zip-top bag | $75 on Away’s official Clear Toiletry Bag (Jet Black) page, November 10, 2026. |
| Best soft bottle with a written volume (and a same-page conflict) | Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle | A soft, flat 90 mL bottle, if you accept a same-page 90 mL vs 100 mL conflict and still use a quart zip-top bag | $15 on Matador’s official FlatPak Toiletry Bottle page, November 10, 2026. |
| Best hard capsule with a stated quart-bag fit | Cadence The Large Capsule | A hard 2.75 fl oz capsule with a stated count of how many fit in a quart-sized bag | $38 on Cadence’s official The Large Capsule page, November 10, 2026. |
We fetched TSA’s official Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule and Travel Checklist, plus official product pages for Away’s Clear Toiletry Bag, Matador’s FlatPak Toiletry Bottle, and Cadence’s Large Capsule, all on November 10, 2026. We have not screened these items at a checkpoint, and we do not invent scores. TSA does not publish a product-approval list for toiletry bags or bottles. When a brand writes “TSA approved” or “TSA-compliant,” we report that as the brand’s wording and compare it with TSA’s written 3.4-ounce / 100-milliliter container limit and the quart-sized zip-top bag rule. Confirm the live size, volume, and checkout price before you buy.
For checkpoint locks, see TSA-accepted luggage locks. For what actually goes in the bag, start with the liquids rule, not the brand name on the pouch.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Item | Official price (Nov 10, 2026) | Official size or volume | What the official page actually claims | Warranty / returns, as stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSA 3-1-1 rule (the requirement) | Not a product | Containers 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less; one quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag; one bag per passenger | Liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on must meet this rule. Medications and infant or child nourishments have official exemptions. Duty-free liquids on inbound international connections have separate STEB rules (tamper-evident bag, receipt, purchase within 48 hours). | TSA is the rule-setter, not a seller. |
| Away Clear Toiletry Bag | $75 | 8.3 × 5.5 × 3.6 in; 0.5 lb; TPU with over 50% recycled leather. The page does not publish a liter capacity for this model. | Clear, water-repellent, wipeable plastic; two compartments; pockets “designed to fit your travel-sized bottles”; leather handle. The official page does not say this bag is a quart-sized 3-1-1 zip-top bag. | 100-day unused returns. Limited one-year warranty on bags and accessories for functional damage from manufacturing defects or unexpected rough travel — not Away LifetimeCare, which the same page describes for suitcases. |
| Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle | $15 | Tech specs: volume 3 oz (90 mL); 4.3 × 3.1 × 0.9 in; 0.41 oz (11.5 g). Marketing on the same page: “TSA approved — 3fl oz (100mL) capacity.” | Soft 30D Cordura ripstop, PFAS-free; flip cap; large fill opening; snap loop. Not intended for food or drink. Do not use with products that contain alcohols. Matador also recommends putting the bottles in a plastic zipper bag. | 2-year warranty; Matador says it will repair or replace free of charge. 30-day returns; final-sale, limited-edition, and limited-quantity items are excluded. |
| Cadence The Large Capsule | $38 | 2.75 fl oz; 3.7 in H × 1.8 in W × 2 in L. Official chart also lists Medium 1.32 fl oz and Small 0.56 fl oz. | Magnetic, leakproof capsule. Official fit in a quart-sized bag: 4 Large, 7 Medium, or 20 Small. Cadence calls the system “TSA-Compliant” and says an optional Extender “preserves TSA-approved dimensions.” That is Cadence’s wording, not a TSA product listing. | The product page points returns to Cadence FAQs. We did not fetch a numbered return window on this page, so we are not stating one. |
The picks in detail
1. Away Clear Toiletry Bag
Best for: A clear organizer you can see through, if you still pack liquids in a separate quart zip-top bagAway lists the Clear Toiletry Bag at $75 on the official Jet Black page we fetched November 10, 2026: 8.3 in long × 5.5 in wide × 3.6 in high, 0.5 lb, in TPU with a leather handle and “over 50% recycled leather.” Features include a larger U-zip compartment, an interior zip pocket, pockets designed to fit travel-sized bottles, and a branded elastic loop for a toothbrush or makeup brush. The official copy never says this is a quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag, and we are not going to treat it as one. Those exterior dimensions are larger than a typical U.S. quart bag; you can use the Away case to organize bottles, but TSA’s written rule is still the quart-sized zip-top bag, 3.4 ounces or less per container, and one bag per passenger. Returns are 100 days on unused items. The warranty is the bags-and-accessories limited one-year term, not suitcase LifetimeCare.
Price (Nov 10, 2026): $75 on Away’s official Clear Toiletry Bag (Jet Black) page, November 10, 2026. Source
Pros
- Official clear, wipeable TPU design with two compartments and a flat leather handle
- Pockets described as sized for travel-sized bottles
- 100-day unused returns and a written one-year accessory warranty
Cons
- The official page does not claim this is a quart-sized 3-1-1 zip-top bag, and the exterior size is larger than that bag
- At $75 it is an organizer, not the inexpensive zip-top bag TSA describes
- We have not put it through a TSA checkpoint
2. Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle
Best for: A soft, flat 90 mL bottle, if you accept a same-page 90 mL vs 100 mL conflict and still use a quart zip-top bagMatador lists the FlatPak Toiletry Bottle at $15 on the official page we fetched November 10, 2026. The tech-specs block says volume 3 oz (90 mL), 4.3 × 3.1 × 0.9 in, and 0.41 oz. Elsewhere on the same page, Matador writes “TSA approved — 3fl oz (100mL) capacity.” Those two official figures are not the same, so we are not averaging them. 90 mL is under TSA’s 100 ml container limit; 100 mL is the limit itself. TSA’s published rule is about container size and the quart-sized bag, not a product-approval badge. Matador also tells you not to use the bottle with products that contain alcohols, not to use it for food or drink, and — separately — recommends putting the bottles in a plastic zipper bag, which is closer to TSA’s own bag language. Warranty is two years with repair or replacement; returns are 30 days, with final-sale exclusions.
Price (Nov 10, 2026): $15 on Matador’s official FlatPak Toiletry Bottle page, November 10, 2026. Source
Pros
- Official 90 mL / 3 oz tech-spec volume sits under TSA’s 3.4 oz / 100 ml container limit
- Very light official weight (0.41 oz) and a flat soft-sided shape
- Written 2-year warranty and a 30-day return window (with listed exclusions)
Cons
- The same official page also claims a 3 fl oz (100 mL) “TSA approved” capacity — a conflict we will not flatten
- TSA does not publish a product-approval list for these bottles
- Not for alcohol-containing products or food; some review reports of leaks exist, which we have not tested
3. Cadence The Large Capsule
Best for: A hard 2.75 fl oz capsule with a stated count of how many fit in a quart-sized bagCadence lists The Large Capsule at $38 on the official page we fetched November 10, 2026: 2.75 fluid ounces, 3.7 in high × 1.8 in wide × 2 in long, with magnets on the top, bottom, and sides. The same official size chart says four Large Capsules fit in a quart-sized bag, seven Medium (1.32 fl oz) capsules, or 20 Small (0.56 fl oz) capsules. 2.75 fl oz is under TSA’s 3.4-ounce container limit. Cadence markets the system as “TSA-Compliant” and says an optional Extender “preserves TSA-approved dimensions.” That is Cadence’s language. TSA’s rule is still container size plus the quart-sized zip-top bag; we did not fetch a TSA product listing for these capsules, and we did not fetch the Extender’s own volume on this page, so we are not adding that volume to 2.75 fl oz. The product page points returns to Cadence FAQs rather than stating a numbered window here, so we do not invent one.
Price (Nov 10, 2026): $38 on Cadence’s official The Large Capsule page, November 10, 2026. Source
Pros
- Official 2.75 fl oz volume is under TSA’s 3.4 oz container limit
- Official quart-bag fit is stated in writing: four Large Capsules
- Same official chart covers Small and Medium sizes if you need less volume
Cons
- $38 per Large Capsule is a high price for a single 2.75 fl oz container
- “TSA-Compliant” and “TSA-approved dimensions” are Cadence’s wording, not a TSA product listing
- We did not fetch a numbered return window on this product page
Also considered
We did not include Away’s fabric Small or Large toiletry bags in the picks because we fetched the Clear Toiletry Bag as the clear model that shoppers often confuse with a 3-1-1 bag. We also did not add other travel-bottle brands we could not fetch official volumes for on November 10, 2026. If a listing only says “TSA approved” without a volume in ounces or milliliters, treat that as incomplete.
What TSA’s 3-1-1 rule actually says
On the official Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule page we fetched November 10, 2026, TSA requires that liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in a carry-on be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, that those containers fit in one quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag, and that each passenger get one such bag. The Travel Checklist repeats the same three numbers — 3.4 ounces or less per container, one quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag, one bag per passenger — and tells you to place that bag in the front pocket of your carry-on, then remove it in a standard screening lane. TSA PreCheck lanes can differ; follow the signage at the airport.
Official exemptions exist for medications and for infant or child nourishment, which can exceed 3.4 ounces, with additional screening. Duty-free liquids bought internationally and carried on a connecting flight into the United States have a separate STEB rule: the items should remain in the retailer’s secure, tamper-evident bag, with no signs of tampering, and you should have the receipt, with the purchase generally within 48 hours. We are quoting TSA, not giving screening advice for a specific itinerary. If you are unsure about an item, TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” list is the official lookup.
A clear toiletry case is not automatically the quart bag
The confusion is almost always the pouch, not the bottle. A hard-sided clear case can make it easier to see what you packed, and Away’s official copy leans on “instant visibility” and pockets for travel-sized bottles. TSA’s written requirement is still a quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag. We calculated a rough exterior volume for Away’s 8.3 × 5.5 × 3.6 in case at about 164 cubic inches, which is larger than a U.S. liquid quart (57.75 cubic inches). That is why we will not call it a 3-1-1 bag. Pack the bottles so they also satisfy the quart-bag rule, or put the 3-1-1 bag itself in the front pocket as TSA’s checklist describes.
The same caution applies to “TSA approved” bottles. The test TSA publishes is container size (3.4 ounces / 100 milliliters or less) plus fit in that one bag. Matador’s official 90 mL spec clears the volume limit; its 100 mL marketing line sits on the limit. Cadence’s 2.75 fl oz Large Capsule clears the volume limit, and Cadence is the only brand here that states how many units fit in a quart-sized bag. Brand badges do not replace those two checks.
Who should skip this guide
- Travelers who only need the official liquids rule. TSA’s own 3-1-1 page and Travel Checklist are enough; you do not need a $75 organizer to follow them.
- Anyone packing full-size toiletries in a checked bag. The 3-1-1 rule is a carry-on screening rule, not a checked-bag volume cap.
- Shoppers who want a ranked “best toiletry kit” from a lab test. We have not leak-tested or screened these products.
- People flying only with medication or infant nourishment that exceeds 3.4 ounces. Use TSA’s official exemption language, not a travel-bottle product page.
Frequently asked questions
Does a clear Away toiletry bag count as my TSA 3-1-1 bag?
Is a 3-ounce travel bottle small enough?
How many Cadence Large Capsules fit in a quart-sized bag?
Does TSA officially approve Matador or Cadence bottles?
Are medications limited to 3.4 ounces?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 10, 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- TSA: Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule (3-1-1) — 3.4 oz / 100 ml, quart-sized zip-top bag, one bag per passenger; medication, infant, and duty-free STEB notes (fetched Nov 10, 2026) (tsa.gov)
- TSA: Travel Checklist — 3-1-1 bag in the front pocket; remove it in a standard screening lane (fetched Nov 10, 2026) (tsa.gov)
- Away: Clear Toiletry Bag (Jet Black) official page — $75, 8.3 × 5.5 × 3.6 in, 0.5 lb, 100-day unused returns, one-year accessory warranty (fetched Nov 10, 2026) (awaytravel.com)
- Matador: FlatPak Toiletry Bottle official page — $15; 3 oz / 90 mL tech spec and 3 fl oz / 100 mL “TSA approved” line; 2-year warranty (fetched Nov 10, 2026) (matadorequipment.com)
- Cadence: The Large Capsule official page — $38, 2.75 fl oz, quart-bag fit chart for Small / Medium / Large (fetched Nov 10, 2026) (keepyourcadence.com)
- United Airlines: Carry-on bags — restates TSA’s 3.4 oz / quart-size sealable bag rule for liquids (fetched Nov 10, 2026) (united.com)
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