Tech & Gear Luggage The 9 Best Packing Cubes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed These items organize your luggage better By Alex Temblador Alex Temblador University of Central Oklahoma and University of Louisiana at Monroe Alex Temblador is a freelance journalist specializing in travel, the outdoors, and arts/culture. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 08/13/23 We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. TripSavvy / Chloe Jeong Packing for a trip is no easy feat, yet packing cubes can offer the organization and space we seek. But with so many packing cubes to choose from, how can we be sure which are the best? We took on this challenge and had six travelers test 23 packing cube sets. They stuffed clothes and toiletries into the packing cubes, running them through various tests to determine which worked the best in terms of capacity, design, quality, and value. The result? We found the top packing cubes in a wide range of categories, from the best for maximum compression to the best for durability, families, and more. The Rundown Best Overall: REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set at REI ($35) Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner-Up: Gonex Compression Packing Cubes at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Value: Veken Packing Cubes With Laundry and Shoe Bag at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Compression: Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes at Amazon ($22) Jump to Review Best for Families: Shacke Pak 5 Set Packing Cubes at Amazon ($21) Jump to Review Best Durability: Peak Design Packing Cubes at Amazon ($40) Jump to Review Best Personalized: Paravel Packing Cube Quad at Amazon ($65) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Calpak Packing Cubes 5-piece Set at Nordstrom ($68) Jump to Review Best Budget: eBags Classic Medium Compression Cube at Ebags.com (See Price) Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks Final Verdict How We Tested Others We Tested What to Look For FAQ Why Trust TripSavvy Best Overall REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set REI View On REI $35 What We Like Solid value Durable, protective exterior Big time space saving What We Don't Like Small set The REI Co-Op Expandable Packing Cube Set only comes with two cubes. However, our tester loved their clever design, which sees the zipper curve around the perimeter of the cube twice for ultimate compression. In fact, the medium cube can go from 13 liters to 8.5 liters, while the large cube’s capacity changes from 21 liters to 14 liters when using the compression zipper. Testers noted that the Bluesign-approved ripstop nylon fabric was akin to tent fabric and waterproof to boot. Of course, the mesh section won’t do much against water, but it does allow travelers to see what’s in the cube before opening it. The top handle makes pulling these cubes out of your suitcase easy, while the side handle is a bonus. For the price, you get two incredibly effective packing cubes with the kind of long-lasting material and stitching you’d expect from REI Co-op. The set fits comfortably in a carry-on suitcase and allows room for a toiletry bag. Dimensions: Large: 14.5 x 10.5 x 6 inches, medium: 12 x 8 x 6 inches | Material: Ripstop nylon (Bluesign-approved), polyester mesh (Bluesign-approved) | Number of Cubes: 2 TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik Best Overall, Runner-Up Gonex Compression Packing Cubes Amazon View On Amazon $30 View On Gonexsport.com What We Like Affordable Top handle Simple and effective What We Don't Like Could be more protective Our testers were surprised by the capabilities of this no-frills set of four packing cubes. They stuffed them all to the brim and used the double zippers to compress the cubes down. There was no indication that the threaded seams were stressed. This aspect made the testers overlook that the material is not as water-resistant as advertised. You can always double-wrap liquids, but you can’t always find packing cubes with excellent compression capabilities to fit a lot in a little space. Keep in mind, however, that the zippers do not go all the way around the cube. Our tester didn’t have any problem with that, but it is something we thought best to note. The four pieces range in size from small to extra-large, giving you plenty of options for organizing all your items. With tons of color options and a phenomenal price point, we had to choose this set as our runner-up. Dimensions: Extra-large: 17.3 x 13 x 3.54 inches, large: 4.5 x 10.6 x 3.54 inches, medium: 11.8 x 8.9 x 3.54 inches, small: 9.8 x 7.5 x 3.54 inches | Material: Ripstop nylon | Number of Cubes: 4 TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik Best Value Veken Packing Cubes With Laundry and Shoe Bag Amazon View On Amazon $20 What We Like Large selection of pieces Hassle-free packing system Contents are easily visible What We Don't Like Not ideal for over-packers You get a lot for a low price when it comes to the Veken Packing Cubes set. Buyers receive four cubes of various sizes plus two additional bags—a laundry bag and a shoe bag. The set comes in a wide range of colors but lacks a compression zipper, making them more apt for organization than saving space. See inside the cubes via the transparent strip of fabric and a small mesh section or just pack the cubes according to the clothing label found on the bottom right-hand corner of the cube. Because the packing cubes don’t have compression zippers, this set works best for travelers with large suitcases who simply want their belongings well organized and easy to find. Dimensions: Extra-large: 17.5 x 12.15 x 4 inches, large: 13.75 x 12.75 x 4 inches, medium: 13.75 x 9.75 x 4 inches, small: 11 x 6.75 x 4 inches, shoe bag: 16.96 x 9.06 x 4.72 inches, laundry bag: 20 x 14 inches | Material: Nylon, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyester | Number of Cubes: 4 cubes, 2 bags TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik Best Compression Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes Amazon View On Amazon $22 View On Welltraveledgear.com What We Like Great for highly organized travelers Choice of various shades Easy to maintain What We Don't Like Not water resistant The Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes set includes three cubes and one drawstring bag that can be used to store shoes or as a laundry bag. Available in a few colors, this set is reasonably priced and has an excellent compression zipper that maximizes your luggage space. In the larger cube, our tester fit one pair of jeans, two short-sleeve shirts, and two long-sleeve shirts. The medium cube fit two pairs of socks and two pairs of underwear; we packed the small cube with travel toiletries. When a traveler utilizes the compression zipper, the cubes go from 5 inches in width to 1 inch. These cubes are not as structured as they appear in marketing photos. And unfortunately, our tester found that they didn't protect against spilled liquids. That said, they are machine washable and have tiny pockets to fit one of the 50 luggage cards included in the package. Dimensions: Large: 10 x 5 x 14 inches, medium: 8 x 5 x 11.5 inches, small: 5.5 x 5 x 7 inches, laundry bag: 11 x 18 inches | Material: Twill fabric | Number of Cubes: 4 TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik The 9 Best Travel Toiletry Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best for Families Shacke Pak 5 Set Packing Cubes Amazon View On Amazon $21 View On Walmart $18 What We Like Budget-friendly Ventilation/viewing patches Also available in set of eight What We Don't Like Could be more functional Go with the packing cube set from Shacke Pak when packing for a family vacation. This five-piece set comes in a few color options and includes four cubes and one drawstring bag. Although our testers didn’t mention whether the fabric was water resistant or not, Shacke advertises that it is. Of course, that doesn’t include the mesh panels that allow you to look inside the cubes. The cubes don’t have compression zippers, so they’re primarily intended for those who need a lot of space to keep each family member’s clothes organized and separated. You’ll better fit all these cubes in a large suitcase than a carry-on bag. Investing in multiple sets (one for each family member) is also a realistic option given the set's reasonable price tag. Dimensions Extra-large: 17.5 x 12.75 x 4 inches, large: 13.75 x 12.75 x 4 inches, medium: 13.75 x 9.75 x 4 inches, small: 11 x 6.75 x 4 inches, Laundry Bag: 20.5 x 15.75 inches | Material: Unknown | Number of Cubes: 4 cubes, 1 bag TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik The 7 Best Travel Toiletry Bottles of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Durability Peak Design Packing Cubes Peak Design View On Amazon $40 View On Peakdesign.com View On REI What We Like Super light and tough fabric Two compartments Sustainably built What We Don't Like Pricey as a set Somewhat involved to get into You can buy Peak Design Packing Cubes as a single small or medium cube or shoe pouch or as a set of three, six, or eight. The way our testers raved about the small packing cube they tested, we suggest going for the three-piece set. But keep in mind the sets are expensive. These packing cubes come in three color options, are designed with two handles, and have a moveable internal divider that lets you separate clothes however you see fit. Thanks to the double compression zippers, you can fit two packing cubes in the space of one. More specifically, the cubes are about 6.7 inches wide when fully expanded and have the capability of compressing to 3.1 inches. It's important to note that you'll have to use both zippers simultaneously when you want to open the main compartment. These durable cubes are waterproof, though there is a slight gap near the zipper that, theoretically, water could get into. The likelihood of that happening is low. As we said, the price of this packing cube set is considerable, but with the superb craftsmanship and a lifetime guarantee warranty, you'll likely be satisfied with your buy. Dimensions: Medium: 12.6 x 12.6 x 6.7 inches, small: 12.6 x 6.7 x 6.7 inches | Material: Ripstop 70D nylon/poly shell | Number of Cubes: 1 to 8 TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik Best Personalized Paravel Packing Cube Quad Amazon View On Amazon $65 View On Tourparavel.com What We Like Water-resistant fabric View panel Sustainable materials What We Don't Like Not the most affordable Lacks some nice-to-have features We can see the Paravel Packing Cube Quad being a phenomenal gift for the traveler in your life, mainly because of the excellent colors and the opportunity to have the cubes embroidered with custom monograms. Of the four cubes, we used the larger one to pack three pairs of shoes and the medium cube to pack a couple of sweatpants, two long-sleeve shirts, two short-sleeve shirts, two pairs of underwear, and two pairs of socks. Basically, you can get a lot of clothes in the larger cubes and use the small cube for extra socks, underwear, or toiletries. Our tester noted that there was still some space left for them to pack more items in the cubes. Although the cubes have two-way zippers, they aren’t compression zippers. We were also surprised that the cubes didn’t have handles but liked that they do have clear windows to see inside. Environmentally friendly travelers will appreciate that the fabric features 16 upcycled water bottles and meets the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and the Global Recycled Standard. It's also water resistant. The only downside? The hefty price. Dimensions: Large: 18 x 3.75 x 12 inches, medium: 12.75 x 3.75 x 10 inches, small: 8.2 x. 3.75 x 6.25 inches | Material: OEKO-TEX Standard 100- and Global Recycled Standard-certified, water-resistant Negative nylon | Number of Cubes: 4 TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik Best Splurge Calpak Packing Cubes 5-piece Set Nordstrom View On Nordstrom $68 View On Calpaktravel.com $58 View On The Container Store What We Like Fun and classic options Feature filled Long lasting What We Don't Like Only the pouch is water resistant No compression Packing cubes can be so bland in style, but not the Calpak Packing Cubes 5-Piece Set. Styles range from astrologically inspired to groovy wavy designs and even a few that have solid colors like hazel, olive, or black. Our tester found the four cubes and envelope pouch to be very durable. All the cubes (not the pouch) have mesh panels, organizing labels, and handles. While these cubes don’t have compression zippers and the price is a bit high, the durability of the material and the design options might be worth it. Dimensions: Large: 17 x 12 x 3 inches, medium: 15 x 11 x 3 inches, small: 12 x 8.8 x 3 inches, envelope pouch: 13 x 10 x 1.5 inches | Material: Polyester | Number of Cubes: 5 TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik Best Budget eBags Classic Medium Compression Cube eBags View On Ebags.com What We Like Affordable Good capacity Functional What We Don't Like Could be more protective Packing cubes don’t have to be expensive to be of good quality; at least, that’s what the eBags Classic Medium Packing Cube proves. This single cube is budget-friendly and spacious enough to fit four to five pieces of clothing, plus a medium-weight winter coat. The compression zipper did an excellent job of removing air and saving space. In fact, the cube offers 1.5 inches of compression or expansion. Our testers found that the thin fabric of the cube could get caught in the zipper if the cubes were not packed to the brim. The small mesh pocket fits a set of keys or a label the size of a business card that spells out what’s in the cube. Small note: the mesh is not see-through. The top handle strap is a nice feature, as are the two different color options. The fabric is more water resistant than waterproof, so it’ll keep your clothes dry as long as excessive liquids haven’t spilled. Dimensions 14 x 10 x 5.25 inches | Material: Nylon | Number of Cubes: 1 TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik The 8 Best Luggage Sets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Final Verdict With excellent compression capabilities, durable ripstop fabric, and a price that won't break the bank, the REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set earns our top pick. Another set that performed well was the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes, thanks to their double-zipper compression and range of available colors, not to mention that they come in a set of four. How We Tested After removing the packing cubes from their packaging, we quickly assessed the materials, checking aspects such as the stitching and zippers for durability. Our next step involved packing the cubes with apparel, shoes, and accessories such as toiletries and cosmetics before zipping them up and placing them in a carry-on suitcase to see how much space they took up. We also splashed them with a bit of water to test the water resistance of the packing cube material. For each packing cube set, we made extensive notes on the capacity, design, material quality, and value. With any carry-on luggage, space is limited, and we wanted to ensure we chose packing cubes that not only allowed us to fit as many items as possible but had the kind of material and design that would be durable for frequent travel use. To round it out, we wanted the price to reflect the features presented. TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik Other Packing Cubes We Tested Béis The Packing Cubes: While we loved the label that came with these bags, we didn't think that the price reflected the space or quality of the material. Herschel Travel Organizers: This set's small and medium cubes were wonderful, but we found the large cube awkwardly huge. It made packing a carry-on difficult and didn't offer the kind of space-saving functionality we desired. Briggs & Riley Packing Cubes: These cubes fit a decent amount of clothes, seemed durable, and had an excellent expansion feature, but there wasn't anything that particularly wowed us. One drawback was that one full side of the packing cubes is mesh, which won't protect your clothes if a spill occurs. Away The Insider Packing Cubes: Mesh is great for breathability, but the mesh cover of these packing cubes isn't going to do much against spilled liquids. Not to mention, they're a bit expensive, which seems to be mainly because of the brand name. Eagle Creek Pack-it Starter Set: If you only need two regular cubes and a folder-style cube, the Eagle Creek Pack-it Starter Set isn't too shabby, mainly because it held up to our water test. If you haven't used a folder-style cube before, it can be confusing to pack. L.L.Bean Packing Cube Set: The price point seems accurate for L.L.Bean but may be expensive for what you get—cubes with a little stretch and a partly mesh top. Our tester wanted the cube to have a bit more structure. Bagail Compression Packing Cubes: The price is right, and the design is pretty standard, but we were a little worried about the seam work, mainly when the compression feature was utilized. These may not last as long as others. YAMIU Packing Cubes 7-Pcs: These packing cubes are standard, but does one need seven packing cubes? And you'll have to be okay with see-through toiletry bags. Lean Travel Premium Compression Packing Cubes: These no-frills packing cubes may work for the newbie traveler, but fitting all three in a carry-on was a challenge for our tester. EZPacking Clear Packing Cubes: These may work if you're comfortable with see-through packing cubes. The small cube only fits a few toiletry items. OEE Luggage Packing Organizers: Who doesn't love a bargain? Unfortunately, the price reflects super thin material that doesn't do well with thick clothing and flimsy zippers that get caught in the mesh. TRIPPED Compression Packing Cubes for Travel: These cubes were a bit expensive, especially since they didn't feel sturdy and the zipper didn't go all the way around the cubes, making them a little harder to pack. What to Look For in Packing Cubes Weight If you check your suitcase, weight is always a consideration. Choosing packing cubes that are light enough to make a negligible difference to the airline scale is therefore important. For the most part, packing cubes are not particularly heavy, though we’ve seen some structured ones that may add a few pounds to your bag. Materials Packing cubes are typically made of nylon, though some use better nylon than others. Ripstop nylon, for instance, is less likely to tear than other types. Although we love to see a water-resistant or waterproof packing cube, many of our testers found that the water resistance or waterproofness wasn’t as effective as expected. Many packing cubes have mesh panels that somewhat defeat the purpose of using water-resistant fabric. Of course, mesh panels let you see inside the bag and are more breathable than plastic panels. Size Packing cubes come in various sizes that differ from brand to brand. (A size small from one brand will have different measurements than a small packing cube from another brand.) Look at the dimensions for the packing cubes before buying. Most packing cubes will fit in a carry-on suitcase, though we’ve seen some large or extra-large packing cubes that are too big, take up too much space, or are an awkward size. The same thing can happen with small packing cubes—some are just too small to really fit anything inside. While not everyone likes packing cubes with compression features, they remove air and save space, which is a nice feature to consider. Number of Cubes Do you need more than five cubes? That all depends on the size of your family if you plan on buying one set to share, or if you're buying for a checked bag and a carry-on. Packing cube sets can range from two cubes to as many as eight. It never hurts to have a backup cube in case you rip one, lose one, or it just wears out, though if you want to limit how much you pack, it might be a good idea to buy a two- or three-cube set. Frequently Asked Questions How should I use packing cubes in my carry-on luggage? How you pack your cubes in a carry-on suitcase will depend on the type of luggage you’re using. No matter what type of carry-on bag you have, you’ll most likely have to play Tetris to figure out the best method for fitting the packing cubes in the luggage. Those with carry-on suitcases might find that positioning the cubes vertically rather than horizontally provides more space, but again, this can only happen if the suitcase is deep enough to allow such a packing strategy. How do I keep my clothes from getting wrinkled in packing cubes? While you can find many tips and tricks for packing clothes in packing cubes, it’s likely that when you remove your clothing, it will have some wrinkles. Rolling your clothes—once you’ve buttoned and zipped all tops and bottoms—may reduce wrinkles. This is because there are fewer folds in the fabric. You could also try limiting the pressure exerted on the outside of the cube to prevent folds from compressing and forming wrinkles. Or, save yourself a headache and pack clothes made of fabrics resistant to wrinkling. As a last resort, consider bringing along a travel steamer. How do you care for and clean your packing cubes? Most packing cubes can be put in the washing machine on cold, but you should double-check the tag to see if they need to be hand-washed. If you put them in the washing machine, zip them up so the zipper doesn't snag on anything. Most people suggest air drying the packing cubes as the material tends to do poorly against the heat of a dryer. A hand sanitizing wipe can clean away germs or small spills if you're in a bind. Although some suggest using Febreze or essential oils to refresh packing cubes, be mindful of how oily the product may be, as it could cause the packing cube to get sticky or stain your clothing. Putting a dryer sheet in the cube may be a better option. Why Trust TripSavvy Author Alex Temblador is an outdoor and travel journalist who lives in Texas. Alex seeks out adventurous travels all around the world, and often uses packing cubes to get to her destination. Throughout her career she has rappelled in Mexico, kayaked in Puerto Rico and Thailand, skied in Telluride and Montana, surfed in Zihuatanejo, scuba dived in Bonaire, and hiked in Peru and Switzerland. Products for this article were chosen according to the results of lab tests carried out by the TripSavvy team. 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