Best packing cubes

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Making the most out of the space in your carry-on or suitcase is important for any traveler. Thankfully, the best packing cubes help keep clothes organized and give you a tiny bit more packing space. Compression cubes have a zipper that helps squeeze them as compactly as possible, while regular packing cubes are more about separation and having a place for different kinds of clothes. And for people new to the world of packing cubes, it doesn't matter what kind of luggage you're using. Any of these picks should work across carry-ons, duffel bags, checked bags, and more.

I spent several weeks testing more than 30 cubes from eight different brands, putting each through objective tests. I used several of them on an international trip to put them through their paces in the real world. After lots of packing and unpacking, I was thoroughly impressed by the lightweight material and excellent zippers on Away's Compression Packing Cubes, making them easy to use and the best overall pick. The 12L Bellroy Lite Packing Cube is the pick for best compression cube because it keeps the contents tight and prevents overpacking.

Our picks for the best packing cubes

Best overall: Away Packing Cubes - See at Away

Best budget: Amazon Essentials Packing Cubes - See at Amazon

Best compression: Bellroy 12L Lite Packing Cube - See at Bellroy

Best lightweight: Eagle Creek Isolate Pack-It Extended Stay Packing Cube Set - See at Eagle Creek

Best splurge: July Packing Cells - See at July

Best overall

Away's packing cubes are intentionally designed for easy packing. At every turn, Away's Compression Packing Cubes is filled with small details meant to make packing easier. They aren't overly interesting at first glance, so I was immediately surprised when I got them in my hands and could appreciate what they fully offer. Away's packing cubes are lightweight and feel effortless to hold. Plus, they're smooth to the touch. It's a small detail, but I love that the opening zippers are different from the compression zipper, which has a pull string. This makes it very easy to identify which zipper is for what on the first try. I also appreciate the loop grab handles.

It comes in a set of four. Although people's individual needs will vary, I found that this set had just about everything I needed. The largest cube measures 12.8 x 16.9 x 2.6 inches when compressed and about 6.1 inches tall when uncompressed. I filled it with all my test clothes: jeans, slacks, five shirts, two shorts, and several pairs of socks and underwear. It fit perfectly on one side of my Aer carry-on . If you want to pack more compactly, the large slim or small wide cubes could be great for shirts, pants, or skirts.

They're a little pricey, and you can see the contents through the mesh top. The biggest shortcoming of Away's packing cubes is their price — four for $88 isn't cheap. The mesh top is good for breathability and to identify what's inside, but it doesn't provide an ounce of privacy. I'll have to keep testing to determine long-term durability, but in the short term, I've liked what I've seen. But among the dozens of cubes I got my hands on, I was most impressed by this product. If you're tempted by this cube set, but don't want or need compression, Away also sells a regular, non-compression set of four packing cubes for $48.

Best budget

These cubes are $12 for a four-piece set. There's a major gap between our best packing cube picks in both price and quality. While it's nice to have some of the more expensive options, I also wanted to see what you get for less money. The Amazon Essentials Packing Cubes are among the cheapest options, at under $12 for a set of four cubes.

They get the job done. These affordable cubes aren't perfect, but they're a viable option for people who are more interested in packing cubes out of necessity, rather than a desire to find the perfect set. The zippers aren't as smooth as others, but they worked. There are handles on each cube, and the non-mesh material is thick enough not to feel fragile. Because of the low cost and reasonable durability, these could be suitable enough for kids' suitcases.

You get what you pay for. Unfortunately, these weren't diamonds in the rough, and you do get what you pay for. The material doesn't feel as nice as other cubes. There were a couple of visible loose threads on the ones I got. Overall, the attention to detail is lacking compared to other options. And those things, like seeing loose threads in various places, make me suspicious of the long-term durability, even though I didn't have any specific problems during my testing. Be aware that the three-inch depth feels noticeably shallow compared to the other non-compression cubes I tested. These will need to be packed differently from most of the other, deeper cubes.

But I still recommend them. Even though these are lacking compared to the competition, they'll work just fine for basic needs. At about $3 per cube, it's hard to argue they aren't a good value or the best budget option.

Best compression

Bellroy excels at compression. If you're looking for the best pack of multi-size compression cubes, I'll point you back to the best overall pick: Away. But if you don't need all those sizes and you're willing to splurge a bit, Bellroy's 12L Lite Packing Cube features impressive compression and versatile buying options. This packing cube can accommodate 12 liters of contents and then be squeezed down to 10 liters. That's not overly impressive on paper, but in practice, it was enough to squeeze the cube down and keep it from being too tall for a carry-on suitcase. And because it wasn't an unrealistic amount of space, it kept me from ever overpacking it and then having to wrangle it shut.

It's breathable and keeps contents hidden. The packing cube has a unique design that puts its solid, lightweight nylon material on the front and back and mesh on the sides. This combination design allows for breathability and airflow while also prioritizing privacy. It's almost impossible to see inside and get a glimpse of the clothing or items inside without a full hands-on inspection.

I love the internal pocket. My favorite feature is the internal pocket, since it allows me to store small items like socks or underwear and avoid needing two separate cubes. If you don't use the pocket or need it for every trip, then it stays out of the way. It doesn't compromise any of the other space.

Only the 12-liter cube uses compression. Be aware that the Lite Packing Cube comes in multiple sizes, but only the 12-liter utilizes compression. I've used the six-liter cube and it works just as well as the 12-liter — it just lacks compression.

Best lightweight

Eagle Creek is a travel staple. I tried the Pack-It Isolate Extended Stay pack, which is a non-compression set and comes with six cubes. Its $150 retail price is steep, but the pack gave me a chance to try the medium and large sizes, as well as the double-sided model and the shoe bag. Instantly, I was struck by how lightweight each packing cube was.

They're incredibly lightweight. All six cubes together weigh a combined 13.3 ounces, or 377 grams. They feel even lighter than those numbers suggest. The best part is that the 100% ocean-recycled fabric felt extremely durable as I stuffed clothes into each one. I used the largest size to pack all my weekend clothes because it was comparable to cubes from other brands. There was enough room left over, however, so I moved nearly all of the pants, shirts, and shorts to the medium size without a problem.

The handles felt sturdy and durable. Eagle Creek's lifetime warranty should also help ease any hesitations about the durability of an expensive product. These cubes are water-resistant, too, which makes them great for sweaty exercise clothes or damp bathing suits that didn't fully dry before departure. Since they're so lightweight, you could even roll up one or two and bring them along to use on the trip home. Their waterproof, lightweight design make them the best packing cubes for camping.

All in all, these are excellent packing cubes. I was unsure of the angled zipper opening at first. But by the time I was packing my second cube, I had already come around and was loving how easy the design made it to get pants and shirts inside. The zippers are smooth. I didn't find much about these, minus their price, that I didn't care for. However, since they are so easy to pack and hold more than you would expect, you'll just have to worry about overpacking each cube.

Best splurge

This is a luxurious product from top to bottom. I enjoyed testing the July Packing Cells. The silky feel and integrated handle are part of the equation, but the vibrant colors and semi-private mesh add to the sum. Of course, luxurious also means more money — the four-pack retails for $55. That's not outrageous, but it is on the high side for non-compression packing cubes. Still, I very much like what these offer.

They feel premium. As I went through and packed all of these up, the zippers were all buttery smooth, and the slim, integrated side grab handles were helpful when moving them around. Their capacity was generous. Whether it was my full set of weekend clothes in the largest cube or intimates in the smallest one, these cubes handled plenty of clothes. Because there's no compression and these flex generously, just watch out for overpacking.

I love the color options. No packing cubes with mesh tops have much privacy, but July's were the best in this regard, keeping contents a little more discreet. I tried the brown set and thought they looked fantastic in person. It's a unique color — and one that my wife also immediately noticed and liked. The company currently has five standard color choices and frequently offers seasonal colors, if you're looking to match your packing cubes with your current luggage. To top off the benefits of the product, July offers a five-year warranty.

Our top picks, compared

What to look for

As simple as a packing cube may seem, the small details separate the good ones from the rest of the contenders. The primary things to keep an eye on are the compression, size, and material.

Set vs single: Even though you may not use a whole set of packing cubes for each trip you take, the various sizes offer variety for different types of trips and luggage. Buying a set of multiple cubes may also save you some money in the long run, instead of piecing different products together.

Buying single packing cubes is still worthwhile for specific uses, sizes, or features.

Compression: While compression packing cubes will keep items tightly packed and save a little space, they won't dramatically alter how many clothes you can pack. They help make the most of the space you have. Non-compression cubes are often less expensive if every ounce of space isn't a necessity.

Material: Most packing cubes are made from fabrics like nylon or polyester. The biggest consideration in this area will be whether you want some visibility or not. Having transparency is great for quickly identifying which clothes are in which cube. But this option isn't great for damp exercise clothes that can easily transfer their moisture and smell to other clean clothes.

Size: The weight of a packing cube is important if you're using multiple of them or have specific packing considerations. The Monos and Quince packing cubes used the thickest material and felt the heaviest among the options I tested. While you'll want to measure your suitcase if you have any unusual packing requirements, all of the sets and cubes I tested fit in a traditional carry-on. If you're buying a set, you'll want to make sure the dimensions of some of the smaller cubes make sense what things you normally pack.

How we test the best packing cubes

As a baseline, I used the same set of clothes I might take on a weekend trip to pack into the largest cube. This included two pairs of pants, two polo shirts, two t-shirts, several pairs of socks and underwear, running shorts and shirt, and mesh shorts to sleep in. I used the same set of clothes to gauge capacity and other aspects of the cubes.

After an initial assessment, I divided the clothes and packed them into smaller cubes to get a sense of the different organizational benefits. I did separate packing tests to use some of the smallest cubes to pack intimates. I wanted to see how the tinier cubes worked and see which models offered some privacy. At each stage, I noted how well the zippers worked, the feel of the handles, and how durable each cube felt under stress.

As miscellaneous testing, I packed some of my wife's clothes in the cubes. I also took a few cubes, like those from Away, Bellroy, and Eagle Creek, on an international trip to get a sense of their performance in the real world.

Meet the expert behind the guide

Tyler Hayes, freelance contributor: I've spent more than a decade obsessing over technology, gadgets, and all kinds of associated products. And because I've been traveling with these kinds of products, I became deeply interested in the best ways to carry them. So, I've been critically collecting far too many pouches, slings, backpacks, and suitcases over the years. I've covered consumer electronics and lifestyle products for Fast Company, Newsweek, Business Insider, and many more since 2013.

What else we tested

Here's what we tested that didn't make the cut:

Grams28 Packing Cube Set: The Grams28 set had leather accents, which set it apart in look and feel. However, the two-pack set doesn't offer big enough sizes for even a weekend getaway. These will be best for people who aren't interested in putting all their clothes in cubes.

Quince Eco Compression Packing Cubes: While made with durable materials, the zippers were stiff and the compression system was difficult to use.

Monos Packing Cubes: With thick, durable material and a compression system, these packing cubes performed well but didn't stand out for a category in our tests.

Best packing cubes FAQs

Do packing cubes really save space?

Compression cubes save physical space, and all types of packing cubes maximize capacity with better organization. Packing cubes help keep clothes together and from shifting around. Compression cubes can save a little space, but won't allow you to include a lot of clothes that you wouldn't be able to otherwise.

Can I put shoes in a packing cube?

Some of the packing cubes I tested fit a pair of men's size 11 running shoes just fine. Eagle Creek, among others, also makes cubes specifically for shoes. There may be other packing cases and bags for shoes that can save you a little money and keep them from being squished, if that's a concern.

Should I buy packing cubes with compression?

Compression cubes are great for making sure clothes don't shift around and making sure there's no wasted space. But I tested several packing cubes without compression, and they worked great too. The biggest difference is that regular packing cubes may be a little tall for all suitcases. Both will keep your clothes separated just fine.

How do compression packing cubes work?

Most compression packing cubes include a zipper in the middle that can be zipped up to squeeze down the cube to its smallest size. A compression cube is different from vacuum-sealed packing cubes that actively suck air out to shrink down clothes. These will save even more space and allow more clothes in a smaller space. Just be aware that the vacuum-sealed cubes will be denser and much heavier. If the pump breaks or gets lost, then the cubes may not function in the same way.

How many packing cubes do I need?

I was able to use about three packing cubes in a traditional carry-on suitcase. In a 30-liter duffel bag, I could get one medium one and two smaller ones. But the number of packing cubes that you need really depends on your luggage, how long you're traveling, and how much separation you want in the different types of clothes you're bringing along.

Typically, you'll get a better value by buying packing cubes in a set. If you don't need more than a couple of cubes, however, you'll probably spend less overall by finding a single cube or two.