We’ve all been there: the bombsite that awaits you when you unzip your suitcase, a horrific mess of tangled garments all over the place, leaky shampoo bottles, and general mayhem.
Meet your new super-organized, soon-to-be favorite travel companion and suitcase (space) saver: Packing cubes.
As a frequent traveler (and post-pandemic digital nomad), I personally don’t know how people endure life in motion without them. And if you’ve ever sat next to me at a dinner party before, you’ll likely already know the ins and outs of all my favorite brands.
If you haven’t, however, received the full run down, I’ve put it all in writing so that you know exactly which packing cube to choose for your next elopement—be it an adventure-ready, weatherproof iteration or a transparent, carry-on-ready rendition.
Horizn Studios
Ultra lightweight, robust and waterproof, it’s a game changer for any getaway.
RimowaLarge
With space for more, this large packing cube is the ultimate travel luxury.
Calpak
It’s quality, colorful, and excellent value.
Check our special packing cube buyers’ guide after the list to see exactly what you should pay attention to before purchasing a bag organizer.
11 best packing cubes
Packing cubes are a simplistic but revolutionary idea, which packs (besides your clothing) a huge punch in terms of organization and functionality.
If you prefer unzipping your bag to reveal an orderly arrangement of neatly packed belongings that you carefully sorted before setting off, packing cubes are what’s missing from your travel inventory.
Horizn Studios: Overall best packing cubes
As frequent travelers, we appreciate a packing cube set that works for different getaways—from business trips to beach resorts. If that’s you too, we highly recommend this set by Horizn Studios; our overall best packing cubes for travel.
The set of four comes in different sizes (one large, one small and two mediums) that are also different shapes, some longer and some more square. This makes it easy to remember which cube contains what, even though they’re all the same color. Our only complaint is that it’s difficult to decipher between the two mediums, but we solved the problem easily by adding a key chain to the one.
Besides that, these quality packing cubes are incredibly lightweight with strong zips and are all lined with a waterproof polyester lining. Plus, they’re made from recycled materials for the eco-conscious travelers among us.
Rimowa Large: Best luxury packing cube
It may seem like an unnecessary splurge at first, but we think a structured packing cube is a game changer when it comes to preventing wrinkles and organizing your luggage.
Rimowa packing cubes are sleek and stealthy. When not in use, they store flat, taking up minimal space. Although, when we’re not on the road, we prefer to use ours for tech and cables, packed neatly into our edc backpack. Or, we use the water-repellant cube for toiletries, packed into our gym duffel.
The large Rimowa packing cube is big enough for your dress shirt and a pair of denims. And while it doesn’t come in a set, it fits perfectly with the medium and small sizes sold separately.
Calpak: Best value packing cubes
If you’re shopping for a family, Calpak’s packing cubes are the way to go. With 24 different hues and prints to choose from—from classic black to wild leopard—they allow each member to add their own personality to their packing. And they might just mean that your children pack their own clothes without being asked multiple times (we can dream, right?)
Besides an assortment of colorways, these packing cubes are also highly functional. The packing set comes in a set of five different sizes (one envelope, two smalls, a medium and a large), which fit perfectly together in your cabin bag.
We also love that the Calpak packing cubes are semi-transparent so that you can tell what’s inside without unzipping. As a result, they aren’t entirely waterproof, although we don’t think that’s always necessary, especially if your suitcase is already water-resistant.
Nomatic: Best compression packing cubes
If you’re the kind of packer who plans to pack light but always ends up sitting on your bag to close it, you need compression packing cubes in your travel arsenal. And more specifically, you need these compression cubes by Nomatic.
Seemingly going against the fundamental rules of physics, these packing cubes condense your clothes to maximize your packing space by a considerable 50% without adding extra weight (and without buying a new bag, obviously). They come in a set of three, with the large 10-liter compressing down to 5 liters. The medium 5-liter compresses down to 2.5 liters. And the small 4-liter—well, you get it.
Our only complaint is that it’s easy to get carried away and overpack for airlines. However, if you’re traveling on the road, these Nomatic compression packing cubes allow you to pack double without taking up extra leg room.
Beis Travel: Best packing cubes for organization
If Marie Kondo was choosing packing cubes, we’re pretty sure we know which she’d reach for. This six-piece set by Beis is hyper-organized with labels so that you can label exactly what’s inside each cube. The cube organizers also have semi-transparent mesh windows so that it’s easy to know which one to grab at a glance.
The set includes a small, medium and large cube, as well as two shoe bags and a zip pouch (for toiletries.) And while these Beis packing cubes aren’t waterproof, they do have a water-resistant lining that is easy to wipe down (for those times your shampoo bottle accidentally spills.)
Away The Insider: Best packing cubes for checked luggage
The Insider packing set by Away is our go-to for packing checked luggage in an organized fashion. The large set includes 6 cubes—each a different width and length—that fit perfectly together in a Tetris-like manner to compartmentalize your dress shirts from your shoes in your spacious rolling luggage.
Featuring see-through mesh fronts, you can quickly scan your suitcase to find exactly what you’re looking for. The water-resistant nylon will deter any rogue leaks from destroying your crisp Givenchy suit, or your toothpaste from causing irreparable damage to your LBD.
Available in a wide variety of colors, the Away travel packing cubes are designed to complement your existing luggage, so that you can enjoy the feeling of being coordinated and together when in transit.
EZPacking Starter Set: Best packing cubes for carry-on
We all know the feeling of frantically rummaging around the security gate to gather our liquids and tech!
As you likely can tell by now, we really appreciate see-through packing cubes as they make it incredibly easy to find what we’re looking for (before we have time to unpack properly.) However, the problem with transparent mesh cubes is that they’re usually not entirely waterproof.
Acting like a set of drawers in your suitcase, EZPacking’s travel packing cubes take visibility one step further, while simultaneously protecting your wedding guest dress from potentially-disastrous serum explosions.
The modular design, in conjunction with Cordura fabric and high-quality flexible vinyl, means the packing cubes will hold their shape no matter what variety of turbulence they may encounter along the journey. And as our best packing cubes for carry-on, we appreciate that the set of four (extra small, small, medium and large) fits perfectly into our favorite cabin bag.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Best packing cubes for outdoors
It doesn’t look like anything too special on the outside, but once you’ve spent a weekend in the mountains with this packing pod in tow, you’ll understand just how thoughtful the design and how much easier it makes the ascent.
Ultra-light and mega-durable, the weatherproof fabric will protect your belongings against all elements. And we love that the clamshell opening has two main compartments, making it easy to find what we’re looking for and separating our worn underwear from our clean tees.
But perhaps the best thing about these Hyperlite packing pods is their unique shape. As our best packing cubes for backpacking, they stack neatly on top of each other in most regular travel backpacks.
Monarc Tech Pack: Best electronics packing cubes
When it comes to packing tech, your run-of-the-mill packing cube will likely result in tangled cables and slightly scratched devices. You need a tech organizer with protective pockets for your devices and carefully placed slips for your cables. Our favorite? This one by Monarc.
Made from recycled bottles, the Monarc tech pack is as light on the planet as it is in your luggage. It’s 100% waterproof and almost impossible to penetrate—a significant feature when you’re traveling with important files and documents.
We love that the sleek silhouette takes up very little packing space in our suitcase. And when you’re not carting tech around, the Monarc packing cube plays double duty as one of our favorite toiletry bags.
Adidas: Stadium: Best travel shoe cube
Unless you plan on being barefoot for your whole trip (no fancy restaurants, then), you’re probably going to need a space for your shoes.
If you’re frequently packing sweaty trainers or soccer boots, we highly recommend investing in shoe storage cubes designed specifically for that. Our top choice? Adidas’ Stadium shoe cube. Made from polyester, the exterior is easy to wipe down and well-ventilated, giving our shoes air to breathe and preventing unwanted odors. (As much as we love to think our feet always smell like a summer meadow, keeping your shoes (especially post-hiking trip) apart from your other items is actually crucial.)
While we use ours most for gym missions and active weekenders, the packing cube works just as well for your luxury sneakers and designer work shoes when traveling.
We love Adidas’ signature sleek design. And we appreciate the thoughtful details, such as a grab handle, which make this packing cube so much easier to pull out of the top of a backpack.
Amazon Basics: Best budget packing cubes
AmazonBasics usually rates highly when it comes to value. And this is certainly true for the four-piece packing travel organizer set. The soft, padded cubes promise to protect your valuables. While the conveniently transparent mesh top panel allows us to locate specific items at a glance.
We also appreciate the grab handles on each cube, which are particularly useful when you’re hauling them out of a vertical bag (such as a backpack.)
The Amazon packing cubes come in a set of four (slim, small, medium and large.) But if you think you may need more, they’re reasonable enough to lock in a second set. We opted for two different hues to color-coordinate our items.
Buying guide to packing cubes
Besides knowing how to use packing cubes, there are a few things to consider before choosing a set to complement the colorway of your suitcase.
Compressibility and intended use
Compression cubes are absolutely incredible for maximizing space, while regular packing cubes are more about organization. However, before you get too excited about the idea of fitting more clothes into your already over-packed suitcase, there is more to consider.
While compression cubes save space, there are still airline weight restrictions to consider. And if you’ve already reached that limit, there’s no point in creating space for more. That being said, if you’re road tripping or simply using packing cubes for storage, space creation is a massive win.
Weight, size and capacity of the cubes
Naturally, you don’t want your packing cubes to use up any of your precious weight allowance. But at the same time, you also want to ensure that they’re not flimsy. They should be durable and structured.
When it comes to picking sizes, we prefer sets that include a variety of sizes, each designed with specific items in mind. This makes it easier to set up an organized system of packing cubes that neatly fit together in our favorite suitcase.
Materials and construction quality
While your packing cubes should always be made from durable and quality materials, it’s important to think about what else your packing cube needs to do for you. If you’re going hiking or camping, you may wish to prioritize a waterproof packing cube. However, if your luggage is already completely waterproof, this may not be as important (unless it’s a toiletry bag.)
A common peril of traveling is the very real risk of unearthing your bag to discover damp, sticky clothing which has fallen victim to a leaking shampoo, face wash, or makeup bottle.
Thankfully, most good packing cube sets will include a specific, waterproof (or resistant) bag to avoid this exact scenario.
See-through designs are also a great way to find what you’re looking for at a glance. And if you’re packing sweaty sports gear, opt for a cube that is well-ventilated and breathable.
Ergonomic features: zippers, handles, structure, opening
The first thing to break on packing cubes is the zippers. Therefore, it’s important to look for robust, double zippers that will stand the test of squeezing in just one more jumper. Other features to consider are grab handles, structure, and opening.
Grab handles are great if you’re packing cubes into a backpack; otherwise, we don’t find them totally necessary. Structured packing cubes are especially important for preventing creasing. And while most packing cubes zip open from the top, a clamshell opening is convenient when you have a bigger cube.
What is the best way to use packing cubes: 3 travel expert tips
Divide and organize: While you can easily just cram everything into your cubes with a laissez-faire approach, the whole idea of packing cubes is to separate and organize your things. Create a designated cube for jeans and jumpers, one for suits, one for underwear, and one for laundry. Then, keep a separate, water-resistant bag for toiletries.
Upon arrival: Bypass the need to unpack everything individually by simply placing your cubes in your hotel drawers. This way, they’ll fit neatly inside and will be easy to access. No one wants to spend valuable holiday time packing and unpacking when the beach/city/bar is waiting!
Roll your clothes: One of the great benefits of packing cubes is the ability to see what’s inside them. By folding and stacking your clothing, this perk becomes redundant.
So, you’re better off rolling up your clothes tightly, allowing for a clear view of your array of shirts with nothing being concealed at the bottom.
Frequently asked questions about packing cubes
Frequently asked questions about packing cubes
Which are the best packing cubes?
The best packing cubes can vary depending on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Horizn Studios packing cubes are our best overall, as they are incredibly lightweight, durable and machine washable. See our list of the best packing cubes for all our favorites.
Are packing cubes really worth it?
Whether you travel frequently or just take an annual holiday, we find packing cubes to be worth it. There’s no need to deal with the jumble of clothing historically associated with travel. Plus, a good quality set of packing cubes will last a long time, so you’ll get fair use out of them.
Do packing cubes really help with space?
Yes, packing cubes can help with space efficiency by compressing clothing and items, allowing you to fit more into your luggage. They also keep items organized and prevent them from shifting during travel, maximizing the use of available space.
What is better compression bags or packing cubes?
Compression bags and packing cubes serve different purposes. Compression bags are better for maximizing space and reducing bulk, ideal for compact packing or storage. Packing cubes are better for organization and accessibility, allowing you to categorize and find items easily. However, you can also get packing cubes with a compression system, giving you the best of both worlds.
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