For frequent travellers, the chaos of packing can turn pre-trip excitement into stress. Packing cubes, those compact, zippered organisers, promise to transform this process, helping to sort clothing, prevent overpacking, and miraculously create extra space in a cramped carry-on. But with a market flooded with options, which ones truly deliver? After putting 26 different sets through their paces across 14 personal and professional trips, we can reveal which cubes are worth your money.
As a product editor with over two decades of experience, I have tested countless travel gadgets. For this review, I travelled over 200,000 miles, using the cubes on ten short getaways and four longer journeys. I tested them in a variety of bags, including the Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet backpack, a Cotopaxi Allpa 28 travel backpack, and Travelpro suitcases, over a rigorous four-month period.
The Top Performers: From Premium Picks to Budget Bargains
While all packing cubes performed their basic function, some stood out for their durability, clever design, and space-saving prowess. The testing involved filling cubes with a standard load—for a medium cube, that was three T-shirts, a knitted shirt, four pairs of underwear and socks—and then checking for extra capacity. Zippers were tested for smoothness, materials for durability, and compression models for how much space they could truly save.
The outright winner was the Eagle Creek Pack-It Essentials set. Priced at around $72, this near-perfect iteration benefits from Eagle Creek's long heritage in travel gear. The set includes a clever clean/dirty cube with divided pockets, an isolate shoe sack, and a compression cube. The angled opening makes packing easier, and the thin, recycled materials proved durable despite overstuffing. The only drawback is the recent price increase and the potentially overwhelming array of configurations the brand offers.
Best for Compression and Specialist Uses
For those seeking to squeeze every last inch from their bag, the Thule Compression Cube Set (approx. $47.78) took the crown. Its rigid sides help maintain shape, the 100D ripstop nylon feels premium, and the compression was effective. It narrowly beat the excellent Cotopaxi Cubo Expandable set. If budget is your main concern, the Amazon Essentials 4-Piece set is a remarkable £10.29 bargain that gets the job done, despite some fraying and less refined mesh.
Other notable category winners include the REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set ($49.95) for overpackers, as it could fit significantly more than other compression cubes. The Osprey Daylite set ($35) is ideal for backpack travel due to its lightweight, rugged materials, and the Aer Packing Cube ($35) offers the best water resistance for those worried about spills.
Common Questions About Packing Cubes Answered
Are they worth it? Absolutely, for organisation and maximising space, especially in carry-ons. They simplify unpacking and repacking, and keep dirty laundry or shoes separate. For ultralight packers, a small cube may still be useful.
How do they compare to vacuum bags? Packing cubes are for travel; vacuum bags are for long-term storage. Compression cubes offer a happy medium, saving an inch or more of space without making clothes completely inaccessible.
Will they wrinkle clothes? Standard cubes won't cause extra wrinkles. Compression cubes might crease delicate fabrics like linen or silk, but cotton-based items generally fare well. The age-old debate of rolling versus folding is personal, though rolling can help fit more into smaller cubes.
Finally, be warned: packing cube sizes are not standard. One brand's 'large' might be another's 'medium'. Always check the dimensions and volume against your packing needs before purchasing.
