The Best Packing Cubes for Your Suitcase, According to Travel Experts

Packing cubes have a devoted following among frequent fliers, and with good reason. These zippered cases provide an easy way to organize your belongings on the road or in flight, minimizing the odds you’ll have to blindly rifle through your suitcase each time you need to locate your toothbrush or a fresh pair of socks.

At first glance, most packing cubes may appear quite similar. But there are a few key differences that distinguish great packing cube sets from the rest. (Note: Packing cubes almost always come in a set.) That’s why we’ve narrowed the field by analyzing eight of the most popular packing cube sets based on factors like capacity, material quality and zipper durability to give you this rundown of the best out there.

• Best overall packing cube set
• Best variety of sizes 
• Best packing cubes for short trips
• Best packing cubes for long trips
• Best expandable packing cubes
• Best value packing cubes
• Others you should know about
• How we picked

Best overall packing cube set

Pros

• Breathable mesh front panels
• Comfortable zipper grips
• Compatible with carry-ons and checked suitcases
• Machine-washable

Cons

• Higher price

Specs

• Weight: 0.7 pounds
• Materials: Mesh, polyester and PVC
• Size: Small: 6.5 by 8.5 by 3 inches; Medium: 8.5 by 13 by 3 inches; Medium Double-sided: 8.5 by 13 by 4 inches

Briggs & Riley’s Travel Packing Cubes offer travelers flexibility when packing for trips of various lengths, thanks to the set’s three cubes in different sizes and thoughtful features. The cubes are made of lightweight yet durable polyester, which has a similar feel to our favorite windbreaker. Each cube also contains a mesh panel (a feature our testing revealed to be key) to make it easy to see what’s inside without having to unzip and unpack it.

Another impressive element: They’re machine-washable, allowing you to simply toss the cubes in with your other laundry (on delicate) after every trip—no other bag we tested can be cleaned this way. They held up well in the wash, showing no obvious signs of wear after we washed them five times. While these are the highest-price packing cubes we tested, their high-quality feel and strong zippers left us feeling confident in their performance.

The Medium cube does double duty when it comes to storing clothing and bath products, since it has a pocket that’s specifically designed to hold your toiletries with a water-resistant PVC lining to protect your other gear (in case of shampoo spills). That same cube has a clever, mesh-lined pouch that we found to be just the right size for keeping our socks, underwear and bathing suits in check.

Its sister Medium Double-sided cube is similar, but doesn’t have the PVC section, making it ideal for clothes (we were able to fit five tightly rolled T-shirts and five pairs of shorts without it feeling overstuffed).

Each cube has a handle for easy carrying, and they nest comfortably in both carry-on and checked suitcases. The zippers have comfortable grips and performed well in our tests (which involved zipping and unzipping each cube 50 times). In fact, the zippers on these cubes had the most sturdy feel of all of the options we tested, even when we stuffed the cubes to the brim.

Best variety of sizes

Pros

• Four different-size cubes 
• Mesh front panels have an airy feel
• Seven colors available to match your luggage

Cons

• Zippers slow down at the corners

Specs

• Weight: 0.7 pounds
• Materials: Nylon and mesh
• Size: Small: 10 by 4.1 by 8.25 inches; Medium Slim: 10 by 4.1 by 4.3 inches; Medium Wide: 13 by 4.1 by 10 inches; Large Slim: 13 by 4.1 by 6.9 inches

If separating your clothing by category is your preferred way of staying organized while traveling, this set is a solid option. The Insider Packing Cubes from Away are so lightweight, each cube felt like almost nothing in our hands. Altogether, the set weighs 0.7 pounds—the same as our top choice, but with one extra cube in the set. The pouches are made of water-resistant nylon, along with mesh panels that cover the entire front of each cube, making it easy to see what’s inside. Just by glancing at our suitcase filled with the cubes, it was easy to see that our three pairs of jeans were packed into the Large Slim cube, five dresses in the Medium Wide and five pairs of underwear in the Medium Slim cube. Finding items quickly was a cinch.

This set features four different-sized cubes, ranging from a petite pouch (10 by 4.1 by 8.25 inches) that we found to be perfect for rolled-up underwear to a large sack (13 by 4.1 by 6.9 inches) that can handle T-shirts, shorts, dresses, and even bulkier items, like sweaters and jeans. Away’s kit doesn’t include a toiletry pouch, so this set is best for travelers who already have or prefer a separate toiletry case. And despite the variety of shapes and sizes, three of these cubes all fit neatly into a rectangle on one side of a carry-on suitcase (the fourth went on the other side), while all four neatly fit together on one side of a checked suitcase. In our testing, however, we did notice that the zippers weren’t as smooth as those of other options we tried.

Best packing cubes for short trips

Pros

• Entire set fits comfortably in a carry-on
• Good size range across four cubes
• Sturdy, tear-resistant exterior

Cons

• Some colors have limited stock

Specs

• Weight: 0.89 pounds
• Materials: Nylon, polyester, mesh
• Size: 13 by 9.8 by 4.5 inches; 13 by 7.1 by 4.5 inches; 10.2 by 8.3 by 4.5 inches; 9.8 by 4.3 by 4.5 inches

Checked baggage fees are on the rise, leading more travelers to focus on carry-on luggage. But carry-on baggage space—and weight—is precious, which means you need packing cubes that will help, not hurt, when you’re trying to cram everything into a small space. The set of four Monos Compressible Packing Cubes fits neatly into a carry-on with some room to spare (a set of six is also available).

The four different sizes of compressible packing cubes are thoughtfully designed to fit a range of items. We fit three pairs of jeans, five tightly-rolled T-shirts and a sweater in the large pouch; five dresses in the medium pouch; five pairs of shorts and two bathing suits in the the elongated medium pouch; and five pairs of underwear, five pairs of socks and a pair of pajamas in the surprisingly deep small pouch.

Each cube compresses with the help of a zipper to a fraction of its expanded size—Monos says it’s by 60%, though it looks like an even larger margin. The entire set weighs less than a pound, so you’re not sacrificing weight for organization. Each pouch has the same mesh panel top and slightly slippery feeling exterior, which helps them seamlessly slide together into a suitcase. The construction is also impressively sturdy—there were no stray threads and all seams held up well when tugged and stretched. While you’re unlikely to choose packing cubes on style alone, these look sleek with trendy matte black zipper pulls and your choice of five colors. The only downside of the Monos four-pack is its hefty $90 price tag, although the craftsmanship that went into these bags is obvious.

Best packing cubes for long trips

Pros

• Sturdy, 100% recycled nylon
• Deep compartments
• Tight compression

Cons

• Set of six may be more than you need
• Not completely waterproof

Specs

• Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Materials: Recycled nylon
• Size: Extra large: 16.9 by 12.2 by 4.5 inches; Large: 13 by 9.8 by 4.5 inches; Medium 1: 13 by 7.1 by 4.5 inches; Medium 2: 10.2 by 8.3 by 4.5 inches; Small: 9.8 by 4.3 by 4.5 inches; Extra small: 7.1 by 4.3 by 4.5 inches

Quince focuses on mixing eco-conscious practices with lower-price products, and that extends to the brand’s Eco Compression Packing Cubes (which looks quite similar to Monos’ set). These pouches are crafted entirely from recycled nylon, which the brand says is derived from 61 recycled plastic bottles. In our testing, the six-pack has a durable feel with high, but not complete, water resistance, depending on where liquid interacts with the cubes. The sides and bottom fully keep water out, but it can seep into the top if you happen to have a spill.

This is a roomy set. It features six pouches in all, and the extra-large pouch is the biggest of all of the cubes we tested. That pouch is massive enough to fit enough items for an entire weekend—we packed it with five pairs of jeans, two sweaters and two T-shirts with no issue (although part of the reason why many people use packing cubes is to keep clothing items separate). The large pouch fit four pairs of jeans, a sweater and a T-shirt. The medium pouch is still generously sized, with room for five T-shirts and five dresses, while the medium elongated pouch was spacious enough for five pairs of shorts and three bathing suits. The next-sized pouch down is a natural fit for T-shirts—we could fit 10 rolled-up shirts inside. The extra-small cube has space for underwear, socks, pajamas and additional smaller items you want to organize.

Each cube features a mesh panel on top and compresses easily thanks to anti-snag zippers. The only potential downside of this set is that it may offer too many organization options. While we ran out of typical items people would pack for shorter trips, those going on extended trips may appreciate the range and room.

Best expandable packing cubes

Pros

• Five different-size cubes
• Built-in handles
• Long zipper pulls

Cons

• No mesh panels

Specs

• Weight: 1 pound
• Materials: Taffeta and nylon
• Size: 14 by 10 by 3.2 inches; 11.7 by 7.7 by 3.2 inches; 7.7 by 6 by 3.2 inches; 10.2 by 4 by 3.2 inches; 14 by 4 by 3.2 inches

A reality of travel is that you’ll likely come back with more gear than you left with (hello, souvenir shopping). The odds are also high that you won’t pack for your return trip as carefully as you did when you left on your journey. Outdoor Products’ Lightweight Expandable Travel Cubes take this common dilemma into account, providing up to 2 extra inches of room in each cube. All we had to do was unzip the panel on each cube and enjoy the extra space it provided.

The five different-size cubes made it easy to organize our clothing by category. We packed five pairs of underwear and five pairs of socks in the smallest pouch, five pairs of shorts and two bathing suits in the long slender pouch, five pairs of T-shirts and five dresses in the medium pouch and three pairs of jeans and two sweaters in each of the larger pouches.

Smart features like built-in handles and long zipper pulls made it easy to open and shut these cubes and to take them in and out of our suitcase. A little Tetris-style maneuvering made all of the (unexpanded) cubes fit into one side of our carry-on suitcase, and they fit with plenty of room to spare on one side of our checked suitcase.

The only downside of these cubes is the lack of mesh panels to see inside, which made unpacking and repacking more difficult.

Best value packing cubes

Pros

• Built-in handles
• Six cubes in three sizes
• Lightweight

Cons

• Exterior fabric collects lint
• Not entirely water-resistant 

Specs

• Weight: 0.8 pounds
• Materials: Velvet, mesh
• Size: Large: 15.3 by 12.4 by 3.9 inches; Medium: 13 by 10.2 by 3.9 inches; Small: 10 by 7.7 by 3.9 inches; Shoe bag: 12.6 by 17.7 inches

At just over $6 per cube, Bagsmart’s quilted packing cubes are the most economical option we tested. But that low price doesn’t mean sacrificing on space or durability. Each of the roomy cubes has a built-in handle for convenience, along with added style thanks to a quilted top.

This set includes six items: A large packing cube, three medium cubes, a small cube and a drawstring pouch for shoes. The large pouch fit three pairs of jeans and five T-shirts, while each of the medium pouches had room for five dresses, a bathing suit and underwear (they can also fit five pairs of shorts and five T-shirts). The small pouch has room for five pairs of underwear, five pairs of socks and a pair of pajamas. In the shoe pouch, we fit two pairs of women’s size 9 sneakers and a pair of flip flops inside with no issue.

Bagsmart says that its cubes are waterproof, but that claim isn’t entirely true. While water rolls off the surface of the top and bottom of the bag, which would come in handy for spills or a shower spray, water is able to seep in through the side mesh panels. There is also no top panel, so you’ll need to peek through the side mesh panels to see the contents of each pouch, which may be cumbersome. While these bags technically don’t compress, the flexible mesh panels at the sides allow you to handily fold them flat as needed.

Others you should know about

Great for gifting

Parvel’s stylish Packing Cube Quad, made from recycled nylon, offers the option to personalize the set of four with up to three letters for an extra $25. While the bags are lightweight and have a viewing window, it’s small and only allows users to see a portion of the contents inside. But if you’re looking to personalize your packing cubes, say, as a gift for a frequent traveler, this is one of the few companies that provides that feature.

Great for overnight trips

Eagle Creek’s Pack It Overnight Set may have a no-frills look, but we found that its thoughtful details make staying organized while traveling much easier. The cubes are smaller than others we tried—they’re designed for an overnight trip, after all—but the subtle ingenuity comes from distinct pouches to separate your clean clothes from dirty laundry within the cube. Long zipper pulls set these packing cubes apart from the others we tested. They made it easy to locate the zipper and open up the cube without having to remove it from our suitcase. Just note that not every cube has a mesh panel to view what’s inside.

Another nice-price pick

The eBags Classic Packing Cubes 3-Piece Set is worth considering based on price alone. At $20 for three cubes, this set is the lowest-price option we tested. However, the largest cube in the set fills one side of a carry-on suitcase, making it somewhat unnecessary. That said, if you tend to use checked baggage, this is a solid choice.

How we picked

Trust us

I’m a journalist who has written for Forbes, Women’s Health, Prevention and other publications. I’ve also been an overpacker since I started traveling as a child, and staying organized on the road has become a top priority—especially now that I have four kids. I discovered packing cubes after years of stuffing items into gallon-sized plastic baggies and never looked back. I combined my personal experience using packing cubes with interviews with travel and organization experts to narrow down the best options to test.

We tested

Selecting the right set of packing cubes involves weighing your personal needs alongside elements that make a quality cube collection. We considered these factors when choosing the best packing cubes.

• Capacity. At baseline, it’s important for packing cubes to be able to hold your clothing (and sometimes toiletries) securely. Most sets come with cubes of varying sizes to give you options, but it’s crucial to mull over which items you’ll want to use your packing cubes for. For example: If you tend to travel with a lot of pants or sweaters, a set with at least one large cube that can accommodate those items is a must.
• Material. Most packing cubes we found (and tested) are made of polyester, nylon or a combination of both. Several of the options we tried have a see-through mesh panel, which is a perk for Annie Daly, author of “Destination Wellness” and “Island Wisdom.” “You want to be able to know what’s inside each cube; otherwise you will lose time unzipping and rezipping each one,” she says. Anne McAlpin, author of “Pack It Up,” also recommends cubes with mesh panels “for breathability,” which will help minimize odors in your luggage. 
• Zipper quality. A good zipper that can stand up to regular use is an important element of a packing cube, according to Nick Noordijk and Hannah Spelt, founders of the Salt in Our Hair travel blog. After all, if your zipper goes, your packing cube is pretty much kaput. Two zippers on one cube are also better than one. “It’s a small detail, but double-zipped packing cubes are better because you can easily open and close them,” says Roobens Fils, travel blogger, founder of the Been Around the Globe travel blog and author of “Traveling While Black.”
• Ease of cleaning. Most of the packing cubes we tested are hand wash only, while one had the convenient feature of being machine-washable. The right choice for you ultimately comes down to personal preference and time, but Daly prefers machine-washable cubes. “Unpacking from a trip is already the worst, so [packing cubes] may as well make it as easy as possible,” she explains.
• Weight. The last thing you want is for your cube to add more heft to your suitcase. “I prefer to use ultralight cubes made from a lightweight nylon material, which are more durable and tear-resistant,” says Jon Miksis, photographer and founder of the Global Viewpoint blog.

We put every packing cube through the same process, filling each to capacity with the same toiletries—a travel-sized toothbrush, travel toothpaste, bottles of travel-size shampoo and conditioner, and a bottle of travel-size body wash—along with five pairs each of rolled up socks, underwear, shorts and T-shirts. We also tested packing three pairs of jeans, two sweaters, two bathing suits and five dresses in some of the larger and medium-sized cubes. We then nestled the cubes into carry-on (14 by 22 by 9 inches) and checked (13.5 by 20.5 by 28.5 inches) suitcases to test their fit. We then zipped and unzipped each cube 50 times to test the zipper’s durability when packed. We put the machine-washable cubes through the washing machine on a normal cycle five times to see how they fared. We also considered more subjective elements like the cubes’ design and how well they fit into our luggage.

Our experts

• Annie Daly, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based travel expert and author of “Destination Wellness” and “Island Wisdom”
• Nick Noordijk and Hannah Spelt, Netherlands-based travel bloggers and founders of the Salt in Our Hair travel blog
• Anne McAlpin, a Portland, Ore.-based travel and packing expert and author of “Pack It Up”
• Jon Miksis, a Boston-based travel blogger and photographer and founder of the Global Viewpoint blog
• Roobens Fils, a Paris-based travel blogger, founder of the Been Around the Globe blog and author of “Traveling While Black”