Best Packing Cubes
best packing cubes
Ready to buy now? Shop the best:
- Best of the Best: Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack It
- Best Bang for the Buck: Amazon Basics Large Packing Cubes
- Best Variety: BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes
- Wide Color Selection: Gonex Compression Packing Cubes
- Best Mesh-Style: Shacke Premium 5 Packing Cubes Set
Whether you’re headed out for a weekend getaway or a two-week vacation abroad, packing for a trip is always a bit stressful, particularly if you tend to overpack. Packing cubes can make getting your belongings ready for travel much easier, with the best packing cubes offering organization, space maximization and protection for your clothing.
Packing cubes are typically made of fabric to help keep their weight down. They come in various sizes and shapes to separate your clothing and accessories in your luggage. Their design allows your belongings to stay neat and organized in your suitcase and makes it very easy to find what you’re looking for without rummaging through the entire bag to find the swimsuit or sundress you need.
After researching and evaluating the dozens of options available, our top pick is the Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack It. They are lightweight and compress your belongings, so space is fully maximized in your suitcase without adding unnecessary bulk.
Editors’ picks for 2025
Editors’ Favorite
Dimensions: XS: 7.5” L x 4.5” W x 2.5” H, S: 10” L x 7” W x 3” H, M: 14” L x 10” W x 3” H | Material: 300D Polyester Micro-Weave | Water-Resistant: Yes | Type: Compression
If you’re a frequent traveler who needs packing cubes that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, the Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack It cubes won’t let you down. To withstand the wear and tear of travel, they’re made of high-quality 300D polyester material and treated with a water-resistant coating, which protects your belongings from moisture.
In addition to keeping your belongings organized and protected, these cubes also maximize space inside your bag. Featuring cubes in three sizes for versatility, they have a compression design that reduces the items’ volume, freeing up room inside your luggage. The cubes are also lightweight, with all three weighing a combined 8 ounces, so they won’t add much heft to your suitcase.
We also love how convenient these cubes are for accessing your belongings. Each cube has a handle at the top that makes grabbing and pulling it from your suitcase very easy. They also have two-way zippers that let you open them at any point along their opening for more convenient access. And each cube has a mesh top, so you can easily see what’s inside without opening it.
Great Value
Dimensions: All four: 18” L x 13” W x 3” H | Material: Polyester | Water-Resistant: Yes | Type: Non-compression
For travelers on a budget, the Amazon Basics Large Packing Cubes can make getting ready for family vacations, business trips and weekend getaways a little easier. All four cubes in the set are the same size and can fit in suitcases, tote bags, backpacks and duffle bags to keep your items organized.
The cubes’ large size means they can fit everything from sweaters to shoes. They are made of durable, water-resistant polyester and have a mesh panel that lets you see what’s inside without opening the cubes. They also have reinforced double zipper pulls sturdy enough to hold up to regular use.
Each cube has a webbed handle at the top, so you can easily pull them from your bag when it’s time to unpack. We also appreciate how easy these packing cubes are to care for — they are machine-washable, allowing you to toss them in with your laundry when you get home from your trip.
Best Variety
Dimensions: M: 12.9” L x 11” W x 4.7” H, L: 15.7” L x 11.8” W x 4.7” H, XL: 18” L x 13.75” W x 5” H, Underwear bag: 11.8” L x 8.6” W x 4.7” H, Sock bag: 9.8” L x 6.4” W, Cosmetic bag: 8.6” L x 6.6” W x 3.1” H, Shoe bag” 11.4” L x 7.8” W x 4.7” H, Drawstring bag: 13.7” L x 10.6” W | Material: Polyester | Water-Resistant: Yes | Type: Non-compression
If you want to organize your suitcase as precisely as possible, the BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes offer enough options to get the job done. In addition to an underwear bag, a sock bag, a shoe bag, a cosmetics bag and a drawstring bag, the set includes three general packing cubes in different sizes. The variety also means you can organize any type of bag, including suitcases and totes, because you have cubes in multiple sizes.
All the bags and cubes in this set are made of durable, high-density polyester that can withstand the wear and tear of regular travel. The fabric is smooth, though, so it can prevent your clothes from wrinkling. It also repels water, protecting them from moisture damage.
You don’t have to worry about your belongings moving around inside the cubes, either. They have straps with buckles to hold your clothing and other items in place. The buckles are thick and sturdy, too, so they won’t accidentally open during travel.
Wide Color Selection
Dimensions: L: 16.2” L x 11.6” W x 3.9” H, 2 M: 13.2” L x 9.3” W x 3.9” H, 2 S: 11.6” L x 8.3” W x 3.9” H, Laundry bag: 18.1” L x 13” W | Material: Ripstop Nylon | Water-Resistant: Yes | Type: Compression
With their compression design, the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes can make packing much easier, especially for chronic overpackers. The set includes five cubes in three different sizes, plus a laundry bag to keep your dirty clothes in while traveling. The cubes all have two-way zippers that compress your clothing and other items to minimize their bulk, so they require less space in your bags.
The set is extremely lightweight, too. All six pieces weigh just 18 ounces, so they won’t add much weight to your luggage. They are made of soft, smooth ripstop nylon, which helps keep clothes wrinkle-free. The fabric also repels water, so your clothing will stay dry even if your suitcase gets wet.
If you want to match your packing cubes to your luggage, this set is available in more than 20 colors, including neutrals like black and gray and brights like green and orange. The top of each cube has a mesh panel, so you can see the items inside without opening them. They also have convenient handles that make it easy to grab them when it’s time to unpack.
Best Mesh-Style
Dimensions: XL: 17.5” L x 12.75” W x 4” H, L: 13.75” L x 12.75” W x 4” H, M: 13.75” L x 9.75” W x 4” H, S: 11” L x 6.75” W x 4” H, Laundry bag: 20.5” L x 15.75” W | Material: Nylon | Water-Resistant: Yes | Type: Non-compression
If you’re looking for highly durable packing cubes, Shacke Premium 5 Packing Cubes Set has you covered. It contains four cubes in different sizes, including an extra-large option for bulkier items like coats and sweaters, plus a laundry bag to hold your dirty clothes. They are all made of durable nylon and feature reinforced double stitching to ensure that they can withstand the rigors of regular travel.
The cubes also have a breathable mesh panel that lets you see what’s inside and helps keep your clothes fresh. The nylon portions of the cubes are water-resistant, though, to protect the items inside from moisture damage. The material is also easy to wipe clean if it gets dirty.
The cubes have high-quality zippers, too. They glide smoothly along their tracks, preventing snags. The pulls are also ergonomically designed, so they’re easy to grab. Best of all, they come in a bunch of fun colors, including aqua and hot pink.
How we analyzed
At FranksWaffle, we’ve researched and analyzed hundreds of items for travel, including packing cubes. To find the best packing cubes, we evaluated customer reviews from multiple retailer websites to determine which options best fulfilled users’ needs and made packing as easy as possible.
We also considered what features were most important to customers, so we could identify packing cubes designed with travelers in mind. Ultimately, we considered more than a dozen packing cube sets and chose the best based on durability, space-saving capabilities, convenience and size options.
Key features to consider
Compression vs. noncompression packing cubes
Compression
Compression packing cubes resemble traditional packing cubes, but they have two zippers. The first zipper closes the cube, while the second compresses the items inside, so they take up less space in your suitcase.
The main benefit of these packing cubes is how much space they can save in your luggage. In particular, you’ll appreciate compression packing cubes if you tend to overpack or usually travel with smaller suitcases. Just like noncompression cubes, they also help you organize your belongings within your luggage and protect them from moisture.
Noncompression
Noncompression packing cubes can organize your clothes and other items inside your suitcase but don’t reduce the space your clothing takes up in your bags. However, they’re much less likely to cause wrinkles in your clothing than compression cubes, and they are usually easier to repack at the end of a trip than compression-style cubes.
Our top picks: Compression vs. noncompression
- Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack It: Users like these packing cubes’ thick, non-stretchable polyester material because they find it offers better compression and maintains its compact shape, which really frees up space in your luggage.
- Amazon Basics Large Packing Cubes: These noncompressive packing cubes are a favorite of some travelers because they find that they can hold more and don’t leave you with wasted space along the edges like compression cubes sometimes do.
- BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes: These noncompression cubes won’t save you as much space in your bags as compressive styles, but users find their straps offer slight compression of clothing with less risk of wrinkles.
- Gonex Compression Packing Cubes: Users love these packing cubes’ high-quality compression zippers because they offer excellent compression without ripping or breaking, even when packed with larger items. They don’t wrinkle clothes as readily as other compression cubes, either.
- Shacke Premium 5 Packing Cubes Set: These packing cubes don’t have a second zipper for compression, but some travelers still find that they help save space inside a suitcase and are excellent for organization.
Size
Dimensions
Packing cubes are available in various dimensions, so you need to consider both the size of your luggage, as well as the type and amount of items you’re packing. Some cubes are so large that they only fit inside checked baggage, while other midsize options are better suited for carry-on luggage. Smaller packing cubes usually offer the best fit for duffle bags, tote bags and backpacks.
However, if you’re headed on a cold-weather trip that involves packing sweaters, coats and other heavier items, you’ll likely need large packing cubes. For light and midweight clothing, medium cubes are typically sufficient. Small cubes are handy for items like socks and underwear.
It can be tricky to figure out the best size cubes because your needs can change from trip to trip. Fortunately, most packing cube sets contain multiple sizes, so you have the right option whether you’re packing a checked bag for a two-week trip or a duffle bag for a weekend getaway. If you find that there’s one size packing cube you reach for more often, though, you can find sets that include multiple cubes in a single size.
Weight
Packing cubes should be as light as possible, so they don’t add much to your bag’s overall weight. Most are made of lightweight materials like polyester and nylon to ensure they aren’t too heavy. The size of the cubes obviously affects their weight since larger options require more material.
Generally, packing cube sets can weigh anywhere from 3 to 20 ounces. The exact weight depends on the type of material, the size of the cubes and how many the set contains. In most cases, they add less than a pound to your luggage, so you likely won’t notice much difference.
Our top picks: Size
- Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack It: This set includes three sizes, and travelers love the medium and small options for clothing. The extra-small cube isn’t very useful for clothes, but users find it handy for items like earbuds, cables and chargers.
- Amazon Basics Large Packing Cubes: All the cubes in this set are the same medium size, which is large enough to hold clothing like shirts and pants. Users find that they stack easily inside most carry-on bags, too.
- BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes: Users love the size variety this set of packing cubes offers and are especially pleased with how much the large cube can hold.
- Gonex Compression Packing Cubes: This packing cubes set offers a variety of sizes, and users find two medium cubes to be the most useful. The largest cube may be too big to fit some carry-on bags.
- Shacke Premium 5 Packing Cubes Set: Another set with a good variety of sizes, these packing cubes are an excellent option for those who don’t know what size they need. Some users caution about how big the large cube is, though, because it can get pretty heavy when full.
Design
Fabric
Packing cubes are usually made of lightweight fabrics that are still highly durable, such as polyester and nylon. These materials resist rips and tears, so they hold up well to frequent travel. Some packing cubes also have mesh panels. They allow air into the cubes, so your clothes stay fresh even in transit. They also allow you to see what’s inside the cube without having to open it.
Zippers
Packing cubes should have sturdy, durable zippers, so you can open them again and again without worrying about the zipper breaking. In particular, the zippers should glide easily around the cubes without getting caught on its interior lining or the corners. You may also prefer cubes with two-way zippers — they allow you to open and close from either end of the zipper, making it easier to get inside the cubes when it’s time to unpack.
Waterproof or water-resistant
Polyester and nylon packing cubes offer some natural water resistance, but some sets also have a waterproof coating to make them even more moisture resistant. Water-resistant cubes are especially important for camping or backpacking trips, where they risk being exposed to the elements. However, you may also prefer waterproof cubes for general travel in case your toiletries spill or leak.
Handles
Some packing cubes have a clean, streamlined shape, so they fit easily inside any suitcase. However, you can also find cubes that have a handle at the top. These handles make it easy to grab a cube from your luggage and carry it with you.
Our top picks: Design
- Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack It: These packing cubes have sturdy, smooth-gliding two-way zippers that don’t snag. Users especially like how easy the pulls are to grab.
- Amazon Basics Large Packing Cubes: The polyester material of these cubes earns rave reviews for being lightweight and durable. Users also find that it’s easy to clean.
- BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes: This set features lightweight but sturdy polyester, which holds up well to the wear and tear of travel. Customers also love how waterproof the material is, allowing it to protect against spills and leaks inside your luggage.
- Gonex Compression Packing Cubes: Users are big fans of these cubes’ ripstop nylon material and sturdy zippers because they show no signs of ripping or damage, even when travelers pack them a little too full.
- Shacke Premium 5 Packing Cubes Set: All the packing cubes in this set have sturdy, durable handles, which users love because they can function as mini suitcases.
Our expertise
Jennifer Blair has written about home and kitchen products for FranksWaffle since 2017. She has penned more than a hundred articles on countertop appliances, vacuum cleaners, luggage sets and more. A chronic overpacker, she is a big fan of packing cubes and has a set from Eagle Creek that she’s taken everywhere from London to Boston.