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Are packing cubes actually worth the money? Find out why our readers love them and which ones they voted as the best packing cubes for travel!
What are the Best Packing Cubes?
Table Of Contents
Packing cubes are definitely worth a try. They changed the way I travel and allowed me to travel carryon only even though I was traveling long-term for months at a time.
While it’s possible to use Ziploc bags to store your clothing, actual packing organizers have several more benefits and don’t cost that much more money. Our readers love them and so do we!
We’ve compiled our list of the most recommended travel cubes based on our experience traveling with various brands in addition to featuring the ones our readers use, too.
Watch our video tutorial to see the technique that’s helped millions of women travel carryon only!
Best Packing Cubes List
Compass Rose Compression Packing Cubes
Best Packing Cubes for Carryon: Compass Rose
Compass Rose Carryon Packing Cubes offer you a new, efficient way to organize your luggage. They have a unique color and number coded packing system that allows you to pack using one of my six one-of-a-kind packing strategies: separate your belongings by color or by number, you’ll always know exactly where to find what you need.
Plus, they’re the only packing cubes with a length that fit perfectly into a carryon suitcase. You can also stack them on top of each other like shelves or lay them flat on top of each other. They have a strong fabric that keeps their rectangular structure.
The fabric and quality zippers also help you compress your clothing to maximize space.
Our readers rave about them and say that they’re the best packing cubes. We have to agree. After all, we did design them! Buy it here!
But you don’t have to take our word for it! TFG readers happily share their reviews on why their Compass Rose Packing Cubes were game changers for their travels!
Best Travel Cubes for Checked Luggage: eBags
eBags has two types of packing cubes: their original type and the ones with their new ultralight fabric. Their original packing cubes are better than the new style because they have durable materials, strong mesh, and solid zippers. (The mesh on their ultralight style rips too easily for my liking.)
Our readers love their sets with multiple sizes to organize clothing when traveling with a larger suitcase. Buy it here!
Creating the perfect interchangeable capsule wardrobe is the key to simplified packing.
Bagsmart Expandable Packing Cube Set
Best Cheap Packing Cubes: Bagsmart
Bagsmart Packing Cubes offers an inexpensive organizational solution for budget-conscious travelers or those that are uncertain about making an investment to the banded products. They don’t offer the benefits of compression as the mesh isn’t strong enough to maintain the structure of the cube.
If you don’t travel often and are looking for cheap packing cubes, these are a good choice. Buy it here!
Shacke Pak – 4 Set Packing Cube Set
Best Large Packing Cube Set: Shackeâ„¢ Pak
While I haven’t tried the Shacke Pak cubes, they are popular with budget-conscious readers that are looking for a larger set with mixed sizes. Because of their square shape and spacious design, these would work well in large suitcases for travelers looking to check their bags vs travel carry-on only. Buy it here!
Gonex Compression Packing Cube Set
Best Compression Packing Cubes: Gonex
Our readers are big fans of Gonex packing system. They offer organizers in various shapes, sizes, and designs so they’re worth a look if you’re on the hunt for options to fit into uniquely designed luggage spaces. Buy it here!
Where To Buy Packing Cubes
You can buy packing organizers in a variety of places but I prefer Amazon. You have the most choices, the best prices, plus you get free 2-day shipping with Prime. Shop now!
Why are the Benefits of Using Packing Cubes?
These are my (and our readers’!) top 12 reasons why every traveler should use at least one packing cube:
Long-Lasting
I’ve had mine for over 3 years and use them almost daily. A reader also says, “Once you buy one (or a few), you’re set for years!”
Compression
You can use a small/slim packing cube to compress your clothing and travel for any trip with just a carry-on bag.
One reader says, “They literally weigh nothing. Not only do they keep you organized, but they also compress your items and let you pack more in less space. The Travel Fashion Girl set of packing cubes are great to start with!” Another says, “Packing cubes have changed the way I pack. They compress my things and force me to limit what I pack.”
Watch this packing video tutorial for more info.
Organize
Separate your clothing by bottoms/tops, travel outfits, or weather.
One reader says, “IÂ bought TFG’s packing cubes, which fit my suitcase exactly. I now find I can get so much in it without being stuffed that I’m almost over the weight limit! They keep your bag neater and organized.” Another adds, “I am able to organize and keep things tiny in mine. It also gives me limits to stay in when packing.”
Find out how I used mine to travel carry-on only in Europe!
Family
Color-code clothing by using different color organizers for each family member.
One reader says, “I like that I can designate a cube to me, another for my baby, and another for my husband. It makes things so much easier to find while traveling.” Another says, “You can organize them how you like – one for undies, one for tops, etc. Or you could use a cube for each outfit if you pack that way. My friend used to plan in advance every day’s outfit with the accessories and all!”
Practical
Ideal for organization/storage within a hotel/hostel when shelf space is limited.
A reader says, “I used to be the messiest packer. The cubes make me organized and I can find everything. At a hotel I just put my cubes in the dresser. I do feel like I can pack more with the cubes.”
Easy to Clean
Throw them in the wash (hang dry) after a trip or during for long term travels.
Versatility
Use them for clothing, shoes, electronics, and anything else you want to store.
One reader says, “Not only can you use them in your suitcase, but packing cube in your carryon tote helps me stay sane. I organize all of my technology into one packing cube, so I can grab my wallet without grabbing a cord, etc. They are incredibly versatile.”
Bag Support
Use packing cubes in any bag for a more organized solution. They’re great to use in big backpacks or totes that don’t have any interior pockets.
One reader says, “Packing cubes turn any bag into a good travel bag. A friend just used her large purse as a carry on for four days with one packing cube!” Another adds, “If you’re using a backpack, they’re especially good to use. With backpacks, you’re always digging around and ultimately messing up all the organization you took time to do before you left.”
Travel Pillow
On your flight, use a cube stuffed with clothing as a neck pillow.
One reader says, “I use one cube to pack all of my on-flight essentials, including a scarf, eye mask, and other items that will keep me comfortable on the plane.”
In-Flight Organization
Carry your travel comforts, like a neck pillow, scarf, sweater, or blanket.
One reader says, “Packing cubes also prevent woven clothing from turning into a huge wrinkled mess in your luggage. I use two full-size cubes – one for knits, one for wovens.”
Non-Travel Uses
One reader says, “I don’t like my clothes touching the bottoms of drawers so that’s why I just take the cubes from my suitcase into the drawers.” You can do the same at home for keeping dust off of items you don’t wear as frequently.
Use them at home for storage or to maximize limited closet space!
Environmentally Friendly
Better than using plastic bags!
One reader says, “I love my packing organizers. I used to use plastic bags, but now I don’t need to. I’m organized and can keep one full of toiletries ready to go.”
Watch this video for the complete packing tutorial
How to Use Packing Cubes
Use one packing cube to store the clothing for your hot weather destination and use the other for your cold weather destination. The third can be used for layering pieces. Create mini capsule wardrobes for each weather system.
Because I live, breathe, and dream about packing 24/7, I’ve created my own packing cubes! Compass Rose is my new brand of travel accessories designed on my experience traveling the world full time for almost nine years along with feedback from our readers.
Shop my packing cubes here!
Here’s a quick look at each of the products on our best packing cubes list:
[wpsm_comparison_table id=”54″ class=”center-table-align”]
What do you think are the best packing cubes? Share your favorite in the comments!
For more tips on travel gear, please read:
- How to Choose a Suitcase
- How to Choose the Best Travel Backpack
- Top Packing Organizers
- Top 10 Toiletry Bags
- Packing Cubes Video Tutorial
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I’ll be giving packing cubes a shot. Headed to England in oct and this site and the FB group have been invaluable!
Thank you, thank you and thank you for your valuable information. I have been a more organized traveler since I have been following your site.
I truly appreciate all of the tips and downloads you provide.
Sincerely,
Korenna
I tried packing cubes after I had to travel carryon only and we had to share a normal suitcase for 3 people. I wish I had read your posts about them much earlier! It is SO easy to organize a suitcase with them and from first using them I was totally surprised that my suitcase was even easier to close.
I just tried ebags and can highly recommend them! Thank you for recommending packing cubes!
That’s great to hear Diana! Glad you liked them 🙂
I love using packing cubes. My family thought I was crazy when I handed each of them a set to use for our 3 week trip to Ireland and Italy. They couldn’t believe how much they could pack. Everyone stayed organized throughout the trip and were able to find things easily! Thanks for the post.
My husband and I traveled full-time for 3 years with carry on rolling suitcases, I could not have done it without packing cubes. Love them.
I completely agree 🙂
I am going to London and Dublin for 8 days (my first time going out of the country). My goal is to pack light with only a carry on bag. I want to try packing cubes, what kind do you suggest for a plus sized woman?
Hi Tonia, I suggest the same for everyone: https://travelfashiongirl.com/packing-cubes-video-tutorial-learn-how-to-pack-light/
Find out why: https://travelfashiongirl.com/plus-size-packing-tips/
Hi Tonia,
You’ve probably gone to London and Dublin by now but I hope this reply reaches you or other plus sized travelers! I like the packing cubes with more depth since I am plus sized too and I find that my shirts are longer and pants are wider, creating a thicker rolled garment. I look for 4″ depth or more since the packing cubes vary. Some are only 3″ which doesn’t cut it for thicker materials like knits and jeans (for me, anyway, at a size 20).
I love these tips! I’m trying to figure out which packing cubes would work best for me right now– which would you recommend, the Ebags version or the new Amazon Basics ones? I’m also not sure if the small, medium, or slim would work best for me. Thank you!!
Hi Amanda! I always vote for slim as they help you compress. I’d go with Amazon Basics because they’re almost the same as the eBags but Amazon gives you four for less money 🙂
Just started using packing cubes and trying to get boyfriend to use them too. (I noticed on our last trip, he did use a small cube for toiletries on his own.)
I like to pack my clothes by complete outfits, even on long trips. I put everything from undies to bottoms to tops altogether. I like being able to just pull out a pre-planned outfit. Packing cubes have made this old habit even better. Now, I can pack outfits by weather, activity, etc. I just have to pull out the one cube I know has the outfit I want to wear. It also let’s me know when it’s time to do laundry as my stash of outfits dwindle.
Packing complete outfits is especially nice on camping trips when you can just pull out a rolled set of clothes each day or night, when it’s time to clean up and change.
Pre-planned outfits are a great idea! Love that you also include underwear with your clothing helping to cut down on having an individual cube just for undies. It took me four years to get my husband to use packing cubes. Now he travels with cubes PLUS the Pack Gear backpack organizer. Love it!
This was my second set of packing cubes – my fiance stole my first set because they are so useful. When traveling, they keep everything separate and can do double duty as laundry bags on the way back. When not traveling, I use them as a sweater box. Very useful.
My boyfriend has now also stolen a set of my packing cubes after refusing to use them for years – men!
Love love love packing cubes. I sort by season (or weather), so I have three. I also have little zippered bags for undies, toiletries, etc. – and yes, these squeeze into the packing cubes. Plus shoe bags. Everything is color coded so I can easily find what I need without digging through luggage. Saves time and frustration!
Depending on the trip I sort by weather, clothing category, or clean and dirty 😉
I like packing cubes, because they’re a good way to limit how much stuff you take!
I had two medium sized ebags and a slim one when I left on my trip in February. Throughout the trip, I was constantly donating or leaving behind clothes that didn’t fit the climate as well as I thought, or that I simply wasn’t wearing. By the end of the trip, I’d got rid of enough clothes that I only needed one of the mediums!
So now for future trips, I know not to take more than one medium ebag full, so it makes limiting my packing easier 😀
It’s funny how much you think you need to pack for a trip but when you’re on the road – the less you have the better! Glad you fund them as useful as I do 🙂
I guess I’m what’s called a hoarder of packing cubes…I have Rick Steve’s, I have ebags, and I also have the eagle creek stuff sacks. Um, o.k. I do share these with my husband?!
I like ebags, a lot, and they compress really well. The only issue I have with them is when I pack too much in a duffel, it can make the duffel too “firm”, so that I can’t scrunch it into tight fitting spaces, as nothing inside can budge even a centimeter. I find that I do not have this problem with the eagle creek stuff sacks, as they are a bit less structured. The Rick Steve’s version has worked pretty well, but those puppies can expand to hold A LOT of stuff with the mesh, so don’t think that just because you can put everything in a packing cube means that you are packing light!
So I guess this is why I have all three…because I actually use all three, depending on the suitcase, trip location, etc. But in general, some type of packing cube is totally worth the investment. So much easier to pack, organize, and stay organized.
I’d be interested in anyone has tried the Flight001 spacepak bags…not like I need any more, though.
I love packing and travel gear too – I am definitely looking to try other types too – I’m planning a packing cube face off 😉
I love the packing cubes that Ikea sells. They are much less expensive than some of the others. I try to group clothes by activities, for example,my swimsuit, little skort, and beach slippers go in one,my dressy black top and two dressy scarves, plus appropriate costume jewelry go in another. They are not commonly used items, so I know to look for them at the bottom of the suitcase.
Good plan!
Hey Alex!
Just stumbled across your website and fell in love. I’m about to embark on my 1 year adventure to Australia in September and find the packing posts super helpful. I will definitely have to try out the ebag packing cubes!
Thank you! I hope you have a great trip 🙂
This post was really beneficial for me. I’ve been back and forth on whether I want to try packing cubes. I think it’s time to give them a try.
Great! Hope you like them as much as I do 🙂 Which ones are you going for?
I really like the idea of the packing cubes. I have purchased 3 but haven’t used them yet. My question is this: I am a 58 year old woman who will be traveling for 16 days through Europe in the Spring stopping in 7 countries. Does it make sense to pack in cubes since most of my stops will only be for one night? Is there a better way to pack? Do the clothes wrinkle? My clothes will be a little larger than those shown in the video. 🙂 I know to choose a color combination so I can mix and match m outfits. I plan on wearing one pair of shoes and packing one. I will also have a jacket since the low temps in some of the areas I will be traveling to can reach the 40’s. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Packing organizers or cubes are always beneficial for every trip. Just place all your tops in one, bottoms in the other and pair things as you go. This post might also help you give you a few ideas on how to use them: https://travelfashiongirl.com/packing-cubes/
Packing cubes are like having drawers in your suitcase. Love them.
Yes I even use them at home too like drawers when I need extra storage space
I agree with the previous comments…. use your cubes as drawers. Bottoms in one, tops in another, underwear in another. I just finished my first three week trip in Europe at the age of 50. My pack was 17 pounds. Next time it will be lighter. Great trip. Minimal packing was gear!
Love packing cubes! I use them as “drawers” to keep groups of clothing organized when traveling. I also use compression bags if the volume of clothing is a challenge. Compression bags make great dirty laundry bags too – limiting contamination of clean clothes!
That’s a great way to use them!
I love packing cubes. The eagle creek cubes are my fave. I have a question. The way you jam your clothes into the cubes don’t they come out all wrinkled? I pack mine much looser than you do because I am trying to keep them as wrinkle free as possible. What do you do to “dewrinkle” once you get to your destination? Even so called “wrinkle-free” clothing will get some wrinkles when they are jammed like that. Curious how you handle that.
For the most part I try to stick to fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily plus they tend to weigh less too. I hate wrinkles but hate ironing more so if fabric wrinkles easily, it’s usually a no-go in my wardrobe.