I spent six weeks last summer traveling to three different countries to attend four weddings and one bachelorette. I lost a number of tiny stuff, such as different bobby pins, lipstick tubes, socks, and—most importantly—time searching for them because I never got used to living out of my carry-on. I’ll be using packing cubes to keep all of my necessities organized because my social calendar is just as hectic this summer.
As the name suggests, packing cubes are compact, well-structured packs that slide into your suitcase and keep your belongings in order for a stress-free journey. We asked bloggers, packing enthusiasts, home organizers, and travel experts about their favorite packing cubes and other general packing advice in order to find out more about the best ones to buy.
GO Ahead and SkipWhy should I trust NBC Select? How did we choose the best packing cubes? The greatest packing cubes of 2024? How do I shop for packing cubes?
Selected.
-
Best budget pickJJ Power Travel Packing Cubes Set
$11.49$22.99Amazon
Learn more
-
Best overallEagle Creek Pack-It-isolate Cube Set
$28.32$45.00Amazon
Learn more
-
Best expert pickBaggallini Long Compression Packing Cube
$undefined$17.00Amazon
Learn more
Related
Dealing with dry skin? Here’s what to look for in a body lotion
How we picked the best packing cubes
When it comes to packing cubes and packing in general, a little investment can make a big difference. Finding choices that compress is important, according to our authorities, since it frees up more room in your suitcase and facilitates organizing all of your necessities. The professionals we consulted advise bearing the following in mind:
Compression: According to travel expert and Pack It Up! The Essential Guide To Smart Travel author Anne McAlpin, choose compression packing cubes over fabric choices because you can save up to three times as much room.
Quality: When comparing prices, keep in mind that if something seems too good to be true, it most likely is. According to McAlpin, a decent packing cube should cost $10 or $15, but you can find packs of six on the internet for $25.
Warranty: When comparing prices, the professionals we spoke with advised paying close attention to warranties. For instance, brands like Eagle Creek (which we suggest below) provide guaranteed repairs.
The best packing cubes in 2024
To help you keep organized while traveling, we’ve compiled a list of packing cubes that experts recommend as well as staff favorites.
Eagle Creek Pack-It-isolate Cube Set
Eagle Creek Pack-It-isolate Cube Set
Packing cubes by luggage retailer Eagle Creek come recommended by multiple of our experts, including Paul Healy and Mark Barnes, who runs the travel blogAnywhere We Roam, Tara Cappel, founder and CEO of travel groupFor The Love of Travel,and McAlpin. According to Healy, their Pack-It Isolate Sets are renowned for being among the lightest cubes available. The set is protected by Eagle Creek’s repair warranty, just like all of its other goods. According to the company, the cubes’ sturdy compression zipper, which McAlpin advises keeping an eye out for, compacts apparel to accommodate more items in a tiny space. They are water-resistant, machine-washable, and made of lightweight ripstop poly fabric. You may buy the Pack-It Isolate set cubes separately or in sets of different sizes.
Baggalini Long Compression Packing Cube
Baggallini Long Compression Packing Cube
This is a popular choice for McAlpin because it’s long and thin. However, don’t be fooled by its peculiar shape, she says: Most people ask themselves, “What’s this for?” when they see that long, thin cube. I d never use that, and it s [actually] really useful. McAlpin places the cube between the handles of her luggage and says it s great for rolling up a whole week s worth of underwear, small bras and socks, and best for utilizing the space on the bottom of your rolling bag. Additionally, McAlpin suggests the Baggalini Medium Compression Cube. According to the brand, both alternatives are lightweight and water-resistant, and they feature a translucent panel that lets you see your items.
Briggs and Riley Small Luggage Packing Cubes
Briggs and Riley Small Luggage Packing Cubes
If you re ready to invest in a quality set, McAlpin also recommends packing cube options from higher-end luggage company, Briggs & Riley. This set of three cubes is designed to place inside your carry-on (the brand offers a set forlarger luggage, too). They re made of lightweight nylon and mesh fabric, allowing you to identify the clothing stored inside. Each set has a double-sided cube, which allows you to separate out any dirty clothes.
Bagsmart 7 Set Packing Cubes for Travel Essentials
Bagsmart 7 Set Packing Cubes for Travel Essentials
If [packing cubes] are all the same size it has an adverse effect think about the space you need for underwear and socks vs the space you need for sweaters, says Marina Radlinski, home organizing expert and owner ofPalm Beach Organized. She recommends this Basgmart set, which consists of different-sized cubes. The set includes seven cubes made of nylon and mesh, allowing you to see your clothing options inside.
JJ Power Travel Packing Cubes Set
JJ Power Travel Packing Cubes Set
While McAlpin cautioned against buying cheaper sets under $25,Zoe Malin, a reporter at NBC Select, swears by this option from Amazon. They re cheap and get the job done. I ve used them for years and they haven t gotten worn out yet, so that s a win, she says. This set comes with two large cubes, one medium cube, two smaller cubes, a shoe bag and a toiletry bag. They don t compress down, but the mesh exterior lets you easily see what is packed in each cube.
Quince Revive Nylon Eco Compression Cubes (6-Pack)
Quince Revive Nylon Eco Compression Cubes (6-Pack)
These packing cubes from Quince earned a spot on NBC Select s 2024 Travel Awards. I have used a lot of different packing cubes and these were great. Love the expandability, love the material and love that cushioning, says Malin, who tested them for the awards. We could also stuff multiple shirts inside the largest packing cube and compress them down to a more suitable size.
Away The Insider Packing Cubes
Away The Insider Packing Cubes
I love these packing cubes from Away so much that they have become my go-to holiday present for friends and family, says NBC Select contributor Bethany Heitman. They fit a ton of stuff, come in fun colors and the base is water-resistant to protect your clothes in case a toiletry item explodes mid-flight. The set comes with four different-sized bags, each with a mesh top for breathability. One set fits perfectly in one side of Away s popularcarry-on bag.
Tripped Compression Packing Cubes
Tripped Compression Packing Cubes
This three-piece set of packing cubes has a 4.5-star average rating from over 10,500 reviews on Amazon and is available in 11 different colors. The bags are made of ripstop nylon, so they are lightweight and durable. According to the brand, you get two large bags that can hold up to a week s worth of shirts and pants, plus a medium bag that can hold a week s worth of underwear and socks. The bags also have a handle to make pulling them out of our suitcase easier.
Related
A wellness routine doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are our favorite winners under $25.
How to shop for packing cubes
For years, McAlpin used Ziploc bags (as everyone did, she notes), before cubes came along. If you re disorganized or tend to stress about organizing, she says packing cubes are a useful investment and a sustainable one, too.
As you shop for packing cubes, our experts recommend keeping the following in mind:
-
Compression packing cubes
: If you buy your first set, spring for a compression option. They will help create extra space in your bag that a non-compression option most likely can t. -
Material, weight and structure:
Packing cubes should be lightweight, but not enough to forfeit structure. Most options are made of polyester or nylon (or sometimes a combination of the two), and McAlpin says she prefers these to solely mesh options, which often snag, rip and just don t have much structure. For McAlpin, more structured options add just a few extra ounces but are worth their organizational benefits (though they might not be the best fit for hiking or adventure travel). She also recommends looking for options with a translucent top that lets you easily see and keep track of what s inside the cube. -
Multiple colors
: While a translucent top is preferred, buying cubes in different colors can help make unpacking easier, too. I divide everything in my luggage into my packing cubes. I know the red cube has my swimsuit and [cover-up], the blue cube has this, the long cube has that, McAlpin says.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
-
Anne McAlpin
is a packing expert and author Pack It Up! The Essential Guide To Smart Travel.
-
Tara Cappel
is the CEO and founder of the
For The Love of Travel
tour group, which specializes in group trips for young professionals.
-
Paul Healy and Mark Barnes
are travel bloggers who run the blogAnywhere We Roam
.
-
Marina Radlinski
is a home organizing expert and owner ofPalm Beach Organized
.
Why trust NBC Select?
Christina Colizzais a former editor at NBC Select and has been a product reviewer since 2018. She covers a range of self care and skin care topics likeshampoos,eyebrow serumsand more.
Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage ofpersonal finance,tech and tools,wellnessand more, and follow us onFacebook,InstagramandTwitterto stay up to date.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!