Best Lightweight Packing Cubes to Organize Travel Necessities
Updated: Apr. 08, 2024
The best packing cubes keep all your travel necessities organized—and save space!
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After you’ve bought the plane tickets and booked your Airbnb or hotel, it’s time to think about packing. But before you start throwing clothes in your luggage, you need to figure out how to fit all your stuff. For that, you’ll want the best packing cubes to save both space and time.
Packing cubes help you stay organized, plus they keep your clothes protected and separated from shoes and accessories. They also can simplify unpacking your luggage at your destination, knowing that everything is already properly arranged. The best packing cubes can maximize the space in your carry-on luggage, too, so you won’t have to worry about lost luggage.
Best overall packing cube
Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube
Pros:
- Two-sided packing cube
- Anti-odor properties
- Machine-washable and water-resistant
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- Less-structured shape than some
One of the conundrums of travel is separating dirty clothes from clean. The Eagle Creek Isolate Cube is one of the best packing cubes for travel because it has an internal divider that allows you to sort the contents: One side is designed to breathe (and let odors out), and the other side protects clean clothes from the transfer of the not-so-fresh scent of dirty laundry. The fabric’s anti-microbial treatment helps eliminate pesky smells from lingering after you unpack.
Best budget packing cube
Samsonite Compression Packing Bags
Pros:
- A steal at $20
- Airtight and watertight
- Can also be used to store out-of-season clothes in your closet
Cons:
- Might overly compress items and make bags heavier than expected
- Requires a vacuum to re-pack compactly
If you’re looking for a way to save some cash on your travel accessories and pack up to twice as much on your next trip, look no further than these compression packing bags from Samsonite. They serve the same purpose as packing cubes when it comes to organizing luggage but can be compacted down, thanks to a design that lets you use a vacuum to remove the air from around clothing. Get them in a well-priced 12-pack that includes four sizes: pouch, carry-on, checked-suitcase and large packing-cube size.
Best see-through packing cube
Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube
Pros:
- Mesh design for visibility and breathability
- Available in three colors
Cons:
- Less structured shape than some
Eagle Creek makes our list twice because this brand is one of the originators of the packing cube concept. The Eagle Creek Reveal Cube features a mesh window on one side, so you can eyeball what’s packed inside without unzipping. It also allows air to circulate. You might not remember which cube has toiletries and which has your favorite pajamas, so this option gets rid of the guessing game.
Best lightweight packing cube
Osprey Ultralight Packing Cube Set
Pros:
- Lightweight fabric design
- Convenient double zipper pullers
Cons:
- J-zip design only opens on two sides
Even if you’re not schlepping your bags across continents, keeping bags as lightweight as possible just makes sense. You never know if you’ll have to rush through the airport or need assistance with placing your carry-on in the overhead bin. That’s why the Osprey Ultralight cube set is a solid choice: Each cube weighs less than 3 ounces.
Best luxury packing cube
Roam Luggage Packing Pods
Pros:
- Customized design for different packing needs
- Lifetime warranty
- 100-day free trial
Cons:
- Pricier than most packing cubes
These modular packing pods by Roam have many thoughtful design elements that make them well worth their higher-than-most price tag. The set of four includes multiple pods: one that’s waterproof for toiletry storage, one fleece-lined with pockets for jewelry and two standard cubes for clothing. You can also pick among three color options.
Best packing cubes for weekends
Bagsmart Expandable Packing Cubes
Pros:
- Some options available in a six-piece set
- I.D. tag pocket for easy organization
- Waterproof fabric
- Two-way zipper
- 4,300 Amazon ratings and a 4.6-star average
Cons:
- Stitching is a bit unbalanced
This set of Bagsmart packing cubes let you pack more with less space. The double zippers expand to fit your clothes, socks and undergarments, then compress down to save space. Use these for a weekend camping trip or short flight when space is as a premium.
Verified purchaser Hunter Antal writes, “As someone who is a big-time overpacker, I’ve genuinely lost sleep over how I was going to make it work. Cue compression packing cubes! I’m genuinely very impressed by the quality of both the zippers and the cubes themselves.”
What to consider when buying packing cubes
When you’re deciding on the best packing cubes to buy, consider things like material, zippers and construction. Some people like lightweight fabric when every ounce counts, while others prefer something sturdier that keeps clothes neatly folded and organized throughout a trip. If long-term durability is a top concern, you probably want to stick with tried-and-true brands that are known for their quality.
Types of packing cubes
- Lightweight packing cubes: Lightweight fabric minimizes weight in your luggage.
- Compression packing cubes: These compress the contents via an extra zipper or the use of a vacuum, which saves space in your luggage.
- Waterproof packing cubes: These protect your belongings from moisture.
- Mesh packing cubes: A mesh front panel lets you see the contents without having to open the cube.
- Cubes with multiple compartments: These offer more opportunities for organization with separated internal spaces.
Why you should trust us
I have been a writer for many years and covered a wide range of topics. I love to help my readers by providing answers and solutions to life’s complicated questions. I have also been published in Wired, Parade, Bon Appétit, Self, The Independent, Women’s Health, HuffPost and Insider.
How we found the best packing cubes
Neatly packing your suitcase can set you up for a great trip. As shopping experts, we made sure to find the best packing cubes available. We start with the research and reporting basics—what the packing cubes are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the packing cube’s quality (such as the seams and zippers), taking advice from industry insiders and category experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we comb through user reviews to see how real people interact with these packing cubes and if they stand up to real-life use during travel.
FAQ
Are packing cubes worth it?
Packing cubes are worth it because they provide more options than single-compartment packing and can suit any budget. They keep clothes organized so you can quickly locate socks and t-shirts when you unpack. Frequent travelers swear by packing cubes to save suitcase space.
How to use packing cubes?
Use packing cubes to organize your belongings and to save space. Organize by color, style, occasion, clothing type—whatever makes the most sense to you and your needs.
How many packing cubes do I need?
The number of cubes you need depends on the trip and your packing style. Spread out everything on your packing list so you can see what you have to determine how many cubes to get. You can also take measurements inside your suitcase, backpack or duffel and buy cubes that fit snugly in your bag.
Do packing cubes wrinkle clothes?
Any time clothes are packed tightly, they risk wrinkling, though most users report that clothes get less wrinkled in cubes. You can try the clothes rolling method or pack Downy Wrinkle Releaser to smooth and freshen up your clothes when you reach your destination.
Originally Published: March 12, 2024
