Packing for a trip can go one of two ways. If you’re a meticulous packer, you may make a detailed packing list before carefully loading your belongings into your suitcase. If you’re a little more laissez-faire, you may toss everything in at the last minute, unbothered by said packing space and call it a day. 

No matter which method you gravitate toward, there’s a decent chance that your stuff will get jumbled around during your travels. That’s where packing cubes come in handy. This simple travel accessory and these packing tips can help you more efficiently load up your suitcase while making organization easier during your trip. 

So what are packing cubes, and how do they work?

What Are Packing Cubes?

Put simply, packing cubes are small fabric pouches with zip closures. You can think of them like dresser drawers for your luggage. Rather than tossing everything into one big dark pit (i.e. your suitcase), a travel packing cube allows you to enjoy a little more organization when packing a bag.

Standard vs. Compression Packing Cubes: What’s the Difference?

Not all cubes work the same way, so let’s clear this up before you shop:

• Standard packing cubes: one zipper, one job. They keep your stuff sorted into tidy categories, but they don’t shrink anything.
• Compression packing cubes: a second outer zipper cinches the packed cube flat and forces the air out of soft clothing. Same organization, way less bulk.

How much less bulk? Each large cube in our Packing Cubes set cinches down once you close that outer zipper; the exact measurements are in the set rundown below. (Yes, they’re dramatic.)

For example, you can use packing cubes to:

• Group certain outfits together
• Pack different clothing categories together (like pants, shirts, undergarments, etc.)
• Double as a laundry bag by separating clean clothes from dirty laundry
• Have one designated compartment for your toiletry bag, electronics, etc.

With all of your belongings strategically placed in convenient compartments, you’ll have a much easier time finding what you need on your trip. As a result, plenty of frequent flyers (and reformed suitcase-tossers, hi, it’s us) swear by them. They are well worth the small investment, especially if you choose a durable brand that works well with various types of luggage.

The Packing Cube Set (6 Pieces)

$86.40

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How to Find the Best Packing Cubes

There are many different brands of travel packing cubes on the market. Each one boasts different features and degrees of quality depending on types of luggage.

The best packing cubes come with the following features:

• Stiff, durable fabric: If you’re an avid traveler, you want your travel cubes to last for a long time. Choosing a brand that uses durable fabric can make all the difference. A stiff, durable packing cube will hold its shape and keep your items contained. You won’t need to worry about it tearing, ripping, or becoming misshapen after a few uses.

• Strong zippers: Similarly, high-quality packing cubes should come with strong zippers. This way, they will be able to withstand the pressure of containing your clothing and other items for years to come.

• A mesh opening: By choosing mesh packing cubes, you’ll be able to see exactly what’s inside at a glance. In turn, you won’t need to unpack your entire suitcase or rummage through each packing cube to find your favorite bikini, a clean pair of socks, or whatever else you’re looking for. You’ll be able to pinpoint the right packing cube in a matter of seconds.

• Labels: Some types of packing cubes come with handy labels on the outside. These labels can take your organization up a notch. By clearly labeling each packing cube, you can find what you need faster, whether it’s your glamorous dinner outfit, your beach day supplies, or some comfy athleisure wear.

• Handles: Handles are another helpful packing cube feature you don’t want to miss out on. Packing cubes with handles are much easier to take out of your luggage. Rather than scooping up your chosen packing cube, you can conveniently grab it by its handle instead.

• A selection of sizes: Packing cubes are available in a wide range of sizes. A large packing cube can be big enough to hold your thick winter coats, while a small cube is compact enough to contain your tiny toiletries and a medium cube is in between. The best packing cube size is a matter of personal preference. However, it’s nice to have a few different sizes to mix and match with your various belongings.

Which Packing Cubes Should You Choose?

The market is crowded, and every set claims to be magic. When Travel + Leisure tested 29 compression sets, the field sorted into a few camps. If you pack ultralight, some tested nylon sets held strong even when overstuffed, which makes that category worth a look for one-bag trips; the priced categories break down like this:

Your pick comes down to how you travel:

• If you backpack and worry about rips: choose ripstop nylon with reinforced zippers.
• If you’re outfitting a whole family on a budget: a low-cost polyester set gets the job done.
• If you want standard cubes sized to our luggage: our Packing Cube sets are built to fit our bags exactly.

Our Packing Cube Set 6 pc set is 20% off and only $86.40 for the full set. Inside: two large cubes (8.66" × 12.4" × 4.72") two medium cubes (7.01" × 9.45" × 4.72") and two small standard cubes (5.39" × 9.45" × 4.72"). The body and mesh are 100% polyester, the zippers are nylon, and the set rates 4.9 stars across 2,250 reviews. It’s sized to pair with our Carry-On Roller and standard Weekender bags. Prefer less pieces? We also make a four-piece set with one XL cube, one large, one medium, and one small cube, complete with mesh peekaboo openings and label slots.

The Many Advantages of Using Packing Cubes

At this point, you may be wondering, “Are packing cubes worth it?” If you’ve ever dug through an entire suitcase for one specific sock, or paid an oversize baggage fee at the counter, yes.

Here are some of the advantages you can look forward to once you start using packing cubes:

• A more efficient packing experience: While planning a vacation is an exciting endeavor, packing for one can be a challenge. If you’re wondering how to pack a suitcase efficiently, packing cubes can make all the difference. They give you clear compartments for each of your items and help you save the most space in your suitcase.

• Better use of your luggage space: Standard cubes keep each corner of your suitcase organized and working, while compression cubes cinch soft clothing down to a smaller volume. Either way, you can pack more without needing a different size suitcase.

• An easier time finding things on your trip: Since packing cubes serve as dresser drawers for your luggage, you won’t need to unpack everything when you get to your final destination if you don’t want to. Instead, you can simply pull items from your packing cubes as needed.

• A way to separate dirty and clean clothes: If your next adventure doesn’t involve a washing machine, chances are you’ll have a growing collection of dirty clothes to drag around with you. Rather than letting them mix in with your clean clothes, you can tuck them away conveniently in a designated dirty clothes packing cube.

• More privacy: When you travel, you often have to submit your luggage for inspection. While this is necessary for security reasons, it’s not always fun to think about a TSA agent rummaging through your underwear. By keeping your items stowed away in packing cubes, you can enjoy a little more privacy.

• Less likelihood of overpacking: In a December 2024 Radical Storage survey, 71.7% of travelers said they’ve overpacked for a trip. If you’re one of them, you’re certainly not alone. When you’re under pressure to pack everything you need, it’s easy to get carried away with the packing process and toss in some unnecessary items at the end. This can temporarily reduce your packing anxiety, but it may also cost you a ton of money in oversize fees.

Rather than stuffing your bag with everything besides the kitchen sink, use packing cubes to help you strategize and plan ahead. You can give each packing cube a purpose and pack it with intention. In turn, you’ll feel more confident that you packed everything you need.

Using packing cubes can level up your travel organization tenfold. Once you get used to the perks of packing cubes, you’ll never want to go back.

It’s a lot like setting up a dresser in a new house after living with all of your clothes on the ground for a few days, and the new and improved organization makes your life a lot easier!

Are There Any Downsides to Packing Cubes?

We’re packing cube superfans, but even we’ll admit they’re not sorcery. A few tradeoffs to know before you commit:

• Upfront cost: Sets run roughly $17 to $95 across the market, per Travel + Leisure’s testing. Our 4 pc set lands in the middle at $66.30.
• They add a little weight: Our 4 pc set weighs 0.22 pounds before you put a single sock inside. Not a dealbreaker, but it counts toward your total.
• Compression only changes how much room your clothes take up: The packed bag still weighs the same, so everything can zip shut and your suitcase can still hit the 50-pound airline limit. Check your specific airline’s policy before you fly. (Your scale is your friend.)
• Over-stuffing can wrinkle structured pieces: Your linen blazer does not want to be vacuum-packed, which is why our set pairs two compression cubes with two standard ones.

More Ways to Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes can transform your travel luggage, but that’s not the only thing they’re good for. They have many useful applications. 

For example, you can use your packing cubes to:

• Streamline your linen closet
• Store your off-season clothing
• Organize your child’s toy room
• Simplify your diaper bag backpack
• Spruce up your craft room or home office

One cube for the chargers and cords in your desk drawer, one for swim gear by the front door: once you start, you’ll keep finding new jobs for them. 

How to Use Packing Cubes

The best part about packing cubes is that they’re super easy to use. All you have to do is open one up and place your stuff inside. As you zip the packing cube closed, try to squeeze out any excess air. This will help you compress your belongings down in size.

1. If your packing cubes have a slot for labels, make sure to label them as soon as you can so you don’t forget what’s inside. Your future self will thank you!

How Many Packing Cubes Do You Need?

For a one-week trip, a 4-to-6-piece set covers it. In Travel + Leisure’s testing, one six-piece compression set held four daytime outfits plus gym clothes and pajamas for a six-day trip.

Once you’re done packing, position your collection of packing cubes strategically in your suitcase. If you’re doing it right, it will feel like a game of Tetris. By packing each cube close together, you can use up every inch of your suitcase, duffel bag, or carry-on bag.

Should You Roll Clothes in Packing Cubes?

Generally, rolling your clothes is the best way to keep them wrinkle-free as you travel. Rolling them will also help them fit comfortably in your packing cubes.

Pack Like a Pro with BÉIS

Packing cubes keep your outfits sorted, cinch soft clothes down to size, and end the great suitcase rummage; browse our travel accessories to round out the rest of your kit. With their help, you can rest easy knowing that everything will be in perfect order the next time you unzip your bag. 

They can help you spend less time rummaging through your suitcase and more time enjoying your adventure. 

If you want cubes built to fit your carry-on and weekender, our set is designed for exactly that. We offer many different types of luggage. We can set you up in style with our durable packing cubes, hardside luggage sets, and convenient carry-on bags.

Sources:

• Radical Storage. “Travel Packing Statistics and Most Forgotten Items.” Dec. 6, 2024, radicalstorage.com/travel/travel-packing-statistics-and-most-forgotten-items
• Macdonald, Jessica. “The 8 Best Compression Packing Cubes, Tested and Reviewed.” Travel + Leisure, Jan. 7, 2026, travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/packing-tips/best-compression-packing-cubes