We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Lifestyle Travel The 7 Best Packing Cubes of 2024 for an Organized Suitcase The Gonex Compression Packing Cubes beat out the competition By Rebecca Norris Rebecca Norris Rebecca Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the Washington, D.C. metro area who has worked in beauty editorial for a decade. She also contributes to publications such as Byrdie, Well+Good, and Country Living. She is a graduate of George Mason University, where she earned a B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 29, 2024 11:27AM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Vicky Wasik Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Preparing to travel, not so much. Packing can be such a hassle — especially if you’re going on anything longer than a weekend getaway. Thankfully, packing cubes help make the process a whole lot easier. Packing cubes are thin rectangular fabric bags designed to nestle nicely into a suitcase so that you can make the most of every square inch of your luggage. When shopping for packing cubes, you’ll want to consider the capacity, design, quality, water resistance, and overall value of the set. Our PEOPLE Tested team set out to find the best packing cubes on the market. We tested 23 packing cubes to find the best of the best. Keep reading to discover the best packing cubes we tested. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Gonex Compression Packing Cubes at Amazon $30 Jump to Review Best Design: Calpak Packing Cubes 5-piece Set at Nordstrom $68 Jump to Review Best Variety: Béis The Packing Cubes at Nordstrom $68 Jump to Review Best for Checked Bags: Paravel Packing Cube Quad at Amazon $75 Jump to Review Best Compression: Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes at Amazon $22 Jump to Review Most Durable: Shacke Pak 5 Set Packing Cubes at Amazon $25 Jump to Review Best for Long Trips: SALE Veken Packing Cubes With Laundry and Shoe Bag at Amazon $26 $21 Jump to Review Best Overall Gonex Compression Packing Cubes PHOTO: Amazon $30 at Amazon View on Gonexsport.com Star Qualities Durable fabric with reinforced seams holds up well Super compressive and space-saving Have 4 cubes of different sizes to help keep you organized Red Flags Designed without a mesh screen, so you can’t see what’s in them Not fully waterproof The Gonex Compression Packing Cubes have it all. They’re made with ultra-lightweight fabric with reinforced seams, so you never have to worry about them breaking down due to being overstuffed. After being totally packed to the brim, the zippers and seams showed no signs of wear or stress, and the primary material appears resistant to tearing. Logistically, the set includes four cubes of varying sizes. While they’re made without mesh screens, these cubes work especially well in the compression department, as you can pack them, squeeze out all the air, zip them shut, and marvel at just how much space you’ve saved in your carry-on. While they shield your clothes from small accidental spills, they likely won't keep clothes dry in the presence of heavy water exposure. Colors: 14 | Material: Nylon | Pieces Included: 4 What We Think Now After six months of use, these packing cubes have held up great. They are showing no signs of wear and tear. We use these every time we travel and love how they make packing efficient and keep us organized. Although we would like the addition of separate cubes for laundry and shoes, we would definitely recommend these to friends and family. PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik Best Design Calpak Packing Cubes 5-piece Set PHOTO: Nordstrom $68 at Nordstrom $58 at Calpaktravel.com $68 at The Container Store Star Qualities Come with a water-resistant envelope pouch, which is great for toiletries or storing damp clothes 14 color and design options Mesh window allows you to easily see what’s inside Red Flags Very lightweight, which some shoppers complain makes it trickier to pack Sell out quickly, so it can be tough to get the limited-edition sets This set by Calpak is a crowd favorite, largely for the trendy colors and designs it’s sold in (14, to be exact). Their regular colors are nicely stocked, however, their limited-edition sets sell out quickly. Looks aside, these cubes are designed extremely well. They’re made with very lightweight fabric, and the smooth zippers help make packing a breeze. And if you don't own a toiletry bag, this set even comes with a water-resistant envelope pouch. Some shoppers complain that the lightweight fabric doesn’t provide enough structure to pack with. The trick, we found, is to pack it to its brim and you’ll be left with a perfectly compact rectangle that fits nicely into any suitcase. Colors: 14 | Material: Polyester | Pieces Included: 5 | Care: Spot clean What We Think Now After using these packing cubes for six months, they have held up very well and show no signs of fraying or holes. We have used them on several trips and have found they are amazing in both carry-on suitcases and checked bags. Because they are so lightweight and compact, it is easy to store them away when not in use. PHOTO: People/Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People/Vicky Wasik PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik Best Variety Béis The Packing Cubes PHOTO: Béis $68 at Nordstrom $68 at Beistravel.com Star Qualities Set includes six pieces for even more tailored packing Come with labels so you can further organize your garments Mesh window and plastic screens allow you to easily see what’s inside Red Flags Sell out regularly Shoe bags are quite small If you want enough cube variety to conquer any packing job, why not use the ones Shay Mitchell travels with? We're talking about the Béis' The Packing Cubes, which includes six pieces in total. The polyester cubes have added mesh windows, and the shoe bags have clear PVC screens, so you can easily see what’s inside. Where the cubes and pouch zip shut, the shoe bags have drawstring closures; we also found the shoe bags to be quite small, which may not be ideal if you have larger-sized shoes or boots you're planning to pack. Color: Black | Material: Polyester | Pieces Included: 6 | Care: Spot clean What We Think Now After using these packing cubes for three months, we really liked the mesh windows and labels for organization. We did find these cubes to be more structured than some of the others, and they took up more room. These work well if you're using the cubes to keep your bag organized. If you're using them to compress your clothes so you can pack more, you may want to go with less structured or more lightweight packing cubes. PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik We Tested Shay Mitchell’s Luggage Brand — Including the Carry-On Bag ‘You Can Fit Everything In’ Best for Checked Bags Paravel Packing Cube Quad PHOTO: Amazon $75 at Amazon View on Tourparavel.com $65 at Crate & Barrel Star Qualities Packing cubes are available in six color options with 11 monogram colors Made from upcycled plastic bottles Very durable and sturdy Red Flags Large cubes are better suited for a checked bag versus a carry-on Whether you personally love your embroidery or you tend to travel with family and friends (where it’s easy to misplace garments), this set of monogrammed packing cubes from Paravel is worth checking out. Given the spacious size of the cubes, we found that while these cubes are high in quality, they are best for those who tend to check their bags because of the larger sizes. The larger cube comfortably fit three pairs of shoes, and all of the cubes fit in a carry-on, but we had to put extra pressure on it to close. Plus, the length of the larger cube was just about the same length as the carry-on. Colors: 6 | Material: Nylon made from upcycled plastic water bottles with recycled zippers | Pieces Included: 4 What We Think Now We have used these several times in the last six months for both long and short trips, and they have held up well and still look brand new. Even though they are larger cubes, they are very lightweight and we liked having different size options to choose from. PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik The Best Away Luggage We Tested in 2024, Including Carry-Ons, Suitcases, and Pet Carriers Best Compression Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes PHOTO: Amazon $22 at Amazon View on Welltraveledgear.com Star Qualities Handles on each cube add extra portability Zippers work well, making the compression feature run smoothly Set includes 50 labels for easy organizing Red Flags No plastic or mesh windows, so you can’t see what’s inside Not waterproof or water-resistant Love the idea of compression cubes but want an all-inclusive set? The Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes include a small, medium, and large zippered cube, as well as a drawstring bag that can be used for shoes or laundry. Although they don't have plastic or mesh windows, the cubes come with small mesh compartments for labels (plus 50 labels to fill them), along with expandable zippered compartments. While we found they’re not exactly waterproof or water-resistant like they claim to be, we found that a light misting (like one might encounter while camping) would be fine. It’s also worth mentioning that these cubes aren’t as structured as they appear online. Colors: Glacier, Black, Blue, White | Material: Twill | Pieces Included: 4 What We Think Now After using these packing cubes for three months, we found that they held up well, were very lightweight, and the darker color concealed stains. We wish they had a mesh window to see the contents inside, but the different sizes and labels helped us stay organized. PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik Most Durable Shacke Pak 5 Set Packing Cubes PHOTO: Amazon $25 $22 at Amazon $25 at Walmart Star Qualities Mesh panels allow you to easily see what’s inside Durable with reinforced stitching Set includes a drawstring bag that can be used for shoes or laundry Good value, as you get five packing cubes for an affordable price Red Flags Some shoppers complain that they have a chemical smell when they arrive Made with breathable, water-resistant fabric, these packing cubes win the prize for durability. The set includes five pieces: one small, two medium, and one large zippered cube, as well as a drawstring shoe bag. During our testing, we were repeatedly surprised by how well-made these affordable cubes are, not to mention their spaciousness. Just keep in mind that the largest cube is almost the length of one side of a traditional roller carry-on. Some shoppers also mentioned they have a chemical smell when they arrive, so you may want to air them out before using them. Colors: 10 | Material: Nylon | Pieces Included: 5 | Care: Hand wash and line dry PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik Best for Long Trips Veken Packing Cubes With Laundry and Shoe Bag PHOTO: Amazon $26 $21 at Amazon Star Qualities Plastic and mesh windows allow you to easily see what’s inside 12 color options to choose from Set includes both a laundry bag and a shoe bag Red Flags No compression element Heavier nylon material is rather thick, adding extra weight to your luggage If you’re new to packing cubes but need a way to pack neatly for an upcoming long trip, look no further than the Veken Packing Cubes. The set at Amazon includes one small, one medium, one large, and one extra large cube, all of which feature both clear plastic windows and mesh panels to promote breathability. In addition to the cubes, the sets include a laundry and shoe bag. What sets these nylon cubes apart is that they’re designed with illustrations that indicate what goes inside each one. One thing to note is that these packing cubes are made of notably thicker nylon, so they may add a bit of weight to your overall luggage. They also don't have a compression element, so they are better for organizing your travel clothes versus helping your pack for space. Colors: 12 | Material: Nylon and polyester | Pieces Included: 6 | Care: Hand wash and hang dry What We Think Now After using these cubes for six months, we were impressed with the overall quality. They showed no signs of wear, and the zippers held nicely. We loved how organized these cubes kept us, and we are planning on buying more colors for kids. PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik The 12 Best Underseat Luggage of 2024, Tested by Real Travelers What to Know About Packing Cubes Design When shopping for travel accessories like packing cubes, it’s a good idea to consider what you’re hoping to use them for. If you’re planning to take them backpacking, you may want to emphasize water-resistant and waterproof fabrics. If you plan to use them for long trips where you have a lot to pack, opt for compressive designs (such as the Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes) that will squeeze out extra air to get the most out of your luggage space. What's Included Are you traveling with carry-on luggage or checked baggage? Are you using rolling luggage or a backpack? Depending on your answers, you’ll want more or less cubes. Typically, the more cubes a set has, the better, as you can use them for a variety of packing needs. When to Buy Packing cubes go on sale every now and again, most often after Labor Day and around major holidays that gear up to travel periods, like Memorial Day and Fourth of July. That said, not all brands follow the same sale guidelines, so it will take some searching to find out if your set of choice is on sale at any given time. People / Vicky Wasik Behind the Scenes After researching the best packing cubes on the market, we found 23 highly-rated products. Durability: We first examined their durability without any clothes inside, tugging and pulling the material and zippers to ensure they didn't easily tear or break apart. We then started packing the cubes from each set, examining how everything fit and how spacious they were.Capacity: We also tested how each packed cube fits inside a standard suitcase, noting how much space they take up or if there's extra room for other necessities. If the packing cubes had a compression feature, we tested that out.Design: Once fully packed, we ensured all the features worked effectively, including zippers, labels, and see-through panels. We also determined how durable the cubes seemed once packed to the brim.Water Resistance: Finally, we tested to see if each cube was waterproof or water-resistant by splashing water on the exterior. After thoroughly testing each packing cube, we rated each set based on the following attributes: capacity, design, quality, and overall value. The products with the highest average scores earned their spot on this PEOPLE-Tested list of the best packing cubes. Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of packing cubes? Packing cubes are designed for two reasons: They organize your suitcase and compress garments, thereby making the most of the limited space. According to Cuan Hanly, Away's chief design officer, packing cubes are helpful when packing everything from smaller items like socks and undergarments to larger garments like jeans, dresses, and shirts. Is it better to pack with or without packing cubes? While it comes down to a matter of preference, using packing cubes can seriously help streamline any suitcase. According to Hanley, the best benefit of packing cubes is that they allow people to pack smarter. “You can group your clothes by day or by destination to avoid digging through your suitcase looking for that one specific item you need,” Hanly says. “If you want to take it to another organizational level, you can even use different color cubes for different items to stay on top of what you packed where.” Why Trust PEOPLE? Rebecca Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the Washington, D.C. metro area who has worked in beauty editorial for a decade. She joined the Byrdie team as a nail expert in 2019 and contributes to several lifestyle publications. She is a graduate of George Mason University, where she earned a B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. For this list of the best packing cubes, she drew on the experiences of our team of product testers, countless online user reviews, and experts. Meet Our Expert Cuan Hanly is the Chief Design Officer at Away, a global lifestyle brand transforming the travel industry. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase. The 9 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested on Flights, Train Rides, and Road Trips