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The 6 Best Compression Packing Cubes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Two of our editor-approved compression packing cubes are now on sale ahead of Prime Day! Look for deep discounts on Gonex Compression Packing Cubes (select colors only) and Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes (select colors only).
If you’re a chronic overpacker. If you’re packing for two (or three, or four). If you get a thrill out of meticulously organizing and categorizing your belongings ahead of a once-in-a-lifetime trip. These are all reasons to invest in a set of compression packing cubes, and all of them have the same shared goal: to pack more efficiently for a less stressful travel experience. Unlike regular packing cubes which simply help with organization, compression cubes use a clever zipper system to remove air and bulk from your clothing so that it takes up significantly less space in your suitcase. They need to be strong yet lightweight and many of them come in sets featuring a variety of sizes and quantities.
To help you find the compression packing cubes that best suit your needs, we tested 29 different sets over a period of six months. Our Travel + Leisure editors packed them in suitcases for different types of trips and took notes on capacity, design, quality, and value — and most importantly, how the packing cubes helped them save space. Then we used the results to determine winners of categories ranging from the most durable to the best compression packing cube set for families.
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Size is key when it comes to packing cubes, and the Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes come in a set of six: one large cube, two medium cubes, two small cubes, and a shoe bag. The largest measures 15 x 10.5 x 6 inches when expanded, while the smallest measures 13 x 5 x 5 inches, and we chose this set as our absolute favorite because of the practical sizes that give a home to everything on your packing list (plus, the affordable price is another bonus).
T+L associate editor Anna Popp used hers to pack 10 days worth of clothes into a weekender bag for an island-hopping trip to Greece and was amazed by how much space she saved (yes, a 10-day international trip with just a weekender bag!). In fact, she was able to pack everything she needed into just four of the cubes. “Since I knew we were island hopping in Greece, I really wanted to bring just one bag, and the only reason I was able to fit everything with room to spare is because of the magical packing cubes,” Popp says.
The cubes were easy to pack when expanded and equally easy to compress using the clever zipper system. And, despite being made from lightweight, breathable polyester designed to keep clothes fresh, they’re also impressively robust. The sturdy zippers never felt at risk of breaking even though we put them under considerable strain by deliberately overpacking. Clothes emerged at our destination tidy and intact, with fewer wrinkles than usual thanks to being kept tightly rolled throughout the journey. Finally, each cube has a transparent pocket for adding an identification label, while accent colors range from navy blue to tie-dye sunset.
The Details: 6-piece set | Large: 15 x 10.5 x 6 inches (expanded), 15 x 10.5 x 1.8 inches (compressed); medium: 13 x 9 x 5 inches (expanded) 13 x 9 x 1.8 inches (compressed); small: 13 x 5 x 5 inches (expanded), 13 x 5 x 1.8 inches (compressed); shoe bag: 21.5 x 12 inches
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Each of the six cubes in this set are sized differently, allowing for a very precise packing strategy, while mesh panels allow you to see what’s inside without opening them.
The Monos Compressible Packing Cubes set includes six cubes, each of which can be compressed by up to 60 percent. They’re designed to fit in checked luggage, although the smaller ones fit in carry-on bags, too. We used ours on an eight-day trip to New York and on a two-day trip to Portland and were amazed both by the cubes’ capacity and by the amount of space they saved. We found the compression zippers easy to use, although we expect it would be harder if the cubes were overfilled.
A relatively expensive price tag is justified by the cubes’ excellent quality. They’re lightweight yet protective, with a tear-resistant nylon twill exterior and a soft, antimicrobial interior designed to keep odors at bay. We particularly like the breathable mesh panel on each cube, which keeps contents ventilated while also making it possible to see what’s inside at a glance. The cubes are structured enough to stay upright when empty, making them easy to pack, yet they fold flat when not in use. Stylish color choices range from tan to purple icing.
The Details: 6-piece set | 16.9 x 12.2 x 4.5 inches, 13 x 9.8 x 4.5 inches, 13 x 7.1 x 4.5 inches, 10.2 x 8.3 x 4.5 inches, 9.8 x 4.3 x 4.5 inches, 7.1 x 4.3 x 4.5 inches
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Though they come in sets of two, if you want different sizes, you’ll need to purchase multiple sets.
If opening your suitcase and seeing bright, cheerful designs make you happy, then you’ll love the style of the Calpak Compression Packing Cubes. They come in sets of two, with small, medium, and large options available to purchase, and more than 20 colors to choose from. Testing editor Jackie Cucco tried the medium set, using them to pack clothes into a carry-on, a checked bag, a weekender, and a backpack. Each one measures 9 x 13 x 4 inches when expanded and 9 x 13 x 2 inches when compressed, saving you two inches of space (but really more than that since they compress your clothing into a neat little bundle).
Cucco was able to fit eight pairs of rolled up leggings into one medium cube, and she also used them to keep delicate shirts separated from the rest of her belongings so they wouldn’t get snagged. “I’m not very skilled at folding, and I tend to be an overpacker, so these help me organize and compress my clothing in a neater way so I can fit more in my suitcase without it being pure chaos,” she says.
The zippered compression system is easy to use, with zippers remaining tightly closed to hold contents securely in place, and the cubes are made from thick yet lightweight polyester which proved to be water resistant. We love that the cubes have their own carry handle and that there’s a dizzying choice of stylish solid colors (think tea rose or sage) and funky patterns (like daisies, checkerboards, polka dots, and cheetah print).
The Details: 2-piece set | Medium: 9 x 13 x 4 inches (expanded), 9 x 13 x 2 inches (compressed) | Water resistant
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Made from lightweight, soft ripstop nylon with a smooth and durable zipper, the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes come in a set of four. Even the smallest (9.8 x 7.5 x 3.4 inches) is fairly generous, making dividing the set up between family members a practical option. The set is also one of the most affordable on this list — handy if everybody wants their own. With eight color choices ranging from black to pink, green, or blue, you can choose a different color for each family member so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Other than a grab handle for easy retrieval from your suitcase, these cubes have few frills. However, we love them for their reliability, noting their impressive strength and compression made possible by powerful zippers. Even after long-term testing and repeated overstuffing, they show no signs of wear or stress. The material appears to be tear-resistant. However, we wouldn’t recommend exposing the packing cubes to moisture since they tend to absorb rather than repel water.
The Details: 4-piece set | 17.3 x 13 x 3.4 inches, 14.5 x 10.6 x 3.4 inches, 11.8 x 8.9 x 3.4 inches, 9.8 x 7.5 x 3.4 inches
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If you’re looking for packing cubes capable of withstanding frequent travel, you’ll love this two-piece set from Thule. Featuring small and medium cubes designed to fit perfectly inside most carry-on suitcases, the set impressed us with the durable lightness of its nylon construction. “I’ve owned compression cubes that have come apart at the seams after getting some mileage on them, and I can tell that won’t be a problem with these cubes,” says T+L senior editor Jasmine Grant.
Expect sturdy stitching, premium YKK zippers, and an ability to repel liquid that Grant proved by pouring water over the cubes during testing. This water repellency not only protects contents from accidental spills, but also comes in handy for separating damp clothing.
We liked that the nylon is semi-transparent, making it possible to see what’s inside while still offering some discretion should you need to open your suitcase at security. The structured shape (rectangular with rounded edges) is easy to pack and fits seamlessly into a backpack; while webbing handles come in handy for grabbing and hanging the cubes when it’s time to unpack. Both are surprisingly spacious — we were able to fit enough clothes for four days before employing the expansion feature.
The Details: 2-piece set | Small: 10.2 x 7.1 x 4.3 inches (expanded), 10 x 7 x 1.3 inches (compressed); medium: 14 x 10 x 5.9 inches (expanded), 13.4 x 9.1 x 1.3 inches (compressed) | Water repellent
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With the exception of the Gonex cubes which are just a little bit more expensive, the Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes retail for less than half the price of all the other options on this list. And although we would describe the quality of the medium-weight fabric and zippers as adequate rather than particularly heavy duty, a lifetime warranty should be enough to convince those on a budget. Designed for carry-on and checked bags alike, the set includes large, medium, and small compression cubes with an extra bag for shoes or laundry.
We were able to fit two pairs of pants and three pairs of shorts in the large cube with space leftover; three T-shirts and three long-sleeve shirts in the medium cube; and six pairs of socks and five pairs of underwear in the small cube. Once compressed, everything felt securely held in place, and the fact that the fabric is water resistant is another bonus. Although the cubes are opaque, they do come with a transparent contents card pocket (although one of ours was damaged).
The Details: 4-piece set | Water resistant
Other Compression Packing Cubes We Liked
These packing cubes just missed out on being chosen for our main list due to some issues encountered during testing. However, some travelers may find them to be a good fit.
Paravel Compression Cubes: While we were impressed with the quality materials and zippers, we didn’t feel that the compression feature was particularly effective on these cubes. We would also have liked the set to include some different sizes.
Travel + Leisure / Alicia Dolieslager
Lean Travel Premium Compression Packing Cubes: Although we wish this no-frills set was water resistant and took up a little less space in our suitcase, long-term testing over six months has proven the cubes to be an effective and reliable purchase.
Our Testing Process
We tested 29 packing cube sets for this article, paying special attention to capacity, design, quality, and value, and sorting through testing insights to select our category winners. First, we evaluated the quality of the packing cubes’ material and construction. We took note of any special design features, then packed the cubes with a list of clothing appropriate to their size. During this process, we recorded their capacity, any organization features, and the effectiveness of the compression system. Where possible, packing cubes were packed, loaded into a suitcase, and tested on a real-life trip. Otherwise we used them regularly at home in order to evaluate durability, protectiveness, and ease of cleaning. Testing is ongoing for a period of six months, after which our results will be updated.
Tips for Buying Compression Packing Cubes
Consider how many you need
The number of compression packing cubes featured in a set varies considerably between brands, with options on this list offering anywhere from two to six cubes. Often sets with a greater number of cubes are also more expensive (although this isn’t a hard and fast rule — price also depends on the quality of the materials, the design, and the brand name). If this is the case, there’s no point paying extra for cubes you don’t need.
This may be true if you’re only packing a carry-on bag, for example, or want to have plenty of unstructured space leftover for bulky or noncompressible items. On the other hand, a six-cube set may be the perfect choice if you’re hoping to divide the cubes between your carry-on and checked bags, if you’re super organized, or if you want to share cubes between family members. Consider your needs carefully and then purchase a set that meets them.
Look for high-quality materials
Choosing a product made from high-quality materials is key when shopping for compression packing cubes. That’s because compression cubes are, by their very nature, exposed to a lot more stress than regular cubes. Look for fabrics with a high weight-to-strength ratio such as ripstop nylon or high-denier polyester and heavy duty zippers capable of closing over bulging contents without breaking.
Materials that have been treated with a water-repellent coating are especially useful. That’s because water-resistant cubes not only protect their contents from any exterior spills or weather exposure, they also provide a way to keep damp or dirty clothing separate from the rest of your suitcase. Water-resistant material is usually easy to wipe clean, too, protecting your packing cubes from stains and keeping them looking new for longer.
Check the dimensions
As well as considering how many packing cubes are included in a set, you should also check the dimensions of each one. If you plan on using them in a carry-on, you need to ensure they will fit — some packing cubes are made especially for checked bags. This is usually stated explicitly in the product description. If not, measure your suitcase (or look at the dimensions in the online product description if you can find it) to get an idea of how the cubes will fit inside. You should also think about what you want to pack inside each one. Some sets offer several cubes of the same size (handy for separating different outfits), while others include a range of sizes from small to large for everything from socks and shoes to bulky outer layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do you use packing cubes?
There’s no hard and fast rule on how to use your packing cubes. But for the maximum benefit we suggest using them to categorize your clothing. Depending on the size and number of cubes, this could mean using one for socks and underwear, another for leggings and jeans, one for skirts and dresses, and another for tops. Alternatively if you’re packing for more than one person (your kids or partner, for example), you could use them to keep each person’s outfits separate. You could also categorize your cubes according to different parts of your trip (e.g., one with outfits for a hotel stay and another with outfits for a cruise or wilderness safari). Put simply: packing cubes should add organization and structure to your packing strategy.
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Do packing cubes save space?
All packing cubes encourage you to think more intentionally about your packing, and in doing so, may result in saved space as you realize that some items can be left behind. But if saving space is a specific goal, opt for compression packing cubes over regular organization cubes. These clever travel solutions use a zipper system to compress bulky clothing and remove excess air so that items literally take up less space in your suitcase.
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How do you clean packing cubes?
Most compression packing cubes are made from strong, lightweight synthetic fabrics such as nylon or polyester. These lend themselves well to spot cleaning with a damp cloth, especially if they have any kind of water-repellent coating. Some may be machine washable and even tumble dryer safe; however, it’s always best to check care guidelines to make sure whatever cleaning method you use will not cause damage.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Jessica Macdonald has been writing about travel gear for 10-plus years and has visited more than 50 countries. She often uses packing cubes on her travels and finds them especially helpful now she’s packing for two small kids. She uses them to separate each child’s clothes so they’re easy to locate even when there’s no space to unpack fully. Products in this article were chosen according to the results of real-life testing carried out by the T+L team.
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