The best packing cubes for every type of trip (2025), tested and reviewed

Another great packing cube

Photo: Kat Merck

Shacke Pak Packing Cubes for $29 (set of 8): These were very good quality for the Amazon brand; There is a sturdy handle and the material is a little thicker than other packing cubes at this price point. I love the combination of mesh for ventilation and opaque fabric for privacy. They come in nine colors, but the colors are clownishly bright (the blue one in the photo above), and the four-panel mesh design reminds me of a jockstrap. Shacke says they use YKK zippers in all of their packing cubes, but I took the cover off the zipper and couldn’t find the YKK badge anywhere.

Photo: Kat Merck

Calpak packing cube set for $68 (set of 5): This is the first set of packing cubes I ever owned, and it sparked my obsession with travel organizing. There’s something generally satisfying about the size and design of these lightweight polyester cubes (pictured left) that have a mostly mesh front for visibility and ventilation. There’s a little window where you can label the contents (which is a lot more useful than you might think, especially when the packing cubes are about the same size), and I love that they come in 18 different colors and prints.

Amazon Essentials for $24 (set of 4): This set of four cubes with strong mesh windows and ripstop-like fabric was comparable in quality to brands four times the price. However, Bagmart’s cubes are less expensive and sturdier, so they just dumped them at the top of Amazon’s slot.

Courtesy of Dagny Dover

Dagne Dover Roma Packing Cubes from $12: When I first saw these shallow, full-mesh cubes with their hard wire edges and little label windows (pictured at left), I admit I wasn’t initially impressed, since they cost upwards of $30 per cube. But then I tested them. Not only does it hold more than it initially appears, but I ended up loving the way it kept its shape, allowing me to fit more into my bag and have my clothes arrive at their destination completely wrinkle-free. The mesh is also breathable yet durable, private, and lightly padded, so I felt secure when adding hard items like jewelry. Sure, it’s not a space saver, but if you want to make sure your items don’t move, get crushed, or get excessively wrinkled, it’s a great option, and comes in four stylish colors.

Rux Packing System Pack (3) for $126: These lightweight, foldable bags are a must-have for any Rux suitcase or box owner (including the excellent new Rux Duffel Box, which we’re testing right now). Made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene mesh, it fits perfectly into any Rux system and is made to hang inside to remain secure.

Photo: Kat Merck

Ekster Vacuum Travel Kit, $89: I was impressed with how well I could accommodate the IPX7 waterproof vacuum pressure bag, which comes with a portable travel pump. I also liked that it maintained its vacuum seal throughout the overnight flight. But it didn’t save as much space as I expected in my suitcase, especially compared to packing cubes, and I didn’t like that I couldn’t separate my clothes.

Away Inner Packing Cubes for $48 (Set of 4): I like that these come in 10 trendy colors, many of which match my Away luggage. However, after testing over 20 different brands and types at different price points, these cubes didn’t stand out. The material was very thin and indistinguishable from that of some of Amazon’s cheaper brands, and the zippers were small and unbranded.

Photo: Kat Merck

Antler Packing Cubes for $65 (Set of 4): These lightweight, front-facing compression cubes come in nine colors and are designed to coordinate with Antler luggage (we like the carry-on). They have solid zippers with extended tension, and the pressure was strong; They weren’t as strong as our top picks.

Gorilla Grip Packing Cubes for $12 (set of 6): These were the least expensive packing cubes I tested, and unfortunately, they showed up. The material was very thin, and the fasteners were not working. I like that it comes with a shoe and laundry bag, however, when not in use, it folds up very small. They come in a range of colours, with beautiful mesh panels, and the fabric is completely invisible. Handwash only.

Great bags for packing cubes

Photo: Kat Merck

Travelpro VersaPack + Carry-On for $323: This soft-sided expandable spinner from luggage powerhouse Travelpro (maker of our favorite carry-on bags) comes with two approximately 9 x 2-inch packing cubes on a divider that snaps in or out. Thick straps can be attached in the main compartment to provide compression, and there is also a laundry bag included and two shoe bags. I was very impressed with how much I was able to fit in this bag, especially when using other compression packing cubes. Which is somewhat necessary, as the included packing cubes hold little more than a few shirts and some underwear. Also be aware that when the bag is expanded, it remains a little front-heavy, even though it is designed to be tip-resistant. A test of rolling it upright while running through the airport to catch a rental car bus found that it still tended to flip over front-first.

Royce & Rocket Castle (with packing cubes) $630: This bag is bound to be a godsend for anyone who has ended a trip with half the contents of their bag on the ground after days of searching. The solid side looks like a regular clamshell, but open it up to reveal two fold-out shelves that are perfectly sized if you’re using packing cubes. Royce & Rocket’s Castle comes in portable, mid-size, or full-size with a matching set of packing cubes ($75 if purchased separately). Or buy the bag on your own and use your own packing cubes. (Although I did, and noted that only the medium and small sizes would fit.) However, note that this rack feature adds a significant amount of weight to the bag. I tested the medium-sized version, and when I went to weigh it when dropping off Alaska Airlines bags, I was shocked to find that it was just a hair under the 50-pound weight limit, even though I was only packing lightweight, travel-sized clothing and toiletries.

Other travel accessories we love

Photo: Kat Merck

WanderFull HydroBag for $59: WIRED Review team members are no strangers to water bottle bags. Even though I’m a member of the dry generation, I’ve become quite accustomed to having a water bottle near me at all times. Unless I’m carrying a backpack, I carry my backpack in a water bottle bag; especially When traveling. My favorite is from WanderFull, as the wide strap is comfortable enough for long walks and hikes. If metallic green isn’t your cup of tea, there are dozens of other fabrics, colors, and styles to choose from.

Calpak Luka Zippered Passport Wallet for $39: Whether you’re traveling internationally or have neglected to update your driver’s license before the US ID deadline (guilty), a passport wallet is a must-have. This stylish Calpak puffer bag holds not only your passport, but cash, cards and even your phone in the front pocket. The only downside is that it’s quite large, about the size of a contemporary paperback book (7.5 x 5.5 inches), and has no handle or loop, so it’s difficult to carry if you don’t have a purse large enough to accommodate it.

Aer Street Sling for $69: Many passport wallets, like the Luka wallet above, are too large. Unlike the belt bag, the Aer Unisex Bag is long, so it fits any passport wallet 8 x 5.5 inches or smaller. It’s a great option for anyone who still wants to travel light but doesn’t have to keep their passport in a backpack or pocket.

Courtesy of Dosi

Dosey Pill Compact for $26: These 7 x 3-inch pastel CDs (also come in blue and pink) feature a mirror and seven labeled day compartments finished in shiny gold. It’s very Valley of the Dollsbut I found its slim form to be surprisingly practical while travelling, slipping unobtrusively into smaller toiletry bags while remaining securely closed even during rough handling.

GuruNanda Travel Ready Mini Disposable Toothbrush for $30: Obviously bringing your own toothbrush is the most environmentally friendly option, but this is what my family uses for camping or other trips where we don’t want to risk having to reuse a dirty toothbrush. It’s soft enough for even the most sensitive gums, and the side of the handle doubles as a toothpick.

Gorilla Grip Luggage Straps for $16 (set of 4): If you tend to travel with your hard-sided suitcase as it expands, you may have noticed the somewhat troubling lack of structure. Both solid sides have their own tethered loads, flopping around while connected only by a thin fabric zipper. I rely on these straps to hold my precariously packed suitcase together when it’s launched from the scale onto the conveyor belt or thrown onto the runway. As a bonus, the bright color (the company has nine to choose from) makes it easy to locate your bag on the baggage claim cart.

Kusshi Travel Jewelry Organizer for $49 (Medium): I don’t know how I lived all this time throwing jewelry willingly or unwillingly into the toiletry bag. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you want to spend your first night on vacation untangling necklaces. For maximum space-saving organization, this hanging pocket bag folds down completely flat. The medium size features three layers of soft-lined, PVC zippered pockets for earring rings, bracelets, watches, and anything else you might need, plus a stylish necklace holder with loops and snaps. The large one has the same size, but with twice the number of sections. When closed, it folds flat to the size of an iPad.

Frequently asked questions

How does WIRED test packing cubes?

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I’ve been testing the toiletry bags and their adjacent accessories for the past seven months, using them daily in my bathroom and taking them on trips every few months. I choose packing cubes based on luggage brands we like or what seems trendy or popular; Some are samples from the companies themselves, but many I buy myself and pay for.

I inspect each cube or group of cubes for features and materials. I test how smoothly the zippers open and close, and how easy it is to use any compression feature. I pack different cubes with oversized sweatshirts and sweatpants to see how many pieces I can fit in the largest cube, and to see how they fit in a carry-on, backpack, and full-size suitcase. When I travel, I pack a cube from each set into three bags and evaluate how easy it is to pack or unpack, and note if there’s anything about it that bothers me or my family amid the stress and unpredictability of travel.

Photo: Kat Merck

Why not just use a Ziplock bag?

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This is the question I see most from travelers who question the use of packing cubes. Ziploc bags are inexpensive, and you can see everything inside. Why would someone spend $25 or even $100 on a set of packing cubes when a 2.5-gallon box of bags costs $5? It’s a good question, and I set out to investigate it by packing some huge zip-lock bags with my packing cubes for a week-long trip. I’ve discovered a few things.

The packing cubes are breathable. This is especially useful on the way home when most or all of your clothes are dirty. If your clothes smell like anything, or anything at all, you’ll get that smell on your face after they’ve been sitting in a sealed plastic bag.

The packing cubes are durable. Unlike a plastic bag, packing cubes won’t tear, burst, or cause unexpected holes.

(Some) packing cubes are compressible. Can you put five days’ worth of pants and shirts in a plastic bag? Maybe not. But you certainly can in a compressible packing cube, like some of the options above.

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