This article is a part of CNN Underscored’sSummer Travel Week, a weeklong focus on how to travel smarter and save money during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
Packing cubes quick picks
Mesh packing cubes: Veken 8-Piece Packing Cube Set
Compression packing cubes: Bagail Compression Packing Cubes, Set of 4
Luxury packing cubes: Mark & Graham 6-Piece Packing Cube Set
Water-resistant packing cubes: Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Starter Set
If packing is the most stressful part of traveling for you, then let us introduce you to packing cubes.
These organizers will make packing for your trip easy and painless, while also optimizing space in your suitcase so you can avoid the fee for checking extra bags. With packing cubes, you can keep your clothes, accessories and toiletries in their own zippered compartments, making it easier to arrange them in your luggage.
Once you try packing cubes, they will become an irreplaceable part of your travel gear — trust us.
What are packing cubes?
Available innylon, mesh and many other soft materials, packing cubes are essentially zippered pouches of differing sizes that allow you to organize the contents of your suitcase.They’ve become ubiquitous for all kinds of travelers, from business tycoons to beachgoers to backpackers.
“Packing cubes keep your luggage from becoming a mass of things to root through while you’re traveling,” says Amanda Wiss, founder of New York City-based home organizing firmUrban Clarity. “Whether you are a painstaking packer planning weeks in advance or you whip it all together at the last minute, after a day or two into the trip, keeping things organized and handy becomes a struggle. That’s where packing cubes come in.”
In addition to streamlining the process of packing, the little taskmasters help keep you organized during your stay. “Not only do they sectionalize your things and keep them protected and clean,” Wiss says, but they also “help provide a ‘home’ for every item, which is key for organizing any space.”
How to use packing cubes
The best part about packing cubes is that you can use them how you want. Prefer to keep your socks together? Dedicate a packing cube to them. More interested in keeping clothes of a certain color in one area? Pack a cube dedicated to your favorite green clothes, or put your packing cubes to use beyond clothes and use them to store all your cables or beauty favorites in one place.
Customize how you use your packing cubes to stay the most organized. When your trip is coming to a close, consider dedicating one (or more) of your cubes to your dirty clothes. That way, you can ensure that your dirties don’t touch your cleans. Some packing cube sets even come with a dedicated laundry bag.
But what packing cubes should you buy? Here’s some of our favorites.
Best packing cubes for your next trip
These packing cubes help you stay organizedandexpand the usable space in your carry-on bag, all while staying under $15. This set of six packing cubes includes various sizes and a drawstring bag for endless ways to pack.
Read our review
This value set includes two large cubes, which are useful for packing bigger items of clothing and for longer trips. It also has one extra-large cube and one medium cube for all your other belongings. Plus, it’s got its own laundry bag so you can keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones. The set comes in 13 color options to best suit your style.
This three-piece set is made from nylon fabric and has a mesh top panel, which makes it easy to see what’s inside each of your cubes. Each cube has its own handle for easy carrying while you’re on the go. We love the variety of colors and patterns these cubes come in, especially the fun leopard print.
Editor Favorite
Bagail Compression Packing Cubes, often on sale for less than $20, offer durability, space-saving compression and organizational benefits, making them an essential travel accessory endorsed by thousands of positive reviews.
Read our review
Editor Favorite
Paravel is one of our favorite travel brands, and this packing cube set is one of the brand’s bestselling items. The four-piece set comes in six different color options, so you can find one that fits your personality. Plus, our favorite part is the customization option that’s available to put your monogram on the top of each of the cubes for an additional fee.
This set of six packing cubes — ranging in size from extra large to small — come in four different colors. Perhaps what makes this set so perfect for travel is that it not only comes with four traditional packing cubes but it also has its own shoe bag and laundry bag so you can keep your dirty clothes and shoes separate from your clean clothes.
This six-piece packing cube set from travel pros Mark & Graham is as beautiful as it is practical. Included in the set, you’ll get one shoe bag, one laundry bag to keep your dirty clothes separate from the clean ones and four standard packing cubes in a variety of sizes. You can get the set in three different color options and monogramming is available for $12.50.
Gonex makes super-light cubes — they’re a favorite of Urban Clarity customers, according to Wiss — and these compress to fit even more necessities (and create more efficient storage when you’re not traveling). The three-piece set is available in three color options, and a larger four-piece set is available in eight colors.
Ranging in size from 12 inches to 17 inches, this five-piece set of packing cubes will make organizing your clothes a breeze. The cubes come in five classic colors and 15 limited color options, including Cheetah, Pink Sand, Walnut, Sage and Lagoon. Plus, each packing cube is water-resistant.
This three-piece set is the perfect starter kit for the packing cube convert. It has a folder, which can compress up to 12 dress shirts, as well as a full packing cube and a half packing cube. These are especially useful for backpackers or vacationers, Wiss says, as they’re soft, lightweight and water-resistant.
This may just be the ultimate packing cube set of all packing cube sets. With a massive eight pieces of storage space — some waterproof and some mesh—you’ll have space for all your goods. The set is available in nine colors and even offers dedicated space for makeup, chargers and more.
An appealing set from a brand synonymous with quality, durability and functionality. Each packing cube, which is available in Cool Silver, Carbon Navy and Crisp Lapis, is made of durable nylon fabric and weighs next to nothing, making them the perfect travel companion.
This six-piece set is available in eight different colors, perfect for matching your packing cubes to your favorite carry-on bag. The largest of this set is perfect for bulkier items like sweaters and jeans, while the smallest is perfect for organizing your power cords and other small accessories.
This three-piece set offers optimal storage for your clothes, especially if you’re a folder and stacker. The colorful set is made with repurposed materials, and each piece features a wraparound zipper. Each Cotopaxi packing cube is made by employees who have creative control over the color pattern, so expect a unique pattern.
This set of six packing cubes from the ever-chic Béis comes with four zippered pouches, perfect for storing clothes of all kinds, plus two drawstring shoe bags. If you’re a shoe fiend, this is the packing cube set for you, as you’ll have enough space to store two pairs of dirty footwear away from your clean clothes.
These packing cubes are made from sturdy 600 denier PU. The set includes two large garment bags, two small garment bags and one small pouch all folding neatly into a compact travel pouch for easy storage.
Short on space? These packing cubes from Thule are perfect because they eliminate excess air to help you maximize your packing space. They’re semitransparent, so you can see what’s in each while maintaining enough privacy. The rip-proof material is water-repellent and will last you for many trips to come.
Keep your clothes and accessories organized in this set of four compressible packing cubes from Monos. They’re designed to perfectly fit in a piece of luggage — like the Monos Carry-On — and feature anti-catch zippers and mesh top panels for easy viewing. They’re made from a tear-resistant and water-resistant twill.
Editor Favorite
This set of packing cubes from the travel experts at Away offers a space for every piece of your wardrobe. You’ll get four different cubes made from water-resistant nylon. Each is topped with a mesh panel for easy viewing, and each also has a zipper to keep your stuff organized.
Our favorite part of this set is the expansion zipper, which lets you store more in each of the cubes if you’re heading away on a longer trip. This durable set, made of strong nylon, is perfect for the adventurer.
DIMJ offers packing cubes in sets of six, eight and nine pieces. Plus, if it’s options you’re after, you’ll have the choice of more than 20 different colors for the perfect travel organization set to match your style. Included in the eight-piece set are five packing cubes, one travel shoe bag, one toiletry bag and a cable case.
Briggs & Riley offers a set of packing cubes of its own. The three-piece set is made of polyester and features a mesh top so you can easily see what’s in each packing cube. They’re machine-washable too.
This four-piece set from Amazon Basics has more than 10,000 5-star reviews — and for good reason. Each of the cubes has all the features you could want in an organizing set: zipper closures, mesh panel tops and handles. The set comes in six different color options and three different sizes.
This eight-piece organizing set will change the way you travel. Not only will you get four traditional zipped packing cubes for your clothes but you’ll also get a dedicated toiletry bag, shoe bag, sock bag and laundry bag.
These packing cubes are another Amazon favorite. Lightweight, durable and easy to use, the Shacke Pak offers a set of four cubes as well as a drawstring bag, all for $22. It also comes in multiple colors!
FAQs about packing cubes
To learn more about packing cubes, CNN Underscored reached out to Luigi Auricchio, the vice president of design at Away. Here’s about he had to say about packing cubes:
Should I roll or fold clothing in packing cubes?
“Both rolling and folding have their benefits; it really comes down to personal preference and the type of clothing you’re packing. Rolling clothes can save space and help minimize wrinkles, making it a popular choice for many travelers. It works particularly well for casual wear and smaller items.
“On the other hand, folding is often better for bulkier or more formal clothing, as it can help maintain the shape of garments like blazers and dresses. Ultimately, combining both methods within your packing cubes might provide the best of both worlds, allowing you to maximize space while keeping your clothes in good condition.”
Do clothes get more wrinkled using packing cubes?
“Packing cubes are designed to help organize and protect your clothing, and when used correctly, they can actually help reduce wrinkling. The key is to pack strategically. Avoid overstuffing the cubes, and make sure to use the appropriate method (rolling or folding) for each type of garment.”
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