Reading Time: 5 minThere are many items I always take with me when traveling. But before I even hit the road, there's one product I swear by: packing cubes.
Whether I'm traveling solo or with my entire family, packing cubes have become a staple in my packing process. Not only do they make it easier to pack, but the cubes also allow me to pack more in a smaller suitcase. And when I arrive at my destination, having similar items in their own cube keeps my suitcase significantly more organized.
But with so many packing cubes available, which ones are best? I packed 17 t-shirts in my suitcase, then re-packed those same t-shirts in four different packing cubes to see how well they fit in my suitcase, and how much room was left afterwards.
Here are the four packing cubes I tested:
As you'll see, all four brands saved a ridiculous amount of space. So let's take a look at the pros and cons of each.
The EPICKA TripCozy Compression Packing Cubes are my newest addition — and they quickly became my favorite. Each cube functions like a standard packing cube, but the double zipper design allows you to compress your clothes down to about half the size, maximizing luggage space without extra effort.
These packing cubes offer high, sturdy side walls, which allowed me to fit more clothes in each cube and made packing even easier. The firm structure makes it easy to live out of the cubes, keeping everything organized and accessible while traveling.
The mesh front design allows clothes to breathe while making it easy to see what’s inside. Additional touches, like the outside handle and strong metal zippers, reinforce the cubes’ quality and durability.
While these cubes are pricier than many options on Amazon, especially compared to the other compression packing cube options we tested, they are worth the investment. With their sleek design, solid construction, and effective compression feature, they are a must-have for anyone looking to travel smarter and pack more efficiently.
Similar to the above EPICKA brand, the BAGAIL Compression Packing Cubes also offer a compression feature, allowing you to fit even more in your suitcase.
However, if you prioritize ease of packing and organization, this might not be the best choice. This is because these cubes require packing from the side rather than the top, which can make the process a bit less convenient.
But if your goal is to maximize packing space, these cubes do the job well.
The cubes are available with either mesh paneling or full cloth — both at a very reasonable cost. I personally prefer the mesh option so I can quickly see what’s inside, but both styles perform similarly in terms of compression and durability.
The Amazon Basics Packing Cubes offer some of the best pricing you'll find. The cubes come in multiple colors and four different sizes — small, medium, large, and slim — so there's lots of variety to choose from.
I really like that each cube has a handle and that there's an extended zipper. The cubes also keep their shape well (although not as well as the EPICKA brand), making it easy to pack clothes within each cube.
The top mesh panel allows me to see my clothes — something I look for when it comes to packing cubes. I've been using these packing cubes over the past few years, and despite a low price point, the material has held up extremely well, with no loose threads or tears.
The Away Packing Cubes are some of the most expensive cubes you'll find. If you're one to care about aesthetics, they definitely have a more premium look to them. All sides are the same color, including the mesh paneling and the zippers.
At around $45 — which is significantly more expensive than the others tested — these cubes are not worth it, in my opinion. However, one thing that stands out on these cubes is that the sides are slightly taller and the material is more flexible than what you'll find with the Amazon Basics brand, so you can fit more in a cube of similar length and width.
But, with no handle, smaller zippers, and a significantly higher price point, the pros don't outweigh the cons for me.
Ultimately, if you're looking to pack as much possible into your suitcase, I recommend the EPICKA TripCozy Compression Packing Cubes.
If you're more on a budget, the BAGAIL Compression Packing Cubes are also a great option.
Now, if you don't need your clothes to be fully compressed and you're goal is more so from an organization standpoint, then you can't go wrong with the Amazon Basics Packing Cubes. And while the value wasn't there for me, if a brand name is important to you, you can pick up a set of the Away Packing Cubes.
No matter which ones you choose, before you go on your next trip, make sure that you have a set — or two — of packing cubes on hand. For my family of four, we have four different sets, with everyone having their own color. Not only does it make packing significantly easier, but everyone also knows how to find their clothes while sharing suitcases and living out of a hotel.
Do you have a credit card with American Express, Discover, or U.S. Bank? Check to see if you’re eligible to get a discount on this and many other products by using your credit card points.
