Nightmarish scenes reminiscent of a Hieronymus Bosch painting used to erupt whenever I travelled with a case. Skirts and shirt sleeves slithered out from under compression straps, worn clothes frolicked with unworn clothes in the lid compartment, and even the best suitcases would sometimes leave my clothing creased and jumbled.
Packing cubes have changed all that. Boxy, zippable and small to varying degrees, these organisation accessories are designed to keep items neat and separate inside a suitcase or bag.
Luggage organisation accessories have been around for decades, but only in recent years has interest in packing cubes boomed. Formerly the preserve of travel aficionados, they’re now part of mainstream travel, borne on a wave of social media recommendations and celebrity endorsements.
You’ll often find packing cubes sold as a set, with assorted sizes to suit different types of luggage (such as larger cubes for shirts, dresses or trousers, and smaller ones for socks and underwear). Most are a soft-sided cuboid shape, so packing cube is a misnomer. Some brands call them “packing cells”.
As products go, packing cubes are not especially varied, but you may still notice meaningful differences between them. Some are slightly more rigid; some are made from smarter-looking or softer materials; and some have special features, such as double-zippered compression packing cubes, which squeeze air out to save space.
I tested 14 of the best packing cube sets (and related products such as shoe bags) to help you solve your own particular packing puzzles. The best 11 are reviewed below.
At a glance
Why you should trust me
There are few travel essentials I’ve yet to review for the Filter. My travel pillow testing took me aboard trains, buses and arcade machines; I reviewed cabin bags by hauling them over an assault course; and I’ve applied a similar spirit of adventurous rigour to assessing the packing cubes featured here.
I’ve been testing products for this publication and others for the past decade, as well as writing articles on travel and other topics. On the rare and serene occasions when product samples aren’t whizzing in and out of my home, I like to explore this country and – when I’m lucky enough – others. The reviews below are all grounded in real travel experiences.
How I tested
I tested the packing cubes during a period in which I had staycations and work trips around England planned, so that I’d have the opportunity to field-test everything while travelling. I packed the cubes with appropriately sized items and assessed their ability to keep clothing neat and crease-free.
For a sterner test, I made sure to jostle each set of packing cubes inside my suitcase or bag, then noted how well the items inside had retained their stored shape. There’s no doubt that subjective factors such as feel and aesthetic also play into the appeal of a packing cube, so I’ve referenced these considerations where noteworthy.
Most of the brands didn’t need their packing cubes back after testing. These review units have been donated for fundraising to Cat Action Trust 1977, a small national charity dedicated to the welfare of feral cats.
The best packing cubes in 2026
Best packing cubes overall:
July packing cells, four pack
July
Packing cells, four pack
from £40
What we love
Excellent at keeping clothes neat
What we don’t love
Lack rigidity when part-filled
Between the four cubes in this set – two large, one medium and one small – there’s ample scope to store different types of clothing separately. The large cubes are best for shirts, while smaller items can roll or fold up neatly into the medium and small ones.
Why we love them
I put some smart shirts and trousers into these packing cubes, slung them into a duffel bag and travelled well over 200 miles by bus, train and ferry, stopping to add a secondhand cat ornament to my luggage along the way. At the end of all this, I was impressed to find that the cubes had kept the clothes crease-free and neatly folded, just as they were when I packed them.
The cubes themselves are simple and nicely finished. On the sides and base, the material is shiny and smooth, with a fine texture providing some grip for stored items. A mesh top layer provides breathability and easy identification of which clothes are in which cube, while the double zipper feels decent quality.
It’s a shame that … you may find that these are a little too soft to keep some items straight and orderly, especially when you don’t have enough suitable clothing to fill a cube – or if your luggage will have to go through the ordeal of an aeroplane’s hold.
Type: standard packing cube set
Other options: yes, this eight-pack
Sizes included (WDH): small (26 x 17 x 8cm), medium (37 x 17 x 13cm), large (37 x 26 x 10cm)
Colours available: four
Materials: polyester
July
Packing cells, four pack
from £40
What we love
Excellent at keeping clothes neat
What we don’t love
Lack rigidity when part-filled
Best budget packing cubes:
M&S packing cubes, five pack
M&S
Packing cubes, five pack
£15
What we love
Functional and affordable
What we don’t love
Too small for folding certain clothes
This eclectic polyester packing set covers a lot of bases, with three packing cubes of different sizes, plus a shoe bag and a laundry pouch for worn items. It is by far the lowest-priced set I’ve tested.
Why we love them
I slung this packing cube set into my holdall for a camping trip to Wensleydale, and although it’s not flashy, it made it blissfully simple to keep my things (and therefore my tent) organised. The three pouches are perfect for items such as T-shirts, underwear and socks, and I appreciated being able to quarantine worn hiking socks and other garments inside the drawstring laundry bag.
The design of the cubes is plain and practical. A mesh section on the front of each affords visibility and breathability, and a single zipper provides access. I couldn’t fit my size 11 hiking boots inside the shoe bag, but it proved large enough for smart shoes or low-cut walking shoes.
It’s a shame that … none of the three packing cubes are particularly large. If you like to fold larger items such as dresses, trousers or shirts flat, rather than rolling them, then you may struggle for space.
Type: standard packing cube set (plus shoe bag and laundry pouch)
Other options: yes, this three-pack
Sizes included (WDH): small (24 x 10 x 10cm); medium (24 x 22 x 10cm); large (31 x 23 x 10cm); shoe bag (26 x 45cm WH); laundry bag (36 x 45cm WH)
Colours available: one
Materials: polyester
M&S
Packing cubes, five pack
£15
What we love
Functional and affordable
What we don’t love
Too small for folding certain clothes
Best packing cubes with sections:
Stubble & Co packing cubes, three pack
Stubble & Co
Packing cubes, three pack
£60
What we love
Extra compartments for fastidious packers
What we don’t love
Not always space-efficient
Do you require internal organisation for your internal organisation? This Stubble & Co set has storage options galore, with useful compartments inside each cube. The smallest cube divides in two, with a transparent zippered pocket occupying one half; the medium one has two zippered pockets (including a transparent wipe-clean pocket that’s ideal for toiletries); and the largest cube has a large mesh zippered pocket on one side.
Why we love them
I suspect some people will find the added sections more useful than others. For me, having dedicated spaces within each cube proved handy, as I was able to store items of a certain kind (such as socks or underwear) inside each cube, then move worn items into the zippered compartment to keep them separate and organised. My hotel room looked much neater for not having worn clothes piled up on a chair, and I was able to return clothes that I didn’t wear on holiday to my wardrobe at home.
Made mostly from recycled nylon ripstop material, these cubes are pleasant to handle. You can choose from two colours for each cube in the set: black or off-white.
It’s a shame that … the abundance of internal storage means that the cubes’ capacity is slightly lower than you might expect at first glance.
Type: standard packing cube set
Other options: available individually, packing cube 2.5l, packing cube 8l, packing cube 11l
Sizes included (WDH): small (21 x 6 x 14.5cm); medium (31 x 9 x 24cm); large (29 x 10 x 33cm)
Colours available: two
Materials: nylon ripstop, recycled polyester mesh, semi-transparent thermoplastic polyurethane
Stubble & Co
Packing cubes, three pack
£60
What we love
Extra compartments for fastidious packers
What we don’t love
Not always space-efficient
Best compression packing cubes:
Antler Stripe packing cubes, four pack
Antler
Stripe packing cubes, four pack
£55
What we love
Brilliant compression
What we don’t love
Two cubes are very small
These compression cubes from Antler make efficient use of space, with a second zipper that can be used to squash down the cube after you’ve filled it. The set includes two small cubes, one medium and one (fairly) large, so you’ll have options to store different types of items.
Why we love them
If you haven’t used compression packing cubes before, you’re in for a treat. The second zipper does a great job of squishing the cubes, making a meaningful difference to their size and the luggage space they take up.
Among Antler’s many packing cube designs, I particularly liked this stripy green colourway, which features the brand’s Icon Stripe motif on the expandable sides and base of each cube. While I enjoy stripes as much as the next person, the key benefit here is that the contrasting pattern will help you identify when and how the cube is expanded or compressed. The cubes are beautifully finished with pleasing plastic zip pulls and mesh windows on the upper sides.
It’s a shame that … while the two smallest cubes are cute and boxy, I found it difficult to identify items of clothing that could be stored inside (beyond a few pairs of socks in each). For me, a single larger cube would have been more useful.
Type: compression packing cube set
Other options: yes, this six-pack (solid colour)
Sizes included (WDH): small x 2 (17.5 x 10 x 16.5cm), medium (33 x 10 x 17.5cm), large (33 x 10 x 24.5cm)
Colours available: two
Materials: recycled polyester
Antler
Stripe packing cubes, four pack
£55
What we love
Brilliant compression
What we don’t love
Two cubes are very small
Best shoe storage:
Troubadour Elemental shoe bag
Troubadour
Elemental shoe bag
£39
What we love
Well made and effective
What we don’t love
High price for an individual pouch
For adventures that will feature a few dressier moments along the way, this could be the ideal packing accessory to keep shoes smart, safe and fresh. In fact, it’s a suitable choice for packing just about anything inside a backpack, where the Elemental shoe bag’s soft, lightweight construction works well.
Why we love it
The pouch was long enough for my UK size 11 shoes with a little wriggle room. It is closed by rolling and then buckling the stiffened material at the open end, much like a messenger bag or wet-or-dry bag.
I was pleased with how my leather shoes looked after a long journey in this bag, with the ripstop material protecting them from marks and scratches. I also made use of the airlock sewn into the bag, choosing to leave it open so the shoes could “breathe”. This would be good for preventing the buildup of odours or mildew during long, sweaty journeys – or for sealing in smells whenever fellow travellers are nearby.
A woven handle at the closed end of the bag provides a handy way to yank it out of your rucksack or duffel in a hurry.
It’s a shame that … I couldn’t fit my bulkiest hiking boots inside the bag.
Type: shoe bag
Other options: yes, large packing dome, small packing dome
Size (WH): 32.5 x 49cm
Colours available: one
Materials: ripstop nylon
Troubadour
Elemental shoe bag
£39
What we love
Well made and effective
What we don’t love
High price for an individual pouch
The best of the rest
Thule Chasm small gear cube 3l
Thule
Chasm small gear cube 3l
from £27
What we love
Brilliant quality and design
What we don’t love
Limited storage capacity
Best for: a weather-resistantoption
Even the most dependable rucksack or suitcase might let in water occasionally – especially if the material is damaged or its waterproof layer is depleted. The Thule Chasm small gear cube offers added protection to valuables or items vulnerable to water damage, with a weather-resistant tarp fabric and polyurethane-coated zippers to limit water ingress.
I used this cube to keep my travel documents and smartphone safe while travelling in poor weather. It kept its contents perfectly dry, and I found that I could make the Chasm slightly more cavernous by manipulating the material at the bottom, which naturally tends to pucker inwards. The clippable handle attaches to rucksacks and other items that have a loop or bar.
It didn’t make the final cut because … while it performed well during testing in rainy weather, I expect some would prefer a fully waterproof or a larger option.
Type: weather-resistant packing cube; other options: yes, this 11l packing cube; size (WDH): 21.5 x 11.5 x 14cm; colours available: two; materials: 100% recycled 900D polyester, phthalate-free laminate
Thule
Chasm small gear cube 3l
from £27
What we love
Brilliant quality and design
What we don’t love
Limited storage capacity
Away Insider packing cubes, four pack
Away
Insider packing cubes, four pack
from £48
What we love
Easy on the eye – and on fabrics
What we don’t love
Work best with suitcase compression straps
Best for: a vibrant selection of colours
Of all the packing cubes I’ve used, these are perhaps the most pleasing to look at and handle. There’s an eye-popping range of colours to choose from, including the cherry red shown and a lovely limited-edition pink sand. The nylon body is soft and water-repellent, but a mesh upper means they can’t be fully relied on for protecting items vulnerable to water damage. There’s a good range of sizes, with the largest cube providing ample space for most larger items of clothing, and because each cube is a different size, there’s plenty of versatility relative to the number of cubes in the set.
It didn’t make the final cut because … these cubes are a little floppy-sided for my taste. However, they work very well under compression straps in a suitcase.
Type: standard packing cube set; other options: yes, this set of six, and this set of four compression packing cubes; sizes included (WDH): small wide (25.5 x 10.5 x 21cm); medium slim (25.5 x 10.5 x 11cm); medium wide (33 x 10.5 x 25.5cm); large slim (33 x 10.5 x 17.5cm) ; colours available: 14; materials: nylon
Away
Insider packing cubes, four pack
from £48
What we love
Easy on the eye – and on fabrics
What we don’t love
Work best with suitcase compression straps
Briggs & Riley Check-In packing cube set
Briggs & Riley
Check-In packing cube set
from £99
What we love
Generous sizes and excellent construction
What we don’t love
Jet-set pricing
Best for: storing larger items
One of the downsides to many of the packing cube sets I’ve reviewed is that they’re missing a cube that’s wide or long enough for storing larger clothes folded flat. This bougie Briggs & Riley set is the perfect fix for travellers who share my finickiness in this matter, with check-in-luggage-appropriate cubes that can easily house a smartly folded shirt or a pair of trousers.
Using the compression zipper makes a decent difference to the cubes’ storage capability, albeit not as drastically as certain competitors. The materials look lavish, and the construction is impeccable.
It didn’t make the final cut because … while these are undoubtedly excellent packing cubes, the set’s price will be a no-go for many travellers.
Type: compression packing cube set; other options: yes, this smaller set of three packing cubes; sizes included (WDH): small (21.6 x 7.6 x 16.5cm); medium (33 x 7.6 x 21.6cm); large (43.2 x 7.6 x 21.6cm); colours available: six; materials: recycled polyester
Briggs & Riley
Check-In packing cube set
from £99
What we love
Generous sizes and excellent construction
What we don’t love
Jet-set pricing
Lifeventure Storm Cube large boot bag
Lifeventure
Storm Cube large boot bag
from £19.95
What we love
Ideal for storing large boots
What we don’t love
Relatively limited appeal
Best for: storing hiking boots
If there’s one item of apparel that ought to be kept separate from other luggage, it’s surely your hiking boots. This boot bag from outdoor brand Lifeventure fulfilled this requirement perfectly during my Yorkshire Dales camping trip, generously housing footwear up to a UK size 11.
Boots tend to be tougher than the average garment, and this pouch felt suitably hardy, holding up well to my boots as they jostled around inside its ripstop nylon fabric.
It didn’t make the final cut because … this type of packing accessory has more of a niche audience than the average packing cube set – but that’s no slight on its performance.
Type: boot bag; other options: yes, this shoe bag; size (WDH): 28 x 11 x 42cm; colours available: one; materials: ripstop nylon
Lifeventure
Storm Cube large boot bag
from £19.95
What we love
Ideal for storing large boots
What we don’t love
Relatively limited appeal
Carl Friedrik the packing cubes
Carl Friedrik
The packing cubes
from £75
What we love
Good selection of sizes
What we don’t love
Surprisingly plain for the price
Best for: simplicity meets high quality
Perfectly made and variously sized, these packing cubes will suit travellers who value quality over elaborateness. The four sizes included gave me plenty of scope to pack a variety of clothes, whether I was on a work trip to London or camping in the countryside. The standard of the recycled synthetic material and weighty zippers was clearly a cut above the average cube, too. They’re very lightweight and fit perfectly inside a cabin bag.
It didn’t make the final cut because … considering the price you pay, this packing cube set is surprisingly plain. A little more embellishment would make the expense feel warranted.
Type: standard packing cube set; other options: no; sizes included (WDH): small (11 x 10 x 26cm); medium (20.5 x 10 x 26cm); large (32 x 10 x 17.5cm); extra-large (26 x 10 x 32cm); colours available: two; materials: recycled PET plastic
Carl Friedrik
The packing cubes
from £75
What we love
Good selection of sizes
What we don’t love
Surprisingly plain for the price
LittleLife Otter packing cube set
LittleLife
Otter packing cube set
£24.99
What we love
Cute design and wipeable material
What we don’t love
Kids will grow out of it
Best for: young children
It never hurts to have more otter-themed items in your life. This packing cube set from LittleLife is particularly endearing, with a lovely print and materials and dimensions designed to suit very young children.
I’m contentedly babyless, but two of my friends are parents to a cherubic infant and took this set for a spin. They found it useful for carrying baby care items day to day, as well as for bigger adventures. Importantly, the materials are wipe-clean.
It didn’t make the final cut because … some parents may prefer to buy a generic packing cube set for their child to use for longer.
Type: children’s packing cube set; other options: no; sizes included (WH): 2 x small pouches (23 x 17cm); large pouch (25 x 22cm); small case (20 x 15cm); large case (30 x 20cm); colours available: one; materials: polyester
LittleLife
Otter packing cube set
£24.99
What we love
Cute design and wipeable material
What we don’t love
Kids will grow out of it
What you need to know
What’s the best way to pack a packing cube?
Testing for this article taught me that the most important consideration is to make sure your packing cube is filled close to capacity. This prevents items from moving around and getting creased inside the cube, which would limit its usefulness. If you’re using a compression packing cube, this is somewhat less relevant, as you can shrink the cube down to suit its contents.
Packing cubes are ideal for travellers who like to fold smart clothes flat, as they can help them stay folded. Of course, you can roll clothes up inside them if you prefer. There’s more than one way to pack a cube.
How do compression packing cubes work?
If you want to pack as much as possible into your suitcase, then a set of compression cubes could save you a little space (relative to ordinary ones).
Typically, compression packing cubes have two zippers – one to seal your items inside, and another that allows you to squeeze the cube into a tighter form. Close the first zipper, squish the packing cube down until you’re satisfied, then do up the second zipper.
A more extreme option, generally reserved for lengthy trips or moving home, is a vacuum bag, which uses a vacuum cleaner to remove air and compress your belongings. Unlike a compression packing cube, however, you can’t open and reseal whenever you need something during your journey.
Are packing cubes suitable for backpacks?
Packing cubes are perhaps at their most useful inside a backpack, where solutions for organising clothes are often limited. I use a packing cube inside my day-to-day backpack to keep my five-a-side football kit separate from non-sweaty things. I’ve also started taking a few of them on multiday hikes and camping trips – one or two for fresh clothes, and one or two for grubby ones.
Some packing accessories are pouch-shaped, which are arguably more convenient for a backpack than blocky packing cubes, especially if you want something to store flip-flops or casual shoes for your downtime.
Particularly large packing cubes may not be suitable for backpacks, as it may be difficult to fit them inside the bag or through its opening.
For more ways to travel smarter with the Filter:
The best suitcases for your next holiday
The best carry-on luggage – tested
Based in the US? Read the best packing cubes in the US
Pete Wise is a writer from Leeds. As one of the Filter’s regular contributors, Pete has written our guides to more than a handful of handy items, including sunrise alarm clocks, reusable coffee cups and cat toys. He also writes features on guitars, food, DIY and traditional crafts, and he never travels without a power bank
