A suitcase can only do so much when it comes to keeping your belongings organised. It wasn’t until I started using packing cubes that I realised how much easier they could make travelling. Despite years of hopping between destinations, I only adopted them recently, partly because airlines have become stricter with baggage limits, and partly because I’ve become very good at convincing myself I need just one more thing while away.
You don’t necessarily need to invest in an entire collection of packing cubes to reap the benefits. Even a single cube can make a difference, whether that’s helping you squeeze in a few extra outfits or keeping worn clothes away from the rest of your luggage.
Different trips call for different packing cubes. I reach for the Bellroy set when travelling with a backpack, Pastael for larger suitcases, and Yeti for carry-on luggage. Keep reading for more packing cubes I’ve tested on real-world trips.
Read more: Best carry-on luggage, tested by a travel expert
The best packing cubes for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Yeti crossroads packing cubes: £25, Yeti.com
- Best budget option – Tripp packing cubes: £9, Tripp.co.uk
- Best for formal wear – Émigré garment organiser: £135, Emigre.travel
- Best for compression – Pastael small packing cubes: £40, Pastael.co.uk
Read more: Best luggage brands, selected by a shopping expert
Yeti crossroads packing cubes
Best: packing cubes overall
Why we love it
- Good level of of compression
- Breathable mesh
- Water-resistant
- Long-lasting
Suitable for every type of travel, Yeti’s crossroads packing cubes are the best packing cubes I’ve tried – I’ve used them for years and they have never failed me. When I got my first set a couple of years ago, it only took one trip for my husband to steal them and never give them back, and he’s been using them on all his travels ever since. Fortunately, I’ve since got a replacement.
In terms of size and compression, they are a little less generous than the Pastael packing cubes (my top pick for compression), but still provide plenty of space and a good level of compression. This is because only a small part of the top is made of mesh while the rest is double-layered fabric. The little mesh addition is welcome for some breathability, and I particularly appreciate how smooth and resistant the zips are.
They are water-resistant, sturdy and still look like new after many uses and washes. Starting from £25 from a small packing cube, the price point is not as low as the budget option I tested from Tripp, but is in line with the quality and the longevity of the product.
Key specifications
Buy now £25, Yeti.com
Tripp packing cubes
Best: budget packing cubes
Why we love it
- Durable
- Very affordable
Take note
- Quality could be a lot better, but it does the job
- Provide very little compression
If you’re looking for the best budget packing cubes then Tripp’s should be on your radar, as it’s rare to find a decent set that costs less than £15. I mistreated the mesh to see if it would rip after a couple of uses, and I was very aggressive with the zips, which tend to break easily when the quality isn’t there. No amount of tearing and scratching caused damage, so I’d imagine they’ll last the average traveller for years.
The main drawback? They provide next to no compression, not only because they don’t have a compressing double zip but because the mesh pattern is quite large, meaning that clothes tend to bulge against it rather than being flattened.
But, for occasional use to organise your clothes, these are perfectly adequate for a very sweet price tag.
Key specifications
Buy now £9, Tripp.co.uk
Jaspacks space saver set
Best: vacuum packing cubes
Why we love it
- Saves a lot of space
- Makes packing easy
- Very sturdy
Take note
- More expensive than a regular packing cube
- How effective they are depends on what you’re packing
I buy clothes while I’m travelling more often than I like to admit, so whenever I go to cities where I know I will be thrifting, I bring one or two empty vacuum packing cubes. I have tried many, but Jaspacks have been the best.
Unlike other vacuum packing cubes, these open fully, thanks to an all-around zipper, making it a lot easier to fit more clothes inside. You then use the vacuum pump to remove around one third of the volume, depending on what you are packing. For instance, I find them great for very voluminous yet quite light soft knits, but you can’t get quite the same result with thick materials like denim.
Vacuum packing cubes are generally more expensive, but these feel extremely sturdy so I can see them lasting for a long time. And they’ll make packing a lot easier if you don’t like to pack light or, like me, you love a little local shopping spree.
Key specifications
Buy now £79, Amazon.co.uk
Bellroy lite packing cube
Best: packing cubes for size variety
Why we love it
- Incredible quality
- Great variety of sizes
- Water-resistant
Take note
- Only the largest cube (12l) provides compression
I absolutely love the size variety of Bellroy’s packing cubes, which are definitely in my top three when it comes to quality, durability and versatility. The only reasons they aren’t my top pick is that it’s just the largest cube that provides compression (£39, Bellroy.com).
I find the size variety means I use them more than any others, both while travelling and in my everyday life. The packing caddy (£35, Bellroy.com) is perfect for storing shoes in your suitcase, as well as bringing to the gym.
The smallest pouch (£19, Bellroy.com) has carried everything from swimming essentials to make-up, because not one drop of liquid escapes from it. I filled it with water to test it out in extreme conditions, so you can trust me on this.
Key specifications
Buy now £39, Bellroy.com
Émigré garment organiser
Best: packing cube for formal wear
Why we love it
- Perfect for business trips
- Includes a shirt folder
- Waterproof compartment
Take note
- Better for formal wear than regular clothing
- Pricey compared to other packing cubes
If you travel a lot for work and, like me, hate steaming or ironing while travelling, I’d recommend opting for Émigré’s garment organiser, my best packing cube for formal wear. With one side specifically designed to fit four or five shirts, it also comes with a shirt folder, so you can get all your shirts to fold to the same size and stack perfectly.
I appreciate the variety of pockets available, with two small pockets for underwear or smaller accessories like ties and socks, and one bigger pocket that fits one or two pairs of smart trousers. There is also a big waterproof exterior compartment, which comes in handy to separate worn clothes from clean ones.
Key specifications
Buy now £135, Emigre.travel
Briggs & Riley check-in packing cube set
Best: durable packing cubes
Why we love it
- Durable and high-quality
- Great compression
- Breathable
- Monogramming available
Take note
- Pricey compared to other packing cubes
With a lifetime guarantee, Briggs & Riley’s packing cubes are the best I tried when it comes to durability. Having tried many of the brand’s products before, I wasn’t surprised that its packing cubes were one of the top options on my list.
They’re made with thick nylon, and they’re double-layered around the sides. Their compression and breathability is excellent, and water spills don’t seep through the material. However, they’re not water-repellent, which is something frequent travellers would have appreciated.
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If you want to feel extra chic, the brand also offers a monogramming service, which I always find is a cute addition to any travel set. But it is worth noting that monogrammed items cannot be returned.
Key specifications
Buy now £99, Briggs-riley.co.uk
Pastael compressible packing cubes
Best: packing cubes for compression
Why we love it
- Impressive compression
- Colourful
- Sturdy
Take note
- No mesh means less breathability
I was extremely impressed with the compression provided by Pastael’s packing cubes. The set is made of a sturdy material that’s thicker than I’ve used before, so you can really stuff things inside, and the zips are very strong, too.
The packing cubes don’t have mesh inserts, though, so they’re better for city breaks than extended backpacking trips or tropical travel, when clothes would need to breathe.
Packing cubes tend to be quite boring, mostly available in dark colours, but these look so cheerful. I’ve also used them as storage in my open wardrobe, where they look so nice on display. I tested this lovely pink and red cherry set, but there’s also a chic beige and brown espresso set, bright blue and green set and a sunshine yellow and white yet.
Key specifications
Buy now £40, Pastael.co.uk
Antler packing cubes
Best: breathable packing cubes
Why we love it
- Good breathability
- Easy to see inside through the mesh
- Good variety of shapes
Take note
- Compression could be stronger
Antler’s packing cubes have a mesh top, which makes them the best I’ve tried for breathability. I like that I can see what I am reaching for, too, which is handy when I’m in a rush. Mesh usually means less compression and more bulging, but the compression power of these is not bad.
They only come in sets, the smallest being a set of two, and the biggest set being a set of six, which is a great, cost effective option if you are buying for two or more people. Whatever size you choose, they're good value for money considering the quality and durability.
If, like me, you travel often and not always light, you’ll get plenty of use out of the set of six. I liked that there’s a variety of shapes in the set, but even the smallest cubes fit a good amount of clothes.
I usually use this Antler packing cube set when I’m travelling with both hold luggage and a carry-on, with three of the biggest cubes going into the hold and the two smallest carrying the ‘just in case my luggage gets lost’ essentials.
Key specifications
Buy now £60, Antler.co.uk
Your questions about packing cubes answered
What are the best packing cubes?
The best packing cubes depend on the way you intend to use them. For me, after testing spanning years of travels, Yeti’s crossroads packing cubes have been a standout, for incorporating all the features that you might need including a good level of compression, breathable mesh and water resistance.
Of course, the more affordable options like the set from Tripp will not offer the compressive power of Pastael or the durability of Briggs & Riley, but they still offer a great value for money if you’re trying packing cubes for the first time.
How I tested packing cubes
As well as bringing each packing cube with me on my travels, I carried out specific tests, such as submerging them in water, strength testing zips and meshes, and filling them with various clothing types to see if different materials changed their compression power.
For a final, fair test, I used them to pack clothes I would usually take on a typical mid-season break in a standard piece of hand luggage
How do packing cubes work?
Many packing cubes are simply fabric holdalls with a zip to help compartmentalise your things, while compression packing cubes work by compressing the air around your clothes to help save even more space. Exactly how they do this will depend on the cube.
For some packing cubes, you may need to remove the air manually with a vacuum cleaner. Then there are cubes that don’t require a vacuum cleaner and can instead be compressed with a very strong zip, or by rolling them out, which in turn expels the air inside.
My top packing tips as a travel writer
It may seem like overkill, but knowing exactly what you’re taking before you start can help you stay organised. Make a list of everything you really need, too, so you’re less likely to forget something important.
To save on space, only bring full outfits for each day or activity, so you won’t bring anything you won’t actually wear. You may also find that rolling your clothes up instead of folding them saves even more space. That said, try to avoid rolling up any stiff or delicate pieces of clothing – anything made of cotton or linen would be a prime example of clothes that should be folded instead.
You may want to avoid bringing anything that will get wrinkled easily, unless you’re bringing a portable iron or garment steamer. Speaking of which, your suitcase should be full enough that the contents can’t fall around and crease inside. Make sure to fill every empty space if you can.
How to organise your suitcase
Start by deciding how you would like to categorise each packing cube – will you have a different cube for tops and trousers, say, or for each day or member of the family? You may find smaller cubes more useful for weekend trips, while fewer, larger packing cubes may be better suited to longer excursions.
The heaviest and widest packing cubes ought to be at the bottom of the suitcase, leaving room for smaller cubes to be arranged around and on top. This will make the suitcase more stable, and you won’t need to remove the biggest cube to reach items at the bottom.
Finally, make sure you set aside valuable and fragile items, which will be best kept in their own packing cube –something like Bellroy’s tech kit (£55, Bellroy.com) would be a great option for packing things such as phone cables and electric toothbrushes. Pop this at the top of your suitcase too, to prevent it from being damaged.
What to look for when buying packing cubes?
When shopping for packing cubes, consider the size of your suitcase and how long you’re travelling for. Compression bags, for example, are better for longer-term storage as opposed to short trips, as you can vacuum pack more clothes – they effectively compress the air out of your garments, helping to create additional space within your luggage.
Pay attention to quality, too, making sure the packing cubes have clean lines of stitching that hold the materials tightly together, as well as no loose stitching or fraying ends.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alessia Armenise is a travel journalist and reviewer with a wealth of experience. During her travels around the world, she has tested several products for IndyBest, including the best carry-on luggage. In each of her reviews, Alessia provides her honest opinions and will only recommend products she believes are worth your money.
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