As a frequent traveller who is often trying to comply with low-cost airlines' strict baggage policies, a good set of packing cubes has become something I can’t travel without.
Not only do packing cubes help you organise your belongings (especially handy when packing for different destinations and temperatures at once), but a good compression set can save you a lot of space. At best, you could take double the amount you’d be able to without compression packing cubes in place.
Whether you’re after a backpacker-friendly set, some carry-on appropriate storage, or a simple way to separate your shoes and dirty laundry from the rest of your clothes, there are packing cubes to suit your needs.
No matter the nature of your adventures, I’ve tried and tested a range of packing cubes to bring you my review of the best options right now.
How I tested
As a travel writer, I could test these packing cubes on flights around the world. I tested each set of packing cubes with a similar number of items, relative to their size, and I assessed them by a few key features.
- Adaptability: I packed the cubes into multiple bags, including duffel bags, backpacks and carry-ons, to test if they worked for different styles of luggage.
- Durability: I tested their zippers and materials to check how they would react to wear and tear.
- Effectiveness: I double-checked that these cubes could hold as much as they claimed.
- Laundry: I washed any bags which claimed to be machine-washable, to make sure they wouldn’t shrink or get ruined in the process.
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 cabin bags. In each of her reviews, Alessia provides her honest opinions and will only recommend products she believes are worth your money.
The best packing cubes for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Antler packing cubes, set of 4: £50, Antler.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Go Travel packing cubes, set of 3: £14.99, Johnlewis.com
- Best durable packing cubes – Briggs & Riley carry-on packing cube set of 3: £79, Briggs-riley.co.uk
- Best for hand luggage – Aer packing cube: £35, Aersf.co.uk
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Antler packing cubes, set of 4
Best: Packing cubes overall
Sizes included: 24.5cm x 33cm x 10cm; 33cm x 17.5cm x 10cm; and two at 17.5cm x 16.5cm x 10cm
Materials: 100 per cent recycled polyester
Why we love it
- Mesh window in the top
- Great quality
Take note
- Not the cheapest option
I was impressed by the compression capabilities of this set. During testing, I packed T-shirts, a pair of trousers and a jumper into the large cube, which compressed the items without distorting them out of shape. I also loved how sturdy the zips felt – they glided smoothly and didn’t snag – and the fact that the mesh top helped with breathability, and made it easy to see what I’d packed without having to unzip the cubes to locate certain items.
These cubes are also available in a set of six (£75, Antler.co.uk), adding two additional medium-sized cubes to the collection. The cubes come in eight colours, and you can even purchase a luggage strap (£22, Antler.co.uk) and tag (£14, Antler.co.uk) in the matching shades to complete your set.
Buy now £50.00, Antler.co.uk
Go Travel packing cubes, set of 3
Best: Budget packing cubes
Sizes included: 12cm x 29cm x 6cm; 22cm x 29cm x 6cm; 40cm x 29cm x 6cm
Materials: Fabric, polyester, polyamide
Why we love it
- Breathable mesh
- Great price
Take note
- No compression
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of these budget-friendly packing cubes. For £15, you can get three cubes that are well-made and will accompany you on many trips to come. I packed T-shirts and underwear into the medium cube, which held everything neatly. The mesh panels made it easy to see what I’d packed, while keeping the contents aired.
I machine-washed one cube and it came out in perfect condition – no shrinking or warping. The zips didn’t feel as smooth as on more-expensive models, but they didn’t snag. It’s also worth noting there is no compression with this set, so don’t count on these cubes to help you create more suitcase space – for that, turn to Antler or Yeti.
Buy now £14.99, Johnlewis.com
Yeti crossroads large packing cube
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Best: Packing cubes for adventure travellers
Sizes included: 25.7cm x 33cm x 9.5cm
Materials: Polyester, nylon
Why we love it
- Good compression
Take note
- Not available as a set
This impressive cube was one of the most compressive on test. I managed to fit a full outfit inside, including a light jacket, a jumper and two tops. The cube’s material is rugged and slightly textured, which gives it a nice aesthetic, too. I used the cube during several journeys, and it still looked brand new afterwards.
Yeti also offers a three-year guarantee, which is a nice incentive if you travel a lot. It’s a shame you have to buy different-sized cubes separately, as they don’t come in sets, but the quality justifies the cost.
Buy now £35.00, Yeti.com
Briggs & Riley carry-on packing cube, set of 3
Best: Durable packing cubes
Sizes included: Two at 33cm x 21.6cm x 7.6cm; one at 21.6cm x 16.5cm x 7.6cm
Material: Recycled polyester and nylon
Why we love it
- Odour control fabric
- Excellent quality
Take note
- Expensive
Briggs & Riley’s packing cubes are best used alongside the brand’s suitcases. These packing cubes are designed to fit the brand’s bags, which makes packing even easier as the cubes fill the area perfectly, avoiding wasted space. I packed these carry-on cubes with thick items, including a wool jumper, to test the cubes’ strength and compression, and everything was handled with ease.
The zips felt premium and opened smoothly, and I appreciated the odour-control treatment – after storing some gym clothes, the cubes didn't hold onto any smells. These packing cubes are clearly built to last, which helps to justify the higher price point, compared with more affordable options from the likes of Go Travel and Labo Mono. This set may be pricey, but the price tag reflects the quality.
Buy now £79.00, Briggs-riley.co.uk
Aer packing cube
Best: Packing cubes for hand luggage
Sizes included: 30.5cm x 25.5cm x 15cm
Material: Nylon
Why we love it
- Durable
Take note
- Only two sizes are available (sold separately)
- No mesh
I packed two pairs of trousers and a jumper into this cube and was impressed with how flat it compressed. With a sleek design, this packing cube offers excellent quality – the zips are some of the smoothest I’ve tested, and the cube slid easily into my carry-on bag. It’s a shame there aren’t more size options, though – as an avid traveller, I use an average of four packing cubes, but Aer’s are not available in sets.
However, the material feels almost indestructible, meaning this is still a great choice for frequent flyers looking for durability and functionality.
Buy now £35.00, Aersf.co.uk
July packing cells, set of 8
Best: Value packing cubes
Sizes included: Two each of 43cm x 11cm x 330cm; 37cm x 10cm x 26cm; 37cm x 13cm x 17cm; and 26cm x 8cm x 17cm
Materials: Nylon
Why we love it
- Well-made
Take note
- No compression
Whether you’re going on a long trip or looking for a set of packing cubes to share as a couple, this set includes two extra-large, two large, two medium, and two small versions. The cubes are made with stain-proof, machine-washable nylon and feature mesh tops for breathability.
After putting one of the cubes through the wash, there was no sign of shrinkage or of the colour fading. I found the material light yet durable, with a bit of flexibility that made packing easier. However, while I managed to fit two shirts and a pair of jeans into the medium cube, there was no compression element, so it didn’t really help reduce the volume overall. If you’re looking for a packing solution that will help you squeeze in a few more items, this may not be the set for you.
Buy now £70.00, July.com
Away the insider packing cubes, set of 4
Best: Packing cubes for organising
Sizes included: 33cm x 10.5cm x 17.5cm; 33cm x 10.5cm x 25.5cm; 25.5cm x 10.5cm x 11cm; 25.5cm x 10.5cm x 21cm
Materials: Nylon
Why we love it
- Well-made
- Good value
Take note
- Zips can be a little stiff at first
- No compression
Simple but effective, these packing cubes are well-made and come with a relatively affordable price point. I packed a full outfit (trousers, top and underwear) into the large slim cube and found it very easy to slide into a carry-on bag.
The cubes are made of water-repellent nylon, and the mesh panel on top meant I could immediately find what I was looking for. I did notice the zips could be slightly stiff at first, but they improved after a few runs. The lack of compression is a downside, especially when compared with options from brands such as Antler, but these Away cubes still offer excellent value.
Buy now £35.00, Awaytravel.com
Gomatic shoe cube
Best: Packing cubes for shoes
Sizes included: 12.7cm x 27.94cm x 19.6cm
Materials: Nylon and polyethylene
Why we love it
- Durable
- Water-resistant
Take note
- May struggle to fit chunkier boots inside
This packing cube is designed specifically for footwear. I tested it with a pair of UK size six shoes, and found there was room left over for some socks, too (the brand says this cube is suitable for footwear up to a UK size 12). The cube is water-resistant and feels durable. It slotted seamlessly into a small suitcase but I’ve also used it to carry trainers to the gym, as the convenient side handle makes it easy to tote about on its own.
Buy now £30.00, Gomatic.co.uk
Labo Mono recycled compression packing cube
Best: Packing cubes for backpackers
Sizes included: 37cm x 26cm x 15.5/9.5cm
Materials: Recycled polyester
Why we love it
- Sturdy
- Machine washable at 30C
Take note
- Not the best shape for slotting inside suitcases
This packing cube comes in an oval form, which makes it easier to slot inside a backpack, while the compression function will help you gain a little extra space. I found the cube’s semi-rigid shell very protective, and the material felt thick but lightweight.
You can also throw this cube in the washing machine at 30C – I washed the cube after a dusty trip, and it came out looking pristine. A mesh side panel offers breathability, but due to the cube’s shape, this isn’t the best option for use with traditional suitcases.
Buy now £27.00, Buymeonce.co.uk
Ekster travelpack vacuum kit
Best: Packing cube for overpackers
Sizes included: 30cm x 48cm x 10cm
Materials: Nylon
Why we love it
- Saves a lot of space
Take note
- Expensive
- Only one size available
This is certainly a costly option, but it’s also one of the few vacuum packing cubes I’ve seen. I used it to pack a weekend’s worth of clothes, including a jumper, shirt, trousers and underwear, and the vacuum compression reduced the bulk by more than half. The pump was easy to use, and the seal held firm. If you overpack regularly (and you’re happy to splurge), this could be a great investment.
You can buy a single cube or save on a pack of four, but there is only one size available, which is on the larger side. I find having one of these cubes useful for packing bulkier items (such as winter clothes), but I don’t think I could justify buying a whole set.
Buy now £69.00, Ekster.com
Your questions on packing cubes answered
Which are the best packing cubes?
Thanks to its variety of sizes, durability, compressing power and good value for money, Antler’s set of packing cubes takes the top spot. Yeti and Aer offer great options for adventure travellers, while Labo Mono’s is perfect for backpackers. I also loved Pastael’s colourful cubes for city breaks, while Briggs & Riley confirms its status as the travel brand to trust if you want quality and durability. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, Go Travel's set of three packing cubes is a real steal.
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.
Packing tips
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 Tropicfeel’s tech pouch 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.
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