Do Packing Cubes Really Save Space? Our Top Picks
The Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal set is our overall pick for its durable fabric and mesh tops that show contents at a glance. The Bagail 6 Set is the best value for the size range on offer, and the Veken 6 Set is the budget choice with a laundry bag included.
The Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal set is the one to buy if the cubes will see years of travel, the Bagail 6 Set covers most trips for far less, and the Veken 6 Set is a sound cheap starting point.
Packing cubes are tricky because most sets tidy your case without saving any space at all, and only compression designs genuinely reduce volume. We compared seven current sets on fabric denier, zip quality, whether compression is real or cosmetic, size mix and what owners report after repeated airline handling.
The shortlist, ranked
Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set
Eagle Creek uses a heavier recycled ripstop with reinforced seams, and the mesh top panel lets you see what is inside without opening anything. Zips run smoothly even when a cube is packed tight, which is where cheaper sets fail first. Owners report these outlast several rounds of budget cubes.
Pros
- Durable fabric and seams
- Mesh top shows contents at a glance
- Zips cope with fully packed cubes
Cons
- Costs considerably more than basic sets
- No compression zip on standard cubes
Bagail 6 Set Packing Cubes
A six piece set covering large, medium, small and slim shapes, which means most items find a cube that actually fits rather than one that half fills. The mesh panels help with both visibility and airflow. Based on specifications it is the most complete size range at this price.
Pros
- Sensible mix of sizes for real packing
- Mesh panels aid airflow and visibility
- Very good value for six pieces
Cons
- Thinner fabric than premium sets
- Zip pulls are basic
Gonex Compression Packing Cubes
These use a genuine second zip that collapses the cube once packed, which is the only mechanism that actually reduces the volume of soft clothing. The difference is most noticeable with jumpers and fleeces. Owners report a real gain in case space rather than just neater packing.
Pros
- Compression zip genuinely reduces bulk
- Best gains on jumpers and jackets
- Solid ripstop fabric
Cons
- Compressed clothes crease more
- Weight saving is zero, only volume
Peak Design Packing Cube
Peak Design splits the cube into two chambers with a divider, so clean and worn clothing stay separate on a long trip without a second bag. The external zip expands or compresses depending on how much you are carrying. Based on specifications it is the most thoughtfully engineered single cube here.
Pros
- Separates clean and worn clothing
- Expands or compresses as needed
- Excellent materials and hardware
Cons
- Sold individually rather than as a set
- Expensive per cube
Thule Compression Packing Cube
Thule sizes these to fit its own cases exactly, which in practice also means they fill a standard carry on with very little wasted space. The compression zip works smoothly and the fabric is heavier than budget sets. Owners report the fit inside a carry on is noticeably tighter than with generic cubes.
Pros
- Dimensions waste very little case space
- Effective compression zip
- Robust fabric and zips
Cons
- Fewer size options
- Solid panels hide contents
Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes
A cheap six piece set that includes a drawstring laundry bag and a shoe bag, which covers the two things people usually buy separately. Fabric is light but adequate for occasional travel. Based on specifications it is the lowest risk way to find out whether cubes suit how you pack.
Pros
- Includes laundry and shoe bags
- Very low cost for six pieces
- Light enough to add no real weight
Cons
- Thin fabric shows wear quickly
- Zips are the first thing to fail
Amazon Basics 4-Piece Packing Cube Set
Four cubes in the sizes most people actually use, with no compression zips or extra features to complicate matters. The mesh top panels keep things visible and breathable. Owners report they do exactly what is expected without pretending to save space they do not.
Pros
- Straightforward sizes without excess pieces
- Cheap and widely available
- Mesh panels aid visibility
Cons
- No compression capability
- Basic materials throughout
How to pick the right one
Standard cubes organise, compression cubes shrink This is the distinction that decides which set to buy. A standard cube keeps shirts together and stops everything shifting, but it takes up exactly the space its contents did. A compression cube adds a second zip that squeezes air out, which genuinely reduces volume for bulky soft items like fleeces and jumpers. If your case is always full, buy compression. If your case is always messy, standard cubes are enough.
Compression saves space, never weight It is worth being blunt about this because airlines are not fooled. Compressing clothing changes its volume, not its mass, so a checked bag weighs the same either way. What compression buys you is the ability to fit more into a fixed size carry on, which matters when the constraint is the sizer at the gate rather than the scale.
Fabric weight and zips are where sets fail The failure point on cheap cubes is almost always the zip, usually when a cube is packed tight and the slider is forced. Heavier ripstop fabric and reinforced zip tape, as on the Eagle Creek and Thule sets, cost more up front and survive far longer. Mesh panels help you find things and let damp clothing breathe, but they also expose contents to snagging, so solid panels suit anything delicate.
Packing method matters as much as the cubes Roll soft items like shirts and t shirts to fit more per cube and reduce creasing. Fold structured items such as trousers and jackets flat. Use one cube per category rather than per day, so you unpack once instead of hunting. Put shoes in a separate bag at the bottom of the case, keep a compression cube empty on the outbound leg for worn clothing on the way home, and place heavier cubes near the wheels for stability.
Compared at a glance
| # | Model | Fabric | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set | Recycled ripstop | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Bagail 6 Set Packing Cubes | Six cubes | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Gonex Compression Packing Cubes | Compression, dual zip | Best compression | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Peak Design Packing Cube | Two, divided | Best design | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Thule Compression Packing Cube | Compression | Best for luggage fit | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes | Six, plus laundry and shoe bags | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Amazon Basics 4-Piece Packing Cube Set | Four cubes | Best simple set | 8.0 | Check price |
Good to know
Do packing cubes actually save space?
Standard cubes do not, they organise. Compression cubes with a second zip do, particularly with bulky soft clothing like jumpers and fleeces. If saving space is the goal, choose a compression set such as the Gonex or Thule.
Do compression cubes reduce weight?
No. Compression changes volume only, so a checked bag weighs exactly the same. The benefit is fitting more into a carry on sized case where the limit is dimensions rather than weight.
How many cubes do I need for a week?
Most people manage with three or four: one for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and socks, and a small one for accessories. A separate laundry bag for worn clothing keeps things simple on the return leg.
Should I roll or fold clothes inside cubes?
Roll soft items to fit more in and reduce hard creases, fold structured items flat. Mixing methods within one cube works fine, since the cube itself stops things shifting.
Are mesh or solid panels better?
Mesh helps you identify contents without opening the cube and lets slightly damp clothing breathe. Solid panels protect delicate items better and hide contents at security. Many sets, including the Eagle Creek Reveal, combine both.
Will packing cubes fit any suitcase?
Standard sets fit most cases, but dimensions vary and a set sized for a large checked case wastes space in a carry on. Sets like the Thule cubes are sized specifically to fill carry on dimensions efficiently.
Do cubes cause creasing?
Standard cubes cause less creasing than loose packing because clothes cannot shift. Compression cubes cause more, since the fabric is held under pressure. Roll anything you care about and unpack promptly on arrival.
How do I clean packing cubes?
Most are machine washable on a cool cycle in a laundry bag, then air dried. Avoid tumble drying, which can damage coatings and warp zips. Air them fully before storing to prevent musty odours.
The verdict
The Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal set is worth the extra if you travel regularly, since the fabric and zips hold up where cheaper cubes give out. The Bagail 6 Set is the right choice for most people, covering a sensible spread of sizes for a fraction of the cost. Add a Gonex or Thule compression cube if the real problem is fitting a bulky jumper into a carry on.
