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Get ready for Marie Kondo-level suitcase organization.
We updated this guide in August 2022 to ensure all products tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab were in stock and reflected current prices.
Packing is a true art form. You want to make sure you have everything you need, but you also don't want to turn your suitcase into an unorganized mess. The struggle only gets worse if you're trying to pack light with just a carry-on or an underseat bag. Meet your new travel MVP: packing cubes. These helpers keep your luggage totally organized during the trip and once you get to your destination. Pack your clothes into the cubes first, then fit the pieces into your bag like a puzzle. You can even get ones with built-in compression, so squeezing in that extra outfit (or two!) is no big deal.
The GH Textiles Lab is comprised of fiber scientists and travel product experts who test all types of luggage, travel accessories and more. Our experts found the best packing cubes from brands that performed well in past Lab evaluations, have excellent online reviews or feature useful extras so you can fit everything you need and then some into your suitcase. These are the best packing cubes in 2022.
If you’ve never used packing cubes, Eagle Creek’s durable designs are a great addition to your travel gear. These are made from polyester with mesh, so you can see exactly what you packed. When testing Eagle Creek products, GH travel pros are often impressed by the long-lasting designs that stay in great shape trip after trip. We like that the cubes have a handle on the top for easy organization whether in a suitcase, duffel or backpack. Plus, the folder helps compress workwear and keep it winkle-free for easy business travel.
• Pieces included: Three packing cubes (One small, one large, one folder)
At around $5 per piece, these TravelWise packing cubes are our most affordable pick. These come in a variety of sizes and are designed with clear mesh on the top, so you can see what’s in each one. We also appreciate that the zipper also goes all the way around the top, which makes it easy to just place them in a drawer once you get to your destination — no unpacking needed.
• Pieces included: Five packing cubes (one small, two medium, two large)
Overpackers, rejoice! These Gonex packing cubes compress your clothes, so you can fit as much as possible in your suitcase. The brand recommends rolling your clothes before putting them in the cube to maximize space. This popular Amazon Choice item has over 8,000 rave reviews and comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes.
• Pieces included: Five compression packing cubes (one smallest, one small, one medium, one large, one slim) and one laundry bag
With over 13,000 five-star reviews, these packing cubes are popular for their easy-to-use design that's perfect when traveling with the whole family. These packing cubes are available in eight colors, so each family member can have their own set. With mesh on top, it's easy to see inside without unzipping. Each set contains four cubes of varying sizes and a laundry bag, so dirty clothes can stay separate.
• Pieces included: Four packing cubes (one small, one medium, one large, one extra-large) and one laundry bag
Designed just for your intimates, this organizer by JJ Power is like an underwear drawer to-go. It has a large area for proper bra storage, so you can be assured they won’t get crumpled while traveling. There are also compartments for underwear and a zippered spot for items that need to be washed. Reviewers say this little case is a great gym bag organizer too.
• Pieces included: One packing organizer
Designed specifically for the mega-popular Away Carry-On, the brand's packing cubes are the perfect dimensions for carry-on luggage. They're made from waterproof nylon sides with a mesh panel top, which means you can quickly see what’s inside each one. Available in seven trendy shades, these can easily be stored flat when not in use. We love Away’s generous 100-day return policy, so there’s no harm in trying them out.
• Pieces included: Four packing cubes (one small-wide, one medium-slim, one medium-wide, one large-slim)
Unlike clothes, your sneakers, heels and boots may go into your suitcase already carrying dirt and grime. Pack footwear in shoe bags to avoid ruining outfits. The larger size fits shoes up to a size men's 14 and is perfect for booties or sneakers, while the standard size fits up to a size 10. These bags are available with either zippers or drawstrings in quantities of two, four or 12. Reviewers also love the bags for toiletries, towels and other small items.
• Pieces included: Four bags (two standard and two large)
If you have special items that cannot be stored off the hanger, this garment bag is great for protecting them. There’s a metal grommet at the bottom that hooks to the hanger, so it's easy to fold in half for convenient carrying or packing in a suitcase. Available in a variety of lengths, it also has a zippered, clear pocket at the top for accessory storage.
• Pieces included: One garment bag
Most packing cubes are only available in solid colors, but these trendy ones from Baggu come in fun prints and colors like smiley faces, floral and fruit. This set includes two packing cubes made from durable recycled nylon. Our pros were impressed by just how lightweight these cubes are without sacrificing performance — every ounce counts!
• Pieces included: Two packing cubes (one small, one large)
When camping, nothing is worse than wet gear. These packing cubes from Patagonia are made with recycled polyester ripstop with a highly weather-resistant TPU-film laminate to keep your items protected. Available in 3L, 6L and 10L volumes, these cubes have handles for easy grabbing and organizational interior mesh pockets.
• Pieces included: One packing cube
When evaluating packing cubes, Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab pros place a standard load in each cube to see how much they can hold. Then, we place them in a suitcase to see how easy they are to organize. We will also test the fabric's strength and abrasion resistance too. GH experts also travel with packing cubes to test them under real-world conditions.
Most sets come with different-sized cubes that are designed for certain items — small cubes for your underwear and larger cubes for shirts and pants. Everyone has a preference about rolling or folding clothes, but when packing in a cube, our pros say you should roll to avoid wrinkles. Rolling likely won't save as much space in a traditional packing cube, but many brands recommend it for compression picks. Doing this, and storing like items together, will make it much easier to find exactly what you want without rummaging through your bag.
Yes! Packing cubes ensure that every item has a spot in your suitcase — without it bursting at the seams. To further max out every inch, look for styles with compression. These work by having two zippers — one that closes the cube and a second that tightly compresses it to flatten your clothes and save space.
One of the main reasons clothes come out of your suitcase looking wrinkly is because they've shifted around during the trip. Packing cubes keep all your clothes still, so items are actually less likely to wrinkle. Keep in mind, some fabrics will wrinkle no matter what (hello, linen!), so we recommend choosing travel dresses and pants in more forgiving fabrics like polyester and Tencel for your next trip.
Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. She’s been at Good Housekeeping for over three years, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for walking shoes, luggage, tampons, pillows, sheets, period underwear and more. She also has worked on multiple travel features on backpacks, travel dresses and packing cubes. With a degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience, particularly focused on athletic wear. As a lifetime sewer with previous product development experience, she has a strong fashion background with expertise in proper fit and construction.