Alexandra Ramirez
We spent 45 hours researching and testing more than 20 different brands of packing cubes and found that durability, number of pieces, and cost were the most important factors for consumers who were shopping for packing cubes. Shacke Pak – 4 Set Packing Cubes scored high marks in all categories and is our top pick. These water-resistant packing cubes are made of nylon that is durable and able to withstand a good amount of use. There are 4 pieces in this set that have been double stitched for strength. There is a laundry bag that is included for keeping dirty clothing separate.
1. Shacke Pak
Best Overall Packing Cubes
5/5 Product Rating
The Shacke Pak packing cube set includes 4 pieces that will help you fit everything you want to bring with you into your luggage in an organized way.
Your clothing will be less wrinkled, will stay clean, and things will be very easy to unpack. This convenient and quality set features 4 sizes of cubes that are 4” deep so you can pack more items in each pack.
Shacke Pak packing cubes feature YKK zippers which are the best, highest quality zippers on the market so you can rest assured they will stay strong and smooth. A convenient laundry bag comes with this set so you can keep your dirty laundry separate from your clean clothing.
The water-resistant nylon used in the construction of these packing cubes will keep your belongings protected and can handle quite a bit of wear. The stitching on each packing cube has been double stitched for durability and strength.
– Sarah Lytle
2. AmazonBasics
Best Overall Packing Cubes – Runner Up
4.7/5 Product Rating
These AmazonBasics packing cubes feature quality at an affordable price. These cubes are made of polyester that is long lasting and very strong so you don’t have to worry about any of them breaking while you are traveling.
There are 6 great color options so you can choose one that goes with your luggage or choose a contrasting color for fun.
Each set comes with two large cubes that measure 17 ½ x 12 ¾ x 3 ¼ and two medium cubes that measure 13 ¾ x 9 ¾ x 3. The large cubes are great for jeans, hoodies, and sweatshirts and sweaters. The medium cubes are better suited to long sleeve shirts, pants, and anything else you want to put in them.
The dual zippers are convenient and durable and the mesh front makes identifying what items are in what cubes much easier. Another popular feature of the AmazonBasics packing cube set is that they are machine washable in cold water on the gentle cycle. They need to be line dried and not tossed into the dryer.
– Sarah Lytle
3. ProPacking
4.3/5 Product Rating
ProPacking Cubes offer travelers 6 pieces in varying sizes that will help make packing much more organized and convenient.
There are 4 medium and one extra small cube that is great for toiletries that you need to bring with you. The Pro Packing Company specializes in creating quality products that can meet the needs of frequent travelers.
These convenient and durable packing cubes are available in a variety of colors and feature mesh screen on each bag that offers all the visibility you need to find the items you are looking for.
These cubes are made from strong, heavy duty nylon that can handle a lot of wear and won’t let you down during your trips.
ProPacking Cubes come with a lifetime guarantee and offers you a risk free chance to try them and see if you like them. If you don’t, they will refund your money no questions asked.
– Sarah Lytle
Packing Cubes Buying Guide
There are many benefits to using packing cubes. Below, we have listed many of the benefits you will enjoy by using a quality set of packing cubes. If you are on the fence about whether these cubes will be a help to you, this list will help you sort that out.
- Allows you to keep your items separate – When packing your luggage having everything in one spot can be a problem once you get to your destination. Packing cubes allow you to separate your items so unpacking as well as finding exactly what you are looking for becomes much easier. This is very helpful when you are packing for multiple people.
- Makes it easy to share a suitcase – If you can share a suitcase when you are traveling, especially on an airline that will reduce your checked bag costs. Using packing cubes allows you to separate the items you are packing so one person’s belongings are kept separate from another person’s belongings.
- They can be used over and over again – Many travelers use Ziploc bags to accomplish the same things a set of packing cubes will. Packing cubes are made to be used repeatedly and will not tear like Ziplocs will. They are also able to handle bulkier items with no problem.
- Keeps your clothing neat – When using packing cubes you can get the most items in your luggage while not taking up a lot of space or making it difficult to close your suitcase. This helps keep your clothing from getting super wrinkled so you have less work to do when you arrive to your destination.
- Easy to clean – The majority of packing cubes on the market can be washed in the washing machine and line dried (do not dry the, in the dryer). This allows you to keep the bags clean even when they have had soiled clothing in them.
- You can pack more things – Many of the packing cubes on the market are not compression style but they still allow you to fit more in than you can with a plastic bag or Ziploc. The best quality cubes can be stuffed full and still keeps things organized.
- Comes in many different sizes – Everyone’s packing needs are different. Packing cubes come in a variety of sizes to accommodate all of your packing needs including shoes, bulky clothing, and even toiletries that fit well in the smaller cubes. Most packing cubes come in sets so you will get 4 or more different sizes to work with.
- They can be used as a pillow – If you pack your cube correctly and toss in a sweater at the top you can use the packing cube as a travel pillow as well.
- Store items you only use for travel – Do you have specific items that you only use on your travels like a special pair of slippers or a bathrobe? Packing cubes allow you to leave travel specific items packed so you can just grab them and put them in the suitcase rather than having to pack them each time you go on a trip.
Considerations and Tips for Choosing a Packing Cube Set
There are several things you will want to think about and pay attention to once you start shopping for a packing cube set. We have listed these helpful things below.
- How big is your luggage? – What sizes are the suitcases you normally use when you travel? You want to choose packing cubes that will fit into your luggage easily so you will need the measurements of your suitcases so you can match up the sizes correctly. Length and width are the two most important measurements to make note of. Cubes come in a variety of sizes so even the smaller suitcases can be packed using the cubes.
- Selecting the right model – There are different models of packing cubes on the market to choose from. Traditional packing cubes are usually rectangular in shape and come in a variety of sizes. There are also slim cubes that are longer and take up less space than the regular cubes do. There are also compression packing cubes that allow you to remove the air from the cube when it is compressed and reduces the amount of room they take up in your suitcase. Before purchasing a set think about the type of cubes you will need.
- Select the sizes you want – Once you have chosen the type of packing cubes you want, it is time to choose the sizes you will need. There are generally multiple sizes included in a set of cubes. The large packing cube will be best for bulkier items and the smaller cubes are better for undergarments, socks, and toiletries. If you are not sure of the best combination of sizes, it is okay to choose a set that has multiple bags of the same size.
- Materials used in construction – Most packing cubes will be made of mesh or solid fabric that feels like parachute material. The parachute material is going to last longer and it usually costs more than the mesh varieties. The benefit to the mesh designs is that they allow you to see what is packed without having to open it and sift through. If this doesn’t matter to you, you will get a lot more use from the solid material packing cubes.
- Prices and Budget – Do you have a specific budget you want to stay under when it comes to your packing cubes? They come in a wide range of prices depending on brand, number of pieces, quality, and materials. There are many great packing cube sets out there that will not break the bank. If you are a frequent traveler, it is best to choose the best quality packing cubes you can afford. They will last a long time and you will have the kind of quality that you can count on.
- Customer comments – Customer comments are an important and effective way of finding out some inside information about any of the cubes you are interested in purchasing. Reading comments that others have made that have purchased and are using the cubes will give you the kind of information a fancy sales page or description can’t provide. What are the customers saying about the packing cubes you are considering? Are they durable? Easy to use? Are they easy to pack? Have strong stitching and zippers? What kind of experiences are they talking about? If you find a lot of comments that are negative in nature you can assume the quality you want is not there and move on to another brand. Look for models that have high star ratings and lots of comments. Those are usually going to be your better quality packing cubes that will be worth the money you spend.
- Warranties and Guarantees – These are very important as it gives you a chance to try out the product and see if it is everything it claimed to be. It also provides help in the event there is something wrong with the cubes once they arrive or if they break after the first use. Look for packing cubes that come with good, solid warranties. Even better if they offer a satisfaction guarantee in the event you just don’t like them. Make sure you understand the warranty completely and that you know what it expected to keep the warranty live.
Conclusion
Not everyone knows about packing cubes. So many people have used plastic bags and Ziplocs for separating their belongings that they may have figured that is all there was. The packing cube industry is huge due to the convenience and protection they provide the traveler. With all of the different choices available in style, color, and brand, you’ll certainly be able to choose one that will work great to keep your clothing and items neat and contained.
The three top-rated packing cube sets we have featured above are all examples of the kind of quality you want to find for the cubes you purchase. No one wants to waste their money or have to deal with returns and refunds. Taking a bit of time now to take all the information you have gained and sort through the different offerings will provide you with the best results.
If you’re looking for a fast solution to your packing cube needs and don’t have time to sort through the different offerings, any one of the three top-rated packing cubes will work great for most traveler’s needs. They offer multiple sizes, great color options and are affordable. If you want to spend more time seeing what is out there, use the information we have given you in the guide to walk you through the process so you know what to look for.
This information will allow you to eliminate the packing cubes that are not the right size or that are not what you are looking for so your choices are not so numerous. Most of the packing cube sets on the market come in a larger variety of colors so you can choose one that complements your luggage well.
