Best Packing Cubes
The best packing cubes for travel fit all of the items we packed for a three-day trip, are easy to organize and access, and have a high-quality feel. Here are our favorites.
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The last time I packed for a trip was for a three-day vacation in Connecticut. Wanting my luggage to be as lightweight as possible, I crammed everything—winter clothes, a book, a bag of toiletries, my electronics—into a single carry-on backpack.
How We Evaluated Packing Cubes
I measured the capacity of the packing cubes two ways: by the number of items they could accommodate from my packing list and by the number of packing peanuts they could hold. I also measured the weight of the cubes using my kitchen scales because you probably would prefer that your packing cubes not be too heavy.
Photo: Pang-Chieh Ho/Consumer Reports Photo: Pang-Chieh Ho/Consumer Reports
Each packing cube set was judged on the following criteria.
Capacity: I looked at whether the cubes were able to accommodate all of the items on my packing list, and if they did, whether they were a comfortable fit or a tight squeeze. I also measured the capacity of each cube using packing peanuts.
Organization: Did the cubes organize the luggage in a way that made it easier to identify and find the contents inside? Were there features that allowed items to be packed in a neater, more orderly fashion, such as extra compartments and buckle straps?
Ease of use: How easy were the cubes to pack and zip up? Did the zippers slide smoothly even when the cubes were stuffed with luggage? I also evaluated how easy the cubes were to store when not in use.
Quality: I compared the texture of each packing cube to see which was softer or more comfortable to touch. I also stretched the fabric of the cubes to see how durable the material was and whether or not there would be wear and tear.
For each packing cube set, I packed the same list of items for a three-day trip. To test the capacity of the packing cubes, I planned for a winter trip—bulkier tops and pants and thicker socks, as well as items such as a winter hat, a scarf, and mittens.
Here’s the full list:
- 3 tops
- 2 pairs of pants
- 1 indoor jacket
- 1 set of pajamas
- 3 pairs of underwear
- 3 pairs of socks
- 1 winter hat
- 1 pair of mittens
- 1 scarf
- 1 pair of shoes
- Skin care items such as moisturizer and sunscreen
- Toiletry items, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clippers, and floss
- Medications, including those for allergies, headaches, and stomachache relief
- Chargers for phone and laptop
Overall, I ranked each product by how much it could contain, how helpful it was at organizing things, how easy it was to use and access, and its quality and durability. Most of all, I did a lot of packing. I used both the folding and rolling techniques for my clothes. Based on all of my evaluations, these are the products I recommend.
