A suitcase can only do so much when it comes to keeping your belongings organised. It wasn’t until I started using packing cubes that I realised how much easier they could make travelling. Despite years of hopping between destinations, I only adopted them recently, partly because airlines have become stricter with baggage limits, and partly because I’ve become very good at convincing myself I need just one more thing while away.

You don’t necessarily need to invest in an entire collection of packing cubes to reap the benefits. Even a single cube can make a difference, whether that’s helping you squeeze in a few extra outfits or keeping worn clothes away from the rest of your luggage.

Different trips call for different packing cubes. I reach for the Bellroy set when travelling with a backpack, Pastael for larger suitcases, and Yeti for carry-on luggage. Keep reading for more packing cubes I’ve tested on real-world trips.

Read more: Best carry-on luggage, tested by a travel expert

The best packing cubes for 2026 are:

  • Best overall– Yeti crossroads packing cubes: £25, Yeti.com
  • Best budget option– Tripp packing cubes: £9, Tripp.co.uk
  • Best for formal wear– Émigré garment organiser: £135, Emigre.travel
  • Best for compression– Pastael small packing cubes: £40, Pastael.co.uk

Read more: Best luggage brands, selected by a shopping expert

  • Bestpacking cubes overall
  • Why we love it- Good level of of compression
  • Breathable mesh
  • Water-resistant
  • Long-lasting

Suitable for every type of travel, Yeti’s crossroads packing cubes are the best packing cubes I’ve tried – I’ve used them for years and they have never failed me. When I got my first set a couple of years ago, it only took one trip for my husband to steal them and never give them back, and he’s been using them on all his travels ever since. Fortunately, I’ve since got a replacement.

In terms of size and compression, they are a little less generous than the Pastael packing cubes (my top pick for compression), but still provide plenty of space and a good level of compression. This is because only a small part of the top is made of mesh while the rest is double-layered fabric. The little mesh addition is welcome for some breathability, and I particularly appreciate how smooth and resistant the zips are.

They are water-resistant, sturdy and still look like new after many uses and washes. Starting from £25 from a small packing cube, the price point is not as low as the budget option I tested from Tripp, but is in line with the quality and the longevity of the product.

Key specifications

  • Sizes available:14.6cm x 5.7cm x 17.1cm (small), 17.1cm x 7cm x 27.3cm (medium), 25.7cm x 9.5cm x 33cm (large)

  • Bestbudget packing cubes

  • Why we love it- Durable

  • Very affordable

  • Take note- Quality could be a lot better, but it does the job

  • Provide very little compression

If you’re looking for the best budget packing cubes then Tripp’s should be on your radar, as it’s rare to find a decent set that costs less than £15. I mistreated the mesh to see if it would rip after a couple of uses, and I was very aggressive with the zips, which tend to break easily when the quality isn’t there. No amount of tearing and scratching caused damage, so I’d imagine they’ll last the average traveller for years.

The main drawback? They provide next to no compression, not only because they don’t have a compressing double zip but because the mesh pattern is quite large, meaning that clothes tend to bulge against it rather than being flattened.

But, for occasional use to organise your clothes, these are perfectly adequate for a very sweet price tag.

Key specifications

  • Sizes available:21cm x 30cm x 12cm (small), 27cm x 31cm x 12cm (medium), 30cm x 40cm x 13cm (big)

  • Bestvacuum packing cubes

  • Why we love it- Saves a lot of space
  • Makes packing easy

  • Very sturdy

  • Take note- More expensive than a regular packing cube

  • How effective they are depends on what you’re packing

I buy clothes while I’m travelling more often than I like to admit, so whenever I go to cities where I know I will be thrifting, I bring one or two empty vacuum packing cubes. I have tried many, but Jaspacks have been the best.

Unlike other vacuum packing cubes, these open fully, thanks to an all-around zipper, making it a lot easier to fit more clothes inside. You then use the vacuum pump to remove around one third of the volume, depending on what you are packing. For instance, I find them great for very voluminous yet quite light soft knits, but you can’t get quite the same result with thick materials like denim.

Vacuum packing cubes are generally more expensive, but these feel extremely sturdy so I can see them lasting for a long time. And they’ll make packing a lot easier if you don’t like to pack light or, like me, you love a little local shopping spree.

Key specifications

  • Sizes available:30cm x 25cm x 12cm (small), 40cm x 30cm x 12cm (large)

  • Bestpacking cubes for size variety

  • Why we love it- Incredible quality
  • Great variety of sizes

  • Water-resistant

  • Take note- Only the largest cube (12l) provides compression

I absolutely love the size variety of Bellroy’s packing cubes, which are definitely in my top three when it comes to quality, durability and versatility. The only reasons they aren’t my top pick is that it’s just the largest cube that provides compression (£39, Bellroy.com).

I find the size variety means I use them more than any others, both while travelling and in my everyday life. The packing caddy (£35, Bellroy.com) is perfect for storing shoes in your suitcase, as well as bringing to the gym.

The smallest pouch (£19, Bellroy.com) has carried everything from swimming essentials to make-up, because not one drop of liquid escapes from it. I filled it with water to test it out in extreme conditions, so you can trust me on this.

Key specifications

  • Sizes available:14cm × 19cm × 5cm (smallest), 21.5cm × 36cm × 7cm (biggest)

  • Bestpacking cube for formal wear

  • Why we love it- Perfect for business trips
  • Includes a shirt folder

  • Waterproof compartment

  • Take note- Better for formal wear than regular clothing

  • Pricey compared to other packing cubes

If you travel a lot for work and, like me, hate steaming or ironing while travelling, I’d recommend opting for Émigré’s garment organiser, my best packing cube for formal wear. With one side specifically designed to fit four or five shirts, it also comes with a shirt folder, so you can get all your shirts to fold to the same size and stack perfectly.

I appreciate the variety of pockets available, with two small pockets for underwear or smaller accessories like ties and socks, and one bigger pocket that fits one or two pairs of smart trousers. There is also a big waterproof exterior compartment, which comes in handy to separate worn clothes from clean ones.

Key specifications

  • Sizes available:40cm x 27cm x 10cm

  • Bestdurable packing cubes

  • Why we love it- Durable and high-quality
  • Great compression
  • Breathable

  • Monogramming available

  • Take note- Pricey compared to other packing cubes

With a lifetime guarantee, Briggs & Riley’s packing cubes are the best I tried when it comes to durability. Having tried many of the brand’s products before, I wasn’t surprised that its packing cubes were one of the top options on my list.

They’re made with thick nylon, and they’re double-layered around the sides. Their compression and breathability is excellent, and water spills don’t seep through the material. However, they’re not water-repellent, which is something frequent travellers would have appreciated.

If you want to feel extra chic, the brand also offers a monogramming service, which I always find is a cute addition to any travel set. But it is worth noting that monogrammed items cannot be returned.

Key specifications

  • Sizes available:21.6cm x 16.5cm x 7.6cm (small), 33cm x 21.6cm x 7.6cm (medium), 43.2cm x 21.6cm x 7.6cm (large)

  • Bestpacking cubes for compression

  • Why we love it- Impressive compression
  • Colourful

  • Sturdy

  • Take note- No mesh means less breathability

I was extremely impressed with the compression provided by Pastael’s packing cubes. The set is made of a sturdy material that’s thicker than I’ve used before, so you can really stuff things inside, and the zips are very strong, too.

The packing cubes don’t have mesh inserts, though, so they’re better for city breaks than extended backpacking trips or tropical travel, when clothes would need to breathe.

Packing cubes tend to be quite boring, mostly available in dark colours, but these look so cheerful. I’ve also used them as storage in my open wardrobe, where they look so nice on display. I tested this lovely pink and red cherry set, but there’s also a chic beige and brown espresso set, bright blue and green set and a sunshine yellow and white yet.

Key specifications

  • Sizes available:25.9cm x 21cm x 12cm and 24.9cm x 10.9cm x 12cm (small set)

  • Bestbreathable packing cubes

  • Why we love it- Good breathability
  • Easy to see inside through the mesh

  • Good variety of shapes

  • Take note- Compression could be stronger

Antler’s packing cubes have a mesh top, which makes them the best I’ve tried for breathability. I like that I can see what I am reaching for, too, which is handy when I’m in a rush. Mesh usually means less compression and more bulging, but the compression power of these is not bad.

They only come in sets, the smallest being a set of two, and the biggest set being a set of six, which is a great, cost effective option if you are buying for two or more people. Whatever size you choose, they're good value for money considering the quality and durability.

If, like me, you travel often and not always light, you’ll get plenty of use out of the set of six. I liked that there’s a variety of shapes in the set, but even the smallest cubes fit a good amount of clothes.

I usually use this Antler packing cube set when I’m travelling with both hold luggage and a carry-on, with three of the biggest cubes going into the hold and the two smallest carrying the ‘just in case my luggage gets lost’ essentials.

Key specifications

  • Sizes available:24.5cm x 33cm x 10cm (large), 33cm x 17.5cm x 10cm (medium), 17.5cm x 16.5cm x 10cm (small)