The best packing cubes for travel: tried and tested by our editors

There are two types of travellers in this world: those who pack for a trip with wild abandon, tossing in multiple outfit changes, their entire beauty and skincare regime, three hair tools and enough pants to change underwear three times a day. And then there are travellers like me, who will do almost anything to avoid having to check a bag into the hold, priding themselves on packing a tight edit of essentials into an even tighter space, and investing in a clever underseat cabin bag.

If, like me, you are adamantly against checking a bag into the hold, you know there are certain hacks you need to utilise to avoid a complete packing meltdown. If you’re uninitiated, I can explain the secret to carry-on only luggage in two words: packing cubes. The magic trick of this product becomes all the more magical when you add a third word: compression packing cubes.

It might sound simple (or like the kind of thing your dad might get excited about), but a good packing cube really is the only essential you need to embark on a hand luggage only trip. Not only will a decent compression cube save you space, it will also keep you organised through security, the flight itself and beyond.

The best packing cubes at a glance

Nere Stori 3 pack packing cubes

Antler Cheslea 4 packing cubes

Paravel packing cube quad

Top tips for using packing cubes

Pack outfits together – and in the order you’ll need them. Throwing a bunch of bottoms, tops and outerwear into your carry on luggage willy-nilly will not work. Plan your outfits before you travel to stop you from packing unnecessary items; try to prioritise items that will go with lots of other things, and then pack these items together in the order that you’ll reach for them. I normally pack one big compression packing cube with all my outfits for the time I’ll be away, and a smaller cube containing underwear, pyjamas and workout gear.
Roll, don’t fold. Goes without saying, but rolling your clothes will make them more compact, saving so much space.
Wear your chunkiest items. Again, this is a simple tip, but it’s worth reiterating – wearing your biggest jumper, coat, and chunkiest shoes will make all the difference. I normally slip a pair of flip-flops into my handbag for the flight, especially for long-haul journeys.
Edit down your skincare and beauty regime. Whenever I go to the airport, I pick up a few of the plastic bags they give you for liquids at security and stash them at home for future trips. This means I can make sure my liquids will fit, eradicating any possible airport disasters as I realise my favourite perfume won’t squeeze in. (Side note, for perfume, I love this mega-affordable refillable perfume bottle, which allows you to decant your favourite scent mess-free into a travel-friendly bottle.)
Packing cubes can be used for more than just clothes. I use a cube for my wires, electrics, chargers and more – this means I’m not fumbling through rogue wires when I’m trying to find my passport or boarding pass. You could also use a packing cube for your shoes – and don’t forget to stuff shoes with socks or any other items that will fit to save more space, too.

The best packing cubes for travel

Nere Stori 3 pack packing cubes

Pros: Great value price, 6 colours, can be stored very flat when not in use

Cons: Can’t see what’s inside, no handles

Australian luggage brand Nere recently launched in the UK, bringing their affordable and brightly coloured range of hard shell suitcases, weekender bags and tote bags. Their zip up packing cubes come in packs of three and are available in a multitude of bright colours, from hyper pink to light aqua and classic black.

Antler Cheslea 4 packing cubes

Pros: 6 colours, mesh windows, expandable zips to allow for more or less volume, good quality

Cons: No handles

Editor review: “From big trips to the Maldives and Australia to city breaks in Paris where I’ve had carry on luggage only, I have used these on so many trips. Whenever I fly with my son I fill the smallest bag with toys and snacks for him, so it’s easy to grab quickly. Antler is one of the best luggage brands in the UK, so the quality is great and the mesh lids make it so easy to spot what’s stored inside,” Lauren Burvill, commerce editor.

Gomatic packing cubes

Pros: Top handle, large sizes

Cons: They sell out quickly, only available in black, cubes sold separately

Editor review: “I have travelled with just a cabin bag for a 12-day winter holiday in Canada and a week in the Greek islands using the fantastic Gomatic compression packing cubes. Not only are they reasonably priced, but from one purchase they’ve saved me money on checking a bag in the long run, as well as saved time checking in or waiting for a bag on the carousel at either end of my flight, and the overwhelm of discovering you’ve simply packed too much luggage,” Sarah James, deputy digital editor.

Away The Insider packing cubes, set of 4

Pros: Mesh windows, 6 colour options, good quality

Cons: Colours often sell out, no handles

If you’re an Away luggage devotee, then these packing cubes are an equally worth investment. Designed to work with the compression system of an Away suitcase, this pack of four will ensure you use every inch of space in your carry on, while still staying organised and taking good care of your clothes.

Paravel packing cube quad

Pros: Can be personalised, recycled fabric, 6 colour options, sheer strip window

Cons: Expensive, no handles

Paravel is easily one of the most stylish luggage brands around, so it comes as no surprise that their packing cubes are equally chic. Doing away with the usual mesh, these cubes feature a sheer strip on the lid, so you can still see what’s inside. The pack of four are available in six smart colour options, and can be personalised with your initials in a constrasting colour.

Horizn Studios packing cubes, set of four

Pros: Mesh windows, 4 colour options, recycled fabric, a dedicated cube for storing wet items

Cons: Expensive, no handles

Sustainable luggage brand Horizn has applied their recycled fabrics and clever design to their packing cube offering. Each cube is designed with different items in mind, including a medium cube to hold tshirts and shorts, and a large cube for trousers and sweaters. In their pack of four there’s even a medium cube with waterproof lining, designed to store any wet items – an ideal solution to that tricky last day of a beach holiday.

Beis

Pros: Cubes can be labelled, mesh windows, top handles

Cons: Expensive, only available in black

For the ultimate in organisation, this set from Beis includes six packing cubes, including three regular cubes, two shoe bags, and a zip pouch. In terms of ease of use, not only do the packing cubes have mesh windows, but they also have a dedicated holder to display a label, so you can keep you items ultra organised, and easily locate what you need when unpacking.

Tumi large packing cube

Pros: Mesh window, top handle

Cons: Expensive

While Tumi’s range of packing cubes are quite simple, they are of course of the highest quality and designed to fit perfectly within their luggage range. The large size but thin height means the cubes can also be stacked on top of each other within a suitcase, and are ideal if you prefer to store whole outfits together.

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