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I often think that I would enjoy packing for vacation a lot more if I had a better system for doing the job. As it stands now, I just toss everything I can possibly imagine needing or wanting on my trip into a suitcase with no real rhyme or reason and hope for the best. This method ensures none of my things are organized very well.
Packing cubes are a great solution for messy packers like myself. Not only do they help you store your things in an orderly manner, they also help you fit more things, which is always of interest to me. Most packing cubes are also made of durable materials meant to withstand wear and tear from rough travel - I wouldn't want to take a trip through an airport baggage claim carousel, would you? - and some even compress down to save space.
If you haven't been traveling with packing cubes but are ready to start, you've come to the right place. Here, I've rounded up the top expert-approved packing cubes that will make your life so much easier on your next out of town journey.
Updated on 10/28/2019 by Mara Leighton: Updated prices and formatting. Added a few related links. We are currently testing new products, so we'll update this guide soon.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.
These no-fuss packing cubes from eBags fit everything you need for a vacation without taking up too much space in your suitcase.
The eBags Packing Cubes come recommended by just about every travel expert on the internet, and tons of shoppers, too. Their popularity comes down to two factors: versatility and durability. One of the best-rated sets is the 6-piece Value Set, which includes large, medium, and small packing cubes as well as three "slim" packing cubes for just under $50.
These packing cubes will certainly fit in your suitcase for travel, but they'd also be great at-home storage options for off-season clothing or even corralling unruly socks and underwear in a drawer.
The cubes are made of colorful nylon with mesh panels on top so you can easily tell what's inside, and they stack for compact storage. The variety of sizes coupled with a lifetime warranty makes them the perfect choice for frequent travelers.
"The cubes are deceptively spacious," reads the most helpful review on the eBags site. Another fan says, "These are especially handy if you are staying at multiple locations on a trip."
Pros: Multiple sizes, mesh panels help you see the contents while cube is closed, durable nylon material, lifetime warranty
Cons: Pricier than some brands (but you get variety)
With more than 1,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.6 star rating, the AmazonBasics 4-Piece Packing Cube Set is one of the most popular on the market. It's great news if you want to save some cash, because the entire package is available for only $23. But as the rave reviews suggest, the low price doesn't mean you're missing out on quality.
If you don't travel very frequently you may not want to invest in more luxe packing cubes, in which case, these would be perfect.
As The Wirecutter writer Jack Chance points out, the AmazonBasics cubes are reminiscent of eBags in "size, shape, and design." The quality is not identical, of course, but you get comparable benefits and if you treat the AmazonBasics version well the cubes will likely still last you for a long time. Plus they aren't that expensive to replace.
The AmazonBasics set is also recommended by BestReviews.com, who liked the quality of the polyester material and the color selection but did note the zipper quality left something to be desired.
Pros: Four cubes for under-$20, durable, mesh panels on top, multiple color options
Cons: Experts say quality of materials is lesser than pricier options
The Insider Packing Cubes from luggage brand Away help you store items efficiently in your suitcase without ruining the aesthetic.
Functional packing cubes are all well and good, but they usually leave something to be desired for the fashion-forward. Frankly, they aren't all that cute. Then there are the Away Insider Packing Cubes, those chicly minimalist black boxes that pair beautifully with your nice luggage and don't skimp on practicality.
If you went through the trouble to invest in an endlessly Instagrammable Away suitcase, you don't want to ruin the whole vibe with unattractive packing cubes. Luckily, Away's in-house cubes are reallygood.
You can opt for a set of four cubes or a set of six, which includes every available size the brand currently carries, or buy them individually. Made of waterproof black nylon, each cube is topped with a panel of mesh that helps you find what you're looking for quickly when on-the-go.
For travelers who need to keep their luggage lightweight, there's the Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Tech Cube Set. The cubes are made of a slim, translucent and water resistant nylon material that weighs less than most of the competition.
You can still fit a lot of stuff inside the cubes, too. A 3-piece set includes extra small, small, and medium sized cubes. The featherweight fabric of the bags themselves makes this a great option for trips that involve a lot of lugging.
As our own David Slotnick puts it, "the bags are perfect for anything from backpacking to hoping that your checked bag isn't left outside during a storm."
These are also great for throwing in your hand-held luggage or duffle bag for a long weekend away, and we love the fact that you can see through them. The Specter Tech Cube Set also comes recommended by Travel + Leisure and The Wirecutter.
I probably first saw compression cubes in an infomercial when I was like 12, and I've always thought they were genius. What a way to save space! The Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Cube Set comes with full-size and half-size cubes that compress down and help you fit the mostin your travel bag.
The compression happens courtesy of the two-way zipper, so you don't need any fancy gadgets to shrink the bags down. According to TripSavy, "[t]he cubes can save up to 80 percent packing volume." That's a lot of extra room that you can either fill with more stuff or leave empty for lighter weight luggage.
With 86 Amazon reviews and a 4.5 rating, this is a popular choice with consumers. One reviewer said the cubes helped them pack only carry-on luggage for a three-week trip abroad, and another said "I travel a lot and this is, by far, in the top ten of my best travel purchases."
TravelSavy pointed out that the compression aspect may cause wrinkles in clothing, but I personally think this would cut down on the wrinkling from my preferred method of tossing everything willy nilly into the bottom of your bag.
Pros: Compress down with a zipper to save room
Cons: Only come in two sizes, don't completely flatten, might wrinkle clothing
Sometimes you just don't want to check your luggage, so you need a reliable carry-on bag that you can bring onboard the plane. Of all the carry-on bags we've researched and tested, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Commuter Expandable Upright is the best with its sturdy wheels, smart compression technology, and lifetime warranty. Here are our top picks for the best carry-on luggage bags:
Backpacks are perfect for when you don't need a full suitcase, but you want more than a regular daypack or messenger bag. Based on our research and real-world testing, the best overall travel backpack is the eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible. Here are our top picks:
If you usually rely on the flimsy cardboard luggage tag the airline provides, it's time to get a tougher tag that also makes it easier to spot your bag in the endless sea of bags at the airport. The Tile x Away luggage tag is our top pick because it not only looks smart, but it can also tell you where your bag is, thanks to Bluetooth connectivity. Here are our picks:
Trying to fall asleep on a plane is incredibly difficult, but having the right travel pillow can help you get some shut-eye during your epic flight across oceans and continents. The Trtl pillow is our top pick — even though it's not a pillow per se — because it is comfortable, very portable, and affordable. Here are our top picks for travel pillows:
