How to Pick the Best Packing Cubes in 2023? [Buying Guide]

II. What are the Benefits of Travel Cubes? 

Let's face it, packing in an orderly fashion does not necessarily require the use of packing cubes.

But it goes without saying that they make our job a lot easier. If you're like me, a last-minute packer, then these accessories are for you, believe me.

Here are some of the advantages that make it impossible for me to do without them (even for a simple walk in the mountains).

• Available in different sizes: despite the fact that the majority of the packing cubes that can be found on the market are rectangular in size (if you look hard enough, you will find alternatives), they are available in a wide range of sizes. Usually, in a kit, you will have different sizes to store your different accessories (from your dress to your computer cables). This is very handy as you can either use the complete kit when you pack your suitcase, or you can choose the ones you need if you are only planning a camping trip or a mountain walk.
• Save Time & Space: as we said before, the packing cubes are excellent to make your life easier when you pack your suitcase but also when you empty it. Saving time, optimizing space and no more hassle when you have to empty your suitcase while you only think about one thing: jumping in the pool after a long and tiring trip.
• Versatile and Creative: The first time I used packings cubes, I had a lot of fun packing (yes yes really!). It's almost educational and you feel like you're playing a game by organizing your clothes, placing the cubes and organizing your suitcase. That's how you make a chore fun! You can select just a few, add as many as you like and use them in all your bags and suitcases. What more could you ask for? A friend of mine even diverts the basic use to make a toilet bag and even a pillow with the sock packing cube.
• Functional & Handy: I used to search hours looking for things that I had slipped into my suitcase when I packed my suitcase when I left. All this is now a distant memory. With the inscriptions (already available or that you can add yourself) or the mesh compartments, I find everything in a second and I avoid wasting time, patience and energy searching in my suitcase. It may sound silly, but when your whole group is waiting for you in the lobby to leave on an expedition and you're busy looking for your sunscreen, believe me, it's worth it.

III. How to Use Packing Pods? 

There is not really an ideal way to use packing cubes, nor is there any misuse. The important thing is to use them in a way that makes your life easier.

Personally, before placing my clothes and travel accessories in the packing cubes, I make a checklist, spread my objects on the floor, separate the essential from the superfluous and then put the different objects away according to their nature but also to their use (if I'm only going to use an object once, I'll put it at the bottom of the packing cube). 

Another important piece of advice, you should measure the size of your suitcase or backpack before buying a packing cube kit to make sure you have the right packing cubes for you. This will help you avoid oversized cubes and maximise space.

If you don't have writing on your packing cubes and if the fabric is opaque, it can be wise to stick labels to indicate the contents of your packing cubes, it will save you time, believe me.

If you are planning a packing cube for dirty laundry, you can put a bag of herbs soaked in essential oil to neutralize potential bad smells.

IV. How to Choose the Best Luggage Cubes? 

If you've read all our tips carefully, you should now be more than willing to get your first packing cubes. There's a first time for everything!

Before you start a tedious search (we'll show you our top 3 at the bottom of the article because we're nice people), you can start by looking to see if the brand of your suitcase or travel bag does already offer packing cubes. They will be perfectly adapted to the size of your suitcase and we can only advise you to choose them.

If your brand doesn't offer any, you will have to make a choice in a rather large market. The main big difference that is tearing the net and travelers around the world apart is based on the quality of your packing cubes.

Some people strongly recommend cheap and medium quality packing cubes. They provide the minimum service and some travelers have been using them for years, showing that these packing cubes stand the test of time and travel.

Others opt for packing cubes from well-known brands, which are much more expensive but often offer different features and additional benefits (longer warranty, waterproof packing cube, zip that can be closed with a code or padlock etc). It's up to you to see what suits you best.

The other big difference concerns the structure of the packing cubes: hard or soft. Here again, opinions differ. While hard suitcase packing cubes protect your objects better, they are less malleable but also a bit heavier.

On the other hand, lighter pack cubes are often made of thinner fabric but can be compressed easily. If you carry little but valuable material, choose solid packing cubes, otherwise I recommend soft packing cubes.

IV. How Many Packing Cells do I Need? 

You will have the choice between many travel packing cube kits. Some have almost 10 elements while others are sold individually. The important thing is that you can efficiently store your stuff without falling into the superfluous.

Personally, I opted for a rather large kit (6 packing cubes of different sizes) but many travelers recommend taking between 3 and 4.

In fact, I rarely take the 6 packing cubes with me but I like to have the choice between the sizes, knowing that I often change my travel bag model depending on the type of my trip. If you travel with only one suitcase, your choice will be easier.

Generally speaking, you need a cube pack for your t-shirts and sweatshirts, one for your underwear and one for your pants. You can add more if you're bringing shoes, computer accessories or sports stuff for example.