Packing cubes are great. They protect your things from dirt, damage, and sand; they're great for unstructured bags where it’s harder to keep clothes folded and organized; and they get your clothes to your destination with fewer wrinkles. They also provide privacy: If TSA decides to go through your stuff publicly right next to the security line, you don't have to worry about everyone in line seeing your underwear. As a longtime packing cube devotee, I test a lot of brands for WIRED's guide to the Best Packing Cubes at all price points, so I can say with some authority that you can actually get some of the best packing cubes on Amazon.
There are ones with compression, label windows, lots of color varieties, and even unique prints. Even better, many of them are on sale for Prime Big Deal Days.
Best Bang for Your Buck
The differences between more expensive brands and these low-priced cubes from Bagsmart are, to be honest, pretty small. Unless you'll be using your cubes on an ultralight backpacking trip or throwing them off the Empire State Building, these should be just fine for most people. They hit all the high points of what one should look for in a packing cube: great breathability, great compression, and handles for maneuverability. They even have slots for labels!
Best Eagle Creek Dupe
Eagle Creek makes my favorite packing cube, and it's hard to compete with a lifetime warranty, but Gonex makes a set surprisingly similar to Eagle Creek's Isolate line. The cubes feature a tough, ripstop-like fabric; excellent compression; and a generously sized handle. There's also a version with fun, colorful prints like flowers, vintage vacation scenes, and seasonal landscapes.
Best Non-Compression Option
Formerly Amazon Basics, these cubes have been rebranded as Amazon Essentials and no longer have the “Amazon Basics” tag, but they appear to feature the same lightweight, mesh-fronted construction. They don't have a label slot or compression like the Bagsmart ones above, but they're still sturdy and well-made for the price.
Best Budget Set
The fabric on these cubes is disconcertingly thin and there's no compression feature, but if that's not an issue, this is an extremely versatile set that comes with containers for just about everything you need, including toiletries, socks, and accessories. It even comes with a shoe bag and a laundry bag, both of which I found so handy that I still often use them while I'm testing other sets.
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