Packing cubes: compression vs regular
Packing cubes are zip-up fabric organisers that divide a suitcase into sections. Our makes two kinds: regular cubes, which keep things organised, and compression cubes, which also squeeze soft clothing into less space. This guide explains the difference, compares the sets and helps you work out how many cubes you need.
Regular packing cubes
Regular cubes come in four sizes. Each has a mesh panel on top so you can see what's inside, a label window with labels included, a webbing handle for lifting it out, and bound internal seams to reduce snagging. They're made from soft-touch polyester that uses recycled plastic bottles.
- Packing Cube - Extra Small, $18: swimwear, cables, accessories and small extras
- Packing Cube - Small, $21: a clothing category, accessories or one person's essentials
- Packing Cube - Medium, $23: tops, t-shirts, activewear and daily outfits
- Packing Cube - Large, $28: pants, jumpers, sleepwear, laundry or larger clothing groups
A regular cube doesn't make its contents any smaller. Its job is to keep categories separate, so you can find things without unpacking and lift a whole cube straight into a hotel drawer.
Compression packing cubes
Compression cubes have the same mesh panel, label window and handle, plus a second zip. You fill the cube and close the main zip, then close the compression zip to press air out of the contents. There's no vacuum pump involved.
- Compression Packing Cube - Small, $23
- Compression Packing Cube - Medium, $26
- Compression Packing Cube - Large, $31
There are also Compression Sustainable Packing Cubes in small ($23) and large ($31). Our says each one is made from 3 to 6 recycled plastic bottles.
Compression works on soft things that hold air: puffer jackets, jumpers, hoodies, t-shirts, activewear, swimwear and kids' clothes. Dense items such as jeans, shoes or tightly rolled clothing will still fit, but won't get much smaller.
One thing compression doesn't do is reduce weight. A compressed cube weighs the same as the clothes inside it, so a case packed with compression cubes can reach a weight limit before it's full.
Which type should you use?
- Compression when space is tight: carry-on-only trips, cold-weather clothing, or trips where you expect to bring more home than you took.
- Regular for things you reach for often, small items, and anything that won't compress, such as cables and accessories. Shoes have their own Shoe Cube ($20), made with anti-microbial fabric.
- A mix of both for longer trips: compression cubes for bulky layers, regular cubes for daily outfits and small items.
The sets compared
| Set | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Compression Packing Cubes - 3 Pc Starter Set | $60 | 1 small, 1 medium and 1 large compression cube |
| Compression Packing Cubes - 3 Pc Max Set | $66 | 2 large and 1 medium compression cube |
| The Medium Suitcase Packing Set | $110.40 | 4 compression cubes and 4 regular cubes (individual sizes not listed) |
| The Large Suitcase Packing Set | $125 | 2 each of small, medium and large compression cubes, plus 1 each of extra small, small, medium and large regular cubes |
| Build Your Own 6 Pc Bundle | From $75.60 | Any 6 or more cubes, 30% off |
| Build Your Own 10 Pc Bundle | From $108 | Any 10 or more cubes, 40% off |
At the single-cube prices above, the Starter Set costs $20 less than buying its three cubes separately ($80), the Max Set $22 less ($88), and the Large Suitcase Packing Set $125 less than the same ten cubes bought one by one ($250). The starting prices of the Build Your Own bundles match six and ten extra small cubes at their discounts; mixing in larger or compression cubes raises the total.
How many cubes for your suitcase?
Our sets are each built around a case size, which gives a useful starting point.
Carry-on
Three compression cubes is a sensible base. The Starter Set covers small items, everyday clothes and one bulky layer. If you pack mostly warm clothing, the Max Set swaps the small for a second large. An extra small regular cube for cables or swimwear fills the gaps. In a clamshell case like the Glide Lite Carry-On, put the cubes in one half and shoes and toiletries in the other. In the top-opening Glide Elite Carry-On Pro, stack them in layers.
Medium check-in
The Medium Suitcase Packing Set has eight cubes and is designed for a medium check-in case. Our designs its medium cases for trips of one to two weeks, so eight cubes, half compression and half regular, suits that length of trip.
Large check-in
The Large Suitcase Packing Set has ten cubes. Our large cases are designed for trips of two weeks or more, where the extra compression cubes help with bulkier layers.
Families and shared cases
Give each person their own colour. The regular and compression cubes each come in eight colours (black, blue, lime, olive, pearl, pink, red and sky), and the Build Your Own bundles let you choose colours cube by cube.
Packing tips
- Close the main zip first, then the compression zip. The corded pullers give you something to grip on a full cube.
- Keep one regular cube empty for worn clothes on the way home.
- Write on the labels so you know what's in each cube without opening it.
- Weigh the packed case before you leave. The Digital Luggage Scale ($18) weighs up to 50kg.
Browse compression packing cubes, regular packing cubes or packing cube sets. If you're still choosing a case, see our guide to choosing carry-on luggage.