These handy bags help make the most of your luggage space. Starting from just £10, stay organised for less this summer.
Finding a suitcase that can accommodate a mountain of holiday essentials is always a struggle for any traveller. Luckily, one packing trick allows overzealous holidaymakers to fit more sandals and sun cream into even the smallest of cases.
Packing cubes are a fantastic way to organise and pack items more efficiently. Each cube can be used to separate items by type (tops, undies, swimwear etc), by day or even by passenger, making it much easier to locate what’s needed on arrival.
Designed to save time and space, many packing cubes also feature a mesh top for transparency and breathability, making it easy to access items without having to rummage through everything in the case. Available from retailers such as Amazon, Antler and Dunelm, investing in a set of packing cubes could make packing easier than ever before.
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As a travel writer, I value anything that makes packing less of a hassle. Here are four of my favourite travel accessory sets to make it easier for every traveller.
Dunelm 7-Piece Travel Storage Set
This £10 seven-piece travel storage set from Dunelm has proven to be a game-changer in packing that offers great value and can be picked up in-store. Made from water-repellent materials, each of the seven storage bags provides a surprisingly large capacity, making it incredibly easy to stash clothes and toiletries.
There’s also a nifty bag for stashing away grubby kit or damp togs, keeping them apart from clean and dry gear. Even better, two of the packing cubes boast a mesh top so users can spot what’s inside without having to unzip them, helping to keep clothes crease-free on the go.
The set includes:
- 1 large cube
- 1 medium cube
- 1 small cube
- 1 zippered bag
- 1 smaller zippered bag
- 1 hanging shoe bag
- 1 laundry bag
The Dunelm packing cube set comes in a chic and contemporary grey hue. The zips glide effortlessly around the openings, and overall, this set seems pretty robust.
Shoppers rave about this budget-friendly travel must-have, hailing it “a great find.” One chuffed customer remarked: “I was really impressed with this 7-piece travel storage bag. It has a good selection of bags to use in a suitcase and great quality, too. I bought two of these because I knew my friend would like them. They are useful for storage at home, too.”
Another added their praise, saying: “I like the different sizes and shapes, very useful.” However, one buyer wasn’t as taken, noting: “Disappointingly small in size. Not enough cubes for packing clothes and too many unnecessary toiletry-style bags. Nice fabric and style though. Website photography is deceiving as it looks much larger.”
Buy from Dunelm (£10)
Amazon 10-Piece Packing Cube Set
With lots to choose from on Amazon, this 10-piece packing cube set is a steal. These stylish packing cubes are essential for travellers who prefer to pack light, and with a snazzy animal print design and various sizes, they’ll help keep everything neatly organised.
Crafted from top-notch, waterproof material with robust zips, these packing cubes make it easy to organise clothes, toiletries and personal items, optimising packing space. With a playful animal print design, these handy little bags may not be of the highest quality, but they will certainly help people stay organised while travelling.
The set includes:
- 2 large cubes
- 2 medium cubes
- 2 smaller cubes
- 3 PVC wash bags
- 1 cosmetic bag
Despite their affordable price, Amazon customers are pleased with the packing cube set. One five-star review said: “Strong and durable. Good variety of sizes. Perfect for packing for a holiday and keeping garments neat and tidy.”
Another added: “I have had better sets in terms of quality, but for the price paid this is perfect and recommended. Great selection of sizes. Best on the market, I think. This is my second set. I organised all of my drawers with these cubes.”
However, one purchaser was disappointed with the quality, explaining: “Unfortunately I only opened the packing cubes when sorting my clothes for holiday, 2 days after I could have returned them. The first ‘cube’ I pulled out had a hole in the seam. They seem very poor quality and if I could have, I would have returned them for a refund.”
Buy now from Amazon (£11.99)
Antler Packing Cubes
The renowned British luggage brand Antler is offering a solution for travellers to pack more efficiently with their Antler Four-Piece Packing Cube set. These ingenious cubes are designed to maximise every bit of available space and feature compression capabilities, allowing passengers to fit more into each suitcase than without them.
Perfectly fitting the Antler suitcase range, these compression cubes can also be used with virtually any other suitcase, backpack or cabin bag. The double compression zippers compress the bags to lie flat, while the mesh panel on top allows travellers to see the contents of each cube without having to unzip them.
Available in a range of colourways each set includes one large cube measuring 24.5 x 33 x 10cm, one medium cube measuring 33 x 17.5 x 10cm and two small cubes measuring 17.5 x 16.5 x 10cm. Providing ample storage space when needed, they can also be folded flat when not in use.
While these cubes may cost up to five times more than their Amazon equivalents, their superior quality and compression features help to minimise the overall volume of travellers’ belongings to help meet the restrictions of budget airlines.
Undoubtedly among the most expensive packing cubes available, these top-notch organisers have still managed to wow discerning globetrotters. A satisfied customer said: “Terrific solution for packing as much as possible into a small case. Also ensures that the case stays organised for the whole of the trip.”
Another labelled them an indispensable travel companion, adding: “Great quality packing cubes, I already want more. I’d love an even larger one for dresses/jumpers, so far I have only used them for underwear/socks for a two-week trip. The first time I tried them I packed too much in and couldn’t get the compressor zip to go around, so you do need to leave some space in the top to make the most of them.”
However, a purchaser criticised the colour, saying it was “not that nice, like it had been washed with darker colours.”
Buy the four-piece set from Antler (£50)
Geediar 9-Piece Packing Cubes
A godsend for thrifty travellers, these budget-friendly, highly versatile, cheap packing cubes optimise suitcase space by compressing clothes, whether rolled, folded, or simply squashed in. Priced at £12.99, this collection from Amazon is a game-changer when it comes to packing for holiday jaunts.
The Geediar cubes might be basic with their simple design, but they also have some practical features to keep gear in order while travellers are out exploring. Every packing cube features smooth rolling zippers that open fully for effortless packing.
The shoe holder can only fit one pair of shoes; however, the included wash bag, makeup bag, and toiletry bag are brilliant bonus items. The assortment includes:
- Three travel packing cubes with see-through mesh tops
- One private cube for bras and underwear,
- One travel shoe bag,
- One toiletry bag,
- One toothbrush cup,
- One laundry bag for dirty clothes and
- One flat bag for small items, like socks, electronic accessories or keys
Amazon buyers are impressed, leaving over 4,300 reviews. One five-star review said: “I love these packing cubes and use them on even short trips. They keep everything organised and easy to find. I roll my clothes and pack them tightly and this keeps them getting too creased. Each cube has its own use and I wouldn’t be without them.”
Another buyer added: “This is everything you need to organise your luggage for a trip. It contains many organisers of various sizes. There are zippers and buttons to keep your items in place. Some of the organisers also have mesh covers which allow ventilation and also allow you to see what’s inside the bath without having to open it. This is a must-have kit for organising your luggage space!”
Not everyone was pleased, however, as one buyer was left disappointed: “Initially, I really liked these. I bought them to organise my maternity bag, and the sizes/variety were ideal. However, after one week in hospital, the seams started to split on some of the bags (which were not over-packed).”
Buy now from Amazon for £12.99.