Shortlist · Travel · 5 models
Best packing cubes for a carry-on: five sets from a three-cube kit to a six-piece compression set, by the makers' sizes
Packing cubes only work if they fit the bag: a 14 by 10 inch cube lies flat in a personal-item backpack, an 18 by 13.75 inch one fills a carry-on and nothing smaller. Five sets from Eagle Creek, Bagail, Gonex, BAGSMART and Shacke, compared on cube dimensions, piece count, material and compression, from the makers' pages where they publish them and the listing, marked, where they do not.
Quick answer
- A personal-item backpackEagle Creek Pack-It Reveal XS/S/M — 1, 3 and 7 L cubes, the medium 14 by 10 by 3 inches, 8.1 oz together.
- 8A carry-on, cheaplyBagail 8-set — three mesh cubes up to 18 by 13.75 inches, shoe bag, laundry bag, three pouches.
- 4Sweaters in a small bagGonex compression 4-set — nylon, a second zip that flattens; listing figures.
- 6Compression with a maker's figureBAGSMART 6-set — up to 60 percent, a 5.9-inch cube to 1.8, shoe bag.
- 4 cubes + laundrybagThe set that outlasts the suitcaseShacke Pak 5-set — four nylon cubes all 4 inches deep, YKK zippers, laundry bag.
The five at a glance
| Model | Pieces | Cube sizes | Material | Compression | Weight (set) | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set XS/S/Mfor a personal-item backpack | No confirmed data | No confirmed data | Recycled 300D polyester, mesh top | No confirmed data | 8.1 oz | View listing |
| Bagail 8-Set Packing Cubesfor a carry-on, cheaply | 8 | 12.9 x 11 x 4.7; 15.7 x 11.8 x 4.7; 18 x 13.75 x 5 in | Polyester | No confirmed data | 12.3 oz† | View listing |
| Gonex Compression Packing Cubes, 4-setfor sweaters in a small bag | 4† | XL 17.3 x 13 x 3.5; L 14.5 x 10.6 x 3.5; M 11.8 x 8.9 x 3.5; S 9.8 x 7.5 x 3.5 in† | Nylon† | Second zip flattens the cube† | 12.3 oz† | View listing |
| BAGSMART Compression Packing Cubes, 6-setfor compression with a maker's figure | 6 | L 15 x 10.2 x 5.9 in (1.8 compressed); M 13 x 9 x 5; S 9 x 5 x 5 in | Nylon and polyester mesh | Up to 60%, by BAGSMART | No confirmed data | View listing |
| Shacke Pak 5-Set Packing Cubesfor the set that outlasts the suitcase | 4 cubes + laundry bag | XL 17.5 x 12.75 x 4; L 13.75 x 12.75 x 4; M 13.75 x 9.75 x 4; S 11 x 6.75 x 4 in | Water-resistant nylon, YKK zippers | No confirmed data | No confirmed data | View listing |
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† Figure from a retailer listing or otherwise awaiting confirmation from the manufacturer; other figures come from manufacturer manuals and spec sheets.
Cube sizes are the makers’ own for Eagle Creek, Bagail, BAGSMART and Shacke, and the listing’s for Gonex, which has no spec page. Weights for Bagail, Gonex and Shacke are listing figures and marked pending; Shacke’s shows in pounds. BAGSMART does not publish a weight. The BAGSMART listing also sells two-, four- and fourteen-piece versions; the six-piece is the one described here.
Fit the cube to the bag
The inside of a 22 by 14 by 9 inch carry-on is about 20 by 13 inches, so the largest cube in a carry-on set — 17 to 18 inches long, 12.75 to 13.75 wide — fills one layer and leaves a strip for shoes. A personal-item backpack of 18 by 12 inches is a different problem: its opening is narrower than its height, and only a cube around 14 by 10 inches goes in flat. That is why Eagle Creek’s three-cube set, which tops out at 7 liters, is on this list next to eight-piece sets that fill a suitcase.
Then compression. A second zipper that pulls the cube flat buys real room with soft clothes and creases anything structured. BAGSMART publishes the figure — up to 60 percent — and Gonex does not publish anything, so its set is here with the listing’s numbers and a mark.
Last, build. Polyester is cheap and light; nylon with YKK zippers costs more and does not break the zip on the third trip.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal XS/S/M — for a personal-item backpack
for a personal-item backpack
Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set XS/S/M
- Material
- Recycled 300D polyester, mesh top
- Weight (set)
- 8.1 oz
Check price on Amazon
Three mesh-topped cubes — XS 7.5 by 4.5 by 2.5 inches (1 L), S 10 by 7 by 3 (3 L), M 14 by 10 by 3 (7 L) — weighing 8.1 oz together, in recycled 300D polyester made without intentional PFAS, each with its size, volume and weight on Eagle Creek’s page. The medium is the cube that lies flat in an 18 by 12 inch backpack.
There is no large cube, so it will not fill a carry-on, and it costs more than Bagail’s eight pieces.
For socks, underwear and one outfit in a personal-item bag, bought once for twenty years, it is the one.
Strengths
- Each cube's size, volume and weight published
- Recycled fabric, no intentional PFAS
- The medium fits a personal-item backpack flat
Limitations
- No large cube — the biggest is 7 L
- Three cubes, not a set for a suitcase
- Costs more than the eight-piece Bagail
Good for
- a personal-item backpack
- socks, underwear and one outfit
- someone who buys one set for twenty years
Look elsewhere if
- filling a 40 L carry-on
- a family trip
Bagail 8-set — for a carry-on, cheaply
for a carry-on, cheaply
Bagail 8-Set Packing Cubes
- Pieces
- 8
- Cube sizes
- 12.9 x 11 x 4.7; 15.7 x 11.8 x 4.7; 18 x 13.75 x 5 in
- Material
- Polyester
- Weight (set)
- 12.3 oz†
Check price on Amazon
Eight pieces: mesh-topped cubes of 12.9 by 11 by 4.7, 15.7 by 11.8 by 4.7 and 18 by 13.75 by 5 inches, a shoe bag, a laundry bag, a cosmetic bag, an underwear bag and a flat pouch, in polyester, by Bagail’s page; the listing gives 12.3 oz for the set, marked pending.
The XL cube is too big for a personal item, the polyester is thin, and the weight is the retailer’s.
For a 22-inch carry-on or a medium suitcase, a family packing for everyone, or a first set, it is the cheap one that covers everything.
Strengths
- XL cube fills a carry-on's width
- Shoe and laundry bags included
- Cheap
Limitations
- XL cube is too big for a personal item
- Thin polyester
- Weight comes from the listing
Good for
- a 22-in carry-on or a medium suitcase
- a family packing for everyone
- a first set
Look elsewhere if
- an under-seat bag only
- compression
Gonex compression 4-set — for sweaters in a small bag
for sweaters in a small bag
Gonex Compression Packing Cubes, 4-set
- Pieces
- 4†
- Cube sizes
- XL 17.3 x 13 x 3.5; L 14.5 x 10.6 x 3.5; M 11.8 x 8.9 x 3.5; S 9.8 x 7.5 x 3.5 in†
- Material
- Nylon†
- Compression
- Second zip flattens the cube†
- Weight (set)
- 12.3 oz†
Check price on Amazon
Four nylon cubes — XL 17.3 by 13 by 3.5, L 14.5 by 10.6 by 3.5, M 11.8 by 8.9 by 3.5, S 9.8 by 7.5 by 3.5 inches — with a second zipper that squeezes the air out, 12.3 oz for the set, all from the listing, because Gonex has no spec page; every figure is pending.
No maker behind the numbers, compressed clothes crease, and the XL is a carry-on cube.
For bulky sweaters in a small bag, a long trip in a carry-on, or winter, it is the compression set in nylon, bought on the listing’s word.
Strengths
- Compression zip buys real space
- Four sizes nest
- Nylon rather than polyester
Limitations
- No maker spec sheet
- Compressed clothes crease
- XL is a carry-on cube
Good for
- bulky sweaters in a small bag
- a long trip in a carry-on
- winter
Look elsewhere if
- shirts you want uncreased
- anyone wanting maker-stated dimensions
BAGSMART compression 6-set — for compression with a maker’s figure
for compression with a maker's figure
BAGSMART Compression Packing Cubes, 6-set
- Pieces
- 6
- Cube sizes
- L 15 x 10.2 x 5.9 in (1.8 compressed); M 13 x 9 x 5; S 9 x 5 x 5 in
- Material
- Nylon and polyester mesh
- Compression
- Up to 60%, by BAGSMART
Check price on Amazon
BAGSMART’s page states the compression: up to 60 percent, a large cube of 15 by 10.2 by 5.9 inches down to 1.8, with a medium of 13 by 9 by 5 and a small of 9 by 5 by 5, in nylon with polyester mesh panels, six pieces with a shoe bag. The listing also sells two-, four- and fourteen-piece versions, so check the variant before paying.
Compression wrinkles knits, the mesh panels snag, and the multi-variant listing makes it easy to buy the wrong set.
For maximizing a carry-on with soft clothes, or a family set, it is the compression set with a number on it.
Strengths
- Compression figure stated by the maker
- Shoe bag included
- Nylon shells
Limitations
- Multi-variant listing: easy to buy the wrong set
- Compression wrinkles knits
- Mesh panels snag
Good for
- maximizing a carry-on
- soft clothes
- a family set
Look elsewhere if
- formal shirts
- a personal item only
Shacke Pak 5-set — for the set that outlasts the suitcase
for the set that outlasts the suitcase
Shacke Pak 5-Set Packing Cubes
- Pieces
- 4 cubes + laundry bag
- Cube sizes
- XL 17.5 x 12.75 x 4; L 13.75 x 12.75 x 4; M 13.75 x 9.75 x 4; S 11 x 6.75 x 4 in
- Material
- Water-resistant nylon, YKK zippers
Check price on Amazon
Four cubes all 4 inches deep — XL 17.5 by 12.75, L 13.75 by 12.75, M 13.75 by 9.75, S 11 by 6.75 — in water-resistant nylon with YKK zippers, plus a laundry bag, by Shacke’s page; 1.1 lb for the set by the listing, pending. Same depth means they stack flat in any bag.
No compression, 1.1 lb is heavier than the Bagail eight, and there are only four cubes.
For a carry-on or a medium suitcase, checked bags too, and someone whose last cheap set broke a zip, it is the one that lasts.
Strengths
- YKK zippers and nylon — the toughest build here
- All cubes 4 in deep, so they stack flat
- Laundry bag included
Limitations
- No compression
- 1.1 lb — heavier than the Bagail eight
- Only four cubes
Good for
- a carry-on or medium suitcase
- someone whose last cheap set broke a zip
- checked bags too
Look elsewhere if
- squeezing a week into a personal item
- ultralight packers
How to choose
- The bag. Backpack: Eagle Creek M (14 x 10). Carry-on: any big cube 17–18 inches long.
- Compression? Soft clothes, yes: BAGSMART (stated 60%) or Gonex. Shirts, no: Shacke or Bagail.
- How many. One person: three cubes. Family or suitcase: Bagail eight or BAGSMART six.
- Build. Nylon and YKK (Shacke) for years; polyester (Bagail) for the price.
- Numbers. Eagle Creek, Bagail, BAGSMART, Shacke publish sizes; Gonex does not.
Who should skip cubes
If the trip is two nights in a backpack, one cube for underwear and a folded stack is enough; cubes add seams and weight. And a rigid suitcase with its own compression straps already does what a compression cube does, for the soft half of the bag.
Which one, by situation
- Under-seat backpack: Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal.
- First set, carry-on: Bagail 8-set.
- Winter in a small bag: Gonex compression.
- Compression with a maker’s number: BAGSMART 6-set.
- Buy once: Shacke Pak.
Sources
Facts checked October 10, 2026
- Eagle Creek — Pack-It Reveal Packing Cubes Set XS/S/M product page — Manufacturer documentation, checked October 10, 2026
- Amazon listing (Eagle Creek) — Retailer listing, checked October 10, 2026
- Bagail — 8 Set Packing Cubes product page — Manufacturer documentation, checked October 10, 2026
- Amazon listing (Bagail) — Retailer listing, checked October 10, 2026
- Amazon listing (Gonex) — Retailer listing, checked October 10, 2026
- BAGSMART — 6-piece compression packing cubes product page — Manufacturer documentation, checked October 10, 2026
- Amazon listing (BAGSMART) — Retailer listing, checked October 10, 2026
- Shacke — Shacke Pak 5 Set packing cubes product page — Manufacturer documentation, checked October 10, 2026
- Amazon listing (Shacke) — Retailer listing, checked October 10, 2026
What size cube fits a carry-on?
A 22 by 14 by 9 inch carry-on has an interior around 20 by 13 inches, so the big cube in each set — Bagail 18 x 13.75, Shacke 17.5 x 12.75, Gonex 17.3 x 13 — fills one layer, and the medium cubes fill the rest. A personal-item backpack of 18 x 12 inches takes a 14 x 10 cube flat, which is Eagle Creek's medium, and nothing from the carry-on sets.
Do compression cubes save space?
They squeeze air out of soft clothes — sweaters, fleece, underwear — and BAGSMART puts a number on it: up to 60 percent, a 5.9-inch cube to 1.8. They do nothing for jeans or shoes, and they crease anything with a collar. Use them for the soft half of the bag and plain cubes for the rest.
Mesh top or solid?
Mesh shows what is inside and lets damp clothes breathe; it snags on zips and does not keep a spill in. Solid tops hide the contents and protect them. Eagle Creek, Bagail and BAGSMART use mesh panels; Gonex and Shacke are mostly solid nylon.
How many pieces do I need?
For a carry-on, three cubes — one large for tops, one medium for bottoms, one small for underwear and socks — and a laundry bag. The eight-piece Bagail set and the six-piece BAGSMART are for a family or a suitcase; the three-piece Eagle Creek is for one person in a backpack.
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