Last year, I made a rookie mistake. Bought the cheapest compression packing cubes I could find on Amazon for £12. They lasted exactly two trips before the zippers gave out completely.
That disaster led me down a rabbit hole of testing every compression cube brand I could get my hands on. I’ve now tried 15+ different brands across dozens of trips, and the differences are shocking.
Here’s my brutally honest comparison of the three best compression packing cubes brands right now.
Why I Started This Compression Cube Journey
Picture this: You’re at the airport, your suitcase is 5 pounds overweight, and the airline wants £100 to check it. That was me last spring in Denver, frantically trying to redistribute clothes between bags while a line of annoyed passengers glared at me.
I swore that would never happen again. That’s when I started seriously researching compression packing cubes.
But here’s the thing nobody tells you: not all compression cubes are created equal. Some barely compress anything. Others fall apart after a few uses. And some are straight-up scams.
After wasting money on terrible products and testing everything I could find, I finally found the winners (and losers).
The Three Brands I’m Comparing Today
I picked these three because they represent different price points and marketing approaches:
- CarryCubes – Premium brand (£35)
- TravelClub – Mid-range option (£29)
- PackMate – Budget choice (£25)
I’ve used each brand for at least 5 trips, including international flights, road trips, and weekend getaways. Here’s what I found.
#1 CarryCubes – The Gold Standard (But Pricey)
Price: £35 for a 4-piece set Delivery: 2-3 business days My Rating: 9.5/10
Let me be upfront – these are expensive. When I first saw the price, I almost clicked away. But after two years of heavy use, I get why Carrycubes cost more.
What Makes CarryCubes Special
The compression is insane. I’m talking about a 50%+ reduction in clothing volume. My thick winter sweaters compress down to the size of a thin paperback book. I’ve never seen anything like it.
The zippers are what really set them apart. They’re incredibly smooth and have never gotten stuck, even when I’ve overpacked them. After 30+ flights, they still glide like they’re brand new.
The Quality Difference
These things are built like tanks. The fabric feels substantial but not heavy. The stitching is perfect. Even the handles feel solid and well-attached.
I dropped one down a flight of stairs at my hotel (don’t ask), and it didn’t even get a scratch. Meanwhile, my old cheap cubes would tear if I looked at them wrong.
Fast Shipping When You Need It
The 2-3 business day shipping has saved me multiple times. Last month, I had a last-minute work trip and ordered Tuesday night. They arrived Thursday morning, just in time for my Friday flight.
The Downsides
The price is the obvious one. £35 for packing cubes feels crazy until you use them. Also, they only come in basic colors – black, navy, and gray. If you want bright colors, look elsewhere.
#2 TravelClub – Decent Middle Ground
Price: £29 for a 4-piece set Delivery: 5-7 business days My Rating: 7/10
TravelClub cubes are the compromise option. They’re better than cheap Amazon cubes but not quite CarryCubes quality.
What TravelClub Does Right
The compression works pretty well – about 30-35% reduction, which is solid. The cubes feel well-made and have held up through about 15 trips so far.
They come in more color options than CarryCubes, which is nice if you want to color-code your packing system. The medium-sized cube is particularly well-designed.
Where They Fall Short
The zippers aren’t as smooth as CarryCubes. They work fine, but you can feel the difference. Sometimes they catch slightly, especially when the cube is really full.
The compression isn’t quite as dramatic either. Still good, but you notice the difference when you’re trying to fit maximum stuff in a carry-on.
Slower Delivery
The 5-7 day shipping means you need to plan ahead. Not ideal for last-minute trips.
#3 PackMate – Skip These Completely
Price: £25 for a 4-piece set Delivery: 7-10 business days (sometimes longer) My Rating: 3/10
I really wanted to like PackMate cubes because the price is so appealing. Unfortunately, you absolutely get what you pay for here.
The Problems Start Immediately
The compression is minimal – maybe 15-20% if you’re lucky. I’ve gotten better compression from rolling clothes tightly without any cube at all.
The zippers feel cheap and catch constantly. On my third trip, one zipper completely separated from the cube. Just came right off in my hand.
Quality Issues Everywhere
The fabric is thin and feels flimsy. After just a few uses, I could see wear marks around the stress points. The stitching started coming loose on the handles.
One cube actually tore along the seam when I tried to compress a slightly-too-full load. These things can’t handle any real use.
Terrible Customer Service
When the zipper broke, I contacted their customer service. It took two weeks to get a response, and they basically told me it was user error. No replacement, no refund offer.
Why Budget Cubes Are Actually More Expensive
Here’s the math that convinced me to stop buying cheap cubes:
- PackMate cubes: £25, lasted 3 trips = £8.33 per trip
- CarryCubes: £35, still going strong after 30+ trips = £1.16 per trip (and counting)
The expensive cubes are actually cheaper per use.
Head-to-Head Comparison: What Matters Most
Compression Power
- CarryCubes (50%+)
- TravelClub (30-35%)
- PackMate (15-20%)
Durability
- CarryCubes (2+ years strong)
- TravelClub (holding up after 1 year)
- PackMate (failed after 3 trips)
Zipper Quality
- CarryCubes (smooth as silk)
- TravelClub (good, occasional catches)
- PackMate (constantly problematic)
Value for Money
- CarryCubes (expensive upfront, cheapest per use)
- TravelClub (fair value for mid-range)
- PackMate (cheap price, expensive mistakes)
My Packing System With the Winners
Now that I’ve found cubes that actually work, here’s my current packing system:
Large CarryCube
Winter jackets, bulky sweaters, thick pants. This cube is a space-saving miracle for cold weather trips.
Medium CarryCube
Regular shirts, lightweight pants, dresses. Perfect size for most clothing items.
Small CarryCube
Underwear, socks, workout clothes. Keeps the small stuff organized and easy to find.
TravelClub Medium (backup)
I keep one TravelClub cube as a backup for dirty clothes or overflow. It’s good enough for secondary use.
Real Numbers: Space Savings in Action
Last month’s Europe trip: 10 days, 4 cities, carry-on only.
Without compression cubes: Required a large checked suitcase
With PackMate cubes: Barely fit in a large carry-on, stressed zippers
With TravelClub cubes: Comfortably fit in a medium carry-on
With CarryCubes: Everything fit in a small carry-on with room to spare
The space difference is dramatic and saves me £50+ in baggage fees every trip.
When to Buy Each Brand
Choose CarryCubes if:
- You travel monthly or more
- You need maximum compression
- You want cubes that last years
- You can afford the upfront cost
Choose TravelClub if:
- You travel occasionally (few times per year)
- You want decent compression without premium prices
- You like color options
- You can plan purchases in advance
Skip PackMate if:
- You want cubes that actually work
- You need reliable compression
- You don’t want to buy replacements constantly
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
Buying Cheap First
I wasted £40 on various cheap cubes before getting quality ones. Start with good cubes and save yourself the frustration.
Only Buying One Size
Get variety. Different clothes need different cube sizes for optimal packing.
Not Using the Compression Feature
Some people pack cubes and never compress them. That’s like buying a sports car and never leaving first gear.
Overstuffing
Even good cubes have limits. Pack efficiently, but don’t force things.
The Bottom Line: What I Actually Recommend
If you’re serious about travel and can afford them, get CarryCubes. The upfront cost hurts, but they’ll last for years and save you money on baggage fees.
If CarryCubes are outside your budget, TravelClub cubes are a solid middle ground. They’re not perfect, but they work well enough for occasional travelers.
Avoid cheap brands like PackMate completely. You’ll just end up buying replacements and getting frustrated with poor performance.
Taking Care of Your Investment
Good compression cubes should last for years with proper care:
Storage: Keep them uncompressed when not in use. Constant compression wears out the mechanism.
Cleaning: Spot clean with mild soap and water. Most aren’t machine washable.
Zippers: Keep them clean and don’t force them when stuck. A little soap on a toothbrush fixes most zipper issues.
Final Thoughts: Are Compression Cubes Worth It?
Absolutely. Good compression cubes have transformed how I travel. I pack faster, stay organized, and save money on baggage fees.
But – and this is important – only if you buy quality ones. Cheap compression cubes are worse than no compression cubes because they give you false hope and then fail when you need them most.
Start with CarryCubes if you can afford them. Your future traveling self will thank you.
Trust me, once you experience the difference that quality compression cubes make, you’ll never go back to stuffing clothes loosely in a suitcase like some kind of amateur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compression packing cubes should I buy for my first set?
Start with CarryCubes if your budget allows. They’re expensive but last for years and provide the best compression. If that’s too much, TravelClub cubes are a decent alternative.
How much do good compression packing cubes cost?
Quality compression cubes cost £35 for a set. Cheaper options under £30 usually don’t compress well and break quickly. It’s better to save up for good ones.
Do compression packing cubes really save that much space?
Yes, but only if you buy quality ones. CarryCubes compress clothes by 50%+, while cheap brands barely compress 15%. The difference is huge.
How long do compression packing cubes last?
Quality cubes like CarryCubes can last 2+ years with regular travel. Cheap cubes often break after just a few trips. Good ones are actually cheaper per use.
Which size compression cubes should I get?
Get a variety pack with small, medium, and large sizes. Large for bulky items, medium for regular clothes, small for underwear and accessories. Don’t just buy one large cube.
Do compression cubes work for carry-on luggage?
They’re perfect for carry-on travel. I can fit 10 days of clothes in a small carry-on using CarryCubes, which saves money on baggage fees.
Can I wash compression packing cubes?
Most shouldn’t go in the washing machine. Spot clean with soap and water instead. Machine washing can damage the compression mechanism and water-resistant coating.
Why are some compression cubes so much more expensive?
Quality costs more. Expensive cubes use better zippers, stronger fabric, and more effective compression systems. Cheap cubes use flimsy materials that break quickly.
Do compression cubes prevent wrinkles?
Yes, actually. When clothes are compressed tightly they can’t move around and wrinkle during travel. My clothes look better now than when I packed loosely.
Where should I buy compression packing cubes?
Buy directly from the manufacturer when possible. For CarryCubes, order from carrycubes.com to ensure you get authentic products with warranty support and fast 2-3 day shipping.
