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The best bag organizers for work, travel and more, according to experts

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve stopped in the middle of a street, subway station, or the front porch to look for my house keys, lip gloss or wallet, I’d probably be on a yacht in the Mediterranean instead of writing this. 

Digging through my bag in search of an elusive “something” is a daily occurrence for me, and I know I’m not alone. If you struggle with the same issue, a bag organizer can be an easy way to keep the things inside of your work bag, travel bag or purse tidy and safe.

I talked to organizing experts Tanisha Porter , a professional organizer and founder of Natural Born Organizers, and Zoe Katz, co-founder of Twice As Organized , a lifestyle organization company based in New York, to find out everything you should know when looking for the best bag organizers, including their shopping tips and recommendations.

SKIP AHEAD  How I picked the best bag organizers | The best bag organizers in 2024 | How to shop for bag organizers | Why trust NBC Select?

Selected. Our top picks

How I picked the best bag organizers

The purpose of a bag organizer, according to Katz. is simple: to keep the inside of your bag tidy so you aren’t constantly searching for items that should be easy to spot and grab. In other words, it should “help prevent a black hole of all your contents,” says Porter.Following their advice and recommendations, I used the following criteria to pick the best bag organizers:

• Size/Type : Bag organizers come in varying sizes and types, each with their own best uses, according to our experts. Purse organizers are best for purses and handbags; Porter also says they can be especially helpful for bags with no inner zippers or pockets. She says travel organizers can be used to optimize your luggage space, and to hold important documents, tech, accessories, and more. Lastly, she recommends baby bag organizers for separating frequently used baby items, or converting non-traditional baby bags into diaper-ready bags. Both purse and travel organizers have been included in the list below, along with pouches that Katz says are good for organizing smaller bags, or bags that aren’t compatible with traditional inserts.
• Adjustability : Both experts say that an adjustable organizer is best, so it can be customized to fit both your bag and your needs. Porter says this flexibility is also more economical because it can make your organizer versatile enough to be used with more than one bag. Following that advice, a few adjustable options are also included.
• Material : Although bag organizers can come in a range of materials, Porter recommends “durable and lightweight materials that are long-lasting and easy to clean.” The organizers in this list are lightweight and can be either machine-washed, hand-washed or spot-cleaned.

select I traveled 1,452 miles a week for work — here are all my super-commuting essentials

The best bag organizers in 2024.

Below, I rounded up the best bag organizers that align with Porter and Katz’s advice, along with some of their favorite options.

Best overall organizer: Ztujo Purse Organizer Insert

Ztujo Purse Organizer Insert

• Removable components
• May be too bulky for some bags

Katz calls this the “#1 bag organizer on the market” because of its removable parts, which allow you to customize your organizer from day to day. It’s very spacious, with ten interior pockets and three exterior pockets, along with a detachable, zippered middle pocket that can be used within the organizer or separately as a wallet or pouch, according to the brand. It’s handmade from a soft and pliable felt material that the brand says is easy to spot clean with a gentle detergent. This bag organizer is available in 17 colors and seven sizes, including small , large , extra-large and mini .

Type: Purse organizer, insert | Dimensions: 9.25 x 5.9 x 5.1 inches | Weight:  | Material: Felt

Best purse insert: Samorga Felt Purse Organizer

Samorga Felt Purse Organizer

• Wide size/style range
• Good for specific bag styles
• Price differs style to style

The material of this handmade organizer is a lightweight, water-repellent felt that’s easy to spot clean, according to the brand. Porter recommends this option for its high-quality material and size range, which she says makes it “ideal” for certain styles of designer handbags. It has four long side pockets lining one large inner pocket, along with two end pockets on the organizer’s smaller sides. If you’re looking for an organizer to match a specific brand-name bag, this may be exactly what you need — Samorga offers customized bag organizers that are designed to correspond to a variety of popular bags, including luxury options from brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Goyard and more.

Type: Purse organizer, insert | Dimensions: 10.5 x 4.2 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 2.82 oz | Material: Felt

Best travel cube organizers: Travelon Packing Cubes

Travelon Packing Cubes

• Lightweight material
• Transparent front
• Multiple in a set
• Not great for everyday bags

Packing cubes are some of my favorite travel accessories for packing efficiently, and this set from Travelon is a great option for helping you to organize your carry-on or suitcase. It’s made from a lightweight polyester material and comes with three cubes of varying sizes, which are perfect for packing smaller items like electronics accessories and cords, grooming and toiletry products, jewelry and more. The cubes also have a mesh front so you can easily see inside, along with an interior mesh pocket for extra storage. Porter says these cubes are “excellent for keeping travel essentials organized and compressed,” which can help you save luggage space.

Type: Travel organizer, packing cubes | Dimensions: 5.5 x 8 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 6 oz | Material: Polyester, mesh

Best tech organizer: Dagne Dover Arlo Neoprene Tech Organizer

Dagne Dover Arlo Large Tech Organizer

• Durable material
• Multiple sizes available
• Primarily for tech products
• Higher price

If loose cords and tech accessories are your main problems, this organizer from Dagne Dover may be just what you need. It has two large interior pockets, one mesh and one neoprene, and three elastic loops to hold your cords, charger blocks, and charging cases. For accessories that you may need to grab quickly, the pouch comes with an exterior back mesh pocket, along with a D-ring loop for any clippable products. The organizer also comes in a large size and in five colors, and has a 4.6 star average review from 624 reviews on Dagne Dover.

Type: Tech organizer, pouch | Dimensions: 8 x 3.25 x 5.25 inches | Weight: 13.4 oz| Material: Neoprene, mesh

Best diaper bag organizer: Parker Baby Diaper Caddy Organizer

Parker Baby Diaper Bag Organizer

• Lots of pockets
• Best for larger bags

This organizer has everything you need to get your baby’s diaper bag in order. There is a removable insert with three large packers that can double as a toy storage bin in your home, along with eight external pockets on the bag for smaller toys, snacks, and on-the-go baby supplies, according to the brand. The bag’s made from a lightweight felt, which makes it easy to carry and has a 4.7-star average rating from 14,422 ratings on Amazon.

Type: Diaper bag organizer, caddy insert | Dimensions: 9 x 13 x 7 inches | Weight: 13.4 oz| Material: Felt

Best luxury bag organizer: Cuyana Classic Easy Tote Insert

Cuyana Classic Easy Tote Insert

• Designated laptop sleeve
• Very spacious
• Easy to wash

Cuyana makes one of our favorite work totes, and this bag organizer insert is the perfect accessory to go with it (although you can use it in any bag with similar dimensions). It has three pockets for all of your on-the-go essentials, along with a water bottle loop, a key ring, and a built-in laptop sleeve that can fit up to a 16” Macbook Pro, according to the brand. It’s made from a recycled plastic that’s machine-washable on a cold cycle, and is available in sizes small, classic and tall, so it can fit bags of varying dimensions. This bag organizer has a 4.3 star average rating from 38 reviews on Cuyana.

Type: Purse organizer, insert | Dimensions: 20.5 x 9.3 x 5 inches | Weight: 1.2 lbs | Material: Recycled plastic

Best organizer pouches: HRX Nylon Mesh Zipper Bags

HRX Nylon Mesh Zipper Bags

• Multiple in a pack
• Best for smaller bags

These nylon pouches are one of Katz’s preferred bag organizers. She suggests pouches as a bag organizer alternatives for smaller bags, or for those who aren’t a fan of the usual, bigger organizers. “They’re good for categorizing any item, and labeling them makes it easy to find what you’re looking for,” she says. She suggests buying pouches in multipacks like this one — it has six pouches in two different sizes, each of which is designed to be lightweight, durable, and flexible enough to be able to squeeze and manipulate the pouches into the smaller crevices of your bag, according to the brand. 

Type: Pouches | Dimensions: 9.45 x 5.12 x 0.39 inches | Weight: 11 lbs (total) | Material: Mesh

Best pouch multipack: BBTO 15 Pcs Small Cosmetic Bags

BBTO 15 Pcs Small Cosmetic Bags

• Fits in smaller bags

Another one of Katz’s pouch picks, this set comes with 15 multicolored pouches — great for storing smaller items like cosmetics, jewelry, and charger cords and accessories. They’re made from a waterproof lambskin leather that’s lightweight and scratch-resistant, and are small enough to be used in purses, totes and mini bags. These pouches are also self-closing, meaning that there are no zippers — instead, the pouches snap open and close by being squeezed on the sides, according to the brand. 

Type: Pouches | Dimensions: 4.7 x 4.3 x 4.7 inches | Weight: 12.6 oz (total) | Material: Lambskin

Best budget organizer: Vercord Nylon Purse Organizer

Vercord Nylon Purse Organizer

• Water-resistant
• No removable pockets

This purse insert bag organizer has an interior fabric lining and a nylon exterior, making it soft, lightweight and water-resistant, according to the brand. It has three pockets each on the front and back, along with two hooks on the side and six interior pockets, giving you plenty of space to store and organize your valuables. The middle pocket also has a zipper to better secure any important items, and an additional hook for your keys. Katz likes to use this organizer for smaller totes — it also comes in four other sizes, ranging from medium to extra-large.

Type: Purse organizer, insert | Dimensions: 9.3 x 3.2 x 6.2 inches | Weight: 1.2 lbs | Material: Nylon

select How to find the perfect long-lasting work tote

How to shop for bag organizers.

When shopping for your own bag organizer, in addition to the suggestions above, here are a few other things experts recommend keeping in mind:

• Use : Both Porter and Katz recommend considering the intended use of your bag organizer. “Choose an organizer that matches a specific need, whether for daily use, work, travel, or parenting,” says Porter. This also includes checking that your organizer of choice has the right kind and size of compartments; for example, if you’re looking for an organizer for work, you may want one with a laptop sleeve, or a pocket for pens and other office supplies.
• Weight : A lightweight organizer is key to avoiding any unnecessary weight being added to your bag, according to Porter. When shopping for an organizer, pay attention to not only the measurements, but the weight specs as well, to be sure that you’re not overloading your bag. Try to look for bag organizers made of cotton, linen and felt, which are known for being lighter materials.
• Extra features : Both experts suggest looking for bag organizers that have added features and components, like special pockets, hooks and locks. “Features like zippers, key hooks, or padded compartments add extra functionality, such as securing valuables or protecting electronics,” says Porter. Removable components and pockets can also make bag organizers easier to customize from trip to trip, according to Katz.

Frequently Asked Questions

To determine how big your bag organizer(s) should be, Porter recommends measuring the interior dimensions of your bag, including its length, width and height. Then, she says you should compare these measurements to the dimensions of your chosen organizer to ensure the best fit. If necessary, feel free to measure your bag again in order to confirm you’ve got the right dimensions— “measure twice, purchase once, zero returns,” she says.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Tanisha Porter is a professional organizer and the founder of Natural Born Organizers.

Zoe Katz is the co-founder of Twice As Organized , a lifestyle organization company based in New York.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am an associate SEO reporter with NBC Select, where I’ve consulted with experts for multiple articles about work and office supplies, including roundups of the best work totes and best ergonomic office chairs . For this story, I spoke to two organizing experts to find out everything you need to know about the best bag organizers, including their recommendations and shopping advice to help you find one of your own.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for Select on NBC News.

Advertisement

The Best Bag and Cable Organizers

By Kaitlyn Wells

Whether you commute to the office, the coffee shop, or your backyard, you probably need a way to organize the pens, tech accessories, and toiletries you take with you every day.

To find the best options for different people to carry what they might need with them, we’ve researched more than 70 bag organizers and tested 31 of them, and we’ve found five organizers we like for their style, durability, and usability.

Some backpacks and purses come with all the pockets and loops you could possibly need, but others are black holes, swallowing charging cables, tubes of lip balm, and just about everything else.

For people who have the latter kind of bag (and I count myself among them), the right bag organizer simplifies grabbing accessories while you’re on the go, or when you’re moving gear from one bag to another.

But everyone has different carrying needs, which is why we have picks to suit a variety of situations: a tech-forward cable organizer that zips closed , a customizable mesh-pouch setup , and a stylish duo of cosmetics travel pouches made of premium materials —as well as some alternatives where applicable.

The research

Best for chargers and cables: incase nylon accessory organizer, most customizable: the container store black micro mesh pouches, also consider: vaultz mesh storage bags, best for toiletries (and tech): osprey ultralight roll organizer, for luxe organizers: cuyana leather travel case set, how to choose a bag organizer system, how we picked and tested, the competition.

Incase Nylon Accessory Organizer

Best for tech and gadgets.

A slim, light, and water-resistant bag that keeps your gear organized, accessible, and secure when you’re on the go.

Buying Options

Get this if: You want a sturdy, lightweight, waterproof organizer to corral all of your gadgets and chargers as well as some toiletries or cosmetics in one place.

Why it’s great: The Incase Nylon Accessory Organizer has plenty of room for everyday gear; it zips closed, so items won’t get lost or fall out; and it’s water-repellent.

The Incase bag is roughly the size and shape of a large paperback, and like a book it opens flat from a spine. It’s 2 inches thick, which is among the slimmest we found for this type of bag, but it still has enough space to stash most of what we carried for a day . It has two medium-sized loops that can hold two 5 W USB power adapters or multiple pens. It has an external zip pocket with a cable-sized hole leading to the inside. We love this feature because it’s great for charging a phone without removing the external battery pack from the main compartment. It also has a large, padded pocket lined in faux fur that won’t scratch delicate phone screens. The bag’s inside flaps have a mesh pocket that is big enough to store a MacBook power adapter (with the cord in a different pocket), five more mesh or solid pockets of various sizes, a small zip pocket ideal for SD cards, a pen loop, and three small elastic loops that are the right size for earbuds.

With all of the organization slots, your gear stays neatly in place, even if you drop your bag. None of the items got tangled or moved about when we shook and flipped this Incase bag around. This wasn’t the largest bag we looked at, due to its slim design, but it will hold most of what you need for the course of a day.

This bag is a poly-nylon blend, so it’s durable. In our tests, some bags, like one from Bagsmart , ended up scuffed and discolored from rubbing against the cables we loaded into the bags—but the Incase stayed pristine. The Incase was one of two cable-organizer bags we tested for our 2019 update that successfully repelled water—not just from the exterior material, but also along the piping, which is where other cases often failed and liquid soaked through, potentially damaging your important gear.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Incase cable organizer is a soft-shell bag, so its contents can distort the bag’s shape when full. But the bag’s edges remain rigid—so the seams don’t pucker—it’s contents don’t fall out, and zipping and unzipping the bag is still easy.

Sizes: 9.5 by 6 by 2 inches

The Container Store Micro Mesh Pouches

Our favorite pencil pouch bag.

Affordable, smooth-zipping, mesh pouches that let you see what’s inside for a modular approach to organization.

Get this if: You prefer to have different bags for different kinds of gear—phone cables, cosmetics, pens and notepads—so you can grab only what you’re going to need.

Why it’s great: The Container Store Micro Mesh Pouches are a no-frills solution for keeping your cables and toiletries organized while being able to clearly see what’s inside. These pouches are made of a finer mesh than other mesh bags we tested, so smaller items, such as pens and hairpins, won’t fall through the holes. The material also has some give, so you can stuff the bag without fear of splitting a seam. And we found the zipper to be the smoothest among those of all the pouches we tested.

(Jada Yuan, former writer of The 52 Places Traveler column, also uses these bags. )

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Because the bags are covered in tiny holes, liquids will spill in and out of them, and they’re not ideal if you want complete privacy for your toiletry items.

Size: 7.5 by 3 by 5 inches

Vaultz Mesh Cord Bags

For wrangling big cables.

These mesh bags are affordable, but the larger mesh holes make them better for bulky items and thick cable cords than smaller bits.

Get this if: You like the idea of organizing your stuff into a collection of mesh bags, but you don’t want to spend a lot—and you don’t tend to carry very, very small items.

Why we like it: Wirecutter’s Dan Frakes liked the Vaultz Cord Storage Bags as modular storage at a fraction of the cost of other bags. The mesh bags are sold in a pack of four for just $11 at the time of writing, while The Container Store pick starts at $4 each. These zip pouches are lighter and more pliant than any other bag we tested, and can scrunch into a tight ball when not in use and still rebound to their original shape. Each pack comes in a combination of four different sizes and colors. This makes it easy to organize your gear and grab the right pouch from your travel bag in an instant. You can separate daily tech and toiletry supplies into two bags, keep a driving kit in your car for phone mounts, pack charging cables and adapters in another, and save the last one for important documents when you’re traveling out of town.

Where it falls short: These mesh bags aren’t great for storing smaller items (such as earbuds and pens) because it’s easier for them to get caught in the holes or fall out. And because the bags are made of mesh they’re not waterproof.

Sizes: 9 by 9.25 inches; 5.5 by 9 inches; 5 by 8 inches; 5 by 7 inches

Osprey UltraLight Roll Organizer

A slim toiletry bag.

Slim, but organized, with plenty of pockets and a loop to hang it from.

Get this if: You want a bag that packs slim and lets you see most of your stuff at a glance, but you don’t need it to be waterproof, and you don’t mind unrolling the whole bag to remove a single item.

Why we like it: The Osprey UltraLight Roll Organizer is what Wirecutter’s Michael Zhao used to organize his cables and gear. Its dimensions (6 by 3 by 9 inches) make it the slimmest toiletry bag we tested, but it still packs plenty of storage space and organization features. Its combination of full-width, slimmer mesh compartments—great for cables, adapters, and pens—and a deeper pocket for accommodating bulkier chargers, batteries, and toiletries give you a lot of packing flexibility. You can see almost everything inside when the bag is fully opened and it folds into thirds like a letter for packing away.

The bag is also easier to spot-clean than other toiletry bags we tested. Both sides are made of ripstop nylon, which is slicker than canvas or ballistic-nylon bathroom bags, so it’s painless to wipe off lotions and liquid makeup foundation spills.

Where it falls short: In our tests, we found the Osprey cumbersome to both unbuckle and unroll to access a particular item. It’s not as intuitive to use as other picks, which you can just unzip. On the other hand, it has the benefit of letting you see what’s in each pocket at a glance without having to rummage through any dark compartments.

This toiletry bag also isn’t waterproof (the Dsptch Dopp Kit was the only truly waterproof toiletry bag we looked at). And a very, very small number of Amazon reviewers reported seams and mesh pockets ripping after just a couple months of use.

If you want a dedicated toiletry bag that’s compact and spill-proof, check out our guide to the best toiletry bags .

Size: 6 by 3 by 9 inches

Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set

Our favorite luxury cosmetic bag.

Sturdily constructed, with smooth zippers and an easy-access clamshell design, these two bags retain their shape even when full of gear.

Get this if: You want a nicer-looking, more elegant way of carrying your accessories—and won’t miss individual compartments and lots of internal organization.

Why it’s great: We like the Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set because they’re a pair of two beautiful leather bags that are big enough to hold our essentials, and they have a broad base that keeps them upright when opened up. The clamshell bags come in about a dozen jewel and pastel colors, and are made of Argentine leather with synthetic leather linings. The exterior leather is pebbled, which is easier to maintain a good grip on than the smooth, soft leathers of some other bags we tested. Each bag has gold- or silver-toned zippers that run effortlessly across their teeth. And the stitching throughout the bags is clean, and we didn’t find any signs of loose seams.

The Cuyana set is sold with a large (7 by 12 by 3.5 inches) and small bag (5 by 8 by 2.5 inches). We easily fit our daily essentials in both cases, and closed them without having to force them like some other bags we tested. The organizers are spacious and the leather shell is thick, so they don’t warp when full. And the wide base makes each bag sturdy, so it won’t tip over either. Thanks to the clamshell design, the duo open wide enough to store bulky chargers and power adapters, along with everything else. The bags’ wide mouths also make it easier to search for objects that get lost in the bottom of the bag.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: We like that the Cuyana set comes with two bags, but feel that the larger one is too big to cart around daily with our other commuting gear. The large Cuyana could be challenging to stuff into a backpack, messenger bag, or tote. The smaller clutch is a more manageable size and can easily fit into another bag. Both Cuyana bags lack multiple pockets and loops, so unsecured cords may tangle. (The large bag has one pocket; the small bag doesn’t have any). If you don’t plan on using both bags regularly, the price may be prohibitive.

The Argentine leather requires delicate care, so if you’re rough with your accessories or are prone to spilling liquids and lotions, this bag isn’t for you. Cuyana recommends wiping small blotches with a damp cloth or leather cleaner, and consulting a leather-cleaning professional for serious stains.

Sizes: 7 by 12 by 3.5 inches (large); 5 by 8 by 2.5 inches (small)

The easiest way to decide what type of organizer you need is to inventory the accessories you cart to and from work each day, then look at how you transport those items already, and how that systems works for you. For example, if you prefer to have many small bags for different situations, and you carry your gear in sandwich bags, a pouch system might work. Or, if you want to have everything with you at all times, and tend to just throw everything into in a big void in your backpack, the way to go may be a toiletry bag, traditional cable organizer, or makeup clutch.

Here’s a look at the different types of bag organizers we reviewed.

Pencil pouches are ideal if you prefer a minimalist and modular approach. They lack pockets and loops, and you can purchase as many as you need without paying for pockets you have no need for. These bags are often sold in different sizes so that you can divide your gear among them to your personal preference. They are likely to hold less gear per pouch and less likely to be waterproof than other bags we tested.

Cosmetic bags and toiletry/Dopp kits are pretty similar. They typically have a large main compartment and minimal organizational features—often a sole pocket or limited elastic loops. Unlike pencil pouches, most cosmetic bags and toiletry kits are opaque, so no one will know you’re packing a menstrual cup next to a multiport adapter . Most of the bags we tested in the category weren’t waterproof, including most toiletry bags.

Traditional cable organizers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. They can fold closed like a book, roll flat like a blanket, or have a flat, open grid system like a placemat. Our favorite style is a zippered book, which allows you to store gear in both covers, as well as the spine. They also come with more pockets and elastic loops than roll or grid organizers, and smaller gear won’t fall out of the bags like they can with the other styles. Many of these bags are marketed as water-repellent, but in our tests, those claims didn’t always live up to the hype.

We’ve researched dozens of bags over the past two years by browsing everything from manufacturer websites to bag enthusiast blogs. For our most recent update, we found seven new tech bags and tested the four we liked for their style and versatility; we also looked at their third-party reviews.

In 2018, we compiled a list of more than 65 options and divided them into four categories: pencil pouches and mesh bags, cosmetic bags, traditional cable organizers (which includes zip books, roll bags, and grid sheets), and toiletry bags. (For this guide, we didn’t review purse organizer inserts because that’s a different category entirely.) We considered each bag’s design, size, organizational features, materials used, price, and online owner reviews. Then we shrunk the list by consulting a small panel of Wirecutter staffers about what they prefer in a bag, and considered some bags that staff members loved. That left us with a spread of 27 bags to accommodate various tastes. We tested the bags based on the following criteria:

Overall design: We reviewed each bag’s materials; the elasticity of elastic loops; the smoothness of zippers; and advanced features, like customizable compartments.

Bag configurations: We filled each bag with a day’s worth of the accessories (below) a person might need when traveling to work each day, looking for bags that could hold more gear and were easier to organize:

• 1 USB flash drive
• 1 Lightning–to–3.5-mm headphone jack adapter
• 1 earbud set
• 1 laptop multiport adapter
• 1 external battery
• 1 USB power cord and adapter
• 1 travel-size bottle of lotion
• 1 bottle of hand sanitizer
• 1 small notepad
• 1 small pill bottle
• 1 makeup brush
• 1 makeup compact
• 3 hair ties
• and a partridge in a pear tree

Shape retention: We tried closing the bags when stuffed with gear, and noted which bags deformed under the pressure.

Contents retention: We zipped each bag, shook it around, and opened it again to see if its contents had flown about.

Waterproofing: We ran each closed bag under a kitchen faucet with a spray setting for five seconds. We took any bags that remained dry, filled them with 2 tablespoons of water, and checked them for leaks.

Community review: We asked 18 people to share their thoughts on their favorite bags from our test pool.

This is not a comprehensive list of all the bags and pouches we’ve tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued.

Assorted bags/pencil pouches

The Custom Leathercraft 3 Multi-Purpose Clip-on Zippered Bags are better suited for your home toolbox than an everyday gadget bag. The trio of pouches are made of canvas, so they’re tough, and sharp nails and needle-nose pliers won’t damage them. The canvas was rougher than our panelists preferred, and most staffers found the dark colors unattractive. Many of us also prefer pouches that are transparent because we don’t like guessing what’s stored in each bag in the set.

Cosmetic bags

The Leatherology Clamshell Makeup Bag is sold in two sizes (medium and large) or as a set. Both sizes were great for splitting the storage of our tech gear and personal hygiene items. We liked that both bags have zip pockets, and the clamshell design was ideal for finding small items hiding at the bottom of the bag. But the leather was too soft, and it was easy to scratch and scuff during normal use. Leatherology allows only a 30-day return window and only for unused gear, which isn’t ideal for a product that costs $95 to $205. Leatherology offers a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials or craftsmanship, but we still prefer the quality, style, and look of our Cuyana picks.

Toiletry bags

After two years of testing, we dropped the Dsptch Dopp Kit as a pick. Originally, we liked that its design worked for carrying both cables and lotions because the main compartment had three wide elastic loops that comfortably fit bulky toiletries (like sunscreen) and tech accessories (like charging bricks) beside each other. But the main compartment can’t fully unzip, so it’s harder to peer into and harder for larger hands to dig inside. Similarly, the side compartment’s padded valet tray takes up valuable space, and when the tray was in place, we had trouble quickly grabbing an item from that section without fully unzipping the bag.

The Herschel Supply Co. Chapter Travel Kit measures 18 by 4½ by 6 inches, so it holds our essentials with plenty of room to spare. But its large size also means it was way too big to carry each day. This Dopp kit also isn’t waterproof.

Traditional cable organizers

The Aer Cable Kit was a previous pick, but it has been discontinued. We reviewed its successor, the Aer Cable Kit 2, which wasn’t as practical as our Incase pick. Since the, Aer has released a Cable Kit 3 ; we plan to take a look.

We don’t like the Bellroy Tech Kit because the metal zipper is sticky, the storage compartments aren’t ideal for smaller pieces like USB flash drives and earbuds, and the pockets aren’t taut or zippable, so items can easily fall out in transit.

The Dagne Dover Arlo Tech Pouch (large) is a good size if you regularly carry large tech accessories such as a charging brick or docking station, but for most commuters, it’s too big and ungainly. It’s difficult for people with small hands to carry in one hand, it doesn’t rest flat along the spine when open, and the chunky plastic zipper is stiff and hard to maneuver.

The Knomo Thames Knomad Organizer is slim enough to stash inside a briefcase, but its wide design makes it harder to carry in one hand while you’re juggling gear as you dash from conference room to conference room. And although it’s made of water-resistant polyurethane, the material is slightly rough, not as refined as the material in our other picks.

Eagle Creek Etool Organizer Pro lacked a microfiber lining and padding to protect delicate objects, and there was limited space to secure smaller items, like thumb drives. Water also leaked through the zippers. (Eagle Creek has since redesigned the Organizer , and we plan to take a look.)

The Native Union Stow Organizer ’s leather exterior shows wear and tear easily, and the zippers are difficult to use.

The Peak Design Tech Pouch opens like an accordian-style file folder, so gear won’t fall out when you open it. But this was the hardest bag to open that we tested, as the zipper frequently got stuck on the thick piping that was designed to prevent leaks.

Leatherology Small Tech Bag Organizer has three elastic loops, but the loops loosened after just a couple of uses. The bag is made of soft full-grain leather, which scratches easier than what we would like from a $80 bag. This bag is also subject to Leatherology’s limited 30-day return window (described above).

The Power Packer is durable, looks nice, and is big enough to store bulky cables, external power packs, and travel adapters. Although that’s exactly what it’s designed to carry, most of our testers found it big for everyday use. And the knitted fabric accents absorbed and leaked water to other sections of the bag.

The Skooba Design Cable Stable DLX is, at 12 by 9 inches (compared with the 9.5 by 6 inches of the Incase), a bit too big to take with you daily, and its smaller sibling the Skooba Cable Stable Mini lacks internal zippered pockets for keeping small items like SD cards in check.

This guide was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guide

Kaitlyn Wells

Kaitlyn Wells is a senior staff writer who advocates for greater work flexibility by showing you how to work smarter remotely without losing yourself. Previously, she covered pets and style for Wirecutter. She's never met a pet she didn’t like, although she can’t say the same thing about productivity apps. Her first picture book, A Family Looks Like Love , follows a pup who learns that love, rather than how you look, is what makes a family.

Further reading

12 Surprising Ways to Use One of Our Favorite Reusable Produce Bags

by Elissa Sanci

We recommend the Junes Carry-All sacks in our guide to reusable produce bags—but these mesh bags are impressively versatile.

The Best Underseat Luggage and Personal-Item Bags

by Kit Dillon

The Waterfield Air Porter Carry-On Bag is a great bag for tech-carrying travelers to slide under an airplane seat. We also have options for other travelers.

Ask Wirecutter: How Do I Organize My Charging Cables?

by Annemarie Conte

Get your mess of cords in control so you can use the right charging cable every time.

How to Organize Your Desk

by Melanie Pinola

Corral the cords on your desk with a clip here, a tie there, and a metal snap to keep everything in place.

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The 6 Best Packing Cubes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We love space-saving packing cubes for long and short trips, and these are the best out there.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying

You May Also Want

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik

Packing cubes are hands down one of the best travel hacks out there. Whether you’re a meticulous list-maker or planning procrastinator, investing in a set of packing cubes is a game changer for staying organized and saving space without having to put in too much effort. 

At Travel + Leisure , we take our travel hacks seriously so we put 29 sets of regular and compression packing cubes to the test both in our New York City lab and out during real travels to find the best ones on the market. We understand that everyone has unique preferences so we also found picks for travelers embarking on long trips, outdoor adventurers, and minimalist packers looking for one just a few cubes to do the trick.

Best Overall

Veken packing cubes with laundry and shoe bag.

This durable set includes four packing cubes, a shoe bag, and a laundry bag. 

These have to be hand-washed and air-dried. 

If you’re traveling internationally or taking an extended vacation, consider picking up a set of these Veken packing cubes from Amazon. The four packing cubes are thoughtfully designed with a clear strip on the top so travelers can easily see what they packed, and there are small graphics printed onto each cube recommending what type of clothing item could be stored inside. This set also includes a shoe bag and a laundry bag so you can keep your items separated and organized. We like that there are several different sizes so you don't have small items moving around in a cube that's too big or trying to cram a larger sweatshirt into something too small.

We think these nylon and polyester packing cubes are made to last with a thick fabric exterior and sturdy zippers and stitchwork. After six months of use, there is no sign of wear and the zippers are holding up well. Although we found the cubes to be slightly heavier than others we tested so keep that in mind if you’re an overpacker or striving to stay under the standard 50-pound limit for checked luggage. 

The Details: 6 bags included | 17.5 x 12.15 x 4 (extra large), 13.75 x 12.75 x 4 inches (large), 3.75 x 9.75 x 4 inches (medium), 11 x 6.75 x 4 inches (small), 16.96 x 9.06 x 4.72 (shoe bag), and 20 x 14 inches (laundry bag) | Nylon, ethylene vinyl acetate, and polyester 

Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Shacke Pak 5 Set Packing Cubes

The set includes four cubes and a laundry bag. 

The mesh tops aren’t waterproof or resistant.

Whether you’re traveling with family or heading on a solo trip , these Shacke packing cubes are a steal of a deal. The set includes extra-large, large, medium, and small packing cubes, as well as a laundry bag for dirty clothes. Designed for up to 14 days of traveling, we found that the cubes lived up to their promise of providing plenty of space for a variety of types of clothing like pants, toiletries, shirts, and jackets. The cubes easily fit in the carry-on suitcase we used and with the various sizes, you can customize how many cubes you want to pack depending on the type of suitcase you have. 

While the cubes likely won’t prevent water from seeping through due to the mesh tops, you can easily see what you packed inside so you won’t have to unpack everything to find a piece of clothing. During our tests, we felt the durable nylon material and zippers would hold up well with prolonged use, and you can't beat the price for the full set either. 

The Details: 5 bags included | 17.5 x 12.75 x 4 inches (extra large), 13.75 x 12.75 x 4 inches (large), 3.75 x 9.75 x 4 inches (medium), 11 x 6.75 x 4 inches (small), and 20.5 x 15.75 inches (laundry bag) | Nylon

Best Sustainable

Peak design packing cubes.

Peak Design uses 100 percent recycled materials to make the cubes.

The easy access zippers were finicky to use.

San Francisco-based Peak Design is known for its slew of sustainable outdoor gear made with carbon neutral and recycled materials, including expandable packing cubes. We tried the small- and medium-sized cubes and found them to be spacious, well-built, and resistant to water after splashing a bit on the exterior. After regularly using the cubes for six months, we loved the capacity of the medium cube and found the smaller option to be good for packing undergarments or even toiletries. We especially love that the cubes are made from 100 percent recycled nylon that is solution-dyed to prevent excessive water use following the brand’s carbon-neutral footprint and each bag expands to fit even more items.

The cubes can compress down to a height of 3.1 inches, but we discovered they function best as an expandable packing cube that can increase in size, rather than a compression cube that is designed to heavily consolidate clothes. Additionally, the cubes feature an “easy access” zipper so travelers can reach inside the bag without opening the whole thing, but we think this feature is unnecessary to use due to the zipper getting snagged. 

The Details: 1 bag included | Various sizes | Ripstop nylon

Best Personalized

Paravel packing cube quad.

The cubes can be monogrammed with up to three letters for an additional $25. 

The large cube is so big it takes up most of the space of a carry-on bag.

Indulge your love for matching with this set of personalized packing cubes from Paravel. Although it costs an extra $25, you can get up to three letters embroidered onto the set of four packing cubes with 11 color options. If you're shopping for a stylish, functional personalized travel gift , this is a wonderful option. The set comes with one large, one medium, and two small-sized packing cubes that can hold an impressive amount of clothing and still fit in most carry-on bags. These cubes are great for any type of traveler, but especially for those looking for water-resistant cubes for checked bags that will be handled outside in different weather conditions. After six months of use, we found that these cubes provide exceptional organization with room to pack bulkier items in the larger bags and toiletries or undergarments between the two smaller cubes.

As a bonus, these cubes won't take up much space in between trips. They're easy to store and stack right inside one another. The size variety is also convenient for different types of trips and we love having the option to use one, two, three, or all four bags in a checked bag if needed.

The Details: 4 bags included | 18 x 3.75 x 12 inches (large), 12.75 x 3.75 x 10 inches (medium), and 8.2 x. 3.75 x 6.25 inches (small) | Nylon

Calpak Packing Cubes 5-piece Set

There are 14 designs to choose from including groovy blue, retro sunset, and cheetah prints. 

The set might be better suited for frequent fliers.

If you travel often and are looking to invest in a splurge-worthy set of packing cubes, you can’t go wrong with these from Calpak. We love the unique design options with 14 colors and patterns to choose from including classics like solid pink and gold marble, or limited-edition prints like a wavy retro sunset and groovy blue picks. The set includes one large, one medium, and two small cubes, as well as a water-resistant envelope for cosmetics.

After six months of using these packing cubes during international trips, we found that all the bags were spacious enough to fit a variety of clothing options for organized and efficient packing. We love the diversity of sizes to hold things like undergarments as well as shoes if needed. We also love the option to bring a folded large cube to keep dirty clothes separate. The polyester material feels well-made and built to last, and the zippers zipped without any issues which helps justify the higher price point for this set. And, if you’re traveling with your family, we think the set would be great for separating and organizing clothing for several travelers thanks to the removable identification tags where you can write what clothing went into each cube. 

The Details: 5 bags included | 17 x 12 x 3 inches (large), 15 x 11 x 3 inches (medium), 12 x 8.8 x 3 inches (small), and 13 x 10 x 1.5 inches (envelope) | Polyester

Best Compression

Bagsmart compression packing cubes.

We were able to fit 10 days worth of travel and only used four out of the five cubes.

Pattern options are limited.

Available in five different sizes, these compression packing cubes from Bagsmart are ideal for compressing your essentials while traveling with limited space. We used these cubes for 10 days worth of travel and were able to pack away five dresses, five tops, two skirts, a pair of shorts, multiple swimsuits, a jumpsuit, a jean jacket, a sweater, and several pairs of underwear and bras. The cubes were so good at compressing our items that we only needed to use four out of the five to pack away our things.

We were especially impressed with how well-constructed and durable the cubes are. We packed them to the point of bursting, and the zipper never snagged and we were never once concerned about anything ripping. Our clothing also didn’t wrinkle as much thanks to how tightly they were compressed.

The Details : 5 bags included |  15 x 10.5 x 6 inches (large), 13 x 9 x 5 (medium),  13 x 5 x 5 (small), 21.5 x 12 inches (shoe bag) | Polyster

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Other Packing Cubes We Liked

There were several sets of packing cubes we highlighted below that almost made our list of best packing cubes, but they fell short during testing due some minor flaws we noticed. 

Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes : This set of compression packing cubes is great for budget-friendly travelers but our top pick is also a compression set that had a better overall performance in testing. 

Lean Travel Premium Compression Packing Cubes : The set of three cubes is made with thick polyester that still feels lightweight, but besides that, there weren’t any standout features compared to our other top performers. 

Briggs & Riley Packing Cubes : These cubes were spacious and water-resistant, but for $59, we expected a higher performance to match the price for three standard packing cubes.

We evaluated 29 sets of both compression and regular packing cubes in our New York City lab and based our testing on traits like capacity, design, quality, and value. First, we unpackaged the sets of packing cubes and examined the quality of the bags by twisting and pulling them to check the stitchwork and using the zippers to see if they snagged or glided smoothly. After packing the cubes with a variety of clothing items like pants, jackets, undergarments, and shirts, we placed the cubes in a carry-on suitcase to see how well they fit in a piece of luggage. Our top contenders for capacity and design provided plenty of space for a range of clothing items with useful and thoughtful features that made packing easier and more organized.

For compression-specific packing cubes, we paid close attention to how much space the packing cube saved once we zipped the compression zippers. For all cubes, we splashed a bit of water on the exterior and felt the inside to see if any of the packed contents were damp. After testing each set of cubes in our lab, we sent them home to be tested during real travels around the world for six months. We regularly collected insights on durability, functionality, and overall quality during this period to ensure each cube continued to impress.

Tips for Buying Packing Cubes

Compare compression versus regular packing cubes.

Compression packing cubes are designed to condense clothing by using the compression zipper to pack down the clothes in order to save space in a suitcase. Regular packing cubes are mainly for organizing clothes efficiently rather than consolidating clothing to make more room in a piece of luggage. Compression packing cubes can usually be expanded or compressed which gives travelers the best of both worlds.

Look for sets that include multiple sizes

One of the best parts about packing cubes is staying organized on the go with little effort. To help you keep like items together, consider buying a set of multiple packing cubes with different sizes. That way, you can know without opening the case what cube holds your pants, your shirts, your undergarments, and more. The various size options also let you mix and match the cubes to fit whatever luggage you're bringing from weekender duffles to large checked bags.

Frequently Asked Questions

Flexible fabrics like nylon or polyester are best for packing cubes as they'll allow you to pack the most items. These materials also tend to be water-resistant, keeping your items extra safe throughout your travels.

When it comes to saving space, experts say you can fold your clothes or roll them — it ultimately doesn’t matter. The most important thing is maximizing your space, and packing cubes are great for doing just that. Besides saving space, packing cubes can help you stay organized before and during your trip making them a must-have travel organizer .

For travelers who usually use checked luggage, consider purchasing a set with five or six cubes included so you can maximize space in each suitcase. And, if you’re a carry-on-only type of traveler, one or two packing cubes in small or medium sizes could be better suited for your needs, and you won’t have to worry about storing a large set either. Backpackers or campers should consider getting just one or two compression or regular cubes that can fit in a backpack or weekender bag for lighter packing .

Depending on the size of your packing cubes and luggage, the bags can be placed in either compartment of a suitcase or duffel bag . As always, you'll want to do your best to evenly distribute the heavy packing cubes so the bag doesn't become top or bottom-heavy. Ideally, the rectangle shape of your cubes should make it easy to take up every inch of space in a suitcase.

When it comes to organizing and maximizing precious luggage real estate, you're going to need more than just compression packing cubes. Whether you're traveling internationally or domestically via airplane, train, bus, or car, these simple solutions will have you packing like a pro on your next adventure.

Bounce Rapid Touch-up 3 in 1 Wrinkle Releaser Clothing Spray : This TSA-approved, multi-use product smooths, resolves static, and adds a clean, fresh scent all in a few spritzes.

Electrolux Garment Steamer : This travel steamer boasts a large water tank, an 8-foot-long cord, multiple steam settings, and only weighs one pound.

Mossio Shoe Bag : This compact bag is waterproof, fits multiple pairs of shoes, and can be used to store other items like toiletries and dirty laundry.

Steamline Luggage The Palm Cosmetics Set : The small, medium, and large pouches are made with fabric derived from recycled water bottles. Between the three pouches, you can fit a variety of travel essentials like phone chargers, makeup, an eReader, and more. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is an associate commerce editor at Travel + Leisure , covering all of the best travel products from luggage to footwear. A recently converted compression packing cube user, Anna didn't know what she was missing out on until investing in multiple sets of packing cubes. She put together this list of the best packing cubes based on the results from the packing cube test we conducted in our New York City lab.

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