We make packing cubes, so you'd expect us to say ours are the best. Instead, here's what we'd want to know if we were buying: what you get for the money, whether the cubes actually compress, what they're made of, what happens when one breaks, and how fast it arrives. We've been fair to everyone. Where a competitor wins, we say so.
The short version
- Best value compression set: ciúb 4-pack – four graduated sizes with double-zip compression, lifetime guarantee on fabric and stitching, 2–3 day tracked delivery across the UK and Ireland.
- Best if you want a big-brand name: Antler – a solid 4-cube compression set at around £50, recycled polyester, sold through John Lewis.
- Best single premium cube: Peak Design – beautifully made, weatherproof, around £39 for one medium cube. Expensive to build a full set.
- Best for the outdoors crowd: Eagle Creek Pack-It – the original, well-made, sold per cube.
- Cheapest: Amazon Basics and unbranded sets – fine for organising, but most don't compress and the zips are the weak point.
- Prettiest: Pastael – lovely pastel colours, but you pay more per cube and get fewer sizes.
Comparison table
| Brand | What you get | Price (per cube) | Compression | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ciúb | 4 cubes, graduated S/M/L/XL Ripstop polyester · UK & Ireland delivery |
£45 (£11) | Yes – double zip | Lifetime, cubes covered |
| Antler | 4 cubes Recycled polyester · UK |
£50 (£12.50) | Yes | Lifetime on suitcases; cubes not stated |
| Peak Design | 1 cube, sold singly Weatherproof nylon · UK retailers |
~£39 (£39) | Yes | Lifetime |
| Eagle Creek | 1 cube, sold singly Ripstop nylon · UK retailers |
~£20–35 each | Yes | Limited lifetime |
| Pastael | 2 cubes Polyester · UK |
~£50 (£25) | Yes | Not stated |
| Amazon Basics / unbranded | 4–6 cubes Thin polyester mesh · Amazon |
~£15–25 (£4–5) | Mostly no | Usually none |
Prices checked October 2026 and will move around with sales. Always check the retailer.
What actually matters when choosing
1. Compression or not
A plain packing cube organises your bag. A compression cube organises it and makes it smaller, with a second zip that squeezes the air out. If you fly hand-luggage-only, pack for cold weather, or always run out of room, compression is the whole point. If you've only ever used Amazon Basics-style cubes and wondered what the fuss was about, this is why: most of them don't compress.
2. Sizes in the set
Four cubes the same size is less useful than four cubes in graduated sizes. You want a small one for underwear and socks, a medium for t-shirts, a large for trousers, and an extra large for jumpers or a coat. ciúb and Antler both do graduated sets; the premium brands make you build your own set one cube at a time, which gets expensive fast.
3. Zips and stitching
Compression puts real strain on a cube. This is where cheap sets fail, and it's the most common complaint in packing cube reviews everywhere. Look for ripstop fabric and a guarantee that actually names the cubes. We back ours for life on fabric and stitching and replace cubes individually if a seam ever goes.
4. Delivery and returns
Most people buy cubes the week before a trip. Stock close to home with 2-day delivery matters more than it sounds. ciúb dispatches same day with tracked 2–3 day delivery across the UK and Ireland; Antler and Amazon are also quick. Peak Design and Eagle Creek depend on whichever retailer has stock.
Where ciúb wins, and where it doesn't
Wins: price per cube for a full compression set, four graduated sizes in one box, a guarantee that covers the cubes themselves, 4.7/5 from over 4,900 verified reviews, and a family-run operation that packs every order itself.
Doesn't: if you want a weatherproof cube for camera gear or wet kit, Peak Design is better built for that job. If you want the reassurance of a John Lewis returns desk, Antler has it. If you need cubes for £15 and don't care about compression, Amazon is fine.
What customers say after switching
"I bought some cheap compression bags and loved them, but they tore easily as soon as you packed them full. There is a world of difference with these. The fabric and the zips are really sturdy." – Catherine S.
"Ordinary packing cubes don't do compression so you aren't saving any space. The compression is magic." – Jackie S.
"My previous compression ones were quite flimsy. I got a lot more in because of the high quality." – Michelle H.
Our pick for most UK travellers
For a first set, the ciúb 4-pack covers a week in a cabin bag. For two people, a long trip or a cruise, the 8-pack or the bundles with laundry and shoe bags are the usual choice. 30-day returns, lifetime guarantee, same-day dispatch.