The difference between packing cubes, compression cubes, and vacuum bags

When it comes to packing luggage, everyone has a different method. There are several ways to organise clothes inside your suitcase, and each solution serves a different purpose. Here we explain the differences between packing cubes, compression cubes, and vacuum packing bags.

 

Packing cubes: organisation first 

Packing cubes are lightweight fabric containers with a full perimeter zipper. Their main purpose is to organise and structure your luggage. Everything can be divided into categories: shirts in one cube, underwear in another, and so on. When you reach your destination, you can pull out a cube and place it directly into a drawer.

They are best at:

• Keeping outfits grouped
  
• Preventing suitcase chaos
  
• Making repacking faster
  
  

Packing cubes are designed for organisation, not compression. They do not significantly reduce volume

Compression cubes: Organisation with some space saving

Compression cubes are packing cubes with a second zipper that tightens the cube and removes excess air, saving some space. You may be able to fit one or two extra garments compared to a standard, uncompressed cube.

They sit in the middle ground between convenience and space efficiency.

They are best at:

• Compressing soft items like t-shirts, sweaters, and activewear
  
• Keeping everything categorized
  
  

Compression cubes offer moderate space savings, but they are not designed for maximum compression.

Vacuum bags: maximum space reduction

Vacuum travel packing bags are built specifically to reduce volume. They are often sold with a portable mini pump to remove air. You can find different designs on the market: many vacuum bags have a single zipper at the top or in the center, which can make packing and unpacking inconvenient. Jaspacks vacuum packing bags, use a packing cube-style design with a full lateral zipper, making them easier to pack and unpack. You can move them directly from your luggage into a hotel drawer.

By reducing the volume of your clothing, you may be able to use a smaller bag or avoid checking luggage altogether, which can result in significant savings on baggage fees.

Vacuum packing bags like Jaspacks are also waterproof and odour proof, so they can double as laundry bags or gym bags to separate clean and dirty clothes. The amount of space saved depends on what you pack: vacuum bags work best with bulky clothing.

Which solution is better?

The best choice depends on the problem you’re trying to solve. Do you need more space, or do you simply want better organisation?

If your goal is organisation and you don’t need to save space, packing cubes are a great option. If you want to maximise space, carry more clothes, or reduce your luggage size to avoid baggage fees, vacuum packing bags are the most effective solution.