These Travel Vacuum Bags Will Make the Most of Your Suitcase Space. (2024)

Our Top Picks

The Hibag travel compression bag set includes equal numbers of three different suitcase-sized options for maximum versatility. These bags are made from durable plastic that can be reused many times without ripping. You’ll get three large bags to stash away puffy winter clothes and sweaters in a checked suitcase, three medium bags that will fit pants, dresses, and more in a carry-on, and three smaller-sized bags, perfect for a change of clothes or two, or a travel blanket, in your personal item.

These bags would also be a solid choice for anyone backpacking or planning to pack and unpack several times during one trip. As with all rolling compression bags, you don’t need to use any additional tools, and you’re able to easily deflate as needed. We also like that these bags have a clever double zipper closure with yellow plastic on one side and blue on the other — which turns green when the zippers are properly sealed — making it easy to see if there are any weak spots in your closure. It’s a great way to identify spots that may lead to air leaks.

The Details: Rolling compression | 9 bags (3 large, 3 medium, 3 small) | 17.7 x 23.6 inches (large), 15.7 x 19.5 inches (medium), 13.8 x 17.7 inches (small)

It makes sense that most travel vacuum bags skew larger; most likely, you’ll be hoping to cram larger items into less space. But what about travelers looking to maximize their carry-on packing game? That’s where the VMster Travel Vacuum Storage Bags stand out. This set includes a range of sizes that are all sized to fit into your carry-on luggage specifically, with the smallest even fitting in a personal item or smaller carry-on backpack. It also comes with a convenient USB-powered electric pump (about the size of a tube of travel toothpaste) that can be powered from your personal devices, so you don’t need access to a wall plug to use it. However, the slower suction power may have some travelers ditching the pump in favor of using a DIY technique with their own two hands. Bags have a capped-air valve and double plastic zipper with a sealing slide to help keep air out — and if any bags leak within the first year, they’ll replace them for free.

The Details: Vacuum compression | 8 bags (2 large, 3 medium, 3 small) | 15.8 x 23.6 inches (large), 15.8 x 19.7 inches (medium), 15.8 x 15.8 inches (small)

This durable plastic compression bag set comes with 24 total bags in three suitcase-friendly sizes for checked and carry-on luggage. They are a great value for families looking to pack more in fewer bags, and are particularly helpful when packing for trips like cruises or road trips where there is a limited amount of physical space for luggage. We especially like that you don’t need to rely on any extra tools, such as a vacuum or pump, to use them — you just pack, roll, and seal. These bags run on the larger side, and we feel like they’d be of even greater value if we could switch out some of the large bags for more small ones for our carry-on luggage. Still, this set is a great deal and can work for families of up to six or more, with even a few bags to keep as backups.

The Details: Vacuum or rolling compression | 24 bags (9 large, 9 medium, 6 small) | 27.5 x 19.5 inches (large), 15.7 x 23.5 inches (medium), 13.8 x 19.5 inches (small)

Whether you’re traveling with formal attire to a destination wedding or bringing extra outerwear to a wintery escape, these hanging vacuum storage bags by Velmade are just the thing you’ll need. Each bag comes with enough hanging rings for five garments, making it easier for you to compress bulkier clothing and maximize your suitcase space. The best part is you’ll be able to easily hang up your precious threads once you arrive at your destination, and thanks to the locking feature of the hanger rack, you don’t have to worry about your clothes unexpectedly taking a tumble onto the closet floor. The included electric pump is compact and will make compressing and de-compressing the bags a breeze. Just be sure not to overstuff the bags to ensure everything stays in place, and note that you may want to fold the bag before you begin vacuuming to make it easier to pack away in a checked suitcase or garment bag.

The Details: Vacuum compression | 6 bags (3 short, 3 long) | 41.3 x 27.6 (short), 53.1 x 27.6 inches (long)

The Cozy Essential Compression Travel Bags come in a 12-pack with three various suitcase-appropriate sizes. The large and medium bags are ideal for packing puffy winter items like coats, ski pants, and sweaters, while the small size works great for base layers. Anyone dedicated to the rolling method of packing can rejoice, as these bags can be packed while rolled or flat (vacuum compression bags cannot be rolled once sealed). Some downsides to these bags are that the zippered seals can have minor leaks that allow air to re-enter over time, and you’ll need to have a pretty thin, even layer of clothing inside to be able to effectively roll out the air.

The Details: Rolling compression | 12 bags (5 large, 5 medium, 2 small) | 27.5 x 19.5 inches (large), 23.5 x 15.7 inches (medium), 19.5 x 13.8 inches (small)

The Wanalit Vacuum Storage Bags with Electric Pump come in several sizes (from jumbo to cubes), but we find the small size best for packing checked luggage. This particular multi-pack comes with 10 small bags and a portable electric pump that can be packed in luggage or carry-on to recompress bags as needed. Although the bags can be compressed using the included electric pump, you can also push the air out by hand in a pinch (but it’s not as efficient and can be a frustrating process). The cap-free valve design means you won’t have to worry about misplacing an essential smart part, which is one less thing to worry about in a rush. The bags also seal using a plastic double zipper that uses a sliding clip to ensure the zipper is closed — but beware, this clip can come off easily and get lost, leaving the zippers feeling a bit flimsy.

The Details: Vacuum compression | 10 bags (small) | 24 x 16 inches (small)

These travel vacuum bags will reduce the size of their contents by up to 80 percent. We’re choosing the pack with only medium and small bags, since these smaller sizes are best for packing in checked suitcases. Air extraction valve mouths are standard size for use with vacuum cleaners, but we love that using the included hand pump doesn’t feel like a slog. We found it took less than a minute to remove the air from the bags with the hand pump, which is also lightweight and easy to throw in your suitcase for use on your return trip. The plastic is durable, and each bag has a double zipper seal with a slider closure and a triple-sealed twist air valve to help keep air out — and from slipping back in. However, the zippers aren’t fail-proof, and if you’re storing items in these bags long-term, it’s likely air will seep in over time.

The Details: Vacuum compression | 10 bags (5 medium, 5 small) | 28 x 20 inches (medium), 24 x 16 inches (small)

One downfall of using travel vacuum bags is that if you use your vacuum to take the air out of the bags, you’re likely not going to have this device on hand when it comes time to repack for your trip home. This tiny electric pump is USB-rechargeable and an easy solution for flattening your vacuum bags while traveling. It weighs less than a pound, and we love that it can be thrown in your luggage (or even clipped onto your personal item) without taking up precious real estate. It also has five different attachments that work not only for most sizes of vacuum bags, but also air mattresses, camping pads, and inflatable pool floats, so you can compress whichever items you already own and prefer. It has an easy-to-use one-button operation, and can inflate as well as deflate. Note that you can only run it consistently for about 15 minutes before the device needs to be plugged in, and it needs about 2.5 hours before it’s fully recharged again.

The Details: Electric pump | 1.69 x 1.69 x 2 inches | 2.82 ounces

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do vacuum bags work?

  Compression bags work by removing the air inside the bag in order to make the contents of the bag as flat as possible. They’re great for saving space in your luggage, but keep in mind they don’t change the weight of what you’re packing (so be sure you can still lift your bag and it doesn’t weigh-in over the limit).

• Can I bring vacuum bags in a suitcase?

  Yes, but be aware that TSA may need to decompress the bag during any inspections. This can pose a problem if you can’t re-compress the bags afterward. Be sure to check the dimensions of the bag against the interior dimensions of your luggage before buying. While the size of the clothes will compress down inside of the bag, the outer dimensions of the bag will remain the same. Before packing day, give your travel vacuum bags a test run by filling up a few bags, compressing them, and seeing how they fit into your suitcase.

• Do vacuum bags make your luggage heavier?

  Using vacuum bags does not make your luggage heavier — packing 30 pounds of clothing will still be 30 pounds whether compressed or not. However, you may find that your suitcase ends up heavier since the vacuum bag will open up more space, allowing you to pack more items. When using vacuum bags for travel, especially in your checked luggage, be sure you're not overpacking to avoid any overweight bag fees.

• Will vacuum bags damage my clothes?

  Most clothing items will not be damaged by using compression or vacuum travel bags, though any items with ornate decorations, pins, or delicate details such as beading may need special handling. Overall, the biggest thing to watch out for when using vacuum travel bags is wrinkling. The longer items stay compressed inside the bag, the deeper the creases can get. If this is a concern, consider packing a travel clothing steamer to help smooth out any wrinkles.

• Are there any items that should not be vacuum-packed?

  Yes, you should avoid putting anything with down filling into a rolled or vacuumed compression bag. Flattening feathers can ruin the item. Also, while it may seem smart to pack wet or damp items inside of a sealed plastic bag, this is another no-no as it can create mold. Take care to notice any clothing with sharp embellishments or zippers that could potentially puncture the bag during the compression process.

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