By Elissa Sanci
Elissa Sanci is a writer on the discovery team. She has found that clear ice makes carbonated drinks taste better, and citronella candles don’t work.
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Picture this: Every article of clothing and outerwear you own is strewn across the living room, waiting to be neatly packed into boxes before a cross-country move. You own way more than you thought was possible, and you’re kind of a pack rat, so you probably won’t get rid of any of it—but you somehow need to fit all your stuff into one midsize sedan before you hightail it out of the city and head west.
Is there any situation more stressful, more daunting?
When I found myself staring down at the contents of my closet a year ago before moving from Queens, New York, to Denver, I certainly didn’t think so. I was spiraling downward and close to tears when I turned to Wirecutter for advice and found my saving grace: SpaceSaver vacuum storage bags, conveniently on sale for $29 at the time (which is the same deal we’re seeing today for a variety 12-pack).
Our pick
These bags are quick to compress, and they reduced more volume than others we tested.
Primarily recommended as a seasonal storage option (more on that in a sec), SpaceSaver bags work just as well if you’re prepping for a move and need to stuff a lot into a space not designed to hold much. The day my SpaceSaver bags arrived was the day I efficiently packed my dread away. I couldn’t have fit standard cardboard boxes in my tiny Honda Civic—but a few vacuum-sealed plastic bags that shrank to nearly 60% of their original size might work.
The variety 12-pack comes with three bags in four sizes: small, medium, large, and jumbo. Filling one of the biggest bags with the bulkiest items, I stacked blankets, pillows, and spare sheets one on top of another. Once I filled the bag, I used my Shark vacuum (also a Wirecutter pick) to suck the air out—it was easier to do than I expected. The SpaceSaver bags also come with a handheld pump, a much slower option but helpful if you don’t own a vac. Watching that bag compress was mesmerizing and oddly soothing; for the first time in weeks, I unclenched my jaw and pulled my shoulders down from my ears as I watched the bag shrink. It was like magic: Out went the air in the bag and, with it, my agita.
I did this over and over again, with chunky sweaters, stacks of towels, my entire sock drawer, and every jacket I owned (which, I learned that day, was a few too many). I was giddy with relief as I slotted the bags into my suitcase, stacking them until I was able to zip closed the luggage holding my entire closet.
These bags aren’t single-use, either. After I twisted open the valve and pulled open each bag to unpack my things in my new home, I was able to put the bags to work as seasonal storage. The apartment I moved into was small, with limited closet space, but that wasn’t an issue: I tossed anything off-season, such as sundresses, shorts, and light blankets, into one of the midsize SpaceSavers and shrank it down until it was thin enough for me to slip it under my bed.
Since then, I’ve reused those same bags on a handful of occasions. Each time the weather shifts, I empty the bags and swap the contents. I also put them to work when I moved again—this time just across town. Even though I have more storage space now, I still like using the bags to stash away the apparel I’m not wearing to keep my closet neat and organized.
Though I’m sure my SpaceSaver bags still have a few seasons left in them, I’m considering buying more now that they’re back down to a solid discounted price. This time around, the deal is even better—one box of 12 is on sale for $29, but if you buy two, you get an additional 10% off. That’s 24 bags for $52, a good deal on a set of vacuum-seal bags that can compress to give you the space you need, when (or where) you need it most.
Meet your guide
Elissa Sanci is a senior staff writer for Wirecutter’s discovery team based in Denver. Her byline has appeared in The New York Times, Woman’s Day, Marie Claire, and Good Housekeeping. When she’s not testing TikTok-famous products or writing about car garbage cans, you can find her hiking somewhere in the Rockies or lying on the couch with a bowl of chips balanced on her chest. There is no in-between.
Further reading
Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls
by Truth Headlam
Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.
What to Pack for Camping Trips With Kids
by Kalee Thompson
Investing in some high-quality basics can get kids excited about camping out—and help you avoid a mid-trip detour to the nearest big-box store.
How to Maximize Space as You’re Packing
by Kit Dillon
Reducing what you carry with you and organizing the way you pack is the easiest way to lower travel-related stress.
The Best Fanny Packs
by Kaitlyn Wells and Jordan McMahon
Cute and convenient, fanny packs securely transport your belongings as you travel hands free. We found five great ones to suit a range of styles and situations.
