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Published: 16 July 2026
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Vacbird Review: The Travel Gadget That Helped Me Pack More Into Hand Luggage
Travelling with hand luggage only can save time and money, but squeezing five days’ worth of clothes into a cabin suitcase isn’t always easy. Before a recent 3 city trip to the US, I decided to test whether the Vacbird Electric Air Pump and accompanying compression storage bags could genuinely create more space.
Previously, I had seen various vacuum packing solutions and always assumed that these either required taking a huge handpump away with you on holiday or needing to find a vacuum cleaner in your hotel when you are packing luggage for the trip home.
However, this interesting product caught my eye so I bought one to see if it was any good.
Vacbird Electric Air Pump
Overall Verdict: 9/10
Pros
- Creates noticeably more suitcase space
- Small enough to travel with
- USB-C rechargeable
- Reusable & Waterproof bags
Cons
- Can’t currently buy travel-sized bags separately
Vacbird Electric Air Pump
The Vacbird Electric Air Pump is a small, handheld vacuum that is strong enough to compress clothes in storage bags but also light and convenient enough to take away on your travels.
I purchased a pack containing the Air Pump plus a set of 10 resealable storage bags (2 packs of 5 bags) which are compatible with the pump. Also included was a charging cable, a nice storage pouch for the pump and two sets of clips which ensure that the bags stay tightly closed.
The waterproof storage bags are triple sealed and come in three different sizes.Â
Included in the pack that I ordered were:
- 4 x 20 inch (40 x 54cm)
- 4 x 24 inch (47 x 64cm)
- 2 x 28 inch (54 x 74cm)
The wireless pump is only 7.5cm high, weighs only 125 grams and the 1800 mAh battery charges via a USB-C connection. There is a 4 light indicator next to the on/of switch to show the remaining strength of the battery.
The power of the pump really impressed me. It took under 10 seconds to compress each of the two bags I packed (see the video below).
The 20 inch bags were the perfect size for my Samsonite 55cm carry-on wheelie case and two compressed bags, each filled with clothes, fitted in easily.Â
Next time, I would be confident of putting at least one more compressed bag (probably two) into the suitcase.
My Experience
When I was on my trip, I am happy to report that the compression bags remained fully sealed whilst in the suitcase, despite my bag getting the usual battering that comes with travelling on trains, planes and in taxis.Â
On the trip I used one of the bags for dirty laundry which was a great way of keeping everything neat and tidy. The bags resealed time-after-time and I did not have to recharge the pump once when I was away.
The real benefit came on the journey home. After buying a couple of pairs of jeans and a few other items in the US, I still managed to fit everything into my cabin suitcase without needing to check a bag.
Who Is It Best For?
- Hand luggage only travellers
- City breaks
- Business travellers
- Families packing children’s clothes
- Shopping trips abroad
Not suitable for:
- People who need to keep ironed clothes in pristine condition when travelling
- Those wanting instant access to packed clothes throughout a trip
Overall: 9/10
This is an excellent product, it did exactly what I wanted and I believe that I will get significant use out of it. My only (minor) criticism is that there is currently no option to purchase a pack containing only the 20 inch storage bags as I can see myself using this product more for travel than for storing things at home. However the bags I did use on my trip are pretty durable and I am confident that I will be able to use these many times again in the future.
For travellers who regularly fly with cabin baggage only, the Vacbird is one of those products that solves a genuine problem rather than creating a new one. It’s compact, easy to use and freed up enough space in my suitcase to bring home extra purchases without checking a bag.
Whilst it won’t magically double the size of your luggage, it does create useful extra capacity and helps keep clothes organised throughout a trip. Furthermore, if it helps avoid paying for checked luggage, the Vacbird could pay for itself after just one or two trips, particularly if flying with airlines that charge for hold baggage. For anyone trying to travel light, it’s a gadget I’d happily take on future trips.
The Vacbird Wireless Electric Air Pump and Storage Bag pack that I purchased is available from Amazon UK
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Further Reading
- Which UK Airline Has the Best Baggage Allowance?
- Airalo eSIM Review: How To Cut Mobile Roaming Costs by 55%
- If you are on your travels and need somewhere to store your luggage, take a look at our review of Stasher
