<p>Each piece of luggage is evaluated by experts in the Lab as well as consumer testers on the go. In the Lab, we look at factors like durability, ease of use and more. We also pack each suitcase with a standard load to see how much it can hold and how easy the compartments are to access. Consumer testers come into the Lab to use the luggage in an obstacle course, where they weigh in on handle comfort, wheel performance, maneuverability and more. Finally, we send luggage out with travelers into the real world for firsthand feedback.</p><p>You can learn more about how we test luggage and what to consider as you shop — including how to decide between hardside and softside luggage — but first, here’s everything you need to know about our top-tested luggage brands.</p><p><strong><a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/luggage-reviews/g20709039/best-carry-on-luggage-reviews/” target=”_blank”>Best Carry-On Luggage</a> | <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/luggage-reviews/g43533429/best-checked-luggage/” target=”_blank”>Best Checked Luggage</a> | <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/luggage-reviews/g39955373/best-hard-side-case-luggage/” target=”_blank”>Best Hardside Luggage</a> | <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/luggage-reviews/g41423697/best-duffel-bags/” target=”_blank”>Best Duffel Bags</a> | <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/g26669675/underseat-luggage/” target=”_blank”>Best Underseat Luggage</a> | <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/luggage-reviews/g40847977/best-luggage-on-amazon/” target=”_blank”>Best Luggage on Amazon</a> | <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/g31673527/best-travel-backpacks/” target=”_blank”>Best Travel Backpacks</a> | <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/g29890603/best-packing-cubes/” target=”_blank”>Best Packing Cubes</a> | <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/luggage-reviews/g40798932/best-luggage-trackers/” target=”_blank”>Best Luggage Trackers</a> </strong></p>”/>
Samsonite earns our top spot for the best luggage brand because it has a wide assortment for every preference — from business travelers to vacationers — and has continuously proven to be high quality as we’ve tested it over the years.
In particular, it stands out for its durability and ease-of-use features: There’s been no struggling to open and close the cases, and packing them has been a breeze, thanks to the functional compartments that maximize space. It’s certainly not inexpensive, but as direct-to-consumer luggage brand prices have skyrocketed, Samsonite’s have remained fairly consistent.
Both hardside and softside styles from the brand have excelled in our tests. We’ve also been impressed by each of the sizes, including carry-ons, checked bags and underseat luggage. Some of our favorite models include the Freeform hardside (pictured here), the Solyte DLX softside and the Stryde Glyder, which is a checked case that’s wide instead of tall so it’s less likely to tip over.
A consumer tester rolling the Samsonite Freeform carry-on through an obstacle course at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
2
Best Value Luggage
American Tourister
2
Best Value Luggage
American Tourister
If you’re on a budget or you don’t use luggage regularly — i.e., it doesn’t need to be the most durable and you don’t need all the bells and whistles — American Tourister offers competitive pricing and an excellent variety to choose from. There are a lot of options if you prefer bright colors and fun prints, plus there are cases for the entire family, including a Disney collection. Between the designs and versatile offerings, the models are fun, functional and especially ideal for vacationers.
Just note that while luxury hardside cases are usually made of polycarbonate, American Tourister typically uses ABS plastic, which is more affordable but more prone to scratches. Still, it gets high ratings from online reviewers who note that the bags are surprisingly spacious. Another perk: The brand offers luggage sets for an even better value, especially if you need to purchase multiple pieces. Pictured here is the Pop Max Softside set, which at $150 for a set of three, is less than other single cases.
Away is one of the most popular luggage brands on the market, and our testing shows it actually lives up to its hype. Though the brand has a wide range of offerings, we especially love the hardside carry-on.
It’s made of 100% polycarbonate that proved to be durable and lightweight in our evaluations — even lighter than some fabric bags we’ve tested. It was also surprisingly spacious and held a full packing load in our review. The company offers a 100-day return policy on unused items; it also offers a lifetime limited warranty on its suitcases that covers any “functional damage.”
Besides the main Carry-On model, it comes in variations like a Bigger Carry-On (which the brand says can hold 20% more) and a Carry-On Flex (which has an expandable zipper). We also love the brand’s Everywhere Bag, which is a stylish and surprisingly spacious weekender.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: We Tested Away’s Trendy Carry-On to See If It’s Worth The Price
An inside view of Away’s The Carry On.
4
Best Luggage for International Travel
Briggs & Riley
4
Best Luggage for International Travel
Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley bags are pricey — a carry-on can cost over $600 — but they come with a lifetime guarantee that will cover all repairs if the luggage ever gets broken or damaged. They also come with innovative features, such as the brand’s signature compression packing system. Bags that have this feature expand to let you pack and then compress down after they’re filled. In fact, one of our testers said she packed a week’s worth of summer clothes for two people into a compact carry-on, and it easily fit into an airline’s overhead bin.
The suitcases also use top-notch construction and timeless designs in a range of styles, including hardside, softside, carry-ons and checked bags. The Baseline Global Carry-On Spinner (pictured here in the 21-inch version) has been a selected as GH Family Travel Award winner for the past two years after travel testers gave it perfect scores across the board. Its nylon fabric also aced our Lab’s abrasion tests.
The interior compartment of Briggs & Riley’s Baseline Carry-On, including its easy-to-use expansion button.
5
Best Under-$100 Luggage
Amazon Basics
5
Best Under-$100 Luggage
Amazon Basics
It’s hard to find good luggage for under $100, but Amazon’s luggage does not disappoint. There are softside and hardside styles to choose from, plus garment bags, duffels and more. Amazon also boasts extensive testing to make sure their products will hold up, and though the luggage might not the absolute best quality out there, the price can’t be beat.
We were impressed with its hardside 20-inch spinner carry-on (pictured here) when we tested it on our Lab. Our analysts found it to be exceptionally easy to pack, though the ABS material wasn’t as scratch-resistant as other models in our tests. Still, consumer testers liked the maneuverability and wheel performance. This style also comes in two other sizes (24 and 28 inches) and can be purchased as a two- or three-piece set.
6
Best Luggage for Frequent Flyers
Hartmann
6
Best Luggage for Frequent Flyers
Hartmann
This luxury brand is on the pricey side but has timeless designs — from hardside to tweed fabric — that never go out of style. In fact, the brand’s marketing and aesthetics are focused heavily on its heritage. It has been a top performer in our tests, thanks to its spacious interior that’s easy to pack and its wheels and handles that make it smooth and comfortable to maneuver.
The hardside cases have earned high scores in our tests — especially standing out for being scratch-resistant, lightweight and spacious — but we also love the softside Legend collection (pictured here), which is made of durable tweed fabric and leather trim.
This fashionable yet functional travel brand was founded by actress Shay Mitchell and incorporates smart features designed to make traveling easier. It also has a stunning aesthetic, including monochromatic color schemes in which the handles and hardware match the case.
Pictured here is the Carry-On Roller, its best-selling case that comes in a range of neutral and fun hues. It was spacious for packing and easy to maneuver in our tests, and though it did scuff during use, it resisted dents well during our Lab’s drop tests. Another popular style is its Mini Weekender, which can be used as a personal item that fits underneath the airplane seat in front of you.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Experts Weigh In on Buzzy Travel Brand Béis
The Béis carry-on and compact weekender bag being used as a travel set.
8
Best Luggage for Flight Crews
TravelPro
8
Best Luggage for Flight Crews
TravelPro
This company was founded by a pilot, and it makes luggage specifically for airline personnel who travel for a living. Still, it’s just as functional for business and leisure travelers.
The brand primarily sells softside luggage, though it does have some hardside options available. There’s excellent attention to detail that makes frequent flying easier, like cushioning around the handles for comfort, self-aligning wheels that let you roll the luggage in any direction and abrasion-resistant nylon fabric.
The Platinum Elite softside luggage (pictured here) stood out in our Lab tests. Not only was it durable, but it was also spacious enough to hold our entire load with room to spare. The downside was that it was heavier than others, but it’s a fair tradeoff for the top-of-the-line features.
This brand increases the fun factor and makes it easier to spot your luggage in a sea of solid colors. There are adorable animal sets for kids’ luggage, animal prints for adults and more. There are also options for licensed teams and art (like Britto, shown here), making your suitcase a playful yet functional accessory.
When it comes to materials, most Heys suitcases are hardside and made of polycarbonate and ABS composite. This means it’s mostly ABS plastic but has a polycarbonate coating on the outside for added protection. The brand wasn’t the most durable in our tests, it but earned high ease-of-use scores.
Style is certainly important when it comes to luggage — it’s an accessory, after all — but you don’t want to sacrifice quality and functionality. Calpak’s cases are both well-made and have unique designs. Though its assortment is tailored with fewer models than some of the big brands, Calpak still has a wide range of materials to choose from, including sleek hardside polycarbonate, printed ABS/polycarbonate blends and ripstop polyester.
Calpak’s Ambeur carry-on (pictured here) was one of our testers’ favorites; they especially loved the easy-to-use telescopic handle and metallic color. We also found it to be easy to pack and though it wasn’t as scratch-resistant as some others we tested (which is expected for ABS composites), it still withstood dents and damage from our durability drop test.
Rolling TUMI luggage through the airport is like a status symbol; the brand is highly recognized for its upscale products for both business and leisure travelers.
In addition to its suitcases, it makes accessories like briefcases and backpacks and has components that make traveling easier, like an anti-slip strap on carrying bags and an extra hook on rolling bags so you can wheel multiple items at once. On top of that, the brand stands out for its unique service offerings, like repairs and luggage registration to help you find lost bags.
We especially love Tumi’s Alpha collection (pictured here is the Alpha carry-on) with its durable materials and removable garment sleeve. One GH analyst who has been using a backpack in this collection appreciates that it fits more than you’d expect and has a versatile design for travel, work and beyond.
If you’re going away for weeks or just have lots to pack, L.L.Bean’s duffels are roomy enough to stuff in everything you need. There are options with or without wheels and lots of sizes to choose from (the Adventure Rolling Duffel, shown here, is incredibly durable and one of our go-to picks for vacations with kids).
The flexible shape of the duffel also allows it to store easily under your bed, so it’s perfect for college students or anyone tight on storage space. It’s also made of sturdy, water-resistant nylon fabric that’s made to last no matter where your travels take you — in fact, one of our experts says it’s lasted for years without signs of wear. She does note that it’s a little more cumbersome to pull than four-wheel spinner luggage and it’s spaciousness makes it easy to go over the 50-pound weight limit for airlines, but says it’s perfect for packing for two kids.
Monos says its design philosophy is “less is more,” — meaning the bags are made to be simple and timeless to avoid passing trends and high quality so they can stand the test of time. Most of its hardside bags are entirely polycarbonate, though some combine polycarbonate and aluminum for increased durability. They also have useful packing features like wide compression straps to help you fit more in the case.
The Check-In Large was a winner of last year’s GH Family Travel Awards because of its spacious interior and maneuverability. Testers said it was easy to roll and they loved the sleek appearance. It’s also worth noting that the brand has a 100-day return period so you can get a refund if it’s not a good fit.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Here’s Why Travelers Love the Monos Luggage Collection
Monos luggage shown in three sizes: Check-in Large, Check-in Medium and Carry-on
14
Best Luggage for Adventure Travel
Eagle Creek
14
Best Luggage for Adventure Travel
Eagle Creek
Whether you’re backpacking internationally or exploring a national park, Eagle Creek gives you both the convenience and durability you need in a bag. Some have various compartments so you can stay organized (or store shoes and dirty laundry separately), and some bags have backpack straps if you need to be hands-free.
We especially love the Cargo Hauler Duffel for shorter trips: It’s affordable, spacious, lightweight and folds up into a small pouch for easy storage. For longer getaways, the Migrate Wheeled Duffel (pictured here) is larger and has two wheels with a telescopic handle. It also opens wide so you can easily access the contents.
Eagle Creek’s Migrate Wheeled Duffel, left, being checked in at an airport terminal.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
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