The 7 Best Luggage Brands for Every Type of Travel and Budget
Updated: Jul. 14, 2024
You can't plan your next trip without finding the right bag for your packing needs. The best luggage brands of 2024 offer something for every traveler.
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Whether you’re a frequent or infrequent flyer, it’s essential to find a piece of luggage that meets your individual needs and gets you through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) quickly. To make sure you’re buying the right size for your travels, let’s break down the types of baggage so you can choose among the best luggage brands:
- Checked luggage goes under the airplane and needs to be handed off to airline personnel upon arrival at the airport. These bags can be larger and include full-size toiletries and liquids.
- Carry-on luggage is, as its name suggests, compact enough to carry onto the airplane and meets the size restrictions of the airline you’re flying. Following the TSA carry-on rules will prevent any issues and makes it easy to travel lightly.
- Underseat luggage is even smaller than a carry-on bag, designed to fit directly under the seat as opposed to in the overhead bin.
If you’re looking for more than one piece of baggage, consider investing in a luggage set, which offers smart value and a wide variety of styles, colors and materials. Meanwhile, tech enthusiasts will appreciate smart bags, which typically come with a built-in battery to charge your devices. Just avoid a travel mistake by remembering to remove the batteries if you’re checking the bag. Now get ready to shop the best luggage brands on the market.
Best overall luggage brand
Briggs & Riley
Pros:
- Known for its durability
- Offers soft-sided suitcases, hard-shell suitcases and duffels
- Bonus features for safety, accessibility and expanded space
- Sleek design and muted colors
- Optional monogram
Cons:
- Expensive
- Our tester's carry-on did not meet the airline's size guidelines and had to be checked
Briggs & Riley is among the best luggage brands for every type of traveler. The high-end suitcases come in both soft-sided and hard-shell varieties. The brand makes most of its hard-sided bags with sturdy polycarbonate, and the majority of its soft-sided options are crafted with ballistic nylon, which is known for its incredible longevity.
Madi Koetting, shopping editor, put the brand’s 21-inch carry-on expandable spinner to the test on a four-day trip from Denver to Charleston. As someone who typically overpacks, Koetting was pleasantly surprised by how much this suitcase could hold considering its size. “This carry-on suitcase is smaller than I expected—but in a good way. I’m an overpacker, so I stick to the largest size carry-on suitcase I can possibly bring,” she explains. “I was shocked to discover this baby holds enough for a five- to seven-day trip. Although my trip was only four days, I’m an overpacker. I was able to fit seven outfits, two pairs of sandals, two normal-sized toiletry bags and one pair of pajamas.”
Many Briggs & Riley suitcases also offer additional features like built-in garment panels, which help prevent clothes from wrinkling, radio frequency identification (RFID)-blocking pockets to keep your info safe and the brand’s proprietary PowerPocket, which allows for easy universal serial bus (USB) charging while on the go so you can easily connect your favorite portable charger. Koetting appreciated the fact that her suitcase was expandable, meaning it had interior compression panels that made it expand like an accordion to accommodate more clothing. She was also impressed by the TSA-approved locks to keep her goods extra safe, as well as the interior and exterior organization pockets.
While there’s plenty to love about Briggs & Riley luggage, Koetting did have to check her carry-on, as it did not meet the airline’s size guidelines. Additionally, Koetting points out that although this luggage is on the pricier side, it’s not immune to exterior damage. “My Briggs & Riley did encounter some scratches in transit, but they were nothing a Magic Eraser couldn’t handle,” she says. “But I can happily report the exterior shell has held up better than my $100 suitcase.”
Best value luggage brand
Amazon Basics
Pros:
- Budget-friendly price
- Soft-sided and hard-shell options
- Easy to maneuver
- Expandable
- Hard shells are made of extra-thick acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Cons:
- No lifetime warranty
Budget travelers will love the wide selection of luggage from Amazon Basics, most of which is extremely affordable at under $150. The brand offers cheap luggage in a range of options, including soft-sided spinner bags, hard-shell carry-ons, sturdy check-in size suitcases and garment bags., to name a few options. Choose from a wide range of colors, from basic black to bright orange and beyond. Some suitcases also have features such as built-in locks, and most are expandable (some up to 25%!), which is especially convenient if you’re an overpacker.
In order to see if Amazon Basics luggage is worth adding to your cart, our Product Testing Team took a closer look at the Amazon Basics underseat carry-on rolling bag. We packed a weekend’s worth of clothes and accessories and took it for a spin on a variety of floor types, as well as over cords and curbs. We found that this bag was easy to maneuver over cords and floors, and turned easily, even on sharp angles. And when it came to packing, the team had no trouble fitting everything in. “Not quite as spacious as some of the others,” they say. “But everything packed in there nicely. No wrestling involved!”
Overall, Amazon Basics luggage performed well in our lab, but if you’re a frequent flier, there are a few things you should consider. Our team pointed out that the prices for Amazon Basics luggage, including the bag we tested, can change. “When this bag is listed for more than $100, it’s not a good deal,” they say. And though this bag performed well, the team noted that the zippers and telescopic handle are on the lower tier in terms of quality. However, the team notes that $50, which was the price for this bag at the time of publication, is a fair price.
Best viral luggage brand
Béis
Pros:
- Stylish and functional
- Built-in luggage scale and TSA-approved locks
- Carrying loop to hold accessories
- Built-in interior pockets and storage for laundry, undergarments, etc.
- Retractable bag strap holds up to 15 pounds
Cons:
- Lighter colors are more susceptible to scuffs
- No trial period
Béis is one of the best luggage brands because it combines style and functionality, making packing a breeze. Its most popular bags, like the Check-In Roller, include a carrying loop to hold handbags, totes and other personal items, as well as TSA-approved locks and a built-in luggage scale so you’ll always travel smarter and lighter. The roomy interior is also chock-full of noteworthy features, including multiple compartments, dividers and mesh pockets to keep your belongings organized. Pair it with the Béis mini weekender bag and you’ll be good to go.
Our tester, Jill Schildhouse, who gave the Carry-On Roller a try, was admittedly skeptical of the viral brand at first. As a travel writer who spends roughly 90 nights a year on the road, she writes in her review, “I fully expected to end up with a laundry list of complaints about its various shortcomings.” But after a four-day trip, she returned a firm Béis believer.
“The one feature in this bag that immediately blew me away was the weight limit indicator, which is built into the side handle. If the bag weighs over 50 pounds, it will turn red,” says Schildhouse. She also appreciated the extra features that made this bag both comfortable and convenient to use, including a cushioned handle, which made it comfortable to wheel around, and a retractable strap, which allows travelers to carry multiple pieces of luggage. “You’ll no longer have to worry about balancing a second bag perfectly on top of this Carry-On Roller and waiting for it to fall off at the most inopportune time. Attach any bag up to 15 pounds to this strap and move about your travels in complete confidence that it’ll stay put,” she explains. “It’ll certainly meet your needs for four to five days, and up to a full week with smart packing techniques.”
Another feature that makes Béis a fan-favorite is their color selection. The brand offers luggage in a variety of colors including smart neutrals and fun, eye-catching hues. Just keep in mind that if you opt for a lighter color, Schildhouse cautions that it’ll get scuffed no matter how careful you are.
Most durable luggage brand
Monos
Pros:
- Made with high-quality materials
- Includes locks, compression pads, laundry bags and an antimicrobial inner lining
- Climate Neutral Certified
- 100-day trial period
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
- No soft-sided options
Monos is a Canadian company that’s renowned for its durable hard-shell suitcases, which are made with the company’s signature unbreakable polycarbonate shell that’s lightweight, yet strong. Every Monos luggage features a sturdy handle and locks that won’t get you stopped at security. Some, like the Hybrid Carry-On, come with luxurious details such as whisper-quiet wheels and antimicrobial interior fabric. The best part about Monos? You have 100 days to try its luggage. If you don’t like it, simply send it back.
“If you’re looking for a suitcase that won’t make traveling harder than it needs to be, the Monos carry-on is it,” says Caroline Lubinsky, senior shopping editor, in her review of the Monos Carry-On. “I was impressed by the caliber of construction, lifetime warranty and careful attention to detail. It’s clear that this is a brand that cares about its consumers and makes sure the little things are just right. And isn’t that the type of product you really want to have for a lifetime?” We’re going to have to go with a resounding yes.
Among the details that Monos has paid special attention to are the unique color and pattern offerings, spinner wheels that spin 360 degrees and a built-in compression pad that is a total game changer for overpackers. Some models even have features like protected laptop spaces and internal laundry and shoe bags. And if you’re into saving the planet one purchase at a time, you’ll be pleased to know that Monos is Climate Neutral Certified.
While Monos luggage is exceptionally durable, it can still scuff and scratch (but that’s the case with almost all hard-shell luggage). The good news, Lubinsky points out, is that the polycarbonate shell is easy to clean. All you’ll need is some warm water, dish soap and a damp cloth. And if that doesn’t work, just use the handy, eco-friendly eraser sponge that’s included with your suitcase.
Best luggage brand with variety
Travelpro
Pros:
- Soft-sided, hard-shell and underseat options
- Expandable luggage and smart luggage options
- Exterior pockets for storage
- 100-day trial period
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Styles with a lot of special features are pricey
Founded by a commercial airline pilot, Travelpro‘s signature suitcases—the most famous being the two-wheeled Rollaboard—have accumulated plenty of praise for their self-aligning spinner wheels that make maneuverability a breeze. The brand continues to roll out (pun intended!) hard-shelled and soft-sided luggage outfitted with features like Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-friendly USB ports, built-in dividers and locks.
Most Travelpro luggage offers fold-out or built-in garment bags to save time on trying to figure out how to unwrinkle clothing without an iron. The brand’s site also has tons of resources on how to choose and maintain your Travelpro luggage, including care and product guides.
In order to determine whether or not Travelpro luggage is among the best luggage brands, our Product Testing Team put Travelpro’s Maxlite 5 rolling underseat bag to the test. We packed a weekend’s worth of clothing and accessories and rolled it around a variety of floor types as well as over cords, curbs, and steps. We found that this bag has high-quality wheels which allow it to roll smoothly over all floor types and cords. It also handles sharp turns well (though you’ll want to be mindful when going over steps and curbs). “This was ever-so-slightly tippy going over the steps and curbs but nothing admonishable,” says our Product Testing Team.
What we did find admonishable were the handles on this particular bag. “They’re the clunky Velcro kind that, in order to be easy to hold, should ideally be Velcro-ed together,” explains the team. And since putting them together takes a bit of time, the team points out that this design is not ideal for busy security lines.
When it came to packing, we found that it took a bit of elbow grease to close the bag. Luckily, the zippers are high-quality and we were able to wrestle the suitcase shut without any concern of tearing, snagging or breaking. In fact, we found Travelpro to be an all-around sturdy case. “The durability is apparent in the handle, zipper, and wheels,” says our Product Testing Team, who declared this luggage a good value and overall worthwhile purchase.
Best luggage brand for sets
Calpak
Pros:
- Available in one-, two- and three-piece options
- Reasonably priced for what you get
- Stylish color and pattern options
- Expandable design
- TSA-approved locks and 360-degree spinner wheels
Cons:
- Only up to a five-year warranty
- No soft-sided options
Calpak makes fashion-forward luggage in an array of color and pattern options. The brand’s best luggage sets are well priced given their sleek design and resilient polycarbonate exterior. The bags are also water resistant and easy to clean with mild soap and water. Calpak equips its luggage with interior pockets, mesh dividers, TSA-approved locks and 360-degree spinner wheels. We have our eye on this pretty rose gold luggage set.
Even better? These bags can expand up to an additional 2 inches. Calpak is a staple among frequent travelers, as it’s one of the best luggage brands with a product for just about any need. (We also recommend the toiletry bags!)
Since a luggage set can be a rather lofty investment, our Product Testing Team put Calpak’s Ambeur Mini Carry-On to the test in order to determine whether or not the brand is a good value. Like the other suitcases we tested, we packed this carry-on with a weekend’s worth of clothing and accessories before dragging it up and down curbs and steps, over cords and on various floor types. Our team was impressed by the high-quality mechanisms, zippers and handles, as well as the fact that this suitcase performed exceptionally well on almost all of our tests. Our Product Testing Team shares, “This thing rolls like a dream. The dual wheels and the fact that they’re on all four corners definitely help.”
While Calpak luggage is well-made, easy to use and comes in a variety of styles and colors, not every piece is of great value. “This is an incredibly attractive suitcase, but it doesn’t make a ton of sense for an underseat piece,” explains the Product Testing Team. “It’s not going to be easy to access its contents mid-flight and it’s technically too big for most airlines.” Additionally, we found that the suitcase we tested got dinged up pretty significantly just from being pulled up stairs and curbs. However, it does come equipped with corner protectors to help keep it in tip-top shape so long as you’re mindful when traveling.
Best luggage brand for frequent fliers
Away
Pros:
- Durable, yet lightweight, polycarbonate shell
- Sleek, design-forward suitcases in trendy colors
- Includes built-in lock and removable laundry bag
- Meets the carry-on requirements for most major airlines
- Lifetime warranty covers functional damage to the shell, wheels, handle and zipper
Cons:
- No soft-sided options
- Built-in battery can take up to eight hours to charge
Away always has a spot when we’re talking about the best luggage brands—and for good reason. We love that these durable suitcases come with a lifetime guarantee, an excellent perk if you’re someone who likes to check your luggage. What’s more, the suitcase’s trademark hard shell, which comes in a number of trend-forward hues, is made of polycarbonate that’s strong enough to carry you (and your belongings) through hundreds of flights. We can’t forget about the hidden laundry bag, 360-degree spinner wheels and a built-in lock. Plus, the carry-on models have the option to include an ejectable battery.
Schildhouse put the Away Bigger Carry-On to the test and was not disappointed. “My Away suitcase has since traveled all over the world with me,” she writes in her full review. “It certainly lives up to the social media hype and it’s the travel companion I can always rely on. In fact, I also bought the Away Medium Flex for longer trips, because the brand has completely raised the bar on my travel standards.”
So what, exactly, makes this luggage brand the go-to choice for frequent travelers? Schildhouse, who travels 90 nights a year, points out that the suitcases are lightweight with sturdy handles, four spinner wheels, built-in TSA-approved combination locks and space (lots and lots of space). “The Away Bigger Carry-On is the slightly bigger cousin to The Carry-On (15% larger to be exact) and that extra room makes a big difference while packing,” she explains. “Yet, like magic, it still squeezes into those overhead bins on domestic carriers with ease.”
During her testing, Schildhouse was able to pack clothing, multiple pairs of shoes, toiletries, makeup, a travel hairdryer, an international adapter, a bathing suit, an evening bag and still had room to spare. “I left space for my undergarments and a few other knickknacks. Had I used compression packing cubes and rolled my clothes more carefully, I probably could have squeezed in another couple of outfits,” she says. In fact, Schildhouse recommends using packing cubes, as this suitcase doesn’t have a ton of internal compartments to organize your belongings.
The biggest drawback is that during testing, Schildhouse’s suitcase sustained a few scuffs and scratches that won’t buff out. But that doesn’t keep her from recommending this suitcase to fellow jet-setters. “Consider them proof of a life well-traveled,” she suggests.
What to look for when buying luggage
To find the best luggage brand for you, there are a few key factors to keep in mind to ensure you’re getting the perfect piece for your jet-setting lifestyle:
- Size: Consider your travel needs and style. Are you typically able to fit everything into a carry-on? If so, then a carry-on will suit you just fine. Or are you an overpacker or someone who packs one suitcase for the entire family? If that’s the case, then you’ll want to opt for a large suitcase that you can check.
- Maneuverability: Look for a suitcase with spinner wheels, as these can easily be pushed or pulled in any direction.
- Security: If you’re checking a bag and don’t want anyone rifling through your belongings, look for a suitcase with a built-in, TSA-approved lock.
- Price: Luggage can cost anywhere from $50 to over $1,000, so it’s essential to find quality luggage that fits your budget. Compare prices, styles and features to ensure you’re getting the best value.
Why you should trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers and testers with expertise and experience in their field. Luggage can be a significant investment, which is why we want to make sure you choose the best brand for your needs and budget. And since you can’t test every piece of luggage you have your eye on, we did it for you. Our Product Testing Team and individual testers with years of product testing experience under their belts packed their bags and took them along on their travels. They detailed their experiences—both positive and negative—with each piece of luggage and looked at everything from packaging to performance.
How we found the best luggage brands
To decide which luggage brands to test, our team combed through thousands of social media videos and user reviews to see which brands real travelers use. We then analyzed the offerings from top luggage brands based on their size, durability, maneuverability and price. From there, our shopping editors and testers assessed at least one piece of luggage from each brand in our dedicated testing lab, as well as on their own travels, to determine if they made packing and traveling easier and if they actually held up during the journey. Based on their findings, we narrowed down the options to the seven best luggage brands.
FAQ
Is soft-sided or hard-shell luggage better?
The best luggage brands feature high-quality materials, so both hard-shell bags and soft-sided luggage are durable in different ways. Because of its fabric exterior, soft-sided luggage is easy to store and maneuver. These bags also tend to be lighter than hard-sided luggage. Plus, many of them also have exterior pockets, which are handy for storing essentials, electronics or anything you may need to grab in transit.
On the other hand, hard-shell luggage boasts a sturdy exterior, which is generally made with plastic or aluminum. Since hard-shell suitcases are, well, harder, they may offer more protection if there are fragile items packed in your carry-on. They also tend to be easier to clean than their soft-sided counterparts.
What size is carry-on luggage?
The typical size of carry-on luggage is 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, including the handle and wheels. Carry-on luggage rules can be strict, and it’s important to check the requirements before arriving at the airport. There may be an inch or two difference between various airlines’ carry-on bag policies.
What is the weight limit for luggage?
The standard weight limit for a checked suitcase on most domestic airlines is 50 pounds per bag. However, there are some airlines that have a maximum of 70 pounds per checked bag. Check with the airline you’ll be flying with to ensure you know the exact weight limit before you begin packing your bags.
Additional reporting by Marisa Hillman.
Originally Published: August 30, 2022
