The Top 12 Luxury Luggage Options for 2024, Evaluated and Reviewed

Top Pick Overall

The Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus is our top luxury suitcase choice. After testing, we were impressed by its generous capacity and organizational features that simplify packing. While it doesn't expand, it's already quite roomy for a carry-on. With dual-zippered compartments and a compression pad, we managed to fit everything on our packing list with ease. It also includes a detachable bag for keeping laundry or dirty shoes separate.

The robust polycarbonate exterior is available in six elegant color options. Although it showed some scratches after being dropped from countertops and struck with baseball bats, this is likely less noticeable with darker shades. Overall, its sturdy construction suggests it will endure for years — plus, Paravel offers a 10-year warranty. Maneuvering the Aviator was a breeze, with high-quality spinner wheels that rolled effortlessly.

While Paravel luggage comes at a higher price point, it remains one of the more budget-friendly options in the luxury segment. However, the appeal of the brand goes beyond its stylish, smoothly gliding suitcases. All products are ethically produced with fair wages for workers in safe environments. Additionally, Paravel aims to offset its carbon footprint by using recycled and eco-certified materials in its designs.

Specifications: Carry-on | 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches | 46.6-liter capacity | 8.5 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Made from recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum, and recycled vegan leather | 10-year warranty

Top Carry-on

For those seeking premier luxury luggage, Tumi will not disappoint. The brand's 19 Degree Aluminum International Carry-on is a breeze to pack, featuring ample internal organization with zippered compartments, compression straps, and a hanger bracket. While it lacks an expander, we found it spacious enough for a weekend getaway, and with a personal item bag, thoughtful packers can optimize space. It also includes practical details like a card slot for an extra ID or an Apple AirTag.

Weighing in at 11.2 pounds, this suitcase is somewhat heavy for a carry-on. Nevertheless, its aluminum shell and sturdy spinner wheels offer impressive durability. It glided smoothly on both two and four wheels, thanks to its balanced weight distribution and leather-wrapped handles that provide a comfortable grip. The glossy finish exudes a sophisticated, upscale look — we tested the blush variant and appreciated its elegant design, available in various other metallic shades featuring Tumi's signature ridges.

Specifications: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 31-liter capacity | 11.2 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Made from aluminum | 5-year warranty

Best Checked Luggage

In our opinion, the Bric's Positano Check-in is the ideal medium-sized suitcase. We easily packed everything we needed with extra space to spare, and the expander—adding 1.6 inches to the depth—wasn't even necessary. Weighing just 8 pounds when empty, it helps keep you under the 50-pound limit for checked baggage to avoid extra fees. The hardside shell has a slightly flexible design that rebounded well during our durability tests without showing any dents, plus it comes with a protective luggage cover. It also includes a limited lifetime warranty.

While it could benefit from additional pockets, this suitcase offers several handy organizational features. We appreciated the zippered compartment that kept our items secure, and the buckled panel divider helped to organize belongings on the opposite side. There's even a garment hook for hanging suits or dresses. The suitcase is available in three shades of greenish-blue, inspired by the Italian coastline, although this may not appeal to travelers who prefer more neutral tones.

Specifications: Checked suitcase | 27 x 19 x 11 inches | 83-liter capacity | 7.9 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Made of polycarbonate with leather accents | Limited lifetime warranty

Top Weekender

Leatherology offers our top pick for a luxury weekender. The Kessler Duffel is impressively roomy, featuring a generous main compartment, several interior pockets, and an exterior pocket. We managed to pack everything we needed with extra space left over. It comes with two handles and a longer shoulder strap, which is adjustable, but the pad's position may limit comfort for shorter users.

The incredibly smooth leather is perhaps the standout feature of this weekender. It exudes a premium feel and, like most leather duffels, it proves to be durable, performing well in our drop test. The Kessler is available in four classic colors, from cognac to navy, and you can customize it with debossed, hand-painted, or trapunto lettering. If gifting this leather duffel, you'll appreciate that it arrives in a fabric dust bag inside a box suitable for wrapping.

Specifications: 22.25 x 1 x 10 inches (medium) or 25.6 x 14.2 x 12 inches (large) | Crafted from leather

Top Smart Choice

If you seek a balance between style and sturdiness, Delsey's Chatelet Air 2.0 could be the perfect choice. Drawing inspiration from Parisian architecture with its sleek lines, contrasting stitching, and retro charm, this suitcase is visually impressive. Beyond its aesthetics, it is highly functional, featuring a zippered compartment on one side, compression straps on the other, numerous pockets, and a convenient USB port for charging on the go.

We appreciate the smooth zippers and the effortless maneuverability of its design. The spinner wheels glide seamlessly over hard floors, carpets, and stone surfaces. This suitcase is also robust; after testing it with a bat and knocking it off a table, it showed no visible damage. We used the angora (off-white) color, and despite light suitcases often getting scuffed, this one remained impressively clean during travels in Costa Rica, Italy, Morocco, and Egypt. The Chatelet Air 2.0 fits within standard carry-on dimensions, but since it doesn't expand, you’ll need to be careful not to overpack, even after shopping overseas.

Specifications: Carry-on | 22 x 15 x 10 inches | 44-liter capacity | 8 pounds | USB port | 4 dual spinner wheels | Polycarbonate | Limited 10-year warranty

Most Fashionable

For those willing to invest in premium luggage, the Rimowa Original Cabin stands out as an excellent option. While it doesn't expand, this suitcase provides ample space and complies with most airlines' carry-on size regulations. We packed it for a four-day getaway, fitting in several outfits and multiple pairs of shoes without issue. An interior zippered pocket would enhance organization, but the dividers do a good job of keeping items secure.

What we love most about the Original Cabin is its elegant, modern design. Despite its upscale look, you could likely drop it from a second-story window without fearing for its safety; natural scuffs and scratches become badges of honor for avid travelers. The suitcase glides effortlessly over various surfaces, from floors to pavement and even cobblestones, thanks to its smooth wheels. While it's not the lightest carry-on, it doesn't feel as heavy as its aluminum shell suggests — we could easily lift it into an overhead compartment when fully packed. Plus, Rimowa provides a lifetime warranty for each purchase, so be sure to register your suitcase upon arrival.

Specifications: Carry-on | 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 inches | 35-liter capacity | 9.5 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Aluminum | Lifetime warranty

Top Trunk

This trunk-style suitcase by Carl Friedrik has a taller, narrower silhouette compared to typical checked luggage. While it lacks an expansion feature, it offers impressive capacity, accommodating all our packing needs with extra space to spare. We loved the organizational elements, including collapsible dividers, zippered pockets, and compression straps. Additionally, it includes three removable packing cubes.

Although this trunk feels a bit hefty when empty, it’s not overly bulky. Maneuvering it on two wheels proved simpler than four, which may lessen the appeal of a spinner for some travelers. The handle is set at a single height, likely due to the trunk’s design, and it occasionally stuck when nearly fully extended. However, it felt robust enough to handle the load. Overall, we believe this suitcase is best suited for longer journeys due to its spaciousness and packing efficiency.

Specifications: Checked suitcase | 28.7 x 15.8 x 14.6 inches | 90-liter capacity | 13.7 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Polycarbonate exterior, aluminum locking frame, Vachetta leather accents

Ultimate Durability

This Zero Halliburton aluminum carry-on is remarkably tough. Its luggage was even used in the Apollo 11 mission, making it seem fit for space travel without the risk of damage. The durable, protective aluminum withstood our baseball bat and drop tests, ensuring everything inside remained intact. The latches held up impressively too; they seemed more likely to survive than the bat itself during our rigorous testing.

At 11 pounds, this suitcase is somewhat heavier than other carry-ons, and it doesn’t glide as effortlessly when fully loaded. Nevertheless, the handle felt robust, and we had no worries about it accidentally opening. Ultimately, we believe this is a worthy investment if you seek luxury luggage designed to endure for years. (While the warranty is 10 years, we suspect this carry-on will last much longer.)

The Specs: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 33-liter capacity | 11 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Aluminum | 10-year warranty

Top Softside Option

For those who prefer softside luggage, the Antler Brixham suitcases come highly recommended. Featuring a patent-pending textile exterior with protective corner guards, these bags are impressively robust and scuff-resistant, showing no marks even after extensive travel. While the carry-on, medium checked, and large checked options are available separately, we found traveling with all three as a chic set particularly enjoyable, especially with navy adding variety to the usual sea of black.

Each suitcase offers a roomy interior, various internal pockets, and compression straps that simplify packing. The checked bags can also expand by nearly 2 inches for additional space. Notably lightweight, the carry-on, medium, and large bags weigh in at 4.19, 5.29, and 5.95 pounds respectively, making them some of the lightest we've ever tested. With cushioned grab handles for easy lifting from baggage claim and four dual spinner wheels that glide effortlessly over uneven surfaces, these bags are user-friendly. Although the Brixham collection lacks USB ports or smart features, the stylish minimalist design and lifetime warranty justify the investment.

Specifications: 21.65 x 13.78 x 9.25 inches (carry-on), 27.95 x 17.13 x 11.02 inches (medium), 31.88 x 18.31 x 12.2 inches (large) | 45 liters (carry-on), 102 liters (medium), 139 liters (large) | 4.19 pounds (carry-on), 5.29 pounds (medium), 5.95 pounds (large) | 4 dual spinner wheels | Polyester | Lifetime warranty

Top Garment Bag

This stylish, compact carry-on garment bag is particularly well-suited for frequent business travelers. Made from durable ballistic nylon, it can endure the rigors of travel, whether checked or stowed in overhead compartments. Despite its small size, it offers significant space (thanks to expandable sides) and numerous organizational features to simplify packing. It includes built-in hanger brackets for up to three dresses or suits, compression straps to reduce wrinkles, five interior zippered pockets, and a water-resistant shoe compartment for one pair of shoes.

Additionally, there's a front outer compartment for a laptop and its accessories, along with a uniquely designed exterior back power pocket that allows you to charge your devices while providing easy access. Weighing 11.9 pounds, this carry-on may feel a bit heavy, but its compact design is easy to maneuver, aided by an aluminum telescoping handle and four high-quality spinner wheels. Plus, don’t forget the option for a complimentary leather monogram nameplate.

Product Specifications: Carry-on | 16 x 21 x 9 inches | 44-liter capacity | 11.9 pounds | Expandable | 4 dual spinner wheels | Ballistic nylon | Lifetime warranty

Top Choice for Rolling Duffel

If you lean towards a duffel instead of a hardside suitcase but still desire a high-quality wheeled design, the Tumi Large Split 2-Wheeled Duffel is worth considering. It's incredibly spacious; we managed to fit a week's worth of clothing and necessities with extra room left over. Thanks to its numerous compartments and pockets, along with a zipper divider and compression straps, packing became a genuinely enjoyable task.

This duffel features two recessed wheels that glide effortlessly over various surfaces. It also passed our bat-strike and drop tests without showing any signs of damage. While the ballistic nylon lives up to its abrasion-resistant reputation, it does tend to collect dirt and dust. (A quick wipe with a damp cloth will do the trick.) Although it comes with a higher price tag, it includes a five-year warranty and is built to last even longer. If you can afford it and need a robust, large-capacity bag, you won't be disappointed.

Specifications: Checked bag | 30.5 x 14 x 16 inches | 98-liter capacity | 11 pounds | 2 recessed wheels | Ballistic nylon | 5-year warranty

Top Choice for Vintage Lovers

For those who appreciate vintage-style luggage, this is the perfect choice. Drawing inspiration from the suitcases of 1940s train travelers, the Steamline Sweetheart Carry-on merges classic aesthetics with modern convenience. Though it doesn't have spinner wheels, it glides smoothly on its two wheels and can stand upright thanks to its pegs.

We absolutely love the design of the Sweetheart. Its exterior boasts a luxurious appearance with leather strap accents and gold latches, revealing a stunning interior lined with silky floral fabric. While it's smaller than typical carry-ons, making it easy to lift and stow in overhead compartments, it may be best suited for a quick weekend trip unless paired with a larger checked bag. If you adore its look as much as we do and can afford the premium price, you won’t regret this purchase.

The Specifications: Carry-on | 20 x 14.5 x 6.5 inches | 2 wheels

Our Evaluation Process

The T+L team has rigorously assessed over 500 pieces of luggage in our New York City testing lab, including both carry-on bags and larger checked suitcases. To gauge their performance, we packed each model, rolled them through an obstacle course to evaluate the smoothness of their wheels, struck them with a baseball bat to check for dents, dropped them from a height to test their durability, and lifted them into overhead compartments to assess portability where applicable.

We focused on essential details such as organizational features, weight, handle heights, and any signs of damage or wear. For this roundup, we carefully selected our top luxury luggage picks that excelled during testing, and we actively use each chosen bag in real-life travels for a minimum ongoing testing period of six months. This article will also be updated as we test additional luxury bags that deserve recommendation.

Guide to Purchasing Luxury Luggage

Keep durability in mind

Durability is essential, particularly when investing in high-end luggage. Your suitcase or bag should not only protect your belongings but also withstand potential wear and tear. Materials such as polycarbonate, aluminum, ballistic nylon, and leather are among the most robust.

Softside models should ideally feature a specialized coating to resist stains and scuffs. Many suitcases also include extra durability elements, like reinforced corners, impact-resistant side panels, waterproof zippers, or moisture-sealed seams.

Choose the appropriate size

Carefully consider the size of luggage you need. Will you be checking your bags or taking them onboard? Are you planning a lengthy trip or a short escape? Do you have a tendency to overpack, or do you prefer to travel light? Will laundry be accessible during your travels? Reflecting on these questions can help you determine the appropriate suitcase size. If space allows, consider investing in a set with various sizes.

Select a brand that resonates with you

Let’s face it: one of the key motivations for purchasing luxury bags is the desire to showcase them. Therefore, we suggest selecting a luggage brand that aligns with your identity. This could mean choosing a company known for its sustainability efforts or one celebrated for elegant, functional designs. Alternatively, it may simply be about flaunting a recognizable logo.

Common Questions

• Should I use a cover for luxury luggage?

  A luggage cover can protect your bag from scuffs, scratches, and dirt as it navigates through the plane's cargo hold and baggage claim. This will help preserve your investment from potential damage. However, keep in mind that a cover will obscure the design of your stylish suitcase, and putting it on and taking it off can be somewhat cumbersome.

• How do I clean my luggage?

  You can clean your luggage's exterior with a damp cloth and a mild soapy solution or upholstery cleaner. A premoistened disinfectant wipe can also be effective. If your suitcase lacks a removable, machine-washable lining, you can wipe the interior as needed with a damp cloth and a mild soapy solution or a premoistened wipe.

Why You Can Trust Dinogo

T+L contributor Theresa Holland is a writer focused on travel, lifestyle, fashion, and recreation. For this guide, she gathered our internal testing insights, examined product manuals, and explored premium brands to create a comprehensive list of the finest luxury luggage available today. She has firsthand experience with bags from Paravel, Briggs & Riley, Carl Friedrik, Delsey, and Leatherology.

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