Top 10 Luggage Brands of 2024: Thoroughly Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Following our latest luggage evaluations, Samsonite has emerged as our top overall luggage brand. Samsonite luggage is typically lightweight and compact on the exterior, yet offers spacious interiors for optimal packing and a wide array of styles. We particularly appreciate the brand for its adaptability, featuring a fantastic selection of bags across various price ranges to suit everyone, whether you're after an economical option or something more luxurious.

The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on ranks as the best overall carry-on we've ever tested, while the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside stands out as our top choice for a checked suitcase. We also appreciated the organizational features of the Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner, which include multiple tech sleeves and packing cubes.

Nearly all the suitcases showed minimal damage after being struck with a baseball bat and dropped from a table. Samsonite luggage glides effortlessly, even on carpet and gravel. Prices are quite reasonable, and while returns must be made within 30 days, the brand offers a solid 10-year warranty on its products.

Best Overall, Runner-up

All Travelpro luggage we tested received excellent ratings for maneuverability, durability, capacity, and overall design. The brand's hardside and softside models performed well in the T+L lab, with both carry-on and checked options featuring spacious interiors and expandable capabilities. We also valued the various organizational features, such as zipper panels, cross straps, and pockets.

Featuring self-aligning spinner wheels and robust telescoping handles, Travelpro luggage is easy to maneuver across hard surfaces, carpets, and even gravel (though some models may be slightly more challenging to roll on two wheels compared to four, especially when fully packed). We particularly admire the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner for its smooth wheels and textured handle that ensures a comfortable grip. Additionally, the Travelpro x Dinogo Large Check-In Trunk Spinner serves as a stylish investment if you're after something spacious, durable, and built to last. Even Travelpro's rolling garment bag impressed us with its generous capacity for its size. It's worth noting that while the carry-ons are generally lightweight, the larger checked models can weigh nearly twice as much when empty.

After dropping the suitcases off a table and striking them with a baseball bat, we were pleasantly surprised by their sturdiness. We only spotted a few superficial marks—no scratches or dents, and everything that could be wiped clean. Travelpro provides a generous 100-day return policy and backs its luggage with warranties ranging from 10 years to a lifetime, although it can sometimes be challenging to reach their customer service for returns or repair inquiries.

Best for Staying Organized

With a minimalist-modern design and a blend of sophistication and practicality, Away luggage stands out. We particularly admire the brand's suitcases and weekend bags, especially The Everywhere Bag, which is ideal for overnight trips, spontaneous weekend getaways, and serves well as a personal item on longer journeys. The checked bags and hardside carry-ons are lightweight yet robust and easy to clean. They showed no dents from our baseball bat trials, though a few scratches appeared after being shoved off a table. There’s a range of sizes available, including one of our top-rated trunks we’ve tested. We appreciated the dual main compartments, compression systems, expanders, and laundry satchels in the roller bags.

The suitcases glide effortlessly on their 360-degree spinner wheels, and carrying The Everywhere and The Garment Bag is comfortable thanks to the padded shoulder straps. The Garment Bag includes interior padding that safeguards your longer clothing items and reduces wrinkles. While Away isn't the cheapest luggage brand available, it's also not the priciest. Given the 100-day return policy, lifetime warranty, and stylish designs, we wholeheartedly recommend it to nearly any traveler.

Top Style

Tailored for organized travelers, Paravel stands out with its extra features. We appreciated the dual compartments, ample pockets, dividers, and detachable laundry bags. Although the suitcases don't expand, the compression pads make packing effortless. The Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus ranked among our favorite carry-ons due to its sleek design, spacious interior, and smooth wheels that glide over any surface. We also loved the adorable Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack, which scored perfectly in every category and earned the title of best overall mini backpack. This bag folds small enough to fit into larger luggage and has ample capacity, including room for a tablet, making it a stylish companion for any getaway.

Most Paravel luggage models performed admirably during our durability tests, though the lighter-colored hardside options may scuff easily. These suitcases glide smoothly across various surfaces, making them easy to maneuver. Plus, Paravel luggage exudes style with a sophisticated vibe and mid-century charm. While the prices are on the higher side, we believe it's a worthy investment, especially with a 10-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.

Roomiest Option

Delsey is a top choice for large-capacity luggage. The brand offers both hardside and softside options, including unexpectedly roomy carry-ons and checked bags in various sizes, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your travel needs. We were impressed by their capacity, noting that they could easily accommodate all our packing list items with extra space to spare, even without utilizing any expansion features.

The suitcases glide effortlessly on their four spinner wheels, navigating smoothly over carpets, cracks, and bumps. Most models are lightweight, making it easy to lift them into overhead bins. We tested the Chatelet Air 2.0 Carry-on and the matching Chatelet Air 2.0 Medium Checked bag on four long-haul international flights, and each time they arrived at the luggage carousel with only minor scuffs that were easily cleaned. We appreciate Delsey's competitive pricing, and the brand offers warranties ranging from five to ten years along with a 30-day return policy.

Best Color Options

Exploring the colorful suitcase options from July feels like a dream, and for those who prefer subtle tones, there are plenty of those as well. After testing over a dozen bags in our lab and on an airplane set, we found favorites like the July Carry On (which comes with a portable charger), the July Checked Plus (the largest suitcase in the collection), the July Checked Plus Light (a lightweight alternative), and the July Trunk Set (a chic, zipperless two-piece set).

The bags showed impressive durability in our baseball bat tests, though the models with aluminum corner bumpers tended to scuff more easily at the edges. One standout feature is the Carry On Pro SnapSleeve, which includes a multi-stop telescopic handle adjustable to 20 different heights, unlike many suitcases that only offer three height options.

A variety of bag styles are offered in numerous color options, including vibrant shades of blue, green, pink, red, shadow lavender, plum, yellow, sand, and more—each sure to catch the eye on any baggage carousel. Keep in mind that some carry-ons provide significantly more space than others, so it's wise to check the dimensions to find the perfect fit for your needs. Additionally, luggage comes with a limited lifetime warranty, while soft bags and accessories are covered for five years, and small leather goods for two years. All products also come with a 100-day return policy.

Ideal for Compact Bags

If you need a bag that fits in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you, Calpak is a fantastic choice. We particularly loved the duffles, backpacks, and suitcases, especially the Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage, which we consider the best overall underseat bag. It glides effortlessly, boasts a durable exterior, and can accommodate a laptop, making it ideal for weekend trips or business travel.

Even when fully loaded, each Calpak suitcase rolls effortlessly on both two wheels and four. The Stevyn Duffel Bag is easy to carry with its shoulder strap and includes a separate shoe compartment to keep your belongings clean, perfect if you’re looking for a smaller option. While the two-year warranty is shorter than most brands, we believe Calpak's pricing is quite reasonable and value the 30-day return policy.

Top Choice for Luxury

For the ultimate in luggage quality, Tumi is the brand to choose. The suitcases and underseat bags performed better than the duffel we tried, leaving us thoroughly impressed. Our top pick is the Alpha International Expandable 4-wheeled Carry-on, which may appear compact but offers plenty of organizational space and even includes a removable garment bag. Each Tumi bag had ample room for all our packing needs, even without using the expanders. This brand excels with its organizational, smart, and security features, including generous pockets, detachable garment bags, laptop sleeves, USB ports, lockable zippers, and TSA-approved locks.

Regardless of whether you choose softside or hardside, you can expect exceptional durability — we even jumped on these bags and rode atop them without causing any damage. After hitting the bags with a baseball bat, we noticed almost no scuffs or scratches. Tumi luggage is easy to navigate with its spinner wheels, though the checked sizes can be quite heavy when empty. If you can manage the high price point, we believe this brand is a fantastic option for long journeys, frequent travelers, and those who appreciate organization, plus all bags come with a five-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.

Most Sturdy

When it comes to durability, Briggs & Riley stands out. Their softside suitcases, made from ballistic nylon, resist wear and tear, while the hardside versions feature shock-absorbing polycarbonate that protects your belongings from being crushed. We were impressed by their resilience against pushes and bat swings — not a dent or scratch to be found.

Beyond durability, Briggs & Riley suitcases glide smoothly across hard floors and carpets, navigating bumps and tight corners with ease. Many models offer good capacity, including built-in expanders. Although this brand is on the higher end of the price spectrum, it comes with a lifetime guarantee. We wouldn’t be surprised if these suitcases last for a decade or more. Additionally, options for addressing any potential damage include self-repair kits, authorized repair centers, or sending them back to Briggs & Riley for maintenance.

Top Design

Shay Mitchell's luggage line quickly captured our attention with its thoughtful designs, customizable inserts, and detachable compartments. The bags are spacious enough to accommodate everything needed for both extended vacations and quick weekend trips—just keep in mind that not all duffel bags qualify as personal items. Our favorite, The Weekender, is like Mary Poppins' magical bag, expanding to fit all our essentials effortlessly.

For rolling bags, the 29-inch Large Check-in Roller stands out as our top pick for organization. Just like its weekenders, carry-ons, and backpacks, Béis' check-in option is massive, holding more than enough for any trip. We found that all Béis suitcases feature sturdy wheels that glide smoothly over various surfaces and user-friendly handles that make airport navigation a breeze. Plus, all products come with a limited lifetime warranty.

Additional Luggage Brands We Enjoyed

While these brands didn't make our top list, they offer some impressive suitcases and bags worth considering.

Monos: Monos products feature a sleek design and are typically easy to handle. However, during our testing of the large check-in suitcase, we noticed it held fewer items compared to some rival brands.

Arlo Skye: This brand's sleek aesthetic and vibrant colors are appealing, but at a higher price point, we found their bags don’t roll as effortlessly as others.

Roam: We really like Roam's The Check-in hardside suitcase and their other bag designs; however, after a month of travel, we discovered these pieces were more susceptible to scratches than some other brands we tested.

Our Testing Methodology

The T+L team has assessed over 508 pieces of luggage, including carry-ons, checked suitcases, duffels, weekend bags, garment bags, backpacks, and more at our testing facility in New York City. We evaluated at least six models from many top brands, conducting various tests to measure capacity, maneuverability, durability, design, and overall value. Each bag was weighed and packed with enough clothing and personal items for a four-day trip (more for larger checked bags).

To evaluate how the luggage performs in real-world situations, we rolled the bags over various surfaces, including gravel and carpet, navigating bumps and corners. We also dropped each piece from a table and struck it with a metal baseball bat to assess durability and susceptibility to scratches and dents. Additionally, we recreated an airplane environment in our lab, hoisting carry-on suitcases into actual overhead bins and sliding them under seats to gauge their lift and portability.

Following lab assessments, each suitcase and bag was taken for real-world testing. Our T+L editors brought them on vacations, weekend getaways, and overnight trips. To evaluate durability, convenience, and longevity, we used each bag on planes, trains, buses, and even cruise ships, providing feedback at one month, three months, and six months. Based on key features, size, and price, we compiled categorized rankings of every luggage piece tested. The brands with the highest average ratings made it to our favorites list, which we will keep updating as we test more luggage.

How We Selected These Brands

The T+L team evaluated a minimum of six bags per brand from our winners list to ensure a diverse sample. We assessed underseat luggage, checked bags, carry-ons, duffel bags, garment bags, and backpacks, scoring each one based on capacity, design, durability, maneuverability, and overall value.

Next, we compiled rankings based on the average scores of all bags tested for each brand. We thoroughly reviewed tester insights for every luggage item from these evaluations to assess the details and features of each bag. Ultimately, we decided whether to recommend a bag along with its brand.

Tips for Purchasing Luggage

Familiarize Yourself with the Brand

When researching a new luggage brand, you're already on the right track. To gather more details about a specific brand, visit its website, read customer reviews on products that interest you, or even check the items in person. Investing in new luggage (whether a single piece or a luggage set) can be significant, so ensure you appreciate a brand's style, warranty options, and overall quality before making a purchase. This is especially crucial when considering luxury luggage pieces.

Understand Your Organizational Needs

While material and size matter, some top luggage brands excel due to their organizational features. These may include dual main compartments, multiple pockets, a shoe separator, zippered sections, a toiletry bag, a removable laundry bag, a garment bag, a laptop sleeve, and possibly even a USB port with a power bank pouch — with some Arlo Skye luggage including the power bank itself. Although not essential for every traveler, these features can significantly ease packing and accessing your items.

Prioritize Durability

The finest luggage withstands wear and tear for years. Both softside and hardside luggage options can offer remarkable durability. Ultimately, it depends on whether you prefer to protect your packed items from crushing or shield the suitcase's exterior from minor scratches (though many softside and hardside models we tested excel in both areas).

Consider Mobility

Consider maneuverability as well. When you're racing through the airport to check your bags before security, a suitcase that glides effortlessly is essential. Four-wheel spinner suitcases typically offer greater ease for pulling and pushing across various surfaces compared to their two-wheeled counterparts, especially if they feature a robust telescoping handle. For other types of luggage, grab handles and padded straps are ideal, while a lightweight design can significantly enhance your travel experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which is better: hardside or softside luggage?

  As you explore luggage options, you'll encounter both hardside and softside models, with many top brands offering both varieties. Your choice ultimately depends on personal preference. Some travelers favor the crush-resistant nature of hardside suitcases, which also boast a sleek, modern design and are easy to wipe clean.

  Conversely, softside suitcases are generally (but not exclusively) lighter and more flexible, allowing for more packing capacity. After testing both styles, we found they can be just as durable as hardside models, and they won't dent like hardside bags do. While cleaning a textile exterior may be a bit more challenging, it often hides scuffs and dirt better. Regardless of the luggage type, there are several effective products to clean suitcases available.

• What dimensions should my carry-on luggage adhere to?

  Carry-on luggage size limits differ across airlines. Most airlines permit suitcases no larger than 24 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. Some have stricter guidelines, typically around 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Keep in mind the potential impact of an expander on your suitcase, as even an extra inch or two could exceed the size limit. It's advisable to check the airline's website if you're uncertain whether your luggage qualifies as a carry-on.

Why Trust Dinogo

In crafting this article, freelance writer Theresa Holland meticulously reviewed our internal testing data, assessed return policies, scrutinized warranty fine print, and analyzed price ranges to compile a thorough roundup of today's top luggage brands. With significant experience writing about travel essentials and other commerce products, Theresa collaborated with our Dinogo team to highlight their favorite brands from the vast selection available in the market.

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