Whether you’re in the market for carry-ons, larger checked bags or a solid weekender for a quick getaway, the best luggage always checks three boxes: ease, maneuverability and functionality. To make finding your next suitcase easier, we’ve rounded up the best luggage brands that fit that bill, including Samsonite, Travelpro and Monos, recommended by our staffers and resident globetrotter, senior travel editor Astrid Taran.
The best luggage brands offer high-quality, thoughtful designs that keep your belongings organized … [+] and safe while in transit.
Whether or not you plan to travel in the near future, purchasing durable luggage serves as a lifetime investment, fulfilling your travel needs for years to come. That’s why we rolled up our sleeves and researched the myriad types of suitcases out there—and asked our well-traveled editors to share the best luggage they’ve tested—to narrow down our top picks. Below, see the best luggage of 2024 for every type of traveler.
- Best Luggage Overall: Samsonite
- Best Hardside Luggage: Monos
- Best Softside Luggage: Briggs & Riley
- Best Luggage For Business Travel: Carl Friedrik
- Best Investment Luggage For Frequent Flyers: Rimowa
- Best Luggage For New Travelers: Away
- Best Carry-On Luggage: Travelpro
- Best Checked Luggage: SwissGear
- Best Value Luggage: American Tourister
- Best Underseat Luggage: Calpak
- Best Luggage Set: July
- Best Weekender Bag: Béis
Editor’s Pick
Samsonite
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
Samsonite specializes in luggage that’s both durable and innovative, at prices that won’t blow your travel budget. The brand’s hardside and softside suitcases feature crisp wheels for smooth toting and comfortable handles that easily pull out and retract. Most designs also feature interior pockets and dividers for organization, including the softside Bartlett Carry-On Spinner and Detour Wheeled Duffel.
Samsonite’s Freeform Spinner, a favorite of Forbes Vetted’s senior deals editor Kara Cuzzone, is an excellent place to start if you’re thinking of revamping your luggage setup. Featured as the top pick on our list of the Best Carry-On Luggage, the affordably priced hardside suitcase has a TSA-approved lock, a built-in ID tag and a modern palette of color options to pick from.
Thanks to its unbreakable polycarbonate shell, you won’t have to worry about scuffing the beautiful design when you tote Monos’ great selection of suitcases to your final destination. Forbes Vetted updates writer Francesca Sales recommends the Carry-On Pro, which is featured as the top pick on our list of the Best Hardside Luggage. It features TSA-approved locks, quiet wheels, vegan leather accents and a built-in front compartment for easy access to your essentials. The Carry-On Pro is outfitted with room for a 15-inch laptop, and yet it still fits in the overhead bin of almost any flight in the world. For longer trips, the Check-In Medium offers more space without feeling too bulky.
While many luggage brands offer suitcases in familiar muted colors, we appreciate Monos’ commitment to keeping things fresh with fun hues like Banana Pudding, Purple Icing and Terracotta.
Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley Essential 22-inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner
A top pick in our Best Carry-On Luggage story, Briggs & Riley is known for its durability, reliability and excellent warranties on luggage. If you’re looking for a classic softshell bag, this brand has consistently been named a favorite of flight attendants, pilots and traveling professionals. With a spring-loaded handle, flat interior and built-in compartment configuration, every feature of a Briggs & Riley suitcase is carefully thought out to make its use as seamless as possible.
While its Essential 22-inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner is definitely an investment piece, its compressive technology, built-in garment folder and shock-absorbent wheels warrant the luxury price tag. Further, its lifetime guarantee, which covers all repairs for free, means this could be the last piece of luggage you ever purchase.
Carl Friedrik
Carl Friedrik The Carry-On
For those who frequently travel for work, it’s imperative to have a suitcase that is professional-looking enough to hop off the plane and into a board meeting. Carl Friedrik’s classic designs—including the highly rated Carry-On—features smooth-rolling wheels, luxe leather trimming and a textured exterior that makes scuffs hard to spot. The suitcases also come with a password-protected TSA lock and multiple interior zipped pockets for your laptop and documents. If you need more room, the Check-In and Check-In Large are both great options. The brand also offers sets of two suitcases if you’re looking for both carry-on and checked luggage.
Rimowa
Rimowa Original Cabin Aluminum Spinner
Designed in Germany, each one of Rimowa’s timeless designs are a calling card in the world of modern luggage brands. Durable and lightweight, the brand is known globally for craftsmanship and innovation, and its classic Original Cabin design is instantly recognizable in any airport. The stunning details, like the high-end anodized aluminum exterior, never go out of style.
Those looking for something lighter (and easier on the wallet) should check out the Essential Lite Cabin, which features a polycarbonate shell and T-bar telescopic handle. Not to mention, this design claims the top spot on our list of the Best Lightweight Luggage. Yes, this brand is an investment, but the included manufacturer’s lifetime guarantee covers any damage to your suitcase, meaning it’s luggage you’ll keep for life.
Away
Away The Bigger Carry-On
Away’s polycarbonate shell suitcases are some of the most accessible bags on the market. They’re lightweight, easy to use and come in a wide variety of fun colors while also being relatively well-priced. For the traveler who is just beginning to expand their travel arsenal, we recommend starting with the brand’s Bigger Carry-On, which is sized correctly for airport overhead bins but offers that much-needed bit of extra space. The bag comes with great features like quiet, easy-to-use wheels, an underside grab handle, a TSA-approved lock and even a laundry bag for storing dirty clothes while on the road.
If you need just a little more room, we recommend upgrading to the Carry-On Flex, which unzips to create an extra 2.25 inches of space. Away also gives you the option to add personalized monogramming, which can come in handy to identify your luggage on the carousel.
Amazon
SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller
For those who have too many belongings to squeeze into a carry-on, SwissGear is a great choice for checked luggage that is durable and reliable. We love the Sion Softside Expandable Roller, which is featured as our top softside pick on our Best Checked Luggage list. With two exterior zippers, it’s perfect for organization, and its interior features an adjustable tie-down along with three zippered compartments.
Swiss Gear’s luggage offerings are durable and scuff-proof, meaning you won’t have to worry about its exteriors being damaged when you pass your precious belongings over to the strangers handling your suitcase. Plus, many of the brand’s suitcases—including the sleek Energie Hardside Checked Medium—offer an expandable feature that helps make your bag even larger, so none of those souvenirs will get left behind.
Good Value
Amazon
American Tourister 4 Kix 2.0 Softside Expandable Luggage
American Tourister makes solid luggage pieces at reasonable prices, and its Kix 2.0 softside suitcase is no exception. The 20-inch version of the spinner is the perfect size for a trip under one week and is also carry-on compliant so you won’t have to check it at the airport. American Tourister’s luggage offerings are constructed with smooth wheels, trolley grips that adjust to your size and large zipper pulls that won’t rip if you grab them in a rush. For those who prefer hardside luggage, we recommend the expandable (and wallet-friendly) Moonlight Carry-On.
Calpak
Calpak Ambeur Mini Carry-On
For underseat luggage that’s easy to tow along and slides under the airplane seat in front of you, it’s hard to top Calpak’s mini offerings. With 31 liters of space, the Ambeur Mini Carry-On is roomy enough to squeeze in a pair of shoes along with an outfit for an overnight trip while also being lightweight and super compact.
In addition to this space-saving design, Calpak makes a variety of suitcases featuring its signature poppy color scheme; its three-piece Ambeur set is a great way to stock up on pieces without breaking the bank. Plus, the brand’s sparkly metallic shell will ensure that it stands out in any airport carousel if you ever need to check it. We also recommend the matte Hue collection—the Mini Carry-On design is the top hardshell pick on our list of the Best Underseat Luggage.
July
July Classic Family Luggage Set
Investing in a solid luggage set simplifies your shopping list and can save you money, given that many luggage bundles clock in at a lower price than buying each suitcase individually. Stylish and durable, Australian brand July’s Classic Family Set is the top pick on our Best Luggage Sets round-up and an excellent pick if you’re looking for a core collection.
This trio of the brand’s Carry-On, Checked and Checked Plus bags will have you ready to go for any type of trip, from a weekend getaway to a medium-length vacation to serious long-haul travel. They’re built for ease of use, too, equipped with smooth-rolling wheels, retractable handles, dirty laundry bags and TSA locks. Use all three bags for yourself or share with your family or partner.
A weekender bag is essential to have for those quick getaways that don’t warrant bringing anything bulky. Béis has nailed the art of the chic and sophisticated travel bag with The Weekender, which we chose as our best overall pick on our roundup of weekender bags. It features a trusted zip top and full bottom compartment, so you can separate your shoes and toiletries from your clothes. Béis’ neutral color palette makes its over-the-shoulder offerings perfect for just about any type of trip, from beach to business. The brand also offers sleek, streamlined hardside options, including the highly rated Carry-On Roller.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of luggage stories, covering the best suitcases, backpacks and duffel bags on the market.
- This story was written by Vetted’s senior travel editor, Astrid Taran, a 7-year industry veteran who’s visited over 35 countries and traveled with all types of bags, totes and suitcases on planes, trains, buses and boats.
- Multiple picks on this list are backed by Forbes Vetted editors and staffers, including senior deals editor Kara Cuzzone, senior updates editor Karen Tietjen and updates writer Francesca Sales.
- This story is regularly checked to ensure that all prices and information are as current as possible. During its latest January 2024 update, travel writer Claire Epting re-evaluated all selections and moved our most popular picks to the top of the list.
How We Chose The Best Luggage
- We relied on expert advice, independent reviews, research and personal experience to make all of our recommendations. This includes Forbes Vetted editors and staffers (featured above) to give personal recommendations on suitcases they’ve traveled with and used.
- We took into consideration the factors that separate one piece of luggage from the next. This includes not only common variables such as size, weight, build quality and features, but also how you intend to use the luggage and what you’ll be carrying.
- We’ve taken the time to compare luggage options, examining their features to determine which pieces are well-suited for travel, and which ones you can do without.
What to Consider When Buying Luggage
The best luggage for you depends on your trip and travel style. Here are some things to consider when you’re researching.
Size
The size of the luggage you buy needs to be compliant with airline rules, so if you’re looking for an investment piece, check out the guidelines of whichever airline you usually fly. If it varies, it may be smarter to go with a smaller option that’s likely to work across the board. Some airlines have different size rules for domestic versus international flights, so make sure to research them before you purchase. A carry-on suitcase is ideal for trips that last a couple of days to a week, while a checked suitcase can carry enough clothes to last for several weeks.
Extra Features
Many suitcases are designed with added features that make traveling more convenient. For extra security, look for a carry-on with a built-in TSA-approved lock. These are usually combination locks that TSA agents can open with a master key so they don’t have to damage your luggage if it must be inspected. If you have the tendency to overpack, find a piece with an expandable zippered panel for extra room—these suitcases can also be helpful if you plan on bringing souvenirs home.
Color
While a bright color will make your bag stand out at the airport carousel, keep in mind that lighter shades are more likely to show scuffs and spots. If black feels too generic, opt for another dark shade—the Away Carry-On comes in several deep hues. That said, sleek all-black styles like the Samsonite Freeform in Blackout can still stand out from a crowd.
Which Suitcase Brand Is Best?
The luggage landscape, for lack of better phrasing, has drastically evolved in recent years. As a result, we find ourselves with more brands to choose from than ever before, which makes it all the more difficult when the time comes to invest in new luggage. With that in mind, some of the best suitcase brands include classic labels like Samsonite and Travelpro, as well as newcomers like Monos and Away. Choose from these brands, and others in our roundup, to discover luggage that’s durable, capable and stylish.
What’s Better: Softside Or Hardside Luggage?
While luggage carousels around the world are still overflowing with softside luggage, hardside luggage has quickly been gaining popularity. When deciding which type of bag you need, consider what you’re carrying and where you’re going. Soft-sided bags are great because they flex and compress, making them a suitable option for the overhead bin or the storage space on a bus, though the material wears over time and might rip. Hardside luggage, on the other hand, protects fragile contents that could break or become damaged in transit, but the material could scratch or scuff easily. What’s right for you is simply a matter of personal preference.
