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The best luggage

A side by side image of three pieces of luggage: an Aer carry on with packing cubes, a dagne dover weekender, and a antler checked bag.
After years of testing, these are our favorite luggage brands, from carry-ons to weekenders. Tyler Hayes/Business Insider; Talia Ergas/Business Insider; Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
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From carry-on suitcases and checked bags to weekenders and packing cubes, the best luggage is easy to pack and makes traveling a breeze. Our travel editors and writers have logged thousands of miles testing suitcases, carry-ons and other travel bags on long-haul flights, road trips, and weekend stays. Over the years, we've gathered a few favorite brands.

Below, we've picked the best luggage brands for every traveler and every budget.

A quick look at our favorite luggage brands

  • Travelpro consistently excels during testing, with organizational features and smooth hardware at a surprisingly affordable price. It's our go-to destination for excellent soft-side luggage.
  • Antler is a recent addition to our list, specializing in lightweight hard-shell luggage covered by an impressive lifetime warranty.
  • Samsonite has a bag for just about everyone, from budget-friendly luggage sets to luxury hard-shell suitcases with innovative designs.
  • We recently tested Quince luggage and believe it's a worthy rival to buzzy brands like Monos and Away at a fraction of the price.
  • Briggs & Riley bags are an investment, but we think the premium features like innovative expansion and reinforced corners make them worth it.

Travelpro

side profile of the travelpro platinum elite carry on bag
Les Shu/Business Insider

Shop all luggage at Travelpro.

Best for: Soft-side luggage

Travelpro is beloved by flight crews and frequent fliers alike, with precise attention to detail. From the whisper-quiet spinner wheels to useful organizational features, its luggage is crafted for serious travelers. Despite the attention to detail and quality design, Travelpro luggage is surprisingly affordable. It's no surprise the brand makes our favorite carry-on

In addition to rolling luggage, Travelpro has options for under-seat bags (rolling and not), toiletry bags, backpacks, foldable duffels, garment bags (which often come included with a carry-on), luggage tags, laptop bags, and more.

Read our full Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On review for more.

Our editors' picks:

Quince

Left: The author on a city crosswalk pulling a Quince suitcase. Right: A green Quince suitcase on a hardwood floor.
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider

Shop all luggage at Quince.

Best for: Affordable dupes of trendy luggage

Is there anything Quince hasn't duped yet? We've tried close to a hundred products for our style and home Quince reviews and found that the retailer offers high-quality alternatives for popular luxury brands and designs. One area where it really shines is in luggage and bags.

Its carry-on suitcase is a near-exact replica of Away's bags, but at a fraction of the cost. After testing it, we loved it so much that we named it the best budget pick in our best carry-on bag guide. Other favorites include the All-Day Neoprene Backpack, which is a near dupe for a Dagne Dover bag.

Read our full Quince luggage review.     

Our editors' picks:

Briggs & Riley

a briggs & riley suitcase by the side of the road
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider

Shop all luggage at Briggs & Riley.

Best for: Luxury soft-side luggage

We named Briggs & Riley our top pick for the best high-end soft-side carry-on. I particularly like the super-smart interior features that truly elevate these suitcases, from a special CX compression-expansion system that increases packing capacity by 25%, to making sure the adjustable handle is entirely on the outside of the bag so no packing room is lost to the poles. These suitcases are certainly investment pieces, but they're built to last and also come with a lifetime warranty.

While I find the soft-side bags to be some of Briggs & Riley's best options, there are also some nice hard-shell carry-ons and checked bags for those who prefer to go that route. In addition to roller bags, Briggs & Riley also makes backpacks, duffels, weekenders, laptop bags, and travel accessories of all types, including packing cubes, bag ID tags, laundry bags, and more.

Our editors' picks:

Monos

a monos suitcase sitting on a carpet partially open
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider

Shop all luggage at Monos.

Best for: Hard-shell luggage with front pockets

Monos makes one of the best suitcases on the market with a hard front pocket that gives you an easy place to safely store laptops and extras. Monos suitcases are durable, come in an array of colors, and are well-priced. Plus, all of the luggage comes with a 100-day trial period and a limited lifetime warranty. The brand also makes some of our favorite durable packing cubes.

Read our full Monos luggage review.

Our editors' picks:

Away

a hand holding a brick red Away Carry On
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider

Shop all luggage at Away.

Best for: Colorful hard-shell luggage

Away has multiple options for roller luggage, including hard-shell, expandable, and aluminum. Bags are available in both neutral hues and bright, eye-catching colors. Its luggage has more than just looks, though — we like the thoughtful extras like in-bag compression, built-in TSA-approved locks, and a removable washable lining. 

In addition to roller bags, the brand also offers a range of other bags and travel accessories, including backpacks, duffels, pet carriers, totes, packing cubes, and more. I've personally owned Away luggage for years and can attest to its durability and practicality. 

Read our full Away luggage review and Away Carry-On review for more.

Our editors' picks:

Samsonite

A side by side of the Samsonite Paralux. The front door is open on the left, while the entire bag is open on the right.
Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider

Shop all luggage at Samsonite.

Best for: Luggage sets

When it comes to value, Samsonite makes excellent luggage at some of the best prices, which is why we named it our top hard-shell pick for the best carry-on. Samsonite offers numerous options for roller bags, including both hard-shell and soft-side carry-ons and checked luggage, wheeled under-seat bags, and even roller duffels. Two of its bags earned a spot in our best checked luggage guide, and it also sells several two- and three-piece sets if you want to pair small, medium, and large roller bags together.

In addition to traditional roller luggage, Samsonite also offers classic backpacks, wheeled backpacks, duffels, briefcases, wallets, dop kits, and more. There are even some cool wheeled garment bags that can fit under your seat and will fit far more than your typical folding or hanging garment bag. I've owned a Samsonite bag for over three years now and it's held up incredibly well.

Our editors' picks:

Béis

side by side showing a woman carrying a beis suitcase next to the suitcase fully packed
Rebecca Shinners/Business Insider

Shop all luggage at Béis.

Best for: Trendy hard-shell luggage with extra space

Béis is currently social media's favorite luggage, but there's more to this brand than influencer hype. We tested the bags and found they're actually really well designed, with several unique features we haven't seen before.

The Béis Carry-On Roller stands out for its whopping 61 liters of packing space, built-in weight indicator in the handle, tons of interior storage, and even a bag strap for carrying personal items that don't have a trolley sleeve. It recently replaced Away as our best carry-on for extra space.

The brand is reasonably priced — cheaper than Away, but more expensive than Samsonite — and the bags come in an array of striking colors that are sure to make a statement cruising through the airport.

Read our full Béis luggage review.

Worth a look:

Antler

A side by side image of an Antler suitcase standing in the snow and the open bag fully packed.
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider

Shop all luggage at Antler.

Best for: Lightweight luggage

UK-based luggage brand Antler is perhaps best known for its line of incredibly lightweight suitcases. We tested the Icon Stripe for consideration in our best checked luggage guide, and we were thoroughly impressed with its packing space, durable exterior, and ease of handling.

In addition to rolling luggage, Antler also sells weekenders, travel backpacks, under-seat bags, and accessories like packing cubes and luggage tags.

Delsey

a woman sitting on a pile of Delsey luggage
Delsey

Shop all luggage at Delsey.

Best for: Leather-trimmed luggage

If you like the look of classic luggage featuring leather trim, you may want to consider Delsey's Chatelet line of hard-shell luggage. Delsey has numerous options for roller bags for domestic and international travel in both hard-shell and soft-side variations (though more hard-shell), as well as several luggage sets. It even has collaboration collections with brands like Florence by Mills and Jeep.  

Our editors' picks:

American Tourister

Light blue American Tourister Lifestyle Image in a pale blue bedroom.
American Tourister

Shop all luggage at American Tourister.

Best for: Budget-friendly luggage

Several of American Tourister's carry-ons start under $100, and while they may not last you a lifetime, they certainly won't break down anytime soon either. The hard-shell bags are made from a sturdy ABS material, and the spinner wheels easily roll on most surfaces. While these suitcases don't come with tons of extras (be aware that some don't come with built-in TSA locks), the interiors are still thoughtfully designed for easy packing. 

American Tourister has numerous roller bag options in varying sizes, including both hard-shell and soft-side suitcases. There is also a line of Disney and Star Wars luggage that kids especially might love.

Our editors' picks:

Tumi

Tumi gray and brown luggage on a pier.
Tumi

Shop all luggage at Tumi.

Best for: Minimalist luxury luggage

Tumi luggage pieces are an investment. But they're a worthy one since these suitcases will likely last you years, if not decades. With numerous options of all sizes for both hard-shell and soft-side suitcases, Tumi has bags to suit just about all tastes. 

Its well-thought-out suitcases include premium spinner wheels, heavy-duty zippers, scratch- and tear-resistant exteriors, and well-designed interiors that help travelers maximize every last inch of space. In addition to roller luggage, Tumi is also well known for its premium totes and briefcases, and also makes travel wallets, backpacks, duffels, care kits, travel umbrellas, and more. 

Our editors' picks:

July

A person's hand, wearing a ring and bracelet, points to the TSA lock on a brown hard-shell suitcase with a black luggage tag reading "July Airlines."
July

Shop all luggage at July.

Best for: Trackable luggage

July is one of the more unique luggage brands out there — it's one of the few that still offers its carry-ons with a removable battery, and it recently released a line of bags with built-in tracking. We've found the luggage a little less durable and roomy than other bags we've tried, but it's worth a look if you're after premium features not found in any other suitcase.

The brand also makes several thoughtfully designed travel accessories, including one of the best toiletry bags we've tested.

Read our full July luggage review.

Our editors' picks:

Carl Friedrik

three suitcases on a wood credenza
Carl Friedrik

Shop all luggage at Carl Friedrik.

Best for: Luxury hard-shell luggage

Initially started as a leather goods business, Carl Friedrik is perhaps best known today for its high-quality, sleek-looking luggage. The brand was founded in London by two Swedish brothers and its bags reflect sleek European design principles and a commitment to quality high-quality materials. The suitcases are beautiful and feel luxe, like something you'd see hanging out in business class or being loaded onto a private jet. They've even been spotted on an episode of HBO's TV show Succession, if that gives you any indication of the "quiet luxury" you can expect from the brand.

I particularly love Carl Friedrik's trunk, which is one of the best that I've tested. It not only looks beautiful, but has some really thoughtful design features like fold-up dividers for easier packing and two integrated locks.

Our editors' picks:

Rimowa

A silver RIMOWA suitcase next to other orange and green suitcases.
Sunny Chanel/Business Insider

Shop all luggage at Rimowa.

Best for: Luxury aluminum luggage

When it comes to high-end luggage, Rimowa is a consistent standout that uses premium materials to create long-lasting and recognizable pieces. Its ribbed aluminum luggage, which comes in every color from simple silver to a cherry red, is particularly popular — though it will cost you upwards of $1,000. However, thanks to heavy-duty construction that still manages to be lightweight, the rollers might be worth it if budget isn't an issue for you.

For a slightly more cost-effective (though still pricey) option, I particularly love the Essential Lite collection, which I named the best high-end hard-shell carry-on thanks to the fact that it's incredibly durable but weighs less than five pounds. Unfortunately, if you're a fan of soft-side suitcases, Rimowa is not the brand for you, and there aren't as many accessories available as some other brands. 

Read our full Rimowa Essential Lite carry-on review.

Worth a look:

Our top picks compared

BrandBest forPrice tierWhat we like
TravelproSoft-side luggage$$Smart organizational features and smooth hardware
QuinceAffordable dupes of trendy luggage$Same look and features as much more expensive bags
Briggs & RileyLuxury soft-side luggage$$$$Premium construction and quality
MonosHard-shell luggage with front pockets$$Handy front pockets on rolling luggage
AwayColorful hard-shell luggage$$Quality, colorful luggage
SamsoniteLuggage sets$-$$$Options for every price point
BéisTrendy hard-shell luggage with extra space$$Spacious interiors
AntlerLightweight luggage$$Lightweight designs
DelseyLeather-trimmed luggage$$$Gorgeous, luxurious look
American TouristerBudget-friendly luggage$Affordable individual pieces and sets
TumiMinimalist luxury luggage$$$$Sleek designs
JulyTrackable luggage$$Tracking capabilities and built-in batteries
Carl FriedrikLuxury hard-shell luggage$$$$Luxurious design and features
RimowaLuxury aluminum luggage$$$$Celeb-approved

Luggage FAQs

Is hard-shell or soft-side luggage better?

There are pros and cons to each. In general, hard-shell luggage offers more protection for your belongings than soft-side luggage, but the bags themselves are more prone to wear and tear.

For checked bags, your best bet is hard-shell luggage since it can withstand tough handling and having other items stacked on top. Soft-side luggage may be a good option if you want more flexibility since fabric-made suitcases have a lot more give. Soft-side pieces are a good option for carry-ons because they can flex and compress to fit into tight overhead bins.  


What size luggage should I buy?

We think it's best to start with a carry-on size, since it offers the most flexibility, whether you want to keep it in the cabin or check it. Most US airlines cap carry-on size at 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches high, including handles and wheels.

When it comes to buying a checked bag, you'll want something between 25 and 29 inches long. Airlines typically charge a fixed fee for checked bags up to a certain weight, so it may be tempting to think a bigger suitcase is always better. However, bigger pieces of luggage come with more weight of their own, don't protect your items well when they're underpacked, and encourage overpacking, which can lead to higher baggage fees (or the dreaded airport floor repacking). 

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.

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Lauren Savoie
Lauren Savoie was deputy executive editor of Insider Reviews and chair of Business Insider's editorial standards board. Lauren led the home, kitchen, pets, and travel teams and was deeply involved in all editorial decision-making, with a particular focus on strategic content planning, career growth of reporters and editors, and strong journalistic standards for the Reviews team. In 2022, Lauren attended The Poynter Institute's Leadership Academy for Women in Media, a prestigious program that recognizes leaders in the journalism industry.Lauren joined the Business Insider team in 2020, first as kitchen editor and soon after as senior home & kitchen editor, where she pioneered original testing methodologies for buying guides and built a diverse team of freelancers and reporters with deep expertise in product testing. You can see some of her work in our guides to the best flower delivery services, the best pillows, and the best plus-size clothingBefore her time at Business Insider, Lauren was the senior reviews editor at America's Test Kitchen, where she wrote and edited more than 300 in-depth, unbiased buying guides and reviewed more than 1,000 kitchen products. Her work has appeared in Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country magazines, in dozens of cookbooks, on two Emmy-nominated TV shows, and on CNN.com, Fodor's, Yahoo, LifeHacker, the Splendid Table, and more.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Business Insider.
Hannah is the former associate travel editor for Insider Reviews. She's been to over 50 countries on five continents and is always on the hunt for the best hotels, food spots, and off-the-beaten-path finds.   Before joining the Insider team, Hannah oversaw all digital content and edited print features for Family Traveller magazine. Under her guidance, the Family Traveller website won multiple awards, including in the Best Online Travel Magazine category, from the North American Travel Journalists Association. She also previously worked at Oprah.com and has written for outlets including Vanity Fair, Travel + Leisure, Thrillist, Brides, Here Magazine, Greatist, and more. She holds a master's in Publishing and Digital Media from NYU. An avid traveler, you can follow along on Hannah's adventures on her Instagram @hfreed11 Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.