Top-tested suitcases for every type of traveler.
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Regardless of how frequently you travel, having a good suitcase is essential to making your trip as smooth as possible. It should be spacious enough to hold everything you need, lightweight and compact enough to ensure it's easy to carry and durable to hold up to the wear and tear of traveling. In recent years, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textiles Lab have tested over 80 luggage brands to find the best suitcases of 2023.
We put each case through its paces in the Lab by evaluating factors like abrasion and scratch resistance, water resistance, weight and size, ease of use and durability. We also pack each bag with a standard load to compare compartments and see how much it can hold. Then we bring in consumer testers to use the luggage on an obstacle course and give feedback on aspects like handle comfort, wheel performance and maneuverability.
At the end of this article, you'll find more information about how we test luggage and helpful tips to consider as you shop. But first, here's everything you need to know about our top-tested luggage brands.
Best Carry-On Luggage | Best Checked Luggage | Best Hardside Luggage | Best Duffel Bags | Best Underseat Luggage | Best Luggage on Amazon | Best Kids' Luggage | Best Smart Luggage | Best Travel Backpacks | Best Packing Cubes | Best Luggage Trackers | Best Travel Gear
Samsonite earns our top spot for the best luggage brand because it has a wide assortment for every preference — from business travelers to vacationers — and has continuously proven to be high quality as we've tested it over the years. In particular, it stands out for its durability and ease-of-use features: There's been no struggling to open and close the cases, and packing them has been a breeze thanks to the functional compartments that maximize space. It's certainly not inexpensive, but as direct-to-consumer luggage brand prices have skyrocketed, Samsonite's have remained fairly consistent.
Both hardside and softside styles from the brand have excelled in our tests. We've also been impressed by each of the sizes, including carry-ons, checked bags and underseat luggage. Some of our favorite models (pictured here) include the Solyte DLX softside carry-on, the Freeform hardside carry-on and the Stryde Glyder checked bag, which makes the case wide instead of long so it's less likely to tip over.
If you're on a budget or you don’t use luggage regularly — i.e., it doesn’t need to be the most durable and you don’t need all the bells and whistles — American Tourister offers competitive pricing and an excellent variety to choose from. There are lots of options if you prefer bright colors and fun prints, plus there are cases for the entire family, including a Disney collection. Ideal especially for vacationers, the models are fun and functional between the designs and versatile offerings.
Just note that while luxury hardside cases are usually made of polycarbonate, American Tourister typically uses ABS plastic, which is more affordable but more prone to scratches. Still, it gets high ratings from online reviewers who note that the bags are surprisingly spacious. Another perk: The brand offers luggage sets for an even better value, especially if you need to purchase multiple pieces.
Away is one of the most popular luggage brands on the market, and our testing shows it's actually worth the price. Though the brand has a wide range of offerings, we especially love the hardside carry-on. It's made of 100% polycarbonate that proved to be durable and lightweight in our evaluations — even lighter than some fabric bags we’ve tested. It was also surprisingly spacious and held a full packing load in our review. The company offers a 100-day return policy on unused items; it also offers a lifetime limited warranty on its suitcases that covers any "functional damage."
Besides the main Carry-On model, it comes in variations like a Bigger Carry-On (which the brand says can hold 20% more), a Carry-On Flex (which has an expandable zipper) and a Carry-On with Pocket (which gives you an outside compartment).
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: We Tested Away's Most Popular Carry-On to See If It's Worth the Hype
This luxury brand is on the pricey side but has timeless designs — from hardside to tweed fabric — that never go out of style. In fact, the brand’s marketing and aesthetics are focused heavily on its heritage. It has been a top performer in our tests thanks to its spacious interior that's easy to pack and its wheels and handles that make it smooth and comfortable to maneuver.
One of our top-tested Hartmann models is the Vigor, which comes in three sizes. It earned high scores across the board — especially standing out for being scratch-resistant, lightweight and spacious — and outperformed even pricier styles, so you know you’re getting a good bang for your buck.
Style is certainly important when it comes to luggage — it's an accessory, after all — but you don't want to sacrifice quality and functionality. Calpak's cases are both well-made and have unique designs. Though its assortment is tailored with fewer models than some of the big brands, Calpak still has a wide range of materials to choose from, including sleek hardside polycarbonate, printed ABS/polycarbonate blends and ripstop polyester.
Calpak's Ambeur carry-on was one of our testers' favorites in a recent review, with users especially loving the easy-to-use telescopic handle. We also found it to be easy to pack and loved its metallic color. Though it wasn't as scratch-resistant as some others we tested (which is expected for ABS composites), it still withstood dents and damage from our durability drop test.
It’s hard to find good luggage for under $100, but Amazon’s luggage does not disappoint. There are softside and hardside styles to choose from, plus garment bags, duffels and more. Amazon also boasts extensive testing to make sure it’ll hold up, and though it might not be the absolute best quality out there, the price can’t be beat.
We most recently reviewed the hardside spinner carry-on, which our analysts found to be exceptionally easy to pack, though the ABS material wasn't as scratch-resistant as other models in our tests. Still, testers liked the maneuverability and wheel performance. This case comes in three sizes and can also be purchased as a two- or three-piece set.
SHOP AT L.L.BEAN
If you’re going away for weeks or just have lots to pack, L.L.Bean’s duffels are roomy enough to stuff in everything you need. There are options with or without wheels and lots of sizes to choose from (the extra-large bag is incredibly durable and one of our go-to picks for vacations with kids).
The flexible shape of the duffel also allows it to store easily under your bed, so it’s perfect for college students or anyone tight on storage space. It’s also made of sturdy, water-resistant nylon fabric that's made to last no matter where your travels take you — in fact, one of our pros says it's lasted for years without signs of wear.
Briggs & Riley bags are pricey — a carry-on can cost over $600 — but they come with a lifetime guarantee that will cover all repairs if the luggage ever gets broken or damaged. They also come with innovative features, such as the brand's signature compression packing system. Bags that have this feature expand to let you pack and then compress down after they're filled. In fact, one of our testers said she packed a week's worth of summer clothes for two people into a compact carry-on, and it easily fit into an airline's overhead bin.
The suitcases also use top-notch construction and timeless designs in a range of styles, including hardside, softside, carry-ons and checked bags. The Baseline Global Carry-On Spinner was named a winner in Good Housekeeping's 2023 Family Travel Awards after travel testers gave it perfect scores across the board. Its nylon fabric aced our Lab's abrasion tests.
Whether you’re backpacking internationally or exploring a national park, Eagle Creek gives you both the convenience and durability you need in a bag. Some have various compartments so you can stay organized (or store shoes and dirty laundry separately), and some bags have backpack straps if you need to be hands-free.
We especially love the Cargo Hauler Duffel for shorter trips: It’s affordable, spacious, lightweight and folds up into a small pouch for easy storage. For longer getaways, the Migrate Wheeled Duffel is larger and has two wheels with a telescopic handle. It also opens wide so you can easily access the contents.
This company was founded by a pilot, and it makes luggage specifically for airline personnel who travel for a living. Still, it's just as functional for business and leisure travelers. The brand primarily sells softside luggage, though it does have some hardside options available. There’s excellent attention to detail that makes frequent flying easier, like cushioning around the handles for comfort, self-aligning wheels that let you roll the luggage in any direction and abrasion-resistant nylon fabric.
The Platinum Elite softside luggage, in particular, stood out in our Lab tests. Not only was it super durable, but it was also spacious enough to hold our entire load with room to spare. The downside was that it was heavier than others, but it's a fair trade-off for the top-of-the-line features.
Hardside cases made of 100% polycarbonate can cost several hundred dollars, but this Target-exclusive brand offers top-performing polycarbonate suitcases at a lower cost than its competitors. The carry-on size is just $170 and was lightweight and spacious in our review with lots of compartments to stay organized. This smart luggage even comes with a detachable laundry bag and a USB port in case you want to add a battery to charge on the go. The checked size is $210, and both sizes come in a variety of metallic colors.
Testers also loved using these suitcases, giving them high scores for being easy to maneuver. The one downside they noted was that the telescopic handle didn't feel as comfortable as others, but it still beat dozens of models in our performance tests.
Rimowa has always been at the cutting edge of luggage materials and made the first polycarbonate suitcase in 2000. It only makes hardside luggage but has several different collections ranging from the Essential Lite, which is the lightest and least expensive, to the Original, which is made of durable aluminum and has clever packing compartments.
The brand is expensive — the cheapest case is over $600! — but its polycarbonate spinner was among the best in our test based on its weight, packing space, durability and maneuverability. Make sure to check the handles on the case before you buy to ensure it suits your needs. Some of the most lightweight options have a T-shaped handle, which isn't as comfortable to pull for long periods.
Monos says its design philosophy is "less is more," — meaning the bags are made to be simple and timeless to avoid passing trends, and high quality so they can stand the test of time. Most of its hardside bags are entirely polycarbonate, though some combine polycarbonate and aluminum for increased durability. They also have useful packing features like wide compression straps to help you fit more in the case.
The Check-In Large was a winner of GH's 2023 Family Travel Awards thanks to its super spacious interior and maneuverability. Testers said it was easy to roll and they loved the sleek appearance. It's also worth noting that the brand has a 100-day return period so you can get a refund if it's not a good fit.
This brand increases the fun factor and makes it easier to spot your luggage in a sea of solid colors. There are adorable animal sets for kids' luggage, animal prints for adults and more. There are also options for licensed teams and art, making your suitcase a fun yet functional accessory.
When it comes to materials, most Heys suitcases are hardside and made of polycarbonate and ABS composite. This means it's mostly ABS plastic but has a polycarbonate coating on the outside for added protection. The brand wasn't the most durable in our tests, it but earned high ease of use scores.
Our luggage evaluations are conducted in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab and combine proprietary test methods using specialized equipment with an obstacle course for consumer testers to navigate. Each piece of luggage is reviewed for the following factors:
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she researches, tests and reports on fabric-based products ranging from sheets, mattresses and towels to bras, fitness apparel and other clothing. She also evaluates luggage, rain gear, disposable paper goods and baby products. Lexie has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Prior to joining GH in 2013, she worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
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