Mallika Dureja
Best Overall Luggage: Samsonite
SAMSONITESamsonite is our pick for best luggage brand because they offer a great variety of options for both business and leisure travelers, and its quality has been consistently reliable throughout our testing. Its longevity and user-friendliness are particularly noteworthy. Easy opening and closing, as well as efficient packing, have been made possible by the cases’ well-designed divisions. It’s not cheap, but although the prices of other popular baggage brands have increased in recent years, those of Samsonite have stayed relatively stable.
Best Value Luggage: American Tourister
American Tourister has great prices and a wide selection if you’re shopping on a budget or don’t require a particularly robust piece of luggage (i.e., you don’t need the extra features). There is a wide selection of colorful and printed cases available, as well as cases for the whole family (including a Disney line). The models, because to their stylish looks and flexible features, are great for everybody, but tourists in particular.
Keep in mind that American Tourister commonly employs ABS plastic, which is less expensive but more prone to scratches than polycarbonate, the material used in luxury hardside cases. Online reviews give it a great score anyway because they love how roomy the bags are. The brand also produces luggage sets that can save you money if you need to buy more than one piece.
Our research and testing confirm that Away is one of the best luggage brands available today. Although the company sells a wide variety of products, our favorite is the hardside carry-on. Our testing showed that despite its durability, it was lighter than some fabric bags we’ve examined; this is because it’s built entirely of polycarbonate. In addition to being pleasantly roomy, it also had enough of room for all of our belongings. You have 100 days from the date of delivery to return it for a full refund if you are unhappy for any reason.
Best Luggage for Frequent Flyers: Hartmann
This high-end label may be on the pricier side, but its classic styles never go out of fashion, whether they’re made of hardside or tweed. The brand’s marketing and design are greatly influenced by its history. Thanks to its roomy cabin, which makes packing a breeze, and its smooth wheels and handles, it has performed quite well in our tests.
The Vigor, available in three sizes, is one of the Hartmann models we’ve found to be the most reliable. It exceeded even more expensive models in terms of scratch resistance, weight, and volume, so you can rest assured that you are getting your money’s worth.
Best Fashion Luggage: Calpak
Even while baggage is an ornament and should complement your personal style, you shouldn’t skimp on quality or practicality. You won’t find any other cases like Calpak’s.Though Calpak’s selection is more limited than that of some of the major brands, it nevertheless offers a wide variety of materials, such as elegant hardside polycarbonate, printed ABS/polycarbonate mixes, and ripstop polyester.
The Ambeur carry-on from Calpak scored highly in a recent review, and its telescoping handle was singled out as a standout feature. We really appreciated how lightweight it was and how good it looked in metallic. Our durability drop test revealed that it was dented and scratched, but otherwise held up well. This is to be expected of ABS composites.
Best Under Luggage: Amazon Basics
The hardside spinner carry-on was easy to pack, however the ABS material was scratch-prone. Testers enjoyed maneuverability and wheel performance. This case comes in three sizes and two- or three-piece sets.
You can fit all of your belongings inside one of L.L.Bean’s duffels, even if you’re going on a multi-week trip. Wheeled and non-wheeled models are available, as are a wide range of sizes (the extra-large bag is exceptionally sturdy and one of our top selections for family holidays).
The duffel’s adaptable design makes it ideal for college students and other people who are short on closet space because it can be stowed away under a bed. One of our experts claims they’ve had theirs for years with no signs of wear, and it’s because of the durable, water-resistant nylon fabric it’s constructed from.
