7 Best Luggage Brands

Briggs & Riley bags are expensive—a carry-on can cost over $600—but they come with a lifetime guarantee that pays for all fixes if the luggage ever breaks or gets damaged.They also have new features, like a compression packing method that is unique to the brand.Bags with this feature stretch out so you can put things in them and then shrink back down when they’re full. In fact, one of our tests said she fit a week’s worth of summer clothes for two people into a small carry-on that fit easily into an airplane’s overhead bin.

The suitcases are also well-made and have classic designs. They come in hardside, softside, carry-on, and checked bag types. The winner of Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Family Travel Awards was the Baseline Global Carry-On Spinner, which got perfect marks in every category. The nylon cloth passed the wear tests in our lab.

2. Best Luggage for Adventure Travel: Eagle Creek

This business was started by a pilot, and it makes luggage for flight workers who travel for work. Still, it works well for both business and pleasure trips. The brand sells mostly soft-sided luggage, but it also has some hard-sided choices. There is a lot of attention to detail that makes it easier to fly often, like padding around the handles for comfort, wheels that can roll in any direction, and nylon fabric that doesn’t wear out easily.

In our Lab tests, the Platinum Elite softside bags stood out the most. It was not only very strong, but it was also big enough to hold all of our stuff with room to spare. The only problem was that it was heavier than others, but the top-of-the-line features made that a good trade-off.

 

4. Best Budget Hardside Luggage: Open Story

Hardside cases made of 100% polycarbonate can cost several hundred dollars, but this Target-only brand sells high-quality polycarbonate luggage for less than its competitors.The carry-on size costs only $170, is light and roomy, and has a lot of places to keep things organized. This smart luggage has a laundry bag that you can take off and a USB port in case you want to add a battery that you can charge on the go. Both sizes come in a range of metallic colors, and the checked size costs $210.

Testers also liked how easy it was to move these bags, which is why they gave them high marks. The only thing they didn’t like was that the telescopic handle wasn’t as comfortable as others, but it still did better in our tests than dozens of other types.

Rimowa has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to luggage materials. In 2000, they made the first bag made of polycarbonate. It only makes hard-sided luggage, but it has several different collections, from the Essential Lite, which is the lightest and least expensive, to the Original, which is made of strong metal and has clever packing compartments.

The cheapest case from this brand costs over $600, but its polycarbonate spinner was one of the best in our test because of how light it was, how much room it had, how durable it was, and how easy it was to move. Before you buy a case, check the handles to make sure they meet your needs. Some of the lightest options have T-shaped handles, which don’t feel as good to pull for long amounts of time.

6. Best Minimalist Luggage: Monos

Monos’s design theory is “less is more,” which means that the bags are made to be simple and timeless, so they won’t go out of style. They are also made of high-quality materials so they will last. Most of its hard-sided bags are made of polycarbonate, but some are made of polycarbonate and metal to make them last longer. They also have useful packing features, like wide tension straps that help you fit more into the case.

The Check-In Large won GH’s 2023 Family Travel Awards because it has a very large cabin and is easy to move around. Testers liked how easy it was to roll and how sleek it looked. It’s also important to know that you have 100 days to return the brand if it doesn’t work for you.