Best overall luggage brand
Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley is among the best luggage brands for every type of traveler. The high-end suitcases come in both hard-shell and soft-shell varieties. The brand makes most of its hard-sided bags with sturdy polycarbonate; the majority of its soft-sided options are crafted with ballistic nylon, which is known for its incredible longevity.
Some pieces, like the 22-inch carry-on expandable spinner, also offer additional features like built-in garment panels, which help prevent clothes from wrinkling, radio frequency identification (RFID)-blocking pockets to keep your info safe and the brand’s proprietary PowerPocket, which allows for easy universal serial bus (USB) charging while on the go. Just connect your favorite portable charger.
Pros
- Known for its durability
- Offers soft-shell suitcases, hard-shell luggage and duffels
- Bonus features for safety, accessibility and expanded space
- Sleek design and muted colors
- Optional monogram
Cons
- Expensive
- Not the most lightweight suitcases
Best value luggage brand
Beis Travel
Beis Travel is one of the best luggage brands because it combines style and functionality, making packing a breeze. Its most popular bags, like the checked roller, include a carrying loop to hold handbags, totes and other personal items, as well as TSA-approved locks and a built-in luggage scale so you’ll always travel smarter and lighter. The roomy interior is also chock full of noteworthy features, including multiple compartments, dividers and mesh pockets to keep your belongings organized. Pair it with the Beis mini weekender bag and you’ll be good to go.
Our tester, Jill Schildhouse, who gave the carry-on roller a try, is a firm Beis believer. “It’ll certainly meet your needs for four to five days, and up to a full week with smart packing techniques. This is the exact reason you’ll see this durable and affordable bag on planes, trains and automobiles throughout your travels. Now that I know the brand’s hype is real, I’ll be adding additional pieces to my collection.”
Pros
- Affordable compared to competitors
- Built-in luggage scale and TSA-approved locks
- Carrying loop to hold accessories
- Built-in interior pockets and storage for laundry, undergarments, etc.
- Retractable bag attach strap holds up to 15 pounds
Cons
- Lighter colors are more susceptible to scuffs
- No trial period
Most durable luggage brand
Monos
Monos is a Canadian company that’s renowned for its durable hard-shell suitcases, which are made with the company’s signature unbreakable polycarbonate shell that’s lightweight, yet strong. Every Monos luggage features a sturdy handle and locks that won’t get you stopped at security by a TSA agent. Some, like the hybrid carry-on, come with luxurious details such as whisper-quiet wheels and antimicrobial interior fabric. The best part about Monos? You have 100 days to try its luggage. If you don’t like it, simply send it back!
“If you’re looking for a suitcase that won’t make traveling harder than it needs to be, the Monos carry-on is it,” says Caroline Lubinsky, senior shopping editor, in her review. “I was impressed by the caliber of construction, lifetime warranty and careful attention to detail. It’s clear that this is a brand that cares about its consumers and makes sure the little things are just right. And isn’t that the type of product you really want to have for a lifetime?”
Pros
- Made with high-quality materials
- Includes locks, compression pads, laundry bags and an antimicrobial inner lining
- Climate Neutral Certified
- 100-day trial period
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- No soft-sided options available
Best variety luggage brand
Travelpro
Founded by a commercial airline pilot, Travelpro‘s signature suitcases—the most famous being the two-wheeled Rollaboard—have accumulated plenty of praise for its self-aligning spinner wheels that make maneuverability a breeze. The brand continues to roll out (pun intended!) hard-shelled and soft-sided luggage outfitted with features like Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-friendly USB ports, built-in dividers and locks.
Most Travelpro luggage offers fold-out or built-in garment bags to save time on trying to figure out how to unwrinkle clothing without an iron. The brand’s site also has tons of resources on how to choose and maintain your Travelpro luggage, including care and product guides.
Pros
- Hard-sided, soft-shell and underseat options
- Expandable luggage and smart luggage options
- Exterior pockets for storage
- 100-day trial period
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Styles with lots of special features are pricey
Best brand with luggage sets
Calpak
Calpak makes fashion-forward luggage in an array of color and pattern options. The brand’s best luggage sets are well-priced given their sleek design and resilient polycarbonate exterior. The bags are also water resistant and easily cleanable with mild soap and water. Calpak equips its luggage with interior pockets, mesh dividers, TSA-approved locks and 360-degree spinner wheels. We have our eye on this pretty rose gold luggage set.
Even better? These bags can expand up to an additional 2 inches. Calpak is a staple among frequent travelers, as it’s one of the best luggage brands with a product for just about any need. (We also recommend the toiletry bags!)
Pros
- Available in one-, two- and three-piece options
- Reasonably priced for what you get
- Stylish color and pattern options
- Expandable design
- TSA-approved locks and 360-degree spinner wheels
Cons
- Only up to a five-year warranty
- No soft-sided options
Best splurge luggage brand
Roam Luggage
Roam Luggage is known for its completely customizable offerings, making it well worth the splurge, especially if you’re a frequent flyer. Customize everything from the water-repellent zipper to the wheels to the handles and shell color according to your preferences. The built-in lock adds a nice touch, too. We especially love the lifetime warranty that comes standard with every bag, so it’s among the best luggage brands for peace of mind.
Prices range from $550 for a standard carry-on to $695 for a large expandable check-in suitcase. It’s pretty steep, but you have 100 days to decide if it’s the one for you. Spoiler: You will.
Pros
- Completely customizable suitcases
- Complimentary monogramming
- Polycarbonate shells are sturdy and resilient
- 100-day trial period
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expandable suitcases are an extra cost
Best luggage brand under $150
Amazon Basics
Budget travelers will love the wide selection of luggage from Amazon Basics, most of which is extremely affordable at under $150. The brand offers cheap luggage in a range of options, including soft-sided spinner bags, hard-shell carry-ons, sturdy check-in size suitcases and garment bags., to name but a few options. Choose from a wide range of colors, from basic black to bright orange and beyond.
While not every bag has a built-in lock, most are expandable (some up to 25%!), which is especially convenient if you’re an overpacker.
Pros
- Wallet friendly
- Expandable
- Range of color options
- Hard-shell and soft-sided options
- Hard shells are made of extra-thick acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Cons
- No lifetime warranty
- Not all options have locks
Best luggage brand for frequent flyers
Away Travel
Away Travel always has a spot when we’re talking about the best luggage brands, and for good reason. We love that these durable suitcases come with a lifetime guarantee, an excellent perk if you’re someone who likes to check your luggage. What’s more, the suitcase’s trademark hard shell, which comes in a number of trend-forward hues, is made of polycarbonate that’s strong enough to carry you (and your belongings) through hundreds of flights. You also can’t forget about the hidden laundry bag, 360-degree spinner wheels and a built-in lock. Plus, the carry-on models have the option to include an ejectable battery.
Schildhouse had the opportunity to test the Away Bigger Carry-On. “My Away suitcase has since traveled all over the world with me,” she writes in her full review. “It certainly lives up to the social media hype and it’s the travel companion I can always rely on. In fact, I also bought the Away Medium Flex for longer trips, because the brand has completely raised the bar on my travel standards.”
Pros
- Durable, yet lightweight, polycarbonate shell
- Sleek, design-forward suitcases in trendy colors
- Includes built-in lock and removable laundry bag
- Meets the carry-on requirements for most major airlines
- Lifetime warranty covers functional damage to the shell, wheels, handle and zipper
Cons
- No soft-sided options
- Built-in battery can take up to eight hours to charge
Best luggage brand for kids and teens
Pottery Barn Teen
Traveling with kids in tow? Snag some of the best kids luggage from Pottery Barn Teen. Options are plentiful, from Harry Potter-themed bags to colorful tie-dye and ombre varieties. Choose from oversized duffels to large check-in suitcases to compact carry-ons and luggage sets. Kids don’t usually need much packing space, but Pottery Barn Teen’s wide collection allows for you to build a set around your little one’s needs. Returns are also free for 30 days.
Pros
- Fun and funky colors and patterns kids will love
- Lots of variety, including duffels, carry-ons, sets, etc.
- Reasonably priced
- Adjustable handle
Cons
- Not the most durable option
What to look for when buying the best luggage brands
To find the best luggage brand for you, Kara Harms, CEO and co-founder of Whimsy Soul, advises to “look at the fabric type, the number and placement of pockets, wheel rotation and other hardware details on top of the internal size of the luggage.” She prefers bags with “some sort of security feature built-in,” such as TSA-approved locks, to prevent people from breaking into your bag, which she says “has absolutely happened before while traveling.”
Why you should trust us
If there’s one thing our shopping editors and writers love to test, it’s luggage. We’ve rigorously tested dozens of hard- and soft-shell suitcases, duffel bags and backpacks. Our roster includes well-known brands like Monos, Beis and Away, as well as niche brands like Briggs & Riley, Paravel and Carl Friedrick. And although we’d love to include all of them, that’s how you know these are the best. Lauren Dana Ellman, the author of this piece, has a wide catalogue of travel-focused pieces under her belt, making her an expert on travel guides.
Putting miles on the best luggage brands
As shopping experts, we love to travel. Even more than that, we love narrowing down the most essential travel gadgets and deals to make the journey better. We’ve inspected and tested dozens of luggage brands to find the best of the best. Whether that’s testing the flexibility of soft-shell luggage or the durability of a hard-shell one, looking out for the overpackers or putting our bags to the test of airline baggage limits, we do our due diligence. We’ve spent years targeting the best features of each to help you determine what’s worth the time and money. Leave the extra baggage at home and rest assured that these are the best luggage brands for the best vacation possible.
FAQ
Which brand is best for luggage?
The best luggage comes down to individual preferences and needs. So consider start with whether you need a checked, carry-on or underseat bag, and move on to which features are essential in your book. This will help you narrow down your options.
Is hard-shell or soft-sided luggage better?
The best luggage brands feature high-quality materials, so both hard-shell bags and soft-sided luggage are durable in different ways. Because of its fabric exterior, soft-sided luggage is easy to store and maneuver. These bags also tend to be more lightweight than hard-sided luggage. Plus, many of them also have exterior pockets, which is handy for storing essentials, electronics or anything you may need to grab in-transit.
On the other hand, hard-shell luggage boasts a sturdy exterior, which is generally made with plastic or aluminum. Since hard-shell suitcases are, well, harder, they may offer more protection if there are fragile items packed in your carry-on. They’re also easier to clean incase you forget your toiletry bag and encounter a spill situation.
What size is carry-on luggage?
The typical size of carry on luggage is 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, including the handle and wheels. Carry-on luggage rules can be strict, and it’s important to check the requirements before arriving at the airport. There may be an inch or two difference between various airlines’ carry-on bag policies.
What is the weight limit for luggage?
The standard weight limit for a checked luggage on most domestic airlines is 50 pounds per bag. However, there are some airlines that have a maximum of 70 pounds per checked bag. Check with the airline you’ll be flying with to ensure you know the exact weight limit before you begin packing your bags.
About the expert
- Kara Harms is CEO and co-founder of Whimsy Soul. As a travel blogger and photographer, Harms shares her outdoor experiences with her readers and encourages women to explore the world. She has also led Whimsy Soul to be featured in NPR, Business Insider, Cosmopolitan, Apartment Therapy and other publications and podcasts.