An Easy Guide to Finding Your Ideal Luggage, Based on Size and Price

Béis's collapsible luggage gives you plenty of room—in fact, this checked bag is the second largest one on the list. Tested by senior commerce editor Madison Flager, it opens up like a clamshell, with two zippered compartments on one side; the water-resistant one is great for storing damp swimsuits or sweaty workout clothes on your return home. Other smart features include the U-shaped front zipper, which allows you to access one entire side of the suitcase without fully unzipping it, and a weight indicator on the handle that turns red when the bag weighs more than 50 pounds. 

This weekender was Béis’s first product, and a positive indicator of where the luggage and travel accessory brand was headed. It is thoughtfully designed, from the overall look to the smart features: A trolley sleeve on the bag has a zipper on the bottom, so you can use it as an exterior pocket when you’re not traveling with a suitcase, or unzip it to secure the weekender to your luggage when needed. A second exterior pocket on the opposite side of the bag is large enough for a phone and other small essentials. It was recommended by senior commerce editor Madison Flager, who especially loves the bag's separate bottom compartment, which can be used to keep shoes or dirty or wet clothes separate. 

One of the most aesthetically pleasing bags on this list, Paravel's Aviator Carry-On is also arguably the most sustainably made: It combines a recycled polycarbonate shell with recycled zippers, an interior lining made from 15 upcycled plastic water bottles, and vegan leather trim; plus, the brand offsets all of the carbon emissions generated from creating and shipping the bag. Other welcome features: 360° double spinner wheels with carbon steel bearings, an interior compression board, and a removable laundry bag. 

Traveler's deputy global editorial director Jesse Ashlock vouches for the hugely popular Away bags: “There really is a reason these suitcases have become so ubiquitous in overhead compartments and on baggage carousels: They’re just solid workhorse polycarbonate bags that suit a lot of different trip styles.” Ashlock switches between using his as a carry-on and a checked piece depending on the trip, and after two and a half years, is still pleased with its durability, amount of flex, and thoughtful internal details, as well as the feeling that it is intuitive to pack.

A companion piece to Steamline's larger The Diplomat spinner, this carry-on's design harkens back to the golden age of travel, while still offering the present-day features you don't want to sacrifice: smooth-rolling spinner wheels, a telescopic handle, and a TSA-friendly lock included. Inside, you'll find zippered pockets for added organization.

Sometimes, you just want a trusty classic, and Travelpro, created by a former commercial airline pilot, always delivers. This expandable softside bag has a telescopic handle, spinner wheels for easy gliding, and an external USB port for charging devices on the go, plus two front zip pockets to keep both important items and odds and ends close. Impressively, of its nearly 3,000 Amazon reviews, 85 percent are five-star.

For those who can't start a vacation until they unpack, it's time to turn to Solgaard. This genius suitcase uses a patented system that acts as a compression cube to save space. Pull the system out, attach it to the telescopic, polycarbonate handle (or hang it in the hotel closet), and you have five vertical storage shelves. Other perks: a TSA-approved lock and a USB port for charging devices. Plus, each bag is made from recycled materials that save 229 plastic bottles from the ocean. 

There's an obvious con to Away luggage—the popularity of the brand may have you chasing a stranger through baggage claim who walked away with your generic black rolly, thinking it was their own—and yet, we still keep coming back to them. With 360° spinner wheels, the Carry-On Flex glides smoothly across almost any surface and its light yet durable shell is perfect for keeping your items safe. But the best part about the Flex, according to global associate director of audience development Lara Kramer, is the zipper expansion, which gives you an additional 2.25" of packing space when needed. “With the flex in use, packing for my one-week vacation to London was a total breeze,” she says. Pick a unique color or add your favorite sticker to the outer hard shell to help your bag stand out.

While Rimowa is perhaps most famous for its indestructible aluminum bags, there's something to be said for its Essentials collection. The polycarbonate shells have a distinctly Rimowa glossy finish and grooved exterior, and come in eye-catching shades like lavender and citron yellow. They also have a little more give: “I sometimes worry about hard-case carry-ons not being ideal for an over-packer like me who likes to bring as much as possible,” editorial assistant Meaghan Kenny says. “The Rimowa suitcase has just enough bounce to let you fit a few extra clothing items for a short trip while also still keeping everything protected.” The carry-on comes with built-in flex dividers, which double as extra pockets and can be adjusted to create more sections in your suitcase.

While smaller than an average carry-on, garment bags really prove their worth on business trips and wedding travel. “Yes, this bag glides seamlessly through airports and is incredibly durable thanks to its nylon fabric with Duraguard coating, but the lay-flat garment bag design is the real gem of this carry-on,” global associate director of audience development Lara Kramer says. “It holds way more than you think—and arriving with all of your dresses and shirts wrinkle-free is a huge game changer.”

For a rugged, take-anywhere suitcase, Thule's soft-sided spinner is a great pick. The hard-shell frame gives it some extra durability, while the soft upper, made of recycled waxed canvas, gives you plenty of leeway when packing. A front pocket lets you stash your jacket until you board the plane, while the zippered exterior pocket means your keys, wallet, and other small items can always be close by.

“This is a professional travelers’ dream carry-on,” says senior features editor Rebecca Misner. “The suitcase has this very cool expansion system where you literally press a button and pull up on a little lever in the main compartment and the sides expand vertically. Once you’re packed and zipped, you just push down on the exterior sides to compress.” Other features she loves: mesh interior pockets, a built-in garment folder with a foam roll bar that actually kept her dresses from wrinkling, and unassuming SpeedThu pocket pockets on the exterior made to fit a passport and boarding pass—its bright orange lining signifies that the pocket is open (meaning your important docs are at risk). “It’s a little steeper in price than many carry-ons of similar size and look, but this one is so well made–and comes with a lifetime guarantee–that you’ll have it forever.”

While destinations editor Shannon McMahon has had a few expandable hard-side spinners—her preferred style of bag—over the past several years, this one stands out for “its super roomy packing capacity and its smooth-rolling wheels.” She used it for a four-day spring getaway and still had room to spare (even after buying souvenirs). “I could easily see myself using it for a week-long trip, especially thanks to the TSA-approved combination lock that could come in handy for bag checking (and gave me some peace of mind during a gate-check situation on my first leg with it in tow).” Other features of the utilitarian bag include a built-in phone charger, zippered laundry compartment, oversized mesh organizational pockets, and antimicrobial lining. One complaint: The exterior scratches surprisingly easily, and the outside got pretty banged up on her very first trip. “Still, the packing power and its ultra-light weight (it's light as a feather when empty) almost made me overlook that aesthetic issue.”

Editorial assistant Meaghan Kenny put this Amazon Basics carry-on to the test, and was pleasantly surprised by its size and interior. Calling it an overpacker's dream, she uses it for weekend trips or four to five day vacations, and says it's lightweight, durable, and easy to move around and lift. One half completely zips closed, allowing you to keep clothing separate from shoes or liquids, or separate dirty from clean clothes on the way home. The one con: “It’s only available in a few standard colors and there really isn’t anything that stands out about it to help you know it’s yours.”

The holy grail of luggage compliments? “I actually look forward to packing this thing,” says executive editor Erin Florio. While she was worried about its size at first glance, after traveling with it, she says smart packers could pack for up to 10 days with a suitcase like this: “The inner compartments make it really easy to organize all your items, from shoes to laundry to toiletries, which helps you fit in more. This small but mighty rollaboard’s design helped me put everything in a proper spot. It made me a better packer by design.” The exterior pocket adds even more room, and can fit a laptop, hardcover books, and magazines.

Arlo Skye's zipper-front suitcase goes on nearly every trip with senior editor Megan Spurrell, and it has never let her down: “I take it as a carry-on for most flights—from weekend trips to week-long getaways—because it’s surprisingly roomy, with an organized front pocket that I can easily stow essentials like my laptop, book, and magazines in. Crucially, this bag looks sleek, but is totally durable. I’ve checked it on a few occasions, and it always survives being chucked onto the baggage carousel with little to no evidence of the journey.”

Associate social media manager Kayla Brock recommends this expandable roller for three to four day trips. “The first thing I loved about this luggage was the combination lock on the outside of the case. Whenever I traveled, I would place a small lock on my carry-on and keep the key on me, constantly paranoid that I was going to lose it. Now, I don’t have to worry about that.” Brock is also a fan of the mesh zip compartment and zip-lock compartments inside, which make organizing clothes, accessories, and toiletries simple. “Although it originally looks like my clothes wouldn’t fit (I’m guilty of overpacking), the suitcase closed with ease.”

This weekender packs like a carry-on, thanks to a clamshell opening. Traveler contributor Juliet Izon was impressed by its 50-liter capacity, which she called “incredibly roomy while still being small enough to fit in an overhead bin on planes.” Other useful features include an interior padded pocket for tech items, a pass-through sleeve to hook the bag onto a suitcase handle, and plenty of smaller pockets for organization. The best one? A hidden external pocket with a magnetic clasp closure. “It’s perfect for stashing your phone, plane tickets, or passport while you’re navigating the airport.”

Articles director Lale Arikoglu has used this duffel on safari in Kenya and a hiking trip through Chilean Patagonia. She likes that she's able to pack a lot in but still wear it as a backpack thanks to adjustable straps. “It's perfect for outdoorsy itineraries, and the ideal size for small plane requirements, which I had to navigate on both trips. Plus, it's soft-sided, which makes it easy to squeeze into the overhead bin on a crowded flight, and folds up into nothing when not in use.”

Away's biggest suitcase has a capacity of almost 100 liters, making it among the largest on this list. Made of the brand's classic polycarbonate shell, it comes in nearly a dozen shades, and has smooth spinner wheels, interior compression straps, and matching carry-on sizes that nest into this bag for easy storage. Like many bags of this material, it scuffs fairly easily, but can be wiped clean with a Magic Eraser or microfiber towel.

For a long-lasting piece of luggage, you can't go wrong with Steamline's vintage-inspired design. One of our favorite hard-shelled suitcases, The Diplomat is the brand's largest four-wheel trunk. It has gold hardware and tan leather straps to buckle it closed, as well as more secure latches and TSA-approved locks. Inside, there's more room than you'd expect (though not a ton of compartments). To protect the beautiful design, this bag comes with a ripstop protective sleeve for use in transit.

Tested while we were on the hunt for the best hard-shell luggage, Paravel's Aviator Grand suitcase passed with flying colors. It's a solid, elegantly sleek, eco-friendly suitcase that's great for extended travel. Inside, it's spacious if minimalistic, with two open sides—you'll want to use packing cubes for added organization, though there are two zippered compartments on either side (one of those acts as a compression flap to secure the items underneath). We were able to pack for 10 to 14 days easily with this suitcase.

Monos's Check-In Large has plenty going for it, starting with the minimalist branding, vegan leather trim, and handle with a release button underneath instead of on top, meaning it sits where your grip naturally does. It’s lightweight at just under 11 pounds, with one zipped side and an open one featuring compression straps, as well as a cover panel with two large pockets. Plus, it rolls easily over uneven surfaces like door frames and carpets, and comes with a laundry bag and two shoe bags.

Béis's collapsible luggage gives you plenty of room—in fact, this checked bag is the second largest one on the list. Tested by senior commerce editor Madison Flager, it opens up like a clamshell, with two zippered compartments on one side; the water-resistant one is great for storing damp swimsuits or sweaty workout clothes on your return home. Other smart features include the U-shaped front zipper, which allows you to access one entire side of the suitcase without fully unzipping it, and a weight indicator on the handle that turns red when the bag weighs more than 50 pounds.

Spacious and fairly lightweight at just over nine pounds, this Samsonite suitcase is easy to maneuver and ideal for overpackers. Its two sides are even, so it flips open easily and without tumbling to one side; inside, it is very roomy, with mesh pockets and a clear, half-zip panel, plus a hanger and hook for formalwear. It gets points for a clasp closure, rather than a zipper, making it easier to open and shut.

This spinner trunk comes from Bric's, one of our readers' favorite brands, according to the 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. Elegant yet functional, it's made in Germany with quiet Hinomoto wheels, an ergonomic three-position adjustable handle, and a waterproof zipper. The corners are covered in leather patches strengthened by gold-plated rivets, and the interior nylon linings are easy to wipe clean. To increase its lifespan, the bag's wheels are made to be easily removed if they need repair.

Senior features editor Rebecca Misner has had this Rimowa bag for a year, and praises its size and overall quality: “As someone who has purchased many hard-shell rollies over the years, only to eventually replace them after wheel and handle issues (and a surprising number of punctured corners), I think the price is worth it for the overall quality. Rollability and ease of raising and lowering the handle are strong. It has some flex and very practical adjustable interior dividers; plus, it holds a ton–perfect for any trip longer than a weekend.”

Senior commerce editor Madison Flager is a fan of this Arlo Skye bag, which is a perfect suitcase to pair with Arlo's Zipper Carry-On if you're short on storage space (the carry-on nests inside the larger bag when it's empty). Inside, there's a large zippered compartment that's a great size for hats, bathing suits, or slim purses; the other side has two smaller zippered pockets to hold undergarments or socks. And while it's gotten a few scuffs here and there, there haven't been any nicks that a Magic Eraser couldn't undo.

This large, expandable spinner from Briggs & Riley gives you that much-needed extra room hard shell bags sometimes lack: the brand's unique expansion-compression system increases packing capacity by 17 percent (a good two inches of extra space). This suitcase also has a less pronounced dip on the bottom of the bag, as the handle sits on the exterior of the case, minimizing wrinkles in clothes packed. Another thoughtful touch: the front of the bag curves in to avoid dents or scratches. This is a solid, functional, and well-designed bag with a streamlined look we love.

Former Traveler editor Meredith Carey used this suitcase when she traveled for a month this past spring and had to pack for three weddings with three distinctly different climates in mind. “Roam’s Large Check-In worked perfectly, mainly because its capacity (89 liters, unexpanded), relatively lightweight (10.6 pounds), and thin, flexible polycarbonate shell meant I could pack it to the brim without worrying about putting any baggage handler’s back out.” Inside, the compression system—two free-floating compression boards, each with a large mesh pocket—means that you can compress both sides down. The bag handled travel well, thanks to its sturdy telescopic handle and 360-degree, ball-bearing wheels—plus the grab handles on the top and side made it easy to pull off the carousel. Plus, it’s easy to spot at baggage claim since the brand's color customization means it’s highly unlikely anyone has a matching suitcase.

Tested by executive editor Erin Florio, this Rimowa bag—part of its slightly more affordable Essentials collection, made with polycarbonate shells—is a great size for lengthy trips. “The suitcase is large enough and constructed well enough that you and a travel companion can share it and not get your wardrobes mixed up which is nice.” While zipped off sections make it easy to keep items organized inside, Florio does wish the suitcase had an easy-to-access front pocket, “as I am always finding that I have items that I either need to stuff at the last minute or keep handy before check in.”

Ideal for people with very little storage—say, an apartment in New York with limited closet space—the Rollink is extremely light when empty and collapses down to around two inches. It sounds too good to be true, but former Condé Nast editor Elaheh Nozari put it to the test: “The interior has polycarbonate fabric-lined walls that fold down for storing but stand up to expand the suitcase. These were very sturdy and kept the bag from feeling flimsy—when they're in use it's hard to tell that the suitcase is collapsible.” Nozari was able to fit about a week's worth of clothes inside, and notes the biggest downside is the lack of pockets or interior compartments. Also worth noting: the lack of 360 spinner wheels. “The wheels were fine and the bag is very easy to roll when full, but I prefer a suitcase with spinner wheels.” She did find it very easy to transport, and was pleasantly surprised by its “simple and sleek look.”

A relatively light checked bag at under nine pounds, this soft-sided spinner from Samsonite is ideal for practical, no-nonsense travelers. It has one deep compartment to hold most of your clothing, shoes, and toiletries, and several interior and exterior pockets to store thinner shoes, accessories, and tech items. Part of the brand's Eco Advance collection, the fabric is made entirely of recycled materials.

Another solid option from Away: The Medium suitcase. “I got this in preparation for a two-week trip to New Zealand back in 2019 and it’s been my go-to checked bag ever since,” former Traveler editor Meredith Carey says. “It’s small enough that I can’t go over the 50-pound weight limit (though I’ve gotten very close) but thanks to its poly-carbonate shell and compression straps, flexible enough that I can pack to the brim without worrying about breaking a zipper.” Carey recommends it for trips of around a week.

Tested by senior editor Megan Spurrell, this bag rivals pricier options on this list, and will blend in with them, too: “This July number is light, easy to lift, and a spacious interior means I can fit quite a bit inside,” Spurrell says. “It seamlessly pairs with two carry-ons I have, too—both navy blue, from Paravel and Arlo Skye—for a stylish set when I’m traveling heavy on a longer trip.” She notes that the wheels glide smoothly, particularly for a larger bag, and the solid exterior instills hope that it’ll be able to take a number of rough unloadings without any issues. Some features, like the handles spanning over 20 different heights, feel nonessential, and the interior material, while spill-resistant, are stiffer and less luxe than pricier picks. The odor-resistant laundry bag and compression pad are welcome perks, though.

For the kind of trip where you're packing for months—say, study abroad or a summer at the beach—you want something as big as this Calpak trunk. We were able to pack nearly 20 outfits and four pairs of shoes inside, easily. (The flip side of that is it requires more storage space than your average suitcase.) There are two main compartments inside (one much deeper than the other), plus three zippered pockets. Bonus points for the easy-to-close clasps, rather than a wraparound zipper, and the three handles (top, front, and side).

An updated model of a Travelpro bag senior commerce editor Madison Flager has used for well over a decade, this bag is built for long-haul trips. It has two wheels, not four, which feels somewhat antiquated at this point, but the upside is you can pack for months with this thing. Inside, you've got one closed-off half that's hidden by a wraparound zipper, and an open side that can be secured down with compression straps. Aside from lengthy trips, it can also be used for families or couples traveling with just one suitcase.

One of the longest-serving suitcases on this list, features and franchises editor Betsy Blumenthal has used it (and its medium-size twin) since early 2013, when her dad bought her the pair before she left to study abroad in Paris for a semester. “It’s seen me through many long-haul trips since then, including three 10-day stints in Israel, two week-long cruises around the Caribbean, and even my destination wedding and honeymoon in Italy this past October. Miraculously, it’s barely aged in that time, save for a few nicks and scrapes; it’s still the easy-gliding, lightweight, fits-everything, reasonably priced suitcase I fell for, way before I knew anything about luggage.”