May 23, 2024
The 18 Best Luggage Brands

The 18 Best Luggage Brands

Having the right luggage can make traveling so much easier, but with the variety of brands, styles and types of bags available, making a choice on what to purchase may feel overwhelming. To make it easier to find your perfect travel companion, U.S. News compiled this list of the best luggage brands. Based on consumer reviews and travel expert insight, these brands consistently receive positive reviews from everyday travelers, and this selection includes options for suitcases, bags and accessories.

Hard-sided vs. soft-sided luggage: Which is better?

It depends on your travel style and preferences. For travelers who like pockets on the outside of their luggage, soft-sided styles with external zippered compartments might be ideal. Whereas, if you like an exterior that you can wipe easily, hard-sided is a good option.

(Note: Styles, return policies and warranty information were accurate at the time this article was published; they may fluctuate due to supply chain issues, retailer policies and other factors.)

Samsonite

Offering a range of travel bags, luggage and accessories for business and leisure travelers, Samsonite has been a leading luggage brand for more than 100 years. Samsonite is known for focusing on durability and innovative design, and today’s travelers can find hard- and soft-sided luggage, along with a variety of travel accessories, for sale from this brand. Samsonite offers traveler-favorite hard-sided suitcases, such as the Freeform Carry-on Spinner – one of U.S. News’ top carry-on luggage picks for a lightweight suitcase. This style combines a durable hard-sided construction with spinner wheels, interior organizational pockets and a recessed TSA-approved combination lock. Available in a variety of colors including black, light gray or teal, this popular collection from Samsonite includes the 21-inch carry-on, and the checked 24-inch and 28-inch sizes.

Marisa Méndez, senior editor at U.S. News Travel, has traveled with her Samsonite set, similar to the Samsonite Ascella X Softside, for more than a decade. “The carry-on specifically has been to the U.K. and back three times, and on more continental flights, road trips and moves than I can remember,” Méndez says. “Airlines impose crazy weight limits for carry-ons, so I chose a lightweight suitcase to pack more necessities. The bag is still in excellent condition, with minor signs of wear.”

Travelpro

Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner in black against white background.

(Courtesy of Travelpro)

Founded by a commercial airline pilot, Travelpro invented the Original Rollaboard – a two-wheeled upright suitcase with an extendable handle. For more than 30 years, this brand has continued to bring innovation to its entire collection of luggage, which includes carry-on bags, rollaboards, totes and checked suitcases – as well as accessories like packing cubes, luggage tags and toiletry bags. Travelpro has become a perennial favorite among airline crew members worldwide, with employees from more than 90 airlines using Travelpro luggage, according to the brand’s website. Combining durability and functionality with elements like exterior organizational pockets, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner (one U.S. News’ top carry-on luggage picks) is popular with travelers, who say they appreciate the spinner wheels and extendable handle for easy maneuverability through airports.

Erin Evans, managing editor at U.S. News Travel, is a big fan of the Travelpro Maxlite Air Medium Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner, which she purchased in 2022 and has used several times. “The suitcase is incredibly light, it fits an impressive amount of clothing and it’s easy to maneuver with super smooth spinner wheels that you can pull or push,” she says. “The textured, wavy design also makes it less likely to see scratches or scuffs and the slate blue version I got (Ensign Blue) is a color that’s easy to pick out off the luggage belt.”

TUMI

TUMI is an iconic international brand offering high-end luggage, bags and a variety of travel accessories, including passport holders, toiletry bags, portfolios and eyewear. The brand focuses on high performance and quality materials in its luggage offerings. Blending the brand’s FXT ballistic nylon with innovative design, the TUMI ALPHA International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On has a split-case zip entry into the main compartment, an interior garment compartment to hold one suit, four dual spinner wheels and molded impact-resistant sides. Owners of this bag appreciate the durable construction, smooth wheels and overall TUMI design.

For a sleek under-seat option, the best-selling TUMI Voyageur Oxford Compact Carry-on is a favorite of travelers for its ability to fit under coach seats, and many say it holds more clothing than you’d expect.

Return policy: Items must be unused and returned in original packaging
Warranty: One-year full warranty, then two- to five-year limited warranty (depending on product)
Shop now: TUMI | Amazon | Macy’s

Rimowa

Recognized around the world for its iconic Classic Cabin suitcase with a ribbed aluminum construction (U.S. News’ top luxury carry-on pick), Rimowa is a German-engineered collection of luggage and travel gear. The brand was founded in 1898 and has been perfecting suitcases to meet the needs and desires of travelers ever since. Today, Rimowa makes a high-end range of suitcases and accessories in classic aluminum and heritage-inspired designs.

Rimowa also created the world’s first polycarbonate suitcase in 2000 and now offers multiple polycarbonate designs, including the Rimowa Essential Cabin. Designed in Germany, this sleek style has a glossy exterior, lightweight construction, a leather luggage tag and a flex divider interior organizational system. Fans of this suitcase appreciate the quality of the construction and say it’s a lifetime investment piece.

DELSEY PARIS

DELSEY PARIS Chatelet Underseater.

(Courtesy of DELSEY PARIS)

Founded in 1946, DELSEY PARIS began creating suitcases for travelers after the postwar birth of tourism. Combining French elegance and style with quality construction, this 75-years-and-counting heritage brand produces iconic luggage styles like the DELSEY Chatelet collection in carry-on and checked sizes. Owners of the Chatelet luggage like the vintage-inspired styling and ease of use. What’s more, DELSEY PARIS is constantly expanding its product offerings that combine fashion and function, such as the DELSEY PARIS Cruise Carry-on with a textured twill exterior in platinum, blue or graphite. Other retail options from DELSEY PARIS include duffel bags, backpacks and weekender bags.

Globe-Trotter

Globe-Trotter was established in 1897, and its pieces are handmade in England. The heritage brand applies the same techniques and uses the attention to detail it’s been known for since the golden age of travel. As such, many shapes and styles available for purchase remain the classic options that have been around since the company’s beginnings. The iconic brand has been the luggage of choice for some of the world’s most famous travelers, including the late Queen Elizabeth II. For a classic design, consider the Globe-Trotter Original Carry-On with space for up to three days of essentials, or an eye-catching piece from the Globe-Trotter x PEANUTS Collaboration.

Return policy: 28 days
Warranty: Up to five years
Shop now: Globe-Trotter

Ricardo Beverly Hills

Focused on creating products that bring joy to travelers at competitive prices, Ricardo Beverly Hills offers a range of luggage and travel accessories. Travelers seeking a mix of fashion and function will find carry-on luggage, travel bags, totes and checked bags for their adventures. The Ricardo Beverly Hills Indio Hardside Luggage collection is highly rated among reviewers, with buyers praising its lightweight construction and fashionable appearance. Available in a 20-inch carry-on, or 24- and 28-inch checked sizes, this luggage has a textured, jewel-inspired exterior with a metallic finish in four colors, including ruby and navy. If external pockets and a soft-sided design are what you seek, the Ricardo Beverly Hills Montecito Spinner Carry-on is a top-rated pick with four external zippered pockets.

American Tourister

This classic luggage brand began in Rhode Island in 1933. Its founder’s goal was to build a durable suitcase that could be sold for a dollar. Today, American Tourister is one of the largest luggage brands in the world. The company believes travel should be fun, and is focused on creating luggage, along with business and casual bags, that is reliable, high quality and fashionable. If you’re looking for a fun way to add personality to your travel gear, American Tourister makes a variety of Disney luggage, including the American Tourister Disney Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels 2-Piece Set, which has a five-star Amazon rating. Owners of the set say they love the fun character design, price and durability.

If you’re looking for a luggage set, the top-rated American Tourister Moonlight Hardside Luggage includes a 20-inch carry-on, plus checked 24- and 28-inch spinner suitcases. Travelers give the set high praise for its lightweight construction and maneuverability.

Eagle Creek

Started as an outdoor travel bag and backpacking company in 1975, this brand focuses on durable luggage and bags for explorers and adventurers. The company’s collection of gear includes a variety of packing solutions to help keep travelers organized, such as Pack-It Packing Cubes and undercover neck wallets. Eagle Creek’s “No Matter What” warranty helps to eliminate waste by building quality gear that lasts for the diverse lifestyles of adventure travelers.

One of the brand’s top-rated items is the Eagle Creek Migrate Wheeled Duffel 130L. Available in multiple colors, including burnt berry and arctic blue, this waterproof duffel bag has backpack straps and wheels for carrying options, expandable side buckles, and a front zippered pocket. Users of the bag appreciate its quality construction, wheels and the fact it collapses to take up less storage space.

Return policy: 90 days
Warranty: “No Matter What” warranty covers the functional aspects of the item for the life of the product
Shop now: Eagle Creek | Amazon | REI

Victorinox

Victorinox Airox Frequent Flyer Hardside Carry-On in orange against white background.

(Courtesy of Victorinox)

Inspired by the features and functions of the brand’s Swiss Army Knife, Victorinox Travel Gear is designed for business and adventure. Focused on quality and functionality for more than 130 years, this Swiss brand offers a variety of travel gear, including carry-ons, briefcases and checked bags, as well as accessories like wallets and security belts.

One of the brand’s top-rated carry-ons is the Victorinox Airox Frequent Flyer Hardside Carry-On. Available in orange or dark blue, this spinner style receives high praise from travelers for its lightweight construction and maneuverability, with some saying it fits in most narrow overhead bins on smaller planes. For business travelers, the Victorinox Werks Traveler 6.0 Garment Sleeve is an ideal addition to any luggage collection. Its innovative design is inspired by the brand’s iconic knives and keeps garments crisp and flat with a unique clamp and compression system, plus it has a detachable shoulder strap.

CALPAK

CALPAK Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage in hazel against white background.

(Courtesy of CALPAK)

California Pack, which started as a handbag and wallet company in Los Angeles in 1989, evolved into CALPAK – a top-selling luggage and accessories brand. Designed to be both functional and affordable, CALPAK is a destination for hard-sided suitcases, the iconic Luka Duffel, packable tote bags and a variety of accessories. Selected by U.S. News as a top under-seat option, the CALPAK Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage is a fan favorite due to its 360-degree spinner wheels, its compact design that can hold a lot and its attractive style.

Return policy: 30 days
Warranty: Limited two-year warranty
Shop now: CALPAK

Away

Away's The Daily Carry-On with Pocket in gray against white background.

(Courtesy of Away)

Designed for travelers by travelers, Away is an online retailer that offers suitcases, bags and accessories. Created to make journeys easier and inspire more travel, Away suitcases are constructed with high-performing and lightweight materials, with a focus on intentional and functional details that matter. Chosen by U.S. News as the best carry-on luggage option for business travel, Away’s The Daily Carry-On with Pocket is a rolling 13-inch laptop bag and suitcase combined. Featuring a hard shell and a removable three-part storage compartment, the suitcase is perfect for business trips and weekend getaways, according to owners, with many saying they love the organizational details.

Away’s The Carry-on Bag is a U.S. News staff favorite. “I get so many compliments on this bag,” says Amanda Norcross, content and SEO strategist at U.S. News Travel. “It’s the only suitcase I’ve used on countless trips over the past few years, and it’s still in great shape.” She adds that the removable battery is her favorite feature (and is worth the extra cost). “It’s so convenient for charging my phone on the go.”

Return policy: 100 days
Warranty: Limited one-year warranty
Shop now: Away

BÉIS

Inspired by her own travels, actress Shay Mitchell started BÉIS to make travel bags and accessories that are both fashionable and functional at attractive prices. The stylish BÉIS brand offers fashion-forward hard-sided luggage sets, backpacks that can carry daily essentials or tech for a trip, and duffels that easily go from the gym to a weekend getaway. For the traveling fashionista, the BÉIS Air Collection includes cargo backpacks and expandable duffels, totes and pouches (that can be unzipped to become a backpack) in a chic and lightweight polyester construction, available in colors like black or maple. What’s more, the collection includes hard-sided rolling luggage in coordinating colors. Fans of the brand appreciate the overall look of the collection, as well as how much they can fit within the bags.

For a chic checked bag option, the BÉIS 29-inch Large Check-in Roller has a hard-sided construction, multiple color options like navy or gray, and hundreds of five-star reviews from owners citing they love the bag’s durability and the amount that can be packed in this suitcase.

Return policy: 45 days
Warranty: Lifetime limited
Shop now: BÉIS | Nordstrom

Lug

Lug's Puddle Jumper Weekender Bag against white background.

(Courtesy of Lug)

Founded in 2005 by a couple looking to make luggage fun, functional and colorful, Lug has evolved into a lifestyle travel brand. Lug carries a few traditional luggage options, such as the Lug Carry-on with Top Handle – Porter Wheelie, which features a soft-sided construction, four wheels and organizational features that users of this bag love. The Lug brand is primarily focused on travel bags, totes, handbags and accessories that maximize what you can pack and carry on a trip or for daily activities. The celebrity-favorite brand has been part of award show gift bags, and fans of this brand are affectionately referred to as Lugnuts due to their passion for the collection.

The iconic Lug Puddle Jumper bag (a medium-sized convertible tote bag) was featured on Oprah’s “O List” and has won numerous awards over the years; travelers give the bag rave reviews for its organizational features, attention to detail, durable construction, and the playful prints and colors available.

Return policy: 30 days
Warranty: One year
Shop now: Lug | QVC | Amazon

Solgaard

Top carry-on luggage 2022

(Courtesy of Solgaard)

Launched in 2016 with the Lifepack – a solar-powered anti-theft laptop bag with Bluetooth speakers – Solgaard has revolutionized luggage with its innovative approach to bag and suitcase design. In 2017, the brand launched its award-winning Solgaard Carry-On Closet. This piece became a traveler favorite for its patented built-in shelves, which eliminate the need to unpack while traveling, yet keep clothes and essentials in place.

Return policy: 30 days
Warranty: Lifetime
Shop now: Solgaard

Amazon Basics

This brand of luggage, created by Amazon, is designed to offer exceptional value. Amazon Basics luggage options include hard- and soft-sided rolling luggage and under-seat bags. What’s more, Amazon Basics sells a variety of travel accessories, including packing cubes, waist and neck wallets, and toiletry bags. Some of the top-rated Amazon Basics pieces are the Amazon Basics Vienna Spinner Suitcases, which travelers praise for their durability and recognizable design that makes them easy to find at baggage claim. Another favorite is the Amazon Basics Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag: Buyers praise this toiletry bag for its price and organizational features.

Return policy: 30 days
Warranty: Three years
Shop now: Amazon

Paravel

Aviator Carry-on in cream against white background.

(Courtesy of Paravel)

This sustainable brand is focused on creating timeless products to help travelers enjoy the journey. From its hard-sided Aviator Carry-on to its award-winning fold-up collection, each item is constructed with upcycled materials, such as the company’s trademarked Negative Nylon and Ecocraft canvas, as well as sustainable details like recycled zippers. Owners of the Paravel Grand Tour Duffle say it’s the perfect size for a weekend getaway, and are impressed by the quality and attention to detail of the bag. Plus, travelers can personalize their bags, luggage and accessories with monograms for an elevated feel.

Return policy: 30 days
Warranty: Up to limited 10-year warranty; varies by product
Shop now: Paravel

Heys

Heys Britto Collection A New Day Carry-on Spinner against white background.

(Courtesy of Heys)

Started in the suburbs of Toronto in 1986, Heys is known for its lightweight hard-sided carry-on suitcases and accessories. The brand’s luggage features innovative details and is constructed in a variety of eye-catching designs and colors. The Heys Britto Collection A New Day Carry-on Spinner is one traveler favorite because of its bold, colorful artwork and how easy it is to find at baggage claim. The recently introduced Heys Smart Luggage uses AAA batteries, rather than lithium ion – making it airline compliant and ready for check-in.

Return policy: 14 days
Warranty: 10-year unconditional warranty
Shop now: Heys | Amazon | Kohl’s

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Rachael Hood is a senior travel editor with a passion for luggage. Always shopping for luggage and always testing different bags for various needs, she rarely checks a bag. Having traveled the world with top finds from Lug, CALPAK, Tumi and Heys, she used her traveling experience along with her retail merchandising background to curate the top luggage brands.

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