Trying to figure out what are the best luggage brands can be just another stressful task on top of booking flights and a hotel. That’s why at our workshop Institute Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, we test the best luggage sets and checked bags from Amazon — so you can have a suitcase be delivered to you quickly and you can spend more time brainstorming family vacation spots instead.
We’ve tested more than 100 luggage styles from well-known brands and have amassed thousands of data points to help narrow down our list of final contenders down below.
We test almost every type of travel bag you may have considered adding to your Amazon shopping cart, from kids’ suitcases to the best weekenders and garment bags. When evaluating luggage, we consider scuff and scratch resistance, weight, durability and more. We also share the luggage with consumer testers who provide us with real-life feedback about maneuverability, ease of use and handle comfort.
Continue on to find the best Amazon luggage for your next domestic flight or European vacation, plus tips on what to keep in mind while scrolling through the options. If you’re interested in discovering more best-selling Amazon products.
1
BEST OVERALL
Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable
Dimensions: 10″ x 15.25″ x 21.25″ | Weight: 6.5 lbs | Material: Polypropylene
Samsonite’s luggage has always stood out in the Textile Lab’s evaluations, especially in tests for ease of use and durability. This bag received perfect scores for being easy to open and close, and it performed fairly well in our drop tests, taking on little damage. Testers who tried the Freeform suitcase agreed that the wheels were smooth and rolled with ease. Because it’s simple to maneuver, easy to pack and durable, it’s the perfect pick for someone who’s always traveling.
According to testers, the carrying handles are on the smaller side, so it’s best to roll around rather than carry. The small carrying handles also make this suitcase more difficult to lift into an overhead bin. On Amazon, there are over a dozen neutral and fashionable colors to choose from, and you can pick between the carry-on, medium or checked bag, as well as a two-piece luggage set.
What Amazon shoppers are saying: “The carry-on is fairly lightweight and has good volume for packing as much as possible. It has a side handle as well as a top handle. That really helps me lift it up to place on a rack.”
2
BEST VALUE
Amazon Basics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner
Dimensions: 14.96″ x 10.04″ x 21.65″ | Weight: 7.34 lbs | Material: ABS
Amazon Basics’ luggage proved spacious in our Lab tests and received perfect scores for being easy to pack. It feels like it’s floating, because it’s so lightweight and easy to maneuver. The luggage is made of ABS plastic, which is more affordable but not quite as durable as other hard materials. The handle also felt flimsy, it still held up well in Lab durability tests, showing some scratches but avoiding excessive denting.
What Amazon shoppers are saying: “The price is very reasonable for the quality of the luggage. I am also impressed with the durability of the luggage. I have used it for several months now and it is still in perfect condition.”
3
BEST WEEKENDER BAG
Bagsmart Carry on Weekender Overnight Bag
Dimensions: 18.5″ x 8.7″ x 11″ (medium); 21.3″ x 8.7″ x 12.6″ (large) | Weight: 1.54 lbs (medium); 1.76 lbs (large) | Material: Nylon
Although weekender bags tend to be smaller than your average suitcase, they can still ring in high price tags. That’s why our pros love Bagsmart’s overnight bag that is under $35. Lightweight nylon fabric lets you easily tote this bag through train stations and airports. And if you arrive at your hotel early and can’t check in just yet, you’ll be able to feel relatively comfortable with this bag in hand or on your shoulders as you explore. Choose from two sizes (medium or large) and nine colors including pink (pictured), beige, black, dark blue and more. Some testers noted that the thinner material can show wear after a longer journey. Still, they were impressed by how much they could fit in the weekender and appreciated the spacious interior and exterior pockets for organization.
What Amazon shoppers are saying: “Perfect weekend travel bag. Put everything you need in this bag. It fit a 15-inch laptop, books, weekend clothing, toiletries and more.”
4
BEST CARRY-ON
American Tourister 4 KIX 2.0 Softside Expandable Luggage
Dimensions: 14.5″ x 9.5″ x 23.5″ | Weight: 6.8 lbs | Material: Polyester
American Tourister is one of our favorite brands for budget-friendly carry-on and checked bags. This carry-on will not only fit in the above storage unit, but will also look chic as you roll it onto the plane. We appreciate that it expands for more room as you need it, and that exterior and interior pockets help keep everything organized. Online shoppers love this sleek, easy-to-move suitcase, but note that the handle wasn’t the best quality and felt a bit wobbly when using. For a lower price, slightly lower quality can be expected — but this carry-on still has a 4.6-rating across hundreds of reviews.
What Amazon shoppers are saying: “It was a perfect carry on. I was surprised by how much I managed to fit into it.” And “The wheels were the best to maneuver, so smooth like velvet.”
5
BEST DURABLE
Travelpro Softside Checked Luggage
“Dimensions: 28″ in x 18.5″ in x 11.75” | Weight: 9.8 lbs | Material: Nylon, leather
Founded by a pilot, Travelpro makes luggage specifically for airline crew. Even if you don’t travel for a living, the brand’s softside luggage is a go-to recommendation in our Lab for its durability and features, like self-aligning wheels that can roll in any direction. Our experts also love the cushioned handle for added comfort and its tough, abrasion-resistant nylon fabric.
This Amazon’s Choice bag has a spacious interior that will fit your load and then some, plus a unique tie-down system with compression straps. Interior pockets and an included water-resistant toiletry bag will help keep your travel essentials organized. This bag is available in five sizes: 19-inch carry-on, 20-inch carry-on, 21-inch carry-on, 25-inch checked (featured here) and 28-inch checked.
Note that our Lab pros found the suitcase to be on the heavier side, although that can be expected as softside suitcases tend to weigh more than hardside options due to the material.
What Amazon shoppers are saying: “I’ve had it for a few years… It looks really well built, high end, and I’ve received compliments from strangers.”
6
BEST SOFTSIDE
SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Luggage
Dimensions: 26.25″ x 11″ x 16.75″ | Weight: 9 lbs | Material: Polyester
Softside luggage is less rigid, which can make it easier to pack with more of your belongings and easier to store when you’re not traveling. SwissGear’s collection of soft luggage is popular on Amazon for being spacious and easy to maneuver. The front of this bag unzips to reveal one large inner compartment with tie straps to secure your things and two zippered mesh pockets for organization. Plus, it comes with a small wet bag for toiletries and there are two outer zip pockets for even more storage.
If you’re prone to overpacking or want room for souvenirs, this bag expands an additional two inches for extra packing space. Amazon reviewers shared that they love the “smooth” wheels that they say are easy to maneuver. One went so far as to describe it as “the perfect luggage.” However, some reviewers noted issues with the telescopic handle feeling flimsy and breaking with repeated use.
What Amazon shoppers are saying: “This bag is roomy enough that you’ll probably hit a weight limit before you run out of space. I use packing cubes and I’m able to run the two straps inside through the handles of the packing cubes to make sure everything is secure.”
7
BEST LUGGAGE SET
Travelers Club Midtown Hardside Luggage Travel Set
Dimensions: 26″ x 17.5″ x 11″ (large); 20″ x 13″ x 9.5″ (carry-on); 10″ x 15″ x 5″ (tote); 5″ x 10″ x 5″ (toiletry bag) | Weight: 8.4 lbs (large); 7.2 lbs (carry-on); 1 lb (tote); 0.5 lbs (toiletry bag) | Material: ABS (rolling bags) and polyester (tote and toiletry bag)
At less than $150, this four-piece luggage set from Travelers Club is a total steal. The set comes with two rolling bags (a large checked bag and a carry-on bag), a tote and a small toiletry bag. The checked and carry-on bags are designed with two spacious compartments — one fully enclosed compartment and one with cross straps to keep belongings secure. The rolling bags as “huge” and added that there’s tons of space for organizing.
The tote bag features a sleeve that slides onto the handle of the rolling bags, which makes getting all of your luggage through the airport so much easier. Plus, there are eight color options to choose from including tan, rose gold and lilac. The set is great for occasional travel, but the ABS material used for the rolling bags is prone to cracking with repeated use, so it may not work well for someone who travels regularly.
What Amazon shoppers are saying: “We needed these suitcases last minute for a trip since we packed too much and needed another large case. We even used the carry-on instead of our older set because the quality and look was very nice!”
8
BEST WITH LAPTOP COMPARTMENT
Level8 Grace Carry On Luggage
Dimensions: 14.5″ x 9.4″ x 21.8″ | Weight: 10.36 lbs | Material: Polycarbonate/ABS composite
Making it through airport security is stressful enough. Thanks to Level8’s carry-on bag with a convenient front laptop pocket, you can keep your laptop safe in your luggage. Two compartments inside — one with a zippered panel and one with cross straps — keep all of your belongings in place, and there’s a TSA-approved lock for added security. If you need extra space, there’s an expandable version too. This suitcase is better than others they’ve used from more expensive, well-known brands. One review called it “perfect,” and the bag is “lightweight” and “well-built.” The combination of ABS and polycarbonate material is more durable than ABS on its own, however some reviewers noted that the zipper pulls are prone to breakage.
What Amazon shoppers are saying: “I chose this one after searching long and, boy, did I make the right choice. This is absolutely prefect for what I was looking for. The hardshell is very sturdy and has reinforced corners, which is great. The laptop space can open partially or fully, based on the Velcro sides.”
9
MOST FASHIONABLE
Vera Bradley Hardside Rolling Suitcase
Dimensions: 10″ x 14″ x 22″ | Weight: 9.18 lbs | Material: Polycarbonate
This stylish yet durable Vera Bradley bag is perfect for anyone who sees luggage as an accessory. In Textiles Lab tests, it was a top-performer, proving to be drop-, scratch- and water-resistant. Some testers who rolled this bag through our obstacle course thought the handle felt flimsy, but liked how well it performed overall, agreeing that the wheels rolled smoothly and that it was easy to maneuver. The inner compartments are spacious, and it’s lightweight, making traveling with it a breeze.
What Amazon shoppers are saying: “It took me a very long time to find this great of a carry-on bag. It seemed a little expensive for a carry-on, however the quality and beauty of it made up for that.”
How we choose the best luggage
The product testing pros in our workshop Institute Textiles Lab spent months evaluating luggage with standardized test methods and Lab equipment. We then set up an obstacle course for users to test out the luggage. For this article, we considered data from our tests along with feedback from Amazon reviewers to choose the best luggage on Amazon. Here are some of the characteristics we review:
✔️ Size and weight: We weigh each piece of empty luggage to validate that the weight listed online is correct; we’ve found the listed specs are not always accurate. If the luggage is considered “carry-on” size, we place it into a 22 x 14 x 9-inch area to ensure it complies with most airline carry-on size restrictions. Make sure to confirm with your airline to ensure your luggage complies with their size and weight limits.
✔️ Packing capabilities and ease of use: Textiles Lab pros fill each suitcase with a standard load, including clothes, shoes and toiletries. While packing the luggage, we rate how easy the luggage is to open and close, how well the zippers work and whether or not a standard load of clothing fits inside. We also consider how other design features, like wheels, telescopic handles and locks, operate. Once the bag has been packed, we ask consumer testers to roll it over different surfaces such as tile, wood flooring and carpet and lift it up onto countertops to test the carrying handles.
✔️ Drop durability: We place the packed luggage in our drop tester (pictured here), which releases the luggage from a set 3-foot height, allowing us to analyze any imperfections that occur as a result, including dents or cracking.
✔️ Abrasion resistance: If the luggage is softside, we cut out swatches of fabric to place in our abrasion machine, which rubs the fabric 15,000 times with an abrasive material. Once the abrasion test is complete, we grade the luggage fabric for signs of wear, like fiber pilling or holes (pictured here).
✔️ Scratch resistance: We drag a wire over the surface of hardside luggage and visually evaluate any scuffs or damage left behind.
✔️ Water resistance: After placing blotting paper inside the suitcase, we pour water onto the luggage zippers and then measure how much water has seeped through to the inside.
✔️ Consumer tests: It’s important to mimic real use when evaluating luggage, so we set up an obstacle course in the Lab and have consumer testers run through the course. They then rate the luggage for subjective characteristics like ease of using the handles, wheel performance, overall maneuverability and sturdiness. The obstacle course includes rolling the luggage over different types of flooring, moving it through twists and turns, lifting it over curbs and more.
What to look for when shopping for luggage
With so many luggage brands available on Amazon, it can be difficult to decide which ones are worth it. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for luggage online:
✔️ Wheels: We recommend looking for luggage with four 360-degree spinner wheels because they consistently receive high scores in our tests for maneuverability.
✔️ Telescopic handle: Because you’re unable to test out the luggage before buying when shopping online, it’s a good idea to look through the product description and reviews to learn more about the telescopic handles — if they’re adjustable to different height levels, if they’re made with grip material and if there’s any added padding for comfort.
✔️ Side handles: If you plan to place your luggage in overhead compartments or stow it away during travel, make sure to look for side carrying handles for easy lifting.
✔️ Compartments: Luggage interiors vary from model to model, so consider whether or not you would like your luggage to unzip into one large compartment or two separate compartments for your belongings. Some suitcases feature exterior pockets as well for easy access to essentials like electronics or toiletries.
✔️ Weight: Airlines have weight restrictions, and heavier suitcases can be more difficult to carry in general. Look for a lightweight piece to make travel easier. Hardside luggage doesn’t always weigh more than softside luggage — added components like wheels and handles contribute to the overall weight of the luggage as well.
✔️ Return policy: This is especially important when shopping online. If you’re worried about committing to luggage that isn’t great, check if the brand offers a return policy or trial period so you aren’t stuck with luggage you don’t love.
Is softside or hardside luggage better?
Both hardside and softside luggage have performed well in our tests, but there are benefits to each material. Here’s what to keep in mind:
✔️ Hardside luggage: Hardside suitcases are becoming popular because they are both lightweight and protective. But not every hardside case is made of the same material:
Polycarbonate: Polycarbonate is lighter than metal but sturdier than plastic, so it’s the most popular hardside luggage material. It’s a durable choice but usually costs more and is prone to scratching.
ABS: Lower-cost hardside luggage is typically made of this lightweight plastic material. It’s more affordable than polycarbonate but isn’t as durable and is more likely to scuff with use.
Polycarbonate/ABS composites: There are some suitcases that use both materials, usually with an ABS plastic underneath and a polycarbonate-coated outer layer. They combine aspects of each material but ultimately aren’t as durable as 100% polycarbonate.
✔️ Softside luggage: Fabric luggage is more malleable, so it’s typically easier to fill with more belongings and can be compacted more for storage:
*Nylon: This is a common synthetic material that’s used for softside luggage because it’s durable and withstands abrasion well.
*Polyester: This fabric is typically less expensive and lighter weight than nylon, but it’s also generally less durable.